Who knew misery could be so funny? God’s Favorite, Neil Simon’s comical retelling of the Bible’s Book of Job will be presented April 8-10 at Westminster. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. After wealthy Long Island businessman, Joe Benjamin is visited by God’s eccentric messenger from Queens, his life takes a drastic turn for the worse. Destruction, devastation and divine comedy rain down on Joe to test his faith. With a pair of simple-minded twins underfoot, a rebellious, carousing son and wife Rose’s kvetching, you’ll be laughing to keep from crying. Will Joe put an end to his family’s suffering by renouncing God, or will he hold fast to his faith come what may? The admission price is a $10 donation at the door. A nursery will be provided for young children. 

WAMS and SHOW Need Concession Stand Snacks for “God’s Favorite.”

The youth of Westminster will be selling snacks during Westminster Players’ three performances of Neil Simon’s “God’s Favorite” on April 8th, 9th, and 10th. If you would like to contribute some baked goods or store-bought snacks to help make this fundraiser for summer youth trips
(Montreat and a mission trip) a success, please email Deborah Phillips at deborah.fishpantry@comcast.net.

From Lisa Trofatter:

Looking for a assistants to God’s Messenger in God’s Favorite, Westminster Players’ presentation April 7-9

1. Ticket sales at the door, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon
2. Help with breaking down stage at end of play on Sunday afternoon around 4:30-5:00pm
3. Sound assistant for Jeff (would need to be at practice  Sunday, April 3, Tuesday April 5, Thursday April 6, and performances)

Also, they are seeking a brown men’s ski jacket, medium size

Good Afternoon Westminster,

I want to update you on some events being held during the Lenten season:

WEDNESDAY EVENING LENTEN SERIES

Join us at 5:45 p.m. each Wednesday evening during Lent for a simple meal of soup and bread, followed by a service of evening prayers in the sanctuary. This reflective time focuses on scripture, song and prayer as we prepare ourselves for Easter.

THE BREATH OF LIFE: A SIMPLE WAY TO PRAY

“The Breath Prayer is a short prayer of praise and petition that is meant to help us become aware of the presence of God. ‘It is a way to have on our lips what is always in our heart.’” This five week study on breath prayer, led by Ginny Baker, continues Wednesday, March 23 and conclude on Wednesday, April 13. We  meet in the McKinnon Room for about an hour immediately following the Lenten service in the Sanctuary. Those interested are asked to contact Ginny Baker. Books are $10.

SUNDAY SCHOOL LENTEN STUDY (McKinnon Room)   “Learning Forgiveness”

This six-week study from The Thoughtful Christian continues Sunday. Some of the topics to be discussed include, “Who needs forgiveness?,” “God’s Love and Judgment,” “The Call to Forgive” and “Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” Copies of the lesson are available in the Narthex of the Sanctuary and in the church office. Join us each week during Lent for this unique journey.

THE ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING

OGHS will be collected through the season of Lent. The offering is used to support those whose lives have been impacted by disaster, as well as those made vulnerable by hunger, disease, unemployment and environmental degradation. Our gifts are divided among the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

FLOWER GUILD

Please help the Flower Guild this Easter as they adorn the sanctuary in celebration of our Lord’s glorious ascension from the tomb. Checks of any amount are welcome and can be made out to Westminster Flower Guild in honor or memory of loved ones. These names will be included in the Easter Sunday bulletin and Abbey. Easter lilies will be available after the service to deliver to those who are unable to join us or to recycle into your garden. Thank you for supporting this annual tradition.

WESTMINSTER PLAYERS PRESENT “GOD’S FAVORITE” by Neil Simon

Who knew misery could be so funny? God’s Favorite, Neil Simon’s comical retelling of the Bible’s Book of Job will be presented April 8-10 at Westminster. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. After wealthy Long Island businessman, Joe Benjamin is visited by God’s eccentric messenger from Queens, his life takes a drastic turn for the worse. Destruction, devastation and divine comedy rain down on Joe to test his faith. With a pair of simple-minded twins underfoot, a rebellious, carousing son and wife Rose’s kvetching, you’ll be laughing to keep from crying. Will Joe put an end to his family’s suffering by renouncing God, or will he hold fast to his faith come what may? The admission price is a $10 donation at the door. A nursery will be provided for young children.

Happy Friday Westminster! Aren’t you loving all this sunshine? Someone shared with me this great saying yesterday – “If the grass seems greener on the other side of the fence – it is time to spread fertilizer”. =) I’ve been thinking about how important it is to apply this simple phrase in our lives. The Lord has blessed each of us with so much grace in this world yet we easily find ourselves burdened with feelings of loss, anxiety, and desire for “more”. I’ve loved the teachings of Anne Dungan and Tim Crais in “The Losses of Our Lives” Sunday school class this semester. I encourage you to read the book one day. The author does a fantastic job in teaching us to name our loss, grieve it, and then move on in life so that we can live it abundantly. The examples she shares and the classroom discussions we had were totally awesome. This coming Sunday, participants in this class will lead worship at both services. I appreciate the willingness of the five people who are going to share from the pulpit their experiences as well as the others who will serve as Liturgists. You will also get to listen to some of the scripture that we got to study in this class. The season of Lent is a very powerful season of the church life. I hope that you will embrace it and get involved in all the many programs that are in store for us. Buran will lead us off with the Ash Wednesday service this coming Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Please make plans to attend! On Wednesday nights following Ash Wednesday, we will hold our annual Lenten Series (soup dinner in Fellowship Hall then service in Sanctuary). If you never have been to one of these services – please try it. I bet you will find it very meaningful. Learning to take time out of our merry-go-round lives to sit, pray, and listen is a gift to be treasured. Ginny Baker is offering a “Breath of Life” prayer class immediately following the service. Books are available for $10 each and there is a signup sheet in the Schilling Gallery. The adult Sunday School class will hold a Lenten series class entitled “Learning Forgiveness”. It begins March 13.  Hugs, Renee Wiesehuegel

Good Afternoon Westminster,

Isn’t it awesome to drink in this sunshine the Lord is blessing us with today??? I don’t know when I have been so ready for winter to be over with than I am this year.  You want to know something cool? The bulbs I planted from the Easter flowers last year are making their way into the world this week at home. The symbolism of all this new life around me is a “postcard” from our wonderful Lord that He continually holds each of us in the palm of His hand – and for this – I am so very grateful! =)

I just got word from Mary McKeehan that Jack Barron is participating in the Orchid Show at Westtown Mall this coming weekend. The display of orchids can be found in the rotunda that is located near the inside entrance of  JcPenney. He told me the best times to see them are Saturday afternoon until 9 pm and then again on Sunday from noon to five.  I am excited to see them!

Enjoy your day!

Hugs,

Renee Wiesehuegel