Service for the Lord’s Day - Westminster Presbyterian Church 12_14_16.pdf · Susan West Carey...

Westminster CommunityWestminster Presbyterian Church, Nashville, Tennessee

Fostering a caring, diverse & deeply spiritual community Published every other week.

Service for the Lord’s Day December 18, 2016

Fourth Sunday of AdventHoly Baptism

Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80: 1-7, 17-19; Matthew 1:18-25

Sermon: Donovan Drake

Assisting: Guy D. Griffith

Anthems:8:30 am Tintinnabulation, Laudate Youth Choir, Harp, Oboe, and Violins

11:00 am Tintinnabulation, Gloria, Jubilate, Laudate Youth choir, Harp,

Oboe, and Violins

“O Little Town of Bethlehem”– arr. Stephen Paulus

Hymns: 104 O Lord, How Shall I Meet You

487 These Treasured Children110 Love Has Come

December 25, 2016Christmas Day

Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John1:1-14

A Festival of Carols— with Brass and OrganAssisting: Donovan Drake

Anthem:10:45 am Extended Prelude with Brass

and Organ11:00 am Worship with Congregational

Carol Singing

Family Friendly: bring the whole family and come as you are! There will be no

Sunday School and no childcare for this service.

December 14, 2016Volume 40, Issue 22

www.nashvillewpc.org

Saturday, December 24 – Christmas Eve2:00 pm Family Service

Sophie Maness and Claire Harris KramerChiming Children and the Alleluia, Gloria, and Jubilate Children’s Choirs

Children are invited to bring offerings of canned and boxed food for Second Harvest Food Bank.(2015 attendance: 484)

5:00 pm Candlelight Communion Worship*Donovan Drake; Assisting: Guy D. Griffith and Heidi Hudnut-Beumler

Westminster Choir(2015 attendance: 626)

8:00 pm Candlelight Communion Worship*Donovan Drake; Assisting: Heidi Hudnut-Beumler

Westminster Choir(2015 attendance: 517)

10:30 pm Candlelight CommunionWorship*Donovan Drake; Assisting: Guy D. Griffith

Laudate Youth and Alumni Choir(2015 attendance: 340)

Childcare available during the 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm services.Please carpool if you can, due to limited parking.

Please respect our neighbors and avoid blocking their driveways and vehicles.

*All undesignated offerings collected at these services will go to help meet the pressing needs of people in our community.


Donovan Drake, Pastor [email protected] D. Griffith, Associate [email protected] Hudnut-Beumler, Interim Associate [email protected] Maness, Director of Christian [email protected] Harris Kramer,Director of Youth and Their [email protected] Booth, Associate Director of [email protected]. Piccolo, Associate Director of [email protected] Semingson, Director of Music [email protected] Brecht, Associate Director of Music [email protected] L. Webb, Church [email protected]

SessionClass of 2017Drake CaltonSusan West CareyGeorge Crawford IIIWilford FuquaEleanor GloverKate GriffinLeslie GroteCarolyn Griffin HallDoug LeinsGary ShockleyBrock SturdivantDennis R. WilliamsClass of 2018Blake BrookshireKelly ChristieLisa ColeAmy DennisonWard DeWitt IIICherrie Farnette

Hugh HarveyAnn HumbrachtElaney JohnsonPatrick WarfieldRichard WarrenTom WilsonClass of 2019Ellen AndersonLayne BryantCarol Callaway-LanePam KobanFred LowranceColleen McCanlessScott PortisBob SewellChris ShurdenNick SievekingPhil StuartRosemary Verrall

Pray ForFirst Presbyterian ChurchAllardt, TennesseeErin Angel and Jonathan Angel, Co-Pastors

Mission stateMentWith God’s help, Westminster Presbyterian Church fosters a caring, diverse, and deeply spiritual com-munity that nurtures lives of faith, hope, and love. Through prayer – and with thanksgiving for God’s grace – we seek to grow in the spirit of Jesus Christ, joyfully committing ourselves to worship, study, and service in the local community and the world.

