The monthly newsletter of WFPC

February 25, 2025

Join Us for a Celebration After Worship

March 16 in the CLC

WFPC invites you to a celebration lunch in the CLC following worship on March 16. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend! We'll review 2024 and celebrate:

• WFPC ministries that impacted our community
• WFPC events that were FUN
• WFPC generosity that has given our financial position a boost

...and say good-bye to Transitional Pastor Rev. Marguerite Sirrine

We encourage each individual and family to join in this milestone day for our Community of Faith. We will reflect and celebrate both the life of our ministries and Rev. Marguerite’s incredible three-year journey as our pastor. Lunch will be served (meat and veggie lasagna) as we share our stories, appreciation, and prayers for Marguerite and Mark as they move on to new adventures. 

Cards for written notes of appreciation will be available in the narthex to be returned there in advance or to the celebration in the CLC. Love gifts may also be included or made online through Breeze.

It's T-shirt Time!

Let's spread our vision statement all around town! WFPC is launching a church-wide tshirt sale! These are NOT a fundraiser, simply another opportunity for WFPC to show its love to the community and to each other! Plus, who doesn't love a good tshirt!?

There are two style options -- crew-neck and v-neck. (NOTE: children's sizes are only crew neck.)

All shirts are $15.  There is also a donation option donate a shirt to a future new member or one of our neighbors from Ukraine who work in our giving garden. 

Lenten Study -- Where are we wandering? 

A discussion on how we engage in the work of outreach and equity

Our Lenten Elective is almost here! We need all of our voices and vision to experience, explore, and envision how we as a church can engage with and respond to difficult conversations and issues of mission, equity, and justice. Coming to be a part of the conversation is good; no need to worry if you can't be at all of them! 

Topics and structure are based on A Sanctified Art's "The Messy Middle." Our goal is to learn from one another and help inform the Mission and Outreach task force as well as our session on the church's vision for Mathew 25 and equity actions in the future. 

Our Structure

9:00 hour

We will introduce Scripture and explore ways to engage with the Scripture from multiple viewpoints, seeking clarity by building on the wisdom within the room.

10:00 hour

Each week worship will continue to focus on the Scripture of discussion at 9:00! 

11:00 hour

Snack and conversation from 11-11:30 in A128 (for those who can't attend at 9:00 AND for those who want more discussion after 9:00!)

Tuesday evening at 7:30

Church private Facebook group…weekly discussion question will go “live” for further conversation and engagement. 

Weekly Scripture Focus

March 9 -- Good Samaritan (stranger and neighbor) 

March 16 -- Mary and Martha (faith and works) 

March 23 -- Youth Sunday- Pathway to God (How do we follow a new path?)

March 30 -- So now what? (Where do we go from here?) 

Youth Sunday 2025

Youth Sunday is March 23rd, and the theme is 'Pathway to God' focusing on Proverbs 16:9, which states "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps."

Our Youth Leadership Team, or YLT, has been hard at work planning the service, and our seniors will be carrying on the tradition of delivering senior sermons.

It will be a joyous day to gather at WFPC, and we look forward to our youth leading us, and sharing their faith that day!



Ash Wednesday

March 5

Please join us on Ash Wednesday (March 5) for services at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Both services will be in the sanctuary, and both will include the imposition of ashes and an opportunity to remember your baptism. Child care will be available at the 7 p.m. service. You will see the sanctuary paraments change from green to purple for the season of Lent.

The 11:30 a.m. service will be followed by a luncheon in the CLC, hosted by the Women of the Word Bible study group. Lunch will include white chicken chili, cheesy corn chowder, wedding soup, roasted tomato soup, turkey and cheese sandwiches, ham and Swiss sandwiches, and pimento cheese sandwiches. There will be gluten free and vegetarian options available. The Morning Glory Circle is providing yummy desserts. 

Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent with a public act of confession and contrition. By acknowledging that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, we stand in solidarity as fellow creatures before our Creator, acutely aware of our mortality. In the face of our transience, we pledge ourselves anew to live unto God’s Word in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word that remains forever.

The Lenten journey from the ashes of death to resurrected life begins on the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, which signifies a time to turn around, to change directions, to repent. This first day of Lent reminds us that unless we are willing to die to our old selves, we cannot be raised to new life with Christ. The first step of this journey calls us to acknowledge and confront our mortality, individually and corporately. In many traditions, this is symbolized through the imposition of ashes — placing a cross on one’s forehead or the back of the hand. During the imposition of ashes the words “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19) are repeated again and again. We are to remember that we are but temporary creatures, always on the edge of death. On Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten trek through the desert toward Easter.

