The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Answering God's Call

After two consecutive Sundays of having to be at home and not gather in-person for Sunday School and Worship, I am very much hopeful that we can gather this Sunday – because we have a lot going on! We have rescheduled the annual congregational meeting from last Sunday to this Sunday after the morning worship. At that meeting, we will hear the financial budget plan for ministry the Session approved earlier this month, and to approve the subsequent changes to my terms of call for 2022.

But one of the other happy coincidences of the weather last week is that this Sunday will be a day when we affirm the Spirit’s call in our lives. In the morning worship service, we will ordain and install eight women and men to serve as deacons and elders at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church for the coming years. And in the afternoon, the Presbytery of New Hope will gather as a commission to install me as the pastor of Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church. In a sense, this Sunday will be our mini-Pentecost moment, as we acknowledge the Spirit of God moving in our lives, leading us to fulfill our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ.

I have only served in three congregations in my pastoral ministry, so this will only be the third time I have been “installed” as pastor in the Presbyterian Church. I have invited friends and mentors to be a part of this installation commission, women and men who have formed me through God’s grace into the disciple I am today. I have also asked women and men from churches in our presbytery to be a part of this commission, reminding us of how we are all connected as the Presbyterian Church. I am deeply grateful for all these individuals being willing to come and be a part of this special day in our life together.

As we gather in the morning and afternoon this Sunday as the people of God, let us consider what the Spirit is calling us to do in the next chapter of Western Boulevard’s ministry. In the morning service, we will hear Paul speak of how we must do all things in ministry in love – for without love we are just noisy gongs or clanging cymbals (1 Corinthians 13). My prayer is that we will be open to the Spirit moving us in ways that embodies the love of God in Christ to all, and we can serve joyfully and faithfully with energy, intelligence, imagination, and yes, love.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

With a full and grateful heart,

Frank

THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC

Parlor Class – 9:30am

Sunday School – 9:30am

Adult Sunday School Class – 9:30am

Worship Service – 10:30am – Children's Chapel will be available for children ages 4-Second Grade.

Annual Congregational Meeting – 11:30am

Installation Service for Frank Mansell – 3:00pm

Youth Group - 4:30pm - Fellowship Hall

***NO @ THE TABLE SERVICE THIS SUNDAY - We will resume @ The Table Service next Sunday, February 6.***

CONGREGATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING – JANUARY 30

Because of the winter weather last week, the Session has rescheduled the Annual Meeting of the Congregation to this Sunday, January 30, immediately following the conclusion of the Morning Worship Service. The purpose of the meeting is to present the approved 2022 Budget to the congregation and to vote on Terms of Call for Rev. Frank Mansell. Click HERE for the budget presentation document.

ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS – JANUARY 30

Also because of the winter weather last week, we will ordain and install newly-elected elders and deacons to their terms of service at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church in the morning worship service this Sunday, January 30. We are grateful for Martha Barrick and Barbara Tierney (deacons) and Lydia Smith, Lily Fleming, Larry Shelton, Suzanne Smith, Andrew Craven, and Becky Burmester (elders) for their commitment to serve our congregation in this important way!

INSTALLATION SERVICE FOR FRANK MANSELL – JANUARY 30 – 3:00PM

You are invited to join us for the Installation Service for Rev. Frank Mansell III as pastor of Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 30, at 3:00pm. A commission of elders and ministers from New Hope Presbytery will be leading this service, and it is a service of celebration to formalize Frank as Western Boulevard’s permanent pastor. We hope you can be present for this special day in the life of our church!

50+ MEETINGS POSTPONED

50+ will delay meeting until the current surge in the omicron variant has abated. Stay well!

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION NEWS

IT'S REGISTRATION TIME!! Registration has begun for the new school year at the Preschool! We are now taking forms for those who are currently enrolled, their siblings, and church members. Registration forms can be found on the website and on the board outside the Preschool office. On February 1, registration will open to the public.

Please click HERE for the Christian Education brochure.

T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER FOR YOUTH TRIPS

WBPC Youth are fundraising for summer trips with a t-shirt sale! T-shirts were designed by Anna Richardson Raab and will be printed on Bella + Canvas fair trade cotton t-shirts. T-shirts can be purchased for a donation of $20 each, but donations of any size are welcome. Payments won't be collected until t-shirts arrive, but pre-ordering is required so that we know how many to order. You can pre-order your shirts using this form HERE.

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM – JANUARY 31

BJF meets via zoom on Mondays at noon to 1:30pm. Our current book of study is Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance by Edgar Villanueva. We plan to study this book for the next five weeks until Lent. Each week different members will lead the discussion. All are welcome to join. Click HERE for participating in Monday's meeting via Zoom.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE – FEBRUARY 2

Winter weather got you feeling sluggish and stiff? Join the Fellowship Committee this week for a lesson in Chair Yoga. Doing yoga in the winter season helps in warming up your muscles and joints, improving blood circulation, boost immunity and uplift your mood. The lesson will be taught by certified yoga instructor, Jenny Turnage and is suitable for all ages and abilities. You can learn more about Jenny on her website foodfityoga.com. Please bring donations, food or money, for the Urban Ministries Food Bags.

Dinner will be served at 5:45pm. Dinner will be a healthy salad bar with grilled chicken. If you are not comfortable dining in, feel free to join us at 6:30pm to join in on the yoga fun. Additionally, to-go plates are available if you just want a grab-and-go dinner.

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 dinner, and indicate dietary restrictions by Monday, January 31 using the Sign-Up Genius link HERE, emailing the Fellowship Committee at fellowship@wbpresbyterian.org or calling the church office at 919-851-4713.

NOTES FROM THE ADMIN DESK

Please refer to the January Calendar and February 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 a list of January Birthdays!

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