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In this Edition. . . From the Pastor's Desk: Understanding who we are! Wednesday Revive!!; Chris' Corner (Children & Family Ministry); Sunday School Calendar; Youth Group info and Calendar; Westminster Announcements; Prayer Concerns; Stewardship Update and more!

From The Pastor's Desk. . . 

I always enjoy confirmation class as there is such great insight in so many of their questions. One day I was talking about being authentic in our faith. One young girl, an 8thgrader, said: “How can you be authentic in your faith if you don’t know who you are?” I loved that question because at its very root was an example of authenticity as she was sharing the authentic struggle most youth have with identity.
 
Authenticity is at the core of what so many people and institutions are struggling with today. While we can analyze just about anything because of the new technologies it is really a struggle to understand what and who we are based on those analysis.  They might be able to tell us our likes and dislikes, but beyond that, it does not help us to assess what our essence really is. Without knowing that essence, we struggle with both, identity and contentment of life. Moreover, without knowing that essence, it is hard for us to be authentic to those who are in our lives.
 
The struggle that we have is that when we do not offer authenticity to our story, often we come off as either shallow or disconnected.  For me, this is where the works of John Calvin really came alive. Early in my studies I struggled through Calvin’s Institutes as many do, negotiating the logic and understanding what he writes.  While I could understand what he was trying to say, I could not connect the theology he was talking about with the faith struggles I was having and the communities I worked with were facing.  
 
Thankfully, about the time I was ready to give up on Calvin, we started diving into a thorough examination of Calvin. While I knew some, I began to learn more about John Calvin - the man, I learned that the institutes, that we so highly regard in the Presbyterian Church, were not his first attempt at the institutes and that in each edition many of the theologies, some folks have created an orthodoxy around, are actually areas that Calvin was struggling with himself.  In fact, when he died, he was in process of revising those understandings.
 
For me, this allowed the institutes to come alive because they were no longer some esoteric theology given to us from “on high” but a sharing of an understanding of God written by someone who was being true to their faith. Therefore, the authenticity behind the institutes allowed me to step back from seeing them as an academic pursuit to understanding them as faith expressions of an individual’s relationship with God. Or as many modern theologians like to say, faith seeking understanding.  
 
We forget that Calvin was not writing a divine truth, rather he was compiling an authentic understanding of God so that people might be given another way to come and believe. Unfortunately, we have lost this example in our lives and our institutions. Often, we are not judging ourselves with respect to authenticity, rather we judge ourselves based on what our communities’ value. 
 
This is why so many people who go to church are turned off to the church. Rather than being in community many churches are striving to be something they are not. This always comes off as “inauthentic.” It is hard to be authentic when the church is disconnected from the world it is in, just like it is impossible for individuals to be authentic when they are predisposed with trying to be something they are not.
 
Granted Calvin spent a great deal of his adult like a literal outcast finding himself kicked out of Geneva many times. What makes his works so powerful to me is that within the struggles of his life he is able to bring that to a document which give words and understanding to our God who calls us to be in a world that is often confusing and difficult. When we think of being authentic, we have to forego our human nature, comparing ourselves to others, rather we need to look deep inside, understand who we are and then live into that reality.  Only then can we truly give an authentic and powerful witness to Jesus Christ.

In Christ,
 
Bryan
Our Website

Welcome Oliver,
Our new Youth Director!

NEW YOUTH GROUP!
Next meeting on January 20, 2019
 5pm- 6:30pm 

@ Hiding Place
We had a fantastic kick off last week! This church has great Youth! 

 
Upcoming Events
  • Youth Group 5-6:30 Jan 20th and 27th
  • Superbowl Party, Feb 3rd!! We are currently looking for a host, if you're interested contact Oliver!
  • Lots more to be announced!
All Youth 6th- 12th Grade Welcome
Any questions about Youth Events contact Oliver Page, our Youth Director
oliver@westpres-sj.org

Wednesday Revive!!!


