Nokesville Church of the Brethren

May 2023 Newsletter

PASTOR’S PONDERINGS

In the church calendar, we continue in the Easter season until Pentecost Sunday on May 28 this year. What does it mean to continue in the Easter season? Celebrating the resurrection isn’t meant to be contained to one Sunday, is it?

When a sports team wins a big championship, it’s so exciting to be there, in person, to participate in the loud cheers, to buy the commemorative t-shirt, to watch the parade of winners, to see and hear the fireworks overhead, to come home with confetti in your clothes. THAT’s a celebration!

But that victory and that celebration are short lived. Within a few days or weeks, the story has lost its potency as life goes back to the everyday routines.

Shouldn’t it be different when we talk about the victory of Jesus? There wasn’t any confetti or a parade of celebration. We weren’t there in person. Yet, the victory of Jesus affects everyone for eternity. As followers of Jesus, we have reason to continue celebrating.

Our Lord and Savior became human and rubbed shoulders with the average and marginalized people of society. Jesus Christ defeated death and gives us eternal life. He showed us the way and invited us to the after party.

Are we continuing the after party for ourselves and others? Do we appear to the community as people who celebrate life together? Are we invitational?

This month Food Truck Fridays begin on May 12 and Nokesville Day will be on May 20. We’ll purposely reach out to connect with others. Like Jesus, we’ll meet people along the way, as they are. And they’ll meet us, as we are. Will they meet resurrection people? Will we be an invitation that says, “Come and see”? Be joyful in service and faithful in prayer so that others see Jesus in the neighborhood. Let’s keep the party going! Confetti is optional.

Grace & peace in Jesus Christ,

Pastor Janet

SERVICE & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Nokesville Day will be May 20^th. Our team has traditionally staffed the Hospitality Tent. Please consider volunteering to greet visitors for a block of time that day.

The Fellowship of the Least Coin project is continuing. Each time a person prays for peace, a coin is dropped into the canister located at the rear of the sanctuary. The collection will support projects for women and children around the world.

This team is currently meeting via ZOOM on the second Monday of each month at 7pm. Contact Lyn, Dianne or Nancy if you are interested in joining this team or have ideas for fundraising for projects.

CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

Thank you to everyone who supported the Children’s Easter Party. We were able to host children from our congregation, Rainbow Preschool, and Kidz Fit Cheer. Fun was had by all, and it could not have been done without the support of the congregation!

Ladies Evening: The team will host Ladies Evening on May 6^th at 5:30 pm. Local artist, Kerry Molina, will guide us through an inspirational art piece. This event is to celebrate the women in our congregation of all ages and those that play important roles in our lives. Bring a dish to share and be ready to have a relaxing, enjoyable evening. While RSVP is not required, it is appreciated to plan for the event. Please use the link below to RSVP for the event. Ladies Evening RSVP

Kids Lunch: The next Kids’ Lunch will be on May 21. The children of the congregation are invited to join us for lunch and fun activities. Be on the lookout for additional information!

Food Truck Fridays! Join us on the second Friday of the month from May-October for Food Truck Friday from 4-7. Invite your friends and community members to join and make this event a success!

NOKESVILLE DAY

We will once again be fellowshipping with our local community at the annual Nokesville Day festivities on May 20! There are many ways to get involved and help with our congregation’s efforts to make this day run smoothly and successfully.

Cubby Bear and Larry Nelson will begin setting up tents at 7:30am. Many hands make light work, so please let them know if you can help!

From 9:00am to around 2:00 or 3:00pm, we will have a number of opportunities for helping to make the day run well:

Food tent: We offer concessions for folks to purchase – a popular option at the end of the parade route! Katlyn Douglas will be coordinating this. The food tent is often our activity needing the most support, so please consider volunteering to help during one of the time slots!

Children’s activities: Pastor Janet will be engaging our local littles and their families with games and other activities! If you have any suggestions or resources to offer, please let her know!

Hospitality tent: Each year we have a tent set up for simply visiting with friends and sitting in the shade. Lyn Ficili will be pioneering this effort with the help of the Service and Community Engagement Ministry Team.

Bake sale: Elizabeth Evans will be hosting the bake sale this year. If you have a favorite recipe you’d like to whip up, please share it with the bake sale!

Plant sale: There will be plants available for folks to purchase. If you have some extra irises, tomato starts, houseplants, or whatever, we’d love to have them! The plants will simply be set out with a “Pay what you want” system and a lovely can for collection.

If time, energy, or other obligations prevent you from joining us or helping on May 20, you can always donate towards expenses, pray for us, or stop by and buy a tasty treat! Ben Bear is the overall coordinator this year. Reach out to him with any questions.

SUMMER MUSIC

We would like to have special music again this summer during worship. It can be instrumental, vocal or groups. If you would like to volunteer or have a suggestion of someone we might ask, please let Suzie Evans (703-403-1571) or Pastor Janet know. Thank you!

RAINBOW PRESCHOOL

Our school year will end Friday, May 26. We will have a graduation program for those going to kindergarten on May 25 at 7:00 pm. Our summer camps will be June 5-9, July 17-21, and July 31 – August 4 from 9:00 to 12:30. 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 MAY 2023

May 7

May 14

May 21

May 28

Worship Leader

Pam Flory

Matt Nelson

Bev Slabaugh

Ben Bear

Acolytes

Adam Nelson

TBD

Lane Revard

Jackson Nelson

Children’s Story

Suzie Evans

Matt Nelson

Pam Breslin

Dianne Nelson

Nursery

Kelsey & Danny Southard

Jackie Bear

Megan Nelson

Lyn Ficili

Katlyn Keesler

Pam & Pat Breslin

Pianist

Suzie Evans

Organist

Mary Weybright

Hymn Leader

David Myers

Jeannette Funkhouser

Flowers Are given to the glory of God by

The Hawkins family wishes Tommy a very happy 82nd birthday.

Mary Weybright in honor of Memorial Day

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