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A Place to Love God and Neighbor...
Worship

September 8, 2013
23rd Sunday in  

Ordinary Time  

 

 8:30 am

10:30 am

Rally Day

 

 Bulletin 

 

Sermon:

"Community in the Can"
Rev. gretchen N. Sausville

Scripture: 

Jeremiah 18:1-6

Luke 14:25-33

 

 
Click Here for a Full Copy of This Week At Westminster

Preparing for Worship

Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand.

                            Jeremiah 18:6

Welcome Back! This is the message we have been seeing over the last two weeks, reminding us that fall is coming and a new academic and programmatic year has begun. Welcome back to school, to soccer, from vacation, to reality, to new opportunities, to new homes, welcome back to church. This Sunday we welcome you back to the program year at Westminster, as we gather for worship at 2 services, break Bread at brunch, and explore what our congregational community means to us in the midst of all else that is happening.

 

At 10:30 worship, we will celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with Owen James Desjardins, son of Damon and Kate Desjardins. On a day when we highlight the education ministry of the church, Baptism provides a rich opportunity to re-commit ourselves to nurturing the faith among all God's children, even as we renew our own Baptisms. We will sing "I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry." See you Sunday!

 

gretchen and David 

Save the Date: RALLY DAY!

Sunday, September 8

Celebratory Brunch at 9:15 a.m.

Please Join Us on Rally Day for a

Celebration Brunch

 

Sunday, September 8th

9:15 - 10:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Everyone is Welcome!

 

Egg Dishes, Coffee and Tea Provided

 

Last Names A - G: Bring Fruit to Share

(fruit platter, fruit salad, plate of finger fruit)

 

Last Names H - S: Bring Breads to Share

(muffins, pastries, breads, donuts or bagels)

 

Last Names S - Z: Bring Juice to Share

(one large bottle)

 

At 9:45 a.m. children will be invited to leave brunch to

meet their church school teachers in their classrooms.
Three Opportunities for Adult Education

Sunday mornings at 9:30, there will be two five-week series. Living the Faith Through Vocaton will explore the places where our professional lives and our personal faith intersect. Presenters from the congregation will share how they came to do the work they do and how they have seen the hand of God present there. June Johnson will get us started September 15. Meet in the Covenant Room.

 

Forgiveness: Finding Peace Through Letting Go will include a video/discussion series based on a book by Adam Hamilton that explores forgiveness in our relationship to God, others and self. Meet in the Fireside Room.

 

Wednesday evenings at 7:00, starting September 25, Jeannene Wiseman will resume teaching the Lving the Questions series. This will be the third in a 3-part series but whether or not you attended last year, come along for this journey into progressive Christianity, thinking outside the box.

CHAOS Fall Retreat in the Berkshires

September 13-15
CHAOS in grades 6-12 are invited to kick-off the year and enjoy fellowship together with a retreat to Camp Becket in the Berkshires, September 13-15 in Becket, MA. Fun activities are planned including an outdoor challenge course and zip lines in beautiful Becket, MA. You can see photos and learn more by visiting www.bccymca.org. For those who had to rough it with camping this summer, important things will be available for this weekend including good food, running water, hot showers and great lodges where there will be heat, electricity and comfy beds. The cost is $160 which can be made out to Westminster Presbyterian Church with CHAOS Retreat in the memo line. A permission form is required so please have it completed and turned in with your check to the church office by Sunday, September 1. If you need a copy of the form or would like more information about the retreat, please contact Rev. gretchen at 860-521-6240 x21.
Introducing...Westminster Prime Time: Eat, Pray, Learn

Something new on Sunday nights! Once a month this fall we will meet together for worship, a special Christian Education program for all ages, and dinner. These evenings to "eat, pray and learn" together will offer the opportunity for fellowship and spiritual growth at an alternative time. Come with your whole family and invite friends and neighbors to one of these programs!

 

Where did this idea come from? Starting in September 2012, the Christian Education Visioning Team met for 9 months looking carefully at our CE program for all ages. The team discerned that some church members are looking for quality intergenerational events that foster worship and learning opportunities at alternative times other than Sunday mornings. Especially for those who travel on weekends or juggle weekend athletic events for their youth, this may be a way to stay connected with the faith community while being renewed in body, mind and spirit for the coming week. The Session will be eager to hear how people respond to this three-time experiment in the life of Westminster.

 

Westminster Prime Time will be held on Sundays September 29, October 27 and November 24 this fall. The schedule each evening will be:

4:30 - 5:15 p.m. - worship in the chapel

5:15 - 6:15 p.m. - Christian Education program(s) for adults and children

6:15 - 6:45 p.m. - simple dinner together

 

Each Prime Time gathering will feature special intergenerational Christian Education programs and outside speakers including:

 

September 29:          John Boiano, Guest Leader: Community Building with a Beat

October 27:               Daoud Nassar, Palestinian Farmer--Passionate About Peacemaking

November 24:           Advent Workshop/Hanging of the Greens

CHAOS S'Mores and More

This Sunday, September 8 at 5:00 p.m.

CHAOS (Christians Hanging Around on Sunday), Westminster's youth group, will gather this Sunday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for S'Mores and More at Westminster. At our first official fall CHAOS meeting we will gather around a fire roasting hot dogs, making s'mores, playing games, telling stories and having a great time. Remember that both middle school and high school youth will be meeting from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sundays this year.  The following are some upcoming CHAOS events in September:

 

All CHAOS Fall Retreat September 13-15:  At Camp Becket in Becket, MA.  Join us for fun activities including a challenge course and zip lines.  Visit www.bccymca to learn more. Cost is $160 payable to Westminster. Permission form required. It's not too late to participate- contact Rev. gretchen at 860-521-6240 if you're interested.

