United Methodist ChurchWestbury

United Methodist ChurchWestbury

United Methodist ChurchWestbury

United Methodist ChurchWestbury

WestburyUMC.org5200 Willowbend Blvd. Houston, TX 77096713-723-0175

FEBRUARY 21–28, 2016

Let Us PrayThis list is provided by the Living Water Caring Ministry. Let us know your prayer requests by calling the church office at 713-723-0175 or fill out a card in worship.

SENIOR PASTOR Rev. Taylor Fuerst ASSOCIATE PASTOR, PASTORAL CARE Rev. Homer Williams ASSOCIATE PASTOR, MUSIC & WORSHIP Rev. R. DeAndre Johnson

ASSOCIATE PASTOR, FAM Rev. Hannah Terry

DEATH Ab White (02/09/16)

FAMILY CONCERNSBetty BrokawGrece BukuruGene & Barbara BushRhyna & Joseph ChipeloTed DoerrCarl & Wava FickCharlice FinckEllie HansonRoger & Lillie JohnsonThe Lockhart FamilyThe Miller FamilyFeza MukagareMukunzi NkurikiyeimanaMaddy ReichardJon ReidCharlotte Sewell Jennifer Scott

HOMEBOUND MEMBERSCarl & Wava FickMarvin & Alta Hamilton Evelyn HoughtonDottie ProperJon Reid Sevie Stone

U. S. ARMED FORCESIbim Briggs, Jr., Navy Toni Coleman-Brown, Air Force Dale Dumo, Marine CorpsSean Neufeld, Navy Joshua Terry & Joel Terry, Marine Corps

EXTENDED FAMILY CONCERNSDon and Betty Shipman, parents of Richard ShipmanDollie Mancuso, mother of Ann SchererLydia Garcia, sister of John Patlan, Sr.John Walrath, son of Priscilla WalrathBob Sturdevant, brother of Mike SturdevantCharles Molina, nephew of Ofelia PatlanJoey Knott and her mom, Cat KennedyAlana Sayles, friend of Grace OkoroKaren Sampson, friend of Barbara and J. L. Parks Mary Dale Plemmons, friend of Kelsey JohnsonAndie James, daughter of Andrew JamesJack Yoder, family of Laurie SturdevantSusan Stary, coworker of Laurie SturdevantManuel Perez, brother-in-law of Joyce Garza

Annelies, sister of Petra ClaflinHarold Gilliard, friend of Renée StewartEliberto Garza, father of Elsa GarzaMaureen Boyle, friend of Carolyn WashingtonChris Caldwell, friend of Dorothy WilliamsNatalie Herrera, niece of Barbara BushDavid Stewart, father of Hillary PeeteRickie White & Seymour Marsh, brother & uncle of Zelma BranchRena Boggs, relative of Mamie ArbuckleKim Jones, friend of Joyce AkinsFrenchie Henderson & Laura Hicks, parents of Ken HendersonVanessa Demasiliere, relative of Janice Dupré

LIVING IN A CARE FACILITYBetty Blanchette, BrookdaleDavid Christmas, Medical ResortCarmin Cleavenger, TreemontBetty Davenport, TreemontVelma Ferguson, Treemont Meriana Gee, Oyster Creek Manor Dow Harleston, Clarewood House Bill Hazlett, Colonial Oaks at Braeswood JoAnn Hazlett, Belmont at West U. Sibyl Henley, Bayou ManorBillie HollingsheadLoralva Lakey, TreemontMonette Miller, Belmont at West U.Gwynn Molzahn, Clarewood HouseEd Owen, Belmont at West U.Naomi Schobelock, Oakridge CottagesJeanne Stewart, Gardens of BellaireJo SullivanSallie Taggart, Seven Acres Alta Lee Whitmore

Spring 2016 Children's ChoirThe Children’s Choir, ages 4 years–2nd grade, is preparing music for Palm Sunday (March 20) with handchimes and voices. Come for a snack and fun, short rehearsals following worship on Sundays in the Choir Room (Room 200). Note: No rehearsal on Sunday, Feb. 28.

PRIME TIMERSOn Monday, Feb. 22, the PrimeTimers will gather in the Parlor for games at 9:30 am followed by a short meeting. A covered dish lunch will be served at 11:15 am. Rob Landes is the featured musical guest. Everyone is invited to hear Rob play piano at noon in the Sanctuary.

Casa El Buen Samaritano (“House of the Good Samaritan”) is a faith-based clinic located 3 miles from Westbury UMC that cares for Houstonians with no health insurance. In addition to medical attention and lab/pharmacy services, patients are also provided with spiritual counseling. Here’s one story of impact:

When Maria came to Casa El Buen Samaritano for the first time, she had uncontrolled diabetes and had been unable to see a doctor in over a year. Clinical volunteers examined her and started her on medications to control her blood sugar. After her medical visit, she met with a ministry volunteer from the Hispanic church next door. As the volunteer learned more about her background, Maria started crying, saying how isolated she felt from God and the church. The volunteer prayed with her and invited her to worship. The next Sunday, Maria came to church and has consistently attended since then, even bringing friends and family members. Maria was also able to enroll in Casa El Buen Samaritano’s nutrition education program to learn healthy lifestyle habits. Her diabetes is now under control, and she feels much better.

