Westminster Presbyterian Church
Let the doors of this church be a way to service.
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Worship Service
Sunday, March 7, 2021 Third Sunday of Lent Sunday's sermon, "Covenant of Boundaries," based on Exodus 10:1-17 and John 2:13-22, will be presented by the Rev. Dr. Blythe D. Kieffer. Music will be provided by Dale Rogers, organist, Diane Dietz, soprano, and Lyle VanDeventer, bass. With the Governor's most recent order, Sangamon County has returned to Phase 4. Up to 50 people will be allowed attend the worship service. Please use the sign up link below so that attendance may be monitored. The worship service will continue to be live streamed so members may view the service from home. Lenten Theme: The Power of Words
40 Days, 40 Words, 40 Prayers: Lenten Reflections for Everyday Life, This book written by former Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, will be highlighted on our journey. A word and a prayer from this book will be emailed each day of Lent. Family Lenten Devotional Bags Each Westminster family will receive a Lenten Devotional Bag which includes a word for each day of Lent. Families are invited to discuss the meaning of each word as we remember the power of words. A prayer calendar was also prepared to assist families. Lenten Candle Service During Lent, Westminster’s Sunday worship service will begin with a Lenten Candle Service. Rather than light a candle each Sunday as we do in Advent, a candle will be extinguished each Sunday leading to Easter to commemorate Christ’s journey to the cross. The symbolism of these liturgies will add meaning to our worship on our journey together this Lent. Lenten Giving: The One Great Hour of Sharing denominational offering will be received during Lent. This is an opportunity to provide relief to those affected by natural disasters, provide food to the hungry, and empower the poor and oppressed. Lenten fish boxes will be mailed to families and will be presented on Palm Sunday, March 28. The Lenten Coat Drive Box will be located in the West Narthex for our annual collection of new or gently-used coats. These coats will line the center pews of our Sanctuary on Palm Sunday, March 28 and then be donated to Contact Ministries. 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 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 February, March and April are covered, but months May - 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! Give-A-Meal-A-Month
February Menu Canned soups with pop tops, peanut butter, boxed crackers, applesauce, 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.
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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.

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 OF FAITH 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 December 2020, 248 families have made gifts, pledges or included Westminster in their planned giving and are members of the Albert Hale Circle. We have received $1,607,764 from the 102 pledges totaling $1,648,120. Additionally, non-pledge gifts of $2,815,601 were donated. We are grateful to the 248 families who are a part of the Albert Hale Circle of donors. As of December 2020, the market value of the Support and Endowment Fund is $8,069,884. This does not include planned gifts.
Support and Endowment Committee: Todd Wise, Chair, James Bryans, Secretary, Steve Arbuthnot, Treasurer, Christy Pound, Dr. Diane Rutledge, Dale Smith, Lucy Preckwinkle Stafford. Advisory Members: Randy Germeraad, Jeff Wilday, and Staff liaisons: Dr. Kieffer and Lisa Runkle
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 OF FAITH 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 December 2020, 248 families have made gifts, pledges or included Westminster in their planned giving and are members of the Albert Hale Circle. We have received $1,607,764 from the 102 pledges totaling $1,648,120. Additionally, non-pledge gifts of $2,815,601 were donated. We are grateful to the 248 families who are a part of the Albert Hale Circle of donors. As of December 2020, the market value of the Support and Endowment Fund is $8,069,884. This does not include planned gifts.
Support and Endowment Committee: Todd Wise, Chair, James Bryans, Secretary, Steve Arbuthnot, Treasurer, Christy Pound, Dr. Diane Rutledge, Dale Smith, Lucy Preckwinkle Stafford. Advisory Members: Randy Germeraad, Jeff Wilday, and Staff liaisons: Dr. Kieffer and Lisa Runkle

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.
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.