We begin a new women's Bible study this Saturday called What My Grandmothers Taught Me. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary—Matthew names these women for a reason. How might Jesus have heard the stories of his grandmothers? What might the young Jesus have felt, as he heard about his family? What might the stories of these women have added to his sense of identity, as part of a particular family in a particular time and place? And what can Jesus’s grandmothers-of-the-faith teach us? By exploring these stories together, we will have a richer idea of what the good news is.

Each year, Christians set aside the 40 days of Lent to reflect, pray, and prepare for the celebration of Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (Feb 22 this year). On Ash Wednesday, our heads are smudged with ashes made from the palms from last Palm Sunday. The Book of Common Worship reminds us that "Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent with a public act of confession. Acknowledging that we have all sinned...we repent and return to our loving creator. Acutely aware of our failure and frailty, we express our utter reliance on God's saving grace." 

Ashes will be distributed in the roundabout outside the church office between 8-9am on 4-5pm on February 22. Drive through anytime to begin your Lenten journey!

Our Lenten devotional, Dust and Glory, comes from the Church of England. Dust and Glory encourages us to take a fresh look at the frustrations and failings that every day brings and, rather than pretending we can always avoid them, seek to learn from them and grow closer to God through them. 

Just like last year, there are several ways you can experience the Lenten devotional. 

• Hard copies will be available in church beginning this Sunday. 
• Nancy will distribute family editions to families this week. 
• Sign up for the daily email. This is different from WPC's email list; you need to sign up here to receive the daily devotions. 
• Download the app to your phone ... this is a great way to experience these devotions with music and scripture each day. 

Join us for our annual meeting following worship on February 26. Hard copies of the annual report will be available at church this weekend. You can also download the report on our website, along with past annual reports. 

ASH WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, February 22

DINNER FOR 80

Saturday, February 25

ANNUAL MEETING

Sunday, February 26, following worship

LENTEN SOUP SUPPERS

March 1, 8, 15, and 22

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Sunday, March 12, following worship

RSVP now for Dinner for 80! This is always a fun evening of meeting new friends and getting reacquainted with people you may have not seen in a while.

• 6:00pm: Gather at the church for drinks and appetizers.
• 6:45pm: Disperse to host homes for dinner in groups of 8–10.
• Once you have signed up, you will be asked to bring a salad, wine, bread, or dessert to your host’s home.
  
• Hosts will provide the main dish.

Save the date for our first senior high youth group gathering in 2023! We will meet at 6pm on Sunday, February 26 for fellowship and a pizza dinner. For more information, contact Nancy Holly. 

Scenes from the Valentine's Day Hot Cocoa Social

Greeters: Nancy Holly, Matt Baker

Lectors: Scott Martin, Sherri Lewis

Preacher: Rev. Paul Gilmore

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is involved in humanitarian efforts to help the people of Turkey and Syria. Click here to find out how PDA is responding, and how you can make a financial contribution to help the relief efforts. 

Dear God, be with those
who weep,
who are angry,
who have lost hope,
who mourn out loud and in silence,
who don’t know what the future will bring.
May the prayers of your children rise to you.

May they feel your presence and comfort in the embrace of a stranger,
your love in the care of their neighbors and loved ones,
your grace in every word and every silence,
and may your Spirit mourn with them and bring healing.

We pray that you may guide us as we look for ways to share your compassion and hope with those who suffer. That we may be ambassadors of your peace, your mercy and your abundant love.

Through Jesus, who weeps with those who weep and heals every heart, Amen.

-Rev. Edwin González-Castillo, Director, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

For our next book club, we'll be reading Tenth of December by George Saunders. This book was a national book award finalist and is a series of short stories about class, sex, love, loss, work, despair, and war. We'll be meeting via Zoom at the details below, but if you'd like to meet in person, please let Abby know in advance.