The clinic’s mission is to offer hope and healing to people like Maria in our community. When you give of your time and resources to support this ministry, you have a lasting impact on those in need. Do you have medical training or Spanish language skills? Can you help with administrative support, data entry, web design or fundraising? Whatever gifts you have, God can use them! The clinic also appreciates your financial gifts and prayer support. For more information, contact the Casa clinic at (713) 400-7519 or get in touch with Dr. John Patlan at (713) 283-6076 or john.patlan@gmail.com.

HAITI RED ENVELOPE CHALLENGEFEBRUARY 28–MARCH 13

This summer, Westbury UMC is sending a team of youth and adults to Mizak, Haiti in partnership with HAPI (Haitian Artisans for Peace International). Starting next week, as a fundraiser for this trip, near the Café you will find 144 numbered envelopes. Take one or more of these envelopes and match the number with a donation of the same amount. Please return all envelopes by March 13. If you have any questions, contact Josh Lemons, Director of Youth Ministry, at josh1@westburyumc.org

:FIND THE FULL CALENDAR ON THE HALLWAY BULLETIN BOARDS AND ONLINE

WestburyUMC.org/news-calendar

Community celebrations

What’s happening this weekSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21 9:30–10:30 am in classrooms Sunday School for all ages

10:45 am in the Sanctuary Worship: What Is It About the Bread & Cup?

Noon–12:45 pm in the Choir Room Children’s Choir Rehearsal

Noon–2 pm in the Parlor The Westbury Way Class

5–7 pm in the Youth Wing Youth Group (6th–12th graders)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22 9:30 am–1 pm in the Parlor & Sanctuary PrimeTimers (55+) with pianist, Rob Landes

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Noon–1 pm in Room 105 Wednesday Bible Study on Gospel of John

FRIDAY–SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26–28 Youth at Midwinter Retreat

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 9:30–10:30 am in classrooms Sunday School for all ages

10:45 am in the Sanctuary Worship: What Is It About the Bread & Cup?

Noon–12:30 pm in the Sanctuary Called Charge Conference for Rachel Hodge

Noon–12:30 pm on the Playground Sunday Social for Parents & Kids

12:15–1:30 pm in Room 203 Young Adult Lunch+Learn

4–6 pm in the Sanctuary and Humphrey Hall Houston Ebony Opera Concert

AnnouncementsIf you’re ready to explore church membership or if you’ve recently joined, the pastors will be offering The Westbury Way, a two-hour class after worship, on Sunday, February 21, in the Parlor. Lunch will be served.

Jump in at any point to explore the many facets of Holy Communion during our Lenten Sunday School Series, from 9:30 to 10:30 am, in the Parlor. Facilitated by different presenters, the discussions will be centered around the significance of the bread and the cup.

On Wednesdays at noon now through March 23, the pastors are teaching a Bible study on John. All you need is your Bible to follow along, chapter by chapter; no study materials required. Join us in Room 105.

Next week in worship, we’re excited to welcome our new Music Associate, Dr. Karina Praxedes Barnett. Originally from Brazil, Karina is a part-time accompanist at The University of Houston and also gives private piano lessons to children. Her gifts will enrich the music ministry of Westbury UMC.

A Called Charge Conference will be held on Sunday, February 28, in the Sanctuary following worship to consider Rachel Hodge as a Candidate for Ordained Ministry in the United Methodist Church. Stay after worship to hear about Rachel’s call, pray for her, and cast your vote! The conference should last about 20 minutes.

The Houston Ebony Opera Guild will present their annual African American Music Gala on Sunday, February 28, at 4 pm, hosted by Westbury UMC. Under the direction of guest conductor Roland Carter, the concert will feature arrangements of spirituals as well as original pieces by black composers. Tickets are $35 at the door, or a discounted $30 when purchased in advance online at www.houstonebonymusic.org.

THE START OF LENT

On Shrove Tuesday, with the sweet flavor of pancakes still lingering, the people of Westbury UMC circled around a fire to sing and pray. The palms were burned in preparation for Ash Wednesday when worship and the imposition of ashes ushered in the season of Lent. Worshippers gathered mid-day and in the evening to receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads and hear Christ’s invitation anew, “Follow me.”

DAY OF LOVE

For Valentine’s Day, the Community and Global Ministries team, in coordination with the Living Water Caring Ministry, organized the Day of Love rose delivery to 35 Westbury UMC members who are homebound, living in care facilities, or on the list of family concerns. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and creativity to prepare and/or deliver the flowers and greeting cards. You all helped spread God’s love! Special thanks to Mary Ann Riggs for leading this effort.