<i>The Vine</i> December 9, 2007

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

Remember in Prayer Julia Ehlers at BryanLGH-W

Join Us for Food and Fellowship
Plan to spend a few minutes in the Garden Room following today's 10:30 service. Snacks are provided by Children, Youth and Family Ministry to celebrate the children's Christmas musical. Enjoy light food and refreshments, and share in the holiday cheer!

Christmas Time at Westminster
Invite a friend to join us during the holiday season for the following special events.

Dec. 16 10:30 a.m. Selections from "Messiah" sung by
                                  Westminster Choir, accompanied by
                                  Giambelli String Quartet
                 7:30 p.m. Taizé
Dec. 18   6:00 p.m. St. Nick Gift Wrapping Party
Dec. 24   Christmas Eve candlelight services:
                 3:00 p.m. Worship with Christmas Bells and
                                   Instrumentalists
                 5:00 p.m. Worship with Nebraska Brass, All Children's
                                  Choirs (Cherub, Alleluia! Amen!, Salt &
                                   Light), and Youth Bells
                 9:00 p.m. Worship with Nebraska Brass,
                                   Westminster Brass, Westminster Choir,
                                   Westminster Carillon

WOW, Adult Fellowship
December 12th, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.- in Fellowship Hall C Come join us for some adult fellowship time! Bring a project to work on if you like (address Christmas cards, wrap packages, organize your photos); or just come to chat and snack! We hope to see you there!

"Simply Wait"
Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent Join us in the parlor Wednesdays Dec, 12^th and 19^th at 6:30 p.m. to reflect on the readings of "Simply Wait" as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. Make your Advent Journey one of anticipation and renewal.

2007 Church Budget Pledge Report

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

$639,210 $777,608 82.20%

Adult Education
9:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings

‘Mary the Mother of God'
and Other Advent Mysteries Today and next Sunday join Pastor Sara for Bible study at 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall A. We'll look at some of the major "Christmas" texts in the Gospels and discuss such topics as:

Mary: Her Relationship to God, and the Church's Relationship to Her

The Bachelor (a.k.a. Joseph): Marriage Customs in First Century Palestine

Angels: Who are They, What are They, and How did They Get Here?

The First Noel, According to the Synoptic Gospels

Come with questions and be ready for lively discussions on some of the whos, whats, whens, wheres and whys of Christ's birth, as well as events leading up to it. This class will be scripture-based and is open to people with all different levels of biblical knowledge (especially beginners). All are welcome!

Westminster Bible Class - 9:00 a.m.-Sundays -Parlor
          Westminster Bible Class uses the Presbyterian
          publication, The Present Word and is now studying "God's
          Call" from the book of Luke. New members and guests are
          always welcome. Lois Coleman leads the study today.

"CROSSROADS"
Sundays - 9:00 a.m. - Library
    The Crossroads Class (young adults, 18-30's) are using
               the book SIMPLY WAIT, by Pamela Hawkins as a
               basis for our study of scripture during Advent. These
               lively discussions center on four concepts: Anticipation,
               Hope, Patience, and Obedience. Please join us!

*Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer, will speak during Adult Education hour December 23^rd. Mr. Sartore's presentation will kick off our "Green Team" theme , an important focus at Westminster. Join us December 23^rd, 9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for a presentation you will not want to miss.

End of Year Giving Request The church committees have stayed well within their budgets, but some income sources have been less than anticipated. At this point it looks as if our expenditures will exceed our income by about $20,000 to $25,000. This is close to where we have been a number of years in the past, when end of the year giving made all the difference. How can we meet this need? Along with the grace of God, we rely on two things in particular:
          • First, we need those who have pledged to complete
              their pledge.
          • Secondly, we need the whole congregation to
              consider giving a financial gift to Westminster by
              the end of this year.
With this extra giving, we believe we will be able to end the year with a balanced budget. Every gift makes a difference.

                      The "Annual
           St. Nick Gift Wrapping Party"
     Tuesday, December 18^th, 6:00 p.m.

Dress for comfort and join in wrapping gifts designated for parents. (Children's gifts are left for the parents to wrap.) Bring scissors and any extra gift wrap, tape and boxes you may have. Christmas snacks are welcome too.

Everyone's Welcome! Bring a Friend!

St. Nick gift-givers gifts are due back at the church by Sunday, December 16^th. Questions? Call Teri Nelson (423-0986) or Freda Gregg (423-3236).

Westminster members over 70 ˝
may take advantage of the IRA
Charitable rollover, which allows you
to transfer up to $100,000 of your IRA to Westminster free from federal income tax. You may wish to consider paying your Second Century Campaign pledge with your IRA.

Westminster's January Newsletter Deadline
Articles for the January "Second Century Messenger" are due by December 15^th. With Christmas coming up, time will be limited for producing the newsletter, so it is pertinent that we receive the information on time. Please email all articles to Jean, jean@westminsterlincoln.org, this week. Thank You!

Men's Tuesday Fellowship Breakfasts
All men are invited to join the Westminster men each Tuesday morning for food, fellowship, and a program. Continental breakfast is at 6:45 ($2 and FREE for First Timers), and a program at 7:00. We dismiss by 8:00. This Tuesday, Dr. Steve Carveth will present the program, "Maji or Magician?"

