The Messenger P.O. Box 1088 / 6930 Cold Harbor Road Mechanicsville, VA 23111 The Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Starzer, Pastor Web Site: www.fairfieldpcusa.org The Rev. Darren W. Utley, Associate Pastor E-Mail: [email protected]Brett Underdown, Pastoral Assistant Office Phone: (804) 730-7164 November 2016 In the book of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher talks about the strength of “a chord of three strands.” That verse came to my mind in the days following the official approval of the merger between Beulah and Fairfield at the presbytery meeting a couple of weeks ago. For it seems to Steve and I, as well as many others to whom we have spoken, that the merger is like the binding of two strands that can only lead to an increase in strength. Fairfield and Beulah were once separate strands set in their place under God’s guidance, but now we have been brought together by God’s direction and for God’s mission in our community. We have become a strong chord of three strands: Beulah and Fairfield bound together by God among us. The stewardship and finance committee has been reflecting on this coming together as they prepare for the stewardship season coming up this month. This is a very exciting time in the life of our now three-strand-strong congregation. The stewardship team has come up with another metaphor to celebrate the merger and the new thing that God is doing in our midst. They would ask us to imagine two streams winding their way through their respective areas till they come together to form a powerful river able to nurture and refresh the surrounding lands. Like the chord of three strands, this confluence of two communities of faith holds out hope for our future potential for mission and ministry in Hanover County and beyond. For we are now flowing together to show God’s love to the world. We are nearing the season of Thanksgiving and we have much for which to be thankful. We also have the responsibility to move into this season of stewardship with not only gratitude, but with a sense of expectation and a spirit of participation. As we consider our commitment to the mission and ministry of God taking shape in our confluence of congregations, let us imagine ourselves as young children standing by the banks of this river. Are we ready to dive in? 1
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The Messenger P.O. Box 1088 / 6930 Cold Harbor Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
The Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Starzer, Pastor Web Site: www.fairfieldpcusa.org
The Rev. Darren W. Utley, Associate Pastor E-Mail: [email protected]
In the book ofEcclesiastes, thePreacher ta lksabout the strengthof “a chord of threestrands.” Thatverse came to mymind in the days
following the official approval of the mergerbetween Beulah and Fairfield at the presbyterymeeting a couple of weeks ago. For it seems toSteve and I, as well as many others to whom wehave spoken, that the merger is like the bindingof two strands that can only lead to an increasein strength. Fairfield and Beulah were onceseparate strands set in their place under God’sguidance, but now we have been broughttogether by God’s direction and for God’smission in our community. We have become astrong chord of three strands: Beulah andFairfield bound together by God among us.
The stewardship and finance committee hasbeen reflecting on this coming together as theyprepare for the stewardship season coming upthis month. This is a very exciting time in the lifeof our now three-strand-strong congregation. The stewardship team has come up with anothermetaphor to celebrate the merger and the newthing that God is doing in our midst. They wouldask us to imagine two streams winding their waythrough their respective areas till they cometogether to form a powerful river able to nurtureand refresh the surrounding lands. Like thechord of three strands, this confluence of twocommunities of faith holds out hope for our future
potential for mission and ministry in HanoverCounty and beyond. For we are now flowingtogether to show God’s love to the world.
We are nearing the season ofThanksgiving and we have much for which to bethankful. We also have the responsibility tomove into this season of stewardship with notonly gratitude, but with a sense of expectationand a spirit of participation. As we consider ourcommitment to the mission and ministry of Godtaking shape in our confluence of congregations,let us imagine ourselves as young childrenstanding by the banks of this river. Are we readyto dive in?
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The “other” Pastor’s Page
Dear friends,
A few weekends ago, I had a very meaningfulexperience that I would like to share with all ofyou. Thank you for allowing me the time away totravel to Emmitsburg, MD for the National FallenFirefighters Memorial weekend.
