We will switch back from our Summer schedule of 10AM worship services to our regular school-year schedule of 11AM worship services and Sunday School class on September 19th.

September 5, 2021, 10AM

Sermon: Live Out Your Faith

Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 35:3-7

New Testament Reading: James 2:1-17

Preacher: Rev. Kelly-Ann Rayle

Worship Assistant: Mary Atthowe

September 12, 2021, 10AM

Sermon: Hearing Difficult Truth

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 107:23-30

New Testament Reading: Mark 8:27-38

Preacher: Rev. Betty Dax

Worship Assistant: Chip Honsinger

September 19, 2021, 11AM

Sermon: Care for One Another, part 1

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 1

New Testament Reading: John 15:12-17

Preacher: Rev. Tom Groome

Worship Assistant: Buddy Bryan

September 26, 2021, 11AM

Sermon: Care for One Another, part 2

Old Testament Reading: Psalm 124

New Testament Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6, 25-32

Preacher: Rev. Tom Groome

Worship Assistant: Tom Goodale

Please check our weekly newsletter for more information on worship services.

***Important Updates To Worship Protocols***

At its called meeting on Aug. 17, Session approved new COVID protocols put into place by the Worship Committee, which are as follows:

- Masks are required for all worship attendees. Those who cannot wear a mask should worship with us virtually on Zoom or YouTube.

- "Passing of the Peace" will not be a part of worship.

- Offering plates will not be passed, but will be available at entrances.

These measures have been put into place with the intent of helping us continue to meet the current protocols to gather for in-person worship.

Thank you for helping us to keep our congregation safe.

Doors Opening Wider!



In-person early worship is returning to Dunlap Auditorium on September 19, 2021 at 8:45AM. We welcome our regulars and invite new participants. Features of this service include an informal and easy-going atmosphere with lively music and weekly communion. Never fear, you will hear the same inspiring sermon from the pastor in addition to a unique meditation by a lay leader.

Come join us!

Christian Education programs at Lex Pres seeks to provide a broad range of opportunities for spiritual growth through which we can deepen our faith, live more fully into the new life we have in Christ, and live more faithfully in our relationships and vocations.

*All classes will meet at 9:45 AM via Zoom until further notice.

Adult Sunday School Class Offerings

Ask Class

The ASK Class (Ask, Seek, Knock) will be taking up the exciting (if a bit daunting!) task of “Understanding the New Testament.” Our teacher will be David Brakke, who holds the Joe R. Engle Chair in the History of Christianity and is a Professor of History at Ohio State University. We will view him on video from The Great Courses. The half-hour lectures will leave us with another 30 minutes each week to discuss what we have heard. Dr. Brakke begins the series with a discussion first, of how the New Testament came to assume its form of 27 books, and second, of the Jewish origins that formed Jesus’ own religious background and against which Christianity developed. He then proceeds to talk about the books of the New Testament in the order of their composition, beginning with the letters of Paul. This chronological examination results in an understanding of the history, thinking, and practices of the early church. This will be a fascinating course that will help us to better understand our own faith and its traditions. 

This class is facilitated by Ann Massie and will meet each Sunday at 9:45 AM on Zoom. For more information, email Ann @ massiea@wlu.edu or via Realm.

Koinonia Class

Through various written materials, this class engages in discussions that attempt to make our faith current and alive right where we are. 

This Fall the Koinonia class will read “Freeing Jesus,” by Diana Butler Bass.

Bass challenges the idea that Jesus can only be understood in static, one-dimensional ways and asks us to instead consider a life where Jesus grows with us and helps us through life’s challenges in several capacities: as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence. 

This book is an invitation to leave the religious wars behind and rediscover Jesus in all his many manifestations, to experience Jesus beyond the narrow confines we have built around him. It renews our hope in faith and worship at a time when we need it most.

This class is facilitated by Kelly-Ann Rayle and will meet on Zoom each Sunday at 9:45 AM begin October 3. For more information, email Kelly-Ann @ karayle@gmail.com or via Realm. 

