Fall and Winter Schedule for Sunday Worship Service: 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM,
Healing Service (1S5) First Saturday at 5:00 PM
Please mark events (at the end of the newsletter) on your personal calendars.
|
|
Table of Contents
Article 1 "Our Generous God"
by Pastor Clancy Nixon
Article 2 "A Story about Tithing"
by Pastor Dave Prosser
Article 3 "Family FunFest Report"
by Sara Johnson
Article 4
"
Missions Minute: New Wineskins Report"
by Theresa Rowland
Article 5
"
Wednesday
Prayer Class"
by Monica Whitmer
Article 6 "Exhalting the Names of God"
by Pastor Dean Schultz
Article 7 "Ladies: Pray and Bless One Another"
by Amy Farley
Article 8
"Good News Clubs are Here"
by Terry Johnson
Article 9 "A Generation of Distrust"
by Pastor John Nuzum
Article 10 "Open Mic Responses from Womem at Fluvanna" by Carole Prosser
Article 11 "This Year's FunFest was the Best!"
by Noah Thomas
Article 12 "World's Best Shrimp Scampi Recipe"
by Pastor Dave
Upcoming Events
|
|
"Our Generous God"
by Pastor Clancy Nixon
|
|
At every Newcomer Lunch, I ask all present to share “one thing they like about this church.” Some present have arrived that day, and others have been with us for months. While answers vary, one reply is quite consistent, really the majority response: here, they
feel genuinely loved
. Not just in the coffee hour, but in all their interactions with our people – in worship, in small groups, and elsewhere. The second most common response is that they feel the presence of the Lord among us.
Praise God!
Our Mission Statement is to “invite nations and generations to experience God’s love and power.” This is what we are
to do
; and by these testimonies, it is what we are indeed doing. Thank you for your part in creating this culture among us.
One important way people feel loved among us is by how people give of themselves – their time, talent, and treasure. It happens when you linger in conversation with someone after church, in coffee hour or over lunch, so people feel truly heard. It happens when you share your talents – for example, one member shares her talent in cooking with me every week with one of my favorite dishes! It happens when you give to our Benevolence Fund to help others at their time of need. Just today, one member thanked me joyously, telling me they could not have made it through their financial hard times without help from the church.
Generosity has always been a central tenant of the faith. The earliest Christians knew what it meant to give up everything for the gospel. Barnabas sold a field to give to the needy; the apostles organized a cadre of deacons to care for widows and orphans; countless people gave their lives away to tell others the good news of what Jesus had done. They had an ethos of giving that was evident to all.
This generosity is a main reason why the early church grew so quickly. In 165AD, a smallpox epidemic spread throughout the Roman Empire. Many fled their cities for fear of infection, leaving family members dead or dying. At risk to their lives, only Christians cared for the sick and buried the dead. They had learned not to fear death by the example of their Lord. The sick who survived often converted to Christianity. This was repeated in several plagues, and the faith spread.
I’m sending daily devotionals on generosity called “Giving Up” to each home this week by mail. Please join us in daily focus on stewardship and giving during this season. God so loved the world
that he gave
his Son. Let us follow his example in how we give to God and to others.
“They will know we are Christians by our love.” This self-giving love is how our whole world will come to know Jesus.+
|
|
Giving through your IRA
People older than 70½ can transfer up to $100,000 per year from their traditional IRAs to charity, which can count as their required minimum distribution but is not taxable if they follow the rules for a qualified charitable distribution (QCD). (This doesn't apply to a Roth IRA, which has tax-free withdrawals and no required distributions.) The gift stays out of your adjusted gross income only if you make a direct transfer from your IRA to the named charity. Ask your IRA administrator what steps you need to take specifically, because the procedures can vary from firm to firm. For some this is a great way to give!
|
|
"A Story about Tithing"
by Pastor Dave Prosser
|
|
Many years ago as I was reading the book of Malachi in chapter three about tithing, I was led to pause when I read about God opening the flood gates of heaven and pouring out such a blessing that you will not have room enough to hold it. Consider Malachi 3:6-12, NIV
-
6
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
7
Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,
says the Lord Almighty. But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
8
Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?" “In tithes and offerings.
