Midweek Update: A Devotional on Prayer
Dear Fourth Church Family,
We have a God who is unlike any other god, who is near to us and available whenever we call on him. In prayer, we express our neediness and dependence on our great God and direct our praises and thanksgiving to the one who hears and answers. And there is much to pray for—our families, our church, our country, and the world.
I hope you can join us tonight for Congregational Prayer at 5:30 p.m. as we lean on, depend upon, and praise our great God together. Also, for all who are able to participate, our Drive-Through Collection and Food Drive is this week with drop-off times today and Saturday. See details below on these opportunities and many more.
Grace and Peace,
Todd
Congregational Prayer Online
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Join our churchwide online prayer time by video or phone. See the information sent to the Fourth community this morning via email. If it’s your first time joining us, you can get familiar with Zoom videoconferencing ahead of time here.
Call: 301-320-3600, x205, or email Sallie Holdrich, sholdrich@4thpres.org.
Drive-Through Collection and Food Drive
Contact: Pamela Roylance, proylance@4thpres.org
Today, November 11 | 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 | 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The neighborhood and church are invited to contribute to a food, clothing, and household items collection. Items are distributed to our ministry partners and neighbors in the DMV. Find more information online.
Worship Services, Sunday, November 15
Reservations are now open for outdoor services at 8:00 & 9:30 a.m. on the Lower (east) Parking Lot, and 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. services in the Sanctuary. The 11:00 a.m. is also available via livestream and on demand.
If you require the accessible entrance for indoor worship, first make your reservation, then email Rebecca Sparks-Korossy, rkorossy@4thpres.org, so that we may accommodate you.
If you need to cancel your reservation, please email Rebecca Sparks-Korossy, rkorossy@4thpres.org.
Morning Sermon
“The Gentleness of Jesus” | Matthew 11:25-30
Evening Sermon
“Is It Godly?” | Jude 14-19
Communion will be served at the evening service this Sunday, November 15, using prepackaged communion wafers and grape juice. Prepackaged gluten-free wafers will also be available.
Thanksgiving Day Worship Service
Join us to worship our faithful God and give thanks together for his bountiful provision.
“Joyful Gratitude” | Colossians 1:9-14
Outdoors | Thursday, November 26 | 10:30 a.m.
Lower (east) Parking Lot
Due to limited seating, advance registration is required and will open on Monday, November 23.
This will be our final outdoor service of 2020.
Thanksgiving Offering
Each year, the collected offering provides relief to those affected by natural disasters around the globe. You can contribute by writing “Disaster Relief” on the memo line of your check, by using the designated Thanksgiving envelope, or by giving online. If giving online, click on the Select Gift Fund dropdown menu and choose “THANKSGIVING/DISASTER RELIEF”.
Services Moving Indoors
Starting November 29, all four Sunday worship services will be held indoors.
Service Times and Locations:
8:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
9:30 a.m. | Upper Room
11:00 a.m. | Sanctuary (available via livestream and on demand)
6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Advent at Fourth
Mark your calendars now for these special worship services and family times.
Advent Communion Worship
November 29 | 6:00 p.m.
Family “Advent-in-a Box” Drive-Through Event
December 1 | 4:00–5:00 p.m. or December 5 | 10:00–11:00 a.m.
Register in Advance
Christmas Carol Sing
December 6 | 6:00 p.m.
Women’s Christmas Celebration
December 5-11 | via video on demand
Lessons and Carols
December 13 | 6:00 p.m. (via livestream only)
Sanctuary Choir and instrumental ensemble
Advent Communion Worship
December 20 | 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve
Family Service | 5:00 p.m. | Upper Room
Communion Service | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Service 11:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Due to limited seating, advance registration is required. Registration is available the Wednesday prior to the service.
Teaching on Tuesdays
“Cinderella with Amnesia”
Taught by Fourth Pastors
Tuesdays | 7:00-7:45 p.m. | Online
Contact: Kathy Lofberg, klofberg@4thpres.org
Call: 301-320-3600, x205, or email Kathy Lofberg, klofberg@4thpres.org.
Ministry Announcements
Adult Sunday School
Contact: Kathy Lofberg, klofberg@4thpres.org
Fall semester classes continue through December 6. Spring semester classes begin on January 10. Newcomers are welcome at any time. See the Adult Sunday School webpage for more information.
Children’s Ministry
Contact: Marie LeDuc, mleduc@4thpres.org
Children’s Sunday School | Online lessons are available and sent via email weekly.