But the privilege of serving as a Chaplain for theHonor Guards started a week earlier. TheCongress of the United States annually givesflags which have flown over the Capitol Buildingfor the families of firefighters who lost their livesin the line of duty. Traditionally, there is aceremony in the shadows of the Senate buildingwhere the flags are transferred from theCongress to the Fallen Firefighters Foundation.This event took place on Wednesday September28th. Ordinarily, either the Chaplain of theSenate or the House will provide prayers for thisceremony. In this case, neither was available, soat the last minute I was called in to offer theinvocation and benediction. What an honor andprivilege that was for me! Thank you for allowingme the flexibility to be available to serve in thatmanner.
October 7 - 9th allowed me the opportunity toserve as the first Chaplain to the Honor Guards.Prior years there have been Fire Chaplains tothe families of the Fallen Firefighters but thisyear was the first time a Chaplain was providedto support those whose job it was to support thefamilies. In total 112 Firefighters lost their lives inthe line of duty throughout the United States andPuerto Rico in 2015. Programs are provided fortheir families (spouses, parents and children.) Ittakes hundreds of volunteers from among theranks of departments throughout the country toprovide these programs and services to aid thefamilies.
Being the first person to serve in this new role, Ihad the unique opportunity to create the position.I provided prayers and devotions for the HonorGuard personnel as well as other avenues of
service as needed. I also had the opportunity toobserve the ceremonies in practice and infruition. The greatest opportunity wasconversations with men and women from all overthe country as they shared their hopes anddreams and heartbreak as they sought to honorthose who gave their all to serve theircommunities.
The hardest part of the weekend, and the part Iwas least prepared for, was the emotionalfeelings in my own heart. As names wereannounced and pictures of the deceased wereshown and brief biographies of each wereshared, I felt the sadness of their loss. Each oneof them was someone's son or husband or fatheror brother. Each one of them was someone anyof us more than likely would have been proud tocall a friend.
I guess in my own heartache, I came to therealization that what the National FallenFirefighter Foundation was doing that weekendwas vitally important and a necessary aid tothose whose grief is an everyday reality. I hopeand pray that my little part helped those whowere there to help the families of those whoselives were taken way too early.
In Christ's love,
Steve
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Member News
Our sympathy goes out tothe Flurry family on thedeath of one of ourmembers, Edith Flurry,who passed away on
October 11th. We lost another member onOctober 28th, Norma Sprenkel. Both will bemissed. We express our sympathies to thefollowing members: Ann Barlow on the death ofher sister, Catherine; Gene Rosen on the deathof his sister-in-law Margaret; Beverly Ward onthe death of her brother, Jim, Mike Moore on thedeath of his sister-in-law Tracey; Wray Palmoreon the death of his brother-in-law.
Chad Starzer has a new address. It is: 209 N.19th Street, #32, Richmond, VA 23223.
Please keep the following people in your dailyprayers: Danny Couch’s sister, Amy, BillDobson, Walt & Jan Fadeley’s daughter,Nancy, Rebecca Harvey’s nephew, CharlieHunt, Donna Horn, Rick Houchins, MerrillynJones, Connie Lee (Walt & Jan Fadeley’sfamily member), Jack Mitchell, ElizabethMoorhouse, Donna Richbourg’s niece,Norman Wash’s sister-in-law, Mary, DeborahWood, Greg & Dale Woodfin and son, all thosewho serve as missionaries abroad and thosewho serve our nation. Also remember those whoneed jobs and those in our congregation who areunable to attend church regularly due to illnessor limited mobility.
(Please update Pastor Steve or Pastor Darren asoften as possible if you wish to keep your nameor your loved one’s name on this list.)
Thanks to all my Fairfieldfamily for helping Marthasurvive this past Summer! She can tell you howmany tiles are in thecardiac waiting area ! After a long series ofA-Fib trials and errors, itseems the pacemaker is
helping greatly ! Your prayers, calls, cards,e-mails, Facebooks helped make the ride easier! A very special thanks to the prayer shawlcommittee for the wonderful shawl and having Patdeliver it ! Now that cooler weather is coming onI will put it to good use !
