Westminster Presbyterian Church January 2018 Newsletter 2343 Knob Creek Rd. Church Office: 423/283-4643

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Johnson City, TN 37604 www.westminjc.org e-mail: office@westminster-jc.org

Worship God, Connect People , Equip Bel ievers , Serve Others , Share Christ Dear Westminster Family, Joseph M. Stowell, in his book Simply Jesus and You, describes a time when he sat next to the evangelist Billy Graham at a dinner: “The meal was just about finished when I leaned over and asked Billy Graham the question I had hoped to ask him all evening. Martie and I had been seated next to Dr. Graham at a dinner for the staff and board of his organization. Billy, eighty at the time, was lucid and interesting. Wondering what he would say about his highest joys in life, I asked, “Of all your experiences in ministry, what have you enjoyed most?” Then (thinking I might help him out a little), I quickly added, “Was it your time spent with presidents and heads of state? Or was it—” Before I could finish my next sentence, Billy swept his hand across the tablecloth, as if to push my suggestions onto the floor. “None of that,” he said. “By far the greatest joy of my life has been my fellowship with Jesus. Hearing Him speak to me, having Him guide me, sensing His presence.”

As we enter into a new year, it is a good idea to ask ourselves, “What are the most important things that I should strive for in 2018?” There are probably a lot of important things that we can and should be striving for, but none is more important or more satisfying than experiencing a close fellowship with Jesus. Most of you who are reading this would probably agree with that goal. But, will we take the steps that will make it a growing reality for us, and in the lives of those in our family? The reality of our busy lives is such that if we do not make the pursuit of such fellowship a priority and practice we simply will miss the opportunity to know Christ’s presence in our lives in the way that Billy Graham describes as having been realized in his life. And our excuse cannot be that we are not Billy Graham, since all Christians are promised the possibility of this sort of fellowship that he describes in I John chapter 1 and various other Biblical texts.

Too many things press upon us for attention and engagement. We are pressed to live busy lives. God encourages us to choose the more important things (Luke 10:38-42). We have all heard the illustration of filling up a jar with pebbles and sand. If the sand is put in first there won’t be room for all the pebbles, but if the pebbles are put in first the sand can fill in the gaps between them and fill the jar. What are some of the “pebbles” that should be given priority in our lives in order to grow in our fellowship with Christ in the New Year? Here are a few suggestions:

Be serious about resisting temptations to sin and quick to look to God for grace when we do sin. (I John 1:5-2:2) Recognize that God’s revealed will (His “commandments”) are good, and seek to live in obedience to them out of

love to Him. (Romans 12:2, John 14:21, I John 2:3-6) Present your life to God as a “living sacrifice” for His service. (Romans 12:1) Regularly employ and engage with the “means of grace”: personal, family, and congregational worship; Bible

reading, study and meditation; Prayer; the Lord’s Table. Love God and others practically (I John 3:11-18; I Corinthians 13; Matthew 22:37-40) Trust God’s promises of His presence and working in our lives (Matthew 28:20; Romans 8:28-39)

May God grant each of us, by these means, a truly Happy New Year! Yours in Christ, Pastor Jim Richter

Westminster

January 5, 2018 Missionary Prayer Night

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with

thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:4-7

DO YOU HAVE A HEART FOR MISSIONARIES?

Friday, January 5, 2018 we will pray for our missionaries, and skype with Joe and Becky Harrell MTW Missionaries in Colombia

Please come! Be blessed through praying and be a blessing to our missionaries.

Everyone! is welcome 7-8:30 pm At the home of Theo and Francine Hagg

Pursuing the gifts of Fellowship

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Simply Soup Supper January 26, 2018 Hot Soup and Warm Fellowship

Watch for details in the bulletin beginning January 7

Introducing your new WOW Council members Administrative President: Janeé Fleenor Vice-president: Tiffany Wilson Spiritual Growth President: Francine Hagg Vice-president: open* Out-reach President: open* Vice-president: open* Secretary (temporarily): Cindy Reynolds Treasurer: Kelly Atkins *if you are the one called to fill this position, please contact one of the listed officers.

