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Westminster Presbyterian Church Joliet, Illinois

A Church Newsletter Published For

Our Members and Friends.

1015 Winthrop Avenue Volume 19, Issue 3

Joliet, Illinois 60435 March 2019

815-725-6687

THE CHIMES

PC - USA PC - USA

The Reverend Matthew T. Robinson,

Pastor

Musings from Matt . . .

Ash Wednesday is this next week (March 6th) and that means the season of Lent is upon us. This

penitential season is so often related to sorrow and shame for our sinfulness. The gloom of sack

cloth and ashes can be so overwhelming. But remember there is more. Because Lent concludes

with Easter morning. We know the end of the story. This path, no matter how foreboding, ends at

an empty tomb - a victory, a celebration. That is why in the Ash Wednesday worship service, the

imposition of ashes is followed by Holy Communion. As the ashes remind us of our finiteness, the

Lord’s Table brings us together in God’s infinite grace.

Think about that for a moment. In one brief service of worship, we already walk the entire lenten

road. From mortality to resurrection. And we have the entire season of Lent then, to give thanks to

God for that all powerful and mysterious grace. Oh don’t get me wrong, I’m all for a little old

fashioned Calvinist Repentance. Bring on the sack cloth and ashes and solemn worship. I’m all for

it that is, as long as it concludes with the celebration of Christ’s victory. Lent leads us from the doom

and gloom to the light of our salvation.

We will begin this Season of Lent with Ash Wednesday worship on March 6th

at 2:00 and 6:30 PM. Join us for prayer, singing, ashes and the Lord’s

Supper. And to continue your Lenten Spiritual nurture, we will be having

a series of Worship/Dinner/Studies on Wednesdays during Lent at 6:00 PM

in the Social Hall. (Note: We will not meet on March 20th due to the PW 2nd

Hand Sale.)

May you have a Holy Lent and may you draw near to God.

Shalom,

Matt

"We make a living by what we get. But we make a life by what we give.”

Winston Churchill

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FOOTPRINTS . . . AL EVANS

One day, a long time ago – a crowd gathered around a man – Jesus – standing

in front of two fishermen’s boats by a lake – to hear His words of God. He

stepped into one boat and asked owner Simon to push Him out a ways so He

could teach from the boat. When He finished speaking, He asked Simon to

go into deeper water and let down his nets for a catch. Although Simon’s

‘night catch’ was fishless, he did as Jesus requested and the nets filled so

quickly he had to seek help from other ‘fishers’ to keep the nets from break-

ing and the boats from sinking! Astonished, Simon fell to his knees, and Jesus

told him: “Do not be afraid, from now on you will fish for people.”

Recently, one of Matt’s sermons included phrases from the bible to “build a church” – “spread the word of

God among the peoples” which stirred these thoughts I share with you. Yes, on this very corner of Clara

and Larkin Avenues, Westminster Church was built by founding members who took the words “Build a

Church” to heart and which has been “Spreading the word” for over 60 years through others hearing and

carrying on the ‘tradition’.

What a difference the years make. From Jesus’ time of wooden row boats to the motor driven fiberglass

boats with sonar detectors of today! From Simon’s rope nets to today’s nets of fiberglass or other synthet-

ics, and there is the internet which has gathered ‘the many’ around the world ‘together’. Today, words travel

as fast as one can text or speak, whereas, in Jesus’ day, only as fast as the animal or man could move. Today,

one can observe people at a table conversing with others around them by texting! What a way to “Spread

the word of God among the peoples!” Text or verbal via the internet! Is it time for ‘we the people’ of

Westminster to join the “NET Way” of spreading God’s word beyond those able to gather with others hon-

oring and singing praises to God at Westminster? It’s a great way to spread the word of God verbally or

texted among all the peoples, to be at their convenience, and for their blessed assurance needs. Thanks be

to God for blessings to do so, walking in His footprints.

Ash Wednesday - March 6th at 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Join us for prayer, singing, ashes and the Lord’s Supper

Wednesdays - March 13th and 27th, April 3rd and 10th at 6:00 p.m.

Continue your Lenten Spiritual nurture by attending a series of Worship/Dinner/

Studies in the Social Hall.

Sunday, April 14th - Choir Cantata at 10:00 a.m. followed by Deacons’ Brunch.

Maundy Thursday, April 18th - Worship with Communion at 6:30 p.m.

Easter Sunday, April 21st - Worship with Communion at 10:00 a.m.

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~ In celebration of ~

~ In loving memory of ~

~ To the glory of God ~

March 3rd - Everett Patmore in loving memory of his wife Beverly.

March 10th - Shirley Gill in loving celebration of her Granddaughter

Kelsey Lee.

March 17th - Matt & Peggy Robinson in loving memory of their Dads Jack

Robinson and Scott Peters.

