WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER VOLUME 49, ISSUE 10 October 2017 Worship Joyfully, Serve Faithfully, Give Generously

2 From Pastor Daniel: As we approach the 500 th Anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, here are a few thoughts about how the Reformed Tradition has shaped my faith and practice of ministry. A few years ago, I was meeting with a nervous couple about the baptism of their youngest child. Their little boy was going through a fussy stage, and they were worried that he would not cooperate for the baptism. I do not think it eased their anxiety when I suggested that it had been a while since I baptized an uncooperative child, so I was kind of hoping he would pitch a fit in front of everyone. I was kidding, of course. Sort of. Actually, a moment like that is a great teaching opportunity, because have any of us really cooperated with God in our redemption? Would it not be an appropriate picture of the Christian faith and an occasion to talk about a God who reaches out to us, even when we are kicking and screaming? That kind of thing has certainly been the story of my life. At a few months old, I m not sure how I behaved at my own baptism in First Presbyterian Church of Orangeburg. I cannot help but think I was at least a little resistant. It certainly would be consistent with the rest of my life in terms of cooperating with God. The depth of my sin and rebellion is great, as is my capacity for idolatry and self-promotion. Yet, God s grace for me in Jesus Christ far outdistances my sin and brokenness, and my place before him is secure not because I have cooperated, but because of grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The leaders of the Reformation and the ones who have followed in their footsteps stand firmly upon those foundations and others such as the sovereignty of God, the authority and sufficiency of Scripture, the priesthood of all believers, election for salvation and service, the covenant life of the church, and a stewardship that reaches into every area of life. Those Reformed principles have not only helped me make sense of my own experiences, but they are the framework through which I see the world and make choices in ministry. It is not always an easy road, for there are pressures from the world and even from within the church. Attractive temptations like pure pragmatism, emotionalism, or the false gospel of self-fulfillment are the siren songs of the twenty-first century, and were it not for being grounded in the Reformed faith, I imagine my ministry would be inconsistent, impotent, and ultimately unfaithful. It is because of the sound principles of the Reformed Tradition that I have any chance of being equipped for better preaching, teaching, and pastoral care. Soli Deo Gloria! Pastor Daniel

3 Highlights from the October Session Meeting We approved minutes from previous meetings and the August 2017 Financial Report. August 2017 Jan August 2017 Jan August 2016 Contributions Budgeted 44, , , Contributions Actual 41, , , Expense Budgeted 58, , , Expense Actual 55, , , We approved the Preschool offering Paypal as a way for parents to pay tuition and fees. The Columbarium project is postponed until the cost of some other capital improvement projects is known. Associate Pastor Nominating Committee is reviewing information forms. The Guatemala partnership is strong: recent developments include a possible new location for LaPatria School. The money Westminster Presbyterian Church raised ($120,000) will be used solely for construction. Westminster Presbyterian Church will host a gathering of Pastors and Sessions from the 7 Presbyterian Churches in our neighborhood (Charleston) on October 1. Session agreed to use up to $20,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund for needed upgrades in the administrative wing. Money from the Youth and Children s Ministry Fund will be used to help fund the family retreat at Bethelwoods. Golf for a Good Cause Westminster is a hole sponsor for Healing Farms annual golf tournament. Healing Farms is a West Ashley ministry meeting the needs of students with disabilities who are aging out of high school and facing limited opportunities for employment or contribution. Since we re a sponsor, we get to send a foursome (expenses paid) to play in the tournament. It is Friday, October 13, at Stono Ferry. Registration and lunch at 11:30. If you d like to represent WPC, speak with Pastor Daniel or contact the church office.

4 In Memory of Esma Harris For Undesignated From Dennis Spurgeon Hilda A. Tindall Elizabeth G. Fulgham George and Dorothy Johnson To My Westminster Family, Thank you for your many acts of kindness during my confinement. Phone calls, visits, cards, food and errands were truly appreciated. I will see you in church again when I can fully weight bear,because healing of this ankle is tedious. However, I will be thinking of you all until then. Thank you. God s Blessings Gloria Purcell To God be the glory! Second Sunday Social Luncheon October 8, 2017 Join us the second Sunday each month for our second Sunday Social luncheon. The resident members of the Presbyterian Village in Summerville have been invited to join us for Worship and lunch on October 8. Westminster members are asked to bring two dishes to share with everyone for good food and fellowship, immediately following the 11:00 worship service. October Birthdays 2 Audra Walters 4 Will Kuenzel Mary Mcguirt 5 Shawn Fulmer Marsha Grayson Natalie Platts 6 Page Miller 8 John Wright 10 Harrison Clark Ann Morris Tony Rushton 11 John Paul Walker 13 Greg Ramsay 14 Ali McAbee 15 Allyn Bruce Amy Smoak 16 Charlotte Walker 17 Walker Purcell 18 Duncan Newkirk Kendall Ramsay 19 Will Axon 20 Madison Freedy Sam Hiott 21 Nathan Ward 22 Dorothy Daniels Michael Grayson Tyler Mobley 23 Sara Dwyer Hilary Parrish 24 Barry Baskin Janie Bruce 26 John Foster David Morris Sarah Sams Brenda Shepard Chuck Towne 27 Doug Earnst Peggy Inabinet 30 Robert Bobo 31 William Jonsson

5 An Update on the LaPatria School and the Guatemalan Partnership Westminster s pledge of $120,000 to save the La Patria School in Coban has sparked exciting conversations in the IENPG (National Presbyterian Church) about new possibilities for the school. Prior to our commitment, the IENPG was considering closing the school. That is no longer the case; now the discernment is centered on where to build a new school. The IENPG understands relocating the school to a more prime location in Coban will benefit the long-term viability of the school. In fact, as a demonstration of their commitment to La Patria, they voted to earmark money from the sale of another piece of property for land in Coban. Property options are now being explored. It is a good and exciting development- a true partnership at work. A flyer with all the details is available in the church Narthex.

