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The mission of Wellshire Church is to seek, embrace, and nurture disciples within a community of hope that plays together, sings of God's glory, and celebrates Jesus Christ through service.
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This Sunday, March 1
This Sunday is the second Sunday in Lent. Dr. Bell will continue the Lenten focus on Prayer with a sermon based on John 17:1-26, which is the very exalted "High Priestly Prayer" of Jesus, offered as he approaches the Cross. Music featured includes Larson's I Believe in the Old Rugged Cross at 9:00 am Living Water Worship and Forrest's And Can It Be and Schalk's Who Is the One We Love the Most at 11:00 am Traditional Worship. Click here for the 11:00 am Order of Worship.
Note: Due to family illness, Adrian Miller's Chapel Presentation on March 1 has been postponed indefinitely.
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Next Sunday, March 8
The Rev. Kira Stringer preaches on David's prayer and confession to God in Psalm 51, in which David prays for a clean heart and a new spirit to be put within him. Our coinciding Lenten prayer practice on the third Sunday of Lent focuses on intentional listening. Combining this practice with our lectionary reading, Rev. Stringer connects intentional listening to David's confessional prayer in Psalms. What we can learn from this combination to help us in our prayers this Lenten season? Music in worship includes Martin's For God So Loved the World at 9:00 am; Canto Deo Choir provides special music at 11:00 am.
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Events This Sunday 
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Congregational Life
WELLSHIRE'S GOT TALENT
 The curtain goes up on Wellshire's Church-wide Dinner and Talent Show Fundraiser for 2015 Youth Mission Trip on Sunday, March 15 from 5:30 -7:30 pm.
ACTS NEEDED! On Sunday, March 15, Wellshire members and friends of all ages are urged to share their talents at the annual youth fundraiser dinner. Contact Beth Graves by Sunday, March 6 by email or at 303-807-9736 to sign yourself or your group up to perform in the talent show.
More details to follow - save the date!
MEN'S RETREAT: REGISTER THIS SUNDAY!
"Unless you change and become like children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3
 Why is becoming like a child central to entering and experiencing the Kingdom of God? Come and explore what spiritual maturity might look like through this different lens. The guest speaker for the 2015 Wellshire's Men's Retreat is the Rev. Tim Mooney, author of Like a Child: Restoring the Awe, Wonder, Joy and Resiliency of the Human Spirit. Using this work as a springboard, find out how cultivating childlike qualities helps us become more fully alive - which is God's intention for us as his children. REGISTRATION OPENS THIS SUNDAY - pick up a brochure outside of either worship venue to learn more about this getaway and register.
INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSURE PROCEDURE AT WELLSHIRE
Yes, worship at Wellshire Church did indeed still happen last Sunday, despite the snow! Several people have asked how church closure information is shared with the community in the case of inclement weather. During the weekdays, Wellshire follows the Denver Public Schools closure protocol (if DPS is closed, so is Wellshire); on a Sunday, closure information would appear on the 9News and CBS4 news tickers (as well as on the Wellshire website and Facebook page).
JOIN WELLSHIRE
Membership at Wellshire is open to ALL who affirm faith in Jesus Christ. To join, please contact Beth Hamstra at 303-758-2233, ext. 224.
KENDALL MEMORIAL LIBRARY
New books at the library:
Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth by Reza Aslan (232.901 ASL)
Jesus, First-Century Rabbi by David Zaslow (232.906 ZAS)
MISSION POSSIBLE
 Wellshire Church is chock-full of wonderful people who bring unique talents and interests to our community. Our different gifts complement each other and make us greater than the sum of our parts - what can we learn from each other? How can we share these gifts and get to know each other better outside of worship and church programming?
Mission Possible: Together We Are Better provides the opportunity to do just this while also supporting Local Service Ministries, including Hunger Task Force. YOU, each talented individual in the Wellshire community, are challenged and encouraged to think of what skill or hobby you could share with others in the congregation. These assets, offered up by you and your fellow Wellshire friends, will be compiled into a silent auction at Wellshire on two Sunday mornings.
