Upcoming Events - April, 2023

It's time to start decorating Westminster for the Christmas season. We can really use your assistance in setting up:

• A few trees in the Narthex and Spellman Hall
• Hanging wreaths on the front and rear entrances
• Hanging wreaths in the Sanctuary
• Setting up decorations in Café 10 West
• and a few more things to get ready for Advent Sunday

Come for as long as you are able. A light lunch will be available for all who attend. A signup table will be in the Narthex on Sunday or contact Gail Lee.

We will be take photos of families and individuals who are willing to have a new photo for the church's pictorial directory. Stop by Spellman Hall on April 16 & 30, where Lynn George and other photographers will be available to take your photo and show you how to navigate the online directory. We will gladly email the photo to you for your free use, too! You can also submit a headshot: send it by email to Lynn George or stop by the church office and we’ll scan and return the photo to you

10:45 am Sundays, April 23 - May 21 • Hybrid (Spellman Jr & Zoom)

In this five week hybrid series with Dr. Manfred Brauch, we will seek to engage the Old Testament, as well as to be engaged by it. We will survey the story of Israel and its faith traditions via an overview of its “birth” over the course of a 2000-year history, the content of the Old Testament, the great variety of its literature, its history and cultural contexts, its major themes, its importance for our understanding of the New Testament, it’s problematic dimensions for the Christian faith, and its continuing significance for Christian faith and life. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Jennie Clark.

April 23          Introduction

A Historical overview of Israel’s story and its faith traditions -- within the larger context of the history of the ancient Near East -- as expressed in the great variety of the “Library of books” that make up the Old Testament.

April 30          The Cultural/Social/Historical Contexts of the OT

In this session we will explore how the OT reveals that Israel’s history and faith traditions contain both aspects of it’s historical-cultural contexts and ways in which her faith, her understanding of the nature and purposes of God stands over against aspects of that context.

May 7             The “Problem” of the Old Testament

There are matters within Israel’s faith traditions and history – as articulated within various parts of the OT – that have raised serious issues and indeed objections throughout Christian history. Already within the OT, there are significant voices, especially in the prophetic literature, which raise objections to, and in some cases reject, theological convictions and religious/social practices in earlier eras of Israel’s story. That “critique” continues in the teaching and practices of Jesus and in the writings of his earliest followers. That reality raises the question: What are the implications of this “internal critique” for Christian life and faith and for our understanding of Scripture as “Word of God”?

May 14           The OT is Indispensable for Christian Faith and Life

Much of the New Testament is inexplicable apart from the faith traditions of Israel in which the NT is grounded, and which it completes. As Paul puts it, “Christ is the end (goal, climax, completion) of the law.” (Romans 10:4). We will explore the continuity within the unity of the Old and New Testaments.

May 21           The God of the Old Testament

In this final session we will explore the central understanding of the nature of God and God’s purposes for human life, as these emerge from the various dimensions of Israel’s faith traditions. It turns out that “the God of steadfast love and faithfulness”, revealed in the pages of the OT, is indeed the God whose nature is fully and completely disclosed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, and that “the way of Jesus” is indeed the “way of Yahweh”.

4-5:30 pm Sunday, April 23 • Outdoor Chapel
Join us at our April Vespers, an intergenerational and interactive time of worship, fellowship, and often a meal. The worship time is very kid-friendly and EVERYONE is welcome! Short, interactive service around our new fire pit and picnic dinner (bring your own picnic for yourself/your family and chairs and/or blankets for dinner seating). We’ll provide s’mores for dessert! Click here to register.

Youth are invited to serve with a new ministry mission partner, Hope Beyond Borders, to help with their Soap for Hope initiative. This youth run business provides life and entrepreneurial skills to teenagers in the Coatesville community. During our time, we will learn how to make soap to build up their inventory and learn about the justice of education equity. Click here to register. Questions? Contact Chris Clark.

We will be take photos of families and individuals who are willing to have a new photo for the church's pictorial directory. Stop by Spellman Hall on April 16 & 30, where Lynn George and other photographers will be available to take your photo and show you how to navigate the online directory. We will gladly email the photo to you for your free use, too! You can also submit a headshot: send it by email to Lynn George or stop by the church office and we’ll scan and return the photo to you.

8 - 11 am Saturday, April 15 • Your House

If you have dining tables and chairs, mattresses, couches, etc. that you would like to find a new home for, The Community Warehouse Project can help! The Community Warehouse Project of Chester County is a service organization that collects and redistributes donated furniture to individuals and families in need within the region. Westminster will pick up your used furniture on Sat., April 15^th from 8 am -11 am, and deliver them for you! 

All you need to do is email Nancy Tuttle with your name, address, and a list and pictures of the items you wish to donate, and we will make the arrangements. All donations MUST be approved in advance. If you want to help us that day, please let us know as well! For other smaller furniture and all household items, you can always donate them to Westminster’s Thrift Shop.

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service
6:00 am April 9 • Courtyard
Join us as we journey around the Westminster building as we celebrate Christ's resurrection! We begin in candlelight in the courtyard and travel to the crosses, memorial garden, and we end the service in the Sanctuary. Communion is served at this service. Following this service enjoy a light breakfast in Café 10 West.

Easter Sunday Traditional Service
8:00 am April 9 • Sanctuary
A brass ensemble helps lead this traditional Easter service.

Easter Sunday Traditional Service
9:30 am April 9 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
The Chancel Choir and brass ensemble helps lead this traditional Easter service. Childcare provided for children under 3. Older kids are invited to an Easter storytelling, egg hunt and decorating a flower cross following the thought for children.

Easter Sunday Contemporary Service
11:00 am April 9 • Sanctuary & Live Stream
Our worship band helps lead this contemporary Easter service. Childcare provided for children under 4. Older children are invited for a time of Godly Play following the thought for children.

Join us for the first service of Easter. This is a Taize service with communion, baptism, hymns, and scripture readings from the old and new testament.

Good Friday is the day we remember Jesus’ crucifixion. The hours of noon to 3 p.m. are particularly significant as these commemorate the time Jesus hung on the cross. This worship service will include prayers, moments of silent reflection, and music. 

Hear the Passion story in a worship service with scriptures and the Stations of the Cross. Celebrate the sacrament of the Lord's supper and reflect on Jesus' last supper. Worship will also include hymns and then watch as the chancel is stripped of all the familiar Christian symbols before you leave the Sanctuary in silence.