This Week at Westminster

We’ve been looking on Sunday mornings at the ways the risen Christ calls his followers to join in God’s mission in the world, and what that means for us today. We’ll turn this week to Luke 10:1-11, where Jesus sends 70 disciples out ahead of him, charging them to bring a word of peace in a time that many people preferred war, to heal the sick and mend what is broken, and to point to the nearness of God and God’s reign or God’s kingdom.

Jesus emphasized the urgency of this mission. He says the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. In an agricultural society when the harvest arrives, it means you need all hands-on-deck. Some of you may even remember the days when school would be let out when the harvest arrived, because the whole family was needed to bring it in. That’s also what the number 70 is pointing to here. 12 disciples are not enough. Everyone is needed. And I still think that’s true today.

There are many ways we participate in the work of the kingdom. It may be through the work of the church, but the work of the kingdom can also be a part of everything we do. We looked two weeks ago at a section of the Confession of 1967 which reminds us that the church gathers for worship, study, and fellowship, and then the confession says,

“The church disperses to serve God wherever its members are, at work or play in private or in the life of society. Their witness is the church’s evangelism. Their daily action is the church in mission to the world. The quality of their relationships with other people is the measure of the church’s faithfulness.”

Everything we do, every act, every word, every relationship, can be a way of participating in God’s mission in the world, bringing peace and reconciliation where there is tension and conflict, bringing encouragement and healing where there is pain, pointing to the nearness of God and of God’s kingdom.

I hope to see you on Sunday as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ and seek to be equipped to participate in God’s mission in the world.

Ernie

This Sunday

9am & 11am in the Sanctuary - or Livestream and YouTube

Message: Joining God's Mission, Ernie Thompson

Scripture: Luke 10: 1-11

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Joys and Concerns:

We celebrate the birth of Beau Switka, proud parents are Robert & Sarah Switka, grandparents are Kent & Becky Duggins, and great grandmother is Jo Hughes
The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are extended to Laurie Krasicky in the loss of her father, to LuAnn Isley in the loss of her father, and to Lionel McCray in the loss of his mother.
We celebrate and support our pilgrims who will be walking the Camino de Santiago in the first weeks of May: Janice Allen, Meredith Barkley, Alice Blalock, Diane Boger, Jenny Bradley, Debbie Brown, Jennifer Carpenter, Marilyn Fish, Lynn Hemm, Burt Higgins, Cindy Higgins, Michael Hooks, Janet Hurd, Lucy Jefferies, Ed Lipsky, Catherine Morsell, Julia Price, Butch Sherrill, Robert Sherrill, Elizabeth Vaughan, Susan Wetzel, Brady Yntema, and Kristen Yntema.

Men's Softball Games | Carolyn Allen Park, 3610 Drawbridge Parkway - Click HERE for full schedule

Thursday, April 25, 7:30pm vs. First Lutheran
Thursday, May 2, 6:30pm vs. St. Pius

Tuesday Morning Book Study

Tuesday, April 30, 7 am | Zoom

We will return to our discussion of The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory on Tuesday, April 30.

Lectio Divina

Mondays, Noon | Chapel

Join us for a time of reading and reflection each Monday at noon in the Chapel.

Upper Rooms are available in the narthex and in the downstairs foyer.

Quarterly Pledge Financial Statements

First quarter pledge statements were sent last week via email through secure servers to the email address we have on file in Realm. Thanks for your generosity and continued support of Westminster. Any questions, please contact lynn.hemm@westpreschurch.org.

Mission Engagement Email List

Would you like to stay up to date with mission opportunities that come across Scott's desk? Sometimes there are urgent needs. Sometimes we need a few trucks to help a family acquire furniture or for last-minute help delivering food from Urban Ministries to Partnership Village. Other times it's just to inform everyone about upcoming trips and other planned service opportunities. If you'd like to be added to the email list, email Scott Neely, Director of Missions & Community Connections.

Message from the Betton Family:

To our Westminster Family,

Your love and support have blessed our family in so many ways following Rick’s death. We have been sustained by the meals you provided, we have cried over the cards you sent, we have laughed at the stories and memories you shared, and we have been embraced by your prayers. What a gift to be a part of this church – the Body of Christ.

With love and gratitude,

Jennie Betton and Will, Anna, and Molly

OPPORTUNITIES

Walking Group THIS Saturday

April 27, 8:00 - 10:00 am

All are welcome to meet this Saturday at 8:00 am in the parking lot just to the left of Lewis Recreation Center (3110 Forest Lawn Dr.) for a leisurely 4 mile walk around Battleground Park District. We’ll have post-walk donuts & coffee as a send off to our Camino walkers who head to Spain next week.

God With Us - Choral Concert with Christ United Methodist Church

Sunday, April 28, 3pm | Westminster Sanctuary and livestream

The joint chancel choirs of Westminster and Christ UMC and an orchestra of local musicians will present Philip Stopford's Missa Deus Nobiscum (God with Us) and anthems inspired by the Psalms. Join us for a beautiful afternoon of music and fellowship.

