|
FEBRUARY
EVENTS
1
WEDNESDAY
4:30
-6:30 p.m.
UEA/FH
6:15-8:30 p.m.
Youth
Group
6:30 p.m.
All Church
committee meetings
2 THURSDAY
Groundhog Day
3
FRIDAY
10:00 a.m.
Church Women
United/FH
5 SUNDAY
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
10:55 a.m.
Sunday
School
Children age 3-K
11:00 a.m.
Worship
Scout
Sunday
Following Worship
Choir Rehearsal
6 MONDAY
9:30 a.m.
Quilter's/FH
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scouts/FH
7
TUESDAY
6:30 p.m.
Pilgrimage/Library
8 WEDNESDAY
7:00 p.m.
Youth-sponsored
Contemporary
Service
9 THURSDAY
Noon-3:00 p.m.
Young at Heart/FH
3:30-6:30 p.m.
UEA/FH
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scout Committee
Meeting/FH
11 SATURDAY
9:00 a.m.-4:00
p.m.
Boy Scouts/FH
12
SUNDAY
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
10:55 a.m.
Sunday
School
Children age 3-K
11:00 a.m.
Worship
Following Worship
Choir Rehearsal
13 MONDAY
6:30 p.m.
Worship Committee
7:00 p.m.
Boy
Scouts/FH
14 TUESDAY
6:30 p.m.
Pilgrimage/Library
15 WEDNESDAY
6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Youth Group
6:30 p.m.
Bookworms
17 FRIDAY
8:30 a.m.
TAFB Volunteers
18 SATURDAY
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Life Skills
Cooking Class/Kitchen
19 SUNDAY
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
10:55
a.m.
Sunday
School
Children age 3-K
11:00 a.m.
Worship
Following Worship
Choir Rehearsal
20 MONDAY
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scouts/FH
21 TUESDAY
8:30 a.m.
TAFB Volunteers
League of Women
Voters/FH
6-9:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Pilgrimage/Library
22 WEDNESDAY
Ash Wednesday
7:00 p.m.
Worship
25 SATURDAY
1-3:30 p.m.
Children's Book
Society/FH
26 SUNDAY
8:30 a.m.
Men's/Women's
Breakfast
9:45 a.m.
Sunday School
10:55 a.m.
Sunday School
Children age 3-K
11:00 a.m.
Worship
Following Worship
Choir Rehearsal
27 MONDAY
7:00 p.m.
Boy Scouts/FH
28 TUESDAY
9:30 a.m.
Women's Circle/
Library
6:30 p.m.
Pilgrimage/Library
29 WEDNESDAY
Leap Day
|
|
|
Have a Happy Lent?
That phrase, "Happy Lent," Is of course an oxymoron. Who
can have a happy Lent? You can have a happy Christmas and a
happy Easter, but we never think about having a happy Lent. After
all, happiness is the opposite of the intention of Lent. By
tradition, Lent is a time to remember Jesus' suffering. Lent is the
time when we pay attention to the fact that God loves us enough to suffer
for us. It begs us to ask the question, "What am I willing to do for
God?" or "Do I love God enough to put up with
suffering on God's behalf?"
In Frederick Buechner's book, Telling Secrets, he describes the
Tower of London. The oldest part of the tower is known as the White
Tower, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th
Century. On the second floor is a small but airy chapel with stone
pillars, a vaulted ceiling and arched windows, which let in silvery
light. It's a silent and still sanctuary called The Chapel of St.
John. Knights used to keep vigil over their armor all night before being
anointed by the king. Buechner says, "You can't enter it
without being struck by the feeling of purity and peace it
gives." But while you stand in this peaceful place and feel
God's presence, directly under your feet is a terrible
dungeon. The dungeon room is totally dark and has no
ventilation. It's a 4' cube, so a prisoner cannot lie flat or stand
up. There is literally no room to move. It's called,
"Little Ease." I can't help but wonder how anyone can
feel still and silent before God in the Chapel of St. John, just a few
feet above someone who suffers terribly? An uplifting, peaceful
room in such close proximity to a room of suffering seems like an
oxymoron to me. I don't think I could have peace standing on top of
suffering people.
I think Lent is about remembering that Jesus symbolizes God who came from
the Chapel of St. John and chose to put up with living in Little Ease
with us for awhile, so that we could know what it's like in the Chapel of
St. John. Jesus went to the dungeon for the good of all humanity
and brought God's realm with him. Meanwhile, we know that
God could have been lounging up there in the Chapel of St. John, filled
with light, much ease, peace and purity. Isn't that what
incarnation is about?
As I ponder this metaphor, I can't help but argue with it a little.