9
You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.
10
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing
that there will not be room enough to store it.
11
I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty.
12
“Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
The NIV, Gen. 7:11 and MAL. 3:10 speak of flood gates of heaven. The KJV Gen. 7:11, and Mal. 3:10 speak of opening the windows of heaven. Each of those four references refers to the a large event, beyond what man can behold. God speaks of opening the flood gates of heaven and the windows of heaven– I would suggest they are the same.
I was once the Chief of the Mechanical Engineering Branch in the Shasta-Trinity Hydro-electric complex. The waters of the Trinity River and the Sacramento River were combined to generate nearly a thousand megawatts of clean electricity daily. All that water needed to be controlled as it was released into the Sacramento River above Redding in Northern California. The controlling structure was Keswick Dam just a few miles below Shasta Dam.
When dams are designed and constructed their protection from floods is a paramount consideration. That meant that Keswick Dam had a spillway with four gates, each with dimensions of 50 feet wide by 50 feet high, and capable of a combined water release of 250,000 cubic feet per second.
I reflected on the prospect of that release of waters from the flood gates of heaven as representative of a blessing from heaven. It would truly be so large that we would not have room to hold it. I decided I had to live like that, under a blessing that I could not quantify. So I began giving and have tithed for 37 years and have seen and experienced God's blessings in many ways I never expected. He will surprise you with His knowledge of your needs and ways He will
luxuriate you.
Imagine what 250,000 cubic feet per second of water would look like. A football field with end zones contains 57,600 square feet of space. If you built a 4.4 foot high concrete wall around it, it would have a volume of 250,000 cubic feet. Now imagine that volume being filled in one second. One second is about as much time as it takes to snap your fingers.
Such a flood of blessing is perhaps beyond your imagination, but give it a try. Test God. God does not lie.
|
|
"Family FunFest Report"
by Sara Johnson
|
|
We enjoyed our third annual Family FunFest at Balls Bluff Elementary School on Sunday, September 15. It was a huge success! We greeted around 500 people from our community and blessed them with free pony rides, bouncy houses, carnival games and prizes, face painting and rock painting. Visitors also enjoyed free cotton candy, sno-cones, popcorn, hot dogs and drinks. We ran out of many things, so my husband Keith spent the whole day running to stores to get more food, prizes, and water! Every bit was devoured.
We accomplished our goal of showing love and care to our Leesburg community. But perhaps even more encouraging to me was watching our CHS family come together to serve. Our teens worked tirelessly with joyful, servant attitudes. What a great group of teens we have! Many families served together. Dozens of adults poured out their lives for the day to bless others.
Visiting families were sent home with red Church of the Holy Spirit bags full of infomation about our church (and prizes the kids won). Let's pray people will be inspired to come check out CHS! Even if they don't, they will appreciate that our church is for them and their family, and our church and our God will be known by this loving gift to them.
I'd like to give a special shout out to Harold and Debbie Jones and Tim and Ronda Millman for all of their work on this event. And thanks to everyone who helped us love our community.
|
|
 |
This was our first year to offer pony rides. The ponies were a big hit! I'm sure they'll be back next year.
We had great weather and fun bouncy houses!
|
|
|
|
There were loads of carnival games and prizes for the kids
.
|
|
|
|
|
The local fire department visited us for a short time untill they were called out on a run
.
|
|
|
|
Teens enjoyed face painting. Kids also liked painting rocks which they took home in their red CHS bag.
|
|
|
|
"Missions Minute"
Report from the New Wineskins Conference
by Theresa Rowland
|
|
Attending New Wineskins 2019 was an incredible experience in many ways. It was incredible to be surrounded by so many laborers for God’s Gospel and to hear many of their stories of God’s goodness and grace. We all know God is a God of all languages and nations, but it becomes easier to grasp that truth when surrounded by Christ-followers from all over the world. It is so special to be part of “so great a cloud of witnesses.” The Church feels more universal when you sit down for a prayer meeting with five people and three countries in two continents are represented. The Lord was evidently present in the Spirit for guidance and empowerment of His worldwide church, and being present to watch it happen was moving.
