The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Extending Hospitality

When we first came to Western Boulevard a year ago, I struggled with something in worship. I kept messing up the Doxology! For most of my life, I had sung the traditional version of that praise song; it was ingrained in my psyche and I always sang it loud and proud. That first Sunday here, I started singing what I was accustomed to, and realized everyone else was singing something different! I looked down and saw the inclusive-language words in the bulletin, and felt a little sheepish, to say the least. For weeks, I always looked at the words in the bulletin when we sang the Doxology, to try and train my brain to make this shift. It took a few months, but it’s now natural and familiar, and I don’t have to look at the bulletin anymore.

It takes an awful lot of courage and risk for someone new to walk into the church for a worship service or activity for the first time. Even if they’ve been invited by someone here, it can feel overwhelming to learn new practices in worship, or to meet people for the first-time, or trying to figure out where things are like the restrooms or classrooms. For most of us, we come to worship or activities here and we feel comfortable and at home, as it is an escape from the busyness of our daily routine for just a few hours. For folks who have not been here before, there’s a lot resting on how they are welcomed as to whether they will come again.

The Session had the joy of receiving new members into the life of our church this past Sunday, and many of them spoke of the welcome they received by many to make them feel at home. I am grateful that many have that feeling as they engage in our life at Western Boulevard. I also hope we do not become complacent in intentionally welcoming new people. When we see a new face at church, instead of asking others who that was, maybe take the step of faith and introduce yourself to that visitor and extend a welcome. I know it can take energy and time to extend such hospitality, and some days we just are wanting to rest and be comfortable when we are here as a family of faith. But Christ calls us to a hospitality that brings all of God’s children into the fold, and taking a small yet intentional step of welcome can make a difference well beyond anything we might imagine.

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 - NOVEMBER 20

Join us this Sunday, November 20^th our youth will host a "Friendsgiving Dinner" at 6:30pm. We ask each youth to contribute one side item or dessert (i.e. macaroni, collard greens, potato salad, cake, pie, etc.) as the meats will be provided. Also, we have asked that each youth would bring a friend, neighbor, or classmate.

Please RSVP via the signup genius HERE, and add what it is that your family plans contribute along with the number of guests.

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM - NOVEMBER 21

Biblical Justice Forum (BJF) is completing our study of the book White Too Long by Robert Jones. The group will be discussing Chapter 7 Reckoning) & the Afterword on Nov 21 at noon. All are welcome to join.

Click HERE for the Zoom link.

HELP NEEDED

WBPC’s Safe Child Policy requires that we have at least 2 adults at each youth fellowship activity, including youth fellowship meetings on Sunday evenings. In the past, we have had a team of Volunteer Youth Chaperones who have supported our Youth Advisor – typically we have 4 people who rotate serving one Sunday per month. Right now, we only have 1 adult volunteer, so parents have been filling that gap. We’d love to have church members who DO NOT have a child in youth group participate more fully. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop relationships with our youth. The adult volunteer doesn’t have to do anything other than be there (no program planning). We also would welcome those who just want to help provide a meal on a Sunday night this fall. Please sign up to help as you are able via the sign up genius or by emailing our new Director of Christian Education & Community Engagement, Terrence Rogers (youth@wbpresbyterian.org).

DECORATING FOR ADVENT/CHRISTMAS – NOVEMBER 26 – 9:00AM

The Worship Committee needs volunteers to help decorate the Sanctuary for the Christmas season on Saturday, November 27th at 9:00am. All are welcome to help us prepare our worship space for the Advent and Christmas Season!

HANGING OF THE GREENS – NOVEMBER 27 – 10:30AM

Join us on November 27 as we celebrate the beginning of the Advent Season with the Hanging of the Greens. The youth will lead us in this special service on Sunday morning, as we are reminded of the meaning behind the decorations we use during the season and prepare for Christ’s birth on Christmas. We look forward to seeing you then!

