The Link. The Apostle Paul challenges the Romans in. Be transformed and be a witness BE TRANSFORMED. do not be. in this issue

Transcription

1 The Link Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, mi Volume 25, number 12: December 2012 Be transformed and be a witness The Apostle Paul challenges the Romans in his letter to them: Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the by the renewal of your mind. The Roman Church to which Paul penned these words was a mixture of Jewish and Gentile converts. The Jewish Christians were equipped with an understanding of the Torah and the traditions and beliefs of Judaism. They had a history of living in foreign lands or under foreign rule. They knew the challenges of maintaining their identity under pressure to adopt foreign customs and gods. This history provided for them a way to better understand Jesus words and work of transformation. The Gentile converts, however, were accustomed to many specific gods with particular powers and influence some global, but most limited to a particular location and even as limited as a single household. And this belief system was very different than what they accepted when they became converts to Christianity in particular they were accustomed to a punishment and rewards system, rather than grace freely given. The mix of Jewish converts and Gentile converts was common throughout Asia Minor, and it was an asset in that it truly highlighted the central message of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In Rome, however, in 49 A.D. there was a decree by Caesar that expelled all the Jews from the city. They were allowed to return in 54 A.D. do not be CONFORMED BE TRANSFORMED after Nero ascended to power. For five years the Gentile- Christians were separated from their Jewish-Christian brothers and sisters. Isolated from the fellowship, compassion and concern, as well as their profound influence in regard to their faith. I mention this because it provides some insight into many of the things Paul wrote to the church in Rome, including Romans 12:2. There is some dispute as to the actual date of the Roman Epistle. Some scholars believe it to have been written in the early 50s and some believe it was written in the mid to later 50s. If it was written earlier, then the Jewish-Christians were not in Rome at the time, and Paul was writing to the Gentile-Christians who were accustomed to the Roman belief system and would have faced incredible pressure to conform to it. If it was written later, then the Jewish-Christians had only recently returned and were likely very concerned about fitting into Roman culture so as not to raise concerns. Either way, Paul writing to them, encouraging them not to conform to the worldly standards was a challenging and timely message. We are entering Advent the season when the Church adjusts its view to remember the faithful waiting for the Messiah and Paul s message is as timely as ever. All around us there is the pressure to conform to the patterns that have eclipsed the message of the Gospel. The cultural holidays we celebrate at this time of year are less about Christmas and the patient and faithful waiting for the promised Messiah and more about Black Friday and Cyber Monday and the next discount day. I haven t yet heard about anyone trampled or tazered at a shopping mall or department store (as has happened in the recent past), but the anxiety about whether this season is going to boost the economic recovery is certainly a part of the landscape. And there is certainly interest in finding out what is the must-have gift for this year. "Do not conform to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. It is so easy to accommodate the cultural influences without even knowing it. That s the nature of conformity. Not conforming is a conscious Transformation, continued on page 2 in this issue Spiritual Classics, 2 Brookhaven Praise & Prayer, 2 Focus for the new year, 3 Camp Take Notice update, 3 Calendar, 4 Contributions & endowment, 5 Children & teens, 6 Events & announcements, 7