Ashes on the forehead is a sign of our humanity and a reminder of our mortality. Lent is not a matter of being good, and wearing ashes is not to show off one’s faith. The ashes are a reminder to us and our communities of our finite creatureliness. The ashes we wear on our Lenten journey symbolize the dust and broken debris of our lives as well as the reality that eventually each of us will die.



https://pcusa.org/about-pcusa/agencies-entities/interim-unified-agency/ministry-areas/theology-worship/worship/christian-year/ash-wednesday

Dementia Caregivers Class

Our March meetings will be on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. The topic is “Making Medical Decisions after a Dementia Diagnosis.” Some screening tests and treatments have a greater potential for causing adverse effects in an individual with dementia. Lynette will talk about approaches to evaluating the pros and cons of common screening tests such as colonoscopy and mammography, as well as management of high cholesterol or triglycerides, hypertension and diabetes.

The in-person class is from 10:00 until noon in Room B017 of the CLC. The same class will be held from 2:00 to 3:30 pm via Zoom. Classes are open to anyone who is interested in learning more about care for individuals with any type of dementia. There is no need to let anyone know that you are going to attend. Those who wish to attend the Zoom class and are not already on our mailing list may contact Pat Snyder via email (patsnyder137@gmail.com) to receive a link for the class.

You may also view videos about dementia, including past classes, on Pat’s YouTube channel at Pat Snyder - YouTube or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrjzZYVyeopBjaslMmCLH3g. Click on the playlist to see all videos.

Adult Mission Opportunity to Western NC (WNC)

The dates of Sunday, April 27 until Friday, May 2 have been set aside on the church calendar to send a team of volunteers to WNC. The exact location has not yet been determined; we are waiting for PDA to make the assignment.

If you have the desire to join the team and have not notified her yet, please email Judy Finch (Ide) at jfinchide@hotmail.com. No experience or skills required; nor do you have to commit to the whole week. 

Premise Keepers

Premise Keepers welcome anyone to come and work with us one Saturday morning each month. We make use of our time and skills to keep our facilities and grounds repaired and in good condition. Our next work day is coming up on Saturday, March 15 at 8:00 a.m. Coffee, juice, and doughnuts will be provided. We have both indoor and outdoor repair items on our work list. Please come if you can, and bring a friend! Any skill level is welcome.

2024 Giving Statements

2024 Giving Statements have now all been emailed or mailed (depending on the preference we have on file for you).

If you did not receive your statement, you can do one of two things:

Print your own via Breeze. Instructions to do this can be found here:

https://support.breezechms.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041813113-How-to-Print-Your-Own-Giving-Statement

Email Jill Murr at financials@wakeforestpres.org and ask her to send you a hard copy in the mail.

March 5–April 20, 2025

Join with Presbyterians worldwide in sharing God’s love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief from natural disasters, food for the hungry, and support for the poor and oppressed.

Offerings that Change the World - The Special Offerings are the single, largest way Presbyterians join together to make a lasting impact in the world. Let’s be the Church, together. 

LEARN: Typically received during the season of Lent, each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. All three programs work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

SUPPORT:

• 36% Supports the Presbyterian Hunger Program, which is committed to ending hunger globally. 
• 32% Supports Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which is committed to helping others repair from disaster during and beyond the initial aftermath globally. 
• 32% Supports Self-Development of People, which is committed to helping communities around the world gain the skills they need to improve their communities. 

Repairing The Breach - ISAIAH 58

PROVIDING RELIEF FROM NATURAL DISASTERS, FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY, AND SUPPORT FOR THE POOR AND OPPRESSED

WAYS TO GIVE:

✚ Online at pcusa.org/give-oghs

✚ Text OGHS to 91999 to give

✚ Checks may be sent Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.); P.O. Box 643700; Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Thanks to your heartfelt gifts, One Great Hour of Sharing currently supports projects in over 100 countries.

IF WE ALL DO A LITTLE, IT ADDS UP TO A LOT!

To learn more about how your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference, visit pcusa.org/oghs

Offerings/Tithes vs. Expenses -- January, 2025

• Jan Monthly and YTD Offerings/Tithes are adjusted for full-year pledges being made in full ($33K)

Next Finance Team Meeting: March 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Next Generosity Team Meeting: March 23 at 11:15 a.m.

Next Engagement & Vitality Team Meeting: March 30 at 11:15 a.m.

Jody Alston | Evelyn Patton | Dan Root

Events are subject to change. For a full and updated calendar , please visit the events page on our website using the button below.

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Check out our weekly calendar to see everything at WFPC this week in one place!

Save the Date for these future events:

• April 13 -- Eggstravaganza
• April 17 -- Maundy Thursday/Tenebrae Service
• April 20 -- Easter