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December 7, 2017 |
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Hear About the Mission of J Street
Friday, December 8, 8:00 p.m.
at Congregation Beth Shalom
Ellen Meyer, retired attorney and mother of New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, will speak about the mission of J Street and her recent trip to Israel with J Street. Ms. Meyer will speak at Congregation Beth Shalom (1801 Baynard Boulevard, Wilmington, DE 19802) on Friday, December 8, at 8:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.
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Cookie Baking
Saturday, December 9, 9:00 a.m.
in the Westminster kitchen
The Annual Cookie Bake for use in the Christmas Boxes is this Saturday morning! Join an experienced crew for a morning of high speed baking and fellowship as we again produce 1,700+ cookies in about four hours. Come help us break the elusive 10 cookies per minute production rate! Contact Jim Carter at
[email protected]
.
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Christmas Musical Celebration
Sunday, December 10, 4:00 p.m.
This year's concert to usher in the Christmas season will be a special one indeed, as it will feature music primarily by French composers. Be prepared for a "High Romantic" musical experience! Our major work is the beloved Christmas Oratorio by Camille Saint-Saëns, which will be presented by our Westminster Choir, soloists, string orchestra, harp, and organ. Also on the program will be gorgeous instrumental works with a spotlight on solo strings and harp. As always, the concert is free of charge, and open to the entire community, with an offering received. We look forward to seeing you (and all your friends) there!
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Be an Angel!
Little Christmas Gift and Food Items Needed by This Sunday
Deadline: Sunday, December 10
Please help WPC fill a Christmas Box by Sunday! Experience the joy of providing a small "Secret Santa gift" for a child or family in need this Christmas. Thanks to angels who took extra stars (bless you!), less than 100 stars still remain on our Christmas Star Trees for your taking. The final day to contribute your items is this Sunday, December 10! Also needed are these food items: cans of corn (100), sweet potatoes/yams (171), green beans (87); boxed healthy cereal (100) and stuffing (72). RSVP for the December 15th potluck dinner and wrapping party, too! For full details, see the
December Chimes
.
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Volunteers Needed for New Meal Ministry
Information table on Sunday, December 10
Please help us provide some meals to those Westminster members in need to get them through the first few days or weeks. Using an online program, Meal Train, we coordinate meal deliveries with the recipients. So far, three church families have benefited from meals provided by WPC volunteers. You do not need to participate every time - only as you can. If you are interested in learning more and/or volunteering, look for the Meal Ministry table at the Holy Toast Café following the 9:00 a.m. service on Sunday, December 10, or contact Mercer Watt at
[email protected]
or (610) 247-6315.
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2017 Christmas Poinsettias
Deadline: Monday, December 11
You are invited to contribute toward the decoration of the church for the Christmas season in memory of, or in honor of, loved ones.
Click here
to download and print the form. The form is also available on the main literature table next to the reception desk at church. The deadline is Monday, December 11. For any form received after that date, the names will be listed in the December 31st bulletin.
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Chimes Deadline Reminder
Monday, December 11, 11:00 a.m.
The deadline for the JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 issue of our newsletter, The Westminster Chimes, is Monday, December 11, at 11:00 a.m. This is a double month issue! Please submit your articles online. Go to www.wpc.org/communications and click on "Submit an Article." If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Hughes ([email protected] or 302-654-5214 ext. 130).
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Wednesday Evening Taizé Services
December 13 and 20, 6:30 p.m.
in Rodney Chapel
It's the most hectic time of the year! Take a break from the hectic pace of the Christmas season and join us for a brief time of prayer and reflection, silence and song, inspired by the worship of the Taizé Community in France.
Click here
for our Taizé flyer. Or for more information, contact the Rev. Sudie Niesen Thompson at
[email protected]
.
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Only 2 Weeks Away: Eat, Drink and Christmas Carol!
Sunday, December 17,
12:00 Noon - 2:30 p.m.
All you need is a desire to share the Christmas spirit and a hearty appetite! Come Christmas caroling with a group of fun people as we go singing in some of the retirement communities and healthcare centers in our area. Meet in Community Hall at 12:00 noon for a pizza lunch hosted by the Deacons. At 12:30, we will divide into groups to go Christmas caroling! All voices and ages are welcome! RSVP for the pizza lunch by contacting Kris Marvel at
[email protected]
or call/text (302) 540-9983.
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One Morning Service: 4th Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 24, 10:00 a.m.
On Sunday, December 24, we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Advent with one morning worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. Continue your Advent journey with us as we light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath and prepare to welcome the Christ child. Please note that this is not a "Christmas Eve" service.
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Christmas Eve at Westminster
Sunday, December 24
Services for Families with Young Children
4:00 and 5:30 p.m.
Informal, lively services combining the story of Jesus' birth with the singing of familiar carols. Child care for infants and toddlers is available in the Nursery for the 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. services.
Candlelight Communion Services
8:00 and 10:00 p.m.
Traditional candlelight services with communion, choral offerings, and sermon by Dr. Jones. Westminster Choir at 8:00 p.m. | Alumni Choir at 10:00 p.m.
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Make Your 2017 Christmas Offering Online
Now through December 26
Our Christmas offering gives us the chance to share a portion of our blessings with those in need. Refer to the December Chimes or the Christmas Offering letter that you will receive next week to see how the offering will be distributed. Until December 26 at 4:00 p.m., you can set up a one-time transaction to be deducted from a checking or savings account. Visit
www.wpc.org
and click "Donate Now" to login or create a new profile. You may also bring your gift to any worship service in December or mail it to the church. For questions, contact Colleen Falasco (302-654-5214 ext. 131 or
[email protected]
). Thank you for your support of Christ's work!
