Westminster Presbyterian Church Westminster Witness MARCH/APRIL 2018 “GROWING IN FAITH, REACHING OUT IN LOVE” A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR MIKE and allow us to be the people that God wants us to be. This is the type of change that the Apostle Paul is communicating to his readers in Romans 12:2. This is the type of change that comes from our God. It is a change the leads us closer to the good and pleasing and perfect will of our God in Heaven. come to the Cross. In his writing, Paul uses the “Don’t copy the behavior and And so, just like term ‘transformation” which comes customs of this world, but let God Charlie Brown whose from the Greek word metamor- transform you into a new person by faithful companion changing the way you think. Then phoo. This is obviously where we Snoopy returns home, you will learn to know God’s will for get “metamorphosis.” The Merriam we too can be -Webster definition of this term is you, which is good and pleasing and restored and renewed “a typically marked and more or perfect. “ Romans 12:2 (NLT) when we return home less abrupt developmental to the grace and change in the form or structure I don’t like change! Change presence of our Lord. of something.” A caterpillar is inconvenient, unsettling, and May we all seek the morphing into a butterfly; unpredictable. But most importantly, will of our God as we winter changing into spring; a change is uncontrollable. I often feel approach the Glory of crucified Jesus transforming into like Charlie Brown in the Peanuts the Empty Tomb! Film, “Snoopy, Come Home”, when the physically resurrected Amen! he sings, “Just when you think that presence of Christ our Lord. you know where you stand, that Transformation is the process of God Bless; Pastor Mike you’ve got the world in your hands. improvement, elevation, and Just when you’re sure of a dream salvation. Paul was telling his Inside this issue: that you’ve planned, that’s when the readers that we must do more scenery changes. It Changes!” How than conform, or change, to Lent 2 many of us feel the same way as our the ways of the world around Ordination Service, 3 old friend Charlie Brown? We work us. We must seek to be Symbolic Supper, so hard at knowing where we stand transformed to the ways of New Pictorial Directory and living out our plans, and just Christ Jesus. Youth News 4 when we’re sure we got it all figured As we approach Easter CE News 5-6 out, things change. Sunday, let us all seek out a But just because I don’t like season of transformation and Music, Women’s Retreat 7 renewal. For Easter brings a change, doesn’t mean that change Birthdays, Deaths 8 is not often exactly what I need. reminder of both the sacrifice Weddings, Reminders I’ve realized over the years that and victory that our Lord change can be a healthy and provides for us all. While we Faith Quest Activities 9 necessary component of our lives. It will still grumble over change, PWC News 10-12 can cause growth, renewal, and let us embrace the Office News 13 ultimately, restoration to happen. transformation that God is Change is what we need to restart us bringing into our lives as we March/April Calendar WESTMINSTER WITNESS Page 2 Season of Lent: “Thy Will Be Done” Sunday Morning Worship Wednesday Evenings – Lenten Suppers and Worship Service February - March A Series of Services for the Season of Lent “Not as I will, but as you will,” Jesus prayed to his Father the night before he went to the cross for our salvation. And that is our prayer as well this Lent as we seek to do God’s will in our lives, as we draw near to the observance of Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection during Holy Week. Each week both our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services will focus on a different aspect of God’s will at work among us. Biblical characters are used as insightful reference points to guide us in closely following our Lord day by day. Join us on Sunday mornings as our worship will center around accomplishing God’s Will through the characters that we will encounter in God’s Word. We will also be having an Adult Educational time following the services in which we will continue to explore the topic of the day. Come again on Wednesday nights as we listen to dramatic adaptations of these scriptural accounts. We hope that you can join us for an enriching and inspirational evening of food, fellowship and faith during this Season of Lent. Please take a complimentary copy of our Lenten Devotional, “Thy Will Be Done – Devotions for Lent.” Wednesday