October 2016 So How’s It Going? by Pastor Michael€¦ · As the leaves turn, so may our hearts...

Pray about

it. Talk

about it.

Write about

it. Praying

gives us a

sense of

what’s most important, talk-

ing with friends helps clarify

what we sense from prayer,

and writing it down gives it

a concreteness that allows us

to take action.……………..

It’s never too late to recali-

brate our lives, so this month

spend time praying, talking

and writing as you seek to

know what your priorities

should be in this new

season.

-Pastor Michael

Summer vacations are over,

the kids are back in school,

and work is ramping up.

Now is a good time to ask,

how’s it going? Does the

year feel fresh with a new

routine and new possibilities?

Or is it beginning to feel like

every other year—the same

routine and the same expecta-

tions?

We often start new seasons

with great expectations for

change, and then very quick-

ly we’re back in the same old

routine we’ve always

followed. Familiar routines

are not a bad thing. But if we

know in our hearts there is

something more we yearn to

do, we should not settle for

what’s familiar and

comfortable.

There is a passage in scrip-

ture that I often go back to. It

says, “There's an opportune

time to do things, a right time

for everything on the earth”

(Ecclesiastes 3:1). It gives me

a sense of urgency because it

reminds me that there is an

opportune time to do certain

things… and then that time

will pass. I don’t want oppor-

tune times to do things with

my spouse to pass by. I don’t

want opportune times with

my children to pass by. I

don’t want opportune times

with my church family to

pass by. The truth is that none

of us want opportune times to

pass by. ……………………

There is a right time for eve-

rything on the earth, and our

calling is to know when that

time is. But how do we know

this? Let me offer three sim-

ple ways to approach this:

Becoming Wise by Pastor Jes

Recently I've been taking some

intentional time to think about

the way of Wisdom. The type

of Wisdom that the Book of

Proverbs speaks about. The

type of Wisdom that was with

God at the beginning of the

world sustaining the imagina-

tion of the Creator. The type of

Wisdom that is slow and

beckons the follower to pay

close attention to the Spirit of

God in the details. The type of

Wisdom that we all have access

to by slowing down and

listening.

In Krista Tippet's new book,

Becoming Wise: An Inquiry into

the Mystery and Art of Living,

she says "I’m a person who

listens for a living. I listen for

Newsletter Title

1 — Apple Picking, leave at 9 a.m.

2 — Adult Christian Ed., 10 a.m.

Worship, 11 a.m.

The Story of Joseph, 12:15 p.m.

Benevolence Fair, 12:30 p.m.

Wholeness Center, 1 p.m.

4 — Church, 4 p.m.

Soup Kitchen, 4:30 p.m.

AA, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

5 — Men’s Group, 6 p.m.

Taizé, 7 p.m.

AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m.

7 — Kids Club, 6 p.m.

Youth Group, 7:30 p.m.


Worship, 11 a.m.

The Story of Joseph, 12:15 p.m.

Klezmer Brunch, 12:30 p.m.


10 — Church Office Closed

in Observance of Columbus Day



AA, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

12 — Taizé, 7 p.m.

AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m.




Worship, 11 a.m.

Blessing of the Animals


Ellen Alexander

Memorial, 3 p.m.



AA, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

19 — Taizé, 7 p.m.

Pub Theology, 8 p.m.

AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m.




Worship, 11 a.m.

with Chamberlain Brass

Faith Forum, 12:30 p.m.




AA, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

26 — Taizé, 7 p.m.

AA, 7 & 8:15 p.m.

28 — Halloween Party, 6 p.m.

Book Club, 7 p.m.


Worship, 11 a.m.


October 2016

So... How’s It Going? by Pastor Michael

wisdom, and beauty, and for voic-

es not shouting to be heard." We

are people who listen to the Holy

Spirit's still small voice rising up

in our souls wanting to be known.

The way of wisdom is slowing

down and listening to the whis-

pering voice of God drawing is

closer to Love. Wisdom is in the

subtleties.”

As the leaves turn color, and the

cooler air approaches, let the

slowing rhythms of nature beckon

us to Wisdom. It takes quietness,

prayer, and the community to

discern Wisdom's Way. Join us

for the return of Taizé this month,

October 5th, 7:00 p.m. to practice

listening for Wisdom.

Together with you – Pastor Jes

followed by a Klezmer Jazz

Brunch in the chapel.

What is “Klezmer” you may

ask? The Yiddish word

"klezmer" originally meant

"musician." Klezmer music is

intended to replicate the human

voice, including sounds of cry-

ing, wailing and laughing

(generally the clarinet’s job).

Our Klezmer band will consist

of clarinet, trumpet, accordion

and drums. The choir will sing

a number of pieces with the

band, including some

“nigunim” (a nigun is a word-

less song sung on syllables like

la,la, la or bim bam). This will

be a frolicking, rocking upbeat

service, so bring your friends!

“Excellent Klezmer…impeccable …… yet electrifying arrangements … ….

Delightfully rambunctious…” ……... - Village Voice

It’s been thrilling for me, and I

think you, too, having The West

End Choir back in the choir loft!

We have some beautiful new

pieces to offer that grace our

services and underpin the

message each Sunday with their

rich choral sound.

Taizé services resume on

Wednesday, October 5, 7 - 7:45

p.m., then continue every

Wednesday. These beautiful

gatherings have become a favor-

ite mode of mid-week worship

for a growing number of people,

providing a candlelit space to

breathe in the calm and beauty

of our sanctuary and just plain

chill out. A number of fine

singers and instrumentalists lead

the worship, and we’ll have

some new chants to add to the

repertoire this season.

