Prayer List

Friends,

We continue our Lenten journey, following a curriculum developed by the group A Sanctified Art, "Wandering Heart: Figuring out faith with Peter."

With Palm/Passion Sunday, we enter Holy Week (John 12:9-16). Our story tells us that the disciples don't fully understand all that is happening as they see Jesus enter into Jerusalem, but later they remember. This is an invitation to us since we are also witnesses to Jesus' ministry - to God's healing and transformative power active in our midst right here, right now.

What will we remember about this day and about the week to come? We know how the story ends, that beyond the betrayal and suffering, and death, there lies the hope of Easter resurrection. Will the hard truths that we witness in our lives silence our singing, or will our "hosannas" still ring out, proclaiming hope to all around us?

This week, as we open ourselves to wonder and silence and reflection, may we be guided by these words from Rev. Sarah Speed:

We summon every ounce of courage.

We give ourselves pep talks

and we call our friends.

We dig deep within.

We practice the words out loud,

rolling them around in our mouths,

imagining the response.

We deal out every “what if” card our brain holds on to

and spend absurd amounts of time

imagining all the ways it could go wrong.

And then finally, blessedly, we say it:

I love you.

To speak the truth of your heart takes courage.

It always has.

But please,

summon your courage,

join the parade,

and speak with conviction.

For God has been saying to the world since day one:

I love you.

What is your response? 

~ Rev. Sarah Speed, Courage | A Sanctified Art LLC.

This week we pray for:

Lemoine Peart

Prayers for comfort and peace for Lemoine who broke her collarbone again last Thursday. She will see her doctor on March 27 to plan for the surgery.

Ferenc Relle

Prayers for healing for Ferenc who is grappling with Covid.

Deb Hostetler

Continued prayers for Deb, who is recovering from a SCAD (a small heart attack) at home. We specifically pray for peace of mind and strength so Deb can focus on next steps in her cancer treatment. And we hold husband Gabe and their children in our love as they support Deb on this journey.

Stewart Gamage, sister of Pastor Enikö's friend Anne Ferrell

Prayers for comfort and peace for Anne Ferrell and her family as they grieve the death of her sister. Stewart passed away yesterday at St. Mary's hospital in Richmond, VA.

Kathleen Paul, Linda Barbu's sister

Prayers of gratitude for Kathy. She has completed her chemotherapy and the preliminary results are very promising. Continued prayers for her as she prepares for a follow-up MRI in April that will give an accurate picture of her status.

Donna Bye, our new treasurer

Continued prayers for healing for Donna who is recovering from surgery on a broken toe.

Candace, Juli Gillespie's neighbor

Continued prayers for healing for Candace who is recovering from a recent surgery and has been grappling with health challenges for months. Prayers also for her husband Jeff, and sons Jason and Ben.

Tom Ewing, Erica Ewing's dad

Continued prayers for healing for Tom as he prepares to resume his cancer treatment soon.

Tom Battles

Continued prayers for Tom and Elaine in this new season of life with Tom living in a nursing home.

Barbara Mykkanen

Continued prayers for Barb as she participates in a study to help others with similar cancer diagnosis.

We pray for

• those who are healing from medical procedures, and who are dealing with ongoing health concerns in our midst;
• those in our community who are unhoused;
• each of us when we grapple with the gray areas of life, when next steps are not clear; may we trust that the Spirit is with us in our questions, fears, hopes - in our discernment;
• all who live in the midst of violence and war - in Haiti, DRC, South Sudan, Ukraine, and many other places across the world;
• an immediate ceasefire in Gaza; for aid to be allowed into communities in desperate need, and for a justice to be established in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel;
• those who strive for justice, may their voices be heard and heeded; 
• in thanksgiving for all who use their skills and resources for the common good;
• our Westminster community as we plan our 150th anniversary celebration in May.

