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For Friday, November 17, 2017
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 WFPC Officers' Column
Lost on The Way to the Greenway
An acquaintance told me about an experience she and her husband shared this past summer. For months, they'd heard about how nice the Greenway was for walking and biking, so they set out to share the experience. They'd seen signs for where the Greenway crossed streets in neighborhoods near where they lived so hadn't looked for specific directions of where they would locate an entry. At several points, they could see the Greenway; it didn't cross a street and remained out of reach. They thought they would be enjoying their walk, not riding around in circles, looking, seeking, being pushed. "Find the Greenway." After a long time, they found an entry, parked their car then started to enter the Greenway on that side of the street. Then, without speaking, both turned and went the other way. It really didn't matter; or did it? After a few minutes of walking, they rounded a curve and there, slumped on a bench, was a woman who looked in distress. Due to health and memory problems, she'd recently moved in with her daughter who lived some distance away. Without her family's knowledge, she'd gone out, somehow found the Greenway and started walking. She was disoriented, close to dehydration, and very tired. The couple shared their water, got her back to their car and called the police. When it was all over, it was getting dark; the woman was safe and back with her family plus my friend and her husband had experienced the Greenway.
How many times do we find ourselves searching but not finding? How many times do we feel pushed in a direction we don't understand? How many times do we go in circles looking and seeking but not arriving? My friend likes to think God pushed them to that specific Greenway entrance. She said they couldn't explain their determination to "Find the Greenway - now." "To keep looking." "To go that way." We often question why something is happening is a certain way. We want to do things our way. Maybe we are lost on the way to the Greenway and just need to listen to God and know he is in charge.
Father God, sometimes I am frustrated because I want what I want when I want it. Please help me understand and accept, you are in charge. Let me listen for your voice to tell me the way. Let me feel for your gentle but persistent push to help me on my way.
Amen
Robin Roper
Elder, Congregational Care
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Is Your 2018 Pledge Turned In??
Remember, church family... we have a calling from our Lord to share and provide the Light of Christ in this broken world. As a church we have work to do. Support the overall ministry and mission of WFPC. If you haven't turned in your pledge card, please do so as soon as you are able. Extra pledge cards are available in the narthex and in the CLC.
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A Letter from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Sisters & Brothers in Christ,
The past few months have been devastating for communities in the U.S. and abroad. Catastrophic hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires and the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history have torn lives apart, destroyed homes and livelihoods; leaving physical and emotional scars that may never heal.
As supporters of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, you have helped us reach out to those in need, providing immediate financial support for communities cleaning up from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. You've made it possible to send National Response Team members to Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and Las Vegas, where they provided a ministry of presence. They worked with pastors and synod leaders as they helped Las Vegas recover from the shooting that left 59 people dead and more than 500 wounded. Now our hearts break once again after more than 25 people lose their lives in a mass shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. PDA has been on the scene to help churches and communities cope.
We are blessed to be able to fund large-scale emergency relief projects in South Sudan, as well as peace-building initiatives in the country. Because of you, we are able to build the capacity of our Presbyterian siblings in the Mexican Communion of Reformed and Presbyterian Churches so they can assist in the recovery following the earthquakes, and be equipped to respond to future disasters.
These are indeed trying times, but God is strong and will lead us through this period of pain, anger, frustration and hopelessness.
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Chick Flicks in November
Please join us at Chick Flicks for fellowship, fun, and a great movie each month. We will meet tonight to watch "Lion." We will gather between 6:30 and 7:00 and start the movie around 7:15 at the home of Diane Terrell. Please bring an appetizer and beverage of your choice. RSVP to Trish Floyd (pjfloyd90@gmail.com) or Diane Terrell (dianegterrell@gmail.com).
In December, we will be meeting on the 4th Friday, December 22, so mark your calendar!)
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Church Database Update
Has your email address changed? Have you gotten rid of your landline? Do you have a new work phone number? As we are getting ready to move to a new software system at WFPC, we are trying to update our membership database and make it as accurate as possible. If anything has changed for you, please let us know so that we can update our records. You can email Cindy Shriver at officeadmin@wakeforestpres.org. Thank you!
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Thanks, and See You in January!
