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Home / Worship and Music

“Sleepers, Wake!”

November 29, 2016 by Ken Henry

No one has ever described me as a “morning person”—just ask Heather.  For being a high energy kind of guy, it may come as a surprise to you to learn that I start my mornings slow: wiping the sleep from my eyes, putting on an old sweatshirt, wondering where I put my glasses the night before, and starting the kettle for my morning cup of coffee.  My mornings also include stretching out and glancing at my NPR news app.  At the break of dawn, it takes me awhile to find my bearings.  A few years back, Heather and I attended a conference in Maine where we were invited every morning to begin our day by sitting in silence for 15-20 minutes.  Leaders lit a candle, read to us a brief prayer or poem and then, with the sound of a bell, we sat quietly, breathing in and out and placing our day in God’s hands.

Here in Charlottesville, Heather and I have begun this spiritual practice. It doesn’t take a class or a special curriculum.  Trust me.  Starting off your day grounded and calm in mind and spirit changes the way you interact with others and how others interact with you.

After my silent meditation and a second cup of coffee, I start to feel ready—in soul, mind, and body.  I’m ready to face the coming day.  And when I pull into Westminster Presbyterian Church and I get out of my car, I say one more prayer:  “O Lord, let me rise to the challenges of this day.”  My day begins.

                Many of us have our morning rituals and routines.  We have our own unique way of summoning up the right attitude so we can be more fully engaged in our everyday relationships.  Indeed, we all need some time to wake up.   One of our Advent hymns (#17) begins this way: “Sleepers awake!” A voice astounds us . . . .”  For me,  Johann Sebastian Bach’s classic tune calls us to wakefulness.  Like many of our Advent hymns, we sing of the joyous news of preparing for Christ’s coming.  “Awake, Jerusalem, arise!” this hymn calls and beckons.  In essence, the hymn cries out, “Wake Up!  Wipe the sleep from your eyes! Put on an old sweatshirt! Stretch out! Meditate in the light of Christ. Get ready!”

“For unto us a child is born, a son is given and authority will rest upon his shoulders; and he will be named, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Is. 9:6)

So, sleepers, wake! For Advent is here!

Rev. Ken

 

 

Filed Under: Advent, Notes from Ken, Pastor's Blog, Seasons, Worship and Music

A New Message and a Song from Ken!

October 4, 2015 by Kate Brinkley

The Latest: A Song from Ken

The latest offering from Ken is a song for Sunday! Click here to listen.

A Video Message and a Prayer from Ken

Watch this video message, in which Ken uses the image of “grounding wires,” and “electrical current,” to give his pastoral perspective on living through these days of endless news stories and updates on the Coronavirus. This second link will take you to a video of Ken reading a prayer by Floyd Thompkins, vice president of San Francisco Theological Seminary and a friend to Westminster.
Through a series of messages like these, we hope to keep you connected to — and nurtured by — the Westminster community. We’ll send out another message tomorrow from Lynne on how to make the most of our time with family at home.
On Sunday, we’ll send out a link to a worship service in which you can participate from home — complete with a downloadable bulletin and a devotional to use throughout the week.
All these messages will be available at www.westminsterva.org , too.
Peace be with you.

Gathering for Worship Suspended

Services Available Online for March 22, 29, and April 5
In lieu of gathering for worship on March 22, 29, and April 5, Westminster will have services available online. But there will be no corporate worship (except in cyberspace!) on those Sundays. Visit www.westminsterva.org to participate in our online worship, starting at 11 a.m. each of these Sundays (also available throughout the week).
When you engage in worship from home, you’ll find a video recording of the service, as well as a worship bulletin. You can participate in worship by reading the prayers and scripture. There will also be a short devotional following the order of worship to guide you in prayer beyond the service.
To listen to Ken’s message from March 15, click here.
In keeping with these precautions, all committee meetings and other gatherings are canceled through April 5. Although the office will be closed, you can leave a message at 434-293-3133 or .
Remember to practice faith, not fear, while following the practical recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: social distancing, hand washing, avoid large gatherings, etc. especially those with underlying health concerns and seniors (or any of us who love those folks!).
Blessings,
Ken,
Lynne,
Dorothy,
Megan and Jonathan,

 

Westminster is a fully welcoming and inclusive Christian faith community serving the University of Virginia and the greater Charlottesville and Albemarle areas.   [Read more…]

Filed Under: Sermons, Worship and Music

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Welcome

Congregational Annual Meeting on January 31, 2021

January 20, 2021 By Westminster Presbyterian Church

On Sunday, January 31, 2021 from 10:45-11:30 a.m., WPC will be hosting a Zoom Congregational Annual Meeting. At this meeting, we will act with “decency and order” to conduct three pieces of business: Nominating and electing two members to the Board of Trustees. Reviewing the church budget. Voting on the Terms of Call for our […]

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“So faith, hope, and love abide, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.”
−1 Corinthians 13:13

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Sustained by grace, we are called to serve Christ, share God’s love, and work for justice in a complex world.

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With faith, hope, and love as bedrock Christian values, we also cherish the following:
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Westminster follows the Presbyterian Book of Confession and is a confessional church. You can view/read the Book of Confession at the PC(USA) website by clicking on the following link: http://www.pcusa.org/book-confessions.

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