Reformed resbyterian P Church of Bowie

LORD’S DAY AUGUST 30, 2020

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

2807 Church Road, Bowie, MD 20721 | P.O. Box 1251, Bowie, MD 20718 301.262.2280 | www.rpcbowie.org

S.A. Fix, Pastor | Michael L. Coleman, Assistant Pastor | information@rpcbowie.org

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Our Lord’s Day Schedule MORNING ACTIVITIES 9:40 AM OPTIONAL Pre-worship Outdoor Singing *

(Meet outside the church building by the picnic table with hymns already printed—see pages 4-5 of this bulletin. Masks and social distancing will be required.)

10:00 AM Join Zoom Videoconference for Worship 11:45 AM Sermon Discussion Videoconference

(Zoom Video / Phone Conference ID: 301 262 2280 @ https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3012622280, password 20721 or dial 301-715-8592 and enter Meeting ID 301 262 2280 and password 20721)

EVENING ACTIVITIES

6:00 PM Join Zoom Videoconference for: The Parables of Jesus: Parable of the Good Samaritan—RC Sproul Lecture

6:30 PM Discipleship Discussion Videoconference

(Zoom Video / Phone Conference ID: 301 262 2280 @ https://us04web.zoom.us/j/3012622280, password 20721 or dial 301-715-8592 and enter Meeting ID 301 262 2280 and password 20721)

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Welcome to In-Person Worship Welcome to our “hybrid” worship service, simultaneously in-person as well as over Zoom. Thank you for putting up with the additional technological components throughout our meeting room. Here are the details regarding requirements and protocols for in-person worship that we are currently observing. Singing / Hymns - Due to safety concerns, we will not be singing together for the in-person gathering, but instead encourage quiet humming along with the music as we meditate on the truth of the words. Limited In-Person Gathering and Signup - In-person gathering at the church building is currently limited to allow for proper distancing between families, with the remainder of our church family gathering via Zoom. Who Should Come - We are encouraging seniors and those who may be immunocompromised to stay home and worship with us via Zoom for the next several weeks. Also, if you feel ill, please stay home. Masks / Social Distancing - Masks are required for entry into the building and must be worn while inside (except for those leading worship from the front and children under 3). Of course masks can be temporarily removed for partaking of the elements of the Lord’s Supper, but are required at all other times inside the building. We ask that you maintain good social distancing practices (families and individuals who are quarantining together staying 6 feet apart from other families/individuals) at all times within the building. Restrooms - Restroom use is being limited to one family at a time. Please be as expedient as possible out of courtesy to others. Nursery / Childcare - No nursery care is being offered, but selected classrooms will be open, limited to one family per classroom, to take their youngest children there if needed during the service (bring a device to stream service there via Zoom).

Service Length / Lord’s Supper - Our abbreviated worship service is scheduled to be about 75-minutes, and will include the Lord’s Supper. For the Lord’s Supper, we have prepackaged, sealed individual servings (grape juice and wheat wafer) as well as carefully prepared individual servings (wine or grape juice and gluten-free bread). Rows will be dismissed by officers for those partaking to come forward and both elements will be received together, as they are prepackaged together. Once receiving the elements, please return to your seats so that we can all partake at the same time. Corporate Confessions / Prayers - Corporate confessions and prayers will be the same as what we are doing now. Please use a normal, or even somewhat subdued, speaking voice, rather than raised volume. Offering - For the offering, a bin/basket is by the exits. Please drop in your offering on your way out (the online option is also still available). Discipleship (Zoom Only) - There will be no in-person morning discipleship. There will be a remote Zoom discussion for everybody, beginning 30 minutes after the end of worship. That should be enough time for those who are at the building to drive home to participate. Evening Activities - At present we will continue to meet for evening discipleship via Zoom as we have been.

AT A GLANCE

• Reduced capacity to maintain distance

• No singing indoors

• Masks required inside building

• Maintain social distance

• Worship only in-person (other activities online)

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Pre-Worship Outdoor Singing Hymn # 171 ............................................................................. Fairest Lord Jesus

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Pre-Worship Outdoor Singing Hymn ........................................................... My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

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Call to Worship ............................................................................... Tom Ramsey Prayer of Adoration and Confession ................................................. Tom Ramsey

Be gracious to me, O God according to Your lovingkindness; ac-cording to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me…

Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow…Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my in-iquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit… The sacrifices of God are a broken spir-it; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Assurance of Pardon ................................................................. Psalm 145:13–14 Reception of New Members .............................................. Jed and Susan Reutter Hymn for Reflection, # 171 ...................................................... Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler of all nature, Son of God and Son of Man!

