Difficult Words of Jesus: A Beginner’s Guide to His Most Perplexing Teachings

Jesus provided his disciples teachings for how to follow Torah, God’s word.  He told them parables to help them discern questions of ethics and of human nature. He offered them beatitudes for comfort and encouragement. But sometimes Jesus spoke words that followers then and now have found troubling. In this six week DVD study, The Difficult Words of Jesus, Amy-Jill Levine shows how these challenging teachings would have sounded to the people who first heard them, how they have been understood over time, and how we might interpret them in the context of the gospel of love and reconciliation. She invites us to look at sayings that puzzle not only beginners, but even seasoned students of Scripture. Participants are encouraged to get a copy of the book to read along.  Learn more about each group via the group contact person or gather some friends and form your own Lenten study group. 

Hybrid: Sunday Journey Class
10:45-11:45 am Sundays, Feb. 18, 25, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24
Zoom & Spellman Jr.
Facilitators: Bob Boell, Chris Clark, Ann Hatfield, & Leah Hrachovec
Click here to attend via zoom. • Contact: Leah Hrachovec

In Person Only: Monday Men & Women Group
7-8:30 pm  Feb. 19, 26, Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25 • McFalls home
Facilitators: Ed and Diane McFalls
Contact: Ed McFalls

Hybrid: Bi-Weekly Tuesday Men & Women Group
7-8:30 pm Feb. 20, 27, Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26 • Huddell Home & Zoom
Facilitator & Contact: Gary Huddell

Hybrid: Wednesday A Gathering of Men Group
7-8:30 pm Wednesdays, Feb. 21, 28, Mar. 6, 13, 20, 27 • Spellman Jr. & Zoom
Facilitator & Contact: Gerry McShane

Westminster signed up with Terracycle to be a public drop off point for recycling ALL BRANDS of oral care products and packaging.  This includes toothpaste tubes, caps and packaging, toothbrushes and packaging and dental floss containers. You can find a public collection bin in the parking lot near the Gleaning Garden. A bin is also located in the Heckert Center for the congregation. Questions? Contact Angela Emrich

9:30 & 11 am February 4 & 10 am February 11

After 41 years of ordained ministry, including over 8 years at Westminster, Rev. Jennie Clark retires from her call as Associate Pastor for Spiritual Growth. Come hear Pastor Jennie preach her final sermon during both morning worship on Sunday, February 4. We will recognize and celebrate Pastor Jennie on her final Sunday in a combined worship service at 10 am on February 11 with Director of Youth and College Ministries Chris Clark preaching. Following the service, we will gather in Spellman Hall for a church-wide reception.

If you would like to share thoughts and memories about Jennie's leadership, you're invited to drop off photos, cards or letters in baskets found in the Narthex during the first two Sundays in February. You also can contribute to a monetary “Love Gift” which Pastor Jennie will receive in worship on February 11. Participation is completely voluntary and anonymous. If you would like to donate toward this gift, there are several ways to do so, contact Ed McFalls for more info.

Westminster Presbyterian Church and Preschool are operating on a two hour delay opening schedule this morning, Tuesday, January 16. The Westminster office will open at 10:30 am. The Tuesday Morning Fellowship Group has canceled their presentation this morning. 

Westminster’s Preschool enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year began on Monday. If you have a child between 2-5 years old and are looking for a wonderful, part-time morning/afternoon preschool starting next fall, contact the preschool for registration materials. Registration is online only.

In this winter season, plans can change quickly. When snowy, icy weather is forecast, here’s where you can find church schedule changes:

• At the top of the church website in the black ALERTS bar
• Posted on Westminster’s social media channels (Facebook/X(Twitter)/Instagram)

It’s our practice NOT to send email notifications for every closing and schedule change as these can be frequent and not everyone subscribed to our email list needs the same information. 

12:30-1:30 pm January 15 - February 2

Every January, Calvin University sponsors The January Series, a daily, hour-long cultural enrichment series. Its goal is to cultivate deep thought and conversations about important issues of the day in order to inspire cultural renewal and make us better global citizens in God's world. Attend The January Series virtually; there is no cost. Click here to register for the live stream. Click here to view this year's speakers and schedule. 

