The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, February 17, 2022

SMILING FACES OF GOD

The other day, I was stressed. I had a lot on my to-do list that wasn't getting crossed off as fast as I had hoped, and I could sense it was affecting my interactions with others. I don't know about you, but that's one of my signs that I'm stressed: when I fail to have the patience or understanding that I normally would have. It really shows up when I'm driving - my reactions to other drivers varies widely depending on my stress level!

Anyway, I was not having a great day, with stress and anxiety filling my mind. I was sitting at my desk in my office, and I heard the children from the preschool gathering in the hallway getting ready to leave for the day. I turned around and what did I see poking through my doorway but two smiling faces - a boy and girl. They asked about the Legos on my desk (a great conversation starter for children!), and they wished me a great day. My mood suddenly changed, the stress melted away, and my outlook improved dramatically.

I believe God has a way of sending us those moments of hope when we need them the most. It could be a child's face that reminds you of joy amid so much despair in the world. It could be a text message from a friend you haven't heard from in a while, reminding you of good times from your shared past. It could be a kind act by a stranger, offering you assistance when you were out of other options. The challenge for us a lot of the time is to recognize those God moments when they happen - to not miss them amid our busyness.

As you walk this journey of life, may you experience the joy of God when you most need it, and in so doing be reminded that you are never alone as you live out your calling as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

With a full and grateful heart,

Frank

THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC

Parlor Class – 9:30am

Sunday School – 9:30am

Adult Sunday School Class – 9:30am

Worship Service – 10:30am click HERE for the bulletin

@The Table Worship – 5:00pm – Click HERE for participating on Zoom and click HERE for the @TheTable bulletin for this Sunday.

SCOUT SUNDAY – FEBRUARY 20

This Sunday, February 20, we will celebrate Scout Sunday at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church, as members of Scout Troop 398 will be participating in our morning service, including sharing the message in worship. We are grateful for all our scouts and their families, and look forward to welcoming them that day!

@ THE TABLE SERVICE – FEBRUARY 20 - SERVICE OF WHOLENESS AND PRAYER

We are tired from two years of pandemic. We are in pain from physical, emotional, and social ills. If you are hurting and seeking wholeness in these challenging times, you're invited to join us Sunday evening for our Service of Wholeness and Prayer. Our @The Table Service will be on Zoom at 5:00pm - click HERE for the link to join us. All are welcome as we come seeking God's healing, grace, and love.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Preschool Registration

IT'S REGISTRATION TIME!! Registration has begun for the new school year at the Preschool! Registration forms can be found on the website and on the board outside the Preschool office. Registration is now open to the public.

Please click HERE for the Christian Education brochure.

Vacation Bible School

North Castle is hidden in a frozen land. The King’s valiant Knights are on a quest in search of the King’s Armor. But the armor isn’t what they think it is. Knights of North Castle: Quest for the King’s Armor invites children to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power by exploring how we put on the armor of God. Join us at the North Castle June 13-17 from 9am to noon each day that week for Vacation Bible School (VBS). Kids will take on the role of brave Knights and begin their quest each session by opening the King’s Book. They’ll explore Old and New Testament stories and discover different pieces of protective armor—the Belt of Truth, the Breastplate of Justice, the Shoes of Peace, the Shield of Faith, and the Helmet of Salvation—at work in the lives of familiar Bible characters, and explore how that armor works in their own lives as they follow and serve God.

To make this VBS week a success, we need LOTS of volunteers. We will need people to help with snacks, crafts, games, music, bible story time, set design and creation. Please email Blythe (blytheclifford@gmail.com) or Allisen (lettography@gmail.com) if you are willing to help. We will hold a volunteer meeting once we have a group of folks ready to go. Youth in grades 6-12 and college students are welcome to volunteer (preferably those with experience working with children). Come ready to work. Even if you can’t volunteer every day, we can find a place for you to help. Registration for attendees can be downloaded HERE (completed forms can be emailed to Blythe/Allisen or left in the VBS box at Church).

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

High School Trip to Holden Beach Deposits Due February 27

Thanks to Larry, Lydia and Lily, we have rescheduled the high school mission weekend to March 25-28! We will drive down on Friday after school, work with WARM on Saturday, worship/hangout at the beach on Sunday, work a half day Monday, and then return to Raleigh (March 28 is a teacher workday). We will stay at the Shelton's beach house in Holden Beach and work at a site in Brunswick County. Interested high schoolers can reserve their spot with an email expressing their interest and a $50 deposit by February 27. A negative PCR COVID test within 3 days of the trip is required & rapid tests may be administered before leaving (depending on availability).

Summer Trip Deposits Due February 27

Mark your calendars for these summer trips now! Reserve your spot for each of these trips with a $100 check. Registration deposits are due on February 27. Note: Anna will be looking for extra chaperones for all of these trips. Adults, take a look at your calendars and let Anna know if you're interested in joining us!

Massanetta Middle School Conference - June 21-24
Montreat Youth Conference (High School) - July 24-30
High School Mission Trip - August 7-13

If you are interested, please contact Anna at youth@wbpresbyterian.org.