March 24th - Mark & Jina Ballard in honor of their 20th wedding anniver-

sary.

March 31st - Donna Abbott in loving memory of the Rev. Dr. Alvin R.

Abbott.

and also by

Margaret Smith in loving memory of Don Smith.

Our Prayers

For:

Please include these

members and friends

in your prayers:

Helen Anderson

Tom & Ruthann Bone

Roberta Burd

Kay Collins

Jim England

Rev. & Mrs. Carl Geider

Mike Matay

Eric Nurczyk

Everett Patmore

Ron Reece

Joe Swithin

Kayla Zbroskewich, Amy

and Family

The Deacons are taking orders for Easter Lilies.

The cost is $12.50.

Deadline to order is March 31st.

Your Name: _____________________________

Given in memory of:________________________

Given in honor of:_________________________

Please place this form and your check

in the offering plate or mail to the church office.

Thank you!

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2nd Hand Heaven

March 21st and 22nd

It’s time to start going through cupboards, closets, the basement, the garage… all those places

where you’ve placed those no longer needed items to donate to the PW 2nd Hand Sale!

Drop off dates and times to bring your marvelous, clean and in good condition

treasures to the church:

Sunday, March 17th from 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m.

Monday, March 18th from 9:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday, March 19th from 9:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 20th from 9:00 a.m. till Noon.

Everything donated helps.

We appreciate how giving you are!

Sale dates and times:

Thursday, March 21st from 8:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m.

Friday, March 22nd from 8:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.

Project Day — Need fleece and yarn

We are continuing to make Linus Blankets and we are especially in need of fleece -- 1 1/2 yard

pieces particularly in kid friendly prints. If you prefer not to shop for these, we would certainly accept

monetary donations — just make checks to the church and mark for Project Day so you will get cred-

it for your donation. We always try to take advantage of the best sales. Also, if anyone has leftover

yarn or even full skeins, Diane Smith likes to make hats and scarves. And maybe there is someone

else who might like to join this effort, the items would be donated to charity. In any case, we need

donations of yarn.

Any questions, see Linda Evans. Thank you!

Chili Cook-Off Recap... Congratulations to the Men’s Fellowship and their Chili Cook-Off held on Saturday,

2/23/2019! Participants and attendees helped raise around $1,800 for St. John’s

Food Pantry and Church World Service kits. Here’s the ranking of the Chili Cook-

Off Chefs by popular vote: 3rd Runner Up Dave Mills; 2nd Runner Up Gary Smith;

1st runner Up Fred Henize; and winner Mike and Jill Ballard! In 2018, St. John’s

Food Pantry served over 2,555 families by distributing over 740,000 pounds of

food; servicing 48% of those living under the poverty level in the City of Joliet by of-

fering three opportunities for those in need to obtain gifts of food on Tuesdays,

Thursdays and Saturdays!

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The next Pancake Breakfast date is March 16th.

Help will be needed to set up on Friday, March 15th

at 10:30 a.m. All help will be greatly appreciated!

S o m e Good Pancakes

Free Pancake Breakfast.

SO OTHERS MAY EAT

Served from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Men’s Fellowship

All men of the church are always invited to join us!

Breakfast is usually at 8 o’clock and then we have Bible Study from

9:15 till 10:30 in the library at the church.

The food and fellowship are always great and the bible study can be

a rewarding challenge. Please join us.

Our Breakfast Schedule:

March 2nd - The Happy Place

March 16th - Pancake Breakfast at Church

Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanita-

tion, education and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing —

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-Development of Peo-

ple — all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster

response to ongoing community development their work fits together to provide people with safety,

sustenance and hope. Received during the season of Lent (March 6 - April 21), each gift to One

Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situa-

tions. The Offering provides us a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need. In fact,

OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better

world. Won’t you join us in coming to church and learning more about these vital denomination

offerings and how we at Westminster share in Christ’s ministry and mission, not only in this place,

but around the world! God bless us all, your Stewardship Team: Mark Ballard, Dale Evans, Betsy

Nurczyk, Cindy Wax and Doug Webb.

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Presbyterian Foundation receives second $1 million Lilly Grant by Robyn Davis Sekula

Lilly Endowment Inc. recently awarded the Presbyterian Foundation a second grant of $1 million as part of its National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for the Foundation to advance our work in offering stewardship education and real-life tools that provide truly meaningful help for our congregations and ministries to fund their vital ministries,” says Tom Taylor, President and CEO of the Presbyterian Founda-tion. “Lilly Endowment has a keen vision for what the church can be in the future and how to support pastors and church leaders in their work. We are so honored to have received this funding for a second time from Lilly Endowment and are so excited about working nationally with pastors and con-gregations to shape the future of Christ’s church.:

The initial grant the Foundation received in December 2015 allowed the Foundation to develop pilot programs that provided tools and grants to assist a small group of churches and pastors in discover-ing new ways to fund their ministries. After strong successes during the initial phase during these past three years, this new grant will allow the Foundation to work over the next three years to scale the program and offer financial leadership training and tools nationally.