Thee will I cherish, thee will I honor, thou, my soul's glory, joy, and crown.

Beautiful Savior! Lord of the nations!

Son of God and Son of Man! Glory and honor, praise, adoration,

now and for evermore be thine.

New Testament Reading ............................................................ John 15:18–16:4 Old Testament Reading ............................................................................. Ezra 4

Order of Worship

(All muted except for leader)

(All muted except for

leader, but praying along at the appropriate time)

(Use this time for quiet meditation on the truths we’ve just encountered and those expressed in

the words of the hymn; those at home may sing

along)

(All muted except for preacher)

COMING BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD

RECEIVING GOD’S WORD

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Order of Worship (cont.)

(Use this time for quiet meditation on the truths we’ve just encountered and those expressed in

the words of the hymn; those at home may sing

along)

Sermon ..................................................................... Adversaries to the Advance Pastor Fix

Hymn for Reflection, # 347 .................................. The Church’s One Foundation

Though with a scornful wonder men see her sore oppressed, by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed,

yet saints their watch are keeping, their cry goes up, "How long?" And soon the night of weeping shall be the morn of song.

The church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend,

to guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end; though there be those that hate her, and false sons in her pale,

against or foe or traitor she ever shall prevail. Confession of Faith ................................. Luther's Small Catechism, Part II, Art. 3

I believe that I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me by His gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in the true faith; just as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and preserves it in un-ion with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He daily forgives richly all my sins, and the sins of all believers; and will raise up me and all the dead at the last day, and will grant everlast-ing life to me and all who believe in Christ. This is most certainly true.

Lord’s Supper ............................................................................. Pastor Coleman

(Due to the current pandemic we are using prepackaged elements with a wafer and grape juice today. Please come forward by row beginning with the front rows to pick up the elements and return to your seats. Please hold the elements until all have received them, so that we can partake together.)

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RESPONDING TO GOD’S WORD

Order of Worship (cont.) (Those at home sing along

as individuals/families to video of Cripes singing,

while those in-person hum quietly to them-

selves)

Hymn (during Lord’s Supper) ........................ My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

Prayer of Thanksgiving and Intercession ........................................ Mark Wallace Benediction .......................................................................................... Pastor Fix

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Next Two Weeks at a Glance

THIS WEEK 8/30 – 9/5 SUNDAY 8/30 Zoom Videoconference for Worship, 10:00

Sermon Discussion / Ministry Report Videoconference, 11:45 AM Zoom Videoconference for Streaming of Lecture, 6:00 PM Discipleship Discussion Videoconference, 6:30 PM WEDNESDAY 9/2 Prayer Meeting Videoconference, 7:30 PM FRIDAY 9/4 Men’s Study Videoconference, 7:00 AM SATURDAY 9/5 Men’s Study Videoconference, 8:30 AM NEXT WEEK 9/6 – 9/12 SUNDAY 9/6 Zoom Videoconference for Worship, 10:00

Sermon Discussion / Ministry Report Videoconference, 11:45 AM Zoom Videoconference for Hymn Sing, 6:00 PM WEDNESDAY 9/9 Prayer Meeting Videoconference, 7:30 PM FRIDAY 9/11 Men’s Study Videoconference, 7:00 AM

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FRIDAY AM MEN’S STUDY The Friday morning men’s group will be meeting via Zoom videoconference to discuss Francis Schaeffer’s book, The God Who Is There, on Friday, September 4, beginning at 7:00 AM. All men are welcome! SATURDAY AM MEN’S STUDY

Join us Saturday, September 5, at 8:30 AM via Zoom videoconference to discuss the book, Living in God’s Two Kingdoms by David VanDrunen. Please read through chapter 7 to prepare.

