learn more about getting involved at westminster at the
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Learn more about getting involved at Westminster at the Annual Ministry Fair combined with a free barbeque after the last single service Sunday on September 8th. Wes will be returning from his sabbatical and preaching that day, also! There’s lots to celebrate, learn, eat and do!
Everyone is invited outside to the courtyard after the 10 a.m. service to learn more about the many ways to get involved at Westminster. Meet with representatives from Westminster’s ministry teams (committees), choirs, and fellowship groups.
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What's in the air? Ministry Fair! Ministry Fair is in the air! Along with the ferris wheel, carousel, and dunking booth, there's an open rehearsal. What??? An open rehearsal??? Wow!!!!! Stop in the sanctuary during the Ministry Fair to en-joy the fascinating and fun with the Chancel Choir and Westminster Ringers handbell choir as they rehearse.
We hope to entice you to join us! No secret there. Contact Lee Hoffman for more information [email protected]. By the way, the ferris wheel, carousel, and dunking booth may not actually happen.... But the open rehearsal is a sure thing!
THOUGHTS ON ONE SERVICE SUMMER AT WESTMINSTER
At the beginning of the summer, Gary Cox gave a sermon about how the single service would give Westminster members an opportunity to go beyond their comfort levels, to open themselves up to new experiences in the church. Below are some comments received from the congregants, regarding
I have been worshipping at Westminster for years and have always attended the 11 am traditional service. When the single summer service started, I learned that it would be a blend of the more contemporary and traditional service. It was nice to see people that were from the 9 am service and slowly get to know them. The two services hardly ever get to meet and I appreciated meeting the other worshippers. That being said, I will admit that I struggled with the mix of music. For me, going to a church service means that it is traditional and has traditional music. I found that I either didn’t know that songs that the praise band was singing or I simply could not keep up. I thought the Praise band did sound lovely and I was glad that they joined with the chancel choir to provide us music. While I enjoyed the summer services, I will admit I am looking forward to having things go back to “normal”.
I have enjoyed the combined worship services this summer for several reasons. I really enjoyed the Praise Band's participation as well as the beautiful organ music. With the two worship ser-vices, it's almost like having two churches. The 9:00 AM service is over concluding their coffee hour before the 11:00 AM congregation arrives. This separation of church members doesn't pro-vide togetherness that is so needed in an organization. There a variety of good reasons why one would prefer one service over the other. I think we should consider having a combined service starting at 10:00 AM on an ongoing, permanent basis.
I started attending here at Westminster during this past summer. The single service is all I have ever known. I have enjoyed the service, everyone is so polite and greets you. There is a real sense of community here, even if you don’t know your pew neighbor! The music has been amazing! I am a former Catholic and was used to having traditional music go along with traditional worship. To my surprise when I heard the praise band sing nontraditional songs for worship, I honestly didn’t know how to feel about it. But within a few services I was overjoyed to hear the blending of traditional and contemporary. I think that having the music be a combination works because it ensures that everyone who attends Westminster has something that is familiar to them while opening them up to something different. And I think that is what makes Westminster so special, that there is something for everyone in the community and there is a chance for us all to open our-
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Youth Care Packages
The Youth of Westminster are preparing to make more care packages for Sacramento’s homeless community. And they need your help, Westminster!
Bring your items to the church office anytime during the week or to services on Sunday and one of the Youth will collect it from you.
These items will go a long way in helping bring some much needed comfort and care to the homeless. The youth are asking for donations of:
- Travel sized toothpaste & toothbrushes - Feminine hygiene products - Socks - Snacks - Gallon Ziploc bags - Deodorant - Lip balm - Hand sanitizer - Wet Wipes
selves to something new. There is beauty to blending with others.
The blended summer services were a great experience. They gave us a chance to meet together and appreciate worship, in new ways.
You know that singing is your human right, and that your voice expresses your soul. You know what your voice can do. Talk with Lee Hoffman about joining the Chancel Choir at Westminster. Rehearsals are 7:00-9:00 pm, Thursdays starting August 29, 2019, and we sing the anthem on Sundays starting September 8. You have a unique scheduling situation or have kids to care for? Talk with Lee at [email protected]. Helping people find a way to use their voices aligns with Westminster's mission to support spiritual growth, serve others, and promote peace and justice. Pass this message along to others who want to use their voices. See you at choir rehearsal!
G et a HANDEL on your faith. This fall KERYGMA will present George Frideric Handel’s personal statement of faith, his magnificent MESSIAH. The course is called “HALLELUJAH: The Bible and Handel’s Messiah”. In 7 weekly sessions class
participants will be treated to an examination of the music and lyrics (Bible passages) of the CHRISTMAS PORTION of this wonderful oratorio. Beginning Wednesday October 2, 2019 at 6:30 PM the course will continue until November 13, for seven consecutive Wednesdays.
