This Week at Westminster

Dear friends,

I think I’ve drawn the short straw!

The passage of Scripture for this coming Sunday is all about eating meat sacrificed to idols.

The problem is twofold:

First, I don’t each much meat… give me fish any day! Second, I don’t believe in idols, at least not the pantheon of false gods they’re talking about in 1 Corinthians 8: as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “no idol in the world really exists” and that “there is no God but one.” …yet not everyone, however, who has this knowledge.

Sometimes passages in the Bible are just flat out hard to grasp; hard to understand; hard to find relevant in our contemporary lives and world. Some stories just don’t translate… until… until the aha! moment comes.

You see, the young Corinthian church had written the bigwig pastor Paul to chime in on a dispute they were having…. two or more factions saw things differently and have gotten in their silos, a kind of "us versus them." They’re having a face-off. So they call on their founding pastor, Paul, to set them straight. Put plainly, each faction wants Paul to affirm THEIR position, to claim THEY are right and everyone else is wrong. Why? Because THEY are more enlightened, more faithful, more “whatever!”

Hummm…. maybe just maybe this ancient passage can indeed speak to us today!

See you Sunday and in the meantime, be blessed and be a blessing.

Warmly,

Cindy

Joys and Concerns

The prayers and sympathy of the congregation are shared with Lorrie Nyland in the loss of her mother and with Melissa Carter in the loss of her brother.

Submit a prayer request

NEW Adult Faith Formation Offerings, Sundays at 10am

Sunday Conversations | Chapel

As we continue a new sermon series this week, the pastors will be looking at Call from a number of different angles. Across the series, we will also have members of our congregation share individual stories about how they have experienced elements of call. The Sunday morning conversations between now and Lent will build on these stories and invite everyone who attends to explore their own experiences of listening for and hearing God’s call.

The Gathering: Parents of Children and Younger Youth | Room 103

The Gathering is discussing "A New Family" Film Series by Rachel Held Evans. This 5 session video series follows current themes and conversation starters to engage faith and fellowship.

PEEPS Class - wrapping up the study by Brene Brown, watch for details of upcoming study

Cornerstone Class | Room 203

You are invited to join the Cornerstone Class in a study of John: The Gospel of Light and Life by Adam Hamilton, beginning Sunday, Feb. 4. As the

Apostle John explores the meaning of Jesus' ministry, Rev. Hamilton invites us to ponder how Jesus' words speak to our own lives. Facilitators are: Wilson Davis, Jim Gale and Craig Siler. Contact Wilson Davis (336-370-6568) to reserve a book.

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OPPORTUNITIES

Walking Group

This Saturday, January 27

8:00-10:00 am

Lewis Recreation Center / Battleground Park

Come walk with us this Saturday morning before you get started on your weekend "to do" list! We'll meet in the parking lot at Lewis Recreation Center (3110 Forest Lawn Dr, Greensboro, NC 27455) and walk Battleground Park. For those who'd like to walk a shorter distance, we can make that happen, too! Lace up those shoes and bring a friend!

Family Movie Night - Up

Friday, February 2, 5:30pm | Fellowship Hall

Our Lent series this year will explore “getting UP to something” instead of “giving up something” you love. To be “up to something” may be simply raising up our awareness of what is important, what is precious, what is necessary for a life that feels gratifying. It can also mean raising our awareness of those things that don’t feel life-giving and giving them up “for good.” The movie Up provides some wonderful and surprising connections to this theme that will be featured during Children’s Time on Sunday mornings during Lent (February 14 - March 24).The doors to the Fellowship Hall will open at 5:30 and the movie will begin at 6:00.

Bring your favorite takeout for supper. We will serve popcorn, free of charge. Pajamas, slippers, and blankets are encouraged! Parents must stay with their children for the entirety of the event. Click HERE to sign Up!!

Soup-er Bowl Sunday

Sunday, February 11 | after both worship services

Children's and Youth ministry will be preparing vegetable-beef soup (and some vegetable) to be distributed after each of the worship services on Sunday, February 11th, 2024. The monies raised will be donated to Pennies for Hunger to continue to support the fight against hunger. Each 12 oz container will be $5.00. You can reserve and pay for your soup by clicking HERE. We will make plenty and will sell that until it runs out!

