Westminster Presbyterian Church
Let the doors of this church be a way to service.
Sunday, March 29
Join us for on-line worship at 10:00 a.m.
The sermon "All Rise" based on Ezekiel 37:1-6 and John 11:17-28, 33-44 will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Blythe D. Kieffer. Music will be presented by Dale Rogers, organist, Lyle VanDeventer, Bass, Amanda Neubauer, Soprano, Julie Blythe, Alto and Mia Marcy, Liturgical Dancer.
Join us for on-line worship at 10:00 a.m.
The sermon "All Rise" based on Ezekiel 37:1-6 and John 11:17-28, 33-44 will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Blythe D. Kieffer. Music will be presented by Dale Rogers, organist, Lyle VanDeventer, Bass, Amanda Neubauer, Soprano, Julie Blythe, Alto and Mia Marcy, Liturgical Dancer.
For everything there is a season and
a time for every matter under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 The preacher in Ecclesiastes affirms that for everything there is a season and a time for every matter under the heavens. We find ourselves in a time “to refrain from gathering” for the well-being of our community. We are grateful for the resilience of the human spirit and the steadfast love of God which empowers us to honor this season in our life together and to persevere through a time of being a part. We look forward to the personal and spiritual renewal that will grow out of this seed of separation that has suddenly been planted within our lives. We anticipate a new perspective and a new appreciation for the beauty of our life together as a result of this time apart and we are grateful for the God, who joined us in our humanity, who holds us in our uncertainty, and who renews our strength.
In keeping with the CDC recommendation of assembling no more than 10 persons, the Session acted at their March meeting:
With the Governor’s recommendation to “stay at home,” the Westminster staff is primarily working from home and coming into the office only for essential tasks. Pastors are working for regular, ongoing ways to connect with the congregation throughout the week. Family Ministry plans to connect with our children and youth are in place and led by Rev. Choi and Karen Sherrick, including:
Music Ministry, led by Dale Rogers, is exploring a summer music camp for Choristers with the week culminating in the presentation of "Oh Jonah!" during Sunday worship. We are grateful for those musicians who are providing the ministry of music during the on-line worship services through April. Congregational Care Steve Colbourn, Chair of the Deacon Congregational Care Committee, has initiated a "check-in" calling ministry to each member of Westminster during this time.
Community Service The pastors along with the Mission and Community Service Committee are exploring ways to provide support within our community, beginning with those agencies we currently support. Online Giving Available - Members are encouraged to continue their giving during this time. As always, feel free to send a check through the U.S.P. S. Please indicate where your funds should be applied on the memo line. 2020 Operating Budget, H.E.A.L, Per Capita, Endowment, and One Great Hour of Sharing. You may also click below to donate. http://www.wpcspi.org/make-a-donation-or-pledge.html The One Great Hour of Sharing (O.G.H.S.) denominational offering is received during Lent and dedicated on Palm Sunday, April 5. During this time of crisis, with the COVID-19 pandemic threatening, we are reminded that the most vulnerable in our midst suffer first. One Great Hour of Sharing has, for over 70 years, supported the most vulnerable among us. Because of your support, the Church is able to deepen its commitment to serve. Let us be faithful and vigilant in our prayer for those nations, communities, families and individuals most affected by this outbreak, and for the medical personnel and government officials seeking to respond. Let us resist and reject fear and suspicion based on ethnicity or nationality; this virus is affecting all people. As people of faith, let us affirm together that “nothing in life or in death can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Brief Statement of Faith; Romans 8:38–39). Grace and Peace, The Rev. Dr. Blythe D. Kieffer |
WESTMINSTER
2020 SERMONS To listen to Sunday services, click the link below: www.wpcspi.org/sermons-2019-2020.html | ||||
Steadfast Neighbor
How precious is your steadfast love, O God?
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wing. Psalm 36:7
For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Galatians 5:14
How precious is your steadfast love, O God?
All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wing. Psalm 36:7
For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment.
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Galatians 5:14
Steadfast Neighbor Update
The Strategic Planning Committee met in January to propose the timeline for the winter, spring, summer and fall as we proceed with the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor. The following is a brief outline of what 2020 holds for us!
Loan
In January, Session approved our request to apply for a loan up to $1.3 million with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Investment and Loan Program which will be repaid with accumulated endowment earnings in the Special Church Support Fund. After bids are received and the amount for the loan is finalized, approval is needed from Session, the Congregation, and Presbytery.
Hardscape and Landscape Task Forces
Once we receive final approval from the City of Springfield for the parking lot plan created by Vasconcelles Engineering, bids will be secured. The apartments at 517 and 519 S. Walnut are vacated and abated of asbestos. Bids for demolition are being sought which will include the garage at 522 S. Glenwood and half of the garage at 519 S. Walnut. The 522 S. Glenwood garage will be replaced. The West Terrace plans created by John Shafer are being finalized and work will begin this Spring.
