The Weekly Word at Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church
Thursday, January 23, 2025
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“Speaking Truth to Power”
This week has had a lot going on. Yesterday we woke up to a snow day here in Raleigh, with all the excitement and disruption that comes with it. We marked the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Monday, remembering his life of service to advocate for civil rights in our country, a cause that continues to this day.
And, of course, on Monday, we witnessed the peaceful transition of power in our country from one president to another with Inauguration Day. The juxtaposition of the ceremony taking place in the Rotunda of the US Capitol with what transpired in that very location four years earlier was not lost on me. We live in an era when there is no longer a wide consensus on what is fact or truth. Instead, if you do not agree with the facts that are presented, it is perfectly acceptable to rewrite that narrative to fit your own needs or persona.
It is not always pleasant to hear the truth, or for that matter to proclaim God’s truth to those in power or authority. Indeed, it even happened to God’s own Son. We will hear this Sunday of Jesus’ experience of going back to Nazareth, his hometown, and how his sermon in the synagogue almost gets him killed.
Which is why I was deeply moved and inspired by the sermon Bishop Mariann Budde gave during the Inaugural Prayer Service on Tuesday. With the newly inaugurated president in the front row, she said:
Let me make one final plea, Mr. President. Millions have put their trust in you. And as you told the nation yesterday, you have felt the providential hand of a loving God. In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now. There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives. The people who pick our crops and clean our office buildings; who labor in poultry farms and meat packing plants; who wash the dishes after we eat in restaurants and work the night shifts in hospitals, they – they may not be citizens or have the proper documentation. But the vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away. And that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land.
As we move forward in faith into the coming year, may we listen attentively to God’s Word to us, and then have courage to speak that Word in love to those who need to hear it.
With a full and grateful heart,
Frank
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THIS SUNDAY AT WBPC
Worship Service – 10:30am – Click HERE for the bulletin.
@ THE TABLE SERVICE - 5:00pm - Zoom - Click HERE to download the order of service, and click HERE for the Zoom link.
ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING – JANUARY 26
The Annual Meeting of the Congregation will be held on Sunday, January 26, immediately following the conclusion of the Morning Worship Service for the purpose of receiving annual reports from various ministry teams, presenting the approved 2025 Budget to the congregation and voting on updated Terms of Call for Rev. Frank Mansell. Click HERE for materials for the meeting, including annual reports on the church’s various ministries in 2024; print versions are also available in the narthex.
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BIBLICAL JUSTICE FORUM - JANUARY 27
The Biblical Justice Forum will be meeting on Monday, January 27 from 1:00-2:30pm. BJF will continue its study of the Presbyterian Women's Bible Study "Let Justice Roll Down." Beth Ware will lead us in a discussion of chapter 4 re: Water Justice. Click HERE for the Zoom link. Contact Joette Steger for any questions (jlsteger@juno.com).
READ THE ENTIRE BIBLE IN 2025!
If you’ve never read the bible all the way through in one year, here’s your chance! Pick up a guide on the literature tables in the narthex and education buildings, and let’s see how many of us can delve into God’s Word this year!
VBS VOLUNTEER/PARTICIPANT SIGN UP
Join Western Blvd Presbyterian Church June 16-18 as we become 'Camp Firelight' this summer for an exciting outdoor adventure where kids will learn to trust God through captivating Bible stories, campfire songs, and fun activities, all while facing their fears with the help of Counselor Sam and their new friend, Lu the Lightning Bug.
Click HERE to sign up to volunteer.
Click HERE to sign up children to attend.
Email Courtney (youth@wbpresbyterian.org) with any questions!
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BREAD FOR THE WORLD CONFERENCE - JANUARY 25
On Saturday, January 25, Bread for the World is holding "United for our Future", a day-long conference at Highland United Methodist Church on ending hunger in our community and world. The event begins at 9:00am, and you can register for the event by clicking HERE.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
We have all seen the devastation caused by the wildfires in and around Los Angeles this week. Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church was destroyed by the fires, and we are waiting to hear how other congregations have been impacted by this disaster. To learn more about Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's response to this disaster, click HERE.
FAMILY PROMISE - FEBRUARY 24-28
Beginning February 24, we will provide meals for 2 to 5 families that are being housed at the emergency shelter apartments on Method Road. We need volunteers to provide dinner for the week. As days are covered, we will update which days we need for that week (February 24-28). Please feel free to form a group to provide the meals – that helps spread the work out among many people! If you would like to help provide meals, please click HERE to sign up, or contact Frank Fleming (ffleming2009@gmail.com) or Mel Holt (melholt18@gmail.com).
UPDATE FROM HEATHER MANSELL -
YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEER IN SCOTLAND
Heather is serving in Irvine, Scotland, as a Young Adult Volunteer in the PC(USA). Click HERE for her latest update from her blog! Or visit the website:
heathermansellyav.wordpress.com.
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE – JANUARY 29
The first Wednesday Night Live of 2025 will be January 29! Dinner will start at 5:45pm, and we will have a pizza dinner, with salad, dessert, and vegetarian options. After dinner, join us for a long-standing tradition for WBPC to come out and play Bingo to liven up your winter weekday night! Did you know there are many benefits to Bingo, including the opportunity to build social connections, increase hand-eye coordination, and maintain your cognitive abilities and focus? Bonus: there are also fun prizes for all ages! We look forward to seeing you on the 29th, and please invite a friend or neighbor to join us! Click HERE to RSVP, or call the church office (919-851-4713).