Yours in Christ !Rick Houchins
Many thanks for the phone calls, cards, visits andflowers during our recent heart surgeries. Youlifted us up!
Jo & Jack Mitchell
Dear Fairfield Church Family,I would like to express my thanks to all who cameto visit, the prayers, flowers, prayer shawl, andphone calls during my hospital and Health Carestay. I hope to be back with you at church soon. Mary Gayton
We welcome Ken &Carolyn Moore to ourchurch family! Ken &Carolyn live at 11820 PineNeedles Drive, ProvidenceForge, VA 23140. Theirtelephone number is 966-5576.
Chris & Debbie Palicia . . . . . . . November 2Robby & Kim Stevens . . . . . . . November 2Chris & Anne Sorensen . . . . . November 19Rick & Martha Houchins . . . . . November 26
Special Dates
• All Saints’ Day, November 1• Daylight Savings Time Ends, November 6• Election Day, November 8• Veterans Day, November 11• Christ the King Sunday, November 20• Thanksgiving, November 24• First Sunday of Advent, November 27
The Super Singles will be goingto Texas Roadhouse at VirginiaCenter on Sunday, November13th right after the 11:00amworship service. Meet in theparking lot at 12:15 and carpoolover with us to enjoy a delightfullunch. This is a fun fellowship! We get together oncea month for a meal and Christian fellowship. Ifyou are a single adult – divorced, widowed, ornever-married, you are invited to attend! Melanie Rubeck
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“Enter his gates withthanksgiving and his courtswith praise. Give thanks tohim, bless his name.” Psalm100 v. 4 Thanksgiving is aspecial time of the year. Letus take time to thank God forall that we have and all that we
are because of his love for us.Our libraries have many books that will help
us to reflect on God’s love and goodness in ourlives. Look for Following Christ, The PositivePower of Jesus Christ and Living Before God. Inthe children’s library you will find All ThingsBright and Beautiful, Thank You God and All IEver Need.
May we be ever mindful of the manyblessings in our lives and remember to ThankGod everyday for them. Blessings and BestWishes to you all for a Happy Thanksgiving. Elizabeth Covington
Autumn is upon us andthe brilliant colors inspirethe shawls and lap robeswe knit and crochet. It isalso the time of year wemake hats and scarves todonate to MCEF. Eachmonth we gather in theBarlow Parlor to share our
ideas and skills as we work on projects for theministry. We welcome anyone who would wantto join us. If you don’t know how to knit orcrochet, we would be happy to help you learnwhile sharing in the fellowship..
The next meeting of the Prayer ShawlMinistry is Wednesday, November 2 at10:30am in the Barlow Parlor. Anna Barrowclough
The Joyful Readers’Circle will meet again onTuesday, November 8th at7:00pm in the Union Class. They will be discussing thebook, Summer at OysterBay by Jenny Hale. Beverly Burts will give thedevotion and Donna
Richbourg will lead the discussion on this book. Please join us!
We enjoyed an inspiring devotion from Psalm 21that assures us we will always have Godprotection. We just have to believe in His powerand trust His presence. We discussed a numberof projects where we have helped people andorganizations. We also reminded everyone of theupcoming annual collection of Thanksgiving foodfor the needy as well as our annual Thanksgivingbreakfast this month. Any and all men are askedto help for the breakfast. You won’t bedisappointed in the fellowship! We look forward to seeing you for our nextbreakfast on Tuesday, November 8th. All menare encouraged to join us and give input that willbe necessary to carry out and/or create manywonderful projects. Join us at The Cold HarborRestaurant, every 2nd Tuesday of the monthstarting around 6:00 to 6:30 am. Call or email BillD o b s o n 8 0 4 - 3 1 4 - 3 1 2 7 o [email protected] with any questionsabout the men of the church activities. You neverhave to reserve a seat, we will always have anopening for you.
Service in Christ,. Billy Putze, Bill Dobson
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Dear Darren,
For 6th grader Jonathan Lambert, and manyother children like him around the world, going toschool means hope.