Have you ever stopped to think about what goes into the amazing Wednesday Night Dinners that we enjoy here at WFPC? Each week under the expert guidance of Mandy Duguid, our amazingly gifted Director of Food Ministries, a team of folks comes together and devotes 70 man-hours to put our dinner on the table and clean up afterward. Many thanks to these wonderful workers: Nancy Bates, J.C. Clement, Ken and Ann Cobb, Sue Crawford, Ellen Cutler, Lisa Dolfi, Kathy Dudley, Stephanie Gregory, Paula Hawkins, Loretta Highfield, Charlie Hobbs, Mike and Arlene Konkus, Dale and Jenna Krisher, Kevin Meese, Kathy Quibell, Marica Rhoten, Robin Roper, Si and Millie Seiler, Paul and Carol Swartz, Charline Tice, Dean and Les Tryon, Jim and Dana Wills, and Shirley Wood. If you'd like to join this amazing team, we can always use help serving and cleaning up on Wednesdays! Contact Mandy at mandyduguide@wakeforestpres.org. See you on January 10!
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Advent Decorating
Christmas helpers are needed to decorate the sanctuary, narthex, and entrance to the church. The first Sunday in Advent is December 3; decorating needs to be completed before Walk Through Bethlehem begins on December 1. There are two opportunities to join the festivities: 9:30 AM on Monday, November 27, in the sanctuary and 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 30 to unload and place the poinsettias in the sanctuary. Any questions, please contact Sandie Buda at
sandiebuda@nc.rr.com. Your help is greatly appreciated!
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Walk Through Bethlehem
December 1, 6:00-9:00
December 2, 5:00-9:00
December 3, 5:00-8:00
WTB WORKDAYS: November 18 and 25
On Saturday, November 18, we will work on the breezeway area and finish hanging the felt. On Saturday, November 25, we will install the props on the main set. Please contact Paul Swartz at swartzp51@gmail.com if you have questions.
10,000 COOKIES!
Walk Through Bethlehem has over 3,000 visitors each year. Part of our hospitality is to share cookies and a hot drink with our guests. Please consider a donation of cookies (Christmas cookies are the best!) or a monetary donation for hot drinks. Drop off your cookies in the kitchen or at the desk in the narthex beginning this Sunday. Checks can be dropped in the offering plate with "WTB Refreshments" on the memo line. Questions? mandyduguid@wakeforestpres.org.
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Mission and Service
This year Mission and Outreach is doing a new thing -- we're going to have two Christmas trees set out that have "ornaments" for you to take home. They'll highlight three missions of the church to which you and your family can give gifts: Christmas Angel, Back Pack Buddies, and the PC USA Giving Catalog. You'll pick an ornament that will have instructions on how to help; we will "de-decorate" our trees all the way up to Christmas Eve. Keep an eye out for more information to come!
M2M Says Thank You
WFPC is grateful for the support of Lowe's Foods at 12524 Capital Blvd. for their corporate support and the personal support of their manager, Ricky Edwards, in hosting our Veteran's Day Mission 2 Military drive to collect food, money, and personal items which M2M ships in small boxes to individual members of our Armed Forces serving abroad.
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Body & Soul Ministry
What kinds of problems does diabetes cause?
Diabetes affects almost all of the major organ systems in the body. Most problems are related to having a blood glucose level that is higher than is optimal. Organs and tissues affected include:
- Heart and blood vessels -- You're at least twice as likely to have heart problems and strokes as people who don't have diabetes. Blood vessel damage or nerve damage may also cause foot problems that can sometimes lead to amputations. People with diabetes are ten times likelier to have their toes and feet removed than those without the disease.
- Eyes -- Diabetes is the leading cause of new vision loss among adults ages 20 to 74 in the U.S. Some of the problems caused by diabetes include glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy, which involves the small blood vessels in your eyes.
- Kidneys -- Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure in adults in the U.S. Almost half of new cases of kidney failure are caused by diabetes.
- Nerves -- As many as 70% of people with diabetes get some type of nerve damage. Nerve damage can cause pain, burning, or a loss of feeling in your feet, hands, or other body parts. It can also damage the nerves that control internal organs, causing slowing of the movement of digested foods out of the stomach, difficulty telling when the bladder is full, dizziness, fainting, and not knowing when blood glucose is low.
- Gums and teeth -- Diabetes puts you at higher risk for gum disease, which, in turn, may cause bleeding, swelling, or pulling of gums away from teeth.
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His Kids News
THIS WEEK IN SUNDAY SCHOOL: "Solomon Builds a Temple" from 1 Kings 6:1-38. Car question: Solomon built a beautiful temple in which to remember and worship God. Where are other places we can worship God?
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SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EVE FAMILY SERVICE:
WFPC Children's Ministry invites you and your child to join us in a beautiful new tradition...a Christmas Eve pageant! ALL children have a role in the pageant, no rehearsal required! All families are encouraged to join us in the CLC on Sunday, December 24, at 9:00 AM as the children of the church present the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
You will have the opportunity right after Thanksgiving to sign your child up for one of the following roles:
Animal - We will have animal masks for children to wear if they choose to be an animal! And animal costumes from home are welcomed!