I don't think that life as a human being, in this amazing world, is like
living in Little Ease. I don't mean to insinuate that life is all
suffering. As I write today, the sun is shining and it's 70 degrees
in January! That's wonderful to me! Yesterday was glorious and
tomorrow promises to be also. At least weather wise. But
I also remember that yesterday was a difficult day in my life. It
seemed like everything I touched broke. Even my child got
sick. My efforts to replace the hot water heater were like
kicking the walls of Little Ease. I haven't even tried to fix the
clothes dryer yet. Some days/months/years, life can be much worse
than that... when a loved one is seriously ill, or dies... when a loved
one betrays us, or we betray ourselves. Maybe the lesson of the
Tower of London is that joy and pain are always in close proximity.
We can celebrate in the Chapel of St. John, then suddenly the floor drops
away. We fall into Little Ease and immediately the trap door clamps
shut, locking us in the tomb. Or we have the opposite happen. We
can suffer, banging against the walls of Little Ease for what seems like
forever, and suddenly we feel the warmth and light of God's love seeping
through the cracks of our stone hearts. We find ourselves in light
and love, and can't ascertain how we arrived. Then we
celebrate.
The most powerful lesson from the Tower of London is that God is really
in both places. The message of the incarnation and Lent is that God
is in the joy and the pain, the Chapel and Little Ease. Wherever we
are... God is there. As you live these days of Lent, may you
remember that God is with you in Little Ease and in great light and
peace. May you be so inspired by God's love that you share it with
others. Have a most blessed Lent.
Pastor Sharon
|
|
Contemporary Worship Service
Please join us on Wednesday, February 8th at
7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for the first
Youth-sponsored, Contemporary Worship Service.
The Youth have been working very hard on this special service,
and we hope many of you will be able to join us.
|
|
ASH WEDNESDAY
Worship 7:00 p.m.
February 22, 2012
|
|
Youth Group
meets Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
If you are in grades 7-12, come and join us!
|
|
Did you know that during Super Bowl week
2009, youth across the nation raised over $9 million for charities that
help the hungry and the hurting through participating in Souper Bowl of
Caring? Through this national movement, America's teens are transforming
Super Bowl weekend into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving
and serving. Each group donates their collection directly to the charity
of their choice. Organizers simply ask that groups report their
collection amount so a national total can be determined.
On Sunday, February 5, the young people of Westminster
will once again be raising funds to fight hunger. They will be
in the hallways and Bullock Hall after worship. Please support them
with your monetary donations, large or small. When we all work together,
big things can happen.
|
|
QUILTERS
will meet Monday, February 6
at 9:30 a.m.
in Fellowship Hall.
Congratulations to Don and Janet Kovach, winners of the December quilt
raffle. The Quilters appreciate all who participated. Monies
raised will go to buy materials used in the ministry of making quilts for
the homeless. You may continue your support by donating fabric,
gently used or new sheets to be used as backing, batting and embroidery
thread. Help is needed in cutting blocks, sewing (at church or at
home), hemming and tacking (which is a simple as tying knots). The
Quilters usually meet on the first Monday of each month but are willing
to work at different times. The main idea is to get together for fun,
fellowship and to contribute to God's work. If you have
questions, please call Mary Jo Patten, Ruth Juhler or Marjory
McCowen.
|
|
Young at Heart
On Thursday, February
9th, Young at Heart will be "going to the
movies." It will be a matinee to take
advantage of the senior
price.
The movie, of course,
has not been chosen. If you have any suggestions, let Ruth Juhler
know. Ruth will be the coordinator for this outing. Time and
movie TBA. As always, the group will meet and carpool from the
church.
|
|
BOOKWORMS
will meet Wednesday, February 15
at 6:30 p.m. in the library to discuss,
"Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns.
This is about a 14 year old boy named Will Tweedy who
lives in a town called Cold Sassy in the early 1900's. His
grandmother dies and his grandfather immediately remarries. You can
imagine how this goes over in a small Southern town.
|
|
TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers are needed! Bring your friends, family &
neighbors!
Joyful January Volunteers: Marjory McCowan, Don & Sandra Morris,
Ruth Juhler, Earlene Pike, Judy & Shirley Hart.
We volunteer on the 3rd Tuesday and 3rd Friday of each month from 8:30
a.m. - noon. We enjoy lunch together afterwards.
Please come and
join us on Friday, February 17 or Tuesday, Friday 20.
Our hours
constitute a cash donation of $5.15 per hour that is credited to
Arlington Charities. They are able to buy food using our
cash donation. As an example, they can buy a box of food weighing
40lbs. for $7.60.
