NEWS FOR GOD’S PEOPLE…. We are glad that God brings us together to worship. We invite everyone to enjoy refreshments, conversation and fellowship with us after worship. We look forward to talking with you. We are a caring, inclusive, diverse church and welcome people of all races and nationalities, those struggling with addictions, rich and poor, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. The church belongs to Christ. Christ welcomes all, and so do we. We are committed to lives of service to people in need and to changing the unfair systems that keeps them in need, and we invite you to join us in our ministries. Trust in Christ is the sole requirement for membership. Anyone wishing to take this important step is cordially invited to contact the church office.

Hearing assistance devices and large print bulletins/hymns are available for use during worship. Please ask a Greeter for assistance.

https://wpcgainesville.com 1521 NW 34th Street Gainesville FL 32605 352-378-4032

This Week at

Westminster Presbyterian Church Christ welcomes all, and so do we

First Sunday of Advent

December 1, 2019 Worship 9:30 • Worship 11:00

Refreshments 10:30-11:00 Sunday School 11:00

Annual Garage Sale to benefit The Preserve. Saturday, Dec. 7th 7am—noon

There will also be a Quilt Raffle.

When to Bring Your Items For Garage Sale. Please place items in Community Building

Sunday 12/1 8:30-12 Monday-Thursday 12/2-12/6 3-5pm

Please do not bring any items past this date. It makes it very hard for the volunteers to complete the task. Thank you..

Help Needed for Garage Sale We really need help. Please consider giving two hours of your time. Tasks are sorting items, pricing, and placing them on tables. Sign up sheet is in the foyer.

The annual Westminster Church Earth Bound Fair Trade Sale will be held December 8th in the Dickson Foyer. Earth Bound supports the efforts of indigenous women artisans from Latin America who are facing tremendous obstacles to survive. Fair Trade insures fair wages, no child labor, and respect for the environment. We look forward to seeing you December 8th.

Men’s Retreat

at Montgomery Center, 88 W 75th Street, Starke Florida

on December 6—8.

Enjoy a weekend of fellowship,

faith, and connection as we

explore the topic of being “Man Made: How we portray Christ

in our daily lives.” Cost is $120 per person. Register at

www.montgomerycenter.org.

Westminster will be hosting homeless families with Family Promise the week of December 8. Please consider helping in the following ways: Set Up and take down on Sunday mornings (7:00-9:00), make beds, clean up kitchen, make community building look homey.

Breakfast: 6:15 am-7:30-8:00 pm: Help with serving breakfast. We have cereal, coffee. May bring fruit, bagels etc.

Evening Host 5:00-8:30: Hanging out with guests, Help serving dinner.

Dinner: 6:00 pm Prepare meal to be served at 6:00. Dinner can be prepared at home or at church. Helen and Carol will help coordinate menu.

Overnight Host 8:30 pm-6:15 am: Hanging out with guest until bedtime. Lights are out at 10 pm.

Please see Helen Mccune (hcmccune@hotmail.com) or Carol Alderson (vvncarol@hotmail.com) for more information.

On Sunday, December 15th we will have only one Worship Service at 10:00 am led by Dr. Will Kesling and the WPC Choir. We will then have our Advent Luncheon at 11:00. There will be no second service or Sunday School this Sunday.

The Worship Committee is in need of volunteers on Saturday, Dec 14th at 10am to assist with moving the (heavy round) tables to the sanctuary as well as set up for the luncheon. If you are able to assist, please contact Louise Black.

Westminster has much to be thankful for over the past 50+ years, and since the fall of 2007, we have been blessed to have Will Kesling as Music Director. It is his wish to step down from that position with his last Sunday at WPC on December 15, 2019. Our "small, but mighty" Choir will be doing the worship service that morning engaging the whole congregation in hymns of praise and special readings. If there be tears, let them be for joy and gratitude for Will's exceptional talent. He has guided and, at times, goaded the Choir to sing our best with good vowels........that is his mantra for all singers. Let us show Will our appreciation for his years of service at WPC. Donations will be gratefully collected over the next 3 weeks. Please see Anne Newman. Thanks.

Plan to join us for our Christmas Eve Service on December 24th at 6:00pm.

Everyone is invited to attend.

The Children’s Connection

On-Line Giving at

https://wpcgainesville.churchofficechms.com/

user/login

Sunday School Classes for Elementary age children will meet in Classroom #2. Middle & High School age will meet in Classroom#4. Adult Seminar I meets in Classroom #3 and will study The Prodigal Prophet by Timothy Keller. Don Eitzman is the discussion leader. Adult Seminar II meets in the Community Building. This is an interactive opportunity open to anyone who wants to extend their understanding of the scripture and sermon in today's worship service. Paul Carter is the discussion leader. Adult Seminar III meets in the Community Building and will study “Light of the World” by Amy Levine. . Gwen Lombard is the discussion Leader.

