Prayer List

Empower us to be bold participants, rather than timid saints in waiting…exercising the authority of honesty, rather than deferring to power…influencing someone for justice, rather than impressing anyone for gain…finding hidden treasures of joy, friendship, and peace, the fuel that feeds us, in the the difficult ordinariness of now… May it be so.

~ Rev. Anna Blaedel



(inspired by poets Ted Loder and Naomi Shihab Nye)

This week we pray for:

John Mark, Lemoine Peart's cousin

Prayers for energy and love for John as he moves forward after the recent death of his wife.

Josie and Rich Drushal

Prayers for comfort and peace for Josie and Rich. On Monday, Josie's aunt Irene Fraver died in Durham, NC. On the same day, the Drushals also had to say good bye to their horse Jane (31), whose companionship they enjoyed since 2011.

Tom Battles

Prayers for Tom who grapples with unstable blood pressure; we hold both Tom and Elaine in our prayers and love in this new season of life with Tom living in a nursing home.

Shelley Peterson

Prayers for comfort and peace for Shelley as she grieves the death of her aunt, who recently died of MS in Georgia.

Randy, Erica Ewing's neighbor

Prayers for comfort and peace for Erica, Randy's wife Silvia, and all neighbors who mourn the death of their friend.

Bob, friend of the Weisses

Prayers for peace for Bob who has esophageal cancer and began hospice care. Bob introduced Cheryl to Bill and is like family to them.

Kathleen Paul, Linda Barbu's sister

Continued prayers for strength and peace as Kathleen continues her cancer treatment.

John Dryer

Continued prayers for John as he is undergoing testing regarding his heart arrhythmia in the coming weeks.

Deb Hostettler

Continued prayers for Deb, who is still experiencing fatigue - a side effect from her medication.

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 grappling with grief, illness, and ongoing health worries in our midst;
• the caretakers in our midst; we are grateful for their compassion, love and care for others;
• those in our community who are unhoused or do not have a safe and warm place to stay during these frigid days;
• 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;
• end of violence in Yemen, Ukraine, Russia, Venezuela, and in other places around the world; we pray for peace and justice and a hopeful future;
• wisdom for leaders in our communities to 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

Thursday, January 25

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - The Meeting Place

Sunday, January 28 - Epiphany 4

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

Monday, January 29

• Scout Troop 61 - 6:30 pm - Mackey Hall
• Dinner served by WPC at Severe Weather Shelter - 6:30pm

Thursday, February 1

• Dance and Exercise - 8:30 am - The Meeting Place

Sunday, February 4 - Epiphany 5 - Scout Sunday

• Choir Rehearsal - 9:00 am - Mackey Hall
• Worship service with communion - 10:00 am - Mackey Hall - Launch of the WPC 150th Anniversary Mission Project
• Wooster Friends Meeting - 10:30 am - The Meeting Place

Food Waste in Wooster

The Interfaith Justice Committee of Wooster is proposing a citizen run program to collect individual household food waste and turn it into compost that people can then use mainly for gardening purposes, therefore reducing the amount of food waste going to landfills.  We are trying to get the word out to churches, different groups in Wooster, organizations and businesses like Local Roots and anyone we can think of about this idea of organizing a Food Waste Program here in Wooster. There are many examples of cities around the country with all kinds of programs. We are trying to compile a list of names of those interested in discussing and participating this project. We would then call a meeting to get everyone together. This has been tried on a small scale, but nothing large-scale or sustainable has existed in Wooster so far.

Please contact  Juli Douglass-Gillespie if you are interested in an initial meeting to brainstorm ideas about a possible program. We would like that meeting to happen in early February.

Let's Celebrate Chinese New Year!

Seating is limited. Please make your reservation!

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.

Annual Hearty Italian Soup

& Olive Oil Soap

Sale Continues

Choose regular with Italian sausage or vegan for $8 a quart or with Sue-min’s homemade bread for $9. (Same price as in past years.)

We also have olive oil soap from Palestine for $3.50. It is a good moisturizer in this cold weather!

Pick up after church on Sunday or call 330-263-2398 to pick up during the week.

Thanks for your continued support!

Your Benevolence Committee—

Linda Barbu, Shelley Peterson, Heather Hettick, Candy Relle, Lemoine Peart

Sunday Morning Hospitality & Liturgist

January & February

Westminster's worship and fellowship time is an important way to build relationships among all attending.

We invite you to participate as a liturgist, assistant, provide flowers to decorate our alter or supply treats for our after worship fellowship time.

If you are able to fill one of these areas,

please click here to sign up.

Thank you for your contribution to our worship service.