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

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