Angel - Angels wear tinsel halos, which are provided. Wear white leggings or tights.
Shepherd - Shepherds provide their own bathrobes; headpieces are provided. Please have the children wear Tevas or summer sandals.
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UPCOMING DATES TO PUT ON YOUR CALENDAR:
SHinE year-end celebration on Saturday, November 18
Club 4/5 on Sunday, November 19
Walk Through Bethlehem on December 1, 2, and 3
First Fridays Movie Night on December 8
~Katherine Peiper, Director of Children, Families and Youth Ministries |
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Youth News
SALT RETREAT:
Thank you for your prayers and support for our trip last weekend! Our Youth Leadership Team had a great weekend growing together in faith and fellowship. We explored Revelations 21:3-5 and making all things new. We are so grateful for our WFPC family!
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WE NEED SINGERS!
All middle school and high school youth are invited to join a choir to sing at the 9:00 AM service on Christmas Eve (arriving at 8:15). Rehearsals will be on 11/29, 12/6, 12/13 and 12/20 from 5:30 until 6:00 in the CLC. If you are interested or have any questions, contact Lisa Dolfi at lisadolfi@gmail.com.
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LITURGICAL DANCE: All youth are invited to join Liturgical Dance on December 10. If you are interested, please plan on rehearsing November 19 and 26 from 6:00-7:00 and December 8 from 7:00-8:00. Contact Lynn Briones at lbhousefull@gmail.com.
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UPCOMING YOUTH DATES:
| November 19 |
Middle School Youth 4:30-6:00
High School Youth 6:00-8:00 (Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner) |
| November 26 |
Regular Youth Group |
| December 3 |
Walk Through Bethlehem (No Youth Group) |
| December 10 |
Random Acts of Kindness (We will need adults too!) |
| December 17 |
Middle School Christmas Party
High School Class Dinners |
| Decemer 24 |
No Youth Group |
| December 31 |
No Youth Group |
~Janet Briley, Assistant Director of Youth Ministries | youth@wakeforestpres.org
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| November 19 Scripture, Sermon and Music
Our Scripture will be Exodus 20:8-11. Pastor John Fawcett will share his sermon, "Shabbat Shalom."
Click here
to check out our Music Ministry's selections.
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2017 Annual Budget
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$883,212.00
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Year-to-date Budgeted (October)
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$727,510.00
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Year-to-date Actual (October)
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$689,247.47
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Year-to-date
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$38,262.53
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November Budget
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$77,351.00 |
| November Tithes and Offerings (thru 11/12/17) |
$34,898.57 |
| November 12, 2017 |
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| Tithes and Offerings |
$10,517.40 |
| Designated Gifts |
$435.00 |
| Debt Elimination Gifts |
$637.00 |
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Sunday School Attendance
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79 |
| 9:00 Attendance |
224 |
| 11:15 Attendance |
152 |
Debt Elimination Monthly Budget
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$8,000.00
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| Debt Elimination Received (thru 11/12/17) |
$2,617.00 |
...all shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.
Deuteronomy 16:17
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WFPC Calendar Highlights
Friday, November 17
6:15 AM |
CLC B017 | Friday Morning Men's Bible Study
6:30 PM |
Offsite | Chick Flicks
Saturday, November 18
7:00 AM |
CLC Youth Room | Iron Sharpens Iron
8:00 AM |
WFPC | Walk Through Bethlehem Workday
Sunday, November 19
9:00 AM |
CLC | Contemporary Worship
10:00 AM |
Campus Wide | Discipleship Hour
11:15 AM |
Sanctuary | Traditional Worship
3:00 PM |
CLC | Club 4/5
4:30 PM | Youth Room
| Middle School Youth Group
6:00 PM | Youth Room | High School Youth Group
6:00 PM | Sanctuary | Liturgical Dance
Monday, November 20
6:00 PM |
CLC
| FaithFit
7:00 PM |
Campus Wide | Boy Scouts
5:00 PM |
Off Campus
| HOPE Tutoring
6:45 PM |
CLC
| Praise Team Rehearsal
Wednesday, November 22
5:30 AM | CLC | FaithFit Morning
7:00 PM |
Sanctuary
| Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, November 23
Closed for Thanksgiving
Friday, November 24
Closed for Thanksgiving
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Wake Forest Presbyterian Church
12605 Capital Blvd
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919-556-7777
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