Searching for Talents Acts for Wednesday Night Live Community Series in 2025!
Every one of us has been blessed with God-given talents. Romans 12:6 (NLT) says, “In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.” And like the song This Little Light of Mine tells us “Hide it under a bushel. NO. I’m going to let it shine!”
Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church (WBPC) has wildly talented people in its community. We have musicians, singers, dancers, artists, jugglers, actors, jump rope skippers, and the list goes on and on. We want to celebrate the many gifts God has given to our community.
As part of our Wednesday Night Live series, we will be hosting a community dinner followed by at least one talent show…perhaps on more than one occasion depending on interest. We will have our first iteration on Wednesday, February 12. We will have a free dinner starting at 5:45 pm followed by a talent show that begins at 6:30 pm.
We invite all to come and see the hidden talents of the WBPC community. We hope to have both live performances as well as an art gallery where church members can showcase their gifts of drawing, painting, pottery, or building.
Please be thinking about what talent you can share and if you or someone in your family is willing to share that talent. Email admin@wbpresbyterian.org to let us know if you are willing to Let Your Light Shine!
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TIME AND TALENT SURVEYS FOR 2025
Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to share how we are willing to give our time and talents in service to Christ’s ministry at WBPC in 2025. If you weren’t able to complete a survey, you may do so by clicking HERE, or picking up a paper copy in the narthex. Let us all be invited to consider how we are called to serve with the gifts and talents God has given to us!
STAFF VACATION PLANS
Frank Mansell will be out of town January 31-February 1, and February 4-7. During this time, please contact the church office, Nancy Simpson (919-810-2404), moderator of the Deacons, or one of the Stephen Ministers in case of a pastoral emergency.
PRAYER CHAIN REQUESTS
If you have a prayer concern, please contact Frank Mansell (frank@wbpresbyterian.org), Marcia Bennett (sen1969@hotmail.com), or Betty Dean (betdean@nc.rr.com) and request that it be added to the Prayer Chain. Please note that any confidential prayer requests will not be added to the Prayer Chain. Please let us know if you are nor receiving prayer updates and you had signed-up, and we will work to reconfirm you are on the mailing list.
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COMMUNITY MEETING – SPONSORED BY FRIENDS OF
ATHENS DRIVE COMMUNITY LIBRARY
THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 7-8PM AT THE ATHENS DRIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Join us for a conversation with Wake County Public Libraries Director, Tammy Baggett. Bring your questions and hopes for the replacement community library. Children welcome. Quiet activities will be provided. Email Yevonne Brannon (ybrannon@gmail.com) with any questions.
https://www.friendsofathensdrivecommunitylibrary.org/
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
It’s that time . . . registration for the 2025-26 school year! Registration is open for those currently enrolled, their siblings, and church members. Registration will open to the public on February 1. If you are interested in registering your child or know someone who might like to come to the preschool, registration can be done on the preschool website. If you have questions, please contact Bobbi Cross at 919-233-9967 or email wbppdirector@gmail.com.
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NOTES FROM THE ADMIN DESK – EMILY’S BACK! (SORT OF)
Emily Lorbacher is now working remotely after her maternity leave, and will return to being in the office on February 10. You can reach her via email during this time. During this time, the church office will be open Monday-Friday, from 9:00am-12:00pm, being staffed by volunteers or other church staff. If you need either Frank or Courtney outside those hours, please contact them by cell phone or email. They will continue to take their Sabbath days as usual (Courtney on Mondays, Frank on Fridays).
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS: January 26- February 2 | |
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TIME
9:30am
10:00am
10:30am
11:30am
4:00pm
5:00pm
6:00pm
6:30pm
TIME
1:00pm
6:30pm
TIME
9:30am
5:45pm
TIME
6:30pm
TIME
12:30pm
1:30pm
TIME
11:00am
TIME
9:00am
9:30am
10:00am
10:30am
4:00pm
5:00pm
6:00pm
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Sunday, January 26
Sunday School for All Ages
Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Morning Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Annual Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)
Cub Scouts (Fellowship Hall/Outdoors)
@ The Table Service (Zoom)
Youth Group (Fellowship Hall and Youth Room)
Worship Committee (Parlor)
Monday, January 27
Biblical Justice Forum (Zoom)
Scouts (Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday, January 29
Wednesday Morning Bible Study and Prayer Group (Fellowship Hall)
Wednesday Night Live (Fellowship Hall)
Thursday, January 30
Bible Study (Zoom)
Friday, January 31
Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
@ The Table Service Recording (Sanctuary)
Saturday, February 1
Bobbi Cross Family Gathering (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday, February 2 - Communion
Breakfast (Fellowship Hall)
Sunday School for All Ages
Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)
Morning Worship Service (Sanctuary)
Cub Scouts (Fellowship Hall/Outdoors)
@ The Table Service (Zoom)
Youth Group (Fellowship Hall and Youth Room)
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RESERVATIONS, PICTURES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please refer to the Calendar if you have questions about meetings. If you want to reserve a room, please email admin@wbpresbyterian.org. If you have photos from Church events this year, please share them with us. You may upload your pictures directly to our shared Church album by clicking HERE.
If you would like your birthday included on the monthly birthday list, please update your personal information on Realm or contact the church office.
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Click HERE for January Birthdays. Click HERE for February Birthdays. | | | | |