My personal testimony from the conference is that it gave me confidence, clarity, and connections to work towards a missionary calling. When I was younger, I wanted to be a missionary, and my heroes were people like Jim Elliot and Brother Andrew. In high school, I came to believe it was my calling after spending time in Nicaragua and Chicago, as well as my hometown, serving local ministries. However, I had (and still have) a lot to learn and God taught me many lessons through my years in equestrian sports. Going into college I turned my attention towards becoming a professional horse trainer, but in recent months God has started to take away the life I had started to build for myself and remind me of my original goals and desire to serve Him as a missionary.
When I learned about the New Wineskins conference at church, I believe God encouraged me to go and explore the idea again. While at the conference, He gave clear guidance in His calling during prayer services and led me to people I could talk to in order to better understand the process of becoming a missionary. It was a great encouragement to know that people are there who can help me along my journey; to hear about the places which have the greatest need; and of the great things that are being accomplished through the outpouring of God’s Spirit and power in places it has been ignored before. Through the New Wineskins conference, God gave me a renewed confidence in His goodness and guidance and a desire to help to spread His gospel.
|
|
"Wednesday Prayer Class"
by Monica Whitmer
|
|
"Have you ever wondered exactly what "victorious Christian living" really is? Are there areas of your life that no matter what you do you can't seem to bring under Christ's Lordship? Here is a book that helps us as hurting people to open our hearts and gain access to Christ's Healing Presence. There before Him, we dare to spread out the broken pieces of our lives and see them mended. He pours His eternal life and fullness of being into our finiteness, immaturity, and brokenness. We can come to wholeness in Christ, find our completeness in Him, through what the author calls Incarnational Reality - the infilling of the Holy Spirit into our deepest being. As we learn to practice the Presence of Jesus, we begin to live fully and see His power change our lives.
Now through the middle of November, we are studying
The Healing Presence
Subtitle:
How God's Grace Can Work in You to Bring Healing in Your Broken Places and the Joy of Living in His Love,
by Leanne Payne. The following are the chapter titles:
- Celebrating Our Smallness
- Practicing His Presence
- Spiritual Power and Authority
- Separation from The Presence
- Creative Power
- The Presence of God Within
- Incarnational Reality
- Perceiving God Aright
- Imagery and Symbol: "The Imagery Really Matters"
- The Terrible Schism in the Heart of Man
- The True Imagination
- Introspection Verses True Imagination
- Incarnational Reality: "The Key to Carrying the Cross"
- Renouncing False Gods and Appropriating the Holy
You are invited to join this class.
We meet at CHS from 6:45 PM - 9:15 PM on Wednesday evenings in the Nave. If interested, please join us. If you have questions, please call Monica at 703-726-0777.
|
|
"Exhalting the Names of GOD"
by Pastor Dean Schultz
|
|
Do you ever battle against a spirit of fear seeking to overwhelm your life?
The psalmist David declared;
“
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (
Psalm 34:1-4)
How was the psalmist David delivered from
all
his fears? By exalting God’s names in worship!
If you find yourself battling against a spirit of fear, I would encourage you meditate on the following four names of God, which Messianic Rabbi Kirt Schneider writes about in "Discovering the Jewish Jesus":
- Yahweh Yireh: God Provides – When Abraham went up the mountain to sacrifice his son, he made this faith-filled statement: “God Himself will provide a lamb.” And Yahweh Yireh did provide! He supplied a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac. Abraham memorializes this divine intervention with the name Yireh, for the Lord’s unfailing grace and constant provision. For the Lord sees and provides for our every need!