"I am really happy because sometimes this is theonly meal I get for the whole day," he said. "Myparents are not able to buy me food."
The Stop Hunger Now meals Jonathan eatsevery day at school give him more energy tostudy and focus, and his grades have risen fromBs to As.
Jonathan is only one of the tens of thousands ofchildren around the world who receive StopHunger Now meals at school. By packagingmeals with us, you have helped Jonathan growand thrive. And because you shared your timewith us, children have hope for their future,families can take a step out of poverty, andcommunities can prosper.
We are delighted to announce that the mealsfrom your meal packaging event on 9/25/2016have been shipped in a container totaling285,120 meals from our Richmond, VAwarehouse. If this is the second email youhave received, this simply means that yourmeals have gone to impact multiple partners.
The meals will be received by our in-countrypartner Adventist Relief and DevelopmentAgency in Mozambique.
The emergency appeal by ADRA aims to ensurefood security and reduce the vulnerability of39.756 people affected by drought, including9,56 children at primary school, in the districts ofMoamba, Magude, Namaacha and Boane inMaputo province, south region of Mozambique.Stop Hunger Now will provide its meals toachieve output 1.2 of the proposed emergencyappeal: School lunches provided to 23 primaryschools. The SHN meals will reach 9,756students, they will receive 1 lunch each day,during 60 days in Namaacha and Boane District.Joint monitory will take place, ensuring that theproject complements other interventions in the
emergency context. A final emergency reliefevaluation to be undertaken in December 2016.Visit www.stophungernow.org for moreinformation about how you can support StopHunger Now and continue your involvement in thefight against hunger. Follow us on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/stophungernow for updates,videos and photos from the field.
Thank you for volunteering with Stop HungerNow. We truly appreciate your dedication andcommitment to the vision of a world withouthunger.
Gratefully,Mike NelsonProgram ManagerStop Hunger Now Richmond, [email protected]
During the Christmas season, Fairfield isparticipating in the Angel Tree Program. TheAngel Tree is a Richmond holiday tradition forthousands of families in Central Virginia. Formany families, adopting an Angel is a wonderfulway to share the spirit of the season with othersin our community who are less fortunate. EachAngel represents a real child right here in thecommunity who needs your help. We areadopting children who have a parent in prison. Each child has 2 angels on the tree and eachangel is to receive a gift costing approximately$20.00. You can either deliver your (wrapped)gifts to the children directly or return them to thechurch by Sunday, December 11th and they willbe delivered for you.
The Angel Tree will be displayed startingSunday, November 20th.
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SESSION & MINISTRY TEAM NEWS
News from your Session
The most recent Session meeting was a verybusy and productive meeting! Allow us to giveyou a glimpse of the work that transpired:• We heard from Danny Guertler that the local
Christian sports program is changing
affiliation and will now be known as
C o m p a s s S p o r t s . M o r e
leadership/discipleship training and more
local control on finances and scheduling are
two of the main benefits of this change.
• Voted to accept the invitation of Union
Presbyterian Seminary to join their Clinical
Preaching Program which will allow select
students to have the opportunity to have the
opportunity to preach in a variety of settings
and to have critical feedback on their
preaching from both Teaching Elders and
Ruling Elders. We will keep you posted as
this new program takes shape.
• Voted to host the June 20, 2017 meeting of
the Presbytery of the James in honor of the
60th Anniversary of Camp Hanover. We
will be coordinating this hosting with the Staff
and Committee members of Camp Hanover.
• Heard from our Commissioners to the
October meeting of the Presbytery of the
James. They reported on hearing from two of
our mission personnel and from the Camp
Hanover Committee on the progress of their
capital campaign. They most importantly
noted the Presbytery's unanimous approval
of the merger of Beulah Presbyterian
Church with Fairfield. This event will be
celebrated and commemorated later this
year.
• The Session acting as the Board of Trustees
of Fairfield Presbyterian Church of
Hanover County Virginia, Inc. elected Bill
Kerns as President, Gene Rosen as
Treasurer and Fran Hansbrough as Secretary
of the Corporation and authorized signatories
for any corporate transactions.