Mark your calendar now to set aside this time for enrichment and inspiration. Westminster has used the Kerygma series for several years. Past courses have engaged the “Kerygma Alumni” in the study of Old and New Testaments, and most recently the struggles of Job.
Registration will begin in mid September. A student Resource Book will be available at the sign up time. The cost for the resource book is $19. Mark your calendar now.
Westminster Participation Survey
In the Westminster Visioning Team Report, one of the immediate tasks is to establish a baseline measurement of congregational participation, with the goal to build and strengthen the sense of community within the church. This short survey will provide information on where we are now and be a guidepost to measure if we succeed in that goal.
Please take a few minutes to complete a paper copy of the survey which will be available at Westminster through Sunday 9/15; or complete the survey via the link here (ctrl+left click) or you can use the QR code! Just open your phone’s camera app and point to the code below. A notification will pop up that you can press that will lead you to the survey. Your responses are anonymous and not linkable to your name or e-mail address. Thank you!
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PWOW CIRCLE MEETINGS
All women in the church are invited to join a Circle for Bible study, fellowship, and fun. Call Roberta Franklin
at 916-708-2768 for more information.
Esther/Ruth 9/2 Observing Labor Day Hannah 9/5 6:30 pm Serra Room Searchers 9/10 11:30 pm Club Room Mary/Martha 9/16 1:30 pm Serra Room Sophia Circle 9/24 11:30 am Cameron Room
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We are reproducing WPC’s history from 1856-1966. Are you interested in purchasing a copy for about $20? If so, please sign up at the church office. There will be a book copy available to review at the Administration Ministry team table at the Ministry Fair on 9/8! We’ll also have a sign up sheet there too!
FREE PIANO
The Christian Education Department has a piano that they are no longer using. Free to a good home! If you are interested please contact Diana at [email protected].
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Chalk it Up! Festival Labor Day Weekend, 10 am – 6 pm
Come check out the 29th annual sidewalk art festival Saturday 8/31 through Monday 9/2 at nearby Fremont Park! Artist and Westminster member Andrew Lawson will once again be designing a square on behalf of Westminster. Be sure to stop by to say hello see what he is creating!
Be part of our updated church directory! Our last church pictorial directory came out in 2015, so it’s time for an update! We want everyone to be included, so sign up for a photo session appointment during coffee hour through Sunday, September 8th, or go to: https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b0yl8hvq/ and book your appointment on-line. You will get a free 8 x 10” photo and you have the option of purchasing other photo items if you wish. And feel free to bring your favorite furry friend to your appointment, they are welcome!
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I SCREAM, you SCREAM, we all SCREAM for.....Ice Cream Sunday!
On Sunday, September 8th, we're celebrating the new Christian Education year with "Make Your Own Sundae" Sunday in the Cameron Room. Immediately after the Children's Message at the 10:00 service hour. You'll be creating out of this world amazing sundaes to enjoy, so come hungry! Hope to see you all there!
starts up again in October!
FREE childcare... drop the kids off at 6 p.m. and pick up at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy a night out on the town while your kids eat yummy snacks, play games, do crafts and watch a movie. Parenting is a challeng-ing job and providing childcare is our gift to you. Plan now to enjoy some time for yourself and leave the rest to us!
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O ur Sacra-mento
Presbytery had two amazing Mission trips as guests of the Metlakatla Presbyterian Church this
August. Team members from Auburn, Eventide, Northminster, Davis, Westminster, Journey and Bidwell ventured to the Tsimshian Reservation on Annette Island. Our Adult Team spent the first three days in Ketchikan painting, landscaping, staining handrails and weeding up a storm at the First Presbyterian Church. Our team took the ferry to Metlakatla where the team shared their faith stories, dug and installed a new drain system, installed new gutters, landscaped and competed on who would get the chance to drive the backhoe! All in the rain! Our team experienced the grace of the Killer Whale Clan dancing in the Long House, was gifted with fresh caught salmon and made long lasting connections
with our friends from Metlakatla. One of the highlights was a dinner with the leaders of the Haayk Foundation, three Millennials intent on saving their native language from extinction. The Episcopal Priest who helped found the community of Metlakatla in 1887 preached
in Tsimshian and the church schools also taught in the native language. In 1911, the US Government forced all First Nation children to attend English speaking boarding schools where they were beaten if they spoke their native language. There are only 100 fluent speakers left, endangering a precious culture that has thrived in the Pacific Northwest for over 10,000 years.