Theology Class

The Theology Class promotes serious discussion of important theological issues. Everyone contributes their own views as we work to understand texts by leading theologians. All who are interested in exploring and wrestling with theological questions are welcome to attend, and particularly any new members.

This fall the group will “re-start” the H. Richard Niebuhr book, The Responsible Self. The great theologian's delineation of the principles and fundamental character of the moral life focuses on the idea of responsibility as a guiding ideal.

This class is facilitated by Lad Sessions and meets each Sunday at 9:45 AM. For more information, email Lad @ lad.sessions@gmail.com or via Realm.

Parents of School-Aged Children and Young Adult Class

Our curriculum for the 2021-22 year is PC (USA)’s “Feasting on the Word”, based upon the Revised Common Lectionary. Each week we will explore a different bible passage aligned with the lectionary and with the children's Sunday School classes. We will discuss the implications of the passage for our lives and share our common experiences as parents. There is no homework or outside reading associated with this class and all the lessons can stand on their own allowing for those with busy schedules to come as they are able to do so. The class will meet in the library and will begin a few minutes after Children's Sunday school starts and will end in time for us to pick up our children from their classes.

This class is facilitated by Abbott Keesee and will meet each Sunday. For more information, email Abbott @ abbottkeesee@gmail.com or via Realm.

Children Sunday School Classes

Pre K-K

Our Sunday School class for preschoolers and kindergartners introduces children to our Faith through Bible stories, prayer, songs, games, crafts, coloring, and even Play-Doh! The Beginner’s Bible and its accompanying curriculum is the foundation of the class, and each family will receive a copy of this easy-to-read and colorfully illustrated Bible.

This class will be under the direction of Nancy Bidlack and taught by various members of our Sunday School Teaching Team and meets each Sunday @ 9:30AM on Zoom. For more information, email Nancy Bidlack @ nancybidlack@hotmail.com or via Realm.

Faith Village Grades 1-5

Faith Villagers in Grades 1 through 5 will join for Bible stories, singing, faith activities, crafts, prayer and a sense of service. We explore the stories given to us in Scripture, our purpose as God’s children in this community and the world, and the meaning of our friendship with each other and with Jesus Christ.

Our curriculum for the 2021-22 year is PC (USA)’s “Feasting on the Word”, based upon the Revised Common Lectionary. This allows us to connect with the day’s sermon and adult classes, so that families may talk together at home about the day’s lessons. 

This class will be under the direction of Poppy Orendorf and taught by various members of our Sunday School Teaching Team and meets each Sunday @ 9:50AM on Zoom. For more information, email Poppy Orendorf @ orencorp@verizon.net or via Realm.

Youth Sunday School Class

Youth Sunday School offers middle and high schoolers the opportunity, through study and fellowship, to learn what it means to be a follower of Christ in today's world and build community.

This fall the group will engage in the BE BOLD curriculum published by Group Publishing. The BE BOLD curriculum offers our youth an adventure of affirmation and exploration by focusing on embracing and validating the tough faith questions youth often wrestle with during their unique season of life.

Join us as we journey and explore what it means to BE BOLD in faith, fearless in life, and make an important difference as they serve the class, church, and community.

This class will be led by Andy Coffey and his Teaching Team and will meets each Sunday @ 9:45 AM on Zoom. For more information, email Andy Coffey @ acoffey@lexpres.org or via Realm.

Mid-Week Class Offerings

Campus Ministry Class

We are excited to offer this new class for our local college community. Using the new PCUSA curriculum This class intends to study what it means to free people to live their Reformed faith by remembering, reclaiming, and rearticulating what we believe about who God is and who we are so the patterns of our lives embody the liberating love and grace of Jesus Christ.

This class will be facilitated by Kelly-Ann Rayle and will meet each Thursday evening for dinner @ 5:45 PM in Dunlap Fellowship Hall and study and reflection @ 6:15 PM in room D-2. For more information, email Kelly-Ann Rayle @ karayle@gmail.com or via Realm.

Leah Circle

Are you familiar with Circles in the Presbyterian world?

