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In this Edition. . . From the Pastor's Desk: Spirit Filled Worship. 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. . . 

Experiencing God in Spirit Led Worship

The roof of the church where I was baptized looked like Dopey’s ears coming down to the ground resting upon a 1960’s modern A-frame church.  One Sunday, all of a sudden, it sounded like a heavy rain was coming down, which was strange since the weather outside was perfect. With some more pounding and shuffling the gathered congregation soon realized that something was amiss and my mother and father gave each other THAT look, followed by my father's quick exit from the sanctuary.  

The noise was my brothers and their friend playing tag or something like that on the roof! Somehow, they had snuck away from wherever they were supposed to be and created their own fun. This was not the first time, but as a child I was always a bit jealous that my brothers could find ways to sneak off, but I always had to sit through the service. Usually doing pencil drawings on the bulletin.  But I am sure had I said something, and people were being honest, church was not for me, at least as a five-year-old. 

For most of my youth, even when we moved to Naperville, the worship aspect of church was disconnected from my experience of God.  In fact, the only times I really was at church after confirmation was when I had a role in worship were when I was either playing bells, singing, or ushering. It was not that I did not like the sermons, they actually were not that bad, it was just all of that other stuff that I just did not get and did. I often joked that I had to become a pastor because I could never sit through a worship service. Though, through college I still went to church even during the two years before I started to work for one.  Somewhere inside of me I knew that worship was and is a central part of life but it was hard at times to make it click.  

But that struggle I experienced with worship is not unique to me, in fact when people are being honest, they recognize that making worship a spirit filled experience is a hard thing. For me worship did not become a spiritual thing until the first time that I was given the opportunity to preach and my worshipping world changed forever. I meet God new every time I preach, and there is a spiritual power in that connection.

Today worship is where I go to reconnect with God and center myself back to the right path.  However, as a pastor I am constantly concerned with how worshipful worship actually is to those who are gathered.  Is the time sacred?  Is it a time where people are meeting or seeing God?  Is it time where people are having a spiritual experience? Moreover, all of this is complicated by the fact that we all experience God differently.

This lingering struggle with worship forces me to ask why it is we do what we do and more importantly what our role in worship should be.  As Presbyterian we recognize that we have a ‘head’ spirituality, enjoying intellectual pursuits, connecting with God through study and dialogue. This spawned our well-earned label as the “The frozen chosen.”  While the joke in that title is heard, the reality is that, for most people who come to church they do experience God through reason, logic, and a passive worship.  There is nothing wrong with that because it is one way of experiencing God.  

While 90% of main-line traditional worship, is passive, where the preaching and the singing is done for you, and you receive the message, all other people, need something more, and today we realize with all branches of Christian churches (yes even the mega churches) facing a decline we are needing to rethink church and be honest with the reality that the way we do things may not be spiritually fulfilling which is why people are not flocking in,  because people cannot relate to the way in which we worship because it is not connecting with them spiritually.

Yours in Christ,

Bryan
Our Website

Wednesday Revive!!!

Communion- what does it mean for you? For Revive, it means coming around the table, partaking in the bread and wine, and doing it together. It is a time to share in prayer and in thanks for Jesus.

Please join us we explore Psalm 138 and take Communion at 7:00 PM at Revive.  A full dinner is served at 6:00 PM in Mission Hall.

Coming up in Revive:

February 6th, 7:00 PM- Communion

February 12th, 7:00 PM- Revive Committee Meeting

February 27th, 7:00 PM- Paint Nite
NEW YOUTH GROUP!
EVERY SUNDAY
at 5pm 

@ Westminster Church in the Hiding Place
All Youth 6th- 12th Grade

Special Events Coming Up! 
Lock In Feb 9th 5 pm-Feb 10th 9:30 am

Pancake Breakfast
March 3rd
9:30 am-1 pm

 Raising funds for future Youth Group Events
$10 per person $5 for kids $35 for whole family

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 February 7: “Mary and Martha”, Luke 10:38-42.

Looking ahead to next week “Jesus Raises Lazarus”, John 11:1-45.

The Memory text is “The Beatitudes”

Children's Choir Rehearsals for Easter

The children choir rehearsals will restart this 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 new fresh format that includes crafts and a movie.  We will be showing Ferdinand (PG) in Mission Hall. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. It is our hope to schedule the third Saturday at 5:00 p.m. through May. 

In Christ, 

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

Music Matters

Sing for EasterNow 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

Maundy Thursday Drama 

On Maundy Thursday, April 18, we will commemorate the Last Supper, betrayal, and arrest of Jesus with a drama.  There will be hymns, and the choir will sing, but most of all, we need a number of readers and also some silent participants who will all help dramatize the events of the story.

There will be a practice on Palm Sunday, April 14, after worship. 

If you are willing to help, please contact Mary Anne James at majames@rjweb.org, or look for the sign-up sheet at coffee or in the church office.


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: healing, job & finances
Mark Dickerson: healing, peace
Tim Clouse: healing from the loss of his father and continued
healing of his mother
Kim Gupton:Job, Finances etc.
Jenna Schwartzman's Family & Friends: Comfort in Loss
 
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
Merryle Wiese: Comfort and Peace
Ruth Eddlemon: Safety and comfort
Paul Griffen: Healing
Ed Jeroszko: Healing
Ed Maxwell: Healing
Sophia Kaphphe: Healing for neighbor’s son & for another neighbor's son and family involved in a car crash
The Strength Family: the Loss of Kristen’s Father
The Ross Family: the loss of Neneth’s Mother
Olga Smith: Safety and healing
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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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