- Do you love to cook? Host a meal or provide a cooking class in your home.
- Are you a jazz aficionado? Teach someone your favorites, or take bidders to a favorite jazz club.
- Handy around the house? Offer repairs or project advice - build something together.
- An avid hiker? Pack a picnic and introduce someone to a favorite hidden trail.
Regardless of the asset shared, it includes time together with the bidder. This event is not about auctioning off goods to be purchased; it's about spending time in fellowship. For example, if "painting a room" is the asset offered, the bidder acquiring that service would work alongside the provider (or serve up lemonade and conversation if physically unable to help) - the bidder doesn't get to go to the movies while the room gets painted!
Ready to submit your asset? Click here to access and submit an online form on the Wellshire website, or fill out details on the Asset Form available in the announcement page this Sunday. Please return submissions to the Reception Desk by Sunday, March 8. Mission Possible organizers will get in touch with you to discuss the specifics of your offer soon. On Sundays March 22 and 29, the halls at Wellshire will be lined with tables bearing the offered assets, eager to accept bids! Providers and winners will be connected shortly thereafter so that the adventures can begin. All proceeds support the good work of Hunger Task Force and Local Service Ministries - in truth, sharing your talents makes mission possible.
EVERYONE has something to share!
REV. CALHOUN'S NEW BOOK
The Rev. Bill Calhoun, Wellshire Church parish associate, recently published a new work through the local Tattered Cover Press. Notes in the Margin elaborates on notes and reflections Rev. Calhoun recorded in the margins of his Bible and devotional books throughout his life. In his own words, "Going deeper is a call to be vulnerable to how this dynamic and deeper word and truth might confront us and shape us and lead us. ... To gather and complete these notes completes me. I share these insights that have caught my attention through years of reading and reflection." The book may be ordered on the Tattered Cover website.
NEXT
NEXT is fellowship for those in their 20s and early 30s in transition between school, entering the workforce, and everything in between. Led by Kira Stringer, Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults.
- Register now for the 2015 Winter Retreat in Breckenridge on March 20-22. The weekend includes food, fun, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. The cost is $40; the last day to register is March 8. We will carpool to the cabin in Breckenridge Friday evening and return Sunday morning. We will have free time during the day Saturday, and you are welcome to take that time to hit the slopes. After cleaning Sunday morning you are free to go home or hit the slopes again. More details to come. Limited spots available; click here for the registration form.
- Theology on Tap: First Tuesday of the month @ local restaurants/pubs @ 7:00 pm,
Upcoming: March 3, Finn McCool's (8880 E Arapahoe Rd, Englewood, CO 80112). Fun, safe, real conversations over drinks and food.
CORE
CORE is fellowship and service for those in their late 20s through 30s. Save the date: Ladies Weekend at Grand Lake April 17-19. This relaxing weekend away features a getaway with no planned activities at a cabin (scenic walks, skiing and snowshoeing are all options). We will have a eat as you come meal Friday night; breakfast, lunch and appetizers Saturday; and breakfast and lunch Sunday. Saturday night we will be going out to dinner together in Grand Lake. RSVP as soon as possible to Terri Kipple Shaffer so that sleeping, carpool, and meal accommodations/planning can commence.
SCHOONERS
Schooners, fellowship and service for those 50-60 and beyond, get together for The 1968 Exhibit: Wednesday, March 4 @ History Colorado (1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203 ). Meet at the museum at 1:30 pm, explore, and then regroup for coffee at the museum café at 3:00 pm. Please bring a photo of yourself and any other relics of 1968 or thereabouts to add some personal flavor to the exhibit. The exhibit is free for History Colorado members and $10 for non-members. Contact Janet Frantz with questions.