CYRIL CHAVIS, RUF AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY A VIRTUAL SUMMER AND SEMESTER As of August 6, Howard University announced that everything would be online. Originally, they announced that they would do a hybrid of in-person classes and online classes, but due to rising pressures surrounding COVID-19, they decided to do everything online. Students were crushed and frustrated as they were looking forward to seeing their friends again in person, to enjoying the college/hbcu experience, to not having to stare at a screen for lectures, to enjoying the freedom of being on their own, etc. However, this decision from Howard came as no surprise to me, and I was actually expecting it. Since then, we have been continuing to persevere in finding creative ways to connect with students virtually. This update will give you an insight into what has been happening this summer and hopefully what will continue into the fall semester. Unfortunately due to COVID, most of the photos are pictures of screens (sorry that you have to look at pictures of screens on your screen haha), but I still hope it gives you a snapshot of what God is up to :)

As we have been spending lots of time at home with the kids, Jenell and I have started to go on regular walks around our neighborhood with the kids to get some fresh air, vitamin D, and a change of scenery. Pictured here is us on

one of our morning walks. Overall we are still happy and healthy. This week our kids are at my parents' house, so Jenell and I have been enjoying a much needed break from caring for kids all day. I have been working abbreviated days this week in order to catch up on rest and investing in friendships. As I mentioned last update, we started a joint-hbcu (historically black college and university) bible study, and I have been inviting some Howard students. We

Upcoming Events Ministry Updates

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initially did a six week series in the Psalms, and we recently finished up a four week series in James. The two pictures below are from this bible study. In the picture on the left, Rosemary (JSU student) is leading our time, and Pastor Kris (NCCU) is leading in the picture on the right. One of our own student leaders led during the Psalms series, and another led during the James series. They both did a great job!!

This summer we also had July Staff Training virtually. It was the third week of July, so it usually marks the end of the summer in the internal clock of a campus minister. Summer training, for me, is always a time of stepping back and looking at the ministry from a 30,000ft view. I walk away with new ideas, clarity as to our vision, more specified goals, new courage, and a fierce excitement to reengage students. We had sessions on a wide range of topics: psychological health of students (with Dr. Henry Cloud), leading during a crisis (with Andy Crouch), prayer, group development, counseling students, etc. After training week, I thought it would be very helpful to get training specifically for my demographic - an HBCU. So I invited Elbert McGowan (former JSU campus minister) and Roy Hubbard (former AAMU campus minister) to do an informal session for us, and I invited the other staff and interns who labor on HBCUs. It was an enriching time, and we all walked away encouraged from the wisdom we received from those who labored on HBCU campuses before us. The session is pictured below.

During this summer, I have taken more proactive steps in moving from an individual who is a Howard student and pastor to a group leader. With there being so much uncertainty with COVID-19, this leaves uncertainty as to when we will gain official approval through the chaplaincy program at Howard, which is still being revamped by the Chaplain's Office. Although we are still awaiting official approval to do programming on campus, I am leaning into the fact that we can still do ministry to students as the arm of the church reaching out to the campus, particularly in this time when no one is allowed on campus. So I have begun to call ourselves "RUF at District of Columbia" (we are the only RUF in the city) to students in order to avoid any potential conflict with the Chaplain's Office or Student Life office in regards to using "Howard" in our name, and I have been building a group virtually. I have been explicit with students that we are a new ministry in DC hoping to start an official student group on campus, and they are really excited!! Several things have happened as I have continued to develop the group. We created an Instagram page to be the face of our ministry (pictured right). I also started planning a worship night. I had many different relationships with students in different friend groups, and I wanted to get us all together to connect with each other and worship virtually. We hosted a Virtual Worship Night (pictured below) August 7th, and it went well! We had sharing, prayer requests, a student interview, musical worship, prayers, and a message.

Along with having a large group, we also have several discussion groups. Some are hosted by myself, and others are hosted by very gifted students. We have Flourish, which is a time I lead where we embrace the

Ministry Updates (cont.)

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fact that God created us in certain ways and we are called to care for ourselves in certain ways as creatures. COVID has disrupted many of the habits that are essential for our flourishing as creatures, so every weekday we answered the four questions 1) Who are you connecting with today? 2) What routines will you follow or set in place? 3) What can you and cannot control today? 4) What are you going to accomplish today? We did this for three weeks with mainly three students, and it was immensely helpful for them. Pictured below is a flier for a student's Bible study. She is our worship leader, one of our biggest cheerleaders, and little sister in the faith. I have taken it upon myself to equip and encourage students to do their personal ministries to their peers well. Imani, another student, leads a book club on Monday, and I hope I can be an encouragement and resource to her as well. RUF seeks to do ministry to students through students.

