Adult Education
Coming Up!
Eco-Friendly Lawn and Grounds Care Workshop, Thursday, April 15, 7 p.m.
Led by Robert Schucker, owner of R&S Landscaping in Midland Park, this workshop will help you learn to care for property in a sustainable and ecologically sound manner. This workshop, which is open to the public, is part of a series Schucker is offering to faith-based groups through his new position as a board member of GreenFaith, a leading interfaith environmental organization based in New Jersey. "Every day homeowners ask me how they can be more efficient and environmentally responsible with their landscaping," said Schucker. "People want landscape solutions that are cost-effective, sustainable, low-impact, and attractive. We will be discussing eco-friendly landscaping and offering tips on reducing pesticide use and conserving water." The event is co-sponsored by R&S Landscaping, GreenFaith, and West Side. Please register by emailing Sue Barbuto at ssbnj313@verizon.net.
Lenten Worship/Teaching/Groups
Come and join others for an integrated experience of worship, teaching, and group reflection on Wednesday evenings during Lent from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Come by yourself, bring a friend, or bring a group. Our senior pastor, Dr. Gareth Icenogle, will be leading the six evening events. The focus of worship, teaching, and group reflection will be the theme, "Living in the Household of God." You are encouraged to pick up a copy of the devotional guide, "From Fear to Love: Lenten Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son," by Henri Nouwen, which will be used during our small group reflections and which can also be used for your daily times of personal devotion during Lent.
Four-Part Lenten Series:
Lent is a time for repentance and self-examination. It also can be an ideal time to explore different aspects of the Christian tradition to which one may not have given much attention. Therefore, this series includes insights into contemplative spirituality, spiritual warfare, and comparisons of Western and Eastern meditation techniques, plus well-known events of Holy Week. All four sessions have numerous images of stained glass windows and related Scriptures. Led by John Butler and Anne Deatly, Room 303.
*March 7, Repentance and Self-Examination: We will consider the spirituality of various well-known characters from the Old and New Testaments.
*March 14, The Circle as a Universal Religious Symbol: The spirituality of various traditions is examined to show the similarity of meditation techniques, including the labyrinth.
*March 21, The Whole Armor of God: This session reviews spiritual tools the believer can use in confronting evil.
*March 28, Holy Week and the Passion of Christ: This session highlights the climactic events of Holy Week and the triumph of the Risen Christ.
Bible 101:
Bible 101 Apostles' Creed Study, Room 308. We say what we believe every Sunday, usually the Apostles' Creed, and many know it by heart. Bible 101 will take a closer look at the Apostles' Creed and study these timeless words to understand the vocabulary, clarify just what is being claimed, and learn what it might say. Led by James and Lyn Croasmun. Please join us, no prior knowledge is required; class runs nine weeks.
Relationship Club!
The new permanent adult educational class has recently been given the name "Relationship Club" to emphasize that we are all in relationships that need to be worked on. These relationships may be with a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter, friend, or co-worker; the most important one of all, of course, is the one we have with God. The club is facilitated by Ray and Adriana Milazzo and Randy and Sharon Ruger, and uses DVDs from Rob Bell and group discussions to work on our relationships, whether they be good, poor, or medium shape
Sunday @ 10 O'clock
Bible 101: An in-depth study of the important Bible themes. This class does not assume any prior knowledge of the bible. Taught by James and Lyn Croasmun, Room 308.
Adult Bible Class: Led by John and Jane Kerr, West Side Room. One commentator calls Paul's letter to the Romans, "the most important letter ever written." Another calls it, "the premier document of Christian theology." But do we believe what Paul preached? And did Jesus, in Matthew and the other gospels, say the same thing that Paul proclaims? Join us in Adult Bible Study at 10 a.m. each Sunday in the West Side Room. You don't need to know anything about the Bible.
Classes for adults at held at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings between the two services. Class leaders welcome everyone at any time. There is no obligation to attend every class.
Among the ongoing classes are Bible 101 in Room 308 and the Adult Bible Study Class in the West Side Room. In addition, at any one time, there may be a Pastor's Class, Hot Topics class, and book discussion class taking place, as well as other choices.
Retreats
Every year West Side sponsors at least two weekend retreats for members: the Leadership Retreat in February and the Lenten Lecture Series in March. There are also separate women's and men's retreats at least once during the year.
Library
The church library is located off the narthex. Registration cards are available in the library if you would like to be able to take books out.
Saturday A.M. Men's Fellowship
This group meets every Saturday morning from 8 to 9:30 a.m. for study and to share mutual concerns. Deep and long-lasting friendships have grown from this association, which has been going at West Side since the early 1970s. Several topical books, with either a strong religious or social theme, will be used as a discussion point in addition to personal sharing. Contact Joe Wiltsee or Vic Strom for information.
Commuters' Special Bible Study
This group meets at 7 a.m. every Thursday morning in the West Side Room. The focus is on the Book of Psalms. Members of this group enjoy Bible study, prayer, and good fellowship along with bagels, juice, and coffee. People leave as their schedules demand. Contact Rev. Kent Smith at 201-652-1966, ext. 12, kent@westside.org, for information.
Scholarship Funds
The Arthur M. Hughes Jr. Memorial Fund Committee provides financial assistance to those desiring to enter the Christian ministry.
The Robert and Della P. Barrie Scholarship Fund was established to support training for new candidates or previously ordained persons for the Presbyterian ministry in the East Africa Church.
The Harold M. Parsekian Peace Fund was established to promote and enhance peacemaking and social justice education at West Side.
The Marsha Delleart Youth Scholarship Fund is designated to provide scholarships to worthy and/or needy youth (from sixth grade through senior year of college) for educational and/or spiritual development activities.
Applications should be forwarded to the church office.