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Church School Winter Schedule
2012
On the INSIDE
Fellowship ........................ 2
PW News ......................... 3
CE .................................... 3
Mission ............................. 4
Stewardship .................. 4,5
Youth ............................... 6
Birthdays & Milestones .... 7
Our Fall semester was
tremendous thanks to our
teachers and the children,
youth and adults who par-
ticipated in the classes on
Sunday morning.
We invite you to join us
for a new semester on Sun-
day, January 8, that will
kick-off with BRUNCH at
9:30 a.m., in the Fellowship
Hall. You do not need to
bring any food or beverages
as that will be provided by
the Christian Education
Committee. Everyone will
move to their classes at
10:00 a.m. A description of
adult classes and locations
along with where children
and youth classes meet are
in the brochure included in
this newsletter .
Parents of 8th graders:
Eighth graders who are in
Confirmation will go to the
6th-8th grade class on Janu-
ary 8 & 15. Beginning on
January 22, they will meet
with the Confirmation Class
on the 2nd floor of the Mid-
dle House.
A Publication of The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia Lamp
A New Year Begins Think for a moment about the bubbly quality of sparkling sodas, and juices.
Can you remember when they tickled your nose as a child? Or as an adult, how does
the effervescent fizz of certain drinks impress you?
―Laughter is carbonated holiness,‖ says Anne Lamott.
While you are toasting and celebrating, think about this unexpected image from the
distinguished writer. Maybe sharing a little carbonated holiness can help us start the
New Year on a good footing, with a more joyful demeanor.
A smile, a grin, or full-bodied laughter is such a gift in our super-serious world. It re-
minds us of friendship, of joy, of playfulness. And, it’s contagious.
Try it out today: see if you can help others break from their blank boredom, their
frowning sternness, or the veneers of cynicism and indifference that pancake so many
faces like mortuary make-up.
And ask yourself if you have lost sight of the great response to the opening question
of the Westminster Catechism: ―What is the chief end of man?‖ ―…to glorify God and
enjoy Him forever.‖
Being committed to glorifying God may just keep you open to laughter, joy, a more
balanced view of yourself and those you love. Do you suppose that laughing together
might even help keep us more faithful disciples?
Carbonated holiness seems as if it may be worth sharing!
Cheers,
Page 2 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Fellowship & Small Groups
Prime Timers Prime Timers will go to the Bavarian
Chef (Old Train Station – 200 Lafayette
Blvd) on Wednesday, January 11, at 11:30
a.m. We will order from the menu and pay
by individual check. Please make a
reservation with Marcia or Neil Corry, 548
-4625 by January 4.
Forever Young The January Forever Young luncheon will
be on Tuesday, January 24, at 11:30 a.m., in
the Church House. Please call Jeanne Rams-
burg, 710-5891, by January 17, for a reserva-
tion, and let her also know if you need trans-
portation. The menu will be pork tenderloin,
scalloped potatoes, peas, apple sauce, bread
and cake.
Congregational Retreat Make your plans now to attend the 2012 Congregational Retreat at Camp Hanover, March
17-18. The committee is busy developing plans (games, activities, Bible study, worship,
campfire, etc) around the theme, ―Be a Blessing,‖ from the Beatitudes. The retreat is for
children, youth and adults of all ages and families of all shapes and sizes. Registration will
begin in late February. If you have questions or suggestions please talk to one of the com-
mittee members – Connie Barnes, Tristin Fidler, Jeff Spinnanger, Hannah Fisher, Barry
Hall, Michelle Porter, John Garrison, and Bruce Harvey.
Empty Nesters Join us on Saturday, January 28, 6:30 p.m., for an evening of fun, food, fellowship, and
games at Jim and Linda Ford's house, (11508 Henegan Place, Spotsylvania, 22551).
Bring an hors d’oeuvre, your favorite drink, and a board or group game. RSVP to the
Fords at 972-0883, (jlford1006@comcast.net), or Karen Johnson, 371-2719,
(ksjohnson422@msn.com).
Suppers for Seven Update The sixteen Suppers for Seven fellowship groups should have received their groupings
in the mail and should be hearing from the first dinner host (first one listed in the group-
ing) soon. Have a wonderful time. If you have any questions please get in touch with
David Johnson, Jeff Spinnanger, or Bruce Harvey.
