Congratulations Pastor Lou!

Congratulations, Rev. Dr. Lou Ventura on receiving your 10 year certificate as a "Minister of the Word and Sacrament" at our Presbytery meeting that was held at GBPC on January 27. We LOVE you and are grateful for your ministry among us. This honor is made even more special because it was at our very own church that she became a candidate for ministry. May God continue to bless you and make his countenance to shine upon you as you continue your calling in ministry.

From the Pastor

Last night, your Pastor Nominating Committee met for the first time and was oriented to the detailed PNC process by Rev. Dr. Jeff Bell, acting PEVA head of staff, and Rev. Beth Hilkerbaumer, our COM liaison. That meeting was a culmination of the past 18 months’ worth of work by the entire congregation, but it represents a new beginning for us all. We have entered a new phase of the interim process, one for which we have prepared quite well, and now the work rests in the extremely capable hands of the PNC. Its first task will be to get the logistics of its meetings settled and then begin working on GBPC’s Ministry Discernment Profile (MDP), formerly the Ministry Information Form (MIF). They will primarily use the data collected by our amazing Interim Process Team.

A word about the PNC’s work. Remember that while the PNC will be updating you on where it is in the process, it will not be providing pastor candidate details other than the number of Pastor Discernment Profiles (PDPs) it has reviewed and/or interviewed. Please do not put the members of the PNC in an uncomfortable position by asking them about gender, characteristics, experience, or location of any of the pastors whose PDPs they are reviewing. The congregation has already provided its input into these details through the feedback gathered by the Interim Process Team; your input in that regard is completed. It’s important that you recognize that the work of the PNC is complicated enough without them encountering any outside input, no matter how well-intentioned. In the Presbyterian Church, we elect commissioners to represent us on councils, commissions, and committees, and then we trust that they, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will do God’s work for us. That said, however, I’m sure I can speak for the PNC when I say that they covet your prayers for unity of purpose and the guidance of God to call the pastor God already has chosen for GBPC.

While we wait for the outcome, the rest of us are also called to a specific work. There is still rebuilding to be done, old wounds to uncover and allow to heal, renewal and restoration work to become what God is calling GBPC to be and do. We are called to an active waiting while the PNC does its work. Christians are quite good at this active waiting—we’ve been doing it for over 2000 years.

Arthur C. Brooks, a contributing writer at The Atlantic, tells us that,

You need to know where you are going, but Schopenhauer argues that “another important element in the wise conduct of life is to preserve a proper proportion between our thought for the present and our thought for the future.” He goes on to observe, “It is seldom that a man holds the right balance between the two extremes.” For most of us, the problem with finding that balance comes from not being present in the here and now but getting stuck thinking about what is to come. If we’re not mindful in this way, that hurts our ability to focus and make tangible progress in the immediate present, and creates an incentive to procrastinate on big projects.[1]

In my work as your interim pastor, I have tried not to procrastinate or “kick the can down the road” on issues or initiatives, programs, or projects that you are passionate about, and that will continue while I am with you to the best of my ability. But you may hear from me a bit more often that I will postpone some things for your new pastor, things that I believe he or she will need to have input on or a presence in. We will work together as we always have to come to a good compromise (NOT a bad word, despite what Congress would have you think!).

What brings me the greatest joy, however, at this and every stage in this interim process with you, is knowing that I still have some time to continue to love on you! It’s one of my favorite things to do.

Be encouraged, build up one another, and pursue shalom!

Lou

Rev. Dr. Lou Ventura

[email protected]

[1] Arthur C. Brooks, “Schopenhauer’s Advice on How to Achieve Great Things,” https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/02/arthur-schopenhauer-philosophy-buddhism-happiness/677373/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=the-atlantic-am&utm_term=The+Atlantic+AM accessed 2/8/2024.

Upcoming Church Events

February 11

• Boy Scout Sunday
• Operation Tons of Love Food Drive Begins

February 14

• Ash Wednesday Service, 6:30pm in the Sanctuary
• Wednesday Night Live
• Dinner 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall
• Instruments of Peace Drawing, 6pm
• KICK, 6:15 in Room 290
• Impact, 6:15 in Room 290

February 16

• Parents' Night Out, 5:30pm - 7:30pm in Fellowship Hall

February 25

• GBPC Celebrates 60 Years! 10:00am in the Sanctuary

March 3

• Lenten Worship Offering, 4:00pm in the Sanctuary

Worship and Music

GBPC's Diamond Jubilee

Sunday, February 25th

Where will YOU be at 10:00am on Sunday, February 25th?

At Great Bridge Presbyterian Church, we hope!

Please join us as we celebrate our 60th Diamond Jubilee! There will be a special worship service, including lots of music, recognition of our charter and long-time members, and a reception in the Fellowship Hall afterwards.

Ready for a challenge? Here's a trivia question for this week as we countdown to the Diamond Jubilee:

In 1963, there were 6 choices proposed for a name for our church.

Obviously, we know that Great Bridge Presbyterian Church was chosen.

