Join us in worship this Sunday, December 8 as we consider the provocative New Testament figure of John the Baptist. Styled like an Old Testament prophet, he was a distant cousin of Jesus and, according to the Prophet Isaiah, helped to “prepare the way” for the coming Messiah. He summoned the greedy, the bullies, the oppressors from Jerusalem to confess their sins and start on new path as shown by their baptism in the Jordan River. Many came, as did Jesus himself to be baptized. What is the lasting influence today of this thoroughly unconventional man? Share your views on the Scripture and story of John: all points of view and questions welcomed! Sunday in the sanctuary at 10:00 am. To gain some background, download our cheat sheet by clicking on the icon below.

Join us this coming Sunday for an all-church potluck featuring the best recipes from Laurel’s families. Bring a favorite of your own or just bring yourself — there’ll be plenty of food to go around! Following 10:00 am worship in the Fellowship Hall, Sunday, October 20.

Join us this coming Sunday, October 13 as our worshiping congregation gets a chance to “preach.” The Bible text for the morning will be Ephesians 6:10-20 where the Apostle Paul suggests that our real battle is with unseen forces of evil about us, but the Lord has supplied us with spiritual tools to defend ourselves akin to those used by soldiers in war. His remarks are often described as putting on “The Full Armor of God.”

This Sunday all in worship will have an opportunity to observe what they think about the perils of evil beyond us and what might be the best ways spiritual people can deal with them. A special prep sheet has been prepared: you can download it when you click on the image below. Our Second Sunday discussions, led by the pastor, are always fun and informative and sometimes surprising! Come join us!

Join us for worship al fresco this coming Sunday, September 29 as we gather on the lawn in front of the sanctuary on Staples Mill Road. Dress comfortably for this fun and informal service, and make sure to bring a friend!

BIBLE ‘N’ BUSTERS… Join us outdoors at Bruster’s Ice Cream, 9101 W. Staples Mill Road, Tuesday night, July 16, at 7:00 pm for some summer fun. We’ll play games, sing camp songs, meet new friends and share an engaging Bible devotion – just like camp… all in 45 minutes! The fun is free; for the ice cream, you need to negotiate with Mr. Bruster! Laurel Presbyterian Church, 804-672-6810.

LIVING UP TO OUR NAME! As Presbyterians, we’re a church governed by elders – ruling elders (lay) and teaching elders (clergy). The denominational moniker is derived from Greek for “elder.” Today in worship we installed six (and additionally ordained one) ruling elders elected by the congregation and, we believe, called by God to lead Laurel Church during the next two years. They had little time to rest on their laurels, however, as they began their service at the Session meeting the followed the worship service. All acquitted themselves with spiritual and ecclesiastical aplomb. They are in the photo below from left to right: Marshall Chamberlayne, Nana Sarfo-Kantanka, Michael Henderson, Rudy van’t Riet, Mary Jane Bowlin and Jim Clark.

HAVE A MID-WEEK COOL-OFF AT THE ICE CREAM SOCIAL! Join us in the Fellowship Hall tomorrow night, Wednesday, July 10, at 6:30 pm for ice cream sundaes with all the fixin’s. Rev. Fred Holbrook, interim General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of the James, will be with us to share what he hopes to accomplish in his tenure and plans for new ministry at this time of transition.