Monday, April 29, 2013

Providence Presbyterian Church

Yesterday we worshiped at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031, 703.978.3934, www.providencechurch.org, Rev. Dr. Michael P. Burns, Pastor.


Scripture:

Psalm 24 –
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.

Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – he is the King of glory.

John 1:1-5 –
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.


Bob’s thoughts:

We were in northern Virginia to celebrate a granddaughter’s 3rd birthday and got to worship with two of our daughters at a belated Earth Day service.

This service is in a multi-purpose room and I suspect the screen covers a large cross.

From the responses during the Children’s Message, I wish it had been projected on the large screen.

The sermon was on Earth Day and noted John Muir the naturalist had come from Presbyterian roots with some anecdotal information. I thought it was not a particularly easy topic to preach about, but the concept of “it is all God’s creation and we need to be good stewards in taking care of what God created” was a great summary.

After a few trips to the nursery I was needed to comfort two of my grandchildren, the role I like best. I thought the caregivers were exceptional and was pleased to know the children received such attention.

Child care may seem not to be part of worship, but I will bet to the parents of young children it is a most important part. I have talked to many families who worship where they can trust the child care providers…some who did not care for the service much but come because of the safety and love shown their children. That love was evident in the nursery this day.


Jan’s thoughts:

Yesterday’s worship experience was part of our continuing adventures in celebration of a 3-year-old’s birthday weekend…

This is a beautiful facility, thoughtfully arranged, decorated, and cared for. This time I was able to take a look at the sanctuary also, and even with only one stained glass window in the chancel, it is exceptionally tastefully decorated.

It was announced early in the service that Providence has been named an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (USA), signifying it has met the stringent requirements set forth by the PC(USA). (If you are interested in reading more about this program, click HERE.)

The message was entitled “For the Beauty of the Earth” and centered on Earth Day. I would never have guessed there was such a thing as a “Green Bible” printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink, that it comes in a green-letter edition (more than 1,000 verses pertaining to earth and creation are printed in green), and contains inspirational essays by scholars and leaders such as N. T. Wright, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Brian McLaren.

My heart was broken for the family but warmed at the same time to learn the extent to which the church leaders and members are willing to reach out to the community: following the worship service the church was to be the site of a large memorial gathering to celebrate the life of a local teen who died unexpectedly last week. What a truly significant way to show others the love of Christ. 


Our prayer for this church:
Awesome God, continue to pour out Your blessings on this church. Guide them to where You want them to serve. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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