Children, even noisy children, are very welcome during worship.

A changing station, available is located in our Nursery (room#1) and

In the “family” bathroom in the back hallway.

NURSERY CARE is available for children birth to 5 years old, during Worship through Sunday School. (9am-12:15pm) Please register your children to ensure the best care for them.

CHILDREN'S BULLETINS & WORSHIP BAGS with activities are available on the Children’s table in the Dickson foyer. At home go to games.childrensbulletins.com and enter the secret code for the week to unlock games related to this weeks Scripture readings. Age 3+ is CARJE1 and Age 7+ is PS7389.

TIME FOR CHILDREN during worship provides a way for children to become more involved in the service. All children are invited and encouraged to come forward at this time or they can remain seated with their families.

• Louise Black

• Marie Black

• Lina Colondres & Family • Mike Hazlett • Lee & Martha Johnson • Rev. Charles Landreth • Chad & Rachel Maik (WNGriffin) • Lori Nason • Hugh Putnam • Brenda Robinson • All students • Our Country & those that serve in all

military branches • All those affected by Hurricane

Dorian, especially the Bahamas, tornadoes, fires, floods and acts of violence

• Missionaries from our Presbytery • Our sister church in Havana, Cuba

Congregational Care Committee Representatives

December Barbara Scott @ 352-372-7191 Norma Green @ 352-359-3312

Elizabeth Pomery 12/01

Marvel Townsend 12/03

Vesper Marsh 12/04

Louise Black 12/08

Stewart Neilson 12/10

Nancy A. Griffin 12/13

Alexis Green 12/15

Helen McCune 12/18

Maya Watson 12/19

Linda Spurny 12/21

Timmy Green 12/22

Allison Noh 12/22

Paul & Eileen Carter 12/07

Wayne & Nancy Griffin 12/21

Barry & Lori Nason 12/23

How to reach us at WPC

Rev. Dr. Ina Boyd Parrish Associate

ina.boyd@yahoo.com 352-538-4909 (cell)

Gail W. Acree

Administrative Assistant gail.acree@wpcgainesville.org

Office Hours: Tuesday –Friday 9am—1pm

Church Website: https://wpcgainesville.com Email: contact@wpcgainesville.org

Church phone#: 352-378-4032 Church fax#: 352-378-0914

Rev. Dr. Glenn W. Dickson, Pastor Emeritus

Helen McCune, Treasurer Dr. Will Kesling, Music Director

Julian Gilder, Pianist/Organist Katie Parrish, Nursery Worker

Oscar White, Custodial Services

Elder for the Month of December is Colin Hines @ 352-642-2680

Please contact the Elder regarding emergencies in the absence of the pastor.

Session Elders:

Mike Hazlett

Colin Hines

Linda Spurny (Clerk)

Norma Green

Carl Henriksen

Anne Newman

Louise Black

Erica Carter

Susie Gonzalez.

Committee Chairpersons:

Administration: Mike Hazlett;

Building & Grounds: Tom Webster;

Christian Education: Bob Lombard;

Congregational Care: Betty Jax;

Earth Care: Jeanette Hostetler;

Membership: Susie Gonzalez;

Outreach: Linda Spurny

Worship: Louise Black.

IMPORTANT CALENDAR EVENTS

Sunday 01 Worship Service @ 9:30am • Sunday School @ 11:00am • Worship Service @ 11:00am Tuesday 03 Bible Study @ 10:30am Wednesday 04 NO Choir Practice Saturday 07 Annual Garage Sale @7am-noon Sunday 08 Fair Trade Sale @9am • Worship Service @ 9:30am • Sunday School @ 11:00am • Worship Service @ 11:00am • Family Promise Week begins • Stated Session Meeting @ 5pm Tuesday 10 Bible Study @ 10:30am Wednesday 11 Choir Practice @ 6pm Sunday 15 Worship Service @ 10:00 am Advent Luncheon @ 11:00am Tuesday 17 Bible Study @ 10:30am Wednesday 18 NO Choir Practice Sunday 22 Worship Service @ 9:30am • Sunday School @ 11:00am • Worship Service @ 11:00am Tuesday 24 Christmas Eve Service @6:00pm Wednesday 25 Christmas Day No Choir Practice Sunday 29 Worship Service @ 9:30am • Sunday School @ 11:00am • Worship Service @ 11:00am Tuesday 31 No Bible Study