The Next Seven Days

180° Moving Forward: This Weekend:

Saturday, April 26: Less Than Extreme Makeover Day 9:00 a.m.-noon
Sunday, April 27:
4:30 Youth Choir
5:30 Youth Choir in Praise Service
6:30 180 Celebration Cook-out on the Front Lawn

Next Weekend:
Sunday, May 4: 12:00 – Youth Choir lunch
12:30 – 1:30 – Youth Choir Rehearsal
Sunday, May 11: Youth Choir sings at 11:15 a.m. worship

Dining Out for Life. On Thursday, May 1, 2008, AIDS Delaware is having its annual Dining Out for Life event. As in the last 10 years, Jose Varela extends a special invitation to all of you to participate in this event at Buckley’s Tavern, at 6:30 PM. Each participating restaurant will donate 33% of their total food profits from their May 1st receipts to AIDS Delaware! The funds support AIDS Delaware’s case management services, education and outreach programs, and counseling and testing initiatives. This is a fun and easy way to support AIDS Delaware and also to have a nice fellowship dinner. Please let Jose (302-652.6776) know if you are able to attend by April 21in order to make the appropriate reservation for our group.

Concert coming up at WPC: “From the Choir Loft to the Opera Stage.” Friday, May 2, 8:00 p.m. Join us for this gala musical evening as our own four amazing soloists and our awesome Westminster Choir bring you a spectacular program of “greatest hits” from the world of Grand Opera and the world of great sacred masterworks. Thrill to arias and ensembles by Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, Weber, Bizet, and even Gershwin, as well as beloved anthems and rousing spirituals. Definitely something for everybody! No admission charge; free-will offering received.

Dames, Dining, and Donations - Women of all ages and interests are invited to join this new Westminster group meeting on Friday, May 2 at 6:00 p.m. at Liz Bacon’s home. We ask that you contribute an hors d’oeuvre or a dessert. You are asked to bring a ($10 donation) to each meeting which will support selected mission projects. Please RSVP to Peggy Carroll at 302 429-6690, or nascar@dca.net or Liz Bacon at 302-658-8419, or elizabeth.bacon@comcast.net by Wednesday, April 30.

Adult Education

Refer to the monitors in WPC for up-to-date location information.

Sundays at 10:10 a.m.:

Contemporary Issues

Ken Smith (Rodney Chapel) Executive Director of the Delaware Housing Coalition. He will speak about the Coalition’s effort to advocate for safe, decent and affordable housing in Delaware. They strive to affect, impact and shape the environment relating to housing.

Religion and Theology

Faith and Science (Classroom 6) Continuing the subject of Faith and Science that John Polkinghorne introduced so eloquently for us, we will explore the proposal of morality, hope and purpose coming from nature to find common ground with spirituality. This series will be led by Kent Quisel, Dick May and Dave McBride. This class meets through May 4.

Life Perspectives

Parenting Class - Book Study (Ruth Christie Room) How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. (www.fabermazlish.com) Frequently recommended as one of the best parenting books available, it provides communication techniques to be more effective with your children and more supportive of yourself.

Bible Study

Simply Christian, Why Christianity Makes Sense, a video study by N.T. Wright (Daughtry House) Have you ever wondered why humans in all places and times have yearned for beauty, truth, spirituality and justice? N.T. Wright contends that it is because we hear the echoes of God’s voice—the same God who created the world, who is known through the children of Israel and Jesus Christ, and who is at work in the world through the Holy Spirit. An abundant Christian life depends on connecting to this God through worship, prayer, scripture and the church. N.T. Wright offers a fresh presentation of the timeless truths of Christianity, making the case that faith is reasonable and rewarding for us today.

Coming Soon!

Parenting - Yvonne Nass (Ruth Christie Room) Sunday, May 4, for parents of children in K – 5. The issues involved in parenting elementary aged children often make the task overwhelming. Take this opportunity to meet with other parents and find real support, education and resources.

MOVIE NIGHT
Friday, April 25
7:00 p.m. in Grace Hall

Pay it Forward is a gentle drama of young Trevor McKinney (played by Haley Joel Osment), who responds to an assignment from his teacher (played by Kevin Spacey) with a plan to help three people, who in turn will help three more, and so on. Trevor touches more people than he ever expected — his abused mother Arlene (played by Helen Hunt), his physically and emotionally scarred teacher and a journalist who hears of the plan and starts investigating. Discussion facilitated by John Doyle. Rated PG 13.

