|
In this Edition. . . From the Pastor's Desk: Finding Caring Relationship, Wednesday Revive!!; Chris' Corner (Children & Family Ministry); Sunday School Calendar; Youth Group info and Calendar; Westminster Announcements; Prayer Concerns; Wiese Funeral Announcement; Stewardship Update and more!
|
|
From The Pastor's Desk. . .
I used to joke that my favorite thing about Valentine’s day is that the next day marked the beginning of Easter candy season, and as many of you know I am a jelly bean addict! Of course, it is an annual reminder that I am single, oh woes me. But in all seriousness Valentine’s day is a very interesting holiday since like many Christian feasts, Valentine’s day has its roots outside of Christianity. In this case it was the Roman Celebration of Lupercalia. But also, like so many Christian holidays, while it starts with some very unchristian ideals, as it becomes Christianize it takes on a different understanding.
Lupercalia was a major celebration within the Roman world, as it is connected to the origin story of Rome. While unrecognizable to the modern version of Valentine’s day, it was very rooted in a fertility. Lupercus was the god of fertility. To us the ritual that occurred after the sacrifice of a goat and dog must have been quite a spectacle. History.com gives this account:
Feasting began after the ritual sacrifice. When the feast of Lupercal was over, the Luperci cut strips, also called thongs or februa, of goat hide from the newly-sacrificed goats.
They then ran naked or nearly-naked around Palantine whipping any woman within striking distance with the thongs. Many women welcomed the lashes and even bared their skin to receive the fertility consecration; it’s open to speculation what the lashes represented.
During Lupercalia, the men randomly chose a woman’s name from a jar to be coupled with them for the duration of the festival. Often, the couple stayed together until the following year’s festival. Many fell in love and married.
Over time, nakedness during Lupercalia lost popularity. The festival became more chaste, if still undignified, and women were whipped on their hands by fully-clothed men.[1]
While traditional Roman Feasts were banned upon the adoption of Christianity, Lupercalia stayed around sharing the calendar with the Christian Feast of St. Valentine. Being connected through tradition to the founders of Rome, you can understand why. While the actual history the real St. Valentine(s) is mostly legend the proximity of the feasts and similarity of the message allow the Christian holiday to adopt the traits of it’s predecessor. We see that most clearly in symbols like the color red which was a marker in Lupercalia for the blood of the sacrifice.
Some would say that by the time Christianity took prominence people were finished with the crazy naked debauchery. More righteous folks point to Christian values moving to a more wholesome holiday. Regardless, what we now see as Valentine’s day no longer focused on wild youthful sex, but rather the courtship between a young man and woman. Now, courtship is a bit different then modern dating as it is a more intentional long-term relationship that is built absent of intercourse.
This makes sense as Christianity focused more on relationships and a different respect for the nature of the dynamics between men and women whereas a mutual respect is the expectation within the courtship time, over a male dominance taking what they feel is their right. Even as I write this, I am blown away by the correlation to what is going on in the world today!
While we are past Valentine’s day by Sunday, the theme of the service is Caring relationships. A truly caring relationship is one that cultivates an environment of love and respect, honoring the reality that everyone has an equal place within the relationship, and in the case of the church, community. We break from the hedonistic traditions in that when we accept the hard work that is part of building and rebuilding relationships, not just taking what we think is ours or forgetting to listen to others. Most of all caring relationships are defined by the ways in which we share the love of Christ through compassion and respect.
The problem we have is that, while we do not hold the same rituals of Lupercalia, we often treat relationship as it did, seeking our own pleasure over respect and allowing success to be marked by the pain inflicted by one on the other. The challenge that we have is to work to change that behavior and our desire to fall back to self-serving relationships. Like so much of faith, we have to take time to reflect on who we are and what we are doing to further our relationship with God and with others without taking advantage of them.
In Christ,
Bryan
[1]https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/lupercalia
|
|
|
YOUTH GROUP!
EVERY SUNDAY
at 5pm
@ Westminster Church, in The Hiding Place
Join Us For Westminster’s New Youth Ministry.
All Youth 6th- 12th Grade
Pancake Breakfast! March 3rd.
Tickets $10 person, $5 for children, $35 for families
All proceeds go to fund Youth events and supplies
Click Here to Buy online
or find a Youth selling paper tickets!
We would love to see you there!
|
|
|
Wednesday Revive!!!
What is happiness? According to Psalm 1:1-3,
Happy are those
who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread,
or sit in the seat of scoffers;
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.
Come explore what happiness is on February 13th, 7:00 PM.
Coming up in Revive...
February 12th, 7:00 PM- Revive Committee Meeting
February 27th, 7:00 PM- Paint Nite
|
|
|
CHILDREN’S CHURCH HAPPENINGS
|
|
Family Movie Night This Saturday!
Movie Night is returning this Saturday, February 16 at 5:00 p.m., with a fresh format that includes crafts and the movie 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.
Children's Choir Rehearsals
The children's choir meet Sundays 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)
Sunday School at Westminster
Kids from Preschool through 5th grade is encouraged to join us for Children's Church. Our Kid's 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 this week: "Jesus Raises Lazarus", John 11:1-45.
Looking ahead to next week: "The Lost Sheep & the Coin", Luke 15:1-10.
The Memory text is "The Beatitudes"
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.
|
|
|
COMING UP AT WESTMINSTER…
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
Olga Smith: Safety and healing
Charles and Pam Verrey: Strength and patience in caring for Charles Mother who is dealing with cancer that was found after a fall.
|
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
|
|
Marilyn Jane Wiese
November 11, 1928 – January 6, 2019
Services will be held at:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
March 2, 2019
10:30am
Reception to follow
Marilyn grew up in Worthington, Minnesota. Born to Vincent E. and Lilian Brown on November 11, 1928. She married Merryle Wiese on June 23, 1956. They moved to California in 1958, where they purchased their first home in San Jose. Marilyn worked for San Jose Unified School District for many years in their Food Services Department.
She loved to be active. Bowling, golfing, traveling, bunco, walking, dancing, gardening, church, and baking. She also enjoyed going to Belgium with Merryle and others to help Belgium Evangelical Mission (B-E-M). She made many friends through her active life. Marilyn and Merryle were active participants at Westminster Presbyterian Church since the 1970s. She was always interested in staying connected with others, including their families. She had a generous heart. According to her grandchildren, her cookies were incomparable and the top ranking.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of 63 years, Merryle “Bud” Wiese; sister Janet Roetman of Owatonna, MN, and family; daughter Julie and Larry Juell of Santa Cruz; son Jerry and Jessie Wiese of San Jose; grandchildren Madeline Juell and Christopher Wiese.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1110 Shasta Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126; or Young Life San Jose, 1320 Lincoln Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125.
|
|
|
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!
Help support the ministries of the Westminster Presbyterian Church through your donation today!
Click Here and donate through PayPal today.
Help me spread the word about Westminster Presbyterian Church. Together we can make a difference.
Please note that using you credit card does incur a fee, which is deducted from the donation.
|
|
|
This week's calendar is available online
Please click here for the detailed calendar!
Office Hours are:
Monday through Friday
9:30a.m. to 2:30p.m.
|
|
|
|
|
|
