Westminster Presbyterian Church

January 2012 Session Notes

Eric Varnon — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:19:02 +0000

January 16th Session Meeting Highlights

•	SESSION NOTES: Our church will be hosting the Grace Presbytery meeting on Friday, September 14, 2012. Please consider how you can help support this event as needs for hosts and other help is needed.
•	Session has called a Congregation meeting for Sunday, February 19, 2012 immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose reviewing the Committee Annual Reports, reviewing the Pastor’s Call for 2012, electing congregation members to the 2012 Nominating Committee, and to present recommendations regarding the quorums for Congregational meetings. Please put this date on your calendars.
•	In the past four weeks, we have received into membership six new members, including Juanita Cox and Brenda Senum on January 15, 2012. Please look for these members!
•	Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.
•	Session voted our 2012 benevolence budget of $26,029.42 to be distributed as follows: Pastor’s Discretionary Fund – $1,000, pledge to Presbytery – $23,819.42, pledge to Synod – $1,200.
•	Grace Presbytery meeting will next be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at NorthPark Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. Session elected Carol Edley and Harold Leeds as commissioners to this meeting. Please be in prayer for this meeting and the work that will be addressed.
•	Please be in prayer as Session and its committees work toward building our Children’s Ministry offerings in existing and new ways.
•	Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they continue to lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.

The Bible in One Year

Eric Varnon — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 03:55:02 +0000

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

The members, friends, and family of Westmister Presbyterian have taken on the challenge of reading through the Bible in 2012

Using the suggested readings from

The One Year Bible (NIV)

What is It?:

The One Year Bible guides readings through the entire bible in one year. Starting on January 1st, the Bible is divided into 4 readings. Each day includes an Old Testament reading, New Testament Reading, Psalm Reading, and a Proverbs Reading. By the end of the year, you will have read through each book of the Bible once and the Psalms twice.

Read it Like you Want:

Pick Up a copy of The One Year Bible [click here for the slimline large print version]
Get the Readings Every Day through RSS Feeds [click here for the feed]
Receive a Link to the Daily Readings in Your Email [click here to sign up for daily emails]
Pick Up the Readings in Each Sunday’s Bulletin Insert
Grab the Readings A Week at a time [click here for this week's readings]

December 2011 Session Notes

Eric Varnon — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:55:54 +0000

December 19th Session Meeting Highlights

•	SESSION NOTES: Session approved the 2012 budget in the amount of $461.293.57 and thanks each person in our congregation for the support given in time, talent, energy, love and money.
•	On Sunday, January 8, 2012 Lisa Francis, Celestine Kepnga, LaNelle Pierce-chambers, Mickey Rigney and Jule White will be ordained; Tony DiNicola will be installed to the Class of 2013; Lisa Francis, Celestine Kepnga, Mike Moriarty,LaNelle Pierce-Chambers, Mickey Rigney and Jule White will be installed to the Class of 2014; and Mickey Rigney and Mike Moriarty will be installed as trustees for the Class of 2014.
•	The Presbyterian Panel (a part of PCUSA) has randomly selected our congregation for participation in a survey. Members will be randomly selected to receive a personal invitation to participate in a three-year survey, primarily involving church membership and mission. Approximately three surveys a year will be sent with questions easily answered. Session and Dr. Hogg urge participation as requested by this organization. Compilations of the information gathered from our church members and the members of other churches selected will be available on the PCUSA website. (This opportunity to work within our church-at-large is DIFFERENT from the survey completed on Sunday, September 19 at the end of our worship service. This will be PCUSA contact directly with individual members of our church.)
•	Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.
•	Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they continue to lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.
•	Session thanks all those who contributed to the Advent Devotional this year. Combined with the efforts of the compilers and printers, the Devotional has been among the best You have written.
•	Session wishes a most joy- and love-filled Christmas season to each of you and we look forward to serving you in the New Year!

November 2011 Session Notes

Eric Varnon — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 16:39:40 +0000

