<i>The Vine</i> September 30, 2007

"I am the vine,
you are the branches..."

Remember in Prayer Comfort for the family and friends of Lois Rafferty, who died September 27.
Commitment Sunday - October 7^th October 7th has been designated as Commitment Sunday at Westminster. Join us in worship and bring your completed 2008 pledge cards. After worship, join us for brunch or lunch served by the Deacons, as we continue to celebrate our stewardship theme "Walking in the Light of God."

Brunch will be offered at 9:00 a.m. for the early worshipers. Following 10:30 worship, a lunch will be offered with the children sharing their musical talents. Each will have a free will offering. Everyone is welcome!

Children's Choir Fest Children, age 3 through 8^th grade will share their musical talents during our commitment luncheon October 7^th following 10:30 worship. Their music will be focused on Westminster's fall theme, "Walking in the Light."

On the Calendar
Today              10:30 a.m. Friendship Home Recognition
                           6:00 p.m. Youth Group
October 7        World Communion, Commitment Sunday
                            9:00 a.m. Brunch for 8:00 a.m. worshipers
                          10:30 a.m. Communion, 3^rd Grade Bibles,
                          11:45 a.m. Children's ChoirFest/Luncheon
                            6:00 p.m. Youth Group
October 14                         Pumpkinfest
                         10:30 a.m. Kindergarten Bibles,
                                             Preschool sings
                         11:45 a.m. Lohmen luncheon, games
                           6:00 p.m. Youth Group

Special Taizé Service Tonight at 7:00 p.m. a Taizé worship opportunity will be at the Holy Family Shrine (Gretna exit). It's a grand place to experience the sunset and reflective moments with God.

Pumpkinfest On October 14^th the Lohmen group and CYF invite you to activities, lunch and an opportunity to purchase fall decorations. (Including Penny Ford's smashing painted pumpkins!) Start thinking about baked goods, gourds, cattails, bittersweet or other items you might be able to contribute. And about Garden Fair - it ended last week for the season, but if you are a GF contributor or patron, the word is out that Garden Fair items are welcome.

2007 Church Budget Pledge Report

2007 Paid to Date 2007 Total Pledged % of Pledged
Paid to Date

$532,124 $777,608 68.43%

The October newsletter, The Second Century Messenger is now available on the web: www.westminsterlincoln.org. If you would like to have a copy emailed to you each month, instead of a hard copy mailed to you, please let Jean know by calling 475-6702 or emailing her at jean@westminsterlincoln.org.

Adult Education
9:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings

Today - Fellowship Hall AB
          Dr. John Janovy - Varner Professor of Biological
          Sciences and author of Ten Minute Ecologist, will discuss
          his work with us at this final seminar on energy sources
          and planet conservation.

Coming in October - Understanding Torture Torture is a subject we don't like to think about and yet it is a very real part of human history and happens daily around our globe. Adult Education is tackling this issue in October. We will seek to understand the history and definitions of torture, how the Presbyterian church views torture, the experiences of the tortured and the rationale of the torturer. In investigating we will read Elie Wiesel's Dawn, a book that follows his Night and seeks to understand the role of torturer.

Oct 7 - History of Torture
          In this seminar, Dr. Ari Kohen, Assistant Professor of
          Political Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and
          author of In Defense of Human Rights, will provide an
          introduction to torture. We will investigate the history of
          torture as well as the definitions of torture and explain the
          complexities of this political and social issue.

Oct 14 - The FIRST Project
          FIRST project is an organization dedicated to the recovery
          of torture victims. Please join director Dr. Maria Prendes-
          Lintel who will help us understand the emotional trauma of
          a torture victim.

Oct 21 - Torture in the Church
          Incidents of torture are frequent in the Bible from David's
          torture of the Hittites to the crucifixion of Jesus to the
          suffering of Paul and Stephen. Yet the modern church
          condemns incidents of torture, and the United States
          believes torture is necessary to insure its security. Join Mr.
          Jake Hoy-Elswick as we try to grasp this very complex
          history.

Oct. 28 - Dawn
          In this final class of the month, join Jerry Johnston for an
          in depth discussion of Elie Wiesel's Dawn where he
          fictionalizes his character from Night and places him in the
          role of a torturer. How can a person suffer the horrors of the
          Holocaust and turn into a political torturer?

Westminster Bible Class - Sundays, 9:00 a.m.-Parlor
          Westminster Bible Class follows the weekly Bible Study
          series, THE PRESENT WORD. We welcome visitors and
          new members. Leading the class today is Ken Koop.