2 Continued from page 1 Transformation yields a witness to faith decision requiring effort. Not conforming has as much to do with not adopting practices and values that are in conflict with the Gospel as it is letting our faithfulness stand out as an example. There are unique challenges to followers of Christ at any given time, but this season is one in which our faithfulness may bear a profound witness. And our witness is less about the cultural battles of whether the large figurine manger scene can be displayed on public property or whether it is politically correct to say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. The challenge to be faithful in a consumer-driven culture is more about how much is enough for us, and being generous on the basis of the generosity we have received not how little can we give to those in need and still feel like we ve given enough. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Pray about each decision you make especially during this time when the pressure to conform is so powerful and seductive. Let the peace of Christ dwell in you richly and so be a witness to the life that transcends the crazy, fruitless anxiety of this time of year. Stephen Carl Spiritual Classics: timeless books that encourage us to hear and obey the word of the Lord This is the last in our series of reviews of classic books available in our church library. Larry Woodruff has written these as a way to assist others in their spiritual journey. These are not quick, easy reads but rather they are books that will stimulate us to examine our faith. Take time to reflect on what you are reading for there is no rushing spiritual development. The Meaning of Prayer, by Harry Emerson Fosdick ( ) Harry Emerson Fosdick, a graduate of Colgate College and Union Theological Seminary, was ordained in the Baptist Church in He served as pastor and preacher in several Baptist and Presbyterian churches in New York City. In 1930 he became pastor of the large interdenominational Riverside Church. During both world wars and the depression in the 1930s, Rev. Fosdick became deeply involved in the controversies of those difficult years and preached challenging sermons. Nevertheless when Fosdick spoke of prayer, he rose above the conflicts of his times and addressed everyone s deep thirst for communion with the living God. No matter where we stand in the conflicts of the present time, we will find his little book, The Meaning of Prayer, extremely helpful. Pastor Fosdick encourages us to pray by leading us through ten weeks of daily prayer. Each week addresses a different theme, including: The Naturalness of Prayer; Hindrances and Difficulties; Unselfishness in Prayer. Each day s reading gives us a meditation, verses from the Bible, and a prayer to explore a facet of the week s theme. We learn about prayer by praying. An extended Comment concludes each week s meditations and prayers. Praise and Prayer at Brookhaven Friday, January 8, 7 pm Sing, pray, mingle with and bring joy to residents of Brookhaven Manor. Cathi King will speak, and the Westminster Flutes and Jeannette Faber will lead music. Sign up later this month in the fellowship hall entry. Please sign up to bring cookies also if you are able. 2

3 Focus for the new year The calendar on the wall in my office doesn t begin with January 1. It begins with December 2. It is a calendar arranged according to the seasons of the Christian liturgical year. I love it. It reminds me constantly that there is a rhythm to my life that transcends every other season. Read what others have said about it: The University Hill Church publishes the calendar 'to enable the re-telling of the life and story of Jesus Christ. It encourages people to live differently from the dominant culture.' They see 'living in God's time' as an act of subversion. Diana Butler Bass Every day is holy, a gift of time in which we enter into the great rhythms of God s creation and salvation. Eugene Peterson "This is our calendar as Christians, the mark, instrument, and proof-positive of our dual citizenship in both secular and liturgical time. Phyllis Tickle This new calendar refers all our seasons back to the Lord of all time and may, in quite concrete ways, provide a form of resistance against the timelessness of consumerism back into the timefulness of our faith. Walter Brueggemann Interested in ordering one? Check it out at So, as you read this issue of The Link, Happy New Year is in order, as is a call to New Year s resolutions, for each of us as disciples of Jesus Christ. Perhaps it is time to focus. The word focus comes from the Latin word for fireplace or hearth. As the winter months settle upon us, many of us will have fires in the center of our rooms, radiating warmth and comfort. Our fires will be a point of focus in our gathering spaces. May this be a reminder to focus on holy listening. In November Pastor Gadiel Gomez from Central Presbyterian Church in Norristown, PA, talked about ministries of accompaniment. Just as Shawn s piano or organ music accompanies our singing in worship, so too we are called as disciples to accompany others to walk alongside, sharing burdens and joys, supporting growth, being companions of compassion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt used to hold fireside chats, addressing the nation informally over the radio or television. Let s enter into some fireside chats with God. Let s engage in holy listening, tuning our ears and hearts to that ministry of accompaniment which singularly calls to each one of us. Tune out the noise and tune in to the need, the cry, the yearning that calls to your heart, that calls for your love. By the grace of God, be the grace of God. Happy New Year! Cathi King Camp Take Notice: Where Are They Now? Saturday, December 8, 8 am All are invited women also to the December Men's Breakfast for an update on the members of Camp Take Notice. Many have moved to apartments; some traveled recently to New Jersey to help with Hurricane Sandy cleanup. Please sign up in the fellowship hall entry. 3

