Westminster Presbyterian Church
Let the doors of this church be a way to service.
| |||
Worship Service
Sunday, November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Live stream service at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday's sermon "Awesome Deeds We Did Not Expect" based on Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37 will be presented by the Rev. Trajan I. McGill. Music will be provided by Dale Rogers, organist, Lyle VanDeventer, Bass and Krista Steller, oboist.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism as Erica and Andrew James present their daughter Cora Ann James. Additionally, we welcome new members Kayla and Jess Weitzel, who will light the Advent Candle Wreath.
With the Governor's most recent order, in-person participation beyond the participants and their family has been temporarily suspended. The worship service will be live streamed so members may view the service from home.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
First Sunday of Advent
Live stream service at 10:00 a.m.
Sunday's sermon "Awesome Deeds We Did Not Expect" based on Isaiah 64:1-9 and Mark 13:24-37 will be presented by the Rev. Trajan I. McGill. Music will be provided by Dale Rogers, organist, Lyle VanDeventer, Bass and Krista Steller, oboist.
We will celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism as Erica and Andrew James present their daughter Cora Ann James. Additionally, we welcome new members Kayla and Jess Weitzel, who will light the Advent Candle Wreath.
With the Governor's most recent order, in-person participation beyond the participants and their family has been temporarily suspended. The worship service will be live streamed so members may view the service from home.
|
Ways to Watch Westminster Services
Westminster Sunday service videos are stored on YouTube. Past services may be viewed on the church site by clicking this link to the Worship Services Page or by viewing the services on YouTube. Click the link below to view the video services on YouTube. If you have a Gmail account, you may log in to YouTube with your Gmail login information and subscribe to Westminster's YouTube channel by clicking the red Subscribe button on the YouTube page. Subscribing to the channel could make it easier for smart TVs to display our services. You may also search YouTube.com for Westminster Presbyterian Church Springfield IL to find the channel. Link to Westminster's YouTube channel. 
It is because of the resilience and generosity of this congregation that Westminster was selected for the "2020 Good Neighbor Award" from Springfield ICON. Ordinarily, ICON presents their awards at an annual November dinner; however, this year the organization is posting videos of award recipients. Westminster's video of Lynne and Paul O'Shea presenting the award to Dr. Kieffer is posted on the ICON web site at springfieldicon.org. To view the Westminster award you may click here. Take a few moments to check it out and the other recipients if you have time.
Adopt-A-Family 2020 Thank You!
The response to this year's request for the nine families living in transitional housing at Contact Ministries has been amazing! All needs have been met! This reflects the generous spirit of this congregation even in the midst of a pandemic. Gifts of wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape are still being accepted, if you were unable to participate. Please make sure each gift is labeled with the family number, specific person, and wish number when dropping presents off. If your gift was ordered online and is being mailed directly to Westminster, please be sure Jennie Alt, Church Administrative Assistant has been contacted. All items need to be at the church by December 6. 
Christmas Music
and Decoration Funds Members and friends are invited to make a donation of $25 or more to the Special Music Fund and $25 to support Westminster’s decoration fund. The music fund assists in providing pipers and drummers for St. Andrews, the Millikin Brass for Easter and other special music through the year. The decoration fund purchases flowers including poinsettias and lilies. Please submit your donation with your desired wording and dedication for the poinsettias by December 10. You may send a check to the church or click here to submit bulletin wording and payment. 
