Westminster Presbyterian Church
Let the doors of this church be a way to service.
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Sign Up for WorshipWorship Service
Sunday, May 9, 2021 Mother's Day New Member Recognition Sacrament of Communion The sermon entitled, "Strength is Unity" is based on Psalm 98 and John 5:1-6 and will be presented by the Rev. Dr. Blythe D. Kieffer. Music will be provided by Dale Rogers, organist and Lyle VanDeventer, bass. Westminster now welcomes Up to 100 people in worship service. Please use the sign up link below so that attendance may be monitored. The majority of those attending worship are fully vaccinated. The Task Force has recommended allowing recitation in our church services while following all other social distancing guidelines. We will again be reciting the Lord’s Prayer together, as well as participating in our other usual group readings and prayers. The worship service will continue to be live streamed so members may view the service from home. 
Pentecost and Founders' Sunday on May 23
Theme: "Sure Foundation" Join us on Pentecost and Founders’ Sunday, May 23 for worship at 10:00 a.m. followed by a picnic reception as we commemorate the birth of the Church and the founding of our congregation. This year’s theme “Sure Foundation” is a celebration of the completion of the “Building a Legacy of Faith” Twenty-Year Anniversary Endowment Campaign initiated in 2015 on the anniversary of the formation of Westminster’s Support and Endowment Plan in 1995 with a goal to grow our endowment from $1.7 million to $5 million. The current market value of Westminster’s Endowment is $8.3 million and continues to grow. This year we celebrate our sure foundation and welcome the Rev. Dr. Lonnie and Mrs. Barbara Lee. Highlights of the day include presenting “Christ is Made the Sure Foundation” by fully vaccinated members of the Westminster Choir, introducing the Photo Gallery of Westminster’s installed pastors, and enjoying a meal on the newly renovated grounds. Each year on Founders’ Sunday, the Endowment Committee thanks those who have given and invites those who would like to become a part of The Albert Hale Circle. This circle of donors will be published in the May 23 bulletin and June Reporter. To donate, click here. Founders' Sunday Picnic Reception
Youth Mission Trip Fundraiser In keeping with the CDC guidelines and in support of our youth, the Founders’ picnic lunch will be a Youth Mission Trip Fundraiser provided by Nelson’s Catering. The picnic lunch will include ½ grilled chicken, potato salad, green beans, roll and butter. The cost of the meal is $12 (additional donations are welcome). Those who join us for the picnic can pick up their meal in the West Narthex and find a seat at socially distanced tables in Parish Hall and around the church grounds. Other members and friends are invited to pick up their dinner at the drive-through in the parking lot. RSVP online here with Sign-Up Genius or call Jennie Alt (217-552-4415). Payment will be received on the day of the event. 
This is the second year Westminster will participate in the Pentecost denominational offering which unites the church by helping youth begin their life with a solid foundation of faith. Forty percent of all gifts stay within Westminster and our portion will support the 2021 Youth Mission Trip as the pandemic has prohibited in-person fundraisers. This year’s mission (July 11-17, 2021) to Little Rock, AR will be safe and include work with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at the Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center. An educational component includes visiting the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN and other historic places in Little Rock. Among those places will be Heifer International (which our youth have supported with their Sunday School offerings for many years).
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2021 Steadfast Neighbor Mission
Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable,
always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know
that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. I Corinthians 15:58
The Strategic Planning Committee and Steadfast Neighbor Mission Task Force continue to address the mandate to invest $450,000 in our neighborhood within the decade. Click here to read the history of the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor. The outreach already in place includes:
Matching Grants
Local homeowners are invited to apply for matching grants toward simple property improvements, especially addressing certain needs such as safety, security, and energy efficiency upgrades. In 2020, Westminster was able to provide $12,130.42 in Matching Grants to neighbors. We have already received calls from neighbors about this opportunity for 2021! With the program in place and the news spreading, we anticipate the applications will grow in 2021. The letter and application was mailed in February and a follow-up letter and reminder in April. We will include the same timeline as we did in 2020 allowing for some of the grant requests to become projects during the service week.
Click here to view and complete the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor Matching Grant Guidelines and Application.
Click here to view and complete the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor Service Week Guidelines and Application.
Neighborhood Service Week
August 2-6, 2021
Westminster invested $13,029.51 in the projects completed during the 2020 Service Week. The dates for this year’s neighborhood outreach have been set and are the week of August 2-6. Once again, we will assist with exterior repair and improvement projects. Please consider taking one or more days of the first week of August to join us as we spread goodwill in the neighborhood once again! If interested, contact Todd Knox at hardknox1@mac.com.
