You have HOMEWORK this week! In worship, we will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" which is an incredible hymn from our repertoire. It has a rich history full of hope and longing for God’s promised land. First penned by James Weldon Johnson while he was serving as a school principal and put to music by his brother, "Lift Every Voice" is in 42 of our denominational hymnals and has been an important cultural song for over 100 years. Here's a video to help your practicing from Grammy award-winning gospel singer Kirk Franklin.

In the event of inclement weather on Sunday, any changes to the worship service will be announced by 8:00 am in these three places:

• Website – https://www.salemwestpres.org
• Facebook – Westminster Presbyterian Church (https://www.facebook.com/Salem.Westminster.Presbyterian)
• All-church email

No news means worship is happening as scheduled!

From the Pastor's Desk

Hello Westminster Friends & Family –

Happy New Year!

Last week we had the privilege to baptize Simon, one of the children in the congregation while also celebrating Baptism of the Lord Sunday. What is so remarkable about the way that this story is told in Mark 1 is that the heavens are delighted and well-pleased with Jesus long before he had done anything of note. If you have a concept of heaven that is chronological, meaning life on earth comes first and life in heaven comes next, set that aside for a moment. Heaven is also a term used for a different reality that exists now, it is where we are our best selves, unbroken, fulfilling our destiny in this life. One might even say it is a place of utopia or where we seek our highest calling. Another way to think about this is the analogy of a seed and a tree. The seed is the potential and the tree is the actual full thing. The tree, therefore, existing in its fullest being is part of heaven. If we have dignity and worth and love in the heavens, then our fullest expression as a society is for us to have dignity, worth, and love here.  On earth as it is in heaven. This idea is an important one to keep in mind as we start in on Mark’s parables this week because Jesus’ stories are largely oriented around earth-reflecting-the-heavens. 

I’ll see you on Sunday on-site if you can make it here and online for everyone else.

Ever onward,

Pastor Kelly

Looking Ahead



1/16 @ 6 pm: Men's Night Out

1/21 & 1/28 @ 11:30 am: New Members' Class

1/28 @ 11:45 am Pizza & Games Afternoon

2/10 @ 10 am: Memorial Service for JoEve Netz

2/12 @ 6 pm: Women's Night Out

2/14: Ash Wednesday

2/14-2/18: Labyrinth Available

2/18 @ 2:30: Labyrinth Experience with guest Rev. Scott Crane

2/20 @ 6 pm: Men's Night Out

2/25 @ 11 am: Congregational Annual Meeting with Potluck

Access the full church calendar here. To add or correct something, please email office@salemwestpres.org.

Participate

WPC Printed Photo Directories will be available for pick up again this Sunday in the narthex or in the office during the week (Tues-Thurs, 9-2). Deacons and elders, your fresh copies are in your mailboxes. Contact the church office if you need help obtaining a copy.

Men's Night Out is Tuesday, January 16, at 6 pm at The Ram. Please RSVP to John Dalen (john.m.dalen@gmail.com or 503-551-7791).

Considering becoming a member at Westminster or interested in learning more about being Presbyterian? Join the new members' class meeting January 21 and 28, 11:30-1:00. RSVP to the church office (office@salemwestpres.org) or talk to Pastor Kelly or Katie Nelson, Elder for Outreach.

Bring your favorite board game and stay after service on Sunday, January 28, for pizza and board game afternoon! All ages welcome.

Did you retire in 2023 or know someone in the congregation that did and would like recognition for this achievement? Family Ministry will be recognizing this milestone at a future service. Please contact Cheryl Lugenbill with names/contacts at clugenbill@gmail.com within the next couple of weeks.

FYI

The church will be closed on Monday, January 15, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

The official per capita amount for 2024 is $45.60.

Any committee, team, sub-committee, or group who would like an update published in the WPC annual report, please appoint somebody to write it up and get it to the church office by February 9. Contact the church office for more information.

The next Leadership Lab planning and calendaring meeting is scheduled for February 7 at 6:30. Each committee, team, etc., should plan to send a representative.

Items to be included in the newsletter are due the Thursday prior at 9 am.

Thanks

A huge thanks for all the wonderful folks who showed up last Saturday to help undecorate. Many hands made fast work, and we finished in just over an hour. You are all rock stars!

Thank you to all those who helped make the WPC photo directories available--many volunteer hours were logged in this helpful and worthwhile venture!

Thank you for your participation and/or interest in the topic of Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery.

Last week's second forum revealed how broad the areas are that address this topic and that we should encourage ourselves to continue the journey of awareness concerning cultural subjugation.

Pray

Terry Klein's brother passed away, so praying for Terry, Peggy, and the family.

From Nancy MacMorris-Adix: Bill and I received great news last week that he has been approved for deep brain stimulation surgery. This is really the only possible treatment option available for Bill at this time and has a potential to improve his quality of life significantly. We await word on scheduling. Thank you all so much for you prayers, your cards, and your words of support. We will keep you posted on next steps.  

If you would like to submit a prayer request, you can do so here or contact the church office.

Westminster Presbyterian Church