News from Westminster Presbyterian Church

Friday, July 3

Miss Katherine Lee Bates was in Colorado Springs and had just returned from a visit to Pike’s Peak. She said, “It was there, as I was looking out over the sea-like expanse of fertile country spreading away so far under the ample skies, that the opening lines formed themselves in my mind.”

We’ve heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but I’ve never seen the picture that paints as pretty a scene of this great country as do these words: O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain, for purple mountain majesties above the fruited plane.

But as we celebrate the birth of our country, filled with thanksgiving for our freedom, we cannot neglect the way the dreams and hopes for justice and mercy and humility have not always been open to all our citizens.

We Christians, more than any I think, should be attuned to the final words of that first verse: God shed his grace on thee and crown thy good with brotherhood . If we would claim God’s grace for America the beautiful, we cannot be content when our land is stained by pain and sorrow, people worn out by life’s difficulties and injustices.

Let us celebrate the beauty of our freedom and bring to life the words on the Liberty Bell: “…proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants thereof.” (Leviticus 25:8)

Grace and peace,

Bruce Lancaster

STAY CONNECTED

Peace and Justice Summer Seminar Series

Welcoming the Stranger: A Look at Immigration in the U.S.

Sundays, July 12 - 26

10:00 - 10:45 a.m.

Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 871 4362 3141

Password: 696023

What is the current state of immigration in the U.S.? How did we get to this point? How does COVID-19 affect immigrants? How can we be of help? What does Jesus say about all of this?

These are just some of the questions surrounding the issue of immigration and our connection to it. This month, join us for a series of seminars addressing these and related questions. Read more .

Blood Drive

Sunday, July 19

8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Fellowship Hall

Vitalant will host this much needed blood drive and highly recommends preregistration while requiring all donors to wear a mask and get a temperature check on site. Read more about Vitalant's precautionary measures .

While limited walk-ins are welcome, participants are advised to preregister, using sponsor code G0010171, in order to secure a time slot. Registration is easily done online at www.vitalant.org or by calling Candy Kottyan at 412-860-3534. Read more .

Westminster Organ Summer 2020

Sundays, through July 26

4:00 p.m.

YouTube

This year marks the tenth season of Westminster’s series of free summer organ concerts. Although the concerts will be available online only this year, you can expect the same great music displaying the endless variety of organ sounds.

This week we welcome Bradley Fitch from Christ United Methodist Church.

All organists donate their time and talent. A freewill offering defrays their expenses. Please consider donating to the freewill offering using the donate button below. Read more about upcoming concerts .

Freewill Offering

Honoring Our Graduates

We would like to recognize the achievements of our Westminster graduates! If you are celebrating someone in your family, please send the following information to Laura Ecklin by Monday, July 6 .

Graduate Name
High School/College/University
Degree Received
Area of Study

Peace and Justice Film Review

Join a Discussion of the Films Selma and Just Mercy

Tuesday, July 7

7:00 p.m.

Zoom

Peace and Justice is coordinating a discussion of two important films: Selma , focusing on events leading up to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Just Mercy , which looks at attorney Bryan Stevenson’s work to defend those wrongly condemned or unable to afford representation. A number of streaming services, including YouTube, Amazon Prime, and GooglePlay, are offering free viewing of these films throughout the month of June. Read more .

Donations Needed for Food to Go Bags

Many children rely on school breakfast and lunch as their only meals of the day. When school is out for the summer, we can help fill the void. Westminster's goal is to provide one take home bag each week for 200 food insecure children through their local churches in July and part of August. You can help by donating online , by text, or by sending a check to the church. Read more here .

Face Masks Available

If you are in need of a face mask or two for yourself, a friend, or neighbor, please complete this form .

Church Schedule

The church office will be open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please enter through the gallery entrance and sign in. All visitors must wear a mask and we ask that you do not visit if you are not feeling well. If you are coming to visit a particular staff person, please call first at 412-835-6630 to ensure they are in the office on the day you wish to visit.

Stay Connected Online

Visit us on Facebook and YouTube to stay connected.

While we are not currently gathering in our church building, the work of our church goes on, thanks to our members, our many volunteers, and our staff. Your giving ensures that our church remains financially healthy.

There are many ways to give to Westminster, all of which are secure through our online giving partner, ACS Technologies. Choose the method with which you feel most comfortable. Read more .

GIVE ONLINE NOW

Bridge Friday Jam

Friday, July 3

6:00 p.m.

YouTube

Tune in for a live worship jam! Jason will be singing songs typically found at the Bridge, and folks can participate in the live chat as well! Visit our YouTube page for more information.