Lilly Endowment’s grant will allow the Presbyterian Foundation to offer four key activities to pastors and church leaders nationally that will strengthen congregational vitality. These include:

Personalized training through a new coaching network that will allow pastors and their churches to receive contextualized guidance and encouragement counseling to support their work.

Online education and support made available to all PC(USA) pastoral leaders and congrega-tions.

Ministerial excellence funds that will continue to provide direct financial assistance to help pastoral leaders attend conferences, courses and other educational opportunities.

Partnerships with supporting organizations will help the Foundation reach broader audiences.

The Foundation’s program is led by Rev. David Loleng, who has more than twenty years of ministry experience in Presbyterian churches in California. He joined the Foundation in 2015. He frequently speaks about evangelism, discipleship, missional life and culture at conferences, camps, synods, presbyteries, retreats and churches. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (World Trade and Development) from the University of California, Davis and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.

“Our experience has confirmed our original insight, that too many pastors are unfamiliar with basic knowledge and understanding of organizational financial analysis, planning and management,” Loleng says. “Experience has also confirmed that financial literacy and leadership are interdepend-ent.”

The first grant allowed the Foundation to launch a pilot program in designated congregations within six presbyteries, which had 290 participants including fifty-four pastors. In addition to the leadership and financial literacy for pastors and key congregational leaders, work included:

Setting mission goals and activation.

Budgeting to align with those goals.

Embracing the changing motives and modes of stewardship.

Examining the theological missional bases of generosity.

Also during this pilot program the Foundation’s regional Ministry Relations Officer in North Carolina, Olanda Carr, conducted twenty-one “Cultures of Generosity” seminars in twenty-one congregations chosen by the Board of Pensions. The BOP and the Foundation had a cooperative relationship in the pilot phase of the project, working together to implement the grants.

(cont’d on pg. 7)

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Mission Ministry Team Update Our emphasis for March is to collect canned goods. Items such as vegetables, fruit, tomato sauce,

and soups or canned meat are needed. Our goal is to build up a stockpile so that we can replenish

as needed. We appreciate all your efforts to keep our Mini Food Pantry stocked. We even have

neighbors and others from the community who drop off items to contribute to our effort to reach out

to our community. A big thank you to all of you!

(Cont’d from page 6)

In the coming months, the Foundation will implement a new online stewardship tool for Presbyterian congregations to use for free to create and implement stewardship generosity programs. The Foun-dation is also creating an e-learning platform to aid pastors with church financial leadership.

The new grant received in December 2018 will allow the Foundation to take the work completed dur-ing the pilot project to the entire PC(USA) church at a national level.

The grants are part of the Lilly Endowment’s commitment to supporting the pastoral leadership de-velopment of clergy serving in congregations across the United States.

The Presbyterian denomination, like other mainline faiths, faces declining membership, raising finan-cial challenges for congregations and creating a need for pastors who are inspired and equipped to bring a new spirit of faithful leaders to congregations. Increasingly, pastors are feeling the effects of financial challenges facing churches.

Lilly Endowment is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family - J.K. Lilly, Sr., and sons J.K., Jr., and Eli - through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support the causes of reli-gion, education and community development. Lilly Endowment’s religion grant making is designated to deepen and enrich the lives of American Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to en-hance and sustain the quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes.

The Presbyterian Foundation gathers, stewards and distributes funds for mission. A vital part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Foundation strengthens congregations and related mission and ministry efforts by developing gifts and managing funds on their behalf.

CHURCH OPERATING FUND Recap:

Please note we are providing this information to you on a monthly basis as our newsletter is pub-

lished on a monthly basis. These January numbers are being published in the March 2019 newslet-

ter as the January Church Treasurer’s Reports were received in February. Monthly newsletters are

published at the end of the current month for the ensuing month. We are comparing the actual

month’s receipts against the total 2019 Budgeted Expense of $222,287 divided by twelve. Thank

you!

Actual Year-to-date Revenues Received - $8,095

Actual Year-to-date Budgeted Expense Needed - $18,524

“Our prayers for others flow more easily than those for ourselves. This shows we are made to live by charity.” C.S. Lewis

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“I learned we should not go through life with catcher’s mitts on both hands. You need to be able to throw some-

thing back.” Maya Angelou

February 21, 2019 Session Highlights: 1) Installed Sandy Alaimo to the Class of 2020 Active Elders.

2) Approved 1/13; 1/17; 1/20 Session Meeting Minutes.

3) Approved 1/27/2019 2018 Annual Meeting of the Congregation Minutes.

4) Transferred Barbara Pierce to the Rock Prairie United Presbyterian Church of Janesville, Wisconsin at her request.