4 December 2012 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 Worship with 3 7 pm Bell choir 4 noon Yoga with Kim 5 1 pm Needlecrafters 6 9:30 am Disciple One 7 8 am Morning prayer 8 8 am Men s 1 Communion, at 8:45 rehearsal 4:45 pm Riverside 1 pm Book study 9 am Family Fun Time Breakfast 10 am and 11:15 am Community Gathering 6 pm Disciple One 9:30 am Yoga with Kim 8 pm It s a Family Sunday school for all 5:15 pm Advent Dinner Wonderful Fun ages at 10 am and Children s 6 pm Til Midnight Life: movie Time 12:30 pm Children s Christmas pageant (youth event) and monthly pageant rehearsal discussion event 9 Worship at 8:45 and 10 7 pm Bell choir 11 noon Sarah Circle; 12 1 pm Women s Bible 13 9:30 am Disciple One 14 8 am Morning prayer 15 Deadline for January 11:15 am rehearsal; Missional Yoga with Kim study Sunday school for all Monday* committee 6 pm Disciple One 9 am Family Fun Time issue of The Link 4:45 pm Riv. Cmty. Gath. ages at 10 am meetings 7 pm Bell choir 9:30 am Yoga with Kim 5:45 pm Wed. Night Live! rehearsal; Property noon Sixty Plus Club 1o am Bake sale to dinner and activities Committee benefit Hope Clinic 6:30 pm Wed. Knitters 11:15 am Sun. Detectives 7:30 pm Westm. Choir 16 Worship at 8:45 and 17 7 pm Bell choir 18 noon Yoga with Kim 19 4:45 pm Riverside 20 9:30 am Disciple One 21 8 am Morning prayer 22 1 pm Choir rehearsal 11:15 am rehearsal 7 pm Session meeting Community Gathering 6 pm Disciple One 9 am Family Fun Time 6:30 pm Christmas by Sunday school for all 7:30 pm Westm. Choir 7 pm Deacons 9:30 am Yoga with Kim Candlelight (youth ages at 10 am event) 12:30 pm Youth Christmas caroling Worship at 8:45 and 11:15 am: Festival of Lessons and Carols Sunday school for all ages at 10 am Christmas Eve CHRISTMAS DAY candlelight worship: 5 pm, 7:30 pm, 10:30 pm Church offices closed Church offices closed 4:45 pm Riverside Community Gathering 8 am Morning prayer 9 am Family Fun Time One worship service only at 10 am * Missional Monday committee meetings include Administration, Adult Education, Children, Endowment, Fellowship, Membership, Mission, Stewardship and Finance, Worship, and Youth and Young Adults. A few committees meet at other times. Meeting locations and times are online at Please note: The official church calendar is maintained in the church office by Office and Facilities Manager Judy Slater. All event dates and room assignments in our building must be cleared with her. Wednesday Night Live! 5:45 6:30 pm Dinner (fellowship hall; $5 per person; $15 per family) 6:15 7:30 pm Classes and activities for all ages 7:30 9 pm Westminster Choir (sanctuary) On our web site Keep track of Children's Ministry events and news at Keep track of Youth Ministry events at Stay informed regarding events for all ages at Westminster at westpresa2.org/news/. The Westminster Weekly, plus sermon title and Sunday Bible readings are placed online on Fridays. Get the week s news early, and give God opportunity to prepare your heart for Sunday s worship. Sign up to receive The Link via on the web site home page. Westminster Presbyterian Church KNOW GROW SHOW SOW We believe those who claim Jesus is Lord are the church called by the Holy Spirit as a demonstration and instrument of God s mission in the world. We are a caring community of Christians devoted in joyful worship and service to Jesus Christ, called by Him to reach out to all people so together we may: Know God s saving grace and call on our lives through prayer, word, devotion, relationship with God Grow in devoted discipleship through service, faith development, small groups, leadership development, mentoring Show our faithful thanksgiving through worship, praise, caring ministry, community of faith, fellowship, relationship with others, hospitality, stewardship Sow Gospel seeds of hope and love through mission (locally and around the world), calling, witness, grace, compassionate outreach, encouragement, invitation, volunteering, using gifts, contributing time and talents The Link is published at the beginning of each month. The deadline for each issue is the 15 th of the prior month. The editor is Marti Burbeck, thelink@westpresa2.org or