You may call the church office at 615-292-5526. If you have an article for the newsletter, please send it to Kristen Steele, Communications Coordinator at: [email protected]. The next deadline is 4:00 pm on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2016.

WESTMINSTERPresbyterian Church

Westminster Community (USPS 765-260) is published January through December biweekly by Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3900 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205-1899. Period-icals postage paid at Nashville, TN POSTMAS-TER: Send address changes to WESTMINSTER COMMUNITY, 3900 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205-1899.

to the ChurCh triuMphantJohn R. Halsell IIIDecember 4, 2016 in Gainesville, GA Father of John R. Halsell IV (Melissa).

“I am the resurrection and the life”

Life At Westminster

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Year-End ContributionsAll year-end contributions postmarked or received by December 31, 2016 will be included on your 2016 giving state-ment. Contributions postmarked on or received after January 1, 2017 will be included on your 2017 giving statement.

Westminster Wednesday Night DinnerWe will not have Westminster Wednesday dinners in January, and probably not in February, due to our lack of eating space, and lack of kitchen. We will keep you posted about when we can start back, and hope you will join us when we do.

Holiday Building ScheduleThe church building will be closed Monday, December 26, in order for staff to honor the Christmas Holiday.

The church building will also be closed on Monday, January 2.

Join In CelebrationThe Sacrament of Baptism will be administered on Sunday, December 18, to the following children:

8:30 am

Stuart Rollow Perry, son of Missy and John Perry

11:00 am

Edward Caldwell Denton, son of Alice and Walton Denton

Andrew Dortch Oldham, Jr., son of Kristen and Drew Oldham

HospitalsBen Folk Discharged

Service of WholenessAre you feeling pulled in a million directions this Advent Season? Is this seemingly idyllic time in fact painful because loved ones are no longer with you? Perhaps someone in your life is experiencing illness and could use prayer?

The monthly Service of Wholeness will be held in the Chapel immediately following the 11:00 am worship service on Sunday, December 18. This brief (15 minutes) & informal service will include a time of sharing of joys and concerns, individual and communal prayer, and time spent centering ourselves in God’s love this Advent season. Rev. Heidi Hudnut-Beumler and Claire Harris Kramer will be present to pray with and for members of our community.

Please join us - all are welcome.


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Laudate Youth and Alumni Christmas Eve Choir All alumni are invited to join the Laudate Youth Choir for its rehearsal on Sunday, December 18, beginning at 5:00 pm in the Choir Room, and also at 9:15 pm on Saturday, December 24. The choir will sing for the 10:30 pm Christmas Eve candle-light Communion service.

Advent & Christmas

Alternative Christmas Gift Market Continues!Thank you to everyone who participated in the annual Alternative Christmas Gift Market and Mission Fair on December 4! If you missed it, there is still time! There is something for everyone on your Christmas list. Gifts will be sold Sunday, De-cember 18, during the Sunday school hour and following both services. You may also view the catalog and print an order form online at www.nashvillewpc.org. Give a gift that gives twice!

May the peace and blessings of Christmas be yours, and may the coming year

be filled with happiness.

Life at WPC

We’ve arranged to have full access to both parking lots on Mayfair, and the new North parking area along Mayfair, for all Sundays in December and all Christmas services. Access for those with limited mobility remains available as usual on Mayfair and Wilson. However, handicap parking spaces are limited along Mayfair as they will continue to be occupied by construction equipment.

As always, please continue to use caution around construction areas and keep an eye on curious little ones.


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Christmas Joy Offering — Sundays in DecemberA Presbyterian tradition for over seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) to provide congregations with direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need. The receipts from this offering are distributed equally to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs and to the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, Kentucky, to support eight Presbyterian racial/ethnic schools and colleges.

The Christmas Joy Offering envelopes are available in the pew literature racks.