• A Circle is group of women who meet for fellowship, sometimes a mission, bible study and other interests or activities.
• Circles are not what one thinks of a traditional Christian Education environment, though it is a wonderful place to learn. Circles are groups that build community, affirm women’s calls to leadership and spiritual growth, raise concerns, and channel information throughout the church. They are a great way for women to connect with one another in a smaller, more intimate setting.
•  A Circle is a place where faith is nurtured, and growth takes place through worship, study, friendship and outreach.

The Leah Circle meets meet monthly from September through June, in person, during the day. Meetings are held at the church on the second Wednesday of each month at 2:00 pm. There are about 30 members in total but generally about half that number attend any given meeting. Ruth Circle membership has declined so they have been invited to join Leah Circle. Everyone enjoys the fellowship and bible study. There is no firm structure to the Leah Circle at LexPres, and participation is welcoming and casual.

• Leah Circle has a coordinating person to handle communications and scheduling; members take turns voluntarily leading the monthly discussion that follows the Upper Room Disciplines book of daily devotions, or they address a topic/scripture/reading that is current and relevant. In the past, Ruth Circle followed the Presbyterian Women’s bible study book so some combination of that and Upper Room Disciplines will likely evolve.
• Leah Circle also has some specific projects they coordinate (Christmas cookie baking/delivery to shut ins, Jesse Tree, and a few members participate in the Habitat Women’s Build).
• The Circle takes a voluntary monetary contribution; decisions about spending and need are jointly determined by members.

It is in our Circles that church acquaintances become good friends and a support group. Feel free and welcome to visit Leah Circle to see if it fits your time and interests. Reach out to Debbie Pollard (703) 919-1386 or via Realm if you would like more information. The day, time, and place of this gathering is TBD.

Lectio Divina Bible Study

Lectio Divina is the practice of reading scripture, meditating, and praying. Traditionally, it has four separate steps: read, meditate, pray, contemplate. It is not intended to be a study of God's Word but rather a way for each person reading or meditating to experience God's Word for them. We invite you to experience this contemplative time of listening, meditation, and discussion with us.

This class is facilitated by Mary Ellena Ward and meets each Tuesday @ 10:00 AM on Zoom. For more information, email Mary Ellena @ meward@termineigh.com or via Realm.

 Explore Class

This class meets at various times throughout the year for three sessions to do just what the name implies, explore. We spend time considering what it means to be Christian, what it means to be a Presbyterian Christian, and finally what it means to be a member of the Lexington Presbyterian Church. This class is truly an occasion to explore. When the classes are concluded the hope is that you will choose to join this church...but that is not a foregone conclusion. Anyone interested in knowing more about our theological background is encouraged to explore together. For more information about when the class will be scheduled, please contact Tom Groome, tgroome@lexpres.org or via Realm.

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart!

WHERE?

Down in my heart to stay!

Joy in our hearts, indeed! Faith Village offers you a weekly fruit of the Spirit! Come join our teaching team and find the joy down in your heart!

What do I need to teach our children about God’s love in Jesus Christ?

• Love for the children and openness to the Spirit’s movement
• Desire to learn, to share stories of our faith, and to know Jesus Christ through our children’s eyes and hearts
• Any and all skills and talents dedicated to sharing God’s love!

What resources will I have to use?

•  Teacher orientation and quarterly coffee catch-ups
•  Rotating teaching teams and established, easy-to-use lesson plans
•  Refreshed Faith Village classrooms and a new resource room

What would my time commitment be?

• Choose 1, 2, or 3 Sundays a month
• Lead teacher prep time is 1-2 hours per lesson (leadership rotates)

How do I get more information and/or sign up?

•  Kelly-Ann Rayle (karayle@lexpres.org) Nancy Bidlack (nancybidlack@hotmail.com), and Poppy Orendorf (orencorp@verizon.net) are happy to answer your questions
• Please sign up by Sunday, Aug. 22. Classes begin Sunday, Sept. 19.

Thank you from Faith Village!

Call to Worship: Opened the meeting with a Responsive Call to Worship and a unison Prayer of Adoration. Rev. Groome read a scripture and shared reflections after a time of silence.