6 Worship Attendance 8:45 11:00 September September September Backpack Buddies Schedule for packing weekend food kits for Mary Ford Elementary School students, once a month on Wednesday nights after Wonderful Wednesday Church Family Dinner. All ages can help! October 4, 2017 November 1, 2017 December 6, 2017 January 10, 2018 February 7, 2018 March 7, 2018 March 21, 2018 May 2, 2018

7 News from the APNC Please remember your Associate Pastor Nominating Committee in your prayers. Here s where they are in the search process: Completed: Session formally requests approval from Charleston Atlantic Presbytery s Commission on Ministry (COM) to create a new position of Associate Pastor. Position approved by the COM and an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) authorized. Congregation elects the members of the APNC. COM is trained by COM representative. MIF (Ministry Information Form) is prepared by the APNC. MIF is approved by the WPC Session. MIF is approved by the COM. Needs to be completed: The APNC receives Personal Information Forms (PIFs) from candidates through referrals and the PCUSA s Church Leadership Connection. Through prayer and interviews, the APNC discerns and extends a call to a candidate. The candidate accepts the terms of call. The candidate is examined by the Commission on Ministry The candidate is called by the congregation The candidate is installed as the new Associate Pastor at WPC!

8 Presbyterian Women Moderator, Kendall Ramsay Treasurer, Fran Ligon Oct. 4 - PW Council, 6:45 pm (in the parlor) Oct Circle 4, 10:30 am Library Covenant Hall Ms. Rose s restaurant following the study. Circle 5, 10:00 am (in the parlor) Oct Circle 1, 7:00 pm (in the library) HOOKS AND NEEDLES Greatly needed: Knitters and crocheters who can spare one Monday morning a month to meet together and give their spare time at home to help us in our Hooks and Needles Ministry. We will meet Monday, October 10, in Covenant Hall, Classroom 4, at 10:00 am for about an hour and a half. Please come we need you! If you would like more information or have questions, please contact Judy Tag at judyt3@bellsouth.net News from the Preschool Fall is here and everyone seems to be settling into a nice routine. This month will be filled with field trips to the Fire Station, Legare Farms, and the Pumpkin Patch at Boone Hall, as well as getting ready for Halloween. The boys and girls will have units on bats, the color orange, and pumpkins. The Fall Carnival will be at the end of the month. This event is sponsored by our parents and it includes games, piñatas, a fun class picture, and a hayride. The Room Mothers run the entire event and the children have so much fun. The children will also trick or treat in the church offices and some will trick or treat at Heartland. The Preschool would like to ask the congregation to save Box Tops for Education for our school. It is free money for the school. Please leave your Box Tops in the Church Office. Thank you for your continuous support of the Preschool. Happy Fall Ya ll. The Preschool

9 The Reformation: A Movement that Changed the World Forever Beginning in 1517 with Martin Luther, the Protestant Reformation changed the world and left a legacy we Presbyterians are part of today. In the next month, there are two ways we re celebrating the 500 th anniversary of the Reformation and learning about our spiritual heritage. A Sermon Series For 5 weeks, we ll learn about the five mottos or "solas (Latin)" that capture the core of Reformed theology. Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 Sola Scriptura ( Scripture alone ): The Bible alone is our highest authority. Solus Christus ( Christ alone ): Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King. Sola Gratia ( grace alone ): We are saved by the grace of God alone. Sola Fide ( faith alone ): We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria ( to the glory of God alone ): We live for the glory of God alone. A Special 2-Part Sunday School All adults are invited to a combined class on October 29 and November 5 at 9:45 in Covenant Hall. We ll learn about the events that led up to the Reformation, the key people God used during the Reformation, and the legacy the Reformation left for the whole world. Bill McSweeney and Amy Smoak are the class leaders.

10 Westminster Presbyterian Church 1157 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard Charleston, South Carolina Electronic Service Requested Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Charleston, SC Permit No. 48 WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Dr. Daniel Lawrence Smoak.Pastor Nita Rushton Office Administrator Anne Camburn Business Administrator Robin Zemp.....Director of Music Alicia Crosby. Preschool Director Pam Smith..Preschool Assistant Director Janie Bruce......Director of Youth/Children s Ministries Joan Foster...Childcare Coordinator Carol Smith...Hostess/Caterer SUNDAYS AT WESTMINSTER 8:45 a.m. - Worship Service 9:45 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - Worship Service COMMUNION is celebrated the first Sunday of every month. 2ND SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH 12:00 noon Second Sunday Luncheon WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY CHURCH FAMILY DINNER 6:00 p.m. Dinner Westminster Presbyterian Church (USA) Fax: WESTMINSTER SESSION CLASS OF 2018 CLASS OF 2019 CLASS OF 2020 Lindy Coleman Ann Froneberger Robert Coker Brad Earnst Nancy Parrish Eric David Priscilla Holtzclaw Rita Livingston Brenda Haile Mark Patrick Henry Shepard George McAbee Charlie Powell Chuck Towne David Purcell Carole Russell John Wright Sally Rogers Clerk-Priscilla Holtzclaw Assistant Clerk - Rita Livingston Rev. Dr. Daniel Lawrence Smoak, Pastor dsmoak@westminstercharleston.org (843) Robin Zemp, Director of Music rzemp@westminstercharleston.org Janie Bruce, Director of Youth and Children s Ministries jbruce@westminstercharleston.org Nita Rushton, Office Administrator office@westminstercharleston.org Anne Camburn, Business Administrator acamburn@westminstercharleston.org Treasurer-Betsy Williams Assistant Treasurer-Patty Stokes