The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Adapting to Change

This year will be the first time in three years that we will gather in-person and indoors for Holy Week Services. Think about that for a moment. The last time Western Boulevard held “normal” worship services and activities for Holy Week was in 2019. The pandemic began in March 2020, which was at the start of Lent that year. That first year, everything was done online and remotely. The next year (2021), it was Easter Sunday that you held your first in-person worship service, outdoors in the parking lot. This year, because of a decrease in Covid cases, we are able to hold services during Holy Week as we did three years ago.

I don’t think we always give ourselves the space to let everything that we have lived through over two-plus years sink in. While it’s great to be back to in-person worship and sharing meals indoors, it hasn’t been that long since we were mandating masks when indoors, limiting singing, and not feeling comfortable eating inside. There are days that I feel like I’ve gone through psychological whiplash when I stop and think about all the change we have experienced.

Does that mean all of that change has been bad? No, not at all. Just because we didn’t worship indoors for two years during Holy Week doesn’t mean that our worship of God was any less meaningful or worthy. We learned that being the church can take on new forms to meet a changing world, and we discovered how we can stay connected in ways that we never would have dreamed of before. We utilized new tools in our toolbox, especially technology, to further the church’s mission in the world, and realized those tools are invaluable for our continued health and vitality. We’ve also discovered the importance of reconnecting with those who have drifted away during this time, and how there will always be a need to adapt to a changing world.

When Jesus entered the Holy City of Jerusalem, it caused not only celebration and joy among his followers, but also disruption to the established order. In Luke’s account of this day, the Pharisees asked Jesus to order his disciples to stop this spectacle. Jesus replied that even if his disciples were silent, the stones would shout out. God’s kingdom is announced on Palm Sunday – “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” – even if the people didn’t fully comprehend the impact of that coming kingdom. It forced God’s followers to adapt and change. Perhaps it is only appropriate that we remember the chaos of that first Palm Sunday, and how we’re not the only ones who have had to adapt as disciples of Christ.

May we receive the King of Kings this year with open hearts and willing souls, as we follow him not just into Jerusalem, but through the entirety of Holy Week.

With a full and grateful heart,

Frank

THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC

Breakfast – 8:45am

Sunday School for All Ages – 9:30am

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.

Youth Group – 6:30pm – Planning for Youth Sunday in the Fellowship Hall

BREAKFAST!

Sizzling bacon, fluffy eggs, creamy grits, hot coffee...hungry yet? Please join us this Sunday, April 10 at 8:45am in the Fellowship Hall for a hot breakfast to kick off your day of worship. No need to RSVP, just show up with your smiling face and hungry tummy.

PALM SUNDAY

At our morning worship service, we will celebrate Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with the children leading the palm procession at the beginning of our service. Our congregation has partnered with the Presbyterian Hunger Program to use Eco-Palms. For more information about the palms click HERE. Join us for worship at either 10:30am or 5:00pm (@ The Table Service on Zoom).

LENT AND HOLY WEEK

AT WESTERN BOULEVARD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Lent Adult Study on the Lord's Prayer

Frank Mansell and Beth Ware are leading a Lenten Study on The Lord’s Prayer on Tuesdays at 11:00am. We are meeting in a hybrid manner: for those who wish to join us in-person, you are welcome to meet in the Fellowship Hall. For those who would prefer to meet on Zoom, click HERE for the meeting link. If you are planning to attend, you are invited to read the lesson materials by clicking HERE. We also are recording the study each week - click HERE to watch a recording of the study from April 5. Please feel free to talk to Frank (frank@wbpresbyterian.org) or Beth (bethware52@gmail.com) if you have any questions!

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.

MAUNDY THURSDAY – APRIL 14 – 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.

EASTER SUNDAY – APRIL 17

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 also dedicate the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering on Easter, one of the four special offerings of the PC(USA). After the morning service, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt for children on the church lawn!

Light: Lenten Prelude Series

Music during Lent is often more solemn, a bit more reflective and somber to represent the 40 days of wandering in our own spirits as we journey from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection. We put away our jubilant “Alleluias” and replace them with more introspective “Kyrie” in reflection of our own need for God. Each Sunday in Lent, the prelude music for Sunday worship will be based on one of the beautiful stained glass windows in the sanctuary. Look for a brief description each Sunday in the bulletin or insert, and as you worship, take time to enjoy the beautiful light streaming through the brightly displayed colors around us.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

Please click HERE for the Christian Education brochure.

CALLING ALL KIDS . . ..

Palms for Palm Sunday – April 10

We need kids, nursery through 8^th grade, to help us with worship on April 10, Palm Sunday. We want to begin the service with a procession of palms, reminding us of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Please have the children meet in the hall outside the pastor’s office at 10:20am. From there we will pass out fresh palms, and then walk to the sanctuary. At the beginning of the service the kids will process to the front of the church waving their palms. They will place the palms on the communion table and then they can join their parents in the pews or return to the nursery.

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.

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: “Matthew 25 Congregations Collaborate on Community Gardens” – 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

50+ IN APRIL

It is time for us to get together again, folks. Our plans are to meet in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30am on Friday, April 8. Again, please bring your own lunch. Drinks will be provided. We have a special treat for our first meeting in 2022. Pastor Frank will share with us some of the experiences he and Debbie had during their time in Scotland. Mark your calendar and plan to join us!

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM – APRIL 11

During Lent, Biblical Justice Forum is studying the Lenten Devotional from Presbyterians Today: A Matthew 25 Lenten experience, accessible HERE. On April 11, we will begin with discussion of the devotionals for April 5 - April 11. BJF meets via zoom on Mondays at noon to 1:30pm. Click HERE for participating in Monday's meeting via Zoom.

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.

3, 2, 1 SMILE!

Please gather your smile and make your way to Pastor Frank’s Office this Sunday, April 10. We need your picture to make our directory complete. Take advantage of this low fuss no cost option to be known by our congregation.

NEWS FROM THE SESSION

Highlights from the stated Session meeting on April 3 include the following:

Received JT and Gracey Vaughn into membership by letter of transfer from Edenton Street United Methodist Church. We are so happy to welcome JT, Gracey, Pierce, Jacqueline, and Adelaide into our church family at Western Boulevard!
Approved Elder Becky Burmester as Commissioner to the April 26 Called Presbytery where separating the Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk into two distinct positions will be discussed.
Approved the 2021 Audit Report prepared by Liz Clay Bradley, chair, Gene Curtis, Jenny Fleming, Judy Shelton, and Joe Sturdivant.
Received a motion from the Mission Outreach Committee recommending that WBPC sign on to the Matthew 25 Commitment Pledge and that this motion will be discussed at a Called Session Meeting.
Approved moving the May Stated Session Meeting to April 30 following the conclusion of the Officers’ Retreat.

Click HERE to access the March financial report.

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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