- Yahweh Ropheka: The God who Heals – He is our Healer, in both body and soul! Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” This name assures each of us that our Heavenly Father wants to restore us to wholeness.
- Yahweh Shalom: The God of Peace (Shalom)– Shalom speaks of wholeness, harmony, and completeness. Shalom is not dependent on circumstances. True peace comes only from complete trust in the Lord in all areas of our lives. “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)
- Yahweh Tsebaoth: The Lord of Hosts. Appearing over 250 times in the Old Testament, this name can be translated as ‘The Lord of Armies.’ It captivates His sovereignty over all spiritual and physical armies. He is the Lord of Hosts and gives charge to a multitude of heavenly beings to face our adversaries. The Lord of Hosts is fighting on our behalf. “‘Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’ The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Psalm 46:10-11)
May our Good Shepherd deliver you from
ALL
your fears as you exalt His name(s).
|
|
"Ladies, Pray and Bless One Another"
by Amy Farley
|
|
Ladies, please pray as we are planning events for the upcoming year. As you wait for us to put events together, please reach out to new women in the congregation you may not yet know. Or look through the directory and see if there is someone in your area that you could get together with informally. Also, consider sending a note, or card, of encouragement to someone you may not have seen in a while. Just a short friendly note can mean a lot. Remember, we are the hands and feet (and voice) of Jesus to those around us. Let's be family! Thanks for your patience and prayer as we plan for the fall!
|
|
"GOOD NEWS CLUBS"
by Terry Johnson
|
|
What is the “Good News?” The Gospel of Jesus is the Good News. If you aren’t familiar with Good News Clubs, here’s a little background. An organization by the name of Child Evangelism Fellowship began 75 years ago and is dedicated to spreading the Good News of the Gospel to kids. These clubs meet as after school programs in public schools or neighborhoods.
A group of volunteers from several churches in our area have formed teams to go into Loudoun County Public elementary schools to do just that; spread the Good News of the Gospel to elementary age kids. Isn't that exciting; we are still able to take God into public school building! The Supreme Court rulled public schools must allow CEF to hold Good News Clubs in their building as an after school club if space is available. (Same as other clubs not sponsored by the public schools.) Praise God! Let's do this while we still have the opportunity!
Currently a team has started an after-school Good News Club on
Tuesdays at Balls Bluff Elementary School
. Another team has restarting an after-school Good News Club on
Wednesdays at Catoctin Elementary.
We are working to get a team togther for Lovettsville Elementary. Next semester, we plan to begin after-school Good News Clubs in Cool Springs Elementary and Purcerville Elementary.
God’s Spirit is drawing people together to take His message to the kids of our county.
If you have kids or grandkids in any of these schools who would like to join a Good News Club, let us know and have them invite their friends. If you are a home school family and would like to join a Good News Club at a public school near you, you are welcome.
If your children attend a Loudoun County Public elementary school which doesn’t currently have a Good News Club and you would like to see a club started in their school, let us know and help us recruit a team.
I attended a Good News Club when I was a kid (several years ago!) and learned much about the Bible.
"
The current Barna study indicates that nearly half (43%)
of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior do so before reaching the age of 13."
Our county needs Jesus in our school buildings and this is a perfect opportunity to show these children the love of God and a hope for their future.
The Lord is calling us to this mission field.
Won't you consider and pray about joining a team, either as a prayer supporter, financial supporter or club volunteer: teacher, small group leader, administrative help, etc.
We ask for your prayers as our teams go into the schools; prayer for spiritual protection, power of The Spirit and for kids to be drawn by the Holy Spirt to hear and respond to the Gospel.
Angels said " ... I bring you good news." Won't you be an angel?
|
|
"A Generation of Distrust"
by Pastor John Nuzum
|
|
In August, Deloitte Consulting released its Global Millennial Survey 2019 and an article concluding that "the Millennial and Gen Z generations are filled with distrust instead of optimism due to the crossfire of social, political, and economic commotion they have experienced."
