Tim Soule, Pastor    
     
401 W. 13th St.  
Ottawa, KS   66067  
  
785-242-1824
 
..On our website: 

www.westpresottawa.org   

 

or by email:

westpres@sbcglobal.net

 

 

The Mini Messenger

March 22nd, 2012 - Volume 46 - Number 10

FROM PASTOR TIM:

 

            LOGOS is about the life of the church. LOGOS is a four-part program that invites kids to come to church and helps them know that the church is a place they belong and to which they contribute as well as receive. The four parts that make up a LOGOS Program are: Recreation, Bible Study, Worship Skills and Family Dinner Time. LOGOS.

            You have experienced the contributions our LOGOS kids brought to the church during our initial term that ran from January 25 - March 14. In worship the kids played the Hand Chimes twice and led in song on several occasions. These were skills they learned and/or practiced both in Worship Skills and in Bible Study. Their efforts enriched our worship of God.  

            They gave in other ways also. The Middle School Youth took on the important task of delivering Valentines Baskets (which were prepared by the Westminster Presbyterian Women) to church members who are shut-in or less able to be with us in worship. These visits introduced long-time members to our youth or renewed acquaintances from previous year's visits. In this way the kids learn of the importance of a simple visit that imparts care and concern for one another.

            The final afternoon of our program, a warm, beautiful day, the kids walked the church grounds and picked up sticks and branches that had accumulated over the winter and put them in the trash. We talked about all of us in the church doing our part to care for our building and grounds and that they were old enough to help with this work. For thirty minutes they worked hard in removing a great deal of debris and I didn't hear one complaint. I think they were proud of what they had done.

            In class we learned a bit about our sanctuary, the service of worship and a great deal about the sacrament of Communion. We read about Jesus' Last Supper with the disciples, and the establishing of the Lord's Supper. Each child made a clay chalice and plate as we learned about the symbols of communion.

            Each afternoon began and concluded with food and fun. Snacks were served when they arrived and games or crafts gave time for creativity and activity and most of all fun!   Family Time Dinner was the final part of the evening, when we gather in Roberts Hall for a kid friendly, sit down dinner, complete with good manners, great conversation, and again lots of fun. Most evenings the kids left tired and smiling, anticipating what crazy thing might happen at dinner the next week.

            When kids and youth love being at church both because they receive the care, training and help they need for an abundant life and when they are given opportunities to participate, serve and lead in meaningful ways they will know that they are a very important part of Christ's Body right now. That will make it more likely they will call the church their home throughout their life. It takes a congregation to raise disciples.

 

Thanks to everyone who helped get us off to a good beginning.

 

Tim       

     

Easter basketJoin us on PALM SUNDAY for

WORSHIP

LUNCHEON

EASTER EGG HUNT

 

APRIL 1ST

 

            On Sunday, April 1st, Westminster Church is inviting the neighborhood and friends of the congregation to Sunday School, worship, and lunch followed by an Easter Egg Hunt and fun activities for children including train rides and a jumparoo.

 

            Activities will begin with Sunday School at 9:15 followed by a special Palm Sunday worship service at 10:30 with everyone receiving a palm frond. After worship will be our luncheon in Roberts Hall. The main course will be provided and everyone is asked to bring a salad, vegetable, or dessert.

 

            The Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled following lunch (approximately 12:30). Children thru 5th grade will be divided into three age groups and will hunt for eggs filled with candy and a scripture verse. There will be many other fun activities for the kids. . Bring a basket or bag for your child(ren) to put their eggs in.

 

            This is a great opportunity for you to invite someone you know who does not have a church home. Invite your friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives and spread the word about this fun-filled time of egg-stra special activities with our Westminster family. Everyone is invited to any or all of the planned activities.

 

            If you would like to make a contribution to help with the expenses of the egg hunt or activities, please contact Ray Daisy or Deanna Fox.

                        

      

LOGOS UPDATE

          The first 8-week session of LOGOS just ended and there are many to thank who worked tirelessly and gave so very much of their time to make the program so successful for 22 elementary children and 6 middle school youth.

          Areas where 50+ volunteers helped were:

  • Providing transportation from school to church
  • Snack time (sitting with the kids, serving and cleanup)
  • Planning for and/or supervising music/crafts/recreation
  • Nursery supervision for volunteer's children
  • Bible story time
  • Meals (planning, shopping, cooking, setup, serving and cleanup)
  • Dinner time (decorations, table parents, activities)
  • Scholarship donations

          Thank you so much to these volunteers: we are so grateful that you saw the

importance of LOGOS as a new youth program at Westminster and so willingly helped to make that possible:

 

                   Stephanie Allegre      Tessa Estes               Kerstin Roberts

                   Nancy Baylor              Jill Ferguson             Kacey Reynolds

                   Wayne Baylor             Marci Ferguson         Karen Reynolds

                   Chris Brewer               Dale Fox                    Kathy Reynolds

                   Cyndi Brewer              Deanna Fox               Mark Reynolds

                   Jessica Burchett        Marci Gentry            Joni Scribner

                   Chris Cahill                  Jim Hasty                  Debbie Soule

                   Chad Caylor                 Judy Hasty               Pastor Tim Soule

                   Sara Caylor                 Brandon Jones          Thomas Sachse

                   Cherry Coen                 Heather Jones         Susan Sachse

                    Jessica Coen               Judy Kinn                  Jill Thompson

                   John Coen                    Shelly Lojka              Steve Thompson

                   Beverly Colbern           Jodi McNamara        Linda Tucker

                   Gregg Colbern              Keith Niemeyer        Sherril Unruh

                   Jennifer Daisy             Jack Porter             Abbi Watts

                   Raymond Daisy             Nedra Porter           Justin Watts

                    Gina Dearing               Anne Ramsey            Jon Wiggins

                   Wendy Dickinson         Gene Ramsey           Theresa Wiggins

 

                                    

                                                       LOGOS Financial Report

          Of the 28 youth participants, 11 received scholarships for tuition. Total income for Spring semester LOGOS was $1,552.00. Those funds were from:

                   Tuition payments from participants                      $605.00

                   Meal donations from adult table parents                367.00

                   Scholarship donations from the congregation         580.00

                   TOTAL INCOME                                                    $1,552.00

 

          Expenses-to-date for LOGOS totaled $1,219.52. The majority of that was for groceries for the evening meals. The other expenses were snacks, craft and recreation and activity supplies, and Bible study materials.

 

                                                             LOGOS Custodial Help

          A staff person not always visible to the congregation as he works nights is custodian Steve Ferguson.  Because each table set for the LOGOS meals had a different number of diners, Steve was given a detailed sketch of how to set up.  Each week when we arrived he had Roberts Hall set just like we had requested!  And then he came in later to clean up Roberts Hall AND the kitchen after our snacks, activities and meals.  Thanks so much to Steve for his faithfulness and hours of labor which helped to make LOGOS run smoothly.  You are appreciated!                                           

                                                  NEW Adult Sunday School Curriculum

          After a 2-week break, the class of adults which meets in the Basement Youth Room and taught by Bill Allegre will resume this coming Sunday, March 25th with new curriculum. When Christians Get It Wrong is by Rev. Adam Hamilton, Pastor of Church of the Resurrection in Leawood. Class members will watch a DVD presentation, followed by discussion. Books will be available Sunday for $8 each.