5) Requested letters of transfer from the First Presbyterian Church of Iron River, Michigan for Donald, Arlene and Diane Smith.

6) Granted permission to Nueva Esperanza use of the Social Hall on 3/16/2019 for the purpose of hosting a baby shower from 3 - 8 PM.

7) Reviewed January 31, 2019 Church Operating Fund Financial Statements and placed them on file.

8) Received the Board of Deacons Report dated 2/14/2019.

9) Heard reports from the Christian Education and Property Ministry Teams.

10) Scheduled Ash Wednesday Services for 3/6/2019; Mid-week Lenten Potluck Dinners and Study Sessions on 3/13, 3/27, 4/3 and 4/10 at 6 PM; Palm Sunday Worship Service to in- clude a cantata followed by Deacons Brunch in the Social Hall on 4/14; Maundy Thursday Tennebre Service with communion on 4/18 and observe the sacrament of communion on Easter Sunday, 4/21.

11) Begin practices concerning a year-round season of generosity with Stewardship and Finance with Moments for Mission, participating in the denomination’s Special Offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Pentecost, Peace and Christmas Joy.

12) Designated uses for the 2018 local portions of Pentecost Offering to Strong Kids/Strong City in the amount of $96 and Peace Offering to our micro food pantry in the amount of $64.25.

13) We will undergo the Presbyterian Foundation’s online program for assessing Westminster’s Financial Health receiving customized recommendations for best practices to help maximize giving through tithes, offerings and other means of support for our mission and ministry. The assessment is free of charge and is part of the benefits received through our per capita as- sessment.

14) Personnel Committee continues to explore a Church Accompanist replacement.

15) Church Nominating Committee will begin the process of filling vacancies for itself and those of Personnel.

16) Received the Moderator’s report and rescheduled the April Regular Session Meeting from Maundy Thursday to Tuesday 4/16 at 6:30 PM.

17) Gayla will help to coordinate the use of Church Business cards carried by members of the congregation.

18) To coordinate a yet-to-be-determined and mutually agreeable date upon which to celebrate the tenure of our Parish Associate the Reverend Charles E. Glidden prior to his voluntary relocation to Pennsylvania.

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Westminster

Presbyterian

Church

Minister - Every Member

of the Church

Pastor - The Reverend

Matthew T. Robinson

Music Director -

Paul Kraus

Administrative Assistant

- Linda Bromer

Custodian - Mike Riley

Parish Associate -

The Reverend

Charles E. Glidden

Church Building ~

815-725-6686

Church Office ~

815-725-6687

FAX ~ 815-725-7866

Office Hours ~

Mon. thru Thurs. 9-4:30

Fri. 9-Noon

Website:

www.westpresjoliet.org

Email:

office@westpresjoliet.org

www.facebook.com/

westpresjoliet

Please Read!! We no longer receive courtesy calls from the hospitals to notify us when our members have been hospitalized. If you are hospitalized, or know of a church member who has been admitted, please notify Pastor Matt or the church office. We want to be sure that you are visited and added to our prayer list!

If you, or someone you know, are in need of food,

the St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry

is open to the community on:

Tuesdays 12:30-2:30 p.m.,

Thursdays and Saturdays 9-11 a.m.

at 2650 Plainfield Road in Joliet.

The St. John Lutheran Church Food Pantry serves ALL HUNGRY

clients regardless of their zip code, school district or county.

Visit StJohnFood.org for volunteer opportunities.

Thank you for supporting this important ministry!

STEPHEN M INISTRIES

When you pray to God, sometimes he sends a human. . .

Our Stephen Ministers are ready to care for you!! If you or someone you

know is going through a difficult time, please contact our Stephen Ministry.*

Let us help!!

Linda Evans 815-725-6218

Linda Henize 815-467-2705

Pastor Matt 815-725-6687

*Confidential lay caring ministry. Stephen Ministers are caring Christians

who are trained to offer a listening ear.

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Westminster Chimes USPS 022648 is published monthly

by Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1015 Winthrop Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435.

Periodicals postage paid at Joliet, IL.

Postmaster: Send address changes to:

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1015 Winthrop Avenue, Joliet, IL 60435.

Volume 19, Issue 3. March 2019.

We thank God for:

** Please deliver promptly,**

dated material enclosed.

Mailed: February 26, 2019

PERIODICALS

POSTAGE PAID

AT JOLIET, IL

USPS 022648

Westminster Presbyterian Church

1015 Winthrop Avenue

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ARTICLE DUE DATE

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MONDAY

MARCH 25TH

VOLUME & ISSUE

VOLUME 19

ISSUE 4

Contact Us:

Westminster Presbyterian Church

1015 Winthrop Ave.

Joliet, IL 60435

815-725-6687

Email:

office@westpresjoliet.org

Website:

www.westpresjoliet.org

NEWSLETTER DATES