Of the following choices, which name came in second place?

a. Grace Presbyterian Church

b. Redeemer Presbyterian Church

c. Chesapeake Presbyterian Church

d. Center Point Presbyterian Church

e. The Presbyterian Church of Great Bridge

(Answer will be revealed this Sunday morning during announcements and next week’s email)

We can still use pictures for the service. We are seeking pictures of women’s and men’s retreats since 2014, drive-through communion in 2020, parking lot services, disaster relief mission trips, and our Service and Mission Fair. Please email to [email protected]

Attention Parents & Grandparents!

All children ages 3-13 are invited to sing at the 60th Anniversary Celebration on February 25, 2024. We want to share through song the joy and excitement our youngsters bring to the fellowship at Great Bridge Presbyterian Church. 

Participation is simple:

1. Text Peggy Muse at 757.636.0975. Please include your child’s full name, your name, email address and mobile phone number.
2.  Attend rehearsal from 10:30-11:00am on Feb. 4, 11 and 18. Come to room 200!
3. On February 25 arrive at church at 9:00am for dress rehearsal.
4. Additional practice at home (or in the car) with a video link.

Help our youngest congregants be a part of this grand celebration in the life of GBPC.

Text Peggy today or no later than Sunday, February 4th!!

Blessings,

Kids Sing team: Ms. Carla, Ms. Hannah, Ms. Peggy and Ms. Tonya

Ash Wednesday Service

February 14, 2024 at 6:30pm

Lenten

Worship Offering

March 3rd | 4:00 pm | GBPC Sanctuary

Led by Dr. Sandra Billy

Free and open to the public.

Taizé worship involves sung prayers, meditation, a period of silence, scripture readings and candlelight. There is no preaching. The prayers consist of short refrains repeated again and again. This way of singing scriptural texts and sacred words is a way of opening the heart to hear God speaking, to empty one’s mind, to do some soul-searching, and to commune with God. 

Children's Ministry

Only 12 slots left, register today!

2024 GBPC VBS

July 15th - 16th

Make plans to attend GBPC's VBS as we explore "Outback Rock: Where Kids Venture into Solid Faith"!

At halftime of our "Souperbowl" the 49ers trail the Chiefs, 61-38.

Will the 49ers pull off an epic comeback? Or will the Chiefs "Swift"-ly cruise to victory?

YOU decide!



Sunday, February 11th is the last day for soup donations. Make your final push before our "Souperbowl" Champion is crowned!

Men's Ministry

Opportunities For All

17th Annual

Operation Tons of Love

Now until February 25th

Thanks to Impact's Souper Bowl and PEVA, we are off to a great start! Please continue to drop your donations in the boxes in the Narthex.

2000 pounds is our goal, together we can achieve it!

Please visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter GBPC to schedule an appointment.

AARP Foundation

Tax-Aide

Tuesdays & Wednesdays | 8am - 1pm

One of the ways GBPC serves the community is through the AARP Tax-Aide program. The tax preparers are IRS certified to prepare most federal and state taxes. Tax-Aide are preparing taxes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8am - 1pm in the Youth Room.

Appointments must be made in person.

For more information, call 757.547.4741.

Presbyterian Women's

Novel Ideas

Book Discussion

March 14, 2024 | 6:30pm | Room 230

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

by James McBride

Sign up in the Narthex!

Wednesday Night Live

February 14, 2024

Dinner at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall

Instruments of Peace Drawing at 6pm

KICK at 6:15pm in Room 290

Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30pm

Please use the link below, scan the QR Code in the weekly bulletins or sign up in the Narthex.

Dinner Menu: Salad, Soup, Sandwiches and Dessert

Congregational Care

DEACON MINISTRY Deacons are responsible for providing pastoral care and support to the members of the church. This may involve visiting the sick, elderly, or homebound members, offering prayers, providing comfort, and meeting practical needs within the congregation. All members and non-members of the congregation, not in small group, should have a deacon assigned. If you don't have a deacon, have not been contacted by a deacon, and are not in a small group, please reach out to Wayne Stover, at [email protected] and he will assign you a deacon.

In Need of Prayer? 

Please use the link below and let us know how we may lift you in prayer.

Stewardship & Finance

2023 Contribution Statements were sent out in January.

If you did not receive your statement, please email Bob Jennings, [email protected], or call the church office 757.547.4706.

2024 Offering

Envelopes are Here!

Pick them up from the table next to the welcome desk in the Narthex. If you have any questions see Bob Jennings.

Thank you for your generous support and commitment to GBPC.

In Case You Missed It

Last Week's Service

February 4, 2024

Ongoing Signups

The Children's Ministry Team is always looking for new teachers*. Use the link below to join the team.

Nursery Volunteers Needed!

We still need nursery volunteers*! Please contact Joy Rowe at 540.420.4896 if you are willing to help out.

*All volunteers that work with children and youth are subject to a background check.

Sanctuary Servants

Volunteers are needed to prepare the sanctuary for Sunday morning worship services on Friday mornings. Please use the link below to sign up.

Chancel Flower Donations

Would you care to donate flowers in memory or in honor of a loved one? Pick up an envelope on the information ledge in the Narthex. Please leave the envelope with the included form and check for $75, payable to GBPC, in the Office Manager's mailbox. You may also place your order online using the link below. Please be sure to include the date you would like the flowers to be dedicated. Deadline is the Tuesday prior to the display date.