• Approved in principle a request from
Gingerbread Cottage Preschool to rent
from us several rooms for a one year period
because of the sale of the Shalom Baptist
Church property where they currently reside.
Angela Blue, Darren Utley and Steve Starzer
were authorized to negotiate a contract to
present to the next Session meeting.
• Heard a report from the 9:00 a.m. Worship
Task Force outlining the issues they are
looking at as to where this service should be
held. The current location in the Family
Center has a number of pros and cons that
are being looked at and addressed where
possible. A presentation and conversation
with the 9:00 a.m. congregation will be held
soon.As we prepare for the holiday seasons,
the Deacons are working to ensure our
congregational duties are being planned for
and carried out.
A grateful heart
Thou hast given so much
to me,
Give one thing more - a
grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth
me,
As if thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be
thy praise.
George Herbert
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As we prepare for the
holiday seasons, the
Deacons are working to
ensure our congregational
duties are being planned
for and carried out.
We continue to provide
homebound communion on a quarterly basis,
organize Red Cross Blood drives, take the
chancel flowers to members, provide receptions
and visitations.
The Shepherd program continues to be
revisited and revised. We would appreciate any
suggestions from the congregation that will help
us make it better. As we have lost some of our
Shepherds in the past year, we hope to find
members willing to take these flocks as well as
new members.
Our next meeting will be Nov. 1st which is
also the Blood Drive from 2-7.
Marge Wantz
Mission Team News
The Missions Team will not be meeting in
November and December but will resume
meetings in January. The next meeting will be
held on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017.
MCEF – Mechanicsville Churches Emergency
Functions www.4mcef.com
The next day to contribute nonperishable
food items and personal hygiene items to the
MCEF Food Pantry is Sunday, November 6.
Thank you for sharing what you can. In October
the pantry served 184 families.
“Hanover Handmade” will have a Arts and
Crafts Show October 21-22 (Friday 10-8 and
Saturday 9-8). 10% of the show’s proceeds will
go to MCEF and they are collecting food for the
pantry too. Place: OLD Fire Station #3 at 8493
New Bethesda Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23116.
Virtual Tour If you would like to take a virtual tour
of the space MCEF is working to acquire for a
One-Stop Shop please visit the MCEF website at
www.4mcef.com
Fairfield Presbyterian Church gets the Golden
Pizza Award (if there was such a thing!) In
October a record number came out to eat pizza
at Stevi Bs. There were at least 27 of us
enjoying fellowship and pizza. Thank you for the
support!
Nancy Gallihugh
It is November again and time for Fairfield’s
Stewardship Campaign for 2017. The theme for
this year’s campaign deals with the biblical
concept of “Confluence.” Steve and Darren will
have an educational sermon series during the
month of November that will delve into the
different aspects of the term “Confluence” in the
Bible. Also, mark you calendars for the annual
Stewardship Dinner on Wednesday, November
9th. A reservation form will be in the bulletin this
coming Sunday. Be on the lookout for more
information in the coming weeks. Stewardship
Sunday is November 20th.
Worship Team
The Worship Team still needs your help with
ushering at the 9:00am services. Richard
Dunn has graciously been the Head Usher for
several months now. We need more
volunteers! This is a great job youth, new
members, as well as seasoned members.
Please contact Carolyn Ingram at 569-1387.
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
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Thanksgiving Baskets
Help make Thanksgiving dinner special for needy families who could
not afford to celebrate without our help. Starting this Sunday, please
bring all non-perishable canned or dry food items for the Men of the
Church Thanksgiving baskets on November 6, 13 & 20. We will be
supplying 7 to 8 families with fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. Please
donate items that pertain only to Thanksgiving dinner such as
canned: green beans, sweet potatoes, peas, fruits, dry foods: mashed
potatoes, rice, brownie or cake mixes, etc. Place these items in one
of the designated boxes around the church decorated for Thanksgiving.
