Bronzeville

Blog Post by Rev. Dr. Craig Howard

Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy

Transitional Leader

This week I went home to Chicago to visit with my family. While there, I toured the new church my home Pentecostal congregation just built. They are having their first service in the new facility on Sunday, which will seat 3500. They currently have 12,000 members. When I first came to the church in 1977 there were less than 200 members.

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Liturgists Needed for GA - 223

Help us create liturgies, prayers, calls to worship and litanies for this summer's General Assembly. We are seeking contributions that demonstrate the rich diversity of our presbytery as we prepare to welcome the national church to St. Louis. Please continue to read on...

Congratulations to Rev. Cedric Portis

      On Tuesday, November 28, the Hazelwood School District (HSD) will honor Rev. Portis as he receives the Board of Education Community Partner Award for his countless hours spent tutoring and mentoring students as a Hero-Volunteer. The HSD also recognizes Rev. Portis for his leadership on the HSD Clergy Coalition, as a founding community leader to help establish the Heroes Program, and for leading the HSD Foundation financial support drive, that assists students and families in need, to which $100,000 has been raised in the last three years. The impact that Rev. Portis has made at Third Presbyterian and its surrounding community cannot be measured, and we are thankful for his direction and leadership within our presbytery.

Mortgage Burning Party

The Presbyterian Church of Washington is Debt Free!

With joy and gratitude, PCW invites everyone from Giddings-Lovejoy to join us as we celebrate the completion of our indebtedness and the burning of our mortgage!

Celebration will take place on Sunday, December 3, 2017, with Worship at 10:15 a.m., luncheon at 11:45 a.m. and mortgage burning ceremony on the terrace following the meal.

Lunch will be provided by Cafe Mosaic at no cost to attendees. Cake, Cham-pagne and Non-Alcoholic Champagne will be served after the mortgage burning ceremony. Directions can be found here.

A Gospel Christmas

The Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church Men’s Chorus will be a special guest in A Gospel Christmas, a Community Gospel Choir of St. Louis event that will be held at Rock Church of St. Louis on Sunday, December 3 at 4 p.m. The church is located at 9125 Manchester Rd., in Brentwood. Full details can be found here.

“Jesus, The Light of the World”

The Chancel Choir and children’s choirs of Dardenne Pres-byterian Church will be in concert on Sunday, December 3 at 4:30 pm. This musical celebration will feature Christmas carols from the countries of Spain, France, Germany, Ireland, Africa, Brazil, and the United States. A special appearance by the American Parai Academy and St. Louis Tamil Christian Fellowship will represent traditions from India. Please join us as we joyously celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior for people of every tribe and nation.  Directions can be found here.

Advent Vespers at Second Presbyterian Church

The Advent hymn “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night” lays the foundation for the Vespers readings and music. On Sunday, December 3, the Second Church Choir, Handbell Choir, flutist Jennifer Gartley, and organist Andrew Peters offer music to give listeners an opportunity to pause in the midst of the hectic holiday season.  Directions can be found here.

"Magnificat" by Francesco Durante

The Trinity Presbyterian Church Choir with the Rosewood Ensemble presents "Magnificat" by Francesco Durante along with other music for strings, organ, and voices in a worship service at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 17th. The church is located at 6800 Washington Ave. St. Louis, MO 63130.

Full details can be found here.

Historical Highlight

The history of Presbyterian missionary work in the City of St. Louis goes back well into the 19 ^th century. The Soulard Market Mission Sunday School, later known as the Menard Street Mission, was organized in 1875. It was sponsored by the president of Lafayette Park. This Presbyterian mission rented a room over the old Soulard Market building, before it had its own structure located at the northeast corner of Menard and Julia in what is now the LaSalle Park neighborhood. This structure was destroyed in the 1896 tornado. The current building at the site was built in 1896 using funds solicited by the mission from places in the eastern United States, particularly Pittsburgh. The funds were also used to rebuild other Presbyterian churches in the area destroyed by the tornado. The Mission worked in the native languages of the Bohemian Hill area. At the turn of the last century, the independent Markham Presbyterian Church called the building home. This congregation thrived until Highways 44 and 55 were built and many residents were forced from the area. The church closed in the mid-1950s.

 In the late 19 ^th century, a very old French style house on Robert in the Frenchtown area of Carondelet served as a Presbyterian mission house for workers at the foundries along the Mississippi River. 

Information for this article was provided by Nini Harris, local historian, author and lecturer.

Part-Time Music Director/Pianist Wanted

Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church in Wildwood seeks a part-time music director/pianist to lead our congregation's music ministry. Woodlawn Chapel (PCUSA) places value on traditional worship that is vital, fresh, and inclusive of the gifts of our congregation. Complete job description found here.

For more information, please email [email protected] or contact the Rev. Christopher W. Keating, pastor, 16520 Clayton Road, Wildwood, MO 63011