Advent & Christmas

Friday, December 163:30 pm Youth at the Preston Taylor Elementary Christmas Wrapping Party

Sunday, December 188:30 am and 11:00 am WorshipFourth Sunday of AdventHoly BaptismChristmas Joy Offering

A Service of WholenessIn the Chapel following the 11:00 am worship service

6:00 pm Youth Carol Sing at Park Manor, dinner following

Wednesday, December 21No Wednesday Night Dinner

Saturday, December 24Christmas Eve

2:00 pm Family ServiceChiming Children and the Alleluia, Gloria, and Jubilate Children’s Choirs Children are invited to bring offerings of canned and boxed food for Second Harvest Food Bank

5:00 pm Candlelight WorshipCommunion with Westminster Choir

8:00 pm Candlelight WorshipCommunion with Westminster Choir

10:30 pm Candlelight WorshipCommunion with Laudate Youth and Alumni Choirs

Sunday, December 25Christmas Day

11:00 am WorshipChristmas DayA Festival of Carols— with Brass Quintet and organ

Monday, December 26The church office and buildings will be closed.

Sunday, January 1, 2017New Year’s Day

11:00 am WorshipHoly Communion

Monday, January 2The church office and buildings will be closed.

Advent & Christmas Events 2016

Family Christmas Eve Service — December 24 at 2:00 pmPlease join us for a service for the whole family. We begin promptly at 2:00 pm, and we are finished in a little under an hour. Our fifth grade class has lots of leadership with this service, but all of our children are involved. All of our children’s choirs will be singing and ringing. It is a wonderful service!

We will have halos, crowns, and shepherd headwear for all young children who would like to dress up and join the story. Please feel free to dress up at home as much as you would like, and wear your costume to church. There is movement in this service to help the children engage in the story. Jesus said let the children come to me, and Jesus came as a child, so this service welcomes the children to sing and tell the story with their community of faith.

For our offering, we ask that you bring canned goods from home or a monetary donation for Second Harvest Food Bank.


Westminster SnapshotKey/emerging issues

• Adult Education: Managing class locations for the spring. Gearing up for an expanded offering in the fall. Collaborating with Vine Street Christian on a trip to Germany in November.

• APNC for Congregational Care and Assimilation: The committee will have their first meeting on December 15th.

• Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) for Young Adults and Young Families: The committee has extended a call to a candidate and has requested a congregational meeting.

• Benevolence Committee: WPC missionaries to Turkey will be returning home in May. Working on restructuring the way future benevolence dollars are allocated.

• Campus Renovation Committee: The CRC is preparing for work to begin on the Mayfair entrance. Questions and requests about the building renovations should not be made through architects or contractors, please contact the CRC. An update will be given to the congregation on December 18.

• Capital Campaign: Parking lots, steel and concrete cost money. We have kept ahead of needing our bridge loan, but the time is approaching. Thank you for keeping up with your gifts for our building and renovation project.

• Children’s Committee: Celebrated Children’s Sabbath. Preparing for building changes.

• Church Nominating Committee: Assembling a slate of officers for the annual congregational meeting in January.

• Congregational Care: Interim Associate, Heidi Hudnut-Beumler, reported on the blessings she is receiving through her ministry with our congregational care program. There are visions of expansion and growth of care ministries.

• Congregational Life: Pleased with the generous support and turnout for Carson Salyer’s celebration. NaCoMe dates set for April 21-23. Making plans for a potluck when Fellowship Hall reopens.

• Finance: The process of developing the 2017 budget has begun.

• Generous Giving: We are at 418 pledges $2,475,497. Last year at the same time we had 430 pledges, $2,447,462

• GETconnected: College and Career lunches are enjoying the leadership of John Bailey. A creative writing class led by Sandra Plant had 14 participants.

• Joy in Learning: Working on the January-March session with Nation’s Ministry children. Celebrating having 80 volunteers.

• Living Waters for the World: A mission team carried out a successful site installation of water purification system and water softener for the boys home at Girasoles Sacred Valley. They had two follow up visits with previously installed systems, and had a site assessment for a new system.

• New Member Assimilation: Because of construction challenges, the New Members Class has been postponed until March.

• Westminster Home Connection: Quick Stats as of November 22: 49 homes in progress, 163 homes completed. It all

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adds up to 212 homes being touched by our ministry but many more lives.