The article coninutes: "Deloitte says that consistent with past surveys, Millennials expressed low opinions of political and religious leaders. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) said that political leaders are failing to have a positive impact on the world, while two-thirds (66 percent) said the same of faith leaders. And about 45 percent of Millennials said they have absolutely no trust in either set of leaders as sources of reliable and accurate information."
This paints a picture of distrust of the church, especially its leadership, and points to the reason we do not see many Millennials or Generation Z’s in our churches. If this trend continues, both groups will be the least churched, faith-based educated, Gospel exposed generations since the founding of our beloved America.
It also points to two generations lost in the kingdom of darkness. Perhaps the series of gun related tragedies is a symptom of a deeply rooted problem that is spiritual in nature. Other issues of spiritual nature are abortions, the rise in witchcraft, and accepting the teaching of socialism/communism.
The article also states: "Through this survey, the “generation disrupted”
is telling us that continuous change and upheaval have created a population that is different at its core. But they’re also providing valuable clues about how society’s institutions can respond to those differences in mutually beneficial ways that could increase trust, generate positive societal impact, and meet their high expectations."
The artice goes on: "The survey concluded Millennials and Gen Z’s make up more than half the world’s population and, together, account for most of the global workforce.They aren’t the future—they’re the present. They can make or break entire enterprises, and they aren’t afraid to let their wallets speak for them. There’s a tremendous and genuine opportunity for leaders—in government, business, and elsewhere—to capture the hearts and minds of our younger generations. Those who can make the future brighter for millennials and Gen Z’s stand to have the brightest futures themselves."
For many Millennials and Gen Z’s the idea of a bright future is based on the world’s system of having more stuff especially the green stuff. However, there is no better way for a person to have an optimistic and bright future than to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, knowing He loves them, walking in that love and becoming more like Him.
The Church must reach Millennials and Gen Z’s. They are the "now" and they are the future church. It seems we are not doing enough. Here is an example: Of those in the church today, only 17% of the older men meet with the younger men to bring them along in the faith. The next generation is not being discipled in the ways of God. We must do more.
What can we do as a church to attract the Millennials and Gen Z’s from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light, so they too can live as people of light?
Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8,
“
For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So, live as people of light!”
|
|
"Open Mic Remarks from Women at Fluvanna Correctional Center"
by Carole Prosser
|
|
Twenty-eight residents of Fluvanna Correctional Center completed their Kairos weekend on October 13, 2019, amid the encouraging applause of graduates and outside visitors. It was my privilege to be one of those visitors. Coming up to the mic as "table families", they were directed to respond as a family to three questions: What was your spiritual condition prior to Thursday night? What have you learned? What are you taking away? Their responses included: (#1) felt spiritually broken; our spirits had holes; felt unforgiven; some were hopeful; most were heavy with guilt. (#2) Found peace and unconditional love; compassion; understanding; a new purpose and drive; attained “fuel” to keep that love; a new sisterhood. (#3) Taking away a new relationship with God; joy; happiness; peace; bond and friendship with our sisters; we’re going to walk this walk together!
And then, individually, they were given an opportunity to speak for 2 minutes. Some of their witnesses are below.
1.
We may look different (residents and team) but inside we’re all the same. We have many of the same stories. God has given me a new family. I now have a genuine understanding of letting go and letting God!
2.
I’ve been 1139 days in the wilderness and will be leaving this place on Tuesday. Last week, I was nervous about leaving but, after this weekend, I AM READY!
3.
I have been an emotional, crying bucket. I’ve spent all my life looking for something to fill the void in me. I studied to become a Muslim but I knew that wasn’t it. Then I took studies to become a Jew. I was invited to participate in this Kairos weekend and, guess what? God showed up! Satan will not have his way with me again. I have never bonded with positive women before. I learned this weekend that I don’t have to go out on my own. I know who I am and whose I am. I’ve got Jesus Christ on my side!