Children’s Church | Sundays, during the 9:30 a.m. outdoor service. Children age 4 through 3rd grade will be dismissed before the sermon and will be accompanied by their teachers to the tent adjacent to the Upper Parking Lot.
Preschool Story Time | Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., at the tent adjacent to the Upper Parking Lot.
Bible Studies for 4th and 5th Graders | Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m., outside. Drop-off for boys, Upper Parking Lot; girls, nearby host home. Email for location.
Family “Advent in a Box” Drive-Through Event | Tuesday, December 1, 4:00–5:00 p.m., or Saturday, December 5, 10:00–11:00 a.m. Register in Advance online to pick up a Christmas family devotional and Advent calendar, an Advent wreath (available with advance purchase), plus Christmas crafts, prepackaged cookies, and hot chocolate! The box is free. However, if you wish to purchase an Advent wreath, there is a $35.00 fee. The drive-through will be held under the Ridgefield Road Portico.
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Contact: Matilde Palmer, mpalmer@4thpres.org
Practice English with ESOL Students | Many ESOL students are requesting a volunteer to meet with them via Zoom for about 1 hour per week to practice conversational skills. Timing is flexible.
Finance Office
Contact: Ruth Williams, rwilliams@4thpres.org
Giving envelopes are mailed every three months to those who request them. We are happy to continue to send them, but if you no longer wish to be on the list, please email us by Thursday, November 19.
Did you know?
- If you give by check, an envelope is not necessary; your check has all we need to record your gift for tax purposes.
- An envelope with your name and address is needed for tax credit only when you are giving cash.
- Please note that online giving on Fourth’s website is easy and secure.
Special Blessings
Contact: Audrey Muteru, amuteru@4thpres.org
Sunday School | Every Sunday, 11:00 a.m., via Zoom, using Bethesda Compassion Series, review of lessons 6 and 7.
Leadership Meeting | Sundays, 12:15-12:45 p.m., via Zoom.
Moms’ Support Group | November 13, 7:30-9:00 p.m., via Zoom. We will continue our study of Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent, chapter 24.
Dads’ Support Group | November 14, 7:00-8:30 p.m., via Zoom. We will continue our study of Common Man, Extraordinary Call: Thriving as the Dad of a Child with Special Needs, chapter 6, pp. 99-106.
Thanksgiving SERVE Opportunity
Contact: Pamela Roylance, proylance@4thpres.org
This year, our Thanksgiving outreach will focus on the ministry of YoungLives, a ministry of YoungLife, in the District. The family of Fourth will provide a meal. Food will be dropped off at church ahead of time for volunteers to deliver. Sign up online. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be serving in person on Thanksgiving Day.
Women’s Ministry
Contact: Jean Bronson, jbronson@4thpres.org
Christmas Celebration | In lieu of our annual Christmas luncheon and dessert, we will be celebrating Christmas with music, Scripture, and reflections virtually, on demand, December 5-11. It will last less than an hour and be a special time to encourage women to gather virtually and watch as they celebrate the birth of our Savior.
Women’s Bible Studies | We will meet via Zoom during the 2021 winter session. Join us during one of the various time slots as we explore the Book of Galatians using Galatians: The Gospel of Free Grace, by Jon Nielson and Philip Ryken. More information to come.
Women’s Cancer Support Group | We will gather virtually for the last time in 2020 on Sunday, November 15, at 2:30 p.m. If you’re new to the group, please contact Jean to receive a zoom invitation.
Youth Ministry
Contact: Marie LeDuc, mleduc@4thpres.org
Sign Up: Weekly Youth Newsletter
Youth Sunday School | Join us for online teaching, “How does God describe his Church?” Video links are sent Sunday mornings by email and posted on the website.
Youth Bible Studies | Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Bible studies meet by grade and gender. For locations, see the newsletter. A weather update email will be sent later today.
Middle School Going Deep with Brad and Rachel, Middle School Directors | Mondays, 3:30-4:30 p.m., via Zoom. See newsletter for the link.
7th Grade Girls’ Painting Day with Emily and Julia (Bible study leaders) | November 13, 4:00-6:00 p.m. For location, contact Rachel André.
Girls’ Fireside Chat for 8th-12th Grade Girls | Friday, November 13, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Offsite. For location, see the newsletter or contact Taylor Davis.
Football for 8th-12th Grade Guys | November 22, 1:00-230 p.m., Wood Acres Elementary School fields. Join us for a game of COVID-safe football (modified rules). Email for the address.