Our Youth team arrived on Saturday and shared their faith stories in worship at the Presbyterian Church in Metlakatla. Their mission project was to partner with the Metlakatla Youth and provide a Vacation Bible School, crafts, drama and games to the children
of Metlakatla. Our youth dramatized the parables of Jesus in the parlance of Metlakatla, the Good Samari-tan became a basketball player from archrival Ketchikan High School and the Prodigal Son arrived on the ferry dock and was greeted by his Father. We invited a fluent speaker to teach the children a prayer in their native language. We celebrated at the Founders Day Eagle Pot-latch, a canoe ride in the largest canoe in Alaska and marched in the parade!
The most vital ministry was accomplished by our young people “hanging out” with the Youth of Metlakatla, building friend-ships and honoring their culture and dance. This is the 7th year that we have been invited to help build their youth group by developing friendships and ex-
periencing a cultural exchange with the Tsimshian people. And, these friendships continue throughout the year by texts and Facebook and other social media that I cannot keep up with.
Our Youth and Adults presented gifts of quilts, blankets, Califor-nia almonds and homemade jams
to our guests, honoring their ancient and beautiful tradition of sharing.
On our way back to the Airport, our Adult team spotted a pod of Orca Whales, a beautiful ending to an amazing trip, graced by hard work, Fellowship in Christ and by the exquisite beauty of God’s Creation in Alaska.
Thank you to Sacramento Presbytery Mission Support for their generosity in sending our team to Alas- ka.
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THE WESTMINSTER NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHT-OUT (as reported by Deacon David)
It all began last winter with a discussion in the Membership Ministry Team about the history of the Zephyr Cove WPC Congregational Retreat. Pastor Wes explained that the annual summer church picnic held at William Land Park was in lieu of the Zephyr retreat. At that point that I began forming in my mind, a grand project to make the church picnic into “Woodstock in the Park” with recorded inspirational “Pop” music from the 60’s and 70’s, as well as, selected live performances by
our choir, praise band and possibly local talent. When I offered a formal proposal to the deacons we ultimately scaled it down to fit the formal of “National Night Out.” The purpose of National Night Out is to give neigh-bors an opportunity to join together in a combined effort to: Strengthen the partnership between the community Generate support and participation in neighborhood watch programs Increase crime prevention and neighborhood awareness The Westminster Visioning Team Report included an
emphasis on reaching out to the surrounding community by providing a progressive perspective on Christianity and world religion as a whole. This seemed like a good place to start! The 36th Annual National Night Out (NNO) took place on Tuesday, August 6, in communities and neighborhoods throughout Sacramento. This was Westminster’s 1 st time participating in this event. The deacons came together and transformed a portion of the church parking lot into a small arena of tables with some features of a church picnic, including a bean bag toss, chalk art, barbecue and smore’s. There were tables of community service brochures and public information provided by the “National Night-Out” staff, along with Westminster information and gifts of eco-friendly water pouches and “Westminster Rainbow Pride” buttons...and there was music…I fulfilled a dream of playing disc-jockey and I’m pretty sure that everyone who came had a real good time. We learned a little about how we can use our parking lot to reach out the community and tell the Westminster story. After all, we’re Evangelical too!
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A world class botanical garden in Sacramento
More than just a beautiful place for plants, the Sacramento Botanical Garden will be a place for art, special events, and weddings. With an awe inspiring 20,000 square foot solar powered conservatory, majestic fountains, demonstration gardens, and a “garden to fork” restaurant, the garden will be a welcome addition to our growing city! You can see our progress as the garden comes to fruition by visiting our website at: SacBo.org And for the latest garden themed videos, go to our Facebook page!
Wet and Wild at Lake Natoma
On August 18, Westminster members had an opportunity to enjoy the warm summer weather. Families came to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center at Lake Natoma with the intention of seizing the last bit of summer fun they could. There were kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats to captain. Races were held to see who was the fastest! For those who simply came to enjoy the heat and cool water, the beach of the Aquatic Center was a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the sights of summer fun. Once everyone in the Westminster party had their fill of aquatic delights, they gathered to share a potluck meal. With hotdogs on
the grill, the feast caught the eye of some friendly ducks who invited themselves to the party. The casual and relaxed meal was the perfect way to end the day and gave everyone the chance to connect with friends, neighbors, and some new faces.
A big thank you to Don Tarnasky for arranging and coordinating, not just this trip, but a number of wonderful trips for Westminster. His time and talent are greatly appreciated.
September , 2019
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TIME DATED MATERIAL
(916)442-8939
www.westminsac.org
Ed Vlaanderen - editor
Our Mission Statement:
Westminster is a welcoming, inclusive community of faith, following
Christ’s example by supporting spiritual growth, serving others, and
promoting peace and justice.
1300 N Street, Sacramento Ca., 95814 916-442-8939 www.westminsac.org
W ESTMINSTER Presbyterian Church