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One Morning Service on December 31
Sunday, December 31, 10:00 a.m.
On Sunday, December 31, we will gather for one morning worship service at 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary.
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Campaign Update: "Our Faith, Our Foundation, Our Future"
Westminster's capital campaign, "Our Faith, Our Foundation, Our Future", is coming to a successful conclusion. To date, the campaign has received commitments totaling $2,728,861, allowing Westminster to provide needed endowment for our building, fund the cost of the campaign and provide approximately $500,000 in additional support for mission. In recognition of the many generous donors who have supported this effort, a plaque listing donor names (without specific gift levels) is being created. Any members or friends who still wish to participate in the campaign, and to have their name(s) included on the plaque, should make their pledge by January 15, 2018. Note: Letters of Intent are available by clicking here, on the table by the receptionist's desk, or by calling the church office.
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Featured Photo
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Westminster members Dan Weintraub and Nancy Fleming enjoy the "Love Gives" event on Sunday, November 26.
Click here to see more photos!
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My Story - Barbara Hoover
The music of Westminster Church drew me as I arrived in 1959, a young mother with a thirsting desire to continue my choir singing. The Allegro movement began, singing with John Thoms and with Paul, enriching my spiritual life. Church life slowed a bit, but the theme was established in the Andante movement as I experienced the warmth of the Westminster family and Paul's amazing music on the organ, which became an oasis helping me through tragic times. Now the dance of the Scherzo movement is my life as I participate in a small study group with dear friends. I know the Finale will be coming, but hope it won't be a hurried one as I bask in the love and spiritual inspiration from my Westminster family.
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Did you notice the whimsical, golden star in Community Hall this past Sunday? This star will travel throughout the season of Advent, as it guides our journey to the Christ Child. Like the wise men - who saw the star at its rising and followed it to Bethlehem - watch for the star as it moves closer to the manger!
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Love Gives - Respond With Joy!
As this year draws to a close, we ask you to make
your
2018 pledge
to Westminster, knowing that your gifts are used wisely in so many ways that demonstrate the love of God in our world. It is your generosity that makes it possible for our church to express God's love in so many meaningful ways. Watch our
new video
, which features Paul Fleckenstein and the Westminster Choir, and give prayerful consideration to your response to God's love for us, expressing your gratitude for all this community of faith means to you. Your generosity will have such profound impact on so many lives. Thank you!
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Year End Pledge Contributions
We know it is a very busy time of year, but we hope you will take time to make sure your pledge is paid in full before year end. If you have any questions, please contact Colleen Falasco, Director of Financial Operations, at
[email protected]
or (302) 654-5214 ext. 131.
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Donations of appreciated stock can be advantageous from a tax perspective. The church sells the stock and will apply the average value on the date of the transfer toward your pledge. Please contact Colleen Falasco, Director of Financial Operations, at
[email protected]
or (302) 654-5214 ext. 131 for details and instructions regarding the transfer of stock.
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Greeters Needed for Sunday Services and Special Events
Love making people feel at home? Enjoy meeting new people and seeing friends? We would love to have you join the Greeters team. All you need is a friendly smile and the willingness to reach out to others. Depending upon the time slot and location you choose, your commitment to this great need is only 15-30 minutes each time you volunteer. For more information or to sign up, please contact Mercer Watt at (610) 247-6315 or
[email protected]
. We hope you will join us!
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"Let There Be Color" Advent Devotionals Available!
Advent means "coming" and is the name given to the four weeks leading to Christmas. During Advent, the church awaits the birth of the Christ child and prepares for Christ's coming. We hope you will mark this season of preparation through worship, as well as through personal prayer and reflection at home. There are Advent Devotionals, published by the creative minds at A Sanctified Art, available to guide you in this practice. You can pick one up from the literature table at church.
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Out of Chaos...Hope
Westminster members' response to the 2017 hurricane blitz works through the expert systems developed by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Anticipating Maria's aim on Puerto Rico, presbyters were prepared with the required support forms. Today PDA strives to support local partners, churches and presbyters impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria while last year's Matthew and Hermine areas continue recovery. PDA Internationally, works to restore civil society to Syria, South Sudan, Bangladesh, and Mexico City. We proudly join Presbyterian congregations everywhere who have together contributed 5.5 million for such disaster relief.
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Member Deaths - Those Who Have Joined the Church Triumphant
Please remember in prayer those who are grieving the loss of their loved one.
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Photo Prayer
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Wealth
So many ways to measure wealth:
family and friends,
income and assets,
health and good looks,
intelligence and skills,
education and achievements,
miles traveled and years remembered,
victories sweet and defeats redeemed,
wisdom won and apologies accepted,
trespasses forgiven and sins confessed,
prayers offered and thanksgivings said.
If there is nothing to watch on TV tonight,
we shall not complain.
Photo of lamp and television in Devonshire, England, 2004.
Photograph 2004 and prayer 2017 © Danny N. Schweers
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Welcome to the Westminster Weekly Word!
If you would like to submit an announcement for our
e-newsletter or monthly newsletter, please visit
www.wpc.org/communications
.
You are receiving this weekly e-newsletter because you are a member or friend of Westminster Presbyterian Church and have submitted your email address for our records. At the bottom of this page are links to forward this e-newsletter, update your profile/email address, or unsubscribe. Thank you! |
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1502 West 13th Street | Wilmington, DE 19806 | (302) 654-5214 |
www.wpc.org
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