Westminster Landscape Guild
The Landscape Task Force which was formed by the Strategic Planning Committee as part of the Steadfast Neighbor Endeavor will be co-chaired by Peter Kieffer and Andy Sherrick. Serving on the guild are Linda Chronister, Sue Cull, Scott Day, Bill Deemer, Sue Donels, Ann and Keith Hamilton, Todd Knox, Jim Kontio, Becky McDonald, Nichole Magalis, Jim and Julie McDonough, David & Mary Caroline Mitchell, Jeanne Pittman, Dale Rogers, and Diane Rutledge. The Landscape Guild will be responsible for trimming, weeding, dividing, planting bulbs, and primping and will also be responsible for the Memorial Garden. The guild would be task driven and Mark Sexton of Sexton Landscape Design has agreed to be our consultant. The custodial staff will continue to be responsible for grass cutting, lawn waste/leaves, fertilizing lawn and mulching. During the first week of November the guild planted over 400 daffodil bulbs from Holland!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! |
|
WESTMINSTER SUPPORT AND ENDOWMENT FUNDS
STEADFAST NEIGHBOR ENDEAVOR
Earnings from the principal of Westminster’s Support and Endowment Fund provide the loan payments and resources for the mission component. A minimum of 1/3 of the cost of the Site and Landscape Plan is designated for mission.
In May of 2015, on the 180th Founders’ Sunday, Westminster dedicated the BUILDING A LEGACY OFFAITH TWENTY-YEAR Anniversary Endowment Campaign and established the ALBERT HALE CIRCLE with a goal to grow Westminster’s Endowment from $1.7 to $5 million by 2020. As of September 2020, $1,593,022 from the 102 pledges totaling $1,648,120 has been received. Additionally, non-pledge gifts of $2,779,453 were donated. The current market value of the Support and Endowment Fund is $7,649,013. This does not include planned gifts.
Support and Endowment Committee: Todd Wise, Chair, James Bryans, Secretary, Christy Pound, Dale Smith, Lucy Stafford, Jeff Wilday. Steve Arbuthnot, Treasurer, Advisory Members: Randy Germeraad and Diane Rutledge, Staff liaisons: Dr. Kieffer and Lisa Runkle
STEADFAST NEIGHBOR ENDEAVOR
Earnings from the principal of Westminster’s Support and Endowment Fund provide the loan payments and resources for the mission component. A minimum of 1/3 of the cost of the Site and Landscape Plan is designated for mission.
In May of 2015, on the 180th Founders’ Sunday, Westminster dedicated the BUILDING A LEGACY OFFAITH TWENTY-YEAR Anniversary Endowment Campaign and established the ALBERT HALE CIRCLE with a goal to grow Westminster’s Endowment from $1.7 to $5 million by 2020. As of September 2020, $1,593,022 from the 102 pledges totaling $1,648,120 has been received. Additionally, non-pledge gifts of $2,779,453 were donated. The current market value of the Support and Endowment Fund is $7,649,013. This does not include planned gifts.
Support and Endowment Committee: Todd Wise, Chair, James Bryans, Secretary, Christy Pound, Dale Smith, Lucy Stafford, Jeff Wilday. Steve Arbuthnot, Treasurer, Advisory Members: Randy Germeraad and Diane Rutledge, Staff liaisons: Dr. Kieffer and Lisa Runkle
|
READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Began Sunday, November 1 This self-directed program utilizing The NRSV Daily Bible: Read, Meditate, and Pray Through the Entire Bible in 365 Days (paperback) began November 1 with forty-one participants from the Westminster faith community. A private Facebook page was created for participants to share their reflections. |
Westminster COVID-19 Task Force Report
At their March 18 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 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.
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. Reimbursement is available for items purchased, and a supply of items is kept at the church.
Donation suggestions:
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. Reimbursement is available for items purchased, and a supply of items is kept at the church.
Donation suggestions:
- Peanut butter, jelly, bread
- Canned tuna, meats, fruits, veggies, beans, soups, pasta, sauce
- Cereal, rice, chips, crackers, and other nonperishable dry foods
- Granola bars, nuts, trail mix, and other snacks
- Juice boxes, drink mixes, tea bags
- Cleaning supplies, soap, shampoo, and personal toiletries
- Books, crayons and coloring books, small toy items
Sign up to help stock Westminster's Little Pantry
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.
Subscribe to the
Westminster Weekly Email.
Westminster Weekly Email.
|
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. |