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."

This week, as we reflect on the disciples' conversation with Jesus, as we too grapple with the question: "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13-20), may we travel with this blessing from Kate Bowler (from Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day, p. 126-127).

There you are. Shimmering at the edges

of some extravagant act of love. 

There you are. Quickening our steps 

toward your surprising favorites:

the weak and poor and scared, 

the lasts-becoming-firsts, 

those who can’t squeeze through the eye of the needle. 

There you are. Calling us strong 

when we are weak.

Telling us to link arms with those who suffer.

Explaining how justice will invert the order of things.

This week we pray for:

Deb Hostetler

Prayers for Deb, who found out that her ovarian cancer (the first cancer she had some years ago) has returned in the abdominal area, close to her colon. Deb starts chemotherapy in Canton tomorrow, February 29th. Please hold Deb and her family in your love and prayers. We specifically pray for peace of mind so Deb can focus on next steps, and for strength to get through this.

Tom Ewing, Erica Ewing's dad

Prayers of gratitude for Tom and their family. Tom is doing well after his brain surgery. Prayers for continued healing as he prepares to resume radiation treatments soon.

Joshua Amimo

Prayers for Joshua who is settling into his new life in Philadelphia. He found a place to stay, and has the first week at his new job under his belt. Continued blessings. You may reach out to him at the following address:

Joshua Amimo

9501 Tulip Street

Philadelphia, PA 19114

Dave Noble

Prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving for Dave who received the great report that his tumor has shrunk about 60%. We continue to hold you in our love and rejoice with you.

Tom Battles

Continued 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.

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.

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;
• those who are lonely, yearning for belonging;
• all who are in danger - physical, emotional, or spiritual;
• 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 affected by the severe storms in our region;
• 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, February 28

• Congregational Care Meeting - 3:30 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, February 29

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

Sunday, March 3 - Third Sunday of Lent - Communion Sunday

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

Monday, March 4

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

Wednesday, March 6

• Wooster Area Interfaith Partners - 9:00 am - Zoom
• COW Science Cafe - 7:00 pm - Spoon Market & Deli - David Vanata, Ph.D. - "The Science of Supplements"

Thursday, March 7

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

Sunday, March 10 - Fourth Sunday of Lent

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

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 have Lenten Devotionals ready for you to pick up. We'll be using these 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, February 22 - 7 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, February 29 - 7 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, March 7 - 7 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, March 14 - 7pm - The Lounge

Thursday, March 21 - 7 pm - The Lounge

Thursday, March 28 - Maundy Thursday Service - Mackey Hall

Tuning Our Hearts During Lent

Throughout Lent, I will be sharing resources that you may find meaningful as we seek the presence of the holy in our lives, as we strive to deepen our relationship with God and with one another. This week we are reflecting on Matthew 16:13-20.

Questions for Reflection

1. When in your life have you felt closest to God?

2. Jesus turns to the disciples and asks them, “Who do you say that I am?” How would you answer this question? Has your answer to this question changed over time? 

3. Jesus affirms Peter calling him "the rock of the church." What affirmations helped you live into your full human potential?

4. Have you given an affirmation to someone that made a difference in their lives?

*******

I encourage you to also check out Diana Butler Bass' book Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence (Harper Collins, 2021).

In this book, Butler Bass helps us rediscover Jesus in multifaceted ways. Her reflections invite readers to depart from narrow definitions and culture wars and reacquaint ourselves with Jesus as a loving companion in our faith journey. 

WPC 150th Anniversary Mission Project

Friends, we launched our anniversary mission project on February 4 and are excited about the progress. Today, the Daily Record published an article about our Mustard Seed Project. You can read it here.

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

PLUS additional $3,200 of donations sent to Westminster Church - we raised 53% of our goal

Help Us Celebrate WPC's 150th Anniversary

Make Your Vote Count

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.

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.

Sunday Morning Hospitality & Liturgist

February & March

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.