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In this Edition. . . From the Pastor's Desk: Are you Ready!; Youth Group; Wednesday Revive!!; Chris' Corner (Children & Family Ministry); Sunday School Calendar; Westminster Announcements; Prayer Concerns; Stewardship Update and more!
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From The Pastor's Desk. . .
“ARE YOU READY!” The park attendant yelled as my friend and I felt the safety bar clamp down with a loud click and a following clack. With a jerk and a loud screech the cart began to roll down the first hill, up the second and down into quick turns, flips, fast ups and downs. It was a thirty second exhilaration that made my heart beat fast and drove my adrenalin up. It was so great I wanted to do again. I went to stand in line and wait. It was only 35 minutes this time.
When I was in high school went to the Six Flags for Physics day, the manager had a question and answer period. One of the first questions had nothing to do with the Physics of the rides but about the wait, why the wait was so long. The manager said that it was as much a part of the ride as the ride itself. He said that by the time people arrived at the ride they were already excited with anticipation and the ride drove that excitement to another level at least for those who still wanted to go on the ride.
As we work our way through the time of lent we are journeying toward a new life, to the promise fulfilled. As with the ride the great anticipation leads us to a glorious new experience. Easter provides us a glimpse of that glorious new experience. By Easter in most parts of the country, some early flowers are beginning to bloom and we begin to see signs of nesting birds and new life all around up. The gloom of winter transitions to the beautiful blue skies and sounds of Spring.
As we work toward Easter we need to do so with diligence and patience. Easter is the beginning of something new. It is the most important day of the Christian year, not only because it is the prophesy fulfilled or the promise of life eternal, it marks the beginning of a journey that will take us to new places and make us feel things we would not have otherwise felt.
Isaiah prophesied, in the coming of the Lord, that the world would be called into something new. Thus, the world was going to begin a journey, one that would be New and glorious. He said, “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.”
As we prepare, we must do so for the new journey that we are called to undertake by Christ. We must challenge ourselves and our trepidations to allow Christ to change and mold us.
I barely got on the ride that time. It was the first roller-coaster I had ever been on and the whole time I had been standing I knew where the exits were. By the time the attendant screamed “are you ready,” I did not have much time for a yes, no, or dart, I was ready, wether I wanted to be or not. In our lives we are on a journey with Christ. Granted there are times we don’t realize it, but it is through this journey that we prepare ourselves for what is next, the Resurrection.
Yours in Christ,
Bryan
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YOUTH GROUP!
EVERY SUNDAY
5pm-6:30 pm
@ Westminster Church in the Hiding Place
Join Us For Westminster’s New Youth Ministry.
Play games, learn, and have fellowship together
All Youth 6th- 12th Grade
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Wednesday Revive!!!
As we begin Lent, Revive celebrates Ash Wednesday with a healing service. We dedicate ourselves anew to Jesus as we receive ashes and healing oil, and prepare ourselves for the journey to Easter.
Dinner is at 6:00 PM. Service begins at 7:00 PM.
Coming Up in Revive
March 11 Revive Committee Meeting 7:00 PM
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CHILDREN’S CHURCH HAPPENINGS
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Sunday School at Westminster
Kids from Preschool through 5th grade is encouraged to join us for Children's Church. Our Kid's program 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 Feeds 5,000", John 6:1-21
Looking ahead to next week: "The Woman at the Well", John 4:5-42.
Children's Choir Rehearsals for Easter
The children choir rehearsals 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)
Family Movie Pajama Party
Our next Family Movie Pajama Party is Saturday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m. Our fun evening includes crafts and a movie. We will be showing Christopher Robin (PG). Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas.
In Christ,
Chris McKee
Director of Children and Families
chris@westpres-sj.org
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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.
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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.
Women's Bible Study - Monday 18th March, 2019
There will be Women's Bible Study in the Choir Room from 5p.m. to 6p.m. The study is on selected Psalms.
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!
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PLEASE PRAY FOR…
This week take time to pray for the following members/ friends.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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