The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church
Thursday, June 9, 2022
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Being Attentive
On Tuesday, I had to have our girls’ car worked on at Cox Car Care, on the corner of Powell and Western Boulevard. I dropped it off before 8:00am, and then walked from there back to the church. Thankfully, it was before it got real hot! But it gave me a chance to do something I had not done for a while: to be attentive to my surroundings.
As I took the fifteen-minute walk back to the church, I noticed:
- A variety of homes that ranged in age, size, and upkeep. There were new homes being constructed off of Powell, there were houses that were set-back from the street under a huge canopy of trees, there were multi-family units along Powell, and there were modest homes along Melbourne and Kaplan, some of which were in need of some TLC.
- People: the woman walking her dog, the man taking his morning walk, both of whom smiled and greeted me as we passed each other. The older man picking up his newspaper out of the driveway. The numerous people passing by me in their cars, on their way to work or school or whatever their day had in store.
- The quiet amid the noise. As I crossed the bridge over the Beltline, I was immersed in the rush of sound that came from the traffic flying underneath me. But before and after that, I noticed sounds that came from stillness and quiet. A bird chirping up in the tall pine tree, a dog barking off in the distance, a child laughing from their backyard.
I appreciated this opportunity to get out of my normal morning routine, to not be rushing here and there in the car, and to be forced to pay attention to my surroundings in a specific way. It made me think more deeply about the people who are our neighbors – Who are they? What are their stories? What are their needs and hopes and desires in life? How might we invite them into conversation and welcome them for who they are?
I hope you are able to find times in life that force you to intentionally stop and be attentive in new ways. For perhaps in doing so, God is offering us new lenses through which we might view our world and the children of God we are called to be in community with.
With a full and grateful heart,
Frank
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THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC
No Sunday School – Sunday school and Children’s Chapel are on summer hiatus.
Worship Service – 10:30am – Click HERE for the bulletin.
@The Table Worship – 5:00pm – The Zoom link may be found on the bulletin that’s available for download HERE.
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Please click HERE for the Christian Education brochure.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL – JUNE 13-17
The WBPC VBS Team needs your help with donations of supplies! Please click HERE to sign up to donate as you are able. For more information, questions, comments, or concerns, please email Blythe (blytheclifford@gmail.com) or Allisen (lettography@gmail.com).
MONTREAT CHAPERONE NEEDED – JULY 24-30
Anna needs a 2nd adult to help her with cooking & general chaperoning. We have a small group of youth attending, and will be sharing housing with another church, so there will be a couple of other adults around. It should be a low key and fun week! Let Anna know if you're interested ASAP (youth@wbpresbyterian.org).
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MISSION OUTREACH
Presbyterians Engage in God's Mission: “Following Christ Leads to Faithful Discipleship” Click HERE to learn more.
DO YOU HAVE EXTRA WHEELS?
Is there a car that you are no longer using? Do you know of an older adult no longer feeling confident about driving? The unused vehicle in any condition is urgently needed by Wheels 4 Hope. This nonprofit repairs and cleans donated vehicles and makes them available to waiting families who must being receiving services from a partner organization and pay $500 for the car. A vehicle is vital for stable employment. Please share this information with friends and neighbors. A used car can be a life saver.
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DAY AT THE LAKE – SATURDAY, JUNE 11
Join us this Saturday for an exciting church family event, “Day at the Lake”, at Falls Lake, Sandling Beach, Shelter #4. This is a great time for family and church fellowship. The morning begins around 10:30 am with inter-generational games followed by a devotional time. After a delicious lunch, the afternoon is free time for folks to enjoy boating, swimming, eating, hiking, biking, and playing games. Fishing is also possible, but a fishing license is required.
The meal is free, but families are encouraged to bring a food item (sides and desserts) to supplement hotdogs and hamburgers along with beverages for your family. There is no refrigeration so bring items that do not require refrigeration or bring a cooler.
The fee is $7.00 per car to enter the lake area.
Invite friends to join us for this fun event. There is a nice shelter with a nice beach area and a nearby playground. The shelter has bathrooms and is wheelchair accessible. All ages are encouraged to attend.
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BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM – JUNE 13
Some of our Biblical Justice Forum members will be volunteering for Vacation Bible School. Therefore, we will not meet on June 13. On June 20, we will begin a 6 week study on The Restoration Bible Study. The Zoom meeting link will be provided next week.
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THE CONNETTE SCHOLARSHIP
An anonymous donor started a fund for The Connette Scholarship in honor of our previous pastor, Betty Connette. The fund had $24,017.66 as of April 30, 2022. Applications for the Connette scholarship for Fall Semester 2022 are being accepted with a deadline of June 30, 2022. The scholarship amount available is $1000 for Fall semester and will be for one scholarship or split for two scholarships depending on applications. The scholarship will be renewable for Spring semester 2023 if the recipient(s) make satisfactory progress. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to church members or active youth fellowship participants to attend a University, College or Community College. Criteria include church participation, community service, academic achievement, and financial need. The applicant must have been accepted for enrollment for Fall Semester or be a continuing student for the Fall Semester. You may access the application HERE.
If interested in applying, please contact Phil Westerman (westerma@ncsu.edu or 919-851-1332) or Anna Richardson Raab (youth@wbpresbyterian.org) or Quentesa Pierce (admin@wbpresbyterian.org or 919-851-4713).
If anyone would like to contribute to the Connette Scholarship to enable students to benefit from it for years to come, write a check to WBPC and earmark it “Connette Scholarship”.
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.
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.
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ATHENS DRIVE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
NEW Summer (EXPANDED) HOURS! Starting June 14, you can access the Athens Drive Community Library during the day Monday through Friday! The library is also open on Saturday and Sunday! Click HERE for the hours of operation.
RESERVATIONS, PICTURES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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.
If you would like your birthday included on the monthly birthday list, please update your personal information on Realm or contact the church office.
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Click HERE for June birthdays! | | | | |
