Philippians 2: 3 4 Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson HarpersCollins 1996

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1 HENSON VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHURCH ( Disciples of Christ ) 1900 Tucker Road Fort Washington, MD APRIL 2017 UPDATE DEVOTIONAL Recognizing Pride as a Sin It is difficult to recognize pride as a sin when it is held up on every side as a virtue, urged as profitable, and rewarded as an achievement. What is described in Scripture as the basic sin, the sin of taking things into our own hands, being our own god, grabbing what is there while you can get it, is now described as basic wisdom: improve yourself by whatever means you are able; get ahead regardless of the price; take care of me first. For a limited time it works. But at the end the devil has his due. There is damnation. Don t push your way to the front; don t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2: 3 4 Living the Message: Daily Reflections with Eugene Peterson HarpersCollins 1996 FOR YOUR INFORMATION, PRAYERFUL REFLECTION, FAITHFUL ACTION Congratulations! Michael Gaines II has been inducted into the National Honor Society at Gonzaga College High School and Joshua Griffin has been inducted into the Tri-M Music Honor Society at Benjamin Foulois Academy. Heritage Sunday was celebrated on 19 March with the congregation sharing legacies each would leave to family, church, community, and even the world. Thanks are extended to Ellen Azu for organizing and facilitating the celebration. Holy Week Services: Henson Valley will join Bethany Christian Church in worship on Maundy Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and various churches from the 1

2 community for a 7:00 p.m. Good Friday service hosted at First Baptist Church of Camp Springs. Update on the Transition Process Henson Valley welcomed Rev. Allen Harris, Regional Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Capital Area, on Sunday, 26 March as our guest preacher for morning worship and as a participant in the congregation meeting which was incorporated into worship. Rev. Harris preached on the topic of Less Sight, More Vision. The sermon was based on the text from John 9: It explored how following God s will is less about using our human senses and more about using our God-given sense. The designated leaders of the tasks associated with the process of preparing for the transition of pastoral leadership provided updates to the congregation on the work done thus far. This update was incorporated into the worship service on 26 March and included an exercise in theological reflection to help center the process firmly in what God has planned for Henson Valley. Copies of the updates are on the table at the entrance to the Fellowship Hall. Appreciation is extended to Rev. Harris for participating in the worshipful congregation meeting as well as bringing the message. Ministry to the Differently-abled and Their Families Thanks are extended to all who helped to make the March Birthday Party special for our celebrants and guests. The next party is scheduled for Sunday, 2 April. The Arc of Prince George s County, The Infants and Toddlers Program of the Prince George s County Public School System, James Ryder Randall Elementary School, and special education students from Surrattsville High School are partners with Henson Valley in providing support and encouragement to differently-abled children, youth, young adults, and older adults. We are sharing God s love and demonstrating our care for others by sharing our space so that beneficial programs and work experiences can be provided. Plans are in place to create a support group for those who care for the differently-abled. While the aim is to focus efforts on caregivers who live in the southern portion of Prince George s County, all will be welcome. Leadership for this ministry is provided by Toni Johnson (HVCC), Deridra Jones (Reid Temple AME) and Kanzada Douglas (Spirit of Faith Christian Center). Please remember to purchase food and household items that carry the official BoxTops for Education coupon so that Henson Valley can continue to meaningfully support the James Ryder Randall Elementary School 2

3 Special Education Program. Consider inviting friends and neighbors to join us in this effort. Tell them about this ministry and extend the invitation for them to participate. There are people who would be willing to help if only they were asked. Members of the Henson Valley Christian Church Leadership Team are: Carolyn Holland, Bessie Bradford, Marilyn Miles, Rev. Mel Larson, Ellen Azu, and Pastor Martha. The next Leadership meeting will be held on 22 April OUT-AND-ABOUT IN THE REGION ( The Christian Church Capital Area ) March 31 April 2 Work Day at the Conference Center at Bethany Beach, Bethany Beach, DE April 6 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church, Chevy Chase, MD April 9 & 16 (Sundays) Receive the Easter Special Day Offering to support the General Ministries of the Christian Church April (Thursday and Friday) Disciples Center for Public Witness Board of Governors Meeting, TBD April (Friday-Monday) Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Washington, DC Crystal City (Arlington, VA) For more info: April 29 (Saturday) 50th Anniversary Celebration & Dining Hall Renovation Dedication, Camp Mary Mac. Save The Date and Share It With Others! May 4 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church, Chevy Chase, MD May 6 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. Salt & Light Planning Meeting, CCCA Offices May 13 (Saturday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Congregational Life Committee Meeting, CCCA Offices May (Sunday Wednesday) Senior Adult Spring Conference, Christian Church Conference Center, Bethany Beach, DE May 19 (Friday) 5:00 p.m. Minister's Association Dinner & Meeting, the Rev. Seung Un (Paul) Tche, President of the Disciples Council on Christian Unity will speak, at Columbia United Christian Church, Columbia, MD. More information to follow! 3