Kirsten will lead our Children’s Choir program, engage instrumentalists for playing opportunities, accompany the Chancel Choir and Youth Choir, while sharing service playing duties with Tim Evers, our Director of Music Ministries. She will begin her call with Westminster on Monday, January 8.

Kirsten previously served congregations in Wayne (PA), St. Louis (MO), Durham (NC), and Bellingham (WA). She comes with extensive experience in all facets of church music ministry. An organist, pianist and Swedish fiddler, Kirsten holds degrees in musicology (Ph.D., M.A.) from Duke University and in German Studies (B.A.) from Stanford University. In addition, she has studied and completed Fulbright-supported research in Sweden. Her organ teachers include Robert Parkins (Duke), Robert Huw Morgan (Stanford), Lars Åberg (Linköping Cathedral, Sweden), and Karl Wikenståhl (Hjo Folkhögskola, Sweden).

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Kirsten grew up in a musical congregation, beginning with Cherub Choir at age 4. She has rung handbells since middle school and has extensive experience as an orchestral violinist. You will find Kirsten to be warm, caring and engaging. And perhaps you will be a lucky recipient of her baked goods.

In Kirsten’s own words, “I am thrilled to join the staff team at Westminster! I look forward to working with members of the congregation, both children and adults, to enrich musical offerings in worship services and other church activities.”

We look forward to Kirsten beginning ministry with us next week. You are encouraged to greet and welcome her to our community.

Currently, we send this email through Constant Contact. Next week, we are switching email providers to Mail Chimp. You shouldn't notice any change and receive our emails normally in your inbox. The first email we will send out through Mail Chimp is next Thursday's This Week at Westminster on January 11. If you don't get an email next Thursday, please let Lynn George or the church office know. This is a good time to customize the Westminster emails you receive. Maybe you no longer want to receive the weekly youth email, or perhaps you would to add the bi-weekly Outreach - Nerve to Serve email. Click here to edit your Westminster emails. Questions? Contact Lynn George.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month and Westminster's Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy Working Group will collect household items for Dawn's Place. Dawn's Place supports women affected by commercial sexual exploitation and its abuse by providing services to women, raising awareness and generating prevention. Bring items to church during the month of January and place in the bins around the building. Here is a list of items being collected:

• Large Trash Bags 30 gal
• Dish Washing Detergent
• Ziplock bags - 1 Gal
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Toilet Paper
• Tissues
• Paper Towels
• Napkins
• Laundry Detergent
• Swiffer Wet Jet Refill
• Bathroom Cleaner Spray
• Hand Soap
• Furniture Polish
• Glass Cleaner
• Dryer Sheets

Westminster’s Preschool will enroll for the 2024-2025 school year beginning in January. If you have a child between 2-5 years old and are looking for a wonderful, part-time morning/afternoon preschool starting next fall, contact the preschool for registration materials. Registration begins 9:30 am Monday, January 8. Registration is online only.

Have the dire headlines of conflicts around the world got you down? Wish there was some way you could help? Project CURE’s warehouse in Jennersville needs volunteers. Project CURE collects, sorts, repacks, and ships donated medical supplies to countries in need worldwide. Just since December, they sent to Ukraine six containers, and air shipments to Israel and Gaza. In 2023, 18 containers were sent all around the world.

There are volunteer opportunities for everyone - no experience required. Training provided. Help is urgently needed to sort and pack items arriving at the warehouse. Volunteers with any level of medical training are especially needed to audit specialized supplies before packing. The warehouse is open 9 am - 4 pm  Monday - Thursday and 9 am -12 pm on Friday. Come anytime your schedule permits. Click here for more info. Questions? Contact Rachel Rider. 

9:30 - 11:30 am Wednesdays, starting January 24 through May 1 • Spellman Jr. or Zoom
This 12 week study will read Hidden: Finding Delight in Your Life in Christ by Allison Allen. In a world where excellence is equated to exposure, and legacy is equated to social media likes, what does it mean to embrace a hidden life? In this study, we will learn from and relate our own stories to examples of multiple concealed characters in the Bible including the Sons of Korah, Cleopas, Huldah the prophetess, the Daughters of Shallum, Pilate's wife and Gideon. Interested in joining or questions, contact Kathy Smedley or Ellen Miler.