 Houston is one of the biggest ports in the world, with ships coming and going every day. Some of the seafarers on these ships may not get home for years at a time. That makes it especially important for us to extend a great Texas...Houston...Presbyterian...Woodforest Welcome to those who spend Christmas in our Port.
Each year, we prepare shoeboxes for these seafarers, and help is needed. There are many ways to participate - donating items, stuffing boxes and wrapping the parcels. Here is a list of good gift items. Items should be new, and full-size bottles are preferred to travel-sized containers: * Stress Ball/Mini Games * NESCAFE Instant Coffee * Deodorant * Toothbrush/Toothpaste * Razors/Shaving Cream * Hairbrush/Comb * Mini First Aid Kit * Insulated Tumblers * Band-Aids (Fabric) * Lip Balm * Nail Grooming Kit * Q-Tips * Socks * Small Bibles * Baseball Caps/Beanies (new) * Tshirts (new) * Small Whistle * Light Weight Work Gloves * Pocket-sized Notebooks * Cold Weather Caps/Balaclavas * Ballpoint Pens * Word Search/Sodoku/Fill-In Books * 3-in-1 Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash * Wireless Earbuds/Headphones * Small Flashlight w/ Batteries * Popcorn/Snacks * Gum & Hard Candy * Sewing Kit * 2024 Pocket Calendar * USB Flash Drive * Christmas Ornaments * Playing Cards * Texas Magnets, Keychains, etc. * Signed Personal Note or Card Thanks for your help!
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 This year, the Presbyterian Women's group will be studying "Celebrating Sabbath: Accepting God's Gift of Rest and Delight" by Carol M. Bechtel. Study books are available in the pastor's office for $10.00 each.
Don't we all need a day each week to "reset our pace, our priorities, and our lives"? The nine monthly sessions are drawn from passages from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, and Acts. The first class covers will be held on Wednesday, September 14 at 10:30 am, and you may attend virtually or in person. A pot luck lunch will follow at noon. All women are invited!  For Vacation Bible School this year, children aged 5-12 will be having a FOOD TRUCK PARTY, where we will all be "on a roll with God!" This year's VBS celebrates Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread". Each day's lesson is built around the lines of the beloved children's prayer...
 On June 5, 2022, we will celebrate Pentecost.
Pentecost marks the point at which Jesus' disciples came out of hiding and -- filled with the Holy Spirit -- began teaching and preaching in His name. In some ways, that first Pentecost can be considered the birthday of the Christian church. The altar (and the congregation!) are dressed in the color red, symbolizing joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit. As part of our Pentecost worship, we will collect the Pentecost Offering, a special donation which is dedicated to nurturing the faith of children, youth, and young adults.  Palm Sunday 4/10/2022 - Our 10:00 am worship service includes another original composition by Music Director Ryan Cole.
These gift boxes are ready for delivery to the visiting seamen at Houston's International Seafarers Centers.
 We will have a Congregational Meeting following worship services on December 12, 2021. The purpose of this meeting is to elect a elders for the Class of 2024. A church members may vote, either in-person on Facebook Live.
 With joy they serve - and with joy, we give back! In December, we ar collecting the PCUSA Christmas Joy offering. This special offering is used to support past, present and future leaders of our faith, such as supporting seminary students and providing needed assistance to retired pastors and their families. We give, because God first gave to us!
 The Port of Houston is one of the lynch-pins of the the Houston economy, and that is thanks to the many seafarers who bring the ships safely in and out of our harbor. It has always been a lonely job, especially at Christmastime - and is even more so not that COVID quarantines make it impossible for some seafarers to go ashore at all. We are collecting commonly needed supplies, putting them in plastic shoeboxes, and wrapping them in brightly-colored Christmas wrap for distribution at the International Seamans Centers. Just a little "thank you" to the thousands of seafarers who make our port run!
What a wonderful day we had! In addition to celebrating our congregation's 62nd birthday, we were able to honor retired pastor Cassandra Dahnke in person! Cassandra retired during the pandemic, and we were never able to say our farewells... until now! What a blessing it was to see so many familiar faces. Yes, we needed more chairs for everyone - but we were still observing Covid precations.  Together, we took a trip down photo-memory lane, followed by a fabulous musical tribute called "In This Very Room" by Ryan and his friend Cheri. Cassandra spoke to all of us... Then we all adjourned to sign Cassandra's memory book and to enjoy a Mediterranean luncheon (yum!) on the back patio. And to top it off, the weather was perfect. Storm clouds loomed, but the rain held off until the picnic was finished.
Thank you, Cassandra for all your love and devotion! You touched so many lives during your years at Woodforest Presbyterian Church. |
AuthorWoodforest Presbyterian Church is a loving and diverse congregation that has been serving the Channelview area of Houston, TX for sixty years. Archives
August 2022
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