NO-FRILLS CHRISTMAS PAGEANT – CHRISTMAS CAROLING – DECEMBER 4

Join us on Sunday, December 4, at 5:00pm, for our No-Frills Christmas Pageant! No practice or preparation is needed – just come and receive a simple part to share as part of us remembering the Christmas Story. Families, children, and adults of all ages are welcome! After the pageant, we will have some refreshments. Then at 6:30pm, we will go out into the neighborhood and sing Christmas carols to members and friends of our church who are homebound. Come for both or one or the other – whatever works best for you! Sign up here to bring food!

Click HERE to view the current Pledge Campaign Status.

NOVEMBER SESSION MEETING

Here are the highlights from the November 12th Session Meeting:

· Received Chase and Katrina Jones and Andrew and Ebbi Sowell as new members by Reaffirmation of Faith.

· Approved holding a Called Session Meeting on November 20th following the conclusion of the Morning Worship Service to receive Doug and Ann Blalock as members.

· Heard a report from Elder Suzanne Smith on the October 22nd New Hope Presbytery Meeting.

· Heard Board of Deacons Report, committee reports, updates on the current status of pledges received for preparation of the 2032 budget, and Pastor’s Report on his work in the past month and his upcoming activates.

· Heard report from the Christian Education Committee regarding the need for more volunteers for the Welcome/Safety Team on Sunday morning and discussed ways of recruiting volunteers and protocols for safety.

· Approved a motion from the Finance/Stewardship Committee to approve the authorization of a volunteer Assistant Treasurer position with full and equal financial responsibilities and authorities currently held by the Treasurer position.

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

Through November 13, we have received 61 pledges for ministry next year totaling $358,841. That is 73% of our goal of $488,928 for next year. THANK YOU to all who have made these commitments so far! If you have not yet turned in your pledge for next year, you are invited to do so by November 30. Our budget for next year is 20% more than this year, which reflects our hope and optimism of increased outreach and growth through programming, staffing, and use of our facility. If you wish to make a commitment to help meet this goal, you may find pledge cards in the pews in the sanctuary, on the literature table in the narthex, or by contacting the church office. Thank you for your continued faithful support of our ministry at Western Boulevard!

POINSETTIAS

November 27, 2022 will be the first Sunday of Advent and we will be decorating the sanctuary. If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one, they are $10 per plant. Please fill out an order form provided on the Purple Update (included in this Sunday's bulletin) or use the form HERE, along with your payment. If you write a check, please make it out to WBPC and write “Poinsettia” in the memo line. You can place your order in the offering plate on Sunday or drop off order at the church office before noon Tuesday, November 22, 2022. If your schedule does not allow you to be at church Sunday or you are not able to stop by the church office before Tuesday, please call Suzanne Smith at 919-606-5988 to place your order. Remember to include your name(s), number of poinsettias, in honor of, and/or in memory of". We will print an initial list of donors for Hanging of the Greens on November 27, but you may continue to make donations for Poinsettias through December 11; we will share a complete list on December 18. Thank 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.

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. Please let us know if you are nor receiving prayer updates and you had signed-up, and we will work to reconfirm you are on the mailing list.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS: November 20- November 27

Sunday, November 20

9:30am Sunday School

10:30am Worship Service (Sanctuary)

4:00pm Cub Scouts (Fellowship Hall and Downstairs)

5:00pm @ The Table Service (Zoom)

6:30pm Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

Monday, November 21

12:00pm Biblical Justice Forum (Zoom)

7:00pm Scouts (Fellowship Hall and Downstairs)

Tuesday, November 22

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

Wednesday, November 23

No Wednesday AM Bible Study & Prayer Group, Choir, or Hand Bell Rehearsals

Thursday, November 24- Thanksgiving Day

Saturday, November 26

9:00am Decorating of Sanctuary for Advent/Christmas

1:00pm Youth Rehearsal for Hanging of Greens

Sunday, November 27 - Hanging of the Greens

9:30am Sunday School

10:30am Worship Service (Sanctuary)

4:00pm Cub Scouts (Fellowship Hall and Downstairs)

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.

Click HERE for November birthdays!

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