• Westminster School for Young Children: Classes and offices are being moved for the Mayfair construction.

• Worship Committee: The Committee requests that if walking is not a challenge for you that you park farther from the Sanctuary. Online streaming is working. Sound board went out and new one has been ordered.

• Youth and Their Families: Working on a child protection program that will enable background checks on all volunteers. Summer trips have been scheduled: The 2017 Senior High Mission Trip will be in Belfast, Northern Ireland from June 2-10, for completed 9th-12th graders. The 2017 Junior High Mission Trip will be in Asheville, North Carolina from July 9-14, for completed 6th-8th graders. The 2017 Montreat Youth Conference in Montreat, North Carolina will be from July 23-29, for completed 8th-12th graders.

December session HigHligHts • Approved Baptisms• Approved bridge loan documents for building renovations.• Approved a request from the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee to schedule a Congregational Meeting on January 8, 2017. The purpose of the meeting will be to hear and act upon the APNC’s report. The meeting, however, is contingent on the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee’s approval of the candidate.• Approved a motion from the Worship Committee that funeral visitations be held in the Sanctuary until the Fellowship Hall becomes available. • Approved a special offering for Super Bowl Sunday, February 4, for the victims of the Gatlinburg area fire.

participation

Church Membership: 2144

October 2016 October 2015October 2 - 577 October 4 - 612October 9 - 523 October 11 - 454October 16 - 517 October 18 - 486October 23 - 523 October 25 - 709October 30 - 940

Total: 3080 Total: 2261

November 2016 November 2015

November 6 - 940 November 1 - 907November 13 - 683 November 8 - 884November 20 - 646 November 15 - 523November 27 - 487 November 22 - 710 November 29 - 672

Total: 2756 Total 3696

Westminster Snapshot


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Life at Westminster

Please remember to make your Generosity Pledge for 2017 very soon, if you have not already.

Pledges are critical to helping our staff and lay leaders determine our budget for next year and confidently plan ministry initiatives.

You can pledge online at www.nashvillewpc.org, or by turning in a pledge card through the offering plate or the church office.

Contact the church office (615-292-5526), if you have questions. Many thanks!

New information for giving stocks and securities to the church.Many members choose to fulfill their pledges to the annual campaign and the Capi-tal Campaign by gifting stocks or other securities to the church. We have moved our primary brokerage account to Charles Schwab. Please call Joann Covington (ext. 282; [email protected]) or Paul Webb (ext. 231; [email protected]) to get the information for making a stock donation to our Charles Schwab account.

I want to remind members that you may pre-pay your 2017 annual gifts by making the gift in calendar year 2016. Please make sure to let Joann or me know if your gift is a pre-payment for 2017.

All gifts for 2016 must be received, postmarked or, in the case of securities, be in our account by December 31, 2016.

Thank you for your gift and your support of the Westminster ministries.

Paul Webb, Church Administrator

Room In The InnDue to construction, we are partnering with Vine Street Christian Church to participate in Room In The Inn this year. During the week of February 5-10, 2017 we will be providing transportation to and from Vine Street. We will also host Room In The Inn every Wednesday during January and February, like we have in the past, using the facility at Vine Street Christian Church.

We still need volunteers to drive the van, provide dinner , do laundry, and to host our guests overnight.

For more information, or to volunteer, go to www.nashvillewpc.org, and click the “Sign-ups” button on the home page.

Boys and Girls Coats Needed at CockrillOur Pencil Partner, Cockrill Elementary, is in need of thick winter coats for boys and girls, sizes 6-14.

Bring coats to the collection box in the church office hallway in the Wilson wing.

Thank you!

HonorariumIn honor of the upcoming marriage of

Dr. John C. Frist and Ms. Jillian C. WatersFrom Johnny and Betty Jane Barringer

Honorarium

Outreach


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Small Grps

GETconnected to a Small Groupinterest groups

• Gentle Vinyasa Flow Yoga Tuesdays, 9:15 - 10:15 am

Room E-385

FellowsHip groups

• College and Career All young adults (18-30ish) are invited to join this wonderful group! The next meeting is Sunday, January 8 Lunch and study at 12:00 pm

Meet in the Parlor and walk to E-385 Contact: Beth Drake ([email protected] or Emily Cornish ([email protected])

Find out more about the Small Groups Ministry at Westminster or sign up for any of these groups at nashvillewpc.org. Click the GETconnected button!

