Nokesville Church of the Brethren

July & August 2023 Newsletter

PASTOR’S PONDERINGS

With longer days and opportunities for outdoor recreation, summer is the time for picnics and gatherings. The planning process includes some questions: What kind of get-together will it be? And, what’s the menu? Is it just a pizza or sandwiches at the pool or park? Is it a picnic with an afternoon of grilling in someone’s backyard? Is it a movie night and s’mores kind of thing? Will all the food be provided, or should everyone bring something to share?

More important than the food, though, is the guest list. Should we invite everyone from the neighborhood? Who do we know that should be invited? Are people welcome to bring friends? If extra people show up are you polite but disinterested? Do you fret and complain to someone about more people? Or do you welcome them and want to hear their story?

What if we took a few steps back to observe meaningful gatherings in our lives? Wouldn’t we see people lingering with one another and sharing about life’s ups and downs? Wouldn’t we see teamwork from prep to cleanup?

During the Sundays throughout July and August, we’ll be looking at meals and gatherings that Jesus attended. Who were the people at those meals? Did they know each other? Did they have meaningful conversations? Was there a sense of togetherness? Was there an openness to more people than were on the guest list?

Whether it’s our food truck Fridays on July 14 & August 11, our church picnic on August 27, or a spontaneous after-church get-together, we must ask similar questions. Jesus had an attitude of “the more the merrier”. In fact, he fed thousands at one time on a hillside. He didn’t limit the guest list based on special connections and societal expectations. He kept going to people and inviting them into his world. His guest list always growing, Jesus’ invitation continues to be open.

Let’s reach out. Let’s push against society’s expectations and lean into what Jesus would do. Let’s invite others to be part of our summer whether here at the church or at a place of your choosing. And, if you know someone who’d like to be present but has limitations, take the picnic to them.

Grace & peace,

Pastor Janet

SERVICE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Blessings Box: Usage of this service is steady and the community’s support has been strong

Senior Socials: July event will feature a game attempting to match attendees to pictures of them from their youth. Our August gathering will be a picnic and Karaoke. Invite a friend!

Field of Boaz: (local group volunteering for Growing Hope Globally.) Plans are being made for a harvest celebration in conjunction with Apple Fest on October 28^th – more details later.

CROP Walk: Event to be held on September 24^th at Jennie Dean Park with NCOB and MCOB partnering.

Fellowship of the Least Coin: Please continue to donate a coin each time you pray for peace.

CWS: During the month of November, donations will be collected toward the Church World Service Blanket Drive.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

The Congregational Life team would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Men’s Breakfast. We had a wonderful variety of breakfast items to celebrate the men of our congregation.

Upcoming Events:

Our next event will be a picnic at the Nokesville Park on August 27 immediately following worship. This will be an opportunity for us to share a meal and enjoy time outside together. The meal will be potluck style.

All Church Camp Weekend will be September 29-October 1. Join us the entire weekend or a day for some fall, mountain air! There will be cabins available and campers are invited to bring tents, if that is your preference. Be on the look out for more information and sign up sheets at the beginning of August. Please let Jackie Bear or Pam Breslin know if you/your child is interested in the challenge course/high ropes. We will need at least 6 people to book the activity. All participants must have completed 6^th grade.

Food Truck Friday: Don’t forget to come out to the Friday Food Truck events! The next one will be July 14^th.

RAINBOW PRESCHOOL

There are two more weeks of summer camp which will be July 17-21, and July 31 – August 4. All camps are from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm. The camps are open to our current students.

We still have openings in classes for the fall if you or someone you know is interested. For more information, visit our website: rainbowpreschool.us.

FLOWER SHARING

We have created a Signup Genius so you can order flowers online. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EABAE29A4F94-2023

Your offerings can be made through our website. https://www.continuetogive.com/ncobbudget

SERVING JULY 2023

July 2

July 9

July 16

July 23

July 30

Worship Leader

Dianne Nelson

Melanie Ali

TBD

Vernon Funkhouser

Harper Buettner

Children’s Story

Dianne Nelson

Ben Bear

Pastor Janet Myers

Pam Breslin

Melanie Ali

Nursery

Katlyn Keesler

Megan Nelson

Carrie Diethorn

Jackie Bear

TBD

Dianne Nelson

Melanie Ali

Jessica Brockett

Lyn Ficili

Pianist

Suzie Evans

Organist

Mary Weybright

Hymn Leader

Jeannette Funkhouser

Flowers Are given to the glory of God by

Mary Weybright in honor of the United States of America where we can worship as we choose.

Jackie Bear in honor of Charlotte & Cubby Bear’s 46th wedding anniversary.

Lyn Ficili in honor of Jason & Laurie Facili’s and Kerry & Carlos Molina’s anniversaries

SERVING AUGUST 2023

August 6

August 13

August 20

August 27

Worship Leader

Pam Flory

Bev Slabaugh

Matt Nelson

Ben Bear

Children’s Story

Dianne Nelson

Matt Nelson

Suzie Evans

Pam Breslin

Nursery

Jackie Bear

Melanie Ali

Katlyn Keesler

Kelsey Southard

Pam & Pat Breslin

Dianne Nelson

Megan Nelson

Pianist

Suzie Evans

Service

Suzie Evans

Organist

Mary Weybright

Hymn Leader

Jeannette Funkhouser

Flowers Are given to the glory of God by

Pam Flory in honor of Polly Flory’s birthday

Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Coffee Fellowship 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship Service 11:00 a.m.

Pastor Janet’s Office Hours

Tues – Fri

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

jcmyers2@outlook.com