Night Lenten Suppers 5:30pm – 6:20pm Worship 6:20pm – 6:55pm March 7th Men’s Fellowship – Baked Potato Bar March 14th Deacons – Scalloped Potatoes and Ham March 21st Congregational Potluck Meal $5.00 – Adults $4.00 – Children $15.00 – Family All are welcome to experience our Lenten Ministry as we grow deeper in our faith through fellowship and worship! WESTMINSTER WITNESS Page 3 Symbolic Supper Wednesday, March 21 Save the Date for our SYMBOLIC SUPPER. We welcome each of you to come to this noon meal, which is a representation of the Last Supper Join us for the in the Upper Room. It is a quiet service of music and readings of the Passover Week, beginning with Ordination and the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and ending Installation of with the day of Resurrection. This meaningful service is always a blessing during the Easter Rev. Brittany MacMillan season. The lights are dimmed, communion is served, and we participate in the symbolical The service will be in the sanctuary on recreation of the Last Supper. Then, when the Sunday, March 25th, 2018 at 2:00pm. service is completed, we have coffee, bars and fellowship in the We will be celebrating with parlor. The entire church family, light refreshments and coffee including men, are invited to following the service. attend. NEW PICTORIAL CHURCH DIRECTORY IS COMING!! Do you ever see people and wonder what their names are? Have you ever heard an announcement regarding a member and wished you could put a face with a name? Are you a new member and wish you had something to help you put names with faces? Help is on the way! We are working with LifeTouch to produce a new Pictorial Church Directory. There is no cost to you or the church. Everyone who participates will receive a complimentary 8x10 portrait & WPC Church Directory. At your session, you will be able to view your images electronically and have the opportunity to purchase additional portraits to share with family & friends. You can sign up for your photo session in three easy ways. Look for the sign up tables in the narthex on Sundays; sign up using the link on the church’s website; or call Lois in the office at 433-3258. Photography dates and times are Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27 from 2-9pm and Saturday, April 28 from 9am to 3:30pm. Make up dates are Tuesday, May 29 and Wednesday, May 30. Our Directory won’t be complete without you. WESTMINSTER WITNESS Page 4 ‘The Crossing’ Youth Ministry News 2018 High School Summer Mission Trip Our Confirmation Class is being offered to the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Classes meet on July 8th-July 14th; Sundays at 11am in the Youth Room. We encourage Next Step Ministries all the students to attend each Sunday for training and fellowship. Future meeting dates… Los Angeles, CA 3/4 Confirmation Movie Time:“ Risen”, Part 1 You don’t want to miss this amazing week of 3/11 Confirmation Movie Time: “Risen”, Part 2 ministry. Our registration deadline is March 3/18 Confirmation Movie Time: “Risen”, Part 3 15th. Please talk with Pastor Brit or one of 3/25 No Class (Spring Break) our Adult Leaders as soon as possible to get 4/1 No Class (Easter Sunday) your spot reserved for a fantastic trip. 4/8 Lessons 15 & 16 4/15 Lesson: Explore our Church 4/22 Lessons 21 & 22 4/29 Lesson 32 PIZZA RANCH ‘TIP NIGHT’ FUNDRAISER Wednesday, April 4th 4:30pm - 8:30pm At the Austin Pizza Ranch Our youth and adults will be serving in the restaurant that night and will receive all the tips as well as a percentage of the sales. So come on out for a great night of pizza and fun!! All proceeds will go directly to our 2018 Summer Mission Trip to Los Angeles, CA from July 8th-14th. Thanks for all your support!!! WESTMINSTER WITNESS Page 5 Spring Faith Quest One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday Education Classes Fish Banks Our fifth rotation is “Four Friends.” are swimming your way kids! During Lent Classes are on March 4 & 11. our children receive the fish banks. They The sixth rotation is “Doubting Thomas.” may take them home and drop noisy coins Classes are on March 18, 25 & April 8. in for their donation. The seventh rotation is “Jonah and the Big An activity sheet will give ideas for your Fish.” Classes are on April 15, 22 & 29. family to discuss issues and to drop a coin or two in the bank. Spring Faith Quest This collection is for the Presbyterian Season of Lent The Gathering Classes Disaster Assistance, Hunger Program and Lenten Wednesday Children’s Program Self Development Program.