Worship at Home for
February 14, 2021
Due to the spread of Covid-19, we are taking a sabbatical from our normal Sunday morning gathering, but unity and community are more important than ever before in this season of uncertainty. To help facilitate this, we are providing an online service so that, one in heart, we can worship together even as we maintain distance out of love for our neighbors. This week we are joining our sister church Nassau Presbyterian’s livestream service, where our own Rev. Joanne Rodriguez is preaching. We hope this resource is a blessing to you. Remember to check in on friends and neighbors with calls or text, especially the elderly among us and others who are particularly vulnerable. You can also check out the services from 3/15, 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, 5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/5, 7/12, 7/19, 7/26, 8/2, 8/9. 8/16, 8/23, 8/31, 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 11/29, 12/6, 12/13, 12/20, 12/27, 1/3, 1/10. 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, and 2/7.
Prayers of the People on Zoom at 10:30am!
To join in the Zoom event by online computer,
THE EASIEST WAY
1. Go to www.zoom.com
2. Click on "Join a Meeting"
3. Enter meeting ID#: 629 486 4957 and Click "Join"
4. Follow prompts, including entering your name.
5. Here is a video tutorial that will take you through the steps, if you want to view this first: https://youtu.be/L5zzE-HGQko
or
NOT AS EASY, UNLESS YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE and A ZOOM ACCOUNT
1. Click on https://princeton.zoom.us/j/6294864957
2. Follow prompts, these can be a bit tricky if you've never used Zoom before.
or
To join in the Zoom event using your Smartphone/Iphone:
1. Download the Zoom Cloud Meeting app
2. Open the app.
2. Enter meeting ID#: 629 486 4957 and Click "Join"
3. Follow prompts, including entering your name
4. Here is a video tutorial that will take you through the steps, if you want to view this first: https://youtu.be/lO206_NezaY
or
To dial in by phone:
+1 (646) 558 8656 (New York--please note this may be a long-distance call if you are using a landline)
Then at the prompt, enter meeting ID#: 629 486 4957
NOTE: You do not need to create a Zoom account to sign into a meeting.
Seeking the Shalom of the City
ANTIRACIST ADJUSTMENT FOR THE WEEK of 2/14/2021
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God” Micah 6:8
Nurturing the spiritual practice of Deep Listening will aid us in our journey as we open ourselves to the stories of others. In seeking to listen with the ear of the heart, we find a place of feeling and meaning within the depths of our inner being. We are challenged to let go of our own agendas, assumptions and prejudices as well as our preconceived answers and solutions.
Our intention is to learn from the other and to seek understanding rather than agreement. We seek to listen on multiple levels: the story teller, our internal dialogue, and the stirrings of the Divine. We listen with our whole being in order to be totally present for the other. We seek to establish trust by demonstrating that we value what others say and that we take them seriously. We seek to cultivate authentic connection with others and to grow in a conscious awareness of truth.
Deep listening is a gift we give to others. It is also a gift we give to ourselves. In times of uncertainty, we can go deep within ourselves for insights and direction. By sitting with Spirit-guided questions, we uncover meaning and possibilities that were obscured by our surface thoughts and notions. What openings for growth in compassion and understanding are held within this situation?
The following two examples offer opportunites to deepen your listening practice around the experiences of black males: What are the speaker’s deeper feelings, desires, wants and needs? What can one learn from their stories? Upon reflection and introspection, what captured your curiosity?
Baratunde Thurston: How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time | TED Talk
Walking while black - Bing video
As you settle your body after this week’s offering, remember to pay attention to the sensations that arise in your body and to where they are located. Do you feel agitation, constriction, release, pressure, energy, numbness, relaxation, warmth, coolness, softness, tightness? Accept any discomfort and notice when it changes. Stay present with your experiences of ambiguity and uncertainty. No judgment or analysis, just observe and then move your body to release any remaining energy if needed. (“My Grandmother’s Hands “ page 168)
Please feel free to forward any thoughts to me at the email listed below or by requesting to join the private Facebook group Antiracist Adjustments with the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1819196591561542/?ref=share .
Blessings as you continue your antiracism spiritual practice. (submitted by Pat Deeney, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Trenton NJ, pjdeeney@hotmail.com)
Additional Antiracist Resources for February
Week 1/31
PCUSA Study Guide: Waking up White study (pcusa.org)
Study Guide through Debby Irving: Waking Up White: A Discussion Guide – Debby Irving
Debby Irving’s 21-Day Racial Equity Building Challenge: 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge© – Debby Irving
PCUSA 21 Day Challenge: Presbyterian Mission Agency Dismantling structural racism | Matthew 25 in the PC(USA): A bold vision and invitation | Presbyterian Mission Agency
Week 2/7
A Conversation With Native Americans on Race | Op-Docs - YouTube
Tribal_Nations_Map_NA.pdf (npr.org)
Our History – Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation (nlltribe.com)
Service from the Presbytery
Offering
Even as we are unable to gather for our Sunday morning worship services, many of the church’s expenses remain the same, and now more than ever we want to have the resources to bless the community around us. Your gracious donation will ensure that Westminster continues to Seek the Shalom of the Capital City of Trenton and beyond.
Westminster can receive donations via a simple text:
Text to 609-438-8828 the word “Give”
Westminster’s online giving number will respond asking how much you’d like to give, and steps to follow
Westminster can receive donations online:
Westminster can receive donations by check:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
PO Box 3719
Trenton, NJ 08629
Prayer of Dedication
Jesus, we hear your voice calling us
To love
To serve
To give
These gifts are our response to your call
Keep our hearts and ears open to continue to listen
Today and every day
Amen
Benediction
The Lord be with you
And also with you
La paz de Dios sea con-ti-go
Y tam-bien con-ti-go
Sa-wa-bona
Si-ko-na
Pyeong-hwa
Pyeong-hwa