T-Shirt Fundraiser for Youth Trips

WBPC Youth are fundraising for summer trips with a t-shirt sale! T-shirts were designed by Anna Richardson Raab and will be printed on Bella + Canvas fair trade cotton t-shirts. T-shirts can be purchased for a donation of $20 each, but donations of any size are welcome. Payments won't be collected until t-shirts arrive, but pre-ordering is required so that we know how many to order. You can pre-order your shirts using this form HERE.

WAYS

TO

GIVE BACK

HELP FOR FARM WORKERS - CHURCH WOMEN UNITED MINISTRY AND WBPC PARTICIPATION

For the last several years WBPC has contributed to the Church Women United (CWU) effort to help migrant farmworkers coming to NC. Previously we have contributed health kits with 10-12 items. This year the Episcopal Farm Ministry has asked us to contribute the items individually so workers can select the items they need.

WBPC is going to be collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste (regular size). We will try to collect 100 of each, so if you would like to help the workers who pick our produce, please purchase a few toothbrushes or toothpaste tubes to contribute. There will be a box outside Frank’s office labeled for this collection and we will be collecting through March 13.

Thank you in advance for helping the essential NC farm workers. Any questions, contact Sandy Irving (919-787-2254 or s-dirving@earthlink.net).

MISSION OUTREACH COMMITTEE

Sarah Woodard and the entire CDCA organization in Nicaragua need our prayers as they begin yet another year without volunteers coming to provide medical supplies, care and vital lodging revenue. The need is very great and a drop in funding support places a heavy strain on the organization. One small way our congregation can help is to order high quality, organic, fair trade coffee from Farmer Shares. Please visit their website to learn more about the products offered and consider placing a generous order HERE.

Presbyterians on God's Mission around the world: Israel-Palestine Peacemaking - Click HERE to learn more.

WAYS

TO GET INVOLVED

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE – FEBRUARY 23

Unashamed, the southern gospel quartet that we all love, is making another appearance this week at WNL! Please join us for a wonderful dinner and even more amazing gospel music. The menu includes beef tips with rice and all the sides, vegetarian options available also. Dinner will be served at 5:45 pm. If you are not comfortable dining in, feel free to join us at 6:30 to enjoy the music. Additionally, to-go plates are available if you just want a grab-and-go dinner.

Please bring donations, food or money, for the Urban Ministries Food Bags.

We are also in need of volunteers to bring dessert and help with cleanup. Please indicate your willingness to volunteer on the Sign-Up Genius.

Please RSVP if you plan to join us for dinner, and indicate dietary restrictions by Monday, February 21 using the Sign-Up Genius link HERE, emailing the Fellowship Committee at fellowship@wbpresbyterian.org or calling the church office at 919-851-4713.

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM – FEBRUARY 21

BJF meets via zoom on Mondays at noon to 1:30pm. Our current book of study is Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance by Edgar Villanueva. We plan to study this book for the next two weeks until Lent. Each week different members will lead the discussion. All are welcome to join. Click HERE for participating in Monday's meeting via Zoom.

RACIAL EQUITY INSTITUTE (REI) GROUNDWATER TRAINING – MARCH 26

REI is hosting a FREE virtual Groundwater training on Saturday, March 26 from 9am-noon. REI is a Black-owned business out of Greensboro, NC, which is comprised of a multiracial team of trainers committed to the work of anti-racism transformation. They provide amazing and powerful insights into the origin, signs and symptoms of systemic racism. They provide racial equity training throughout the U.S. REI aims to have diverse and ecumenical participation. They are offering this training to other churches and social justice groups in our community and are receiving a great deal of interest. There are 100 slots available, and they're beginning to fill up. If you are interested in participating in the training, HERE is the letter of invitation - when downloaded, it gives you the hyperlink to register. Or you may contact Kathy Huffstetler to register (919-815-1748 huffstetler.k@gmail.com).

NOTES FROM THE ADMIN DESK

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, February 21, in observance of Presidents’ Day. We will have normal office hours the remainder of each week. Please refer to the February Calendar if you have questions about meetings. If you want to reserve a room, please email admin@wbpresbyterian.org. If you have photos from Church events this year, please share them with us. You may upload your pictures directly to our shared Church album by clicking HERE.

HAVE YOU SIGNED-UP FOR REALM?

Realm is our online directory for church members, and is a great way to find people’s contact information, make online contributions, and share with us changes to your address, phone, email, etc. It’s easy to start! Just let Quentesa know in the church office, and she will send you an invite to join (admin@wbpresbyterian.org).

PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS

If you have a prayer concern, please contact Frank Mansell (frank@wbpresbyterian.org), Marcia Bennett (sen1969@hotmail.com), or Betty Dean (betdean@nc.rr.com) and request that it be added to the Prayer Chain. Please note that any confidential prayer requests will not be added to the Prayer Chain.

Click HERE for a list of February Birthdays!

Visit our Website