New Tuesday morning Bible study, January 9 WPC fellowship hall, 9:30—11:00

The Legacy of Biblical Womanhood By Susan Hunt and Barbara Thompson

Leaders: Sandra Henson and Linda Richter Questions: call Linda Richter, 926-1419

Save the Date

Ladies’ Spring Conference on April 14, 2018 9:00 AM to Noon

Guest Speaker: Ann Austin, MTW missionary to Kenya and South Africa (now based in Atlanta) Topic: Christian Contentment

Next Council meeting will be on January 10, 2018, at 5:15 pm

Thanks and appreciation to our Adult Christmas Choir, Children’s Christmas Choir, instrumentalists, directors,

assistants and ALL servant volunteers for a job well done throughout this Christmas season. Your labors of love have truly blessed our church family and friends!

ADULT CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Jean Barnes, Carrie Beatty, Eric Beatty, Veronica Brannon, Linda Buchanan, Anna Darlington, Stephanie Duncan, Janice Dwyer, Jim Hall, Carolyn Helton, Chuck Henson, Sandra Henson, Dick Heydt, Penny Heydt, Jeanette Hill, Lisa Jones, Frank McCollum, Gigi McCollum, Charlotte Nevin, Kim Owens, Cindy Reynolds, Kathy Shoun, Annette Springer, Al Warren, Sally Whiteman

INSTRUMENTALISTS

Melanie Aldridge – horn, Abby Darlington – violin, Tibby Darlington – viola, Tori Duncan – clarinet, Carol Goodwin – clarinet, Norm Gray – trumpet,

Suzanne Grzych – flute, Clark Hinkle – trombone, Randy Lane – trumpet, Jerry Rose – trombone, Lee Ruffin – trumpet, Ron Scott – trumpet,

Bernie Weese – cello, Spencer Weese – bass trombone, Sue Zabala – oboe

NARRATORS: Annika Beatty – Mary, Joshua Light – Joseph SOUND TECHNICIAN – Preston Wolfe

SLIDE OPERATOR – Ted Onks

CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS CHOIR & ASSISTANTS DIRECTOR: JANET BRANSTRATOR – thank you!!

Lindsay Burgin, AJ Darlington, Tibby Darlington, Jack Fleenor, Lilly Fleenor, Hasset Hagg, Kelcie Oxendine, Kathryn Plaisted, Ella Zajonc, Emma Zajonc, James Zajonc

Set: Cindy & David Reynolds Scenery provided by Donetta Frith Fund for Children’s Musicals

Thanks be to God for His wonderful gift to us thru His Son, Jesus Christ!

Upcoming Special Events at WPC in 2018

JANUARY New Years day closed for holiday 1/1/18 Fellowship Suppers resume 1/3 MLK Day ELP closed 1/15

Session meets 1/16 Melting Pot 1/23

WOW-Simply Soup Supper 1/26

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

If you think of anything we missed, Notify the office

JANUARY MENUS FOR WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

1-03-18 STEAK N GRAVY MASHED POTATOES GREEN BEANS BISCUITS SALAD BAR PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

1-10-18 PIZZA NIGHT SALAD BAR CRÈME PIES 1-17-18 LASAGNA SEASONED VEGGIES FRENCH BREAD SALAD BAR PEACH COBBLER & ICE CREAM 1-24-18 BBQ/PORK BAKED BEANS POTATO SALAD SALAD BAR BANANA PUDDING 1-31-18 MEXICAN NIGHT (BURRITOS, TACO, FAJITAS) RICE VEGGIES SALAD BAR APPLE PIE

Just in case we have some newer members who may not be aware;

on the WPC website at www.westminjc.org each week, under “This Sunday” we include the worship order

so that you may follow along with the sermon recordings, which are usually added the next day.

Also, for those who may not know, our sermons are played each Sunday, on 91.5 fm, WHCB radio at 11:00 a.m.

WPCTreasurer'sReport

November2017

CONTRIBUTIONS ACTUALEXPENSE EXPENSEBUDGETGENERALFUND

NOVEMBER $64,935 $53,034 $65,540YTD $625,297 $634,325 $720,941

FAITHPROMISE NOVEMBER $4,166 $14,117 $14,117

YTD $138,114 $154,837 $153,136

ChuckOwens

Treasurer

Feb Newsletter Deadline is

Monday, Jan 29th