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Weekly News Friday, March 7, 2014
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Daylight Savings Time
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 Just a reminder that Daylight Savings Time begins Sunday, March 9th at 2am. Turn your clocks ahead an hour on Saturday night before you go to bed- we don't want to miss you Sunday morning!
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| Women's Bible Study |
The March Women's Bible Study date has changed from March 11 to March 25th. All are welcome to join us on Tuesday, March 25th at 10am in The Lounge!
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| Vegan Meal - Mar. 27th |
 Westminster Presbyterian Church invites you to our monthly Vegan Potluck (typically the third Thursday of the month- we have delayed it this month due to The College spring break) on Thursday, March 27, at 6:00 p.m. in Mackey Hall, 353 E. Pine Street. This meal is a great opportunity for WPC members, Wooster community members, and College of Wooster students to enjoy delicious food and good fellowship while learning more about sustainable living. Just bring a pot-luck dish containing no meat, dairy, or eggs (no need for students to bring a dish, but always welcome). This month's program will be presented by Grace Gamble, Camille Boufford, and Nanako Ito, College of Wooster first-year students. They will be talking to us about the cookbook they created for their First Year Seminar, You are What You Eat. Please RSVP through Sign Up Genius, to Carly in the Church Office, or on the Sign Up board in the back of Mackey Hall.
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Get Involved
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Be a part of Westminster's Radical Hospitality! Sign up to be a Sunday morning greeter, to provide flowers, or bring goodies for fellowship time after worship. If you are interested in helping, please sign up through Sign Up Genius, on the sign up board to the right of the name tags in the back of Mackey Hall, or by contacting Carly Jones (330-263-2398) in the church office.
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People To People Needs
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Food:
Complete pancake mix,
syrup, hot cereal, cold cereal,
crackers, peanut butter, jelly,
apple sauce, canned fruit, . We
can also use clean small jelly jars with lids
Personal Products:
Shampoo, men's and women's
deodorant, laundry soap, dish
soap, paper towels, toilet paper,
feminine products, and cleaning
products
Clothing:
Men's and women's boots size 9 or larger and gloves for men and boys.
Household Items:
Large electric heaters, bed
pillows, comforters (queen &
double), new blankets, toasters,
electric can openers, coffee pots,dish drainers, irons, large skillets, and Dutch ovens
Special Projects:
Toy Department needs:
Disposable cameras with
expiration dates of 2015 or
better, All Purpose Cleaner to
clean all those toys
Self-Adhesive Contact Paper
Floral or Craft Ribbon- all colors
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Reflection of the Week
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 As we meet for worship on the first Sunday in Lent (remember Daylight Savings Time), we do so gathered around the baptismal font. During worship we will celebrate the baptism of baby Addie Peterson, granddaughter of Westminster elder Shelley Peterson. One of the liturgical questions that we will ask her parents Jenn and Josh is; " Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?" This question makes you think doesn't it?
As you prepare for worship this week I want you to ponder on this question and how it makes you feel, as it is jarring for young parents to answer such a question that talk about sin and evil as they hold their precious child in their arms around the waters of baptism. Also in preparation, I invite you to read the Gospel reading of the day Matthew 4:1-11 and ponder on the following quote from Nicole L. Johnson [1]:
"Looking at this lection through a social justice lens, the path of one who seeks to follow Christ very often begins with the third temptation [2]. Before we can pick up the cross, we need to reject all that the cross is not: a symbol of prestige, wealth, or power. Jesus chooses obedience to the will of God over fame, fortune, and political power. His allegiance is clear and radical, and the allegiance of the community that claims to be his body in the world today must have a similarly clear and radical allegiance. When our allegiance to God becomes confused with loyalties to flags, political parties, economic systems, and other structures of power, we fail to reject what Jesus did in the desert. This is what Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon are getting at when they suggest that Christians 'have an opportunity to discover what has [been] and always is the case- that the church, those called out by God, embodies a social alternative that the world cannot on its own terms know.' If we want to follow Christ, we must do so radically by first saying no to all that the cross is not, and then saying yes to all that the cross is: justice, mercy, and compassion."
Blessings and see you in worship on Sunday,
Dries
[1] Allen, Ronald J. (2013-08-16). Preaching God's Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, Year A (Kindle Locations 3018-3024). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
[2] "Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 'All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me.' Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only."
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Lent @ Westminster
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March
9: First Sunday in Lent
10:45am Baptism in a Violent World
Pastor Dries preaching. The sacrament of baptism will be celebrated with baby Addie, daughter of Jenn and Josh Peterson.
16: Second Sunday in Lent
10:45am Violence against the Environment
Doug Drushal preaching
23: Third Sunday in Lent
10:45am Violence against Ourselves
Service of Wholeness with Pastor Dries leading worship
30: Fourth Sunday in Lent
10:45am Violence against Women
Rev. Dr. Linda Morgan Clement preaching
April
6: Fifth Sunday in Lent
10:45am Violence and Immigration
The Westminster delegation to BorderLinks will lead worship
12:00pm Social Justice Potluck focusing on Immigration and the experiences of the Westminster BorderLinks delegation.
13: Palm Sunday
10:45am Liturgy of the Palms
The Gomes Choir will share their energy and music during a worship service that will mark the beginning of Holy Week.
7:00pm Cantate Singers will be presenting a program of evening songs, including the Mozart Vespers, with a chamber orchestra.
17: Maundy Thursday
6:00pm Monthly Vegan Meal
7:00pm Communion Service in The Meeting Place
18: Good Friday
Meditative Service at 6:00pm
20: Easter Sunday
Sunrise Worship & Brunch (times to be announced)
10:45am Easter Service with Communion
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Adult Education
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 Adult Education for Sunday, March 9 2014
Adult Education for this coming Sunday, March 9th, will engage in a discussion of the topic presented in Chapter 17 of "Living the Questions - The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity" by David M. Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy. The chapter is entitled "Incarnation - Divinely Human."
