www.westminsterchurch.cc

2821 N. Bell School Road

Rockford, IL 61107

1-815-282-1500

Sunday Worship 7:30 am Communion

8:45 am Traditional

11:00 am Contemporary

Willowbrook Middle School

6605 Prairie Hill Road

South Beloit, IL 61080

Saturday Worship 5:00 pm

Return Service Requested

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID ROCKFORD, IL PERMIT #2371

WPC QUARTERLY FEBRUARY-MARCH-APRIL

EASTER SUNDAY

APRIL 5 SUNRISE SERVICE

At the Memorial Garden Cross 6:30 am

COMMUNION WORSHIP 7:30 am

TRADITIONAL WORSHIP WITH COMMUNION 8:45 am

Chancel Choir, Handbells &Organ

EASTER BREAKFAST 9:45 am

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP WITH COMMUNION

Worship Team 11:00 am

SATURDAY - APRIL 4 STATELINE WORSHIP WITH COMMUNION 5:00 pm

Westminster Presbyterian Church 2821 N. Bell School Road Rockford, IL 61107

ASH WEDNESDAY—FEBRUARY 18TH Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 pm

Soup Supper 5:30 pm

LENTEN SERVICES Wednesdays, February 25—March 25 6:30pm

Many books have been

added to the Adult Library.

Come check them out!

Preschool Open House

Thursday, February 5th 5:30-7:00 pm

Come meet the teachers, see the classroom and

learn more about our program. We will be regis-

tering 3 & 4 year old children for the 2015-2016

school year.

Children must be independently toilet trained and

up to date on immunizations.

Stateline Campus

The Stateline campus is now 6 months into the new model of operations.

Kids Kingdom is off the ground and running, the nursery has been a huge

help to young parents, and the new structure has been fully implemented.

Here’s what’s upcoming! Westminster Stateline is hosting our next Mobile

Food Pantry on February 21st at 2:00 pm at Willowbrook Middle School.

The Mobile Food Pantry delivers fresh meat, produce, and non-perishable

items to where people have need. It is a critical way to get nutritious foods to

our hungry neighbors.

Rev. Ward is now

on Twitter

Follow him @revbillward

Blog with Pastors

http://

westminsterchurchcc.wordpress.com

We send out a weekly emailer.

If you are not receiving the

emailer and would like to

please call the church office

at 815-282-1500.

www.westminsterchurch.cc

Elders leading

commissions for 2015

Commission & Elders

Building & Grounds:

Mike Smith/

Lou Ann Breckenridge

Congregational Life:

Gene Fann/Joan Slack

John Mecklenberg

Education:

Rita Miller/Mark Nielcen

Finance:

Chuck Hutchins/Tom Furst

Leadership:

Tom Lasley/Tim Russo

Preschool:

Diane Knight/Don Morrison

Stateline:

Gail Daer/Kelsey Lueshen

Worship:

Karen Weis/Martha Logeson

Deacon Moderator:

Glenn Parry/Joyce Fisher

Officers for 2015

President: Tom Furst

Vice President: Mike Smith

Treasurer: Chuck Hutchins

Secretary/Clerk of Session:

Dale Prindiville

Listen each Wednesday at 1:00 pm for last

Sunday’s Worship Service on 99.3 FM (WTPB)

Community Outreach

Last summer, out of the Stateline Strategic Planning Team, a Community

Outreach team was formed. This Community Outreach team seeks to em-

power Westminster members to reach out and engage our community with

the love of Christ.

The team has been hard at work:

1. creating monthly opportunities for our members to reach out

2. providing Evangelism Training to help our members to discover how

they are uniquely wired for sharing the love of Christ within their cir-

cles of influence

3. creating a team of “ambassadors” that will staff strategic events to wel-

come our guests and give off great first impressions

4. developing a series of “Next Steps” for individuals to engage with and

deepen connections with Westminster

The team has a lot of work to do, but is excited to help our congregation

continue Westminster’s legacy in Northern Illinois for the Next Genera-

tions.

Here’s how you can get involved:

First, we invite you to examine your circle of friends and begin praying

that God places 1 or 2 individuals on your heart to hold up in prayer

each day. It could be a close friend who doesn’t know Jesus. It could be a

person you see regularly at a restaurant that you frequent. It could be a

neighbor, coworker, or friend of your children. We simply invite you to

pray for God to place someone in your life on your heart and then pray for

that individual daily.