Thursday Morning Women’s Bible Study January Book Club
Cozy up with The Shack by William P. Young this month, and join us for three discus-
sion sessions beginning January 12. This story of a grieving father spending a weekend
with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit has been both denounced as heresy and acclaimed as
this generation’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
Get 2012 off to a lively start and come share your opinion of this intriguing novel –
Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 in the Middle House. All women are invited and babysitting in
the church nursery is provided. Contact Chris Repp, 842-5039, (abcrepp@yahoo.com) or
Jen Rowe, 373-6633, (jenrowe@cox.net) for more information.
VBS July 15-19
Page 3 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
PW Circle Meetings Resume in January
The PW's circle meetings will resume on their regular sched-
ules in January. Any ladies interested in joining a circle should talk to
the Moderator, Carol Johnson, or any circle member to gain more information
about the groups who function as a coordinated body of Christ's faithful servants
in bonded fellowship. Visitors to any of the meetings are cordially welcomed.
We are studying Committing to the Beatitudes, published by Horizons Bible
Studies. It is an in-depth study of Christ's instructions to all followers of His
Word, lending a deepening of conviction and further understanding of the his-
toricity of the events of the Sermons on the Mount and the Plain. PW members
are also very active in mission project work, especially serving local needs.
Children (1st-4th gr.) and their parents are
invited and encouraged to come to the Wor-
ship Workshop on Sunday, January 22, fol-
lowing the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
Lunch will be served in the Fellowship
Hall. The children and parents will rotate
through workshops on the Lord’s Prayer,
finding a scripture passage, the offering, the
Apostles’ Creed, finding a hymn, making a
hymnbook marker, the order of worship,
and the Doxology & Gloria Patri. We will
go to the Sanctuary at the end of the work-
shop for an orientation. Please do not hesi-
tate to get in touch with Bruce if you have
questions. Make a reservation by January
15, by calling the church office, 373-7057,
or email (bharvey@fredericksburgpc.org).
Our Wednesday Fellowship suppers and activities will resume on Wednesday, January 25,
and go through Wednesday, March 21, with supper from 5:45-6:45 p.m. and activities/
classes from 6:45-7:45 p.m. We will take a break for the Ash Wednesday service on
February 22.
Adults may choose from Christian Meditation coordinated by Diane Peterson, a
Bible study led by Pastor Fisher and a dance class led by Vicky Wilder. Senior Highs
will participate in a book club. Our 4-year-olds through 5th graders will share Bible sto-
ries, crafts, songs and games. Childcare will be provided for the youngest.
We encourage everyone to be a part of this wonderful fellowship.
PW Coordinating Team Meeting
The PW Coordinating Team will meet on January 17, at 10:00 a.m., in the Church
Parlor. All leaders and officers should be present to discuss plans and projected
activities for the coming months. It is a pleasure to announce that Sharon Moser has
offered to be our new Historian. Susie Kuliasha will serve as Treasurer-in training,
and Eleanor McCord is helping with Search Coordination. We will need a new
Moderator and also a Co-treasurer. Our Vice-Moderator, Ashley Conway, under-
standably wishes to apprentice for a full year before stepping up to that job, and
Susie would like to share the responsibility of keeping finances in order. If you feel
convicted to serve in any leadership capacity on the Team or in a
Circle, as a novice or as someone with past experience and
know-how, please let Carol Johnson know of your interest (373-
2703). Thank you, ladies!
Presbyterian Women Circle Meetings
Never Ending Circle January 8, 5:00 p.m.
Home of Tina (Kerchner) Christie Trudy McNatt, 373-2852
Circle of Joy January 2, 10:00 a.m.
Church Parlor Kathryn Hower, 361-7435 or
Gale Kehoe, 371-4570
Faith Circle January 9, 12:00 p.m.
Church Parlor Sonie Horstman, 972-7129
Circle of Prayer January 10, 12:00 p.m.
Middle House Jeanne Ramsburg, 710-5891
Friendship Circle January 10
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. Meeting: 12:30 p.m. Chancellor‟s Village Paula Kallay, 898-6169
Worship Workshop
Page 4 The Lamp The Presbyter ian
Vacation Bible School 2012 Yes, the date is set!
