NOVEMBER 20
2015

Wellshire eNews

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.

This Sunday, November 22: Thanksgiving/Christ the King Sunday
This Sunday is Christ the King/Thanksgiving Sunday; wrapping up our fall sermon series Grace and GratitudeDr. Bell preaches on Psalm 100. Music in worship includes Leavitt's All Good Gifts at 9:00 am and Ferguson's A Song of Thanksgiving at 11:00 am. Make sure to stop by the Alternative Christmas Market before or after worship in the east hallway. Preview the 11:00 am Order of Worship here.
Next Sunday, November 29: First Sunday of Advent
We light the candle of Hope. Dr. Bell preaches; scripture includes Isaiah 9:6-7 and Luke 1:39-45. Communion will be offered at both services. Music includes Huff's O Come, O Come Emmanuel at 9:00 and Chilcott's Remember, O Thou Man at 11:00 am; Canto Deo Chamber Choir is singing for 11:00 worship. Please note that children remain in worship with their families; Children and Worship and ReSound meet as regularly scheduled.
Alternative Christmas Market acm

This Sunday, November 22
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
 Library + Narthex

Support Wellshire's Local and Global Ministry Partners: delve into the market's hand-crafted and fair trade goods from around the world - or make a donation on behalf of that person who already has everything.  

Wellshire Goes to the
Stock Show

Saturday, January 9
3:30 pm
 
See the CenturyLink Team Colorado Semi-Final featuring the coronation of Miss Rodeo Colorado, Westernaires, Mini Bulls & Frontier Airlines Mutton Bustin' with your Wellshire friends!

Tickets are available in the Fellowship Hall and Narthex on Sundays in November for $26/person; money will be collected and tickets handed out at time of sale. All sales final! Contact: Beth Hamstra
THANK YOU, WELLSHIRE!


Thanks to all who completed and returned FIT time and talent pledge cards last Sunday (including all of the children who filled out KIDS GIVING cards!); if you've yet to submit one, please:
  •  drop it in the offering plate this Sunday, 
  • mail it (attn.: Chuck Sparks), or
  • pledge online here.
 


Advent at Wellshire Church



Advent Pastor-Led Small Groups
Wellshire's pastors invite you to be their guests this year during Advent. Capped at 15 people, these small groups will meet three times: one night per week for three weeks from 7:00 to 8:30 pm: Dr. Bell hosts on Wednesdays December 2 - 16 (at the Bell home in Stapleton), and the Rev. Katie Robb Davis hosts on Thursdays December 3-17 (at the Davis home in Park Hill). Please RSVP to the Rev. Kira Anderson by THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22 with your preferred day; the book, Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected, may be purchased from Kira as a hard copy or as an e-book prior to the study.

Underwraps Advent Sunday Morning Class  underwraps 
November 22-December 20 (no class December 6)
Fellowship 2 | 9:55 am
Study the themes used as springboards by Wellshire pastors weekly in worship during Advent in Under Wraps: The Gift We Never Expected.  This class explores some of God's most unexpected qualities: 
  • God Is Expectant
  • God Is Dangerous
  • God Is Jealous
  • God Is Faithful 
Just as the first wrapped gift beneath the Christmas tree marks the new season, so the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day signaled that God's hope and salvation and redemption plan had come into the world. In Jesus, God gift-wrapped himself and was born in a stable so he could come and live among us and offer us life and salvation that we could never gain on our own. Join us this Advent as we unwrap God's greatest gift, our Savior Jesus. While you may purchase the book (see above), it's not a requirement - just show up! Leaders: Eric Schulze and Tom Bacon

Advent Calendars
Rediscovering Advent features a Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer for each day of Advent along with poetic reflections of author Rachel Srubas and vivid, contemplative watercolors of illustrator Roy DeLeon. Pick one up by both worship venues.

Advent Family Devotional
There's an app for that!  Download the Wellshire app to follow along with Advent devotionals curated by Wellshire's own Kendal Mullins on your phone daily! 

Dedicate a Poinsettia
This Advent, the Sanctuary and Chapel will be adorned with traditional red poinsettias. We invite you to donate a minimum of $25 to our Advent/Christmas Flower Fund in memory or in honor of a loved one. At the close of the 11:00 pm Christmas Eve service on December 24, poinsettias may be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.  A list of dedication and donor names will be published in the December 13 and 20 church bulletins. If you would like to dedicate a poinsettia, please complete the form in worship and return it with a check to Wellshire or dedicate online (choose "poinsettias" from the dropdown menu).

Advent Events
6th Day December:
The Christmas Tree
from Colorado 

Friday, December 11
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Chapel + Fellowship Hall

Donna Jackson talks about her experience on the committee to choose the People's Tree, the Christmas tree placed at the Capitol in Washington DC and lit by the Speaker of the House, in 2000.  Get a behind-the-scenes look at the four-year project to choose and transport the tree.
The Longest Night

Friday, December 18
5:30 pm
Chapel

For many, the Christmas season coincides with grief, loss, health struggles, unemployment, and other life challenges.  You are invited to come worship on one of the longest nights of the year. This service of scripture and carols, under the light of candles, makes space for our brokenness and calls us to hope in the midst of darkness. Please join us for soup in the Fellowship Hall after the service.
 