The West End Concert Series

begins on Sunday, October 9

with special guest ensemble,

Metropolitan Klezmer. They

will play for worship at 11 a.m.

with the West End Choir,

A special visit by the

Chamberlain Brass is

planned for Sunday,

October 23 during the 11

a.m. service.

Melodia Women’s Choir

returns on Sunday,

November 20 with a con-

cert of gorgeous music

for women’s voices and

strings by Vivaldi,

Gjeilo, and Dvorak.

Some truly great music

awaits us!

See you in church,

Cynthia Powell

Minister of Music

Music Notes from Cynthia Powell

Follow

us on

Want to keep up with

what’s happening with

your WECC family?

Go to Facebook :

WestEndChurchNYC

and Twitter:

@WestEndChurchNY

It’s a great way to stay

connected to our

community.

We will meet on Wednesday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. Join

us as we continue to deepen our faith and friendships

while we journey through life together.

The Story of Joseph—Better than Game of Thrones!

Continues after worship on October 2 and 9

The story of Joseph and his dysfunctional family has it all: teen fantasy, blind parental

favoritism, savage sibling rivalry, calculated seduction, political intrigue and family reunion.

Join Pastor Howard for these remaining two classes as we explore Joseph's saga.

Pub Theology

October 19

8 PM

The Dublin House

“Christian Faith

and

American Politics”

How does faith influ-

ence how we vote?

What does the public

faith of the candi-

dates mean for the

election? This is a

time of thoughtful

engagement and joy-

ful fellowship. Free

pizza and you cover

your drink!”

I can hear the final gasps of sum-

mer 2016. The sun sets earlier in

the day, the air feels crisp around

me, and the leaves in Riverside

Park are starting to turn. Autumn

has long been my favorite sea-

son, and not just because coffee

shops start promoting their

Pumpkin Spice Lattes! I think

it’s my “New Year” for many

reasons, not least of which is that

I’ve been following various

school calendars my entire life.

I’ve been programmed to see fall

as the beginning of my academic

year (and now, here at the

church, the beginning of my pro-

gram year). For me, this is a time

of new beginnings and renewal.

With what attitude will be begin

this season? Watching the news,

I know that it is a time of deep

mourning for many among us.

Perhaps others of us have been

surprised by personal joys even

with so many systemic evils

dominating every news cycle.

My hope is that, wherever we

find ourselves, we might all bask

in the presence of God’s love

and grace.

As the leaves turn, so may our

hearts turn toward God. As

Psalm 116: 33-37 states:

Teach me, O Lord, the way of

your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I

may keep your law

and observe it with my whole

heart.

Lead me in the path of your com-

mandments,

for I delight in it.

Incline my heart to your testimo-

nies,

and not to selfish gain!

Turn my eyes from looking at

worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.

Amen.

As the Leaves Turn by Ian Carr McPherson

X and P by Pastor Howard Major III

Ever wonder about the prominently superimposed letters X and P at the front of our sanctuary? They

look a bit like a brand logo, don’t they? Actually, in a sense, they are. Together they are an ancient

symbol for Christ and the Christian church.

Greek was the lingua franca of the time and the language of the New Testament. The X is the Greek

letter chi and the P the Greek letter rho. They are the first two letters of Christ in Greek (Christ,

incidentally, not being Jesus’ last name but rather his title of Messiah or Savior). The chi/rho, also

called the Labarum, was an early way for Christians to identity themselves to one another, especially

when persecuted.

Incidentally, beneath the Labarum are two more Greek letters. They look like an A and an upside down

U. They are first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. They are reminders of Jesus' statement in the

book of Revelation: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (of all things).”

Looking for an opportunity to volunteer?

October 2 at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel

Benevolence Fair – Learn about the organizations WECC sup-

ports through the offering of our time and money.

Perhaps you’ll find an organization with which you can per-

sonally volunteer.

October 4 at 3 p.m. in The Parlor/Chapel

Soup Kitchen Church - We need 3 more volunteers to help

register people to VOTE .

Available? Email Pastor Jes [email protected]

CONSISTORY CORNER

We are pleased to announce that Jenni Minter Wolf and

Nathan Stilwell will be serving as deacons on our consistory.

They are replacing Don Thompson and Steve Berger, whose

terms have ended. We’re thankful for the great contributions

Don and Steve have made, and we’re excited for what Jenni and

Nathan will bring to our leadership.

Thank you to all who submitted nominations to help with this

process.

mailto:[email protected]

SERMONS

October 2: Redefining Friendships

Part 3: What We Dream

October 9: Open to Peace

October 16: Blessing of the Animals

Why We Love Our Pets

October 23: Violence Is Not Inevitable,

a Conversation with Shamil

Idriss, President & CEO of

Search for Common Ground

(SFCG).

SFCG works globally in places where there is

deep and destructive conflict. Shamil will be

giving a TED talk on this topic just prior to

being with us.

October 30: Glimpses of the Divine

A Neighborhood Church for all People

The October 28 book is…

The Book Club will meet at 7 p.m. in Rooms 1 & 2

The November book is When Breath Becomes A ir

by Paul Kalanithi. This is a non-fiction/memoir.

Join a Small Group!

Beginning this October, we’re launching

small groups. Over the course of ten weeks,

the groups will meet three times. They will

be exploring the topic “Redefining Friend-

ships,” which is based on the sermon series

Pastor Michael completes on October 2.

There is a signup sheet in the back of the

sanctuary, or you can email Robby Davis,

our Parish Administrator…………………..

([email protected]), to let us know

you’d like to participate. It’s a great way to

deepen our friendships and our faith!

mailto:[email protected]

October 2016 So How’s It Going? by Pastor Michael€¦ · As the leaves turn, so may our hearts...

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