November 21st Session Meeting Highlights

•	SESSION NOTES: The Fall Festival was another great success. Session thanks all workers, costumed or not, for their contributions to this successful event. Session specifically recognizes the Membership Committee, Robi McAllister, Mary VanGeem and Allison Hurd in the organization, planning and support of this event.
•	The Christmas Bazaar was a huge success. Session also thanks all workers for their contributions to this successful event. To date this event has raised in excess of $7,800 (gross) for the missions supported by our church. Session specifically recognizes Ellen White for again chairing this event, for Co-Chair Linda Wynne and the Outreach and Missions Committee and its chair Harold Leeds for the organization, planning and support of this event.
•	Session welcomed Valerie Kaye Holland into membership on November 20. Please make an effort to meet and greet her (she is a member of the wonderful Claus-Puckett “gang”).
•	Congratulations to Member Paul Zang, who was sworn in on Monday, November 21 as an American citizen.
•	Presbyterian Women will have a Bake Sale on Sunday, December 4. Please plan to visit their display and purchase something good to eat. The proceeds benefit the PW budget which includes scholarships to educational events and missions.
•	Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, December 4 immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose of electing elders and trustees.
•	Plan to join us on Sunday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. for the Advent Program. Our children have been working on their parts in the Christmas play, and they are looking forward to Santa and refreshments in Fellowship Hall afterwards.
•	The 2011 Elder Retreat will be December 9 and 10 at the Southwest Sub-Courthouse Annex. Please be in prayer for our elders, both current and incoming.
•	The Presbyterian Panel (a part of PCUSA) has randomly selected our congregation for participation in a survey. Members will be randomly selected to receive a personal invitation to participate in a three-year survey, primarily involving church membership and mission. Approximately three surveys a year will be sent with questions easily answered. Session and Dr. Hogg urge participation as requested by this organization. Compilations of the information gathered from our church members and the members of other churches selected will be available on the PCUSA website. (This opportunity to work within our church-at-large is DIFFERENT from the survey completed on Sunday, September 19 at the end of our worship service. This will be PCUSA contact directly with individual members of our church.)
•	Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.
•	Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they continue to lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.

Christmas Craft Bazaar

Eric Varnon — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:29:52 +0000

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AT WESTMINSTER

Bazaar Preview Party & Auctions: Fri. Nov. 18th, 6:30 PM – 9 PM – Fellowship Hall
Bazaar: Sat. Nov. 19th, 9 AM – 4 PM – Narthex and Fellowship Hall
[Enter/Exit through the Narthex]

Workdays:
Tues. Nov. 15th, Bldg. & Grnds. Com. , 9 AM; All others, 1 PM–Tables & fixtures Set-up
Wed. Nov. 16th, Staff RECEIVE & set-up inventory from 7 AM – 7 PM
Thurs. Nov. 17th, Staff RECEIVE & set-up inventory from 8 AM – Noon.
[PLEASE don't wait until Friday to bring products]. Staff shifts from 8 AM until 3 PM
Fri. Nov. 18th, Staff RECEIVE BAKED GOODS in Fellowship Hall from 8 AM – Noon

Preview Party & Auctions – [Staff times to be determined]
Food, entertainment, silent auction, & live auction
Sat. Nov. 19th, BAZAAR DAY – 2 Shifts: 8 AM – 1 PM and 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
Sign-up sheets will be in the narthex in mid-September.

On FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY, All Staff will wear special long-sleeved red crewneck
shirts with logo. The cost will be $9.50, payable BEFORE we order your shirt in October.
Items needed by October 26th: 2 steel posts, Gift certificates from businesses,
items for the gift baskets by

If you need supplies to make or complete a product, please contact Ellen White

Adult Educational Opportunities

Eric Varnon — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:21:12 +0000

Whoever you are…

Whatever your interests…

Whenever you’re available…

We’ve got you covered.

Check out one of our adult education opportunities:

Pathfinder Class:

Sundays 9:45 – 10:45

Studying “Devotional Classics”

Friendship Class:

Sundays 9:45 – 10:45

Studying The History of the Christianity

Motley Crew:

Sundays 9:45 – 10:45

Studying “The Jesus I Never Knew”

Men’s Bible Study:

Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:00

Studying The Gospel of John, OT Characters, Christian Disciplines, and more

Women’s Bible Study:

Wednesdays 7:00 – 9:00

Studying The Book of Daniel

Disciple Class:

Sundays 5:45 – 7:45

Studying “An Introduction to the New Testament”

2011 Fall Festival

Eric Varnon — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 15:04:48 +0000

Annual Fall Festival
Saturday October 29th
4:00 – 7:00 pm
There will Trunk or Treat, games, bounce houses, costume contest, music will fill the air, win prizes and enjoy fun activities of all kinds

Food will be available for purchase at a very affordable price!
Free to all ages: everyone is invited to attend

Volunteers are needed for booth design, carnival games, Trunk-R -Treating, costume judges, sign makers, promoters, prize donations & Youngsters of all ages.

All wrapped candy donations are accepted in the bins set up in the Narthex.