 

September 22: CHAOS at Westminster from 5:00-7:00 p.m. There will be a fall planning night for youth and their parents. Parents will meet with the Youth Ministry Committee; youth will also provide feedback. We will join together for dinner.

 

September 29:   CHAOS will participate in Westminster Prime Time beginning at 4:30 p.m., an all church, multi-generational evening of worship, Christian Education and fellowship.

Women's Retreat on Saturday, September 14

 

A MORNING WITH MAYA ANGELOU
"Connecting with God through Sacred Stories"
facilitated by Jeannene Wiseman

Join us for a morning of listening to this beloved storyteller on video as she awakens in us our own sacred stories.  The explorations of our stories will include biblical themes relating to life's transitions.  Emmanuel - God with us - is discovered in the experiences of our daily lives when we have the time to remember.

We will gather at the church at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14 for coffee and stories, then have lunch at 11:45, closing with worship and departing at 1:00 p.m. Cost for lunch is $6.   Please join us for a generative morning.

 

Sign up by calling Becky in the office at 860-521-6240.  If you have any questions, call Janet Stafford at 860-687-1656.

Organ and Piano Recital by Erik Eickhoff

Sunday, September 15 at 3:00 p.m.

All are Invited

On Sunday, September 15 at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary, Erik Eickhoff will present an organ and piano recital as the first event in the Music at Westminster series for the 2013/2014 season. The recital will feature music by Bach, Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, Dupre, Reger, and others. There will be a free will offering to support the music program at Westminster. Bring your friends. Plan to lose yourself, but find your soul, in an afternoon of beautiful music.


Final Day of Fall Mums Sale

This Sunday Following Worship 

Field-grown hardy mums in 8" pots, in four beautiful colors - pink, white, yellow and burgundy - are being sold to benefit HopeWorks.  This Sunday, September 8, those who placed orders can pick up their mums in the Fireside Circle. Additional mums will also be available for purchase.  The price is only $8 per pot. 

 

All proceeds will benefit HopeWorks, an inter-faith community organization that has been providing hope and health to young people and their families for more than 38 years through counseling, education and community outreach.  Each year more than 20 local communities of faith join together to demonstrate their collective support for this worthy organization through this fundraiser.  Any questions?  Contact Ma'Lynn Feingold at 860-675-5308 or mlnewportmd@aol.com.

Sermons Available 

Copies of David Wiseman's sermons "The Family as the Cradle of Theology" and "Kingdom Etiquette" are available on the tables at the rear of the sanctuary and chapel plus in the foyer. Copies of his article Why I Oppose Military Strikes in Syria, a think piece for congregational dialogue, is also free for the taking.

PrayForPrayers for Westminster Family and Friends

If you have prayer concerns you'd like to share, please contact Becky Kimberly at the church office at 860-521-6240 or office@westpresby.org.  

 

We pray for...

  • Yvonne Smith who is home after a series of tests at Hartford Hospital;
  • Brian, a friend of Tricia Thelen, who is recovering from a stroke;
  • Kate Hart's boss who has had back surgery;
  • Marie MacKellar's friend Lana;
  • Martha Highsmith who is recuperating from a fall, breaking four toes;
  • Working parents who are facing financial issues;
  • All those students transitioning back to a new school year;
  • Dorothy Eisele who is recuperating from a bad fall;
  • Jacqueline Clement who broke her arm;
  • Susan Power Trucksess who is recovering foot surgery;
  • Henry and Ruth Milan, friends of the congregation, who have been in declining health;
  • John Mittan, former rector of St. James Episcopal Church, who has been seriously ill;
  • Bunny Hallenbeck, who has been undergoing treatment at Dana Farber in Boston;
  • Bonnie and Richard Kanyar's extended family in Erie, PA; Richard's brother, father and mother are all facing some serious health concerns;
  • Linda Cozzolongo's brother Glenn Penner who is being treated for leukemia;
  • Susan Thomson's father who will soon begin radiation treatment;
  • All those undergoing treatment for cancer;
  • Those families experiencing the stress of unemployment and under-employment;
  • The people of Syria during this time of upheaval and violence and for our government as leaders decide next steps;
  • The Pastor Nominating Committee as it continues its work;
  • Youth of the church experiencing troubled times.

We grieve with...

  • Marie Scott and family on the death of Gale "Scotty" Scott on August 23; Marie suffered a stroke this past week.

We celebrate with...

  • Carolann Purcell's niece who recently found a job.

We continue to pray for...

El and Elsie Harp's son Jeff; Russ Cormier's mother; gretchen Sausville's father; Jean Filer, mother of Cindi Filer; Karen and Steve Wagner's friend Ramon; Jinny Smanik's nephew Jeff; Natalie Lewis; Cliff Moss; Glenn Olson's brother Dan; the Wisemans' friend Carroll Slaymaker; Art Riihimaki's mother Rita; Karen Carlson; Mildred Skinner; Spurgeon Stokes; Vivian Phillips; Dot and Willard Fletcher; and all the friends and members of the congregation undergoing tests, treatments and surgeries.


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