The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Give Thanks to the Lord

How is it already October? That was what I thought this past weekend, as it seemed like only yesterday we were still in the midst of summer heat and school starting back up. Instead, I had to pull out the long-sleeved fleeces and actually turned the heat on yesterday to take the chill out of the house (perhaps my blood is thinning faster than expected after moving to the South!).

This month is also the month in the church’s life when we focus on stewardship and how we are called with our financial resources to support God’s ministry at Western Boulevard. Many of you will be receiving your stewardship packets in the mail this week, which includes the Narrative Budget for 2023 and a pledge card for next year. There are additional copies of both in the narthex at the church, and you can access these materials by clicking HERE.

Our theme this year is gratitude, and how we are called to center our lives in thanksgiving to God for all that God has done for us. There are times in life when that is easy to do; there are also times in life when that is a challenge. But throughout all that life brings, as the psalmist says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good; God’s steadfast love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). This Sunday, we will hear another example of God calling us to lives of gratitude, as Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to offer thanksgiving (Luke 17).

Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing more details and perspectives on how God’s steadfast love has been with us in the past, and where we believe God is leading us as a congregation in the years to come. We’ll talk numbers (of course!), but we’ll also share stories of faith that reflect on this theme of gratitude. I would invite you to consider how gratitude shapes your life today, and how thankfulness has turned your perspective around at a time when you least expected it. I’ve found that it is in those moments that God has turned me around and brought me back to the source of my wholeness and healing.

May we all consider anew how our lives are rooted in gratitude to God as we live out our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ.

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.

BREAKFAST! – OCTOBER 9

Sizzling bacon, fluffy eggs, creamy grits, hot coffee...hungry yet? Please join us this Sunday, October 9 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.

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

YOUTH FELLOWSHIP NEWS- OCTOBER 9

Join us this Sunday for our next youth group gathering at 6:30pm! Dinner will be provided!

BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM - OCTOBER 10

Western Blvd Presbyterian Church will begin studying White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity on October 10 and continuing through November. We invite you to join us via Zoom on Mondays from 12:00-1:30pm for an in-depth discussion. This is a multi-church group. All are welcome to join us – contact Sandy Irving if you have any questions (s-dirving@earthlink.net).

Click HERE for the Zoom link.

WBPC-PRESCHOOL

The preschool is asking for donations of water bottles that they can give out to the AB Combs Elementary students on walk to school to school day on October 12th. If you can donate please deliver them to the church before Tuesday. Thank you!

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 HURRICANES FIONA AND IAN

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is actively responding to the devastation that has occurred in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Florida, and throughout the Southeastern United States. 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.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE - OCTOBER 12

Did you know WBPC has supported Family Promise of Wake County for nearly 25 years? Want to learn more about this amazing organization? Join us Wednesday October 12th and hear from our special guests from Family Promise: Scott Ferris -Executive Director, Sam Taylor - Board of Directors and Carey Phelps - Case Manager. They will be filling us in on all that has been happening over the past few years at Family Promise, how they are moving forward post-covid and sharing how we can all pitch in to support the families in need in our community. Dinner will be Ron’s Chicken and Rice with sides and as always there will be vegetarian options. We will also continue 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 hear more about Family Promise. 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 October 10th 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.

CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – OCTOBER 9

The Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, October 9, after the worship service for the purpose of electing officers to the class of 2025. The Nominating Committee will present the following individuals to serve in the class of 2025:

Elder: Louis Alexander, Gene Curtis, Ron Pittman, Jr., Joyce Smith

Youth Elder: Olivia Holt

Deacon: Lucy Dratman, Nancy Simpson

Nominations may be made from the floor, but if you nominate someone you must have confirmed that she/he is willing to serve if elected. We are grateful to the Nominating Committee for their work this fall, and to these individuals who have expressed their desire to serve in leadership for Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church in the coming years.

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GLEANING WITH LOAVES AND FISHES – OCTOBER 15

Last Sunday, Joe Burmester shared information about the Loaves and Fishes Ministry in our Minute for Mission. He invited our members to join him and the kids of Loaves and Fishes on Saturday, October 15, to a sweet potato gleaning event called "Yam Jam." Click here to see the invitation and further information for what sounds like a great time with this mission partner!

NEW MEMBER CLASS – OCTOBER 16

If you have been visiting Western Boulevard for a while and wish to learn more about becoming a member of the church, you’re invited to join us for a New Member Class on Sunday, October 16! We will meet in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the morning worship service, with a lunch provided by the Evangelism Committee. Childcare will be provided, as well. Please contact Frank Mansell (frank@wbpresbyterian.org) or the church office (admin@wbpresbyterian.org) if you are interested, so we can make the necessary plans for lunch.

CAMERATA CONCERT – OCTOBER 22 - 7:00 PM

Come enjoy a FREE concert of rarely heard music of composers from Eastern Europe by Raleigh Camerata, a professional baroque music ensemble. They open their 10th season bringing light to another group of composers often overlooked in an effort to continue to bring attention to the war that Ukrainians are still fighting. Music by Tůma, Čart, Zelenka, Richter, Zeutschner, Hůrka, and Jiránek.

They are anticipating a full crowd, so please reserve your free ticket HERE today.

The concert will be held at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church at 7:00pm on Saturday, October 22nd. If you would like to reserve a ticket via phone, please contact the church office at (919) 851-4713.

Click HERE to view the Financial Update from September 2022.

STEWARDSHIP DEDICATION SUNDAY – OCTOBER 23

We will celebrate God’s blessings in our lives on Sunday, October 23, with Dedication Sunday. We are all invited to bring to worship that day our pledges of support for the ministry of Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church in 2023. You are then invited to join us for a luncheon after church in the Fellowship Hall – the meat/entrée will be provided, and we are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. You may also find additional stewardship materials and pledge cards in the narthex. We look forward to seeing you on the 23rd as we give thanks for all God has done in our lives together! Click HERE to sign up!

FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS SAVE LIVES

Thank you to all who donated blood or asked a friend to donate. The FAN Day Blood drive was a success because of you! Hurricane Ian resulted in blood drives being canceled in many areas of the Southeast, we helped to meet a need. We had 14 units donated with another 4 folks not able to donate. That means we could save as many as 72 lives!

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.

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.

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: October 9 - October 16

Sunday, October 9

8:45am Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)

9:30am Sunday School

10:30am Worship Service

12:00pm Session Meeting (Fellowship Hall)

5:00pm @ The Table Service (Zoom)

6:30pm Worship Committee Meeting (Parlor)

6:30pm Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

Monday, October 10

9:00am Weatherstone Elementary Conference Day (Fellowship Hall)

12:00pm Biblical Justice Forum (Zoom)

7:00pm Scouts (Fellowship Hall and Downstairs)

7:00pm Property Committee (Parlor)

Tuesday, October 11

10:00am Magdalene Circle (Parlor)

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

Wednesday, October 12 - Walk to School Day - AB Combs Elementary

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, October 13

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

6:30pm Bible Study (Zoom)

6:30pm Stephen Ministers (Parlor)

6:45pm BSA girls (Youth Room)

Sunday, October 16

9:30am Sunday School

10:30am Worship Service

12:00pm New Members Class

5:00pm @ The Table Service (Zoom)

6:30pm Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

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 October birthdays!

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