6TH DAY MARCH
EASTER FLOWER FUND
 This Easter, the Sanctuary and Chapel will be adorned with a variety of spring flowers. We invite you to donate a minimum of $25 to our Easter Garden in memory or in honor of a loved one. At the close of the 11:00 am Easter worship service, flowers may be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you would like to donate to the Easter Garden, please click here to fill out an electronic Easter Flower Fund form on the Wellshire website and pay securely by credit card. If you would prefer to make your donation by check, you may fill out an Easter Flower Fund form available in worship and place it with a check (payable to Wellshire Presbyterian Church) in the offering plate or mail it to the church office (attn: Kris). Thank you for your contribution to the beauty of Easter at Wellshire Church and for helping our community to commemorate those near and dear to our hearts.
MEOW MOBILE
This Tuesday, March 3, Wellshire Church hosts the Denver Dumb Friends League's Meow Mobile in the north parking lot at 7:30 am. The Meow Mobile is a mobile veterinary clinic that offers spay/neuter services for pets at reduced fees. Call the Dumb Friends League's mobile spay/neuter help line at (720) 241-7098 with any questions.
MERRY WIDOWS
Please note: today's Merry Widows programming has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
SAFETY AND SECURITY AT WELLSHIRE
Wellshire is committed to a safe and secure environment when you are here for worship or other activity.
- There are two defibrillator units in the church (in the Narthex next to the elevator door and in the Adult Ed suite)
- There are four complete first aid kits in the church (by the elevator in the Narthex, in the office, in the kitchen, and in the resource room on the lower level).
CONNECT WITH YOUR WELLSHIRE CHURCH COMMUNITY
Fellowship groups, Bible and book studies, and manifold other opportunities abound at Wellshire Church. Click here for information on Fellowship Groups and Connection Opportunities, like book and Bible studies.
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Adult Education
LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES
Lenten Groups meet to discuss a variety of topics at various times and locations (including online!). Pre-registration is preferred so that materials can be prepared for attendees, but you're welcome to drop in as well. To register, please email Dr. Holly Inglis with the class you'd like to attend.
Sunday classes at 9:55 am starting this Sunday, March 1:
A World Worth Saving | Room 208 This book study connects prayer and other inner spiritual practices with outward actions of mercy as you begin praying about daily news reports, discovering the needs around you, and responding with love and compassion.
Listen | Room 205 This DVD-based study is a 40-day experience created to offer help to those new to prayer, those with a daily prayer routine, and those whose lives seem too busy to pray.
Praying for Friends and Enemies | Room 206 How do we pray for others, even those with whom we have disagreements or animosity? This book study offers practical guidance even as it challenges us to develop our prayer and our actions as we ask God to intercede in human affairs, not for ourselves but for others.
Praying in Color & Prayer Stations | Fellowship 2
This room, designed specifically for those who wish to spend some time in prayer activities related to the texts used in worship or time Praying in Color, will be available Sundays during Lent. Come spend some quiet time praying and listening.
More Lenten Groups beginning this week:
The Four Acts of Prayer | Room 205 Sundays @ 4:00-5:00 pm This DVD-based study highlights four simple acts of prayer: we speak, God listens, God speaks, we listen. When practiced and developed over time, these four acts bring us into closer relationship with God that nourishes us and supports us in our daily living.
Listen
Mondays 6:30-7:30 pm (online group)
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Music Ministries and Events
CANTO DEO
The Canto Deo Chamber Choir, under the direction this winter of Associate Conductor Dr. Michael Pohlenz, will present the annual Lenten Service of Motets and Meditations on March 8 and 9. Repertoire will include motets and anthems by Blow, Brahms, Casals, Duruflé, Ives, Purcell and others, culminating with René Clausen's stirring setting of a prayer by Mother Theresa of Calcutta: "Shine through me and be so in me that every soul I know will feel Your presence in my soul." Canto Deo includes a number of Wellshire members and has rehearsed at Wellshire since 2007; selections from the Lenten Service will be sung during 11:00 am worship on Sunday, March 8 at Wellshire. The the complete service will be sung at 3:00 pm that afternoon at Bethany Lutheran Church, and 7:30 PM on Monday, March 9 at Montview Presbyterian Church. There is no admission charge for these services, a courtesy of the Canto Deo Board of Directors, Jonathan Brown, Artistic Director.
