December 4, 2019 Dear friends and fellow disciples, Advent is upon us! Westminster’s campus is abuzz with preparation for the season, while outside construction continues on the foundation and retaining wall for our new Fellowship Hall. Exciting! We welcomed new staff last Sunday, to the sound of trumpets to begin the Advent season in worship. The Lovefeast, in many ways the true beginning of the season for me, was led so well by our youth and the Lovefeast Choir.

One of my favorite Sundays of the year is coming up this weekend: Advent Lessons & Carols with the Chancel Choir, on Sunday, December 8 . Our choir and talented instrumentalists have been working hard to prepare. The beautiful music, inspired singing, and Scripture readings will set our hearts for the season. This is a great Sunday to bring a friend to church Next week we move full steam ahead into Advent with several wonderful events – get all the details below and make plans to join us.

Greet & Gift at Bull City Trading Company Monday, December 9, 7:00-9:00 pm Drop by Bull City Fair Trade (811 9 th St) to greet our three new staff members - Alex, Cherrie, and Marietta - and gift friends and family with hand-crafted items made by artisans from around the world. Bull City Fair Trade will be closed to the public so we’ll have the store to ourselves as we welcome and get to know new staff, munch on light refreshments, and enjoy a 10% discount on all purchases. Bull City Fair Trade (formerly One World Market) is a nonprofit retail store focused on providing fair wages to low-income craftpersons.  Contact : Eileen McAvoy

Advent Fellowship Dinner Wednesday, December 11, 5:45pm Join your Westminster family for a festive holiday dinner in the Youth Suite! Held just after Christmas Pageant rehearsal, enjoy delicious cranberry chicken and yummy sides (with chicken nuggets for the kids), then head to Art & Carols by Candlelight afterward. It's sure to get us all into the Christmas spirit! Please RSVP here . Suggested contributions of $5 per person/$20 per family will be collected at the door.  Contact : Jennifer Feiler

Art & Carols by Candlelight Wednesday, December 11, 6:30pm Ruth Caccavale will lead a discussion of the influences of Christmas on art, paired with insights and music of the season led by Monica Rossman in the Music Room. We will sing classic Christmas carols and beautiful hymns that are made even more special by candlelight. A member of Westminster, Ruth is a former professor of art with Rutgers University and currently serves as a gallery guide at the Nasher Museum. Monica has been an active church musician for more than 40 years, serving as Associate Chapel Organist/Assistant Director of Choral Activities at Duke and on the music faculty at Ohio State before joining the staff at Westminster in 1994. Childcare will be available for ages 4 and younger. Contact : Monica Rossman

Christmas Eve Offering Recipient Announced     The Local Missions Committee has announced that Durham Habitat for Humanity , a long-time partner of ours, will be the recipient of our Christmas Eve offering. You may give any time before Christmas Eve by dropping a check into the offering plate (write Christmas Eve Offering on the memo line), or give online now . Generosity is a long-time Advent practice at WPC, and I challenge you to join me in giving to support this essential community partner.

Deadline Approaching for “Share Your Christmas” Gift Donations This year Westminster committed to serving 130 people through the "Share Your Christmas" program coordinated by the Durham County Department of Social Services and Triangle Nonprofit and Volunteer Leadership Center. We still have a few names left and could really use your help. Stop by the Mission Center this week during business hours to select a person to bless this season. Recommended spending is $65 minimum per individual. Please return wrapped gifts (with gift receipt in an envelope inside each package) to the Mission Center by Monday, December 9, at 4:00pm . Be sure to attach the name and case number securely to the outside of each gift. If you'd like to help with sorting and delivering the gifts, please sign up here . Contact : Amy Stanfield

It is an exciting time. As you do all of your Advent preparations, know I'm praying for you. Jesus will show up this season, I promise, often when you least expect it. Keep your eyes open, friends.

PS: Don’t forget about our Christmas Greenery Donations! You can make a donation in honor, in memory, or in celebration of someone special and help fund the purchase of our Christmas greenery. Dedications are $10 each, and forms are available in the Narthex and Mission Center. Dedication forms with payment are due December 15 . Greenery is purchased from TROSA, a Durham nonprofit that helps substance abusers become recovering, productive individuals by providing care, treatment, education, and vocational training.

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