New Announcements

Join us for food and fun as we picnic (rain or shine) at Bellevue State Park, Sunday, May 18, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. This is our last event until the fall, so you won’t want to miss it! We will grill hot dogs and hamburgers. Please bring a side dish and drinks to share. Cost is $16 per family. Unless you have an annual pass, the park entry fee is $3 for DE vehicles and $6 for out-of-state vehicles. Please RSVP to Karen Dietz at 302-656-0343 or kfdietz@verizon.net by Tuesday, May 13.

Back By Popular Demand!! Five Wishes, a living will (written with the help of the American Bar Association) talks about one’s personal, emotional and spiritual needs as well as your medical wishes. This document empowers people to choose who they want to make health care decisions for them should they become disabled. It promotes conversation among family members about end of life issues. It has been featured on CNN and NBC’s Today Show, and is called the first “living will with a heart.” Copies are available from the church receptionist for $1.00 each.

Help Wanted -- two people to serve as team to replenish our pew pockets. We currently have two teams and need a third team. The work takes about an hour and a half every six weeks. For information about the job and to sign up, please contact Anne Gunn at annegunn@wpc.org or 302-654-5214.

Afghan Children: Today and Tomorrow – On Saturday, May 10, at 1:00 p.m. in Rodney Chapel, Fahima Vorgetts, an Afghan immigrant, human rights activist from Annapolis, Maryland and director of Afghan Women’s Fund, will speak about women’s rights, education and what you can do to make difference in present day Afghanistan. Fahima Vorgett served as director of a women’s literacy program and studied chemistry in graduate school. She has testified about Taliban abuses before the United Nations and other organizations. Ms. Vorgetts runs an import business and owns a cafe on the West Coast, with portions of profits from her businesses going to the women of Afghanistan.

Greg and Camilla Jones’ trip to Israel for an adult education pilgrimage November 3-16, 2009, based at St. George’s College in Jerusalem has been filled. However, we will be starting a waiting list. Please call Suzie Hurlock to express your interest and to be placed on the list. We will have faculty instruction and travel to Biblical sites around Israel, including Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, Mount Tabor, and Judean Desert. This promises to be not just a tour but an educational and spiritual experience. We will learn about the Holy Land in ancient times and the challenges facing Israel today. You must be physically fit for lengthy walks and occasional walks on hilly terrain and extensive bus and jeep trips. The cost of $2180 per person covers room, board, fees and transportation to sites. Airfare and ground transportation from airport to the college is not included, but we will help you arrange it.

Plan to attend the Pentecost Party between services on May 11! In lieu of church school, from 10:10 – 11:00 a.m., there will be activities for all ages in Community Hall as we celebrate the Birthday of the Church in fun and educational ways.

May 18 will be another special Sunday at Westminster –

At the ONE morning worship service, at 10:00 a.m., the Westminster Choir will present Franz Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. We will also recognize those who have been members of Westminster for 50 years or more, and hold a reception for them following the service.

At the 5:30 Feast of Praise Service, two members of our recent Mission Trip to New Orleans will share their experience during worship, and at 6:30 p.m. the mission team will host a New Orleans style dinner to raise support for continued efforts in rebuilding the area. Watch for more details!

Congratulations Class of 2008!

Whether you are graduating from high school, college, or graduate school, you have worked very hard to reach this milestone. We want to acknowledge this event in your life and offer you our prayers and blessing as you move through this important rite of passage. On Sunday, June 1, we will recognize those graduating in the Class of 2008 in our morning bulletin. If you would like your name, or the name of a family member who is graduating, listed in the bulletin, please send an e-mail to Susan Moseley (susanmoseley@wpc.org) with the following information by May 16th.

If you are graduating from high school:

* Full name
* Name of your high school
* College name and location OR
* Sentence description of alternative plans

If you are graduating with a college or advanced degree:

* Full name
* Institution name and location
* Degree

The staff and congregation are proud of each of you. May the blessings and peace of Christ be with you!

Worth Repeating

Check out DVDs of Faith and Science Weekend. If you missed the Friday night and Saturday morning sessions – or you would like to hear them again – DVDs are available of Dr. John Polkinghorne’s three lectures (including the question and answer periods). You may check out the DVDs at the receptionist desk.

Special Musical Presentation: Sunday, May 18, 10:00 a.m.