After the virtual worship night, there was a lot of excitement surrounding RUF, so I started an RUF Servant Team. This is a group of people who are committed to serving people. We will meet bi-weekly to get together for ministry training on how to be servants to our Howard peers. There are currently six members from all different parts of campus. We had our first Servant Team meeting last week, and immediately afterwards two of our team members hosted a freshman meet and greet! I have been reaching out to freshmen virtually through our

Instagram page and inviting them to connect to us or to upperclassmen, particularly since it's much harder to do that now with everything being virtual. During the meet and greet we introduced ourselves, the freshmen introduced themselves, and we answered their questions. Shortly after that, this past Monday, we had our first freshman bible study. We had a great time, and the students enjoyed it! We looked at Psalm 1 and went through the process of OIA - observation, interpretation, and application. After those three steps, we looked at how the passage points us to our need for a savior, for help from God. Although there have been many things happening virtually, there are also things happening non-virtually. I am still keeping up with my pen pal. It has been a joy to build a friendship with this student through exchanging letters. During this time in our country where violence and racial tensions are very apparent (through our phone screens mostly), students have been experiencing all kinds of emotions which they are trying to process. This turmoil is leading them to reach out to God. Pictured below is a section of my friend's letter where she wrestles with how to process her emotions with a God she doesn't believe in. I encouraged her to talk to God using the Psalms, which have encouraged both Christians and non-Christians for literally ages. Please pray that she would seek God, and perhaps feel her way towards him, and find him (Acts 17:27).

And of course, it has also been a joy to see you all while, of course, being safe with COVID. Pictured below we had the opportunity to spend a morning and the better part an afternoon with some dear friends and partners in ministry, the McNeils, at their home. We

Ministry Updates (cont.)

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had a great time - we all got a chance to swim in the pool and got a chance to get to know each other better.

Prayer Requests Please pray for us as I seek to establish this ministry: • Please pray that we would get new giving during

our matching grant window. • Please pray that students will persevere in an

unideal learning situation. • Please pray that our group would continue to

develop in quantity and quality of students. Financial Update This is a reminder that the matching grant window is still open! We received $15k in matching grant funds at the beginning of June. The matching funds are available for 3months (til the end of August). In about a week I will send an update about how we did with the matching gifts.

Ministry Updates (cont.)

The message I gave at the RUF Virtual Worship

Night was also the same message I gave for

Grace DC Network's virtual worship this past

Sunday. Check it out, and enjoy!

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Preparation for Next Lord’s Day

SERMON SERIES: EZRA-NEHEMIAH: GUARDED BY GRACE SERMON TITLE: “Fearlessness by Faith”

SERMON TEXT: Ezra 5 PREACHER: Pastor Fix MONDAY Ezra 5 Compare the events here to Ezra 4. What differences do you see in the

returnees’ faith vs. fear? What do you think made the difference? TUESDAY Ezra 3:3; 4:4; 5; Haggai 1 How does God’s Word through the prophet Haggai offer the faith and

confidence for the returnees to work on the temple? Apply this. WEDNESDAY Haggai 2 How might Haggai’s preaching the gospel in types and shadows have

motivated the returnees to keep building the temple and appeal to Darius? Application?

THURSDAY 1 Samuel 21:10–22:5; Psalm 56; Isaiah 51:9-16; Hebrews 13:5–6 Why can knowing God and his character give such confidence to

believers? How do we cultivate this in ourselves? FRIDAY John 14 How does Jesus provide both a realistic view of the adversity we will

face in the world and the confident faith we can have in him? SATURDAY Psalm 27; Isaiah 41:10; John 16:33; Romans 8:37; 1 John 4:4; 5:4, 5; Revelation 12:11 Why ought our faith in Jesus Christ empower a fearlessness in us?

What works against that and how can we cultivate this? Application?