Mission Task Force
The task force is creating a letter to be sent to neighbors in the Spring. The letter will include an application for Westminster’s Steadfast Neighbor Matching Grant, information on the City of Springfield Grants, and an application to sign up for the Steadfast Neighbor Service Week next summer. A team of members will do minor repairs on neighbor homes the week of July 13-17, 2020. Providing advocacy and information for renters is also being explored. $30,000 from accumulated endowment earnings in the Mission and Benevolence Fund has been designated for 2020.
Founders’ Sunday May 31, 2020
Founders’ Sunday will be commemorated on Pentecost! We will celebrate the culmination of the Building a Legacy of Faith Twenty-Year Anniversary Endowment Campaign initiated in 2015 and participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Steadfast Neighbor Site and Landscape Plan. Work on the parking lot and East Entry begins Monday, June 1 with the goal of completion by Commotion Sunday, September 13. Landscape work will continue in the fall. Learn more by clicking here.
Todd Knox, Chair of Strategic Planning
The Strategic Planning Committee met in January to propose the timeline for the winter, spring, summer and fall as we proceed with the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor. The following is a brief outline of what 2020 holds for us!
Loan
In January, Session approved our request to apply for a loan up to $1.3 million with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Investment and Loan Program which will be repaid with accumulated endowment earnings in the Special Church Support Fund. After bids are received and the amount for the loan is finalized, approval is needed from Session, the Congregation, and Presbytery.
Hardscape and Landscape Task Forces
Once we receive final approval from the City of Springfield for the parking lot plan created by Vasconcelles Engineering, bids will be secured. The apartments at 517 and 519 S. Walnut are vacated and abated of asbestos. Bids for demolition are being sought which will include the garage at 522 S. Glenwood and half of the garage at 519 S. Walnut. The 522 S. Glenwood garage will be replaced. The West Terrace plans created by John Shafer are being finalized and work will begin this Spring.
Mission Task Force
The task force is creating a letter to be sent to neighbors in the Spring. The letter will include an application for Westminster’s Steadfast Neighbor Matching Grant, information on the City of Springfield Grants, and an application to sign up for the Steadfast Neighbor Service Week next summer. A team of members will do minor repairs on neighbor homes the week of July 13-17, 2020. Providing advocacy and information for renters is also being explored. $30,000 from accumulated endowment earnings in the Mission and Benevolence Fund has been designated for 2020.
Founders’ Sunday May 31, 2020
Founders’ Sunday will be commemorated on Pentecost! We will celebrate the culmination of the Building a Legacy of Faith Twenty-Year Anniversary Endowment Campaign initiated in 2015 and participate in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Steadfast Neighbor Site and Landscape Plan. Work on the parking lot and East Entry begins Monday, June 1 with the goal of completion by Commotion Sunday, September 13. Landscape work will continue in the fall. Learn more by clicking here.
Todd Knox, Chair of Strategic Planning
Mission Statement
With each new day, we reaffirm our common purpose
to join in the worshipful praise of God,
to teach children, to lead and inspire the young,
and to call everyone to life-long learning in the church,
to be influential participants in society by being accountable to the Gospel,to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ toward each other,and toward those who are hurting,
to be a caring community welcoming both friends and strangers
to own our Presbyterian heritage, reformed and always reforming, to be prayerfully open to the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.
With each new day, we reaffirm our common purpose
to join in the worshipful praise of God,
to teach children, to lead and inspire the young,
and to call everyone to life-long learning in the church,
to be influential participants in society by being accountable to the Gospel,to show the love and compassion of Jesus Christ toward each other,and toward those who are hurting,
to be a caring community welcoming both friends and strangers
to own our Presbyterian heritage, reformed and always reforming, to be prayerfully open to the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.
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Westminster Weekly Email.
Westminster Weekly Email.
WE WELCOME VISITORS!
Information about who we are is in our Welcome Brochure located in the pew pockets
and on our website at www.wpcspi.org.
Information about who we are is in our Welcome Brochure located in the pew pockets
and on our website at www.wpcspi.org.
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Westminster Presbyterian Church is an Earth Care Congregation of the PC (U.S.A.), committed to caring for God's earth in worship, education, facilities, and outreach, promoting environmental stewardship in property decisions, administrative practices, and teaching. Click here to read the latest Earth Care tip. Presbytery of Great Rivers highlighted WPC's Earth Care efforts in their weekly newsletter on Mar. 28, 2019. Click here to read the newsletter, in which Dr. Peter Kieffer shared his passion of leading environmental justice ministry at Westminster. |