In this dark, rainy season, when Christmas is over, we can begin to feel down or isolated. It is our hope that Revive be a place of rest, peace, and community for all.

Join us this week as we explore the ways in which Christ cares for us. We will be reading John 2:1-11, with sermon "More than a Wedding."

Coming Up in Revive: 
 
February 6: Communion

February 12 at 7:00 PM: Revive Committee Meeting. 

CHILDREN’S CHURCH HAPPENINGS

Sunday School at Westminster

Kids from Preschool through 5th grade is encouraged to join us for Children's Church. Our Kids' Club provides fun, Bible-based activities on Sunday mornings following the children's sermon. Preschool through Kindergarten meets in room E116 and 1-5 grade in room E114. 

Our lesson for January 20: “Jesus Walks on Water", Matthew 14:22-33

Looking ahead to next week: "The Parable of the Vineyard”, Matthew 20:1-16

The Memory text is “The Beatitudes”

Children's Choir Rehearsals for Easter

The children choir rehearsals will restart on Sunday, February 10 at noon in the choir room. We will be working on having the children sing on Easter. Please contact Heather McKee for any questions.( msheather2@yahoo.com )

Family Movie Pajama Party in February 

Movie Night will be returning on February 16 at 5:00 p.m. with a fresh new format that includes crafts and a movie.  We will be showing Ferdinand (PG). Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. 

In Christ, 

Chris McKee
Director of Children and Families
chris@westpres-sj.org
 

Music Matters

Sing for Easter

Now is the time to join Sanctuary Choir if you would like to sing for Lent and Easter this year. There is much meaningful and beautiful music sung at this season.  Anthems on Palm Sunday and Easter are often particularly inspiring.  In addition to Sundays, the choir participates in the Maundy Thursday Service.
 
Rehearsals are Thursdays 7-8:30 pm in the Choir Room.
 
If you are interested, please contact Mary Anne James majames@rjweb.org or 650-969-2341.

WESTMINSTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Prayer Request Forms 

Available in the Narthex 
To help better care for members we have a new prayer request form to fill out, regular and large print forms are available in the Narthex.  Just return them to the basket at the sound booth.  


Start the New Year Singing!!

Revive Worship Team is looking for singers and instrumentalists for our Wednesday night service! Come join us! Rehearsals take place Wednesdays from 5:00-6:30 PM in the Sanctuary. 
Sunday morning worship can also use your talents.  The Sanctuary Choir is always open to new singers, and if you play an instrument you are willing to share on Sunday mornings, we want to know.  Contact Mary Anne James at 650-969-2341 or majames@rjweb.org.
 

Do you work for Apple or another company that matches your pledge?

Many companies including Apple, Netflix, Google and other will match your charitable contribution, and double your donation! If you do not know if your company does match, ask your human resource department. If you are wondering how the program works, ask Laura Nana.
 

Help Us Promote Westminster!

Please, like us on Facebook or Twitter and Share your pics on Pinterest and Instagram!
 

DONATIONS NEEDED TO REPLENISH SACK LUNCHES FOR THE HOMELESS

Our youth groups prepare sack lunches that are stored at room temperature and distributed to homeless visitors to WPC in need of a meal. We especially need:
  • Tuna pouches or lunch kits
  • Small packets of nuts or trail mix
  • Applesauce, fruit or pudding cups
  • Individually wrapped jerky or beef sticks
  • Hummus or peanut butter packets and single-serving crackers

SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK BROWN BAG PROGRAM

In partnership with the food bank, WPC packs and distributes grocery bags for seniors on the 1st& 3rdTuesday each month, 6:30-9:30 a.m. Volunteer for 1-3 hours. Contact Ann Kilty for more info. 
 

MONDAY’S, at 6:30 a.m., MISSION HALL

MEN'S CASUAL PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY GROUP
Open to all interested men, this casual group meets for an hour, then adjourns to Bill’s on The Alameda for breakfast.
 