Thanks to all,
Judy Hart
|
|
COOKING CLASS:
Your Valentine's Treat
Chef Sheila
Larson will teach a special siminar on Saturday, February 18 from
10:00 a.m. - noon. The workshop will show everyone how to
prepare a winter meal and dessert to warm your family on these cold
evenings. Come and participate in this seminar - plus enjoy a
Valentine's brunch. See Rollin Phipps for details.
|
|
The Women's Circle
will meet on Tuesday February
28 at 9:30 am in the library.
Our hostess will be Jo
Schauwecker.
The Bible Study will be
lesson six, "Greatly Honored Are The Pure In
Heart." Scripture reading: Matthew 5:8, Psalm 24,
Psalm 511:1-12
The Key Idea is:
Jesus upholds those with genuine hearts. Those who wrestle
with God are changed and live in a way that strengthens the whole people
of God.
|
|
Mission
Monies - So, Where did they go?
The Mission
Committee works throughout the year to support mission-focused activities
of the church. Some are self-sufficient and require little or no
direction. These include: food collection for Arlington Charities,
Quilters, stuffed animals collection, Life Skills Classes, and the
Tarrant Area Food Bank volunteers. Each of these ministries is
coordinated by congregation members.
Other mission
projects we support include: Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services
(Waxahachie and Itasca), UTA Wesley Foundation, and Arlington Life
Shelter (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches).
But what of
the 1% monies provided by you from your offerings each week? The
Mission Committee has continued focusing on local charities. Five
organizations were given monies totaling $1,828.54:
|
Hands for Cambodia
(Presbyterian-supported)
|
$50.00
|
|
UTA Wesley Foundation
|
$150.00
|
|
Arlington Women's Shelter
(Safe Haven)
|
$200.00
|
|
Presbyterian Children's
Homes and Services
|
$300.00
|
|
Arlington Life Shelter
|
$1,128.54
|
Four Special Offerings are
sponsored by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.):
One Great
Hour of Sharing - Easter Sunday
Pentecost
Offering - Day of Pentecost
Peacemaking
Offering - World Communion Sunday
Christmas Joy
Offering - Sunday before Christmas
Thank You for caring and helping to meet
human needs.
|
|
Winter Adult One Studies
Sunday (Jan.22) we
began a two session study entitled: What Is the Soul?
"Although we
sense that our soul is the deepest part of who we are, it is difficult to
draw a picture of just what a soul is. Is it the same as the body?
Separate from the body? Mortal? Immortal? Because the Bible does not
answer all of these questions, various ideas or mental models of the soul
have developed in Christian theology.
Session 1 draws a
spectrum of various understandings of the human soul as found within
Christian theology and, in some cases, non-Christian theology and even
atheism. The second session asks how the Christian commitment to
resurrection can be maintained in light of what we think about the soul.
Finally, the Christian idea of trichotomy is discussed--that we human
beings are a unity of body, soul, and spirit.
We begin a two
session study on February 5th, entitled Creationism,
Evolution, and Intelligent Design: What's a Christian to Believe?
It is easy to be
confused if one watches mainstream television shows or listens to radio
talk shows regarding the current debate about creationism, evolution, and
intelligent design. Both scientific creationism and intelligent
design make distinctively scientific arguments, yet both commit
themselves to some level of faith in God. Because of the vehemence with
which these two groups oppose Darwin's theory of evolution, one could
easily get the impression that to be Christian is to be opposed to
Darwinism. The so-called Christian view is placed over against the
Darwinian view. This is misleading, however, because for more than a
century many Christians have made their peace with Darwinian evolution.
In this
two-session study, the various camps are portrayed and examined. In the
second session, time is spent suggesting how one can be both scientific
and Christian.
February 19th we
will study (one session)
The Meaning of
Salvation
"Are you
saved?" In the Bible, "salvation" describes the
relationship of a person to God, a relationship of love and trust. This
is how God intends to relate to human beings. This relationship begins in
this life and extends beyond our death into eternity. Salvation is
sometimes called eternal life. In the Christian context, our salvation
comes through Jesus Christ.
But what does this
mean? Some Christians have dramatic conversion experiences while others
grow up in the faith. Is one better than the other? In addition, is
salvation an end or a means? That is, is our concern to escape hell or is
there something else salvation accomplishes?
February 26 (First
Sunday in Lent) we will begin a six session study entitled: Walking the Way of the Cross with Paul
Lent is, among
other things, a journey on the way of the cross--a journey of learning
how to appropriate Christ's teaching about "taking up the
cross" (Mark 8:34-35) for ourselves. This six-session study will
look at how one early Christian missionary, teacher, and theologian
sought to do just that in his work and in his life. Participants will
examine a number of passages in Paul's letters in order to reflect on the
place of the cross in Christian lives today. They will consider Paul's
statements about the cross and its implications not only in themselves
but in relation to his practice--including areas where he seems to us to
have had difficulty living up to his own ideals. The aim is to invite you
into Lenten reflection and practice centered on the cross of Christ,
guided by Paul's own incorporation of the cross into his spirituality.
