The Vine November 25, 2007

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

Advent Decorating
Saturday, December 1

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

Dec. 2       5:00 p.m. "C" is for Christmas
Dec. 9     10:30 a.m. Children's Musical- "Journey to Bethlehem"
Dec. 16   10:30 a.m. Selections from "Messiah" accompanied
                                    by Giambelli String Quartet
                  7:30 p.m. Taizé
Dec. 18    6:30 p.m. St. Nick Gift Wrapping Party
Dec. 24     Christmas Eve 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

         Advent Art
    With Jana Sesow

Knit Together invites you to join us in the library on Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. It is a great time of fellowship and a chance for spiritual growth. With help from the Outreach Ministry we are renewing our commitment to mission knitting. Patterns are available for all skill levels. If you can't make it Wednesdays, you can pick up yarn and instructions for a baby blanket, prayer shawl, or cape to knit at home. Questions? Call Francy Scheele, 477-1102

Adult Education
9:00 a.m. Sunday Mornings

Prophetic Voices - Fellowship Hall A
During November our seminars have been focusing on prophecy in biblical times and modern day issues that share a prophetic voice with the past.
Today: W. Don Nelson, publisher of Nebraska's newest
independent newspaper, Prairie Fire, will discuss the
significance of the First Amendment in protecting modern
prophets.

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

Westminster Bible Class - 9:00 a.m.-Sundays -Parlor
          Westminster Bible Class uses the Presbyterian
          publication, The Present Word and is now studying how
          God created a people in the Old Testament book of
          Genesis. Today the class will be led by Roger Ghormley.

                    New friendships and insights are yours in...     
 "CROSSROADS"
Sundays - 9:00 a.m. - Library
These young adults (18-30's) invite you to join them
              every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. in the library.
              November has brought a new study addressing several
              issues...the first being OUR PURPOSE. Best-seller lists,
              song lyrics, institutional mission statements, and movies
              all indicate that we increasingly think about this idea of
              purpose. In December we will begin studying the book,
              Simply Wait.

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                                "Simply Wait"
             Cultivating Stillness in the Season of Advent
Join us in the parlor Wednesdays Nov. 28^th - Dec. 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. Or join one of the small groups during Advent or use the book at home. You'll come out of the four weeks centered, rested and spiritually renewed. Contact Kathy Collins or Ellen Davis for more information. Books are available in the Garden Room for $10 each. Make your Advent Journey one of anticipation and renewal.

"Spiritual Care for the Caregiver"
Thursday, November 29, 7 p.m. Caregivers find themselves torn in several directions as the world around them prepares for Christmas. Being a caregiver for someone who is ill, someone who needs daily support and care, whether family member or friend, seems overwhelming. Rev. Lowell Knauss, Interim Executive Presbyter for Homestead Presbytery will offer thoughtful support and guidance for caregivers. Anyone who longs for time for their own spiritual nurture during Advent is invited and encouraged to join others of like mind in growing spiritually as we begin our Advent journey.
 

As a result of Westminster members paying their Second Century Campaign pledges early, we have been able to reduce our debt by an additional $50,000, saving the church over $1,700 annualized in interest. Thank you, thank you!

Men's Tuesday Fellowship Breakfasts
All men, any age are invited to join the Westminster men each Tuesday morning as they gather 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 the program, "Ancient Roman Religion and Nebraska Football" will be presented by Michael Hoff, Professor, Department of Art and History, UNL.

Westminster Club will meet on Tuesday, November 27^th, at 5:45 p.m. in Cole Hall. Please bring your table service and $7 for the catered dinner. Our program will be presented by WPC member, Barbara McCall, who will tell us "What You Don't Know about the People's City Mission." Call the church office on Monday if you wish to make a reservation. (475-6702)

Messiah Selections-Dec. 16 You are invited to join the Messiah rehearsals, Wed. Nov. 28 and Dec. 5 at 8:15 p.m. in the choir room, and on Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m.

 College Students and Recent College Graduates:
Pastor Sara is having the 1st Annual "Crossroads" Christmas Party at her house on December 9, starting at 7:00 p.m. Come for dinner and stay for dessert! Sara would like to send you an invitation, so please e-mail your physical address to her, sara@westminsterlincoln.org. Thanks!