5 Contributions count as 2012 tax deductions through December 31 Contributions may be directed to a particular Westminster outreach cause As 2012 comes to a close, please remember that contributions must be delivered to the church or postmarked vidual will designate that their donated funds should expressed through session. In some instances, an indi- on or before December 31 to be counted as a donation be used for a specific purpose. This can include specific for the current tax year. A calendar year contribution funds within the church or specific mission outreach statement for tax purposes will be available for pick-up programs (see listing below for session approved funds after the first of January. and programs). If you choose to make a designated donation, please remember to clearly indicate the designa- Donations can be made in various forms: cash, check, stock transfers or mutual fund transfers. Westminster tion with your donation (e.g. notation on the memo line maintains a Vanguard Group money market account to of a check). Please see the list of Session-approved funds accommodate direct Vanguard Fund transfers. Contact and mission outreach programs on the following page. David Hammond for specific account numbers and As always, we want to thank you for your continued procedures for the transfer of stock or mutual fund financial support of the ministries of Westminster. If you donations. have any questions regarding donations, please contact The majority of funds donated are non-designated Steve Kennel, Treasurer, Stewardship and Finance Committee, or David Hammond, Financial Secretary. because they go into the general operating fund and are disbursed according to the will of the congregation as What is your legacy of faith? Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and on the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 The author of 1 Chronicles captures God s love for all of us, the earth, stars, and every living thing: love overflowing! Our commitment to follow Christ includes his mandate that we become good stewards of our resources, our neighbor s well-being, and God s creation. One way we can do this together is to strengthen our congregation s endowment fund, enabling higher levels of funding for mission programs and agencies that express our love for God s people and His universe. If you haven t updated your will in a while, now might be a great time to review your estate plans. Please contact a member of the Westminster Endowment and Memorial Gifts Committee for assistance. We encourage you to prayerfully consider leaving a percentage of your estate to our congregation s endowment fund. By supporting the endowment fund, we can help you create a legacy of faith that will positively impact our congregation ministry long after your lifetime. Gifts through bequests and memorials, as well as donations of assets, can help our congregation support its mission in the world both today and for generations to come. To learn more about including the church in your estate plans and how your legacy can supports its ministry, please contact: Howard Conlon, Steve Kennel, Margaret Klammer, Jack MacArthur, Dick Trim, David Wright. Thank you for helping us plant seeds today that will bear fruits of God s love for future members of our faith community. A specific device by which you might contribute to the Westminster Endowment Fund is a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). A CRT provides an income for one or more named individual beneficiaries for a specific term or for life with the remaining assets within the trust distributed to one or more charities. A CRT is a good way to convert appreciated lowyielding securities into a sizeable income stream without cap ital gains taxation. Westminster Endowment Fund Contributions as of October 31, 2012: $107,960 Market value as of October 31, 2012: $132,458 Market value gain/<loss> since September 30, 2012 = <$1,402.50> Minimum required principal = $150,000 5

6 Third graders collect and donate cereal and peanut butter Cereal and peanut butter collected by our Westminster third graders during October were delivered to the food pantry at Comunidad Los Del Camino (CLDC) in southwest Detroit (by Sue Flynn, pictured). Many of the pantry shelves were bare, including those designated for peanut butter and cereal. Thanks to our Westminster children, folks who came for food later that day received both items in their grocery bag. The free pantry at CLDC is open every Wednesday. Anyone showing up at the church receives a bag of food as long as the supply lasts. CLDC and those receiving the groceries thank our Westminster third graders. Keep up with Children's Ministry news at Keep up with Youth Ministry news at Childcare provider sought for Sunday mornings (8:30 AM 12:30 PM) for infants through 3-year-olds, and occasionally during holidays or for special events. Must be over 18. Please contact Tina Shaw. Session Approved Funds and Mission Outreach Programs Designated Funds Deacon s Fund Endowment Funds (General, Building, Children and Youth, and Missions) Library Fund Member Health & Living Fund Memorial Garden Fund Memorial Gifts Fund Reserve Funds (Capital Obsolescence, Operating Contingency, Pastoral Housing, and Vision Initiatives) Mission Outreach Programs Biola University (Noelle Smallish) Black Forest Academy, PC(USA) Habitat for Humanity H.E.A.R.T. Men s Shelter Program Hope Clinic, Ypsilanti International Teams, Romania (Mike and Elvira Babcock) Latin American Fellowship, Norristown, PA O. C. International, Brazil (David Kornfield) PC(USA) Shared Missions Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship, PC(USA) (Harold Kurtz) Riverside Community Gathering, Ypsilanti Spanish Language Institute, Costa Rica (Julie Chamberlain) Surma Project, Ethiopia (Gwen and John Haspels) Theological Education Fund, PC(USA) Youth with a Mission, Ghana (Maxwell and Rachel Smallish Dziku) Westminster Garden, Growing Hope Westminster participatory mission trips Faith Promise Offerings Ecumenical Center and International Residence Friends in Deed, Ypsilanti House by the Side of the Road, Ann Arbor Medical Benevolence Foundation, PC(USA) Ministerio de Fe, Mexico Other Causes Alpha House/IHN, Ann Arbor Young Life Prison Fellowship Ministries Samaritan Counseling Services, Ypsilanti Staples Family Center, Salvation Army, Ann Arbor Undesignated Faith Promise distributed equally to all Faith Promise causes PC(USA)Special Offerings (Christmas Joy, One Great Hour of Sharing, Disaster Assistance) 6

