The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, September 22, 2022

“Sweet Dreams”

On November 13, we will have the pleasure of hosting Rev. Dr. Cheryl Kirk-Duggan for a program called “Baptized Rage, Transformed Grief.” Dr. Kirk-Duggan is a retired professor from Shaw University, and this program will center on grief in all its forms and how we are transformed as God’s people into hope. She is a gifted writer and poet, and she will use poetry, music, and the arts to lead us through the grief we experience and how God offers healing and reconciliation in our journey forward. Please mark your calendars for that Sunday at 3:00pm, and look for more information in the weeks to come.

I wanted to share with you one of her poems that she titled, “Sweet Dreams.”

Tired and content

I sigh at the awesomeness of the day,

And the conundrums and the cacophonous laughs

at my beloveds strange

funny, humorous jokes –

And soothe my weariness

And brings joy within

And phenomenal peace.

I know when sleep comes this night

a deep rest will embrace

My heart, my soul, my body

Honoring a blessed, beautiful day

Where we labored in love

To communicate, to share, to be

Together we grow in Grace

In God, in blessedness

In beauty,

I say good night.

I pray these words might speak to you wherever you are on your journey, and I hope to see you on November 13 for this special event for us and our community.

With a full and grateful heart,

Frank

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.

Click HERE for all the education offerings for 2022-23.

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP NEWS

Youth Group outing this week is bowling at AMF South Hills Lanes. Please meet at the church on Sunday, Sept.25 at 5pm (pizza dinner provided). If you plan to attend, please RSVP via email to blytheclifford@gmail.com so we know how many drivers we need.

Two adult chaperones are needed for the Middle School Retreat on Sept.30-Oct.1 at Camp Kanata. Yes, one night only!! What a great opportunity to hang out with 5 of our awesome middle schoolers and earn gratitude and accolades from all youth parents. Please email Larry Shelton if you are able to chaperone.

WBPC AND THE CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL AMERICA

WBPC has supported the work of the Center for Development in Central America (CDCA) for many years through our mission budget and through their sale of handcrafts and other products that Sarah Junkin Woodard has brought to us. If you are interested in the latest happenings from their organization in Nicaragua, click here to see their September newsletter.

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.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE – SEPTEMBER 28

Join us Wednesday September 28th for a night of crafts for all ages and a dinner of Ron’s Legendary Pork Tenderloin and as always there will be vegetarian options. We will also be collecting toiletries for the Raleigh Women’s’ Shelter so please bring a few items to donate such as:

· Toothbrush/Toothpaste

· Soap

· Wash Cloths

· Deodorant,

· Feminine Hygiene Products,

· Comb/bush

As always, 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 crafting 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 26th by indicating number in your party on the friendship pad, using the sign-up genius linked here, email the Fellowship Committee at fellowship@wbpresbyterian.org or calling the church office at 919-851-4713.

50+ MEETING - SEPTEMBER 23

Greetings, friends! Fall is that time of year when all kinds of activities are reactivated at WBPC – church school, WNL, choirs and, of course, 50+. Please mark your calendars and plan to join your friends on Friday, September 23, for ice cream at NCSU’s Howling Cow, 100 Dairy Lane (off Lake Wheeler Rd.). We will carpool from the church parking lot at 2:30pm, or if you prefer, you can just meet us at the Howling Cow. Looking forward to seeing you on the 23^rd and enjoying visiting and having some ice cream together! Everyone age-appropriate is invited and encouraged to join us in 50+. It’s easy. All you have to do is show up with a smile on your face and you automatically have a lifetime membership!

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!

FAN DAY BLOOD DRIVE

Please join us October 2nd from 11:30-3:30 for FAN day and consider donating to the blood drive. Use this link to get more information and sign up. All donors will receive a $10 eGift card & a $10 charitable donation will be made for every blood donor!

WBPC PRESCHOOL FUNDRASIER

Preschool Fundraiser! As you might know, we have been working to get our playground cleaned up and are hoping to get a new sandbox built that will hold the sand. We are partnering with Legacy Fundraising Partners to raise funds for playground and classroom improvements. If you would like to help us with this fundraiser, please visit this link for more information about these incredible baked goods. Orders can be made online – you can order from our fundraiser online by clicking on any name and pay using a credit card or mobile wallet. There will also be a paper form on the bulletin board outside the preschool office if you would rather order that way. The fundraiser ends Friday, October 7th and orders will be here to be picked up Tuesday, November 1st.

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM - SEPTEMBER 26

On September 26 at 12:00pm, the Biblical Justice Forum will meet. All are welcome to join us – contact Sandy Irving if you have any questions (s-dirving@earthlink.net). Click HERE for the Zoom link.

DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO VOTE?

Every election matters. This year we will be electing a US Senator, US Representatives, State Representatives and Senators, Judges, School Board members, County Commissioners, City Council members, Mayors and more.

The first step is making certain that you are registered at your current address. You can make sure by clicking this link: Verify your voter registration is up-to-date, or register to vote, at this link.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SEPTEMBER 11 SESSION MEETING

· Approved the Sunday School and Preschool teachers for 2022 – 2023.

· Heard Board of Deacons Report, committee reports, and Pastor’s Report on activities in the past month including the planning for the Celebration of the Saints in the worship service on November 6th, expressed appreciation to the Christian Education Committee and especially Beth Ware for their work on Rally Day, discussed the need to share WBPC’s events broadly on social media, noted the beginning of Wednesday Night Live on September 14th and upcoming FAN Day, discussed the schedule for the Stewardship Campaign and possibility of having a potluck lunch following the morning worship service on October 23rd Dedication Sunday, heard of the continuing support for the Sham family, heard a report on the search for Director of Christian Education and Community Engagement, heard a report on the updating of service contracts for our facilities, heard of a need for training of more people for the operation of the sound board and camera, and heard a report from Rev. Frank Mansell on his work in the past month and his upcoming activities.

Click HERE to view the Financial Update from August 2022.

STAFF VACATION PLANS

Frank Mansell will be on vacation September 20-26. During this time, please contact the church office, one of the Deacons or Stephen Ministers in case of a pastoral emergency.

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 25- October 1

Sunday, September 25

9:30am Sunday School

10:30am Worship Service

5:00pm @ The Table Service (Zoom)

5:00pm Youth Group Bowling (Dinner in the youth room)

Monday, September 26

12:00pm Biblical Justice Forum (Zoom)

7:00pm Scouts (Fellowship Hall and Downstairs)

7:00pm Mission and Outreach Committee (Zoom)

Tuesday, September 27

4:00pm AventWest Children’s Mentoring (Fellowship Hall)

6:30pm Stewardship and Finance Committee (Pastor’s Office)

Wednesday, September 28

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 29

4:00pm AventWest Children’s Mentoring (Fellowship Hall)

6:30pm Bible Study (Zoom)

Friday, September 30

6:00 pm Cub Scout Campout (Parking lot & Fellowship Hall until 12pm 10/1)

Sunday, October 2 – World Communion Sunday

9:30am Sunday School

10:30am Worship Service

11:30am FAN Day – Lunch, Games, Blood Drive

5:00pm @ The Table Service (Zoom)

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.

Click HERE for September birthdays!

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