Mark your calendars for
July 15-19, 2012 for
VBS. Watch for program
details and opportunities
to serve in the coming
months!
Community Dinners Volunteers from the church serve a free
dinner for the community on the 3rd Satur-
day of every month. Contact Karen John-
son, 371-2719 (ksjohnson422@msn.com),
if you would like to help between 2:00-
6:00 p.m., or if you would like to donate
brownies.
Upcoming dates: January 21,
February 18, March 17.
Summer Camp at Camp Hanover
Camp Hanover summer camp brochures should be out shortly. Children, youth and
parents – be on the lookout for them and remember to register early to make sure you
get the camp you want. You will find brochures in the Church Office or outside the
Sanctuary on Sundays.
Other Camp Hanover news – the camp is looking for a used, reliable, good gas
mileage sedan that can be used for travel. If you have one that you plan to replace,
please see Bruce or call Camp Hanover at 877-687-2267.
Online Giving Do you sometimes forget whether you’ve made your monthly contribution to the
church? Now there’s an easy way to avoid that worry— give online.
Through the church’s website, www.fredericksburgpc.org, you can set up your
contribution to recur every week, every month, or every quarter. You can use your
checking account or credit card. You can also make a one-time gift.
Simply click on ―Give Now‖ on the church’s website. You’ll then be asked to sign
in to the church’s Member Directory. If you’ve never signed in, click next to ―Need a
login?‖ When you see a color-coded password strength indicator, you can ignore it in or-
der to use a familiar password that you’ll remember.
Once you’ve signed in, not only can you give electronically, but you can also see your
past contributions. You can look up phone numbers and email addresses of other mem-
bers. You can look up events on the church calendar. You can email everyone in your cir-
cle.
Please contact me, Charlie Rowe, at charlierowe@cox.net for help.
Adult Mission Trip The 2012 Adult Mission trip is April 9-14, to Birmingham, Alabama, where we will
work on houses damaged from the tornadoes last spring. We will fly down on Monday
and return on Saturday. We will stay at the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance village in
Forestdale, Alabama. Please contact Bruce Harvey (373-7057)
bharvey@fredericksburgpc.org, if you are interested in going. There will be an orienta-
tion meeting on Sunday, January 15, at 5:00 p.m. in the Middle House.
School Dressing Days Every month with a 5th Sunday between
now and August will be a special collection
for School Dressing Days.
January’s 5th Sunday Collection will be
on the 29th. Items to be collected are
deodorant, soap, toothpaste and/or
toothbrush. You may bring your items be-
fore January 29, leaving them in bins
provided outside the Sanctuary on Sunday
morning, or outside the Fellowship Hall
during the week.
Page 5 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
THANK YOU !!! Many, many thanks to those who helped us, once again, get over 300 pledges!!!
While it may look like we are down compared to last year, our 336 pledges actually put us at the exact same level as
a year ago. We reached 354 pledges last year, only after new members joined, and pledged, later in the year.
Thanks again to everyone.
The Annual Campaign Committee—Al Moreau, Dick Balch, Gary Boshears, Karen Boyles, Shirley Eye, Jim Ford,
Donna Hudgins, Gordon Keeley, Amy McCullough, Brad Repp, Charlie Rowe.
Pledges
314
281 272297
354336
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50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
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Sanctuary Elevator
Design and Construction:
Completed in December
• Elevator shaft framing, entrance space, and exterior
brick work
• Interior sprinkler rough-in and electrical rough-in
Work to be completed in January
• Waterline installation for sprinkler
system and corrective landscaping
• Installation of plaster and sheetrock,
exterior and interior doors
Work to be completed in February
• Water tap and sprinkler system hook-up
• Installation of elevator
• Completion of elevator equipment room, interior
trim, and flooring
Phase II
Session will communicate to the congregation the scope,
estimated costs, and plans for financing the next phase.
Requests from Session to the Building Committee include:
• Addressing accessibility issues in the Christian
Education building. Expect schematic
designs with a scaled down approach in
accordance with the original master plan.
• Addressing the heating/cooling systems
in the Sanctuary and Education Building.
Expect schematic designs with a
comprehensive approach.
Capital Campaign
Thanks to everyone for making and fulfilling your pledge
in support of the Capital Campaign. To date $1,590,472 in
pledges and $752,696 in contributions have been received.