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Youth
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MISSION TRIP LOCATION ANNOUNCED...
 We're going to New Orleans to partner with Camp RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) June 7-13, 2015. Register and pay a $100 deposit by March 1 for early bird rate at $425; regular rates apply March 2 to April 5 at $450. The balance is due April 5. The maximum number of participants is 35, first come first served. Registration forms are available in the Youth Suite and from Rev. Kira Stringer. Learn more about Camp Rhino here.
YOUTH GROUP THIS SUNDAY
 Sunday Night Youth Group/Vespers Schedule 5:00-6:00 Middle School (Youth Suite) 6:00-6:15 Dinner Senior High and Middle School (Fellowship Hall) 6:15-7:00 Vespers SH and MS (Chapel) 7:00-7:45 SH Small Group * (Youth Suite) * After Vespers is finished, Middle School programming is done. If a middle schooler is riding home with a senior high student or a parent does not want to pick up their youths at 7:00 pm and 7:45 pm, the Middle School student may stay for MS Study Hall. They will be in the classroom supervised where they can do homework or play on their phones while the Senior High students have Bible study with Kira in the couch area. If any Middle Schoolers stay after 7:00 pm at the church, they must attend MS Study Hall for safety reasons. For a full Youth Group schedule and fall themes, visit the Youth page on the Wellshire website.
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Ministries to Children + Families
FAITH5 MARCH HANDOUT
The Faith5 March handout is ready for families to pick up; it highlights a daily scripture to read as well as reminds you of the Faith5 nightly steps. Handouts are available on the lower level and as a pdf here.
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Nursery volunteers are needed these upcoming Sunday mornings; email Holly Inglis to help:
March 8 - Preschool 9:00 and 10:30
March 15 - Toddlers 9:00; Preschool 9:00 and 10:30
March 22 - Infants 9:00; Toddlers 9:00 and 10:30; Preschool 9:00 and 10:30
PDO SUMMER REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2015 Summer Session takes place on the lower level:
- This Sunday, March 1: Church Members
- Monday, March 9, 7:00 am- Alumni and Returning Families
- Monday, March 9, 8:00 am- New Families
Registration forms are available at PDO and online here.
CLUB 45
Club 45, fellowship for 4th and 5th graders, meets on Sunday, March 1 for A Lenten Garden @ Wellshire 4:30 - 6:00 pm. For details, contact Dr. Holly Inglis.
FAMILY TIES
 Families with children up through 5th grade often meet at Wellshire on the 1st & 3rd Sunday evenings from 4:30 to 6:00 pm for fabulous and lively discussions (childcare provided). Special "parent-only" evenings are scattered throughout the year, as well as social and mission opportunities for families. Please contact Jll McLain for details.
Upcoming Events:
- Sunday, March 1, 4:30-6-Wings of Hope service project. Please join us on 3/1 to fill the bags (even if you weren't able to donate items). We will have a representative from the organization joining us to provide a bit more information and insight into the Wings of Hope mission. This will most likely be a shortened evening so we will not be bringing any food items. Our focus will be strictly on Wings of Hope!
- Sunday, March 15, Youth Group Mission Trip Fundraiser.
- Friday, April 10, Family Ties serves dinner at New Genesis.
- April 17-19-Ladies ski weekend in Grand Lake with Core.
- Saturday, April 25 Game night with the Pioneers.
- May 1-3-WPC Men's Retreat at the Franciscan Retreat Center in C. Springs.
- Sunday, May 3, 4:30-6-WPC Amazing Race for all FT Families.
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Beyond Wellshire Walls: Mission and Service
TEAM ZIMBABWE
The Zimbabwe Mission Partnership, a presbytery-wide effort to support the Heather Chimhoga Orphan Care Center in rural Zimbabwe, wants you to ride! Many local teams are now being formed to comprise Team Zimbabwe. Register with Team Zimbabwe as a team member of the Wellshire Team here, and ride your bicycle with your Wellshire friends at the Elephant Rock Cycling Festival on Sunday, June 7.