USHERING MINISTRY

We are always on the lookout for friendly people to help greet folks, hand out programs, and collect the offering during services. It’s a great opportunity to get to know more members of our community, and the commitment only involves coming 15 minutes early before the service, once a month. Contact Head Usher Rick Marovich at church or 408.421.2214.


TAKE A TURN HOSTING COFFEE ‘N’ CONVERSATION

Volunteer hosts are needed for the coffee hour after Sunday services. Sign up at coffee hour or in the office. 
 

HELP OUT WITH WESTMINSTER MAINTENANCE

Our fearless facilities guru Ron Schuler does most of the maintenance here at WPC, but there are many ways to help: 
  • If you’re handy, please let Ron know you could help with jobs too big for one person.
  • Check and refill the envelopes and pencils in the sanctuary each week: 15-minute job.
  • Purchase housekeeping items or basic coffee supplies at Costco: 1 hour, every other week.
  • Set-up/Clean-up for Coffee ‘N’ Conversation (can be rotated among several people): ½ hour total, weekly. 
  • Learn to run the sound board to sub for Ron, as needed.
  • Annual Church Clean-Up Day
Contact Ron at church or 408.398.8222.
 

EMERGENCY CHILD CARE

We occasionally need last-minute substitutes for our regular child care helpers. If you could come in with about an hour's notice on either Wednesday 6:45-8:00 p.m. or Sunday 10:15 a.m.-noon, please contact Susan Hartt or Chris McKee.


SATURDAY’s 10 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., LINCOLN HIGH PARKING LOT

GREATER ROSE GARDEN CERTIFIED FARMERS' MARKET 


WANTED: ACOLYTES

Westminster needs kids to serve as acolytes for the Sunday morning service. Acolytes are needed for ALL Sundays. Please contact Jennifer Seguin at jmseguin@yahoo.comif you are interested!

PLEASE PRAY FOR…


This week take time to pray for the following members/ friends.

Glenna Corsen: healing
Dorothy Hedlund:comfort, peace
Melinda Schell:healing
Brenda’s brother Lem: healing
Brenda’s friend Rhoda:healing
Janet Johnson and family
Alice Carrerow: healing
Destin King:safety, strength and recovery
Neil’s father: wisdom and calm
Marguerite Young: healing
Sophia Kaphphe: calm and healing
Mark Dickerson: healing, peace
Janis Parenzen: healing
Rev. Nancy Schell: continued strength and healing
Sig and Ruth Yoder:healing and comfort
Amy Arden's daughters: safety, recovery and faith
Linda Sutton: comfort and healing
Marilyn Wiese: healing
Ruth Eddlemon:  safety and comfort
Paul Griffen:Healing
Ed Jeroszko:Healing
Ed Maxwell:Healing
The Strength Family: the Loss of Kristen’s Father
The Ross Family: the loss of Neneth’s Mother

In Memoriam

Dear Friends and members, we are saddened to announce that Neneth's mother, Elma Dumayas Omaque, joined the church eternal last Wednesday. She had been struggling with her health for the past year.  Please Keep Neneth and all of the Ross Family in your prayers as this is an especially difficult time for her.

Viewing will be held on January 19, Saturday from 1-5pm at Central Valley Baptist Church in Manteca, 10948 South Airport Way, Manteca 95336.

Funeral will be on January 22, Tuesday at 11am at The Lone Tree Cemetery 24591 Fairview Avenue Hayward.

Please let Neneth know if you are planning on attending either the visitation or funeral.
Our Website

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
PayPal is Here!
 
You asked, and our finance team listened. We have created a PayPal account, so now you have that option. Over the next few months, we will be phasing out our other credit card processing services. We will include a link to PayPal in all of our newsletters going forward!


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This week's calendar is available online

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Office Hours are:
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9:30a.m. to 2:30p.m.

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1100 Shasta Ave.
San Jose CA 95126
Phone: 408-294-7447

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Westminster Presbyterian Church in San Jose · 1100 Shasta Ave · San Jose, CA 95126 · USA