It's not too late to make your pledge! Please contact Ron
Rebman, Financial Secretary,
373-7057, rrebman@fredericksburgpc.org.
Renovate, Revise, Renew ~ Building Update
Updates and photos can be found at www.facebook.com/PCBuildingUpdates. No login or personal
facebook page required.
Page 6 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Thoughts from Our Youth Leader 2012. It sounds like such an important year, but I am
not sure why. Maybe because there is a movie with the
name (maybe it’s all even numbers) I don’t know. But it
sounds important, so let’s make it important. Make this
your year, start fresh with coming to Fusion or Velocity
and Church School, come to our senior high book club,
participate in worship in new ways. Join us for Montreat
and summer mission trips. There are so many ways to be
involved, find your way, and make 2012 as awesome as it
sounds like it is going to be.
Velocity (Middle School - 6:30 p.m., Sundays):
January
8 Games. We are back after a few weeks away,
and we’ll be playing games galore.
15 It’s Back to Basics for us!
22 We are getting crafty for missions; join us as
we make valentines for members of our
congregation who are homebound, and there
might be a game or two as well!
29 We will be talking about all that’s happening
February 5, the Souper Bowl of Caring and
Stop Hunger Now.
February
5: Youth Sunday, Velocity Youth will help usher
and collect for Souper Bowl of Caring. Be
ready to bring your favorite treat for coffee
hour. Assist with the Stop Hunger Now Event. Coming up:!
April 21-22: Presbytery Retreat to Camp Hanover.
Fusion (Senior High - 5:00 p.m., Sundays):
January 8 - We are gathering for games and fun
after the Christmas break.
15 It is almost Youth Sunday, come ready to plan
and prepare!
22 More Youth Sunday preparation
29 Our last Sunday to prepare for Youth Sunday
February
4 Youth Sunday rehearsal at 4 p.m.
5 Youth Sunday!
Wednesday January 25: Fusion Book club begins.
Come have dinner together and then stay for the dis-
cussions on The Hunger Games.
Coming up:
February 17-19: Fusion Mystery Trip. Be prepared
for any destination, mission work and fun!
March 9-11: Beach Retreat. We will head to North
Carolina for a weekend of relaxing and talking
about relationships. It’s going to be great!
STOP HUNGER NOW On Sunday February 5, following Youth Sunday, children, youth and adults are invited to
come to the Fellowship Hall to put together 15,000 meals for Stop Hunger Now. The
dehydrated meals go to poverty stricken areas around the world to help alleviate hunger and
especially to provide nutrition to children as they attend school. You may sign up beginning
January 1. There is a job for all ages.
2011-2012 Session
Moderator – Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr., Pastor
Clerk of Session - C. Milton McNatt
Associate Pastor - Rev. Patrick Dennis
Elders -
Margaret Beattie Suzanne Bevan
Greg Bohmke Johnny Boyles
Gaye Copley John Garrison
Barry Hall Barbara Howe
Carter Hudgins Sharon Humes
David Johnson Jeff Kunkler
Betsy Lewis Dave Peterson
Lindsay Pargman Bob Piersall
Tamie Pratt-Fartro Jeff Spinnanger
Doreen Vaughn
MILESTONES Capsule of Concern: Barry Hall, Jennie
Evans,
Continued Prayers: Jean Gill, Marjorie
Glassco, Bud Helmen, Janie Kash, Thelma Mann,
Bob Miller, Ruth Moffitt, JeanneWaite
Baptisms: Zoey McLellan Lusk, born November 24,
2005, and Sophia Caroline Lusk, born January 21,
2010. Zoey and Sophia’s parents are Caroline Teresa
Myers and Ryan Makes Lusk; and Debra Myers of our
congregation is their great-grandmother
Our heartfelt Christian love and sympathies are
extended to:
Jeff Veil and family on the death of his father, Paul,
who died on December 10, 2011.
Gary Vaughn and family on the death of his mother,
who died on December 14, 2011.
Stacy Horne and family on the death of her mother,
Ruth Olsen, who died December 15, 2011.
Beth Malmquist and family on the death of her
brother, Vance Stoneburg, who died December 16,
2011.
Gary Boshears and family on the death of his brother,
Dennis Boshears, who died on December 18, 2011, in
McKinnleyville, California.