Giving Garden Watering Signup

The growing season is upon us! What veggies love just as much as rich soil is a good drink of water every day. Think you could spare at least one week between now and September to water the veggies in the Giving Garden to keep them happy and growing? Great! Click on the link below to see what slots are still open. If you have any questions, Click HERE to reach out to Caryl Johnson. To the watering schedule sign up....

Pentecost Breakfast

On May 19th we will gather for breakfast at 10am prior to our 11am Pentecost Service. To make this happen, we could use a few food items to make this special fellowship time successful. Click HERE to take a look and possibly sign up to donate one or a few.

YOUTH AND CHILDREN

Summer Schedule for Youth and Children's Faith Formation

Our final gathering for faith formation for the season with our children will take place on Sunday, May 12. On Sunday May 19, Pentecost Sunday, families can pick up a "Take Out Church" box to use at home during June, July and August. The "Take Out Church" boxes will be in the Fellowship Hall during the breakfast at 10:00 prior to the combined worship service at 11:00 that morning.

Seeds of Faith program for children in PreK-5^th grade will start on Wednesday, June 5. The program will be held on Wednesday nights (6-7 pm) at the Giving Garden/Talent Field during June and July.

Our final gathering for faith formation for the season for youth in grades 6th-12th will also take place on Sunday, May 12.

Children

Faith Formation

Faith formation for children gathers at 10am in Room 106 for children ages Pre-K trough 5th grade.

We use Godly Play to help our children learn stories from the Bible and grow in their relationship with God. Godly Play offers a creative, child-honoring way of entering into and experiencing Biblical stories.

Nursery

We provide nursery care on Sunday mornings in Room 113 for babies and children up to 3 years old. Our nursery is staffed by experienced, loving caregivers.

JAMS - Junior Arts and Music on Sunday

JAMS (Junior Arts and Music on Sunday ) 1^st-5^th grade meets in room 105 at 11am. Children can join us at 11am after 10am faith formation or we will pick your child up in the Sanctuary right after the 11am Children’s Time.

Outrageous Outreach - End of the Year Celebration

Sunday, April 28, 4-5:30pm | Fellowship Hall

We will gather for fun games & snacks for our final meeting of the school year. Please let Sally or Lucy know if you can attend.

Vacation Bible School - Hometown Nazareth

June 17-21, 9-noon

Open to rising Kindergartners through rising 6th grade students.

This summer in Vacation Bible School, we’re taking a journey back to Bible times... without leaving our church! Join us in Hometown Nazareth, where we’ll explore what life was like when Jesus was a kid. You’ll craft cool projects in the Marketplace, laugh as you play Bible-times games, visit with Jesus’ mom, Mary, and eat foods just like the ones Jesus ate. Plus, you’ll meet lots of new friends! Click HERE to register.

Youth

Faith Formation

Faith formation for youth gathers at 10am in Room 100 for youth grades 6th - 12th.

Youth Band

Youth Band rehearsal is from 12pm-1pm in the Sanctuary. Youth band is open to 6^th-12^th grade.

WYFi - Westminster Youth Fellowship, Inc.

Sunday, April 21, 5:30-7:30pm | Fellowship Hall

Westminster youth begin the evening with games and team building, followed by dinner, and concluding with time exploring Biblical practices of how to live out our faith. All youth grades 6-12 are invited to join us - Bring a friend!

Rock Camp 2024

JUNE 17-21 | 5:30-9PM

COST: $150 PER CAMPER FOR THE WEEK, DINNER PROVIDED

Cost is supplemented by our Music Endowment Fund.

AVAILABLE TO: COMPLETED 5TH GRADE AND ABOVE

Looking for something different to do this summer? Like join a rock band?

Rock Camp is an opportunity for students in middle and high school to learn how to play and sing their favorite songs and then play those songs live on stage! While at camp, students will be put into bands with peers of the same musical proficiency and will receive instruction and guidance from their band leader and from instrumental and vocal instructors. There will be breakout sessions for sectional rehearsals and private instruction. At the end of the week, the bands will hold a concert for their parents and friends. Click HERE to register.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION

Adult Faith Formation Offerings, Sundays at 10am

Sunday Conversations | Chapel

Join our Sunday Conversations class as we continue Kate Bowler's short videos, While it Was Yet Dark (Join Life Together Apart) .

The Gathering: Parents of Children and Younger Youth | Room 103

Join us each week for the Richard Rohr/ Work of the People's series, Resurrection Now. This series explores pertinent topics that we can easily apply to faith, family, politics, work, the world today.

PEEPS Class | Library

Join us after Easter as we study Phillip Yancey’s Prayer: Does it Make a Difference?

Cornerstone Class | Room 203

Cornerstone Class is continuing a study of the Gospel of John, using Journey Through the Bible: John. Facilitators are: Wilson Davis, Jim Gale, and Craig Siler. Contact Wilson Davis (336-370-6568) for more information.