The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church
Thursday, September 8, 2022
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"The Journeys of Life"
This past weekend, Debbie and I got away for a few days of rest and renewal, as I’m sure many of you did, too. We spent the weekend in Winston-Salem, and one day we went to Hanging Rock State Park for a hike. I trusted Debbie to pick the trail, and she chose the Hanging Rock Trail. I started to think twice when we came upon a sign which read, “Warning: Serous injuries and deaths have occurred beyond this point”! We both started to question our decision when we struggled on the inclines, the steps, and the last stretch which was mostly rocks. I couldn’t imagine hiking that trail in wet conditions. By the time we reached the top, we were soaked with sweat but grateful for a place to sit, rest, and admire the view across the valley below.
When we started our return trek down the mountain, I said to Debbie, “I bet this won’t be as hard as coming up.” And true to form, it wasn’t, as our lungs weren’t struggling with the help of gravity, and it took a lot less time to get back to the start of the trail. That’s how it usually goes – when we start on a path that is new and unknown, it feels like it is taking forever to reach our destination. But when we make the return trip, it feels like it takes much less time to travel.
I believe there’s a life lesson in there for us all. When we embark on something new, it takes lots of energy, hard work, and we can be filled with lots of emotions as we are uncertain as to how things will eventually work out. It can be tiring, exhausting, and seemingly never-ending. Starting at a new school or job; moving to a new home or city; trying a new program or outreach at church – these are a few examples of what it can feel like climbing a hill that seems to go on and on and on.
But when we’ve been at our new job or school for a while, or we’ve been engaged in our new project for some time at church, and we look back and see where we’ve come from, we appreciate how that effort and hard work was worth it after all. We realize that we made it through those difficult times with the help of God’s strength and guidance. Where we maybe had self-doubt before, now we have self-confidence and affirmation of our abilities to serve in a way that is life-giving and fulfilling.
Life certainly presents moments that are full of struggle and challenge, just like trekking up Hanging Rock Trail. The good news is that we’re never alone during those difficult journeys, for God never leaves our side. That makes the return trips fulfilling and affirming, and even empowers us to help others on their respective journeys.
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday for education, worship, and service, as we all seek the nourishment we need for our journeys of faith!
With a full and grateful heart,
Frank
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THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC
Worship Service – 10:30am – Click HERE for the bulletin.
@The Table Worship – 5:00pm on Zoom. Click HERE for the order of service, which includes the link for the Zoom gathering.
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Click HERE for all the education offerings for 2022-23.
RALLY DAY THIS SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 11
On September 11 we will celebrate Rally Day, the beginning of a new church school year! Come join us for breakfast in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00am. After breakfast, we will introduce this year’s Sunday school theme, “Blessed by the Fruit of the Spirit.” Then we will introduce the fabulous teachers who will lead us through this year’s engaging curriculum. Children and youth will be dismissed to visit their classrooms and meet their classmates. Mark your calendars to join your church family for the beginning of a new church school year!
YOUTH GROUP KICK-OFF THIS SUNDAY - SEPTEMBER 11
Middle and High School Youth and their parents/families are invited to our WBPC Youth Group Kick-Off on September 11 at 4:00pm! We will enjoy a snack, have fun getting started, and talking about plans for our new year. Please feel free to contact Larry Shelton (lsheltonnc@gmail.com; 919-795-4099) if you have any questions. Also, if you aren’t getting youth group email updates from youth@wbpresbyterian.org, let us know so we can add you to our list.
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SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATIONS
Thank you for all of the school supply donations! They have been sorted and distributed to Avent West Children's Mentoring as well as Dillard Drive Middle School. These organizations were both very grateful to receive these items.
We donated:
· 23 packs of paper
· 68 notebooks
· 70 highlighters
· 96 glue sticks
· 98 erasers
· 114 pens
· 518 pencils
· 633 healthcare related items
· 990 crayons, markers and colored pencils
· 2,400 index cards
· 3,740 binder and paper clips
· 31,675 sticky notes
Dillard Drive Middle School shared these words of gratitude:
"On behalf of Dillard Drive Middle School, our staff and students, I cannot thank you enough for your generosity and support. The supplies have been amazing. Thank you!"
MISSION OUTREACH: WELCOMING OUR NEIGHBORS
The Shams family moved into our neighborhood last month after escaping Afghanistan with the US military in September. The family has been in Raleigh for a few months and we are excited that they now have a house for their family of 7. Because of the father's work with the US Army, they fled on a 60 hour journey from Kabul to New Mexico where they stayed for two months in a camp. They are adapting to life in a new country while they speak little English and have had to move a few times already.