ReJOYce Luncheon (65+)

Thursday, February 15, 12pm | Fellowship Hall

Join us as "love is in the air" as we hear from Alison Huber, Executive Director of Triad Honor Flight. Triad Honor Flight celebrates America’s veterans over 65 by inviting them to share in a day of honor at our nation’s memorials, "one last mission." Lunch (glazed ham, green beans & small potatoes, bread, and dessert) will be prepared by Denise Booe. Click HERE to register

Lent in the Living Room

A 6 Week In-Home Study, Freeing Jesus, by Diana Butler Bass

February 18- March 17

Join us during Lent as Westminster gathers in small, intimate gatherings in members' homes as we explore Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence, by Diana Butler Bass, as a resource.

You may sign up as a host, a facilitator, or participant. We may also create options to meet at the church, in coffee shops (or similar), and via Zoom for those who are homebound or live out of the area. Please click HERE to let us know of your interest, listing preference for day of the week, and if you'd like to be a host or faciliatator. For more information, contact Emily Black, Sam Perkins, or Scott Neely

Men's Softball Team Forming

Men's Church League Softball is coming up this Spring. We actually started to get our act together and won a couple games last season, so we're expecting BIG things in 2024. Seriously though, while it’s fun to win, we’re just out there to have a good time and build community; we don’t take it too seriously…most of us anyway. 😊 Games are Thursday evenings (6:30, 7:30 or 8:30) at Carolyn Allen Park (off of Drawbridge Pkwy near Kernodle Middle School) and begin on March 21. We will have an official scrimmage on March 14, and we’ll try to get a few practices in before then as the weather permits. The cost is $50, which covers your hat and jersey and 8 games, plus at least two playoff games. And those early games are great opportunities to bring the whole family out to cheer and pray we don’t hurt ourselves. Must be 18 to play. Click HERE to sign up. Contact Sam Perkins for more information.

Interactive Resource Center

Socks, Long Underwear, and Winter Hat Collection

The Month of January

The Interactive Resource Center located in downtown Greensboro is a place for people experiencing homelessness to congregate in a safe space, connect with important services, and join in fellowship with one another. As hard as it might seem, the winter months have just begun! Throughout the month of January, we will be collecting socks, hats and underwear for the IRC. You may drop off any of these items in the wood bins outside Fellowship Hall. Questions? Contact Scott Neely, Director of Mission and Community Connections, by clicking HERE.

WYFi Meals 2023-24

Please sign up to help with WYFi meals at 5:30 on Sunday nights. All of the kids will eat together in the Fellowship Hall, and they will start eating at around 6:00. You can sign up by yourself or with other families. Please plan on 25-30 kids and please avoid nuts and peanuts. Powdered lemonade will be available to make, and all plates, cups, and utensils will be in the Fellowship Hall. You will need to set up the food and drinks, serve, and clean up, please. For questions, please contact Jennifer Cross at 336-317-5986. Thank you!!! Click HERE to sign up!

High School Ski Trip to Sugar Mountain

Saturday, February 3, 2024 | 6am - 10pm

Our high school youth will be rising early to head to Sugar Mountain for a full day on the slopes (or in the warm lodge). We’ll depart Westminster at 6am, ski from 9-4:30, grab dinner on the way home, and return to the church by 10pm. Please pay special attention to rates as there are several options.

Lift ticket: $80.
Helmet rental: $18 - for insurance purposes, we’re requiring all participants to wear a helmet.
Ski rental: $37.
Snowboard rental: $44.
Ski school (which I highly recommend if you’re inexperienced): $38

You MAY bring their own equipment if you’d like, though space in vehicles is limited. Again, helmets will be REQUIRED for everyone.

Youth should bring money for lunch (you may also bring a bag lunch), dinner and any snacks they might want.

As always, confidential full or partial scholarship is available. Click HERE to register. If you have questions, please contact Sam Perkins or Lucy Jefferies.