During our morning worship service, the Westminster Choir, soloists, and 15-piece orchestra present Franz Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. Also known as “Missa in Angustiis,” and sometimes referred to as the “Imperial Mass,” this powerful work represents one of the crowning achievements in Haydn’s output of music for the Church. On that morning (5/18), our service will open with Antonio Vivaldi’s exuberant Concerto for Two Trumpets. NOTE: We will have only ONE worship service Sunday morning, May 18th.

Spring Banquet. Sign up at the receptionist desk to attend the Women of Westminster's annual Spring Banquet for women and children on Tuesday, May 6, from 5:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in Community Hall. Enjoy fellowship, covered-dish dinner, and entertainment by the Terpsichorean Dance Troupe.

Yoga classes continue at Westminster on Mondays (noon – 1 p.m.) and Thursdays (5:30 – 6:45 p.m.) walk-ins are welcome at $15 per session, or you may purchase six consecutive sessions at a discount of $80. Classes are held in Rodney Chapel, and participants need to bring their own mat. Mia Muratori leads the Monday class, and Christopher Sims the Thursday class.

SAVE THE DATES: Vacation Bible School at Westminster, July 21 – 25. Go to http://wpc.org/ to register now!

The Holy Toast Café will only be open three more Sundays (April 27, May 4, May 11) until September! Come by and eat, drink and support mission. Menu items are all $1 each, and include: homemade muffins, yogurt, fresh fruit, bagel and butter/cream cheese, dry cereal with milk. All proceeds from the café in April will go to the YWCA Home Ownership Services.

You are encouraged to give the Sanctuary flowers for Sunday worship. Please contact Linda Colvard during business hours at (302) 571-6719 to place flowers in the Sanctuary.The following dates are available: May 4, May 25, June 1, June 8, July 13, July 20 and July 27.

Sunday Morning Schedule

8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Child Care for Cribbery (birth – toddler)

9:00 – 9:55 a.m. Worship Traditional Service with Westminster Choir and organ.

After TIME WITH OUR CHILDREN, if you wish, your children may leave the Sanctuary and go to:

• GODLY CARE: Ages 2 – 4 in Under Six Classroom A & B

Two year-olds: Children begin to develop their spiritual lives and we teach them they are precious children of God. This class helps them get to know God and explore matters of faith.

Three and Four year-olds: Children experience simple worship rituals and learn key stories in the Bible. Each story is told in a lively fashion using bright, colorful felt figures. Children respond through crafts, songs and prayers.

• GODLY PLAY: Kindergarten – Grade 2 in Ruth Christie Room. You may pick-up your child in Room C following worship

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade: Children learn the language of God’s people through sacred space, sacred stories, parables and liturgical actions.

• GODLY KIDS: Grades 3 and 4 (5th and 6th graders also welcome) in Grace Hall. Children will return to sanctuary during the final hymn and be picked up by parents in the east transept

Grades 3 and 4 (5th and 6th graders also welcome): Children learn about worship as they explore stories in the Bible. They return to the sanctuary during the final hymn and sit together until parents pick them up following the postlude.

10:10 – 11:00 a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages

11:15 – 12:00 p.m. Worship Traditional, yet different. Includes new hymns and songs. Childcare is available in Under Six for ages 2 – Grade 2.

8:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Hospitality and Fellowship in the Holy Toast Café located in Community Hall with breakfast served from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m. 100% of the sale proceeds from the Holy Toast Café are earmarked for Mission.

WWW Announcement Guidelines. The WWW is an electronic publication for current and relevant announcements. Since we do not want to bore our readers with long and repetitive announcements, we have devised a few guidelines. Please keep your blurb concise and include the dates, times, and any contact information, but we hope you will resist the urge to provide us with too many details! Announcements will run for two weeks. If you wish to announce an event earlier than two weeks, please send a very brief “save the date” announcement. Here is an example of a WWW announcement: The Annual Christmas Tea, sponsored by the Women of Westminster, will be held Friday, December 7, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Rodney Chapel. Plan to celebrate the holiday season with friends and staff by enjoying delicious food, warm fellowship and wonderful music. Cost is $5. Call 654-5214 or sign up at the reception desk. Many thanks for your help in making the WWW very reader friendly!

The Westminster Weekly Word is e-mailed to subscribers every Thursday. It is also posted online at, http://www.wpc.org/www.htm. To have your announcement included in the WWW, please send an e-mail to kyle@wpc.org by noon on Wednesday. Be sure to specify the dates you want your announcement to appear. Westminster Presbyterian Church 1502 West 13th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 302 654-5214 * http://www.wpc.org

Sunday's Bulletin with all its announcements and schedule of events