Providence Presbyterian Church

Today we worshiped at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax, VA 22031, 703.978.3934, www.providencechurch.org, Rev. Mary E. Rodgers, Associate Pastor.


Bob’s thoughts:

I’m sure the church has changed little since our last visit six months ago for Emma’s older sister’s baptism, but it seemed so different to me. I had a sense of how the Christmas/Easter worshiper must feel when I remembered that at the time of our last visit there was a considerable snowfall and Christmas decorations were displayed. We were able to worship with some family members whom we hadn’t seen in a while. The space was cooled, which helped me greatly.

The sermon was about the conflict between Martha and Mary, and I appreciated the presentation. I also enjoyed the praise team’s worship music and was looking forward to taking Communion.

Earlier in the day I had my first bona fide nosebleed, and it chose this point in the service to return. As I tended to this situation, a few of the men who came into the men’s room offered to get me help; this thoughtful consideration of someone in need speaks volumes for this church.

On our way home at a rest stop on the Turnpike a man collapsed in the rest room and was resuscitated with a defibrillator. He was tended to by many till the rescue crew arrived.

The caring compassion of strangers shown to God’s children.

Jan’s thoughts:

This was our second visit to Providence for the baptism of another granddaughter – God’s blessings abound!

The Narthex is circular with a huge skylight that allows the daylight to fall gracefully into the greeting area. This is a beautiful facility, well appointed with welcoming touches such as rocking chairs placed in various corners so folks can sit briefly (which we did, as we were early), and a visitor’s table just inside with a selection of information about the church (there must have been a number of visitors at the early service, as the supply was depleted this day).

The bulletin is one of the largest I’ve seen, containing the Order of Worship for both services, music, welcome information, announcements, calendar, and prayer list. So many churches struggle when they have two (or more) services with not becoming two (or more) congregations, and this seems a superb way to remind attendees at both services that the church of which they are a part is larger than the congregation with which they worship.

Last week was Vacation Bible Camp week so there was LOTS of evidence of the week’s activities, including a terrific photo of the children and volunteers gracing the cover of the bulletin and the children’s’ participation during worship.

The music sounded professional, although I’m sure they’re not. I was glad we happened to be there for Communion Sunday and could celebrate both sacraments.

The Associate Pastor led worship and explained that the Prayer of Confession is included each week whether or not Communion is celebrated, because we all sin throughout every week and we need to confess whether or not we are preparing for Communion. I really appreciated the wisdom in that line of thought.

Sitting with a granddaughter during the service meant I was somewhat distracted, which perfectly played into the sermon topic. The message was based on Luke 10:38-42, the well-known Mary and Martha story, and how we are all worried and distracted about many things, just as Martha was. We need to remind ourselves that there is one thing that is necessary, and then choose it. I sometimes need a reminder of that.