Second, we invite you to invite someone to join you at church on the

weekend of February 21st/22nd. That weekend, we kick off a new series

for Lent and it’s a great opportunity for guests to come and engage with us. God, the Key to your Door

Feb. 28, 2015 Town Center at Wesley Willows

Westminster Women’s Conference

Come to the 2015 Women’s Conference and share how God has opened

doors for you and your loved ones. If you feel doors are yet unopened, let the

stories of others inspire you in your patient waiting. Through scripture, mu-

sic, and friendship you will find renewal.

Our featured speaker, Tiffany Stamen, will present both morning and after-

noon sessions. Due to popular demand, our conference has been structured

so everyone has a chance to hear both of our local speakers. Tara Sheetz and

Julia Lucido will each present one session.

Annabel Jonssson

4401 N. Main St. Rm 448

Rockford, IL 61103

http://stateline.westminsterchurch.cc/contact/http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001zy1BnjGUpVFid-cE16T8uLuS2cwezxYFpatZtxoQizMSQ3Lx4LoebPZA-VA_Yq-MWxBeADWqo6kROfOcqnoAWTCNiIpA_EgtqWTVZ8PxOxFbaGAon9NJuYqmVUbQZIcfeYh3HUlRmgog4D903OoD2bJ3JPLhxVSeFmZQgySHxKhfHnNgO5aTdA==

It is hard to believe that the Season of Lent is upon us with Ash Wednesday on

February 18, and the First Weekend in Lent on February 21/22. This ancient

church tradition of Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is the

forty-day period before Easter beginning on Ash Wednesday. We skip Sundays

when we count the forty days, because Sundays commemorate the

Resurrection. Thus, Lent begins on February 18 and ends on April 4, which is

the day before Easter. Our banners are purple, the royal color, to prepare for

the King.

On February 18 we will have an Ash Wednesday Service at 6:30pm (Soup

Supper at 5:30) in the chapel. Then each Wednesday in Lent we will continue

to have services at 6:30pm.

Then at our weekend services we will be focusing on Jesus’ “I Am” statements.

February 21/22 Introduction to “I Am” – Knowing God

February 28/1 I Am the Bread of Life – Knowing God’s Satisfaction

March 7/8 I Am the Light of the World – Knowing God’s Guidance

March 14/15 I Am the Good Shepherd – Knowing God’s Care

March 21/22 I Am the True Vine – Knowing God’s Power

March 28/29 (Palm Sunday) I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life –

Knowing God’s Way

April 4/5 (Easter) I Am the Resurrection and the Life – Knowing God’s

Possibilities

These sayings connect us with the great stories in the Old Testament and help

us appreciate the time and culture in which Jesus lived. When we understand

the context and meaning of each of “I Am,” we realize what the sayings offer

for our lives and how a relationship with Jesus continues to be an answer for

our needs. In Jesus, we experience the God who meets us at the point of

our greatest need. Something about our own relationship with God and our

own purpose for life is revealed by these sayings. They become important not

just for learning who God is, but who we are.

The book to support the Sunday morning sermons and to be used in the adult

education class on Sunday morning is The God We Can Know: Exploring the

“I Am” Sayings of Jesus, by Rob Fuquay. Books will be available for purchase

on Sundays in early February. The title is also available for e-readers.

In addition to the sermon series there will be a Sunday morning class to go deeper in the materi-

al.

Join us!

Easter Prayer Vigil

A tradition at Westminster

is the annual Easter Prayer

Vigil on Holy Saturday (the

day before Easter). Begin-

ning at 8 am and continuing

until 5 pm, the chapel, adja-

cent to the sanctuary, will be

open for prayer.

A sign up sheet for 30 mi-

nute segments will be avail-

able in the Activity Center.

Along with the sign up sheet

will be prayer request cards

you may use to ask for spe-

cial prayers on that day.

You also are welcome to

just drop in anytime during

the day to find quiet reflec-

tion time to prepare for

Easter.

If you have questions,

please contact Gretchen

Hammeke, Pastor for

Congregational Care.

The family of Lois Wildman

would like to thank all of the

members of Westminster for all

of their love and support of our

mother over the years. Lois tru-

ly considered the people of

Westminster to be her extended

family, and loved you all dearly.

My family received food from

Lifescape for Christmas. A card

with your name and a Christmas

wish was included. I want to

thank you for making our lives

just a little bit easier through the

holiday season. Our Christmas

was nice and God was our hon-

ored guest again this year.