4.
I’ve met God again!
5.
I learned that I need to reach out to others more and more.
6.
I thank God for being here. I’ve been dealing with issues of forgiveness and the “what ifs”.
7.
(to the team members)
Your stories were so courageous. Debbey
(team member and previous Fluvanna inmate)
you are amazing. You did it! You live on the outside; you have a purpose! If you could do that I know I can do it too!
8.
Jesus was not part of my life growing up. But, this weekend I found true happiness.
9.
I forgot about Jesus Christ but He had never forgotten me. I thought I’d forgiven certain people but I guess I really hadn’t. Through the encouragement of my table family, I think I have gotten beyond that now.
10.
This has been a transformational and trying weekend. Friday we had so many delays and hindrances. It seemed that satan didn’t want us to hear the Word. But, we kept persevering. I’ve been harboring so much stuff and I’ve finally been able to get it off my chest.
11.
I wanted a close relationship with God. Because of this weekend, I have finally let go of a lot of pain that I needed to get rid of.
12.
This weekend has been a turning point in my life.
Praise God for the teams who bless these women and those who baked cookies which were given to them.
|
|
"This Year’s Family Fun Fest was the Best!"
by Noah Thomas, 4
th
grader
This year's fun fest was phenomenal! I enjoyed getting to play games, getting my face painted, eating snow cones and riding a pony! I was smiling pretty much the whole time.
Now, I like being a show-off, so every time I played a game, I stood back at the 11
th
chalk line. I threw a ring, rang a rootbeer bottle (I love rootbeer) and made two basketball shots. I also made a hole-in-one at the mini golf game. At the face painting table, I had a football painted on my hand, not my face.
While I was there, Pastor Clancy passed me and waved. I recognized him even though he was wearing a disguise. (editor’s note: Because it was a sunny day, Pastor Clancy was wearing a hat and sunglasses and was also wearing street clothes.)
One thing that made me laugh was the ponies would keep stopping to eat grass or use a bathroom break. There were many people laughing and having a good time. The fun fest really blessed the community. Thank you, Church of the Holy Spirit for sponsoring this event!
|
|
"World's Best Shrimp Scampi Recipe"
shared by Pastor Dave
|
|
Shrimp Scampi
from Bon Appetit, pub Feb 2017
4 servings
4 large garlic cloves, 2 grated, 2 thinly sliced
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or squeeze 1 fresh lemon
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 tablespoons chopped parsley
Warm crusty bread (for serving)
Whisk grated garlic, salt, and 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl. Add shrimp, toss to coat, and chill, uncovered, at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
Heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium and cook shrimp mixture, being careful not to let shrimp or garlic brown, until shrimp is pink but still slightly underdone, about 1 minute per side.
Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon, leaving as much oil in pan as possible.
Add sliced garlic and red pepper to skillet and cook, tossing, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and lemon juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add butter and cook, stirring and swirling pan occasionally, until butter is melted and sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes more.
Scrape shrimp along with any accumulated juices into skillet. Toss to coat and cook until shrimp are fully cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter, top with parsley, and serve with bread for dipping alongside.
Editor's note: Secret to success is in bold print.
|
|
Schedule of Upcoming Events
*October 15 - Nov 19 Contagious Christianity, Tuesdays at 7:00 PM Multipurpose Room
*Tent America 2019 - Awaken The Dawn & Loudoun Burn
,
Friday, October 18th, 5:00 PM through the night watch
until Saturday, October 19th, 9:00 PM.
Elijah Gate Christian Center 115 Harrison St. NE, Leesburg, VA 20176
*October 19 Membership Class 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Multipurpose Room.
*November 5 Don't forget to vote!
*November 15-16 DOMA Synod & Equip Conference, All Saints Church, Woodbridge
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
