For the second year in a row, I decided to participate in the WFPC Advent Cook-off. I enjoy cooking, especially veggies, and so this event gives me an opportunity to share nourishing food with others. With the timing being just before Thanksgiving, and Christmas soon after, this brings to my mind food and its role in our family celebrations. Not only are holiday meals an opportunity to treat our taste buds and indulge in fellowship with those we love, but it gives us an added opportunity to pause and reflect about our meal choices. As you and I know, we as Presbyterians are called to care for our brothers and sisters around the world. Our meal choices are reflections of our global conscience. As we gather this season, I suggest that we consider how we are using our purchases and gatherings to support low-income and marginalized producers around the world, alleviate hunger and poverty, and minimize the impact of our consumption on the planet. For an easy-to-understand graphic of this suggestion, and some simple steps that we can all put into action, here is a great resource created by the Presbyterian Hunger Program: presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/Rethinking-Holiday-Meals.pdf.



Dear Lord, we pray for guidance in our holiday celebrations this year, especially as we approach Advent in the coming weeks. May we be mindful of the ways our actions and decisions affect those suffering around the world. Help us to consider how even paying more attention to our holiday meals can make a difference. Amen.

Grace and Peace,

Mindy Hidenfelter

Facilities Elder

This Sunday our Scripture comes from Genesis 32:22-32 and John 3:1-10. Marguerite Sirrine will share her sermon, "Renewal."

All this week we've been busy installing a new sound system in the sanctuary, and hope you will notice improved sound quality this Sunday!

While we are adjusting to a new system, we will be suspending the livestream of our services. We will be releasing some sermon notes from Marguerite on our YouTube channel, which you can find at YouTube channel.

Dear WFPC Friends and Family,

Our Pastor Nominating Committee is currently reviewing candidates for the position, and we would like you to invite any potential qualified candidates to apply. We encourage you to send the following paragraph to your friends and family who may be interested.

Our church, Wake Forest Presbyterian Church (https://www.wakeforestpres.org), in beautiful Wake Forest, NC is currently looking for a new pastor after our pastor of 8 years retired. If you, or someone you know, feel called to serve our church as Senior Pastor, please apply via the PCUSA Church Leadership Connection website: https://clc.pcusa.org. You will find our Ministry General Information form here: https://clc.pcusa.org/mdp/10964/view/ and you may notify or submit questions to our Pastor Nominating Committee at pnc@wakeforestpres.org.

This weekend, our middle school youth will be headed to Camp Kanata for the retreat sponsored by the New Hope Presbytery.  There will be 175 youth, adults, and youth council members at the retreat.  Please pray for everyone participating this weekend, specifically our WFPC youth and adults:  Britton Bange, Emersyn Berger, Benson Blalock, James Cebrick, Tyler Cebrick, Gus Crosbie, Margaret Domack, Tyler Drew, Lilly Hare, Ellie Herman, Janet Briley, John Cebrick, and Michael Smith.

Dana and I are very grateful and overwhelmed by the extreme generosity that Wake Forest Presbyterian Church, the bereavement team, Marguerite, and especially our faithful Explorations Sunday School class for the love offering we received to assist in covering expenses surrounding the death of our daughter, Kristin. We have always felt the love from the congregation, but this brought us to tears. (It wasn't hard, given the circumstances.) God bless you all.

Jim and Dana Wills

Stephen Ministers in our church offer emotional and spiritual care to folks faced with a difficulty or crisis in life. Would you like to know what Stephen Ministry is all about? Stay after church on December 3 for a short presentation and to receive answers to your questions. No commitment required, just information for you to learn how you can support the ministry or receive care from a Stephen Minister.

Presbyterians for Earth Care has put together a Daily Advent Devotional for 2023 with a Creation Care theme. The devotional is available for free, and can be downloaded from the PEC website here: presbyearthcare.org/devotional-and-worship-aids/  The devotional includes daily meditations written by Presbyterians and others, as well as prayers and suggested actions we can take to care for the earth during Advent.

Cookies and Apple Juice for WTB

We are aiming for another 300 dozen cookies in the next two weeks and we need your help! That will bring us to 8,000 total cookies to treat our guests at Walk Through Bethlehem! Thank you for the over 350 dozen yummy homemade cookies you've already promised!

This year we also need 20 gallons of apple juice! Any brand will do. We'll take whatever's on sale — quarts, half-gallons, or gallons.



Cookies and juice will be collected in the narthex before and after worship.

If you'll be holiday baking, consider baking an extra dozen or two for WTB. Homemade cookies need to be in Ziploc-type freezer bags.

We've got plenty of freezer space, so if you can make a specific homemade cookie commitment, please sign up here! We are so grateful for all contributions!

Walk Through Bethlehem Set Setup 

We need help with the Walk Through Bethlehem Site Setup. We have started transforming the back forty into the ancient Holy Lands. We will be working Saturday mornings in November starting at 8 a.m., and appreciate your help in assembling the temporary backdrops and moving furniture. Questions? Contact Paul Swartz, 919-215-6216 or swartzp51@gmail.com

Desire a little less physical work? The props team will focus on filling in the scenes with canopies, baskets, candles, fabrics, pottery, jewelry, plants, food, etc. on:

Saturday, November 18, 9 a.m., furniture 

Sunday, November 26, 11 a.m., Herod's scene

Friday, December 1, 8 a.m. (lunch provided), final set up of all soft props and plants.

Contact Sandy Christos, 919-219-5988, schristos33@yahoo.com

Call for Cast and Crew

Our live WTB program is coming up quickly. If you haven't signed up for the cast yet, we still have openings and would love to have you. For important information regarding rehearsals, costume assignments and other important information, use the link below to access our Google drive.

All WTB cast members and guides MUST come and select their costumes prior to WTB weekend. The costume team is ready to help this morning, before and after the service; November 28 and 29, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and by appointment if none of these dates work. Contact Laurie Baker at 919-345-2455.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W5GkY4YrHmtnHdkHACXGdtoaOxgNmyRy?usp=sharing

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D45ADAE2EAB9-wtbcast1#/

Financial Donations

Financial donations for Walk Through Bethlehem can be made through Breeze. Please consider donating to support our refreshments for guests, supplies for the set, and other consumables.

wfpc.breezechms.com/give/online