Please sign up in the Narthex or contact Robi McAllister

September Session Notes

Eric Varnon — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:55:40 +0000

September 19th Session Meeting Highlights

•	SESSION NOTES: The Fall Festival will be October 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. Happy workers with or without costume will be welcomed. Unhappy workers must be in costume.
•	The Christmas Bazaar will be Friday night preview and auction with Saturday sale to the public on November 18 and 19. Please plan to join us on Friday for preview and bidding and on Saturday for support where needed.
•	Session welcomed into membership on August 21, 2011 Nancy Lander, who is the sister of Member Mary Cox and on August 28, Jimmie E. (Jim) Fletcher. Please find these new members and welcome them.
•	Session welcomed part-time Minister-In-Training Dale Montgomery, a student at Brite Divinity. Dale and his wife Pam live in Waxahachie, and Session is thrilled to have him at work.
•	Widening of the sidewalk from the east parking lot to Fellowship Hall has been completed and handrails are in place. Thanks to Building and Grounds for having this work done.
•	Received into membership on August 28, 2011 Jimmie E. Fletcher based upon his Reaffirmation of Faith.
•	The Presbyterian Panel (a part of PCUSA) has randomly selected our congregation for participation in a survey. Members of our church will be randomly selected and to receive an invitation to participate in a three-year survey, primarily involving church membership and mission. Up to about three surveys a year will be sent with questions easily answered. Session and Dr. Hogg urge participation as requested by this organization. Compilations of the information gathered from our church and the other churches selected will be available on the PCUSA website. (This opportunity to work within our church-at-large is DIFFERENT from the survey completed on Sunday September 19. This will be PCUSA contact directly with individuals associated with our church.)
•	Congratulations to Loyce Ann Engler and Garry Edward Houston who will be married in our church on October 8. Loyce is a child of this church and her mother is Member Jeanette Engler.
•	The Book of Order has taken on a significant change in the Form of Government. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact the church.
•	Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.
•	Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.

The Meaning of ‘Keeping the Sabbath Holy’

Eric Varnon — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:20:26 +0000

I think I might have realized why God makes a big deal about the Sabbath. Its sometimes difficult to understand the ‘keep the sabbath holy’ command. What does that mean anyway? Does it mean we can’t work, we have to go to church, and it gives us an excuse to put off mowing the lawn for another day? It seems like one of those things God tells us to do that we just don’t want to agree with because it takes away the one day we have to sleep in, catch up on house work, and visit grandma’s house.

It is rare that I feel well prepared for a week-long trip with the youth. It doesn’t matter where we are going or what we are doing I’m always in a rush the 24 hours before we leave.

We left for the mission trip to Florida pretty much on time on Friday, but it was Thursday afternoon that God tried to slow me down for His purpose. My plan was to spend a couple of hours in the office early on Thursday afternoon and be home around 2:30. I didn’t make it to church until 1:30 and I didn’t leave until after 4:00. I had to rush home to get Leslie so we could be in Halton City by 5:15 to pick up the rental vans. Needless to say, I was in a rush when I left the church.

I jumped in my truck, backed out, and started out of the parking lot only to be slowed down (and annoyed) by a big red pickup in the middle of the church parking lot. I’m pretty sure I yelled ‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING?’ as I tried to squeeze by. Just as I passed him…I noticed a guy on the ground under the vehicle taking a spare tire off to change a flat tire.

It was hot outside, he was in the parking lot of my church, he was sitting on a black asphalt lot, and I was in too much of a hurry to offer him some help.

If I would have been prepared like I had planned. If I had offered help, do I trust God enough to make it all work out anyway? I guess I didn’t that day.

So, keeping the sabbath holy? Its just like most things. Its not so much about the command to do something in particular…its about God being so involved in our lives that He is always trying to teach us how to live as He intended. Did I listen enough this time to learn? I guess I’ll have to keep my eyes and heart open to see.

A Piece of History is Standing Behind Us

Eric Varnon — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 21:05:55 +0000

After our adventures with the water, we made our way through Memphis stopping to eat at a park next to the University of Tennessee Health & Science campus. A police officer sat in his car not too far from us, so the kids walked over to him and offered him a bottle of water and chatted for a few minutes.

After lunch we made our way to the National Civil Rights Museum that is at the site of the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. We bought our tickets and made our way inside to see a few simple exhibits as we waited to be seated for a 30 minute documentary about the events that led up to Dr. Kings murder.

In the video we learned about the situation surrounding the sanitation workers’ strike, the poor peoples march on Washington, and a little about the personal life of some of the leaders of the civil rights movement. Most of the documentary was narrated by Rev. Billy Kyles, an area minister and close friend of Dr. King’s. Rev. Kyles arrived at the Lorraine Motel an hour before the shooting because the group was to have dinner at his house that evening. As they prepared to leave for dinner, Rev. Kyles was only few feet from Martin Luther King Jr. when he was shot.

As the video ended a young man came to the front to give us further instructions for the remainder of our visit to the museum. A voice then came from behind us thanking the visitors for their visit to the museum. As we turned around, the voice and face were immediately familiar. There stood Rev. Kyles himself.