Matching Grants
Local homeowners are invited to apply for matching grants toward simple property improvements, especially addressing certain needs such as safety, security, and energy efficiency upgrades. In 2020, Westminster was able to provide $12,130.42 in Matching Grants to neighbors. We have already received calls from neighbors about this opportunity for 2021! With the program in place and the news spreading, we anticipate the applications will grow in 2021. The letter and application was mailed in February and a follow-up letter and reminder in April. We will include the same timeline as we did in 2020 allowing for some of the grant requests to become projects during the service week.
Click here to view and complete the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor Matching Grant Guidelines and Application.
Click here to view and complete the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor Service Week Guidelines and Application.
Neighborhood Service Week
August 2-6, 2021
Westminster invested $13,029.51 in the projects completed during the 2020 Service Week. The dates for this year’s neighborhood outreach have been set and are the week of August 2-6. Once again, we will assist with exterior repair and improvement projects. Please consider taking one or more days of the first week of August to join us as we spread goodwill in the neighborhood once again! If interested, contact Todd Knox at hardknox1@mac.com.
WESTMINSTER EARTH CARE POWERPOINT
As part of this year’s online option for the Springfield Earth Awareness Fair (www.springfield.il.us/EAF), Westminster displayed an Earth Care PowerPoint highlighting our environmental stewardship projects and practices. This PowerPoint video can be viewed here.
PC(USA) RECERTIFICATION
Westminster received word on March 11, 2021 that the Presbyterian Church (USA) recertified Westminster as an Earth Care Congregation, celebrating six years in this ministry and joining 270 congregations across the denomination.
As part of this year’s online option for the Springfield Earth Awareness Fair (www.springfield.il.us/EAF), Westminster displayed an Earth Care PowerPoint highlighting our environmental stewardship projects and practices. This PowerPoint video can be viewed here.
PC(USA) RECERTIFICATION
Westminster received word on March 11, 2021 that the Presbyterian Church (USA) recertified Westminster as an Earth Care Congregation, celebrating six years in this ministry and joining 270 congregations across the denomination.
Featured Hunger Missions at Westminster
Westminster's Little Pantry
Our Little Pantry is located on Cook Street on the south side of Graham Elementary (near the main entrance of the school).
To ensure it is visited regularly per week and kept clean and well-stocked, we are maintaining a signup list for checking on the pantry. Sign up below by clicking the link. Members may also contribute ingredients to make "meal kits" to put in the Little Pantry. Click here to see the meal kit ingredients. Reimbursement is available for items purchased, and a supply of items is kept at the church.
Sign up to help stock Westminster's Little Pantry
Our Little Pantry is located on Cook Street on the south side of Graham Elementary (near the main entrance of the school).
To ensure it is visited regularly per week and kept clean and well-stocked, we are maintaining a signup list for checking on the pantry. Sign up below by clicking the link. Members may also contribute ingredients to make "meal kits" to put in the Little Pantry. Click here to see the meal kit ingredients. Reimbursement is available for items purchased, and a supply of items is kept at the church.
Sign up to help stock Westminster's Little Pantry
Helping Hands Meals
Every second Friday of the month, Westminster members prepare meals to feed 50 hungry men at Helping Hands Shelter at 1023 E. Washington St. Currently, meals for April and May are covered, but months October - December are available. This is a great project for friends or several families to do together. Volunteers may cook food in their own homes or use the church kitchen.
Please consider taking one or more dates (the 2nd Friday of each month) to prepare and deliver a much-needed dinner for the men at the Helping Hands Shelter. Reimbursement is available.
Learn more details and sign up to help!
Please consider taking one or more dates (the 2nd Friday of each month) to prepare and deliver a much-needed dinner for the men at the Helping Hands Shelter. Reimbursement is available.
Learn more details and sign up to help!
Give-A-Meal-A-Month
April Menu
April Menu
Canned Chicken/Tuna, Canned Fruit in 100% Juice, and Baked Beans or Veggies. Feminine hygiene products, diapers, toilet paper, toothpaste. (No baby food, please.) Thank you to all who place items in the West Narthex for the Central Illinois Foodbank.
Westminster COVID-19 Task Force Report
At their March 18, 2020 meeting, Session approved the formation of the COVID-19 Task Force (CVTF). One of the CVTF’s responsibilities is to relay the information provided by reputable sources to the congregation.
At their March 18, 2020 meeting, Session approved the formation of the COVID-19 Task Force (CVTF). One of the CVTF’s responsibilities is to relay the information provided by reputable sources to the congregation.
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 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. Westminster Presbyterian Church has been certified as an Hunger Action Congregation of the PC (U.S.A.), committed to (1) acknowledging and celebrating the faithful work of Presbyterians working around the country to alleviate hunger and end its causes, and (2) encouraging these ministries to be even more holistic and justice-oriented. Click here to see how Westminster is helping fight hunger in our community. |
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Westminster Weekly Email.
Westminster Weekly Email.