The Epistle reading for this coming Sunday includes some of the oldest words in the New Testament, from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. A sentence in the middle of Sunday's text expresses how I feel as I return to our life together at RBC: "How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you?"  (I Thessalonians 3:9). In the week of Thanksgiving, with the season of Advent upon us, it seems a good time to express my own deep thankfulness for all of you.
 
As I was taking in the faces and sights and sounds of worship on my first Sunday back, I noticed a beautiful quilt hanging on the wall. I found out today that it was made by Susan Shaw. What a gift to our worship during this holy season. Thank you, Susan!
 
It was also heartwarming the way everyone expressed such richly deserved gratitude to Bob and Gail for all they have done during these past months. The framed pictures and artwork by our children, presented to me during Children's Time, is a treasure.  All the welcoming home this past week, from the Tuesday Mornings group to the after-church reception, the notes written while I was away and the words spoken to me since my return, are all part of my thanksgiving this week.
 
Someone commented to me this morning how well-planned the sabbatical was, and I could not agree more. I have to thank the sabbatical committee one more time before Thanksgiving slips by. I thought a number of times while I was gone about the words of a Benedictine monk, Brother David Stendal-Rast, who said that the antidote to exhaustion is not necessarily rest. Rather, it is wholeheartedness. The committee worked with me to put together a plan that I could follow wholeheartedly.
 
In a year when we experienced an incredible 50th anniversary around the theme of "Blessed to Be A Blessing," I had the experience I'd wish for every pastor, being deeply and lovingly blessed by the congregation I serve, and sent off to places and experiences that made my heart sing.
 
Now I'm home, and you make my heart sing with joy and thanksgiving.
 
How can I thank God enough? 

Steve

 return to top

Outreach

 nreturn to top

          First Sunday of Advent

           9:00  Prayer Group

           9:30  Sunday School

         11:00  Worship
           6:00  Bell Choir Rehearsal

                                       

  10:00  Tuesday Mornings,"Hanging of the

            Greens," and catered lunch

          11:30  Staff Meeting

            6:30  Outreach Task Force

            7:00  Choir Rehearsal (If you would like to join

                    the choir for the Christmas Cantata,

                    please come at 7:30 p.m.)

            7:30  Al-Anon
            8:30  AA

 

Wednesday, December 2
            6:30  Missions Commission

 

Thursday, December 3

            6:30  Deacons Commission
            6:30  Education Commission

            7:00  College/Young Adult Bible Study

 

Once again your care package has found me well and at the perfect time of year! Finals are approaching quickly and your wonderful wishes and yummy snacks always make them much more pleasant! I am excited to only have one semester left, as I will be graduating this May, though I will miss receiving such kind words when I need them most! Miss you all and hope to visit soon! Thank you again.
 
Sincerely,
Lauren Barrow

We would like to thank the following for their help on Saturday, November 21, in cleaning our building and our property: Phil Weimer, Ray Roan, Jeff Van Ness, Beth Moffett, Carol Weber, Dick Hoffman, Dick Zinnert, Patti Brockmeier, Clarence Hoop, Larry Hatcher, Homer Christensen, Thuy Ingerson, Dave Farmer, Bob Sampson, Don Moore, and Nancy Hall.

 

Brad Moffett, Grounds Chair

Roy Fewell, House Chair

Evaluation forms for the Wednesday night dinner and program are available in the Narthex. If you haven't already done so, please fill one out and return it to the church office. We need feedback from those who attended, but especially from those who weren't able to attend. The information will help us decide how to proceed in scheduling future programs.

Poinsettia order forms will be in the bulletin again next Sunday. You may use the form, or email, or call in your order. Payment does not have to be made at the time of order. Please remember to indicate if the poinsettias are "In Memory of" or "In Honor of" the person. Also indicate the number of plants and the color(s) you would like. The available colors are red, white, and marble.
 
All plants are $9.50 each. Make your check payable to RBC with "Poinsettia" in the memo line. This week, please place the form and your payment in the box in the Narthex instead of placing them in the offering plate. If paying by cash, please place your form and money in an envelope (extra contribution envelopes are in the Narthex). Or you can mail or bring it to the church office. 
 
The deadline for ordering is Thursday, December 3.

return to top

Come to the Tuesday Morning Bible study--we're studying Colossians--on December 1 at 10:00 a.m., and stay to "Hang the Greens" around the church! After decorating, plan to stay for a catered lunch ($7.00 per person) to celebrate this fun time together. Please sign up on the bulletin board by November 25 if you plan to have lunch.

If you are not a "regular" at Tuesday Mornings, this might be the time to check it out. Our normal schedule is Bible study from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m., exercise from 11:15 to noon, and then a brown bag lunch.

I am privileged to be their deacon and encourage you to seek them out and get to know them. --Dot Murphy

 

Dick Hoffman was born in Camden, New Jersey, but calls Cherry Hill, New Jersey, his hometown. His mom and dad are deceased but he has a sister, Patti. He has two children, Douglas and Michelle, and three grandchildren (Jacob, Lauren, and Natalie). Dick served in the U.S. Air Force as a Military Police/K-9 handler and instructor. He is a Vietnam veteran. He continued his career in law enforcement and served 35 years, retiring as a Chief Inspector for the U.S. Marshals Service. Dick was also appointed by Attorney General Janet Reno as the U.S. Marshal for The Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids. Dick currently works as the office administrator at Weichert Realtors in McLean. Dick has a love of gardening and it's his favorite pastime. 

 

Dick Zinnert grew up in Kahoka, Missouri, in the very northeast part of the state--any farther north and you're in Iowa and much farther east and you're in the Mississippi River. After graduating high school in Kahoka, he earned his Bachelor's Degree in philosophy and religion from Truman University in Kirksville, Missouri. Later that same year, Dick entered the U.S. Air Force, where he served for a little over twenty years as a Russian translator and interpreter. During his career he was stationed in Turkey, West Berlin, West Germany, and San Antonio before getting stationed in the Washington, DC, metro area in 1988. Upon his retirement from the USAF, Dick went to work for E-Systems (now Raytheon) in Falls Church until his retirement on September 30 of this year. Dick has two daughters (Jill and Julia) and two grandsons (one from each daughter--Cody, who will be 16 in March, and Aksel, who will be three in January). Dick likes to entertain, cook, and bake. He is probably best known for his cheesecakes and fudge. Now that he's retired, he has also been catching up on his reading.

Our Student of the Month for November and December is Megan Moore. Megan is in her fourth year at Radford University in Radford, Virginia, where she is studying history, media studies, and advertising. She is the daughter of Geralyn Moore and Jeff Moore, both members members of RBC.

We encourage you to pray for Megan throughout the months of November and December (and beyond) and send her a message of encouragement. Here is Megan's contact information:

 

Megan Moore
Radford University
529 Fairfax St. Apt. E
Radford, VA 24141
 
Email: mmoore99@radford.edu

Ravensworth is not a drop off site for charitable items.

Monday - Friday                           Rev. Bob Turner (email) 

                                                        Associate Pastor 

5100 Ravensworth Road                         Choirmaster/Organist

Annandale, VA 22003                     Gail Fewell (email)

                                                         Ministry Assistant

Web Site                                      Virginia Aguilar
www.rbc-va.org                             Nursery Caregivers

                                                   return to top