7 Mark your calendars with a HEART Westminster will provide shelter for about 25 homeless men, February You can be part of this welcoming ministry by: hosting an evening with a special snack or activity; spending the night as an overnight host; providing weekend transportation; donating toiletries and socks as part of the Children's collection; bringing in books and magazines that our guests would find interesting and appropriate; and more. Watch for signup opportunities next month. Help us open our doors with the welcoming love of Christ Jesus! White Elephant Gift Exchange Sixty Plus Club, Friday, December 14, noon Join us for lunch and some fun with Susan Ainsworth leading us in our White Elephant Exchange! Bring a wrapped "something" (what treasures we find in our basements!) and take home something else... of equal or lesser value! All are invited. RSVP to Bonnie Terpstra or Phoebe Vance (note that this is the 2nd Friday, due to Christmas). Westminster finances are reported October 2012 Monthly budget Actual receipts and disbursements Pledge income 47,319 34,837 Other income 6,194 +5,786 Expenses 57,963 50,821 Receipts minus expenses = <$10,198> (deficit) Year-to-date balance: $10,658 Questions or concerns? Please contact Jeff Kennedy, Treasurer or David Hammond, Financial Secretary. Westminster now has a compost bin: Our Westminster Garden Team gives the gift that keeps on giving by creating a composting area to reuse organic waste Where is it? The new compost bin is just inside the tree line across the back (west) parking lot from the memorial garden. Why compost? Finished compost is a free soil amendment and fertilizer for the garden. It is mild and won't burn plants like chemical fertilizers. By adding compost you'll improve the overall texture of your soil enabling it to retain and drain water better. What to compost: There are two main types of organic materials you can feed your compost bin: greens and browns. Greens are high in nitrogen and described as wet. Browns are described as dry materials and are high in carbon. When feeding your compost bin try to maintain a balance of 50% greens and 50% browns by weight. Since greens are typically heavier, you should add two to three buckets of browns for every bucket of greens you add. Green materials to compost: Vegetable and fruit scraps; coffee grounds and filters; tea bags and leaves; fresh grass clippings; plant trimmings from your garden; houseplants. Brown materials to compost: Dry leaves; straw and dry hay; woodchips and sawdust from untreated wood; dried grass clippings; shredded paper and brown paper (bags); egg and nut shells; hair and animal fur; paper, shredded newspaper (printed with soy ink to be safe) paper towels, and paper tubes. Do not compost the following: Meat; fish; eggs; dairy products; oily foods, fats or grease; bread or bread products; bones; rice; pastas; salad dressings; sauces; nuts or nut butters; cat and dog waste; diseased plants and seeds of weedy plants; anything treated with pesticides. Composting tips: Chop materials into small pieces, which will break down faster. Always cover your layer of green material with a layer of brown material to cut down on flies and mask any odors. If you want fine compost, run over it with a mulching lawn mower. When composting whole plants remove seed heads and seed pods. If possible avoid adding roots of plants to your compost pile that could generate a whole new plant. 7

8 Westminster Presbyterian Church 1500 Scio Church Road Ann Arbor, Michigan Sunday worship, 8:45 and 11:15 am; Classes for all ages, 10 am Wednesday Night Live! Dinner, classes, choir rehearsals for all ages beginning at 5:45 pm The Link Everyday Extraordinary film series, back by popular demand! Everyday, ordinary people living their ordinary daily lives are depicted in the four films in this series; in the midst of their faithfulness, the extraordinary happens. Lives are changed. The world around them is healed in some remarkable way, and nothing will ever be the same again. These people didn't set out on a quest for glory or fame. The circumstances of their stories may even have unfolded originally out of personal need. Their stories give us hope, renew our faith and inspire us to live our everyday lives with great expectation that each day has the potential to become extraordinary. Join us for the first film in the series, It s a Wonderful Life, on Saturday, December 8, at 7 pm. After the movie, we ll discuss it over potluck desserts. Please sign up in the fellowship hall entry. You can watch the movie trailers at Dates for the four movies are: It s a Wonderful Life (unrated), December 8, 2012 Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (PG-13), January 12, 2013 Patch Adams (PG-13), February 9, 2013 Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (PG-13), March 9, 2013