Praises to Him for your generosi-

ty. Thank you, Judy

The family of John Berryman

would like to thank all of the

Westminster family members

for the support, the prayers, and

the good thoughts during this

difficult time. Our Memorial

Service, for John, was so uplift-

ing and joyful, as he would have

loved. God bless you all .

Lynne Connelly & Family

Thank you to all who purchased

items for “Gifts of Love,” there-

by providing gifts for children in

the Rockford Housing Authority.

You brought the Joy of Christ-

mas to the Children. Thanks

For more information, visit www.westminsterchurch.cc

Spring Concerts in the 2014-1015 Concert Series

Two concerts close the 2014-2015 season of the Westminster Concert

Series: the Northern Illinois University Steel Band and the duo Rachel

Handlin & Michael Beert.

March 20, 2015 at 7 pm brings the exciting music of the Northern Illi-

nois University Steel Band. The NIU Steel Band is directed by Liam

Teague (Head of Steelpan Studies/Associate Professor of Music) and

Clifford Alexis composer, arranger, tuner and builder). Created in 1973

by G. Allan O'Connor, it was the first active steel band formed in an

American university and has performed throughout the United States

and around the world. The 35-member group mainly comprises steelpan

and percussion majors. The band has three recordings to its credit; in-

cluding the most recent, "Festival of Voices," a live concert featuring an

eclectic blend of styles.

Well known locals Michael Beert and Rachel Handlin combine their

talents in the final concert on May 3, 2015 at 3 pm. Rachel is Assistant

Concertmaster of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Concertmaster of

the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra and a Mendelssohn Performing

Artist. She is a traditional and Suzuki violin instructor and the String

Program director for the Music Academy of Rockford College. Michael

is Professor of Music at Rock Valley College. He teaches classes in

Music Theory, Music Literature and Appreciation, World Music, and

directs the college orchestra. He was conductor of the Rockford Area

Youth Symphony Orchestra from 1991-2001. He has performed with

Sammy Davis Jr., Henry Mancini, Bob Hope, Kenny Rogers, Gladys

Night, Dionne Warwick, Phyllis Diller, Dennis DeYoung, the Moody

Blues, Smokey Robinson, Todd Rundgren and Cheap Trick.

Both concerts will be in the sanctuary and free will offerings will be

received. Please join us and invite your friends! We continue to wel-

come financial support for the concert series. If you are interested in

being a sponsor, contact Jean Anderson.

Operation Christmas

Child

Kids’ Kingdom Sunday

classes grades 1-5 collected

16 shoe boxes of gifts for

children ages 5-9 as part of

their “Believers Around the

World” Mission class. In

their Mission class, they

learned about the Lost Boys

of Sudan and the courage of

Sudanese Christians. Their

gifts showed thoughtfulness

and caring for other believ-

ers around the world.

For more information, visit www.westminsterchurch.cc

Club67/Confirmation

Confirmation Retreat to Stronghold: Feb. 27 - March 1 The Confirmation class members have the wonderful opportunity to join

with youth from other churches on group fun activities such as group pro-

jects, teambuilding exercises, discussion and reflection with their own home

church groups. They will explore important topics such as the spread of

Christianity; the sacraments, creeds and confessions; the elements of wor-

ship; and faith in a global context.

Kids Club/Club67/Confirmation Student Recognition, 5th

Grade Graduation and Grande Finale Dinner: March 25 @

5:00 p.m. We invite all family members, children and youth to join us in celebrating

another wonderful year of Kids Club, Club67 & Confirmation. The evening

will begin in the Sanctuary at 5:00 p.m. Dinner will be served in the Activi-

ty Center at 5:30 p.m.

Confirmation Class will meet with the session on Tuesday,

April 21 @ 6:00 p.m.

Upward Sports The 2015 Upward basketball & cheer league is off to a great start. There are

over 100 children registered this season ! The mission of Upward Sports is

to develop the whole athlete in his/her personal growth mentally, athletical-

ly, spiritually, and socially as he/she participates in sports This unique ap-

proach is known as the 360 Progression and is centered on Luke 2:52 –

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.”.

The values of Upward Sports are: The Expectation of God Moments, The

Life of Integrity, The Discipline of Excellence, and The Priority of Children.

Final Game and Closing Ceremony: March 7

Club67/Confirmation

On March 30, 1934

Westminster Presbyterian

Church gained two new mem-

bers through its confirmation

class – Fredrick Sculley and

Dorothy Hulten.

Today the act of confirmation

in the Presbyterian Church is

more about