We are also in need of your monetary ($) donations that we use to purchase any items not
collected in the collection boxes. Please put all Thanksgiving donations in the Sunday offering
plates or turn them into the office during the week. Designate cash in an envelope, marked,
“Thanksgiving Baskets” or make your check out to Fairfield Presbyterian Church and specify
“Thanksgiving baskets.” Direct any questions to Billy Putze or Bill Dobson.
Come one, come all for the Annual Thanksgiving Worship Service at 7:30am on November
24th followed by a hot delicious cooked breakfast by the Men of the Church. Enjoy a special
message to remind us of our many blessings God has given to us as a church and his people.
Next, break bread with a delicious hot breakfast and wonderful fellowship with fellow church
members and friends that you don’t always get to see. You will find it to be a great way to
start your Thanksgiving Day festivities.
Please fill out the reservation slips found in your weekly bulletins and place it in the offering
plate so we can prepare enough food for everyone. We look forward to seeing you there!
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9:00am Infant/Toddler Nursery Schedule
Nov. 6 Angela Blue & Kenzie Johnson
Nov. 13 Karen Couch & Beverly Burts
Nov. 20 Sandra Brewster & Brenda Blue
Nov. 27 Mitzi Marker & McKenzie Marker
9:00am Kid’s Worship
Nov. 6 Donna Hohman
Nov. 13 Martha Houchins & Deb Utley
Nov. 20 Mary Sulser
Nov. 27 Ginny Patterson
10:00am Infant/Toddler
Nov. 6 Janet Chelette & Melanie Rubeck
Nov. 13 Robbie Dobson & Majken Whitaker
Nov. 20 Marge Wantz & Martha Houchins
Nov. 27 Linda Gruenhagen & Barbara Wash
11am Infant /Toddler
Nov. 6 Donna Hohman & Katy Underdown
Nov. 13 Angela Schwartz & Pam Gigliotti
Nov. 20 Pam Roberts & Bev Ward
Nov. 27 Nikki Glass & Molly Zweckbronner
We are in need of Nursery volunteers for both
services as well as the Sunday School hour.
This is another great way to get involved with
Fairfield’s Children’s ministry!
Always Thankful
Martin Rinkart, a German Lutheran minister,
wrote the hymn “Now Thank We All Our God” in
1636. At the time, the Thirty Years’ War was
ravaging central Europe, claiming millions of
lives. Rinkart served as pastor in Eilenburg, a
walled town that became a crowded refuge for
starving fugitives. Although Rinkart was
struggling to provide for his own family, he
opened his own home to people in need.
After the plague entered Eilenburg, Rinkart
conducted up to 50 funerals a day - including
services for his wife and the only other two
pastors in town. Amid the despair, he wrote
many hymns, including “Now Thank We All Our
God.” Originally intended as a table prayer, it’s
now sung at Thanksgiving to remember God’s
“countless gifts of love” - even during hardships.
Many thanks go out to our
congregation for the
support they have given to
Operation Christmas Child
- Samaritan’s Purse.
About 90 boxes have been
distributed. Please return
your shoe boxes by November 13th with your
postage in the envelope provided. Make checks
payable to Samaritan’s Purse with a note on the
memo line that the donation is for Operation
Christmas Child.
If you have filled your box early or need
additional boxes, please call Sandra Brewster
(746-5164). If you cannot pay for postage, let
Sandra know also, because we have people
willing to help with postage.
Thanks again for the outreach all of you have
given this project.
Sandra Brewster
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Under Age Thinking....
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Nov. 18 @ 6:30
Talent Show & Bake Sale
We NeedYou
Here!
Come out & supportFairfield’s youth!Enjoy Talent &
Eat Treats
Sign up in the narthex and put your talent in the spotlight
Saturday, November 5th from 10am to 3pm, JaniceBaily will hold a benefitsale for the church of heroriginal art and othercrafts. All proceeds will be
donated to Fairfield. If you have not seenJanice’s work before, you should definitelycheck it out. The benefit will be held atJanice’s home located at 9282 WestWenlock Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23116.