Congregational and Sessional Data: Baptism of Madeleine Josephine Sternburg Allen on Sunday, August 1, 2021, child of Michael and Whitney Allen (grandparents James, IV, and Suzanne Jones) . Death in Congregation: Rae Hickman (July 19, 2021). Current Membership: 370.

Administrative Committee: 2020 budget requests are due to Administrative Committee not later than September 15, 2021. Personnel Subcommittee discussed annual staff interviews. Rev. Groome’s contract extension for interim minister was approved at the July meeting and has been submitted to Presbytery. The Stewardship Subcommittee has selected a theme and has begun formulating a calendar.

Christian Education: Rally Day will take place September 12. Planning is underway for Children’s Ministry classes to begin September 19. Specific protocols will be in place to ensure safety. The protocols were approved as read. Teachers are needed. Youth Subcommittee has many events planned. The youth room needs work to eliminate mold issues. Teachers are desperately needed on this level! Adult Subcommittee also has many events and classes planned. Full lists are elsewhere in this newsletter. Campus Subcommittee is looking for Host Families for Rats. The group is coming up with safe ways to support both W&L and VMI students who choose to worship with us.

Communications: Committees need to let Jessica know what worker needs your committee has and what the job description of each job is.

Nominating: Currently recruiting members for the Pastor Nominating Committee.

Outreach: Looking into an online resource called CarePortal. Plans to fund usual, annual, local benevolences in the Fall as they ramp up and their needs are assessed.

Worship: Hymn singing in worship allowed now. Hymnals and Bibles will be back in place starting in August. Unvaccinated attendees will be asked to wear masks. Jamie Johnson is helping to coordinate after church fellowship lemonade and/or coffee with the assistance of his family. The committee has updated the wedding coordinator policy and session approved the updated version. 

The meeting was adjourned after a Charge and Benediction by Rev. Groome.

Mary Atthowe, Clerk of Session

LPC Session Called Meeting---August 17, 2021

The session met at 7:00 p.m. on August 17, 2021, in a called meeting to vote on the Worship Committee’s proposal for changes in worship protocols due to rising COVID cases in our community. After discussion, the following was approved with one negative vote:

·        Masks are required for all worship attendees, and those who cannot wear a mask should please attend on zoom or YouTube.

·        “Passing the Peace” will not be part of worship service.

·        Offering plates will not be passed, but they will be available at the exit doors.

·        Signage at the entrance doors will encourage social distancing.

The above approved changes begin on Sunday, August 22.

Mary Atthowe, Clerk of Session



Watermelon Salad

A cool idea from your Director of Culinary Ministries...

Looking for a really cool salad on these hot, humid, days? Well I have one for you! There is no shortage of watermelons these days so give this one a try.  

- Skip Hess

Watermelon Salad

Ingredients:

1 -  5 pound seedless watermelon (you can use a watermelon with seeds, just pick them out)                       

1 - Vidalia Onion (must be Vidalia because it needs a sweet onion)

¼ - Cup Red Wine Vinegar

½ - Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 - Tablespoon Fresh Chopped Mint

4 - Ounces Feta Cheese (use more if you wish)

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

       Cut melon into bite size cubes. Cut onion into rings.

       For the dressing, combine salt and pepper with the red wine vinegar in a small bowl and wisk together. Slowly add the olive oil.

       In a large serving bowl, put the cubed watermelon, onion rings, crumbled Feta cheese, and chopped mint. Toss with dressing and serve immediately.

Try sprinkling some freshly grated Romano Cheese over the top!  

From the Director of Music, William McCorkle:

OUR CHOIRS ARE RESUMING THEIR WORK!

Greetings, dear friends, as we approach the beginning of a new choir cycle, which means the long awaited resumption of our regular routine of singing and ringing!

We are confident that September 2021 will see the resumption of the regular meetings of our choirs for rehearsal and fellowship, and of regular, full choir participation in worship and other aspects of the life of the church.

All of our choirs will resume activity and some point in SEPTEMBER! 