4 May (Friday Sunday) Preschool (Discovery) Retreat, Camp Mary Mac, Sharpsburg, MD May (Friday Monday) Personal Retreat, Christian Church Conference Center, Bethany Beach, DE June 1 (Thursday) 10:00 a.m. Commission for Ministry Meeting, North Chevy Chase Christian Church, Chevy Chase, MD June 2 4 (Friday Sunday) Disciples Women's Retreat, Christian Church Conference Center, Bethany Beach, DE June 10 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. Regional Board Meeting, Whosoever Will Christian Church, Beltsville, MD June (Saturday Sunday) Retirement Celebration for the Rev. Dr. Wm. Chris Hobgood, Bethany Beach Christian Church & Conference Center at Bethany Beach, DE June 30 - July 4, 2017 Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ, General Synod, Baltimore, Maryland. For more info: July 8-12, 2017 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis, Indiana. For more info: October 14 (Saturday) Salt & Light conference will be held at National City Christian Church, Washington, DC. REMINDERS FROM THE GENERAL CHURCH (The Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the United States and Canada) Special Dates - 9 April: Palm Sunday - 13 April: Maundy Thursday - 14 April: Good Friday - 16 April: Easter Sunday - 22 April: Earth Day April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in the United States. For sample safe church policies, tips, and safety basics visit docfamiliesandchildren.org or contact Disciples Family & Children s Ministries at Christian Family Week or Christian Home Month is observed in the United States in May. Celebrate with intergenerational and in-home faith resources from docfamiliesandchildren.org. 4

5 Get ready! General Assembly 2017 Promotion Sunday is 30 April. Go to disciples.org/ga to find promotional materials. Learn from global partners with a people-to-people pilgrimage experience. Globalministries.org/people_to_people_pilgrimages Can you talk about mental health with your congregation? In preparation for May s Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States, consider having a Mental Health Sunday (often the third Sunday in May) and/or incorporating mental health topics and resources during worship and Bible study throughout the month. Connect with the Mental Health and Congregational Care Affinity Group for more information and materials: nbacares.org/mental-health. 5

6 IN THE LIFE OF THE CONGREGATION Upcoming Events and Programs April 2 Fifth Sunday In Lent 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 1:15 p.m. Monthly Birthday Party April 4 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. April 4 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. Oxon Hill Library April 5 Wednesday Night Lenten Study Series, Journey toward Golgotha: Scripture s Witness to the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Lenten Study Series 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice April 6 Surrattsville High School Students ( Work Related Experiences ) 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. 6

7 April 9 Palm Sunday Easter Special Offering 9:30 a.m. Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast April 11 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. April 11 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at HVCC April 12 Wednesday Night Lenten Study Series, Journey toward Golgotha: Scripture s Witness to the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Lenten Study Series 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice April 13 Surrattsville High School Students ( Work Related Experiences ) 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. April 13 Maundy Thursday Service 7:00 p.m. at Bethany Christian Church April 14 Good Friday Service 7:00 p.m. at First Baptist of Camp Springs EASTER SUNDAY Easter Special Offering 9:30 a.m. Easter Sunday Pancake Breakfast April 16 7

8 April 18 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. April 18 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. at HVCC April 19 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice April 20 Surrattsville High School Students ( Work Related Experiences ) 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. April 22 Leadership Team Meeting ( Conference Call ) 2:00 p.m. April 23 Second Sunday of Easter 9:45 a.m. Sunday School April 25 The Arc of Prince George s County ( Activities, Music & Work Experiences ) 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. April 25 PGCPS Infants & Toddlers Program 10:00 a.m. At HVCC April 26 Wednesday Night Bible Study & Choir Practice 7:00 p.m. Bible Study 8:00 p.m. Choir Practice Surrattsville High 8

9 April 27 School Students ( Work Related Experiences ) 10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m. April 30 Third Sunday of Easter 9:45 a.m. Sunday School 9