Your participation raises funds that provide care for nearly 1,000 orphans; last year, Team Wellshire riders and the generous financial contributions from the Wellshire Church family raised over $8,000 for this Global Service Ministries partner! This is our sixth year in the Elephant Rock Bicycle Festival, and it's making a real difference in the lives of these children; funds raised through this effort are a major source of financial support for them. Let's do it again: register now, secure your spot on the team, raise funds for the orphans, wear the jersey, and ride. Contact George Scheuernstuhl or 303-771-0513 with questions, or visit the Zimbabwe Mission Partnership display in the church hallway.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING
 Wellshire collects the One Great Hour of Sharing Special Offering through Easter via pewback envelopes (and the colorful fish banks distributed to Wellshire children). This annual PCUSA offering helps restore communities impacted by disaster, hunger, poverty, and violence around the world. To give online and learn more, click here. A portion of this year's collection will be given to Local Service Ministries partner Family HomeStead and to Global Service Ministries partner Lomagundi Clinic.
WELLSHIRE'S MICROFINANCE COMMITTEE
 Do you know about Wellshire's Microfinance committee? We are a small but dedicated group who invests money in microloans to help people around the globe. We also have a larger, web-based group of 57 members who make loans on their own. The group uses Kiva, which is a marvelous vehicle for making these loans.
There are three ways you can join us in this effort to help people to help themselves all around the world:
- Come to our bi-monthly meetings at 12:00 pm at Wellshire and help us decide where to invest. The next meeting is Thursday, March 19.
- Join our team online at www.kiva.org/team/Wellshire_Microfinance
- Make donation to the committee and have us invest it for you. Checks can be made to Wellshire (memo: Microfinance Committee).
Questions? Contact Katy Fink-Johnson by email or at 720-488-8706.
WELLSHIRE'S FAIR SHAKE SHOPPE
Wellshire's Fair Shake Shoppe offers fairly traded merchandise from around the world; itis open every second Sunday of the month, and whenever theWellshire Church Office is open. Ask receptionist Kris Griffith for assistance.
TODAY'S ENTRY FROM THE 2015 PRESBYTERIAN MISSION YEARBOOK
Dominican Republic
Dubuque Theological Seminary mission team with Pastor Alejandro and community members
In May 2013, Dubuque Theological Seminary brought a mission team to Batey San Joaquin, Dominican Republic, to participate in a radically transformative project. A local leader, Pastor Alejandro wanted to transform a disco club where drugs and prostitution were rampant into a community center where women would develop viable options to provide for their families' needs.
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies' Staff
Christopher Coe, PMA
Let us pray
Gracious God, you have called us to bring your good news to all people. Help us to minister faithfully in our congregations and neighborhoods to your children of all ages, so that all will know of your love. In the matchless name of Jesus. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Evening Psalms 126; 102 The project began with demolishing the dancing stage. As the group worked, the community warned them that the local voodoo priest had buried items in the stage as symbols of his curses that held the community bound. They begged us to retrieve and destroy these items. We found them, removed them, and burned them. Immediately the community members began to come to the construction site to work alongside the Dubuque group. The liberation they felt was evident. The community center is now training women to make jewelry and furniture and will soon be starting a cleaning-supply production business. Thanks to Pastor Alejandro's vision and a helping hand from the Dubuque team and their sponsoring organization, the Foundation for Peace, the San Joaquin community and the lives of its residents are being transformed from darkness into light by Christ. The center demonstrates what can be accomplished when Christ's church partners together across borders.