Lunch Bunch will meet at the Hillcrest Country Club, near 92^nd and O Streets, at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 11^th. A car pool leaves the church at noon. If you need a ride from your home, call Dorothy Glen, 489-2688, or the church office. Those attending are encouraged to bring a monetary gift for Camp Calvin Crest & Conference Center.

Prime Time - December 14th Come to Prime Time Friday, December 14^th to hear music of the Christmas season presented by the Queen's Court Singers of Lincoln Southeast High School, directed by Ann Moore. We will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall for a festive potluck dinner. Bring a favorite holiday dish to share and your own table service. For more information call Lynn and Ellen Davis 261-4432 or Jeanne Giles 484-6651.

Sign Up for a Mission Project! Instead of a New Years Resolution, sign up for a mission project and feel like a new person! A few of the current choices are: serving an already-cooked dinner at The Gathering Place, making and serving dinner at Matt Talbot's Kitchen and Outreach, and... joining the Pearlington Adult Mission Trip crew as we head down near New Orleans Mar 30 - Apr 6, 2008. Sign -up sheets for all are on the bulletin board in the Garden Room. See Pastor Sara or an Outreach member for more details.

The Christmas Greens Have Arrived!
Pick up your orders in Fellowship Hall today. If you find that you didn't order enough or you forgot to order, there are some extras. Thanks for supporting our youth.

Visit Westminster's Library
Make time during this busy Advent and Christmas season to enjoy some of the books and videos from our library. Stop in and see what's on display and check out what appeals to you and to your family.

2007
Poinsettia Order Form

Share the joy of Christmas! This year you can order a poinsettia in memory of or in honor of a loved one to be displayed in the chancel on Christmas Eve. Please specify all information on the form below and return to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd., Lincoln, NE 68502, attention: Jean. Cost of each poinsettia is $12.00; please make checks payable to Westminster and write POINSETTIA on the memo line. Orders must be received by December 18^th to be included in the order of worship.

(PLEASE PRINT)

____I would like to purchase_______poinsettia(s).

and/or

____I would like to make a cash donation to the Westminster Library.

Given by ________________________________________.

In Memory of _____________________________________.

In Honor of______________________________________.

Amount enclosed: $___________________________

___I will take my poinsettia home following the 9:00 p.m. service.

___The Deacons may deliver my poinsettia to the elderly or homebound.

Westminster Presbyterian Church
Sunday, December 9, 2007
presents

The Children's Musical
JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM
By Anna Laura Page & Jean Ann Shafferman

I. HANGING THE GREENS
(Genesis 22:18)
Greenery: Sam Guyer, Hans Zander, Hope Waggoner
"EVERGREEN CAROL"

II. LIGHTING THE CANDLES
(Isaiah 9:2)
Stars: C. J. Jurgens, Ryley Thomas
"CANDLELIGHT CAROL"
Candles: Alexandra Douglas, Jeffrey Wood,
Shelby Lammers, Skyler Berringer

III. GATHERING AT THE MANGER
(Luke 2:7)
Mary: Elyssa Johnson, Joseph: Dakota Berringer
Townspeople: Maddi Sipp, Henry Zander,
Brittney Nelson, Dane Nelson
Donkey: Jack Bergmeyer, Cow: Max Pearson
Sheep: Esme Sipp, Dove: Noa Jurgens
"MANGER CAROL"
Dane Nelson, Henry Zander,
Brittney Nelson, Maddi Sipp

IV. LIGHTING THE TREE
(Luke 2:9-11)
Stars: C. J. Jurgens, Ryley Thomas, Betsy Zander,
Catherine Nyberg, Sarah Nyberg, Emma Bergmeyer
"STAR CAROL"
Henry Sipp, Devon Nelson
Angels: Kaiden Bradley, Cael Dempsey,
Avery Eastman, Olympia Gegg, Charlie Kirkland,
Paxton Mattingly, Spencer Pearson, Sidda Pultz,
Kaylee Eigsti

V. PRESENTING THE GIFTS
(Matthew 2: 10-11)
Shepherd: Liam Dempsey, Henry Sipp, Hans Zander
Wise men: Jared McBride, Sam Guyer, Devon Nelson
"LOVE CAROL"

Directors
Boyd Bacon Jill Richmond Susan Zander
"Salt & Light" "Alleluia! Amen!" "Cherub Choir"

Special "Thank You" to Betsy Guyer, James Berringer, Stephanie Bradley, David Nelson, Stacey Sipp, Maggie Stuckey, Haley Waggoner, and the parent volunteers for assistance with organization, coaching, costumes, and set.

╬ Cast listed in order of appearance.

Serving Today:
USHERS: Jan Clark, Bob Dawson, Alex Freeman, Shayne Guyer, Larry Jurgens, Bob Morey, Ginny Rohrbaugh, Stacey Sipp, Ray Stevens
DEACONS: Kevin Bryson, Brian Lammers, Harry Wimer
GREETERS: Deb Schorr/Bill Eckstrom
HOSTS: Larry and Vicki Jurgens/Mary Orth
ACOLYTES: Skyler Berringer/Griffin Schainost

CHURCH SACRAMENTS The next communion will be January 6^th. Baptism will be January 13^th , please call Marge 475-6702, by December 12^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

Administrative Secretary Marge Tomlinson, x 102

Receptionist/Secretary Jean Kutscher, x 101

Custodians/Maintenance Edina Bilic, Richard Gruenemeyer, Mehmedalija Plicanic

The Vine December 9, 2007