New friendships and insights are yours in
"CROSSROADS"
These young adults (18-30's) invite you to join them every
            Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the library for Bible study,
            great discussions, and Christian fellowship!
            "Crossroads" is now studying Living A Life That Matters,
            by Harold S. Kushner. We invite you to join us and
            become part of "Crossroads"

Join Us for WOW Join us for dinner on Wednesday nights from 5:50 - 6:30 p.m. in Cole Hall. Cost is $2.50 per person or $10.00 maximum per family. Then plan to attend choir rehearsal, a small group meeting, the Knit Together class or our Wednesday Adult Education class.

The Adult Education class scheduled for October 3^rd and 10^th will be "Recipe for a Happy Marriage." On October 17^th and 24^th the class will be, "Hackers, Crackers, and Worms...Oh my." Everyone is welcome to attend!

Your continued response to our Second Century Campaign is truly appreciated.
Together we have pledged $1,428,516 and given $489,628 to date. The ministry of Westminster will greatly benefit from the gifts of those who pledged.

Men's Tuesday Fellowship Breakfasts E

ach Tuesday morning a group of Westminster men gather for food, fellowship and a program. A Continental breakfast is at 6:45 a.m. ($2 & FREE for 1^st Timers), followed by a program at 7:00. We dismiss by 8:00. This week Rev. Ellen Davis will provide a Bible study.
All men, any age are welcome!

           Presbyterian Women Groups Meeting this week:
     Mon., 7 p.m Circle 4 with Kathy Anderson;
     Wed., 9:30 a.m. Circle A(1/2), church lounge;
     Wed., 10 a.m. Circle 3 with Jean Patoka;
     Thurs., 1:30 p.m. Mission Sewers church lounge.

Youth to Sell Holiday Greens Holiday Greens go on sale beginning October 7. Plan now to order your holiday greens from the Senior High Youth Group. They will be available for pick up the weekend of November 25. Look for the table in the Garden Room.

Peacemaking Offering 2007
           "And the leaves of the tree
     are for the healing of the nations"
                 (Revelation 22:2)

The Peacemaking Offering is one of four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Twenty five percent of the offering received will be retained by the congregation, 25 percent will be used by synods and presbyteries, and 50 percent will be used by the General Assembly ministries through the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

The Peacemaking Offering is a tool of our efforts to live and work in the hope of peace and wellbeing, and will be received at Westminster October 14^th.

Friendship Home
Safe shelter and so much more On Sunday, September 30, 2007, more than 1,800 volunteers will canvass the city of Lincoln with one purpose: to help battered women and their children rebuild their lives, free from violence. You can help.
Find out more information on their website: http://www.friendshiphome.org/html/home.htm

Serving Today:
USHERS: Austen Adams, Kari Andersen, Henry Cech, Lyle Hamilton, Cindy Hill, Jerry Hudgins, Steve Johnson, Stan Mills, Matt Nyberg, Regi Schirmer, Ted Schirmer, Sindy Thompson.
DEACONS: Nancy Stuckey, Kevin Pope, Terry Genrich
GREETERS: Judy White/Mark Whitehead
HOSTS: Van and Georgia Duling/Ginny Rohrbaugh
ACOLYTES: Dane Nelson/Lauren Larson

CHURCH SACRAMENTS The next communion will be October 7^th. Baptism will be November 11^th, please call Marge 475-6702, by October 10^th.

Worshipers are Invited to join in a time of hospitality and Christian fellowship before and after 10:30 a.m. worship. Coffee, juice and donut holes are provided by Food and Festivities Ministry in the Garden Room.

Westminster Presbyterian Church 2110 Sheridan Blvd. Lincoln, Nebraska Ph. 402-475-6702; Fax: 475-3148 www.westminsterlincoln.org
Pastor	Reverend Dr. Andrew L. McDonald, x 110
Associate Pastor	Reverend Sara Dingman, x 116
Parish Associate	Reverend Ellen Davis, x117
Business Administrator	Cheryl Rennick, x 105
Director of Fine Arts	Boyd Bacon, x 111
Associate Director of Music and Fine Arts	Dr. Masako Nakamura, x 111
Preschool Director	JoEllen Beil, x 103
Director of Children's Ministries	Betsy Guyer, x 104
Director of Middle School Youth	Jessica Reid, x 107
Administrative Secretary	Marge Tomlinson, x 102
Receptionist/Secretary	Jean Kutscher, x 101
Custodians/Maintenance	Edina Bilic, Richard Gruenemeyer, Mehmedalija Plicanic

The Vine September 30, 2007