Friends, may we embody God's light, love, compassion, and hope to all we encounter.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, March 20

• WPC Session Meeting - 7 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, March 21

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - The Meeting Place
• WPC Lenten Study - 7:00 pm - The Lounge

Sunday, March 24 - Palm/Passion Sunday

• Choir Rehearsal - 9:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Worship service - 10:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Wooster Friends Meeting - 10:30 am - The Meeting Place

Monday, March 25

• Scout Troop 61 - 6:30 pm - Mackey Hall

Wednesday, March 27

• Wooster Area Interfaith Partners (WAIP) Meeting - 9 am - The Lounge

Thursday, March 28

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - The Meeting Place
• Maundy Thursday Service with Communion - 7:00 pm - Mackey Hall

Friday, March 28 - GOOD FRIDAY

• Office Closed
• No community service downtown this year!

Sunday, March 31

• Easter Sunrise Service - 7:30 am - Mackey Patio
• Easter Breakfast - 8:30 am - The Meeting Place
• Easter Service with Communion - 10 am - Mackey Hall

Monday, April 1

• Office Closed - Easter

Join us on our Lenten Journey

This year we are following the Lent curriculum Wandering Heart: Figuring out Faith with Peter developed by our beloved group of creatives A Sanctified Art.

In our worship and our small group studies, we are focusing on the life and faith of one of Jesus' most famous disciples. Peter is a person who is steadfast and unsteady, a dear friend and a betrayer, a follower and a wanderer. In Peter, we often see ourselves. By following Peter's journey, we find the story of Jesus unfold through the eyes of a human being, much like us, who is trying to figure it all out.

We are using the Lenten Devotional reflections, as well as visual art and poetry to inspire our explorations.

This is a wonderful opportunity to invite a friend along -

Look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Lenten Wandering with Peter

Thursday, March 21 - 7 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, March 28 - Maundy Thursday Service - 7pm - Mackey Hall

Tuning Our Hearts During Lent

This week we are reflecting on John 12:9-16.

Questions for Reflection

1. Palm Sunday is a holy parade, a peaceful protest. What cause would you march for?

2. "Hosanna" means "save us." What in your life or in the world needs saving - wholeness, peace, justice?

3. Does it feel easy or hard to talk about your faith in public? Why?

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WPC 150th Anniversary Mission Project

Friends, we are excited about the progress we are making on our anniversary mission project. You can find more information on the project at https://wpcwoo.org/rip.

Share the information with friends, family, co-workers. Let's sow seeds of goodness in our community!

WITH additional donations sent to Westminster Church we raised a total of $10,312.40 so far. Thank you for your generosity!

Help Us Celebrate WPC's 150th Anniversary

A message from the 150 Anniversary planning committee

What will future generations know about Westminster in 2024? 

Please add to the historical record at the 150th Anniversary website. Your memories and reflections may be of any length. These reflections will be preserved in our archives and at the College of Wooster archives. We need many submissions to make this a successful effort in describing who we are and what we hold as important.  It is also ok to submit your contributions at the link below or in written form to the church office and your entry will be transcribed into our online webpage.  

Your thoughts and contributions are unique and important.  

Follow-up on Climate Action for Westminster Participation

Letters to Representative Max Miller

Three week's ago Juli Douglass-Gillespie asked the congregation to please write personal letters as constituents addressed to Rep. Max Miller of Federal District 7. This is part of a national campaign by Citizens' Climate Lobby to bring our climate concerns to the attention of our elected officials at this time. The Wooster Citizens' Climate Lobby Team is going to personally DROP-OFF all letters at Rep. Miller's Medina Office on April 4.  

Juli has received very few letters back from Westminster folks, and would like to remind you to please bring them back to church for her to collect them as soon as possible. You may also mail them to her, or drop them off, or even email them to her. 

If you don't have and need copies of the general instructions and Form Letter to fill out, please email Juli.

Serving Meals this Winter

Westminster has joined with other area churches to serve dinner at the Salvation Army Severe Weather Shelter during the winter months.

Members of the Benevolence Committee are coordinating these efforts to show care to our unhoused neighbors during these frigid days.

Westminster prepares and serves dinner on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month through March.

If you are interested in getting involved, contact Candy Relle here.