Winter/Spring Orientation for volunteersDate: Sunday, January 8, 2017 Time: 12:00 - 1:30 pm, in E-382 Lunch will be provided. Speakers: representatives from Nation’s Ministries Contact: Beth Drake ([email protected])

Youth Collecting Items for People Experiencing HomelessnessAs the harsh winter months of January and February approach, the needs of the homeless population escalate. The Westminster Youth hope to address a small part of these needs with Care Bags that the youth will assemble during the Sunday School hour on Sunday, December 18. If anyone—children, youth, or adult—would like to lend a hand in donating the following items, your generous gesture would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

• Hand/Foot Warmers• Powerbars• Cough Drops• Socks• Hats• Gloves

Preston Taylor Ministries Wrapping Party on Friday, December 16Youth volunteers needed for the PTM Wrapping Party at PTM on the afternoon of Friday, December 16 for fun games and to help children pick and wrap presents for their families. Meet us at WPC at 3:00 pm and we’ll head over to PTM together! We’ll return to WPC no later than 5:00 pm. If interested, please contact Claire, Whitney, or T.J.

Youth Caroling on Sunday, December 18Meet at WPC at 5:45 pm to drive to Park Manor, where we will sing carols and visit with the residents. Everyone is invited to dinner afterwards at Moe’s (4326 Harding Road)!

College Alum Dinner on Tuesday, December 20Koinonia Youth Ministry alum are welcome to join us at SATCO (416 21st Avenue South) at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 20 for food, fellowship, and some much needed time to catch up with each other!

Youth


Adult Education All classes meet at 9:45 am unless otherwise specified.

Throughout the Adult Education program we work to cultivate an environment in which diversity is valued and different opinions are respectfully engaged. Our Sunday morning classes are designed to be communities where members and visitors are invited to join the journey growing deeper in faith and fellowship. Some classes are geared more for “age and stage” of life, while others are intentionally intergenerational. During the year, special classes and speakers are arranged for the whole church to experience learning together. All are welcomed to become part of what God is doing through the education ministry at Westminster. We seek to nurture our members at all stages of their faith journey in ways that strengthen Biblical, spiritual, and moral foundations and affirm what we believe as Reformed Christians.

Adult Sunday School — DECEMBER 18 AND 25

Class Offerings – December 18Adult Bible Study & Covenant Class (Goodpasture Hall) — We’re all familiar with the beautiful language of the Christmas story – or are we? To quote Inigo Montoya, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” Join us as we take a look at the rich Greek language that recorded Jesus’ birth. We just may discover some surprising new meanings in the words we thought we knew. Led by Scott Baker.

Murdoch MacLeods (M-305)

Search (M-311) — Ongoing: A discussion of the Bill Moyers series “The Wisdom of Faith with Huston Smith.”

Young Families (M-308)— Have you ever struggled to find the words to talk to your children about homelessness in our area? Please join us as we welcome Jeff Moles, Congregational Director of Room In The Inn, Nashville. He will help us better understand top-ics such as - “What is the age appropriate descriptions and solutions to this issue?” and “What is the biblical response to those in need?” As we go through this season of Joy, it is time to remember those that are less fortunate. But how do we explain our abundance to our children. If you have older children we ask that you attend and give us your experiences all well. This looks to be a great class and will include a Q&A period.

December 25There will be no Sunday School for any age group and no childcare available on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25. There will be only one service at 11:00 am, which is family friendly. Bring the whole family and come as you are for the Christmas morning Festival of Carols!

www.nashvillewpc.org/Grow_Your_Faith/Adult_Education/

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Study Trip to Germany 2017 marks the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing the 95 theses on the Wittenberg Castle door that marks the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Rev. Guy D. Griffith and Keith Cole, in partnership with Rev. Thomas Kleinert and the Vine Street Christian Church, plan to lead a study tour to

significant sites of Luther after Thanksgiving next year. An informational meeting will be held Sunday, January 8 after the 11:00 am service in the Chapel. For more information, please contact Guy Griffith ([email protected]).