Four of the children will attend AB Combs in the fall and the father is working at a printing company. They are working with Lutheran Family Services for support in many areas. There are certainly needs that WBPC and our neighborhood can assist with. As we determine those needs we will be reaching out to anyone interested in helping out.
We had a lovely gathering of neighbors and church members who came on July 16 to meet and welcome the Shams to our community. Thank you to all who came! If you'd like to learn more about them and how we might be able to support them, please email Kevin Fischer at wkfischer1@gmail.com.
RESPONDING TO FLOODING DISASTERS
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is actively responding to the flooding disasters that have happened this summer in Kentucky, Virginia, St. Louis, and Illinois. To learn more about their efforts, click HERE. If you wish to make a monetary donation to PDA, you can donate to Western Boulevard and mark it “Disaster Assistance,” and we will forward it on to PDA. Thank you for your generous response to our neighbors in need.
MISSION OUTREACH
Presbyterians Engage in God's Mission - Acting Like Jesus in the World - Click HERE to learn more.
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BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM - SEPTEMBER 12
On September 12 at 12:00pm, BJF will be discussing new curriculums to use starting September 26. All are welcome to join us for the discussion. Click HERE for participating in Monday's meeting. Feel free to contact Sandy Irving if you have any questions (s-dirving@earthlink.net).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE RETURNS - SEPTEMBER 14
Game Time! Yep, it’s Game Night Wednesday, September 14th with fun for everyone. We all know how competitive WBPC can get so come out and kick off the fall WNL season with good natured competition. We’ll start with a grilled chicken dinner with vegetarian options, followed by games appropriate for most ages. 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 or on the Friendship Pad. Dinner will be served at 5:45 pm. If you are not comfortable dining in, feel free to join us at 6:30 to join in the fun. Additionally, to-go plates are available if you just want a grab-and-go dinner.
Please RSVP if you plan to join us for dinner, and indicate dietary restrictions, by Monday September 12th indicating number in your party on the friendship pad, using the sign-up genius by clicking HERE, email the Fellowship Committee at fellowship@wbpresbyterian.org or calling the church office at 919-851-4713.
FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS DAY - OCTOBER 2
Join us October 2 for a Sunday of Fun! Friends and Neighbors (FAN Day) is a beloved tradition at Western Boulevard Presbyterian and this year it is better than ever. Start off with a worship service at 10:30 am followed by a BBQ lunch (vegetarian options available), inflatables, backyard games, and cap it off with a Blood Drive. This event is open to the entire community so invite your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Please RSVP below and note any dietary restrictions. 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 lunch, and indicate dietary restrictions, by Monday, September 26, by clicking HERE. Hope to see you there!
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RECEPTION FOR ANNA RICHARDSON RAAB – SEPTEMBER 18
Anna Richardson Raab finished her work with us as Youth Ministry Coordinator on August 31, and we want to express our deep gratitude for all she has done in her ministry here at Western Boulevard over the last five years. The Christian Education Committee will be hosting a reception for Anna after the morning worship service on Sunday, September 18, in the Fellowship Hall. Please plan on joining us that day as we celebrate Anna!
NEED A WALKER?
Lori Grippo has an extra walker that she doesn't need, and would love for it to have a new home! Call her at 919-851-9552 if you're interested.
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.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS: September 11 - 18
Sunday, September 11 – Rally Day
9:00am Breakfast and Sunday School Kick-Off
10:30am Worship Service
11:45am Session Meeting (Fellowship Hall)
4:00pm Youth Group Kick-Off (Fellowship Hall)
5:00pm @ The Table Service (Zoom)
Monday, September 12
12:00pm Biblical Justice Forum (Zoom)
7:00pm Christian Education Committee (Zoom)
7:00pm Scouts (Fellowship Hall and Downstairs)
Tuesday, September 13
5:30pm AventWest Children’s Mentoring (Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday, September 14
9:30am Wednesday AM Prayer Group (Fellowship Hall)
5:45pm Wednesday Night Live (Fellowship Hall)
6:30pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
7:30pm Handbell Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Thursday, September 15
6:30pm Bible Study (Zoom)
Sunday, September 18
9:30am Sunday School
10:30am Worship Service
11:45am Reception for Anna Richardson Raab (Fellowship Hall)
5:00pm @ The Table Service (Zoom)
6:30pm Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)
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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.
WE'RE HIRING! WBPC is seeking a Director of Christian Education & Community Engagement. If you or someone you know is interested, please click HERE for more information.
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Click HERE for September birthdays! | | | | |