Let us join in prayer for: PC(USA) People in Mission Dominican Evangelical Church : Jenny Bent, community health program consultantPartners/Ministries Dominican Evangelical Church: Rev. Xiomara Rosario, moderator, Rev. Miguel Angel Cancu Drullard, executive secretary and coordinator, volunteers in mission Presbytery Partnership Presbytery of Shenango, with the Dominican Evangelical Church PC(USA) Agencies' Staff Susan Cohn, PMA
Let us pray God, we praise you for the work happening in Batey San Joaquin and throughout the Dominican Republic. We thank you for a strong and active church in this place that cares deeply for the needs of the hurting people in its community. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Evening Psalms 105; 130 Learn more about the 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook here.
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Notes from Denver Presbytery
GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE PRESBYTERY OF DENVER
- New Beginnings is coming! A reflection and assessment process led by the Office of Transformation of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and supported by the Presbytery's Long Term Initiatives Work Group, New Beginnings offers congregations a way to look deeply, faithfully, and hopefully into their lives. The required introduction, "Come and See," will be held on Wednesday, March 18 at Wellshire Church. Sessions must RSVP to Chuck Sparks by March 16.
- Mission remains at the heart of our Presbytery. There are currently seventeen mission partnerships which join congregations in mutual work, two task forces that respond to the concerns of church members, and a covenant community for shared ministry. Financial support is available for these mission and ministry endeavors of more than eighty percent of Presbytery congregations only because of faithful giving to the mission of the larger church.
- We are a praying Presbytery. Each week the Presbytery Prayer Guide invites us to be at prayer for specific congregations and concerns. This coming week remember to pray for Wellshire Presbyterian Church, Masvingo Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Zimbabwe and the regional representatives of the Presbyterian Church who serve our Presbytery: Kevin Keaton (Board of Pensions), Sherry Kenny (Presbyterian Foundation), Laura Littman and Noel Matthew (Theological Education Fund), and Rachel Yates and Renee Meyers (Presbyterian Mission Agency)
BEING LEADERS: LIVING INTO YOUR CALL
Being leaders in today's church challenges all of us-teaching elders, ruling elders, deacons. Surrounded by the constantly churning waters of modern society, being a church leader involves helping congregations to steer new courses rather than drifting into stagnant pools or being carried away by dangerous eddies. Being a leader is not always easy or popular. That's why the Presbytery of Denver's Leadership Work Group invites current church leaders to "Being Leaders: Living into Your Call" on Saturday morning, February 28, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at 1st Presbyterian Church of Brighton. The event features the Rev. James Gale, Coordinator of Theocademy, a discipleship and leadership training series for Presbyterians, and offers opportunities to explore and discuss effective ways to set sail for new horizons.
Please register by February 23 by clicking here. The cost of $20.00 includes lunch. Welcome aboard!
PRAYER GUIDE
The Presbytery Prayer Guide invites us to be at prayer this coming week for:
- Peoples Presbyterian Church
- Chitungwize Presbyterian Church, which is the home congregation of Alfred Keni, who was a delegate from the Presbytery of Zimbabwe this past fall
- Lomagundi Clinic Mission Partnership. The clinic is a ministry of the Lomagundi Presbyterian Church in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe.
Learn more and keep up-to-date with the Denver Presbytery here.
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Save the Date
| MAR 13 | 6th Day: Amelia Earhart; The Denver Brass Celtic Fantasy | | MAR 15 | Church-wide Dinner and Talent Show for Youth | | MAR 20-22 | NEXT Young Adult Retreat in Breckenridge | | MAR 29 | Passion/Palm Sunday; Deacons' Pancake Breakfast | | APR 2 | Maundy Thursday @ 7:30 pm in the Chapel | | APR 3 | Good Friday @ 7:30 pm in the Sanctuary | | APR 5 | Easter: 8:30 am, 9:45 am, and 11:00 am
| | APR 10 | 6th Day: Baby Zoo Animal Presentation | | APR 12 | Confirmation Sunday | | MAY 1-3 | Men's Retreat | | MAY 10 | Anna Carter Florence, Guest Preacher | | MAY 17 | Ascension Sunday | | MAY 24 | Pentecost |
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