Some of the kids found an opportunity to speak to him and I snapped this picture of a couple of our girls with him.

We continued our tour of the museum that covered much more than the life and death of Martin Luther King Jr. The last exhibit was across the street in the building where the shooter was. There were details of the man hunt and the conspiracies that surround the assassination.

After our visit to the Civil Rights Museum, we made our way to Beale St. where we walked through shops, listened to some live music and had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.

Mike was quite entertained by the music and didn’t move from this spot until we told him we had to leave.

We ended our evening relaxing at the hotel, watching some movies, and closing with our devotionals.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

January 2012 Session Notes

•

SESSION NOTES:

Our church will be hosting the Grace Presbytery meeting on Friday, September 14, 2012. Please consider how you can help support this event as needs for hosts and other help is needed.

In the past four weeks, we have received into membership six new members, including Juanita Cox and Brenda Senum on January 15, 2012. Please look for these members!

•

Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.

•

Session voted our 2012 benevolence budget of $26,029.42 to be distributed as follows: Pastor’s Discretionary Fund – $1,000, pledge to Presbytery – $23,819.42, pledge to Synod – $1,200.

•

Grace Presbytery meeting will next be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at NorthPark Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas. Session elected Carol Edley and Harold Leeds as commissioners to this meeting. Please be in prayer for this meeting and the work that will be addressed.

•

Please be in prayer as Session and its committees work toward building our Children’s Ministry offerings in existing and new ways.

•

Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they continue to lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.

The Bible in One Year

December 2011 Session Notes

•

SESSION NOTES:

Session approved the 2012 budget in the amount of $461.293.57 and thanks each person in our congregation for the support given in time, talent, energy, love and money.

•

Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.

•

Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they continue to lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.

•

Session thanks all those who contributed to the Advent Devotional this year. Combined with the efforts of the compilers and printers, the Devotional has been among the best You have written.

•

Session wishes a most joy- and love-filled Christmas season to each of you and we look forward to serving you in the New Year!

November 2011 Session Notes

•

SESSION NOTES:

Session welcomed Valerie Kaye Holland into membership on November 20. Please make an effort to meet and greet her (she is a member of the wonderful Claus-Puckett “gang”).

•

Congratulations to Member Paul Zang, who was sworn in on Monday, November 21 as an American citizen.

•

Presbyterian Women will have a Bake Sale on Sunday, December 4. Please plan to visit their display and purchase something good to eat. The proceeds benefit the PW budget which includes scholarships to educational events and missions.

•

Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, December 4 immediately following the 11:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose of electing elders and trustees.

•

Plan to join us on Sunday, December 4 at 6:00 p.m. for the Advent Program. Our children have been working on their parts in the Christmas play, and they are looking forward to Santa and refreshments in Fellowship Hall afterwards.

•

The 2011 Elder Retreat will be December 9 and 10 at the Southwest Sub-Courthouse Annex. Please be in prayer for our elders, both current and incoming.

•

•

Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.

•

Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they continue to lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.

Christmas Craft Bazaar

Adult Educational Opportunities

2011 Fall Festival

September Session Notes

•

SESSION NOTES:

The Fall Festival will be October 29 from 4 to 7 p.m. Happy workers with or without costume will be welcomed. Unhappy workers must be in costume.

The Christmas Bazaar will be Friday night preview and auction with Saturday sale to the public on November 18 and 19. Please plan to join us on Friday for preview and bidding and on Saturday for support where needed.

Session welcomed into membership on August 21, 2011 Nancy Lander, who is the sister of Member Mary Cox and on August 28, Jimmie E. (Jim) Fletcher. Please find these new members and welcome them.

•

Session welcomed part-time Minister-In-Training Dale Montgomery, a student at Brite Divinity. Dale and his wife Pam live in Waxahachie, and Session is thrilled to have him at work.

•

Widening of the sidewalk from the east parking lot to Fellowship Hall has been completed and handrails are in place. Thanks to Building and Grounds for having this work done.

•

Received into membership on August 28, 2011 Jimmie E. Fletcher based upon his Reaffirmation of Faith.

•

•

Congratulations to Loyce Ann Engler and Garry Edward Houston who will be married in our church on October 8. Loyce is a child of this church and her mother is Member Jeanette Engler.

•

The Book of Order has taken on a significant change in the Form of Government. If you are interested in obtaining a copy, please contact the church.

•

Joys and concerns were shared and we are in prayer for all.

•

Please continue to join our Session in daily prayer – at noon or as close to then as possible – as they lift collective prayer for God’s will for our church.

The Meaning of ‘Keeping the Sabbath Holy’

A Piece of History is Standing Behind Us