September brings an exciting time here at Westminster.  We are blessed to resume activities and classes that we have missed over the summer, and to become involved with new opportunities. Just a few of our upcoming events are:

WOW (Women of Westminster) Dinner, Tuesday, September 6 at 6:00 p.m. -  This group will meet at Bravo’s Italian Restaurant, 106 Major Reynolds Place. All the women of the church are invited to attend. Please contact Carlene Robinson to RSVP.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast – Our Westminster men’s breakfast fellowship meets Thursday, September 8 at 7:00 a.m. in the McKinnon Room. Breakfast will be served, followed by a short discussion-oriented lesson. Please contact the church office if you’d like to have a copy of the lesson materials.

Open House – On Sunday, September 11 during the Sunday School Hour, we will showcase many of the wonderful ministries with which you can become involved at Westminster. We will serve coffee and danish at 10:00 a.m., and have time for visiting the various displays in the Schilling Gallery. Worship will be at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Keep an eye on your bulletin for more details.

A full slate of Sunday School classes will begin on Sunday, September 18 at 10:00 a.m. Great programs are planned for the children and youth, and we have a wide variety of Adult Education classes as well.

Come and be a part of our ministry here at WPC.  You won’t want to miss it!

Bible Study – Prayer - Scrapbooking - Book Study - Book Club - Service -And More!

Women of Westminster Presbyterian Church  -  You are invited to a Small Group organizational meeting and Salad Lunch at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday, August 21^st, 2011 following the 10:00 a.m. worship service.  We will enjoy fellowship together and do some initial organizing of small groups.  Groups will be set up according to interest and each group will determine meeting dates and times according to the schedules of those in the group.  We look forward to seeing you for lunch on August 21^st!

I hope you’ve had a great start to your week. I’ve enjoyed visiting with members who have come by the church office to drop off diapers for the big Round Up. What an awesome congregation we have!  We welcome you to come on down to the Wet and Wild Diaper Round Up on August 7 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Westminster! In an effort to stock diapers for the West Knox FISH Pantry, we are inviting you and your family to an afternoon of fun and food. Admission? Diapers – preferably sizes 5 or 6, brand of your choice, and as many as you feel moved to bring. Gift cards for major chain stores work as well. RSVP to westminsterpres@comcast.net. If you are unable to come on August 7 but would like to participate, you may drop off diapers to the Schilling Gallery any time before August 7. We appreciate your support! 

As we anticipate our fall program to start back up, you’ll want to check out the church calendar here on our website. Our first big Ministry Team Night of the year is Tuesday, August 9 at 7:00 p.m. We are needing members to volunteer to serve on a committee – especially Christian Formation, Congregational Care, Finance, Stewardship, and Worship/Music/Arts. It is a great way to get involved into the life of Westminster!

Happy Friday, Westminster! What a joyful week it has been on account of our youth’s  involvement with Operation Backyard. I hope that you got to see the segment on Alive at Five at Four when they interviewed some of the youth as well as Barbara Adamcik. It sounds like a very positive week together –  Praise the Lord! If you missed it, let me know so that I can forward you the segment. I hear they are already looking forward to next year! I hope you have a beautiful weekend. See you at worship!

Good Afternoon Westminster!

The  Mission Team members arrived safe and sound Saturday night from the DR. Later on in the summer, the team will be sharing their experiences with the eye glass clinic and installing a water system. This week our youth are in Montreat for a Youth Conference. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Next week we are teaming up with Erin Presbyterian Church for Vacation Bible School. If you haven’t registered yet but plan on going, please contact Angela Grobe. Hope you have a great week!

Good Afternoon Westminster! We will begin our summer worship schedule (10:00 a.m.) beginning Sunday, May 29. This schedule will continue through Sunday, September 7, 2011.

Can you believe that we are already approaching the second half of May? Just wanted to remind you of the upcoming weekend events:

• The Boys’ and Girls’ Choir end-of-the-year party is today at 4 pm. Pizza and time at Laser Quest! How fun!!
• Property will be hosting a CHURCH WORK DAY on Saturday, May 14 from 8 to noon. Your help is greatly appreciated!
• Sunday, May 15, volunteers will be serving breakfast at Volunteer Ministry Center at 6:00 a.m. Thank you Paula Hogan!!!
• Sunday, May 15, is Senior and Youth Sunday. The youth of our church will be leading both services.
• The Fellowship Ministry team will be honoring our high school graduating seniors immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service with a reception in the Schilling Gallery.
• Sunday, May 15, Youth Club members will be going to Ijams Nature Center for a picnic and lots of fun after the 11:00 a.m. worship service.
• Sunday, May 15: All youth in grades 5-12 will be treated to a Graduation Party at 5:00 p.m. Parents and families are also invited.

Organist Craig Cramer will be heard in recital at Westminster Friday evening, May 6, at 8:00 as part of this year’s Musica Organi series. Professor of Organ at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Cramer holds degrees from Westminster Choir College and the Eastman School of Music, where he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree and was also awarded the prestigious Performer’s Certificate in Organ. He has played for conventions of the American Guild of Organists as well as for many AGO chapters across the country. Additionally, he is regularly invited to perform on many of Europe’s most important historic organs. Dr. Cramer previously played on the Musica Organi series in 2004 and was so well received that we are delighted to have him back this season. His program will include works by J. S. Bach, Joel Martinson, Felix Mendelssohn, and Heinrich Scheidemann. Admission is free and the congregation is cordially invited to attend. A nursery will be provided. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of fine organ music!

I hope that you have enjoyed both  the Wednesday  and Sunday Lenten Series offered during Lent.  Tonight’s dinner begins at 5:45 pm with the prayer service beginning at 6:30 in the Sanctuary.  The remaining Holy Week Schedule is:

Palm Sunday Services, April 17 –  9:00 and 11 a.m.; Sunday School at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, April 20 – Lenten dinner and prayer service, beginning at 5:45 pm

Thursday, April 21 – Maundy Thursday Service at 8:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday Services, April 24 – 9:00 and 11 a.m.

Easter Sunday Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt – 10:00 a.m.

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