Journaling Class Starting in JanuaryGuy D. Griffith will offer a class beginning in mid-January that uses the book Listening for God: Spiritual Directives for Searching Christians. Written by Columbia Theological Seminary Professor Ben Campbell Johnson, the book uses Ignatius of Loyola’s

Spiritual Exercises, as a prompt for journaling. Biblically based, each prompt provides a way to reflect on a story from Scripture as it intersects with your life. The class will meet twice a month on Wednesday nights in room E-240. For more information, contact Guy Griffith ([email protected]) or Kris Pardue ([email protected]).

Reminder: Please rEturn all outstanding library books

Presbyterian Church3900 West End Avenue • Nashville, Tennessee 37205

WESTMINSTER PERIODICAL Westminster Week*

Sunday, December 18 8:30 am Worship 9:45 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 12:00 pm Wholeness Service 1:30 CODA Meeting 4:00 Tintinnabulation/Jubilate Choir 5:00 Laudate Youth Choir/Chiming Children 6:00 Jr. High Youth GroupMonday, December 19 Tuesday, December 20 7:00 am Morning Bible Study 9:00 Harvard Handbells 9:15 Vinyasa Flow Yoga 10:30 Morning Prayer 6:30 pm Al-Anon Worship Committee Wednesday, December 21 7:00 am Men’s Bible Study Group 9:30 Changing Gears Handbells 5:00 pm Christmas Eve Pageant Rehearsal 5:30 Finance Committee 7:00 Westminster Choir RehearsalThursday, December 22 Friday, December 23 7:00 am Men’s Bible StudySaturday, December 24 — Christmas Eve 11:30 am AA Meeting 2:00 pm Christmas Eve Family Worship 5:00 Candlelight Communion Worship 8:00 Candlelight Communion Worship 10:30 Candlelight Communion WorshipSunday, December 25 — Christmas Day 11:00 Family Friendly WorshipMonday, December 26

Church Building Closed All DayTuesday, December 27 7:00 am Men’s Morning Bible Study 9:00 Harvard Handbells 9:15 Vinyasa Flow Yoga 10:30 Morning Prayer 6:30 pm Al-Anon Wednesday, December 28 7:00 am Men’s Bible Study Group 9:30 Changing Gears Handbells 5:00 pm Alleluia Choir/Gloria Choir 7:00 Westminster Choir RehearsalThursday, December 29Friday, December 30 7:00 am Men’s Bible StudySaturday, December 31 11:30 am AA Meeting

Please refer to the online calendar for complete information about all classes, events, and rehearsals.

Life at WestminsterTherin Jones Fenner Ordained as Pastor in PC(USA)On Saturday, December 3, Therin Jones Fenner was ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament as a teaching elder in the PC(USA). A 2013 graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary, Therin was under care of Westminster’s Session while she was in seminary. She moved to Nashville after graduating from Stanford and working as an analyst in Washington, DC to study law at Vanderbilt. As a first year law student she joined WPC and worked in our children’s education department. After a period of discernment she heard a call to ministry. She was married at Westminster in June of 2013 to Alex Fenner, a native of Seattle, Washington. They have one child, Wesley. Therin has been called by Seattle Presbytery to work with "Mukilteo PC(USA)" – a remnant of Mukilteo Presbyterian Church, that has gone through a split – to help the church discern its future.

The church where the ordination was held was North Creek Presbyterian. The Fenner’s home address is: 14045 23rd Pl NE, Seattle, WA 98125. Keep Therin in

Therin with her husband, Alex Fenner, their son Wesley, and Alex’s parents, Dr. David Fenner and Dr. Elizabeth Mitchell.

Service for the Lord’s Day - Westminster Presbyterian Church 12_14_16.pdf · Susan West Carey...

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