You've Been Waiting for This! Are you interested in ways Westminster can care for the beautiful planet God has entrusted to us? Then you'll want to get in on the planning for Westminster's own "green team!" We anticipate lots of ways to be involved-at home, at church, short term, long term, now, later-so come-come to a start-up meeting December 9^th, right after 10:30 worship, at Braeda (33^rd and Pioneer). RSVP if you can (Sara at sara@westminsterlincoln.org or Pappas's at papvan@alltel.net), but come, even if you don't RSVP.

Westminster Preschool Selling Pie Certificates
Westminster Preschool is selling Village Inn Pie Certificates each Sunday through December 10^th in the Garden Room. They are a great gift to give someone or to use yourself instead of baking a pie!http://www.westminsterlincoln.org

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21^st Annual ST. NICK Project
A WESTMINSTER ‘CHRISTMAS' TRADITION

Westminster has celebrated many traditions through its 100 years, and we're proud that the St. Nick Project has been a Westminster "Christmas" tradition for the past 20 years...2007 is our 21^st year!

Through participation in St. Nick, many of our youth (& adults) have grown up learning about less fortunate families in rural Nebraska...many whose lives have been effected by health issues, parents loss of jobs, family abuse, and so many more life changing situations. Our Westminster families are given the opportunity to sign up to purchase gifts (approx. $25.00) for one or several of these rural individuals. A brief history will be mailed to you before December 1^st, which will tell you a little about the family and provide gift choices for each individual. Over the years, Westminster has provided gifts for over 8,100 people in 157 small communities across the state. The needs are often very basic and become a reality check for those of us creating our own ‘wish list'.

Our goal this year is to purchase gifts for 500 people. Your participation can make it happen! How can you help? Here's how…

Sign up in the Garden Room through November 25^th to purchase gifts.

Provide a financial gift to the project. (Write your check to Westminster and memo it ‘St. Nick'.)

Drop off ‘stocking stuffers', gift wrap, ribbon, gift boxes and tape at the church office. (Be sure to put your name on them so we know who to thank!)

Return your purchased gifts to the church office by Sunday, December 16^th. (Again, make sure your name is on it!)

And by all means….be sure to join us for the -

ST. NICK GIFT WRAPPING PARTY
6:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 18^th
Fellowship Hall

Thank You for your continued support! For more information, contact Teri Nelson at 423-0986 or Freda Gregg at 423-3236.

       SIGN UP TODAY IN THE GARDEN ROOM!

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chili
         crafts
                    caroling
                                   cookies
                                                  cocoa...
                                                                  Community!

   "C" is for Christmas

a party for all ages

Celebrate the beginning of Advent with us
as we start a new tradition at Westminster!

Sunday, December 2^nd
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
in Fellowship Hall

All are welcome.

     brought to you by
     Food Fun and Festivities Ministry,
     Westminster Children,
     Youth and Families Ministry,
     Westminster Deacons,
     Member Care Ministry,
     Stephen Ministry,
     Worship and Music Ministry,
     and Westminster Preschool

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   Westminster Preschool Book Fair
 

On Saturday, December 8^th at the 52^nd and "O" Street Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Westminster Preschool will be having a book fair fundraiser. Anything you purchase at the store that day (except gift cards and food items) will be credited towards our preschool book fair and the preschool program will receive 10 - 20% of the sales.

The attached voucher is available for use. Just cut it out and take it with you to the bookstore on December 8^th so that your purchase will be credited to Westminster Preschool.

This fundraiser is only at the "O" Street location and only on December 8^th. We hope you can plan to do your holiday shopping that day or just stop by and get a good book to read during those cold, winter days and support the Westminster Preschool. Be sure to use a voucher and give one to a friend too!

Thanks!

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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: Jeremy Gegg, Ken Kutscher, John Clark
GREETERS: Roger Van Cleave/Jennifer Strand
HOSTS: Ginger and Jim Nissen/Jill McCarty
ACOLYTE: Quinn Van Dyke-Ries

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.