Upcoming Events
I know that there is nothing better for them than to be happy and enjoy themselves as long as they live
Ecclesiastes 3:12
There are so many ways to get involved at WGPC! Look below for detailed information on events that are coming up soon, or open our Calendar. Visit our Faith Formation page for news about our youth ministry and Sunday School for children and adults. You can also find announcements in the Sunday bulletin posted on the Online Worship page or sign up for the Friday Flash to get news delivered directly to your inbox.
Faith Formation
At WGPC, we believe that the discipleship journey is lifelong, and we seek to nurture, challenge, and grow each person in their walk with Christ. We work to engage our intellects as well as our spirits, and we are a church that celebrates questions and lives into mystery together! Visit our Faith Formation page to learn more about all of the classes offered for children, youth and adults.
Christmas Pageant
Sunday, December 10th during 9:30am worship
The children and youth of WGPC have planned a very special Christmas pageant presented from the unique perspective of the animals! We'll have sheep and donkeys and a cat, cow, pig, goat, camel and even a dove! Join us for this festive and lively retelling of the Christmas story.
Adult Faith Formation: We Cry Justice - Advent with the Poor
Sundays, December 10th & 17th, 10:45am in-person & Zoom
Jesus was born during a time of poverty, oppression, and war at the hands of the Roman Empire. Yet the stories of Jesus’s birth subvert imperial authority by claiming that the poor should be given titles reserved for Caesar and proclaiming that peace is not achieved through violence, conquest, domination, and war but through justice for the poor and oppressed. On December 10th and 17th, the Rev. Jessica Williams of the Kairos Center for Religion, Rights and Social Justice will guide us in exploring the context and content of the Gospel of Luke Chapter 1 and reflecting on the calls for peace and justice from the poor today. The classes will take place in the Parlor and via Zoom at 10:45 am (note the start time on the 10th may shift slightly due to the Christmas pageant)
See the Friday Flash for the Zoom link.
Giving Tree
Our Giving Tree continues and there are still many ways that you can help! This year we are supporting seven agencies, and you have the option of shopping for a particular item or making a cash donation. Take a look at our Giving Tree list to see all of the needs, or click here to sign up to help with a particular need. Items can be donated through Sunday, December 24th and financial donations will be accepted through December 29th.
Guns to Gardens Safe Surrender Event
Saturday, December 9th, 10:30am-1:30pm
After the shooting at the Sandy Hook School in Dec. 2012, Mennonite pastor Mike Martin felt a call to become a blacksmith and forge unwanted guns into garden tools. He founded RAWtools as a network of blacksmiths across the nation. Soon he was joined by theologian Shane Claiborne and by New Mexicans to Prevent Gun Violence who christened the project "Guns to Gardens." It began to grow.
After a mass shooting in the nearby grocery store in 2021, Community United Church of Christ in Boulder, CO offered a "Gun Safe Surrender" event in their parking lot. Dozens of firearms were surrendered and turned into garden tools. The idea of churches offering this healing, spiritual, and practical service was born.
See this flyer for additional details and to share with friends and family to spread the word that WGPC will host a Safe Surrender event in our parking lot Saturday, December 9th.
DRAWP Matthew 25 Gathering
Saturday, December 9th, 2:30-4:30pm
All are invited to a Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery gathering organized by the DRAWP (Dismantling Racism and White Privilege) Team around Matthew 25. Guest speaker is Rev. Jessica Williams of the Kairos Center. All churches present are invited to share what they are doing around Matthew 25 precepts. Come meet new friends and see old friends. 2:30-4:30, Saturday December 9, 2023 in Fellowship Hall.
Now Accepting Poinsettia Orders
Through Sunday, December 10th
Order your Christmas poinsettias and help decorate the sanctuary for the season. All poinsettias are $10 and may be picked up following the 9:00pm Christmas Eve service.
Order online and select "Flowers" from the drop down. If you would like your flowers to be named in honor or in memory of someone, please indicate so in the memo field. Contact Jamie Scott with any questions.
WGPC Ornaments For Sale
Sundays, December 10th & 17th 
The Deacons will be selling special metal 2023 WGPC ornaments for $15 in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 10th and 17th.
Supply is limited!
Festival of Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 17th during 9:30am worship
"Christmas Cantata" - David von Kampen
Once again, the WGPC Chancel Choir and Glendale Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir with orchestra collaborate in a stirring Festival of Lessons and Carols. Featured work this year includes David von Kampen’s “Christmas Cantata” as well as additional carols of the season. David von Kampen (b. 1986) is a composer and teacher from Lincoln, Nebraska. Composed in 2019, this 5-movement Cantata sets texts from the German hymnodist Paul Gerhardt in addition to passages from Isaiah and John. These settings deliberately avoid particularly “Christmassy” sounds, instead focusing on pairing these sturdy sacred texts with new melodies, interesting harmony, and colorful, supportive string accompaniment.
Deacon's Christmas Tea
Sunday, December 17th following worship
Join us in special morning of fellowship following our the worship service of Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 17th in Fellowship Hall.
Youth Christmas Party
Sunday, December 17th, 5:00pm in Fellowship Hall
Our Celtics and Agape Youth will join together for a Christmas Party on December 17th from 5:00-6:30pm. 6th-12th graders will gather for games, food, treats and lots of fun!
Iona Young Adult Christmas Party
Sunday, December 17th 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall
Join Iona in Fellowship Hall for our holiday party! Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater and bring a sweet treat or appetizer. Games and movie TBD - more information to come at a closer date via text 🙂 Need to join the text group? Contact Sarah Currinder.
Healthy Families and Fair Wages Initiative Signatures Needed
Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages has launched a ballot initiative to gradually raise Missouri’s minimum wage to $15 by 2026 and allow employees to earn paid time off to care for themselves and loved ones.
Missourians for Health Families and Fair Wages rewards hardworking Missourians by making sure they can care for their families and keep food on the table. By gradually increasing the minimum wage, we can ensure wages can keep up with rising prices. By ensuring that all workers have the ability to earn paid sick leave, we can make sure no parent has to choose between taking care of themselves or loved ones and affording the cost of necessities like medicine or utilities.
We are collecting signatures to place this issue on the ballot in November 2024. The holidays are a great time to help gather signatures as we get together with family, friends and neighbors.
How can you help?
- Sign the petition in Fellowship Hall after church.
- Volunteer to collect signatures from family, neighbors and friends (Missouri residents only). Training provided - It’s easy!
Contact Julie Burchett 314.750.0830 to arrange a time to be trained and to get your signature sheets.
Christmas Eve Worship Services
Sunday, December 24th
We invite you to worship with us Christmas Eve morning at 9:30am.
All are welcome for a traditional candlelight Christmas Eve service at 9:00pm.
Holiday Light Recycling
Through January 8th
It’s about time to get your Christmas lights up! If you find burned out strands as you are decorating, bring them to church for recycling. There is a bin outside of the Hale entrance marked for this purpose. Let neighbors and friends know of our community recycling bin and save these items from our landfills.
Black Lives Still Matter
Fridays 6:00-6:30pm
All are invited to come out to the BLM vigils each Friday from 6:00-6:30pm in front of our church to show our support for our friends and neighbors in the Black and Trans communities along with the other Churches Together for Justice churches on Lockwood. Signs will be available. It’s only 30 minutes and we have everything you need. Just show up and stand up to these hate crimes.
Questions or need a new BLM sign for your yard or window? Contact Julie Burchett