Leaders and participants will have an opportunity to reflect on their own
practices of Christian spirituality and ethics in the light of the
experience, teaching, and faith of the apostle Paul.
|
|
Adult 2 Class Studies "The Present
Word"
This
winter's study focuses on God's covenant with us through Abraham.
The theological emphasis is on faith. God promised Abraham that
through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed, and that
promise was passed on from generation to generation until it was
fulfilled in Christ. Join us as we discuss a personal God
while listening to Him speak to us through His Word.
Unit
III
GOD'S
REDEMPTION
Feb
5 Justified by Faith in Christ Galatians 2:15-21
12 Freed from Law through Christ
Galatians 3:1-14
19 Heirs to the Promise
Galatians
3:15-18; 4:1-7
26 Fruits of Redemption
Galatians 5:22-6:10
|
|
THE READING DISCIPLES CLASS
In
January, our reading group finished The Screwtape Letters, by C.S.
Lewis. In February, we will begin discussing the book: Discipleship
by, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. "Cheap grace is the mortal enemy
of our church. Our struggle today is for costly grace."
And with that sharp warning to his own church, which was engaged in
bitter conflict with the official nazified state church, Dietrich
Bonhoeffer began his book, Discipleship (formerly, entitled The
Cost of Discipleship). Originally published in 1937, it soon
became a classic exposition of what it means to follow Christ in a modern
world beset by a dangerous and criminal government. At its center
stands an interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount: what Jesus
demanded of his followers-and how the life of discipleship is to be
continued in all ages of the post- resurrection church. "Every
call of Jesus is a call to death," Bonhoeffer wrote. His
own life ended in martyrdom on April 9, 1945. Freshly translated
from the German critical edition, Discipleship, provides a more
accurate rendering of the text and extensive aids and commentary to
clarify the meaning, context, and reception of this work and its attempt
to resist the Nazi ideology then infecting German Christian
churches.
|
|
|
CHAIN LINK
FENCING
Our church has some used chain
link fencing that came from the back yard. Anyone who wants it can
have it for the salvage price of $20. If interested call Don
Morris.
|
|
VIVACE
Youth Handbell Choir
from Puerto Rico
will perform on Sunday, February
12
at 6:00 p.m.
at Highland Park United Methodist
Church
3300 Mockingbird Lane
Dallas TX 75205
|
|
Israel Palestine Trip
Are you interested in traveling to the
places where Jesus walked, and seeing important places you've studied about?
The Grace Presbytery newsletter, Grace eNews, included the
following article about an upcoming group tour being organized at
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Denton.
Would you like to gain a deeper appreciation for the context
of Christ's ministry? To walk where Jesus walked? Do you care
about peace in the Middle East? Is the Holy Spirit calling you to a
pilgrimage rather than to a mere vacation? Join a group of pilgrims
on a peacemaking trip to Israel/Palestine. This trip will not be
like other trips. While many trips to the area visit historical
sites, this trip features a unique itinerary, combining visits to
Biblical sites with visits to numerous Jewish, Muslim, and Christian
organizations working for peace and justice in the region. Rev.
Craig Hunter from Trinity Presbyterian Church in Denton, who has lived
and worked in Israel/Palestine for the PC(USA), will be leading a trip
from May 18 through June 2. His trips have been endorsed by the
Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the PC(USA) and by Douglas Dicks, our
denomination's Regional Liaison for Israel and the Palestinian
Territories. For further information, please contact him at
940-765-2900 or craig@tpcdenton.org.
|
|
Soul Food Suppers
The 2012 Soul Food Suppers are
now in our rear view mirror. Looking back, they were a
"hit." Attendance was extremely good and, based on
comments, the programs were just what we wanted, inspirational and
informative.
The Soul Food Supper team sincerely
appreciates your support; it encourages us to move forward with
enthusiasm.
A great big "Thank
You" goes out to the Congregational Care Team, Bookworms and the
Disciples Sunday School class for providing the meal and service for
three of the suppers.
Westminster folks and guests
continue to be generous. We collected offerings following the two
programs involved with ministry/mission work. Each time you
contributed approximately $300 to assist with their efforts. Thank You.
We look forward to continuing
these suppers next year. Do you know this is our sixth year for
Soul Food Suppers?
You Are The Best!
SFS Team: Betty, Dianna, Docia,
Pat & Harry
|
|
|
