Counting Our BlessingsCounting Our Blessingshttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011-12-22T17:33:25ZSquarespaceChristmas Dinner 2011http://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/12/22/christmas-dinner-2011.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-12-22T14:53:50Z2011-12-22T14:53:50ZOn December 2 and 3, over 400 guests gathered for Westminster's annual Christmas Dinner. All enjoyed a wonderful meal, gracious and artful decor, carol singing and much merriment. The highlight of the evening was The Night Before Christmas, 1944, a dramatic portrayal of the moving wartime story of Henry "Hank" Andersen, told as a 1940s radio drama. The story was penned by Hank's son -- and our pastor -- Tim Hart-Andersen. (Many thanks to Ian Futterer for the photos.)

Merry Christmas!

]]>All Earth is Hopeful...http://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/12/19/all-earth-is-hopeful.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-12-19T18:52:11Z2011-12-19T18:52:11ZGiving Thanks at the Corner of 12th and … Hopehttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/21/giving-thanks-at-the-corner-of-12th-and-hope.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-21T19:58:30Z2011-11-21T19:58:30ZDuring the Stewardship season, Westminster has a tradition of inviting members to speak from the pulpit during a worship service. In this Moment for Stewardship, folks have spoken of how their faith has been impacted by Westminster and its programs and the importance of keeping those programs healthy, vibrant and successful.

On November 13, Stewardship Program Co-Chairs Katherine Youngblood and Jim Carter spoke to us about Thanksgiving...

]]>A Place for Our Familyhttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/17/a-place-for-our-family.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-17T18:45:00Z2011-11-17T18:45:00ZThe Niebuhr familyDuring the Stewardship season, Westminster has a tradition of inviting members to speak from the pulpit during a worship service. In this Moment for Stewardship, folks have spoken of how their faith has been impacted by Westminster and its programs and the importance of keeping those programs healthy, vibrant and successful.

On Sunday, November 6, Leigh and Jess Niebhur, together with their daughters Mae and Elle...

]]>Counting Our Blessings Slideshowhttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/15/counting-our-blessings-slideshow.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-15T20:11:03Z2011-11-15T20:11:03ZBlessings After the Firehttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/10/blessings-after-the-fire.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-10T18:38:27Z2011-11-10T18:38:27Z by the Rev. Tim Hart-Andersen

I cannot think of a stewardship theme that strikes home more deeply for me than this year’s: Counting Our Blessings.

As many of you know, we had a fire at our home on Friday morning, November 4. It started in the kitchen. The toaster—plugged in but not in use—seems to have been the origin of the blaze. We’ve learned the hard way...

]]>Westminster Town Hall Forum: An Inspired Ideahttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/6/westminster-town-hall-forum-an-inspired-idea.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-06T13:32:34Z2011-11-06T13:32:34ZBy Barbara Mauk, Town Hall Forum board

The Town Hall Forum has been a Westminster institution for 31 remarkable years. From its first speaker, Archibald Cox, to its most recent, Tom Brokaw, the Forum has reached audiences in all parts of Minnesota and beyond. It was founded in 1980 by the Rev. Donald Meisel and Westminster members Dianne and Paul Neimann. In a reminiscence presented to TGOF in 2004, Dr. Meisel recalled those early days...

]]>The Blessing of Retreathttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/5/the-blessing-of-retreat.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-05T14:57:07Z2011-11-05T14:57:07ZBy Dan Commerford, Director of Middle and High School Ministries

“Now during those days, he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 [NRSV]

This verse is one of a few examples in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus decided to get away for a period of time to focus on his relationship with God. Often, when we talk about Jesus, we talk about his teachings, his death, and his resurrection. But hidden in the grand account of Jesus’ story are these little moments...

]]>The Blessings of Prayerhttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/4/the-blessings-of-prayer.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-04T11:20:31Z2011-11-04T11:20:31ZBy Marge Carter, Coordinator, Prayer Partner Ministry

One of the deepest blessings I have experienced is the power of prayer. 

Believing that God calls us to pray and that God listens to our prayers led me to join Westminster’s Prayer Partner Ministry. Currently, 22 participants commit to praying in response to confidential email requests, allowing a somewhat continuous circle of prayer. 

To me, prayer is powerful because it reaffirms our faith in God...

]]>Blessings We Can Count Onhttp://www.countingourblessings.org/journal/2011/11/3/blessings-we-can-count-on.htmlWestminster Presbyterian Church2011-11-03T13:42:37Z2011-11-03T13:42:37ZBy Jennifer Alexander, Co-Chair, Adult Education Committee

Two old hymns come to mind when I think of counting our blessings:

Count your blessings,

    Name them one by one.

Count your blessings,

    See what God hath done.

and

Showers of blessings,...

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