Understandably, we’re adjusting and updating the details and schedules. Know that we’ll continue to keep you informed.

CHOIR OPPORTUNITIES:

ADULT CHOIR – Thursday rehearsals (7:30 p.m.) will resume on September 16

CHILDREN’S/YOUTH CHOIR – We’re merging children’s singing into the Faith Village Sunday School curriculum. All this will start on September 19.

LAM HANDBELL CHOIR- Rehearsals (Sundays at 7:00 p.m.) will resume on September 26.

REMEMBER that the choirs are a way for those of us with musical interests and passions to lead our worship as advocates for the congregation. God is the ‘audience’ in our worship. Choir members take the role of empowering everyone’s participation in our services of adoration and prayer. 

Choir is not just Sunday mornings. Our rehearsals are uplifting moments of fellowship, prayer, and learning. Music-making can be true food and nurture for our spirits, bringing us closer to God and to each other.

Please contact me (wmccorkle@lexpres.org) about singing choirs, and please contact Mayumi Smitka (mayumi_smitka@yahoo.com) about handbells.

We want YOU on the music team!

Faithfully,

WMcC

Organ Recital on September 19th

William McCorkle will present a W&L faculty recital at Lexington Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

The program, entitled FRENCH ORGAN MUSIC MUSIC FROM ACROSS THE CENTURIES, will feature compositions by great organists of Paris, Rouen, and Reims.



The lovely C. B. Fisk pipe organ at Lexington Presbyterian Church is the vehicle for a program of music featuring the distinctive but changing sounds of French organs over three centuries, including compositions of great 18^th-century organists from Rouen (Jacques Boyvin) and Reims (Nicolas de Grigny), and of several great Parisians  from recent times (Louis Vierne, Marcel Dupré, Jean Langlais, and Maurice Duruflé).

The performance will be live-streamed to the Lex Pres YouTube.

Please connect at 2:50 p.m. through the Lexington Presbyterian Church website https://www.lexpres.org. Join by clicking the "Live on YouTube" icon located on the top of the home page.

Best wishes to Burke Haywood, a 2021 recipient of a Lex Pres Educational Grant. Burke spent this summer in Alaska as an intern for an environmental nonprofit, working on ways to reduce damage from invasive species. Burke is entering his final year at UVA, majoring in Environmental Engineering.

As Rats begin the fall semester at VMI, Campus Ministry hopes that Lex Pres can offer some respite to them on Sunday afternoons. If you are willing to serve as a Host Family and offer a Rat a meal and a quiet place for study or rest, contact Liz Ramsey at 540.570.5361 or ecramsey1969@gmail.com for more information. Remember that you can share hosting with another couple or family. 

Please join me in thanking Ann DeVogt for keeping the Prayer Shawl shelf stocked over the past year! The Prayer Shawl Ministry group will meet the 2nd and 4th Monday's of each month in the Noel Library (room 111) from 9:30-11AM and would love for any knitters looking for fellowship to join them. If you prefer to knit solo, there are skeins of yarn and patterns available as well. For those of you who know someone who made need extra prayers and comfort, please don't hesitate to stop by the Church to pick up a shawl for a friend in need. Please be sure to sign your name when you drop off a shawl, or when you take a shawl!

Prayer Requests:

1. Continued protection for staff and students in all Rafiki Villages from virus.
2. Attendees from conferences will catch the vision of what God is doing through Rafiki and become involved.
3. For more full-time missionaries.

All gifts to the Rafiki Foundation, Inc. are deductible for income tax purposes in the U.S. All funds given to the Rafiki Foundation are under the complete administrative control of the Foundation to ensure that the exempt purposes and programs of Rafiki are met. The Rafiki Foundation will do everything within these guidelines to ensure that donor preferences are honored. Rafiki did not provide any goods or services in return for your gift.

Thank you for your faithful support and partnership in spreading the gospel in Africa. Visit the Rafiki website for more information: www.rafikifoundation.org.

Lexington Presbyterian Church

120 South Main Street

Lexington, VA 24450

Phone: 540-463-3873



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