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Prayer Requests For ministries we support: Steve Hollidge, praise that he passed his exam on

doctrine, pray for him as he prepares for and takes the final exam

Abraham Nuquay and the Waldorf church plant, pray for God to gather more of his people to the plant, both from churched and unchurched backgrounds; also for Paul Lankford, as he begins pursuing pastoral ministry

Pastor Fix, pray for all the details to come together for a successful thesis defense on September 30

Cyril Chavis, our RUF minister at Howard Univ. For those in service: For protection, safety, wisdom, and health for those

who are serving in the medical field, our elected officials, police, and emergency personnel, including Luke and Marcy Podiyan, Pam Wallace, Ernest and Julie Ambe, Agnes Kaje, Andrew Stough (and his girlfriend Vanessa), Gabriel Styles (Ken and Angie’s daughter), Stephanie Harris (Adrienne’s sister), Katelyn (Tony Strines’ niece), Sophie Bernitt (Rod and Kathy’s daughter-in-law), Ify Nsi and Nnenna Nsi (Apollonia’s daughters-in-law), Abraham Nuquay, Galen and Sarah Curtis (Bill and Barbara’s son and daughter-in-law), Terry Everhart (Tim and Barbie Jones’ son-in-law)

For military service personnel: Ian and Jesse Constable, Chris Corbett, Glenn Gresham, Andrew, Bill, and Elias Gunther, Matt Hackett, Jonathan Melzer, Isaac Roland, Scott Tonko, and Jay Wallen

For those mourning loss: Doug Wallen (Chip’s father) as he mourns the loss of

his lady friend, Betty Ann who passed away on Tuesday

For those with health concerns: Bill Fawcett (John Fix’s brother-in-law who is a

pastor / missionary in Brazil), praise for his continued improvement, and pray for his kidney function to recover so he can be sent home

Chuck and Cindy Eller, pray for them as Chuck continues to progress through Supranuclear Palsy, and for wisdom as they select in-home help

Sue Stough, pray for healing from a ruptured tendon in her left foot

Libby Chen’s mother in China, as she battles discouragement with the slow recovery process from

her stroke Sid Wheeler, praise for the recovery so far and pray

for his continued strengthening and recovery Jerry Griffin (friend of the Styles), who has been

diagnosed with cancer; pray for the right treatment and for physical and spiritual healing

Pat Gravatt, Andy’s mother, praise that she continues to improve, pray for continued improvement with swallowing

For provision: Teachers and students as they prepare for a new

school year, especially given the many challenges Journey mercies for Edie as she travels to visit Amy

and Noel Jake Eller (Chuck and Cindy’s son) and Natalie

Telfor as they plan for their wedding in January and prepare to move to Colorado; pray for them to find the right living space, etc.

Patty Seaton, praise that remote science lessons have been approved and there is a plan for this year; pray that the needed renovations on the planetarium would go forward, and for patience and grace for Patty dealing with her boss

Pray for Ken Lee’s case to be resolved so he can move back to his house with Anita; pray especially for the hearing scheduled for Monday to happen and for the judge to allow him to go home

Chris McCrea (Pastor Fix’s brother-in-law), Sunah Ramsey, and Amanda Trusen, pray for them to find jobs

Praise for the engagement of Duane Einfeld and Kathleen Barbee, and pray for them as they prepare for their wedding on November 28

Theo Fusi and Libby Chen and their family, pray for their asylum request to be granted

For those affected by the storms in Texas and Louisiana, pray for safety and provision

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Church Staff and Officers CHURCH STAFF S. A. Fix, Pastor ...................................................................................... fix@rpcbowie.org Michael L. Coleman, Assistant Pastor ................................................. mike@rpcbowie.org Abraham Nuquay, Assistant Pastor for Church Planting ...................acnuquay@gmail.com Irma Cripe, Choir Director ................................................................ choir@rpcbowie.org Ellen Wallen, Administrative Assistant .............................................. office@rpcbowie.org Max Cripe, Treasurer ................................................................... treasurer@rpcbowie.org

RULING ELDERS (elders@rpcbowie.org) Bruce Buchanan Steve Hollidge Tim Jones Tom Ramsey Scott Schollenberger Tom Schonthaler Ken Styles Mark Wallace

DEACONS (deacons@rpcbowie.org) Max Cripe Paul Evans Duncan Salada Greg Sinsley Charlie Staines (emeritus) Chip Wallen

Notes