Last Sunday the Adult Education discussion centered on Chapter 16, entitled "Social Justice" and the importance of the Hebrew Prophets in the formation of our present day Christian moral and ethical values.
This Sunday we will discuss whether theological statements or moral, ethical behavior and values define Christians.
You do not need to have read Chapter 17 to participate in the discussion. All are welcomed and encouraged to attend this Sunday's Adult Education.
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Children's Education
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Last week in Sunday School we talked about non-violence and did a Bible scavenger hunt! It was interesting to see which Bible passages we could identify as non-violent, and how many "violent" passages there indeed are. We talked about what violent language is, and connected it to the church wide theme of non-violence as we enter into the season of Lent.
This coming Sunday, I will be on Spring Break. Beth and Dries will lead Sunday School and talk about baptism, as there is a baptism in worship this Sunday! The following Sunday, March 16th there will be no Sunday School.
I hope you all have a wonderful couple of weeks.
Many blessings,
Evangeline Smith
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UKirk Seniors
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Congratulations to #2 and #38! Shown here are two of our regulars (and roommates), Carolyn Hockey and Abby Harris-Ridker, who have turned in their Independent Studies and earned their buttons and tootsie rolls! We will be honoring them, and other College of Wooster seniors near and dear to our hearts. in worship on Sunday, April 27th. That same evening we will hold our last UKirk gathering of the year at the home of the Coetzees. The Class of 2014 holds a special place in our hearts as they came to Wooster the same year the Coetzee family did...our inaugural class! (Look for more UKirk seniors' pictures to appear after I.S. Monday, Mar. 24th!)
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Cub Scout Cake Auction Success!
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Thank you to all who came to support the First Annual Cub Scout Cake auction. The troop was able to raise a total of $775 over all. The money will be split with Westminster Presbyterian and the scouts will use the money they raised towards their camp fees this summer.
Congratulations to the Winners:
Braxton Wolford- Most Original
Devin Carroll- Best use of Theme
Thomas Yates - Best by a Scout
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"Music from the Heart" Benefit Recital
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 Announcing the ninth annual "Music From The Heart" performance on Sunday, March 16th at 7pm in Scheide Music Center on The College of Wooster campus. This program of inspiring and beautiful music, will feature area healthcare professionals who will set down their stethoscopes and pick up their musical instruments. This year the program will feature The Next Generation- children of area healthcare professionals. The proceeds from this year's event will be given to People To People Ministries to support its prescription medication assistance program, which addresses a huge need in our community, and functions solely on the basis of donations.
General admission seats will be available for $25.00 and level giving will start with two tickets at $100.00 and up. There will be a reception following the concert for all attending. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed. General admission tickets will be available at Aultman-Orrville Hospital, Buehler's Milltown, Wooster Community Hospital Gift Shop, all Ritzman Pharmacy locations in Wayne County, and People To People Ministries office starting February 18.
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Green Tip of the Week
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Make Spring Cleaning Earth-Friendly
The irony is that in making your home brighter and fresher, you may inadvertently soil the air and water. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Nothing is completely safe. Almost anything we dump down our drains, even if derived from plants and other "natural" substances, can cause problems. Even with the increasing number of greener products on the market, none is perfectly safe for the earth.
- Don't accept vague claims. Words like "biodegradable" or "nontoxic" have no legal definitions. Ask companies to substantiate their environmental claims in plain English.
- Avoid cleaners containing phosphates. They biodegrade totally and quickly. But when they get into rivers and lakes, they cause algae blooms, robbing the water of oxygen, blocking sunlight, and ultimately killing marine life.
- Minimize use of bleaches. The most common bleach is chlorine, which in waste water can create toxic compounds. Non-chlorine bleaches are gentler to clothes and the environment, though they are less effective in colder-water temperatures, requiring more energy-intensive hot water.
- Buy concentrates whenever possible. Ask manufacturers to produce refillable versions that allow you to refill a spray bottle by adding water to a packaged concentrate.
- Check with local authorities. Contact a Poison Control Center (usually listed in the front of the phone book) if you are unsure about a product. Most centers have data about chemicals' health hazards.
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Presbyterian Church (USA) Weekly Blogs:
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What's happening at Westminster this week?
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All events can also be found on our website
www.wpcwooster.org
We hope to see you there!
Sunday, March 9, 2014- Daylight Savings Time begins
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:30am - Adult Education in the Lounge
9:45am - Children's Education in the Sunday School room
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Pastor Dries preaching
Monday, March 10, 2014
12:00pm - Building Committee Meeting in the Lounge
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
7:00pm - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
Thursday, March 13, 2014
6:30pm - Dance Group in Mackey Hall
Sunday, March 16, 2014
9:30am - Choir Rehearsal in Mackey Hall
9:30am - Adult Education in the Lounge
10:45am - Worship in Mackey Hall, Doug Drushal preaching
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"We are an Intentionally Inclusive Church"
Westminster Presbyterian Church embraces the "house" metaphor for our community as we worship at the Westminster Church House and have a strong sense of hospitality and desire to be a welcoming and inclusive church for all. We endeavor to give voice to a "progressive" expression of Christianity that emphasizes among other things:
- intellectual integrity in matters of faith;
- acceptance of all people regardless of race, creed, age, cultural background, or sexual orientation;
- openness toward the value of other religious traditions;
- a strong commitment to social justice, peacemaking, and the care of our planet.
Sincerely,
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Andries J. Coetzee
Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church
353 East Pine Street, Wooster, OH 44691
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