Living Nativity

Sunday, December 20
6:30 pm
East Parking Lot

The re-creation of the Christmas story,
Wellshire-style!
  • Free multigenerational event
  • Wellshire cast of all ages
  • live miniature animals
  • live band
  • Christmas carols
  • hot cocoa
  • Bonus: Beau Jo's Pizza across the street (2710 S. Colorado Blvd). will donate 20% of pretax sales to Wellshire's youth group on December 20 - make a night of it!
More Upcoming Events

Club 45 for fourth and fifth graders. Contact: Kendal Mullins
  • Sunday, December 6 from 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Youth opportunities for Middle and High School. Contact: Rev. Kira Andersonyg
  • No Youth Group November 22
  • All-Youth Game Night Sunday, November 29 @ 5:00-6:30 pm (note time change; no dinner served). 
NEXT for those in their 20s.  Contact: The Rev. Kira Anderson
  • NEXT Christmas PartySaturday, December 12 @ 7:00 pm at the Condons' new home. The gift theme is POUND PARTY: bring a pound of something - anything as long as it weighs 16 oz.-and an appetizer to share. RSVP and receive the address from Kira. This event is in lieu of December Theology on Tap.
CORE for those in their 30s and beyond: 
  • Friendsgiving at the Brookens Saturday, November 28 @ 6:00 pm. Please bring something to share at this Thanksgiving-style potluck, and bring your own beverage.  This is adults only, and please RSVP to Bethany.
Family Ties, for those with children through fifth grade. Contact: Jll McLainft
  • Friendsgiving Potluck: Sunday, November 22 Thanksgiving dinner at the VanDeburg home. RSVP to Jll.
  • Dinner Downtown + Parade of Lights: Saturday, December 5.  Details to follow.
Schooners, for those 60s and beyond. Contact: Janet Frantz
  • Christmas Party: Friday evening, December 4 @ 6:30 pm @ Wellshire.  Please bring a festive dessert or fruit/cheese platter to share, as well as a blanket to donate to Schmitt Elementary. Featuring live Christmas music on violin and piano. RSVP: Janet Frantz
Merry Widows, for seasoned single women. Contact: Dugan Frederick, 303-777-9367.
  • Catered Christmas luncheon: Thursday, December 3 at 12:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Please send your check for $15/person by Monday, November 30 to Virginia Warner. Following the luncheon and a short program, we will play Bingo. Please remember to bring one wrapped white elephant gift or an inexpensive little wrapped gift for the Bingo gifts baskets. 
Celebration Ringers @ Nuggets game:
  • On Sunday, November 22 at 6:00 pm, Wellshire's Celebration Ringers bell choir plays the national anthem as part of the Handbell Ringers of America at the Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors game. Tickets are $26 for the upper level or $59 for the lower level and include a small hot dog, drink, and t-shirt. Purchase tickets here; contact Rachel Ekanger at 303-405-1693 or by email with questions.

Opportunities to Get Involved
 
Hunger Task Force
Every year, the Wellshire Church community provides hunger relief to hundreds of families in the Denver metro area. There are lots of ways to get involved in the 2015 Hunger Task Force Christmas Food Boxes:
  • Did you know that you can nominate a person or family struggling with food insecurity as a recipient of a Hunger Task Force Christmas Food Box? Please check with potential nominees prior to make sure that they need and want to receive a food basket; then pick up, complete, and return a form at the reception desk by Monday, November 30 (be sure to know the address, phone number, and number of people in the family). Deliveries will be made on Sunday, December 13 and will NOT be left unless someone answers the door (if recipients wish to pick up the box instead on that Sunday, they may note that preference). Questions? Contact Bob Britt.  
     
  • Donate peanut butter and jelly for the Christmas Food Boxes to the table in the Narthex and the Adult Ed Suite through December 6. Thank you!
     
  • Help pack boxes:  Saturday, December 12 @ 1:00 pm
     
  • Help deliver boxes: Sunday, December 13 @ 8:30 am
Family HomeStead Gifts
Help make the holidays a happy time for families in Family HomeStead's emergency and transitional housing programs by providing gifts for parents and their children.  Contact Judy Mugler. 

Operation Christmas Child occ
Please return Operation Christmas Child boxes this Sunday, November 22. For more information, please contact Janie Johnson at 303-618-8504 or visit the Samaritan's Purse website. Thank you!
 
Help in Children and Worship
Volunteers needed (storytellers and greeters) to work with our 4- and 5-year-olds from 10:00 - 10:45 am on Sundays. Commitment is 1 time per month from January - May. Email Kendal Mullins to volunteer or ask questions; learn more on Children and Worship here.
  
