The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Hope Will Never Die

Today we arrive at the culmination of our Lenten Journey. Six weeks ago, we began this journey on Ash Wednesday, feeling the soot of ash being pressed against our skin, reminding us that we came from this earth and our bodies will one day return to this earth. We’ve heard the biblical witness calling us to examine our lives of faith and how they are aligned with our Lord’s call to discipleship. We have gathered in small groups to study, pray, and support one another along this journey. We have welcomed Jesus into the Holy City with shouts of “Hosanna!” waving our palms and laying our cloaks on the ground. Now, we have reached the days that truly show the depth of God’s love for us in God’s only Son.

I’ve always felt that we cannot appreciate the true meaning of Easter Sunday without living through Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. We cannot appreciate the amazement of the women who first come to the tomb without realizing what they and the disciples experienced in the days that preceded Easter. Jesus sharing one last meal with his friends, a meal that we remember in our worship today. The declaration that some of those closest to him would deny and betray him, something which causes us to consider how we have treated our Lord in a similar manner in our lives. Witnessing Jesus not taking the easy road, instead choosing the path that led to suffering and death. Those who were closest to him must have felt that all hope was lost.

The power of Easter is that hope has not died in the tomb. Through all the trials we live through, God never leaves us. When we sing out on Sunday, “Jesus Christ is risen today,” we are bearing witness to the amazement and hope that the women felt at the empty tomb. It can be hard to sing that statement of faith out in full voice, to be sure. Senseless acts of gun violence, war raging across the world, poverty that oppresses millions of God’s children, health diagnoses which shatter our future plans. Even in those hopeless times, the tomb is empty. Even in those challenging moments, God has conquered death, and Jesus is alive.

As we walk these hours and days ahead, may we have faith that even in the darkest of times, God has not abandoned us, and will always be with us. That is the amazement of Easter – that hope will never die.

With a full and grateful heart,

Frank

THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC

Sunday School for All Ages – 9:30am

Worship Service – 10:30am – Happy Easter! Click HERE for the bulletin.

Easter Egg Hunt – 11:45am – On the lawn

@The Table Worship – 5:00pm – The Zoom link may be found on the bulletin that’s available for download HERE.

Youth Group – No meeting

EASTER SUNDAY

We will celebrate Christ’s victory over death in our worship services at 10:30am and at 5:00pm (@ The Table on Zoom).

We will dedicate the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Easter, one of the four special offerings of the PC(USA). Children are invited to bring their fish banks to church on Sunday!
After the morning service, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for children on the church lawn.
Also, remember to bring cut blooms from your yard to place on the special cross we will have outside the sanctuary Easter Sunday.

LENT AND HOLY WEEK

AT WESTERN BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

MAUNDY THURSDAY – TODAY – 7:00PM

We will mark this evening with a service that includes scripture, special music, reflections, and the Lord’s Supper which our Lord instituted on this night.

Lent Adult Study on the Lord's Prayer

Thank you to all who have participated in the Lenten Study on The Lord's Prayer led by Frank Mansell and Beth Ware. Click HERE to watch the final recording of the study from April 12.

Lenten Devotions

You are invited to utilize the devotions “Making the Road: Walking Through Lent,” by Teri McDowell Ott, for your spiritual nourishment this Lenten Season. Click HERE for the downloadable version of the Lenten Devotional.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Please click HERE for the Christian Education brochure.

CALLING ALL KIDS . . ..

Easter Egg Hunt – April 17

After the worship service on Easter Sunday the youth invite all children to an Easter Egg Hunt on the front lawn. Bring your baskets and see what treasures you can find. Children are encouraged to invite their friends to join us for this Easter tradition.

Vacation Bible School

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).

To make this VBS week a success, we need LOTS of volunteers 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. Attendees can register HERE.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP

Chaperones and Dinner Volunteers – Only 3 More Spots Need Filling!

Our Safe Child policy requires two adults to be present when children/youth gather. Anna is having a hard time filling in the youth advisor team. She is in need of parental/adult assistance for the rest of the year. We’ve also brought back dinner for youth group – which they’re thrilled about! If you’re interested in serving as an adult chaperone once or twice this year, or helping with providing dinner, please sign up to help out HERE.

Food Drive Volunteers Needed!

The Food Drive Kids, William and Alexander Winslow, are hosting their 10th Annual Food and Funds Drive on Saturday, April 23 from 10am-6pm. Please consider signing up for one of the 2 hour shifts. All volunteers will get a free t-shirt! Sign up HERE.

Youth Sunday – April 24

Next Sunday, we will celebrate Youth Sunday at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church. The youth will be leading our morning worship service. We hope you can join us for this special day in the life of our church, and support these incredible disciples in our midst!

Summer Trips

Mark your calendars for these summer trips now! 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.

WAYS

TO

GIVE BACK

MISSION OUTREACH

Presbyterians Engage in God's Mission: “PCUSA Mission Co-workers Have Worldwide Impact” Click HERE to learn more.

RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has created an enormous refuge crisis in Eastern Europe. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is working with partner reformed churches in Ukraine and Europe for how best to meet the ever-increasing humanitarian need. To learn more about their efforts, click HERE. If you wish to make a financial donation to support these efforts, you can do so directly through PDA or you can make a donation to WBPC and mark it "Ukraine Relief," and we will forward it to PDA.

THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY

The Prayer Shawl Ministry at Western Boulevard is alive and well. Heartfelt thanks to all who have donated shawls as they are a wonderful and well appreciated gift when given. Recipients know they are truly surrounded in prayer when they receive one. We encourage anyone who wishes to contribute to continue to do so. We would also like to remind all who want to contribute that there are four bins of available thread in the closet where the shawls are stored so please feel free to look and see if there is anything you would like to use. Again thank you for this labor of love. If you have questions, please call Deacon Martha Barrick at 919-851-2249.

FREE Prayer Shawl Patterns, Instructions, and Yarn

There is a file box in the parlor closet with free patterns for shawls, baby blankets, and hats and handouts on how to crochet for your use. We also have bags of yarn you can use (not for baby blankets - they need soft yarns like “Pound of Love” brand). If you want to contribute yarn or patterns, please leave donations in the church office.

Baby Ministry Needs Baby Blankets

Calling all crochet/knitting masters! We are having a lot of fun making prayer shawls and now we have another fun project -- baby blankets! The Baby Ministry wants to present these blankets to babies who are baptized in our church. We have a few patterns you can use and instructions on the type of yarn to use (soft!). We only need a few each year. Please email Yevonne if you are willing to make one of these special gifts from our church (ybrannon@gmail.com or 919-244-6243). Once completed, you may leave your blankets in the church office.

Got Leftover Yarn?

If you are making shawls or other knitting/crocheting projects, you know how you always have a small ball of yarn left over?! Here is your answer! The Food Drive Kids have been putting knitted/crocheted beanie hats (and gloves) in the food pantries. They are very popular and much needed. We do not need these items until next fall. If you have some time this summer and yarn left over, please consider making some hats for next fall. You may leave your creations in the church office and email or call Yevonne (ybrannon@gmail.com or 919-244-6243).

WAYS

TO GET INVOLVED

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM – APRIL 18

During Lent, Biblical Justice Forum is studying the Lenten Devotional from Presbyterians Today: A Matthew 25 Lenten experience, accessible HERE. On April 18, we will begin with discussion of the devotionals for April 12 - April 17. BJF meets via zoom on Mondays at noon to 1:30pm. Click HERE for participating in Monday's meeting via Zoom.

LOAVES AND FISHES BARBECUE CHICKEN SALE! – APRIL 23

Loaves and Fishes is pleased to hold their first Barbeque Chicken Sale! This alternative to the annual chili sale features an outdoor barbeque with two delicious options: buy a delicious whole barbequed chicken or select a big half-chicken with sides of green beans, potatoes, and a fresh roll.

Date: Saturday, April 23 – “Grab and Go” pickup at 11:30am or 1:30pm.
Location: Parking lot behind Westminster Presbyterian Church, 301 E. Whitaker Mill Rd.
Price: $15 for either option – order more and mix them if you’d like!
Order and pay in advance HERE.

FAMILY PROMISE – APRIL 24 - MAY 1

WBPC's next Family Promise week begins on April 24 through May 1. We are on the static track so we will be supplying evening meals to the Day Center for 3 to 5 families Monday through Friday. We have 3 slots still open! You can sign up HERE. Please contact Frank Fleming (ffleming2009@gmail.com) or Mel Holt (melholt18@gmail.com) and ask how you can help this local organization that is fighting homelessness right here in our community. Click HERE for more information.

CRAFT FAIR AND MISSION MARKET – APRIL 24

A day to celebrate with all of WBPC's worship, lunch, games, crafts, community groups, and a blood drive! RSVP HERE. Please share the event page and flyer with your friends and followers on social media.

BLOOD DRIVE SIGN UP

It is now possible to register to donate blood on Sunday, April 24. Simply scan the QR code in the flyer below to sign up via the Craft Fair and Mission Market Facebook event page. Or schedule an appointment HERE to share the gift of life.

ALL DRESSED UP FOR EASTER?

After the worship service, Sunday, April 17, stroll on over to Frank’s office. Chat with friends and get your picture taken for the WBPC online directory. No cost, no fuss, we promise. We are looking forward to picturing YOU!

DIVORCE CARE

If you are considering separation or divorce, don’t try to go through it alone. Connect with a DivorceCare group either in person or online. You’ll find caring people who understand the issues you face and practical counsel for decision making and managing stress. Contact DivorceCare HERE or speak with a Deacon or Elder for a list of several groups that meet in The Triangle area, churches or online.

NOTES FROM THE ADMIN DESK

Are you following @WBPresbyterian on Instagram? Click the icon below to keep up with us. If you would like your birthday included on the monthly birthday list, please update your personal information on Realm or contact the church office. Please refer to the 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.

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 April birthdays!

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