Page 7 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
2. Libby Humes, Scott Theado, Shelby Gleason,
Tom Wimberly
3. Brent McGhee
4. Mollie Cass, Jeremy Stoddard
5. Linda Spangler
6. Mark Hughes, Joan Darby
8. Haley Dameron
9. Bud Baker, Sarah Gormley, Mike Gillenwater,
Anne Thompson
10. Harry Farley, Bridget Harvey, Thomas Digges,
Fidelia Boshears
11. Eric Dowling, Lillian Remsen, Ruth Moreau,
Laura Digges
12. Mike Foreman, Ginger Oplinger
13. Pete Kolakowski, Claudia Emerson
14. Gary Scheibel, Allison Worthington, Ashley Kave
15. Lou Cralle, Duane Hansen, Neil Sullivan, Anne Betz,
Amy Maclean, Kristina Brough, Eleanor Bailey
16. Susan Harrison, Anne Shotwell, John Baer
17. Jane Williams, Erica Foreman
18. Rick Banez
19. Greg Medsker, Missy Dodson, Wendel Gouldman,
David Godshall
20. Don Wilson, Chris Repp, Miguel Pineda,
Meredith Goggin
21. Ben Middleton
22. Nellie Kate Dameron, Austin Rapkins
23. Nancy Wilson, Madison Early
24. Jeff Kunkler
25. Liz Thompson, Fred Betz
26. Harry Lewis, Sam Lowery
27. Seth Rapkins, Jamie Gillespie, Adam Bentley
28. Sue Stone, Claire Fritz
29. Ellie Bell, Bruce Harvey, Brian Baker, Silas Lacey,
Kim Liska, Courtney Stone, Paula Steven, April Stevens 30. Joan Eck, Kaileen Coffman, Don Doherty
31. Lynn Norfleet, Suzanne Broman, Robert King
January
Birthdays
Recycling Thanks to Opal Stroup
and Eleanor McCord for
weekly recycling our bulle-
tins and office paper. Please don’t put cigarette butts,
partially filled coffee cups, used tissues and other
trash in the recycling bins. (It gets a little gooey
sometimes.)
Children, youth and adults are invited to attend the Church School Brunch on Sunday, January 8, in the Fellow-ship Hall at 9:30 a.m., followed by classes meeting at 10:00 a.m. All food and beverages will be provided by the Chris-tian Education Committee. We encourage everyone to make Church School a regular part of their Christian journey.
Training of the Twelve
Led by Bill Nix
What lessons and teaching methods
did Jesus use to train the Twelve
Apostles and His other disciples? We
know he invested about three years of
time and effort to equip the Apostles
to lead when he would no longer be
with them. His use of word pictures,
parables, questions, and answers, object lessons, and Scrip-
ture were all important in preparing the Apostles and other
Disciples at that time and they are just as important for in-
structing Disciples like us in this time and place. Come
joining us in studying Christ‟s training of the Twelve – to-
gether we can learn more about being Christ‟s Disciples
today.
Undercroft
Feasting on the Word
Led by Michelle Porter, Tom Lewis, Rick Brehm, Bruce Harvey
How does my faith formation and my worship inte-
grate with my knowledge and experience of the world?
Feasting on the Word materials will engage adults in a deeper
exploration of Biblical texts. Christian faith will be en-
hanced when the Scriptures read and proclaimed in
worship are reinforced and expanded on what
they have been considering in their educational
time. Education and worship can be mutually supportive in
helping God‟s word in Scripture come alive in the Sunday
morning experience. Come join us for this exciting jour-
ney. For parents of 1st-5th graders - you will go over the
same scripture passages as your children each Sunday.
Middle House, 1st floor, back room
Parenting 101 & Beyond
Led by Carol Houchin, Roberta Karch, Donna Hudgins, John & Barbara Howe
How do parents raise children in the faith? Sacred Parent-
ing series – book, DVD and participant‟s
guide – will be the jumping off point for
parents. “This is not a „how to‟ book of
discussing how parents can change their
kids, Sacred Parenting turns the tables and dem-
onstrates how God uses our kids to change us.” Come join
this exciting study. Through class discussions parents will
be able to explore many issues, ask questions and seek an-
swers with other parents who are not experts but have
raised children to adulthood
Middle House, 1st floor, front room.
Searching for God
Led by Amy Talmadge, Karen Johnson, Nancy Stubbs
If you have ever found yourself exactly where
you felt God wanted you to be, this is the class for
you. If you’ve ever found yourself searching for
where God wanted you to be, this is the class for
you, too! We will use Barbara Brown Tay-
lor’s book, Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith,
as our text for our class during the Winter/Spring semester.
We will need the help of class members to lead the discussions.
This is not mandatory, but it’s a great opportunity to share what
God does in awesome and unexpected ways. Please join us!
Church House, 1st floor
FOR ADULTS Church School
Page 8 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Church School Teachers & Advisors
2 year olds Camille McAllister Lynn Simms Laura Eubanks Marsha Luckett
3 year olds Denise Hamlett Laura Digges Sarah Wright Ellen Fritz
4 year olds Jim Toler Patty Toler Ann Monroe Jacobs Stacy Horne
Kindergarten Terri Kunkler Schuyler Sweet Paulla Loder Suzanne Broman
1st Grade Kierstin Schneider Jon Schneider Ashley Conway Don Nance
2nd Grade Merry Egge Grace Hynden Gary Hynden Melissa Peterson
3rd
Grade Paula Kallay Holly Horn Dave Bohmke Sallie Nowacek
4th Grade Tristin Fidler Robert Fidler Jim Carelock Heather Carelock
5th Grade Joan Darby Ralph Lewis Marjolijn Bijlefeld Mike Fritz
6th - 8th Grade Jeff Spinnanger Elizabeth Rehm Porter Blakemore Tricia Garner
9th - 12th Grade Heather Howe Amanda Murray Lewis Lowery James Luckett
Middle School Advisors David Johnson
Scott Fischer
Mel Middleton
Dorothy Mondak
Katie Sue Van Valken-burg
Shelby Gleason
Sarah Dennis
Senior High Advisors
Robin Joel John Howe Randy Pargman Lindsay Pargman Rachel Ball Sarah Dennis
Confirmation Patrick Dennis Jen Rowe Bridget Harvey Barry Jones
Superintendents Connie Barnes, Barbara Howe, Tracey Rembisz, Ginger Bushman, Lois Jacob Cradle Nursery Joanne Farley, Jean Ravinsky, Jenny Major, Sharon
Moser
Education Building ~ 1st floor: Cradle Nursery, 2-year old and 3-year old classes
Education Building ~ 2nd Floor: 4-year old through 3rd grade classes
Middle House ~ Basement: 4th & 5th grade
Church House ~ Top Floor: 6th – 8th class
Middle House ~ Top Floor: 9th-12th grade class
Page 9 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Fredericksburg
VA PERMIT NO. 193
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
810 Princess Anne Street
Princess Anne and George Streets
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
From the Book Shelves of the Belk Memorial Library. The internationally renowned priest and author, respected professor and beloved pastor,
Henri Nouwen (1932 – 1996) wrote over 40 books on the spiritual life. His book, The
Return of the Prodigal: Story of Homecoming, was inspired by a poster of Rembrandt’s
painting The Return of the Prodigal Son. Nouwen’s sustained reflection on the painting
slowly emerges into awareness of a new vocation coming to flower in his heart, his own
personal call to ―come home,‖ to make his home with L'Arche, a home for those with in-
tellectual disabilities. Identifying with each of the three main figures in the painting, Nou-
wen crafts a fresh interpretation of a classic story, concluding: ―Though I am both the
younger son and the elder son, I am not to remain them, but called to become the Father.‖
Come and browse the book shelves and discover this book as well as others by Henri
Nouwen such as Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World; and Out of Soli-
tude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life, and more.
The subject for the painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, by Rembrandt Harmensz
van Rijn comes from the Bible, The Gospel According to Luke, 15: 20-24. The artist had
already turned to the theme several times in his graphic works, but in the Hermitage
painting, created not long before his death, the painter endowed it with the sense of great
tragedy elevated to a symbol of universal significance. Complex emotions are expressed in
the figure of the bent old man and his suffering, kneeling son: repentance and charity,
boundless love and regret at the belated spiritual awakening. These images represent the
summit of Rembrandt's psychological mastery.
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