"Giggle Room" at Baby Haven
Wellshire has committed to furnishing the "giggle room" (children's playroom) in new space at The Haven, one of Wellshire's Local Service Ministry partners. This house will serve mothers who have completed their addiction recovery treatment and their toddler children as they transition to full independence. The Local Mission budget will cover furnishings; YOU can help provide the toys and books! View the Baby Haven "Wish List" registry on Amazon.com here. Place your order (it will be shipped to Wellshire), or go to a local store to buy the item and let us know so we can remove it from the registry. At this time, the focus is on new, unused items. Contact Rev. Katie Robb Davis or Rachel Rosen with questions.

Membership membership
Membership at Wellshire is open to ALL who affirm faith in Jesus Christ!  To join, please contact Beth Hamstra.

Help with Childcare/Nursery childcare
Help us finish 2015 strong! One childcare shift each Sunday at each time slot is currently open through the end of the year; please visit this Signup Genius link to pick up a shift or several, and contact Jaime Martinez with questions by email or at ext. 111. The two shifts run 9:00 am-10:30 am and 10:30 am- 12:00 pm on Sunday mornings; adult volunteers are required to be 18 years or older, though youth 13 and older may assist.

Presbyterian Mission Yearbook
Read today's entry from the Presbyterian Mission Yearbook, which provides stories about PCUSA mission to foster prayer and study. 

Wellshire News

Deacons' Pancake Breakfast Recap
A hearty thanks to all of the Deacons' Pancake Breakfast partakers on November 8 who helped raise $1,400 for congregational care at Wellshire - and thanks, Deacons, for hosting!

Office Closed
Please note that the church office will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 for Thanksgiving.

Kendall Memorial Library
New books ready for reading:
Chosen? Reading the Bible Amid the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict by Walter Brueggemann (221.6 BRU)
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road? Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World  by Brian McLaren (261.2 MCL)

Fair Shake Shoppe fss
As the seasons turn, it's time to stock up for fall cooking at the Fair Shake Shoppe (located in the hallway opposite the East entrance). Check out our soup, dip, cornbread, and cookie mixes. The Shoppe is open every second Sunday of the month and features fair trade and handmade items.

'Clif'Notes Bible Study will continue to meet through Advent at 9:55 am in Room 206. Come explore the Book of Acts, the story of the Holy Spirit moving the Church and the Apostles to live and spread the Word. Drop in whenever you'd like or come every Sunday. Leader: Clif Carey

News from Denver Presbytery
Grace and Gratitude in the Presbytery of Denver:
  • Deeper training is offered to church leaders in a village in Malawi. 
  • A teenager who is considering taking her own life is able to work with a psychotherapist and finds hope again.  
  • An Orphan Care Center and school in Nyamashato, Zimbabwe allow hundreds of children to be fed and educated every day.  
  • On December 12, La Posada, a traditional Mexican marking of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, continues the year-long celebration of the amazing contributions of Hispanic and Latino neighbors to our communities and churches. 
  • A member of one of our churches hikes into wilderness areas with companions from the Presbytery, finds new ways to understand Christ, and his life is changed. 
These signs of grace are the result of the commitment and work of the Malawi, Presbyterians for Second Wind Fund, and Zimbabwe Mission Partnerships and the Gala and WilderSoul Task Forces. We are grateful for your giving that has made all that and more possible in this past year. The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us always.

Beginning on November 22nd and continuing through the 28th, the Presbytery Prayer Guide invites us to be in prayer for the following:
  • Grace Presbyterian Church, the congregation, the church's Ruling Elders, Deacons, and pastoral staff.
  • Central Region of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe and all the churches therein.
  • Ministers of the Presbytery who are Members-at-large and are, therefore, not presently serving in a recognized ministry. 

Save the Date

NOV 22Thanksgiving Sunday / Alternative Christmas Market
NOV 26-27Church Office Closed
NOV 29First Sunday of Advent
DEC 6
Festival of Carols
DEC 11
Sixth Day: Donna Jackson on the Christmas Tree of Colorado
DEC 12-13
Hunger Task Force Christmas Food Boxes: Packing and Delivery
DEC 18
Longest Night Worship Service
DEC 20
Living Nativity
DEC 24
Christmas Eve Worship: 4:00, 6:00 + 11:00 pm
DEC 27
Carol Sing Sunday

Congregational Care

To submit a prayer request to the Prayer Chain or share a need or information, such as illness or injury, with the Wellshire Care Center, call 303-758-2233, ext. 221 or by email

 

For pastoral assistance, contact the Rev. Katie Robb Davis at 303-758-2233, ext. 217 or by email.

 

Stephen Ministry: for one-on-one support from a Wellshire Church layperson trained in care ministry, a voicemail may be left at 303-758-2233, ext. 251 or an email may be sent.  Your message is confidential and will only be received by one of the trained Stephen Ministry Leaders.

 

Let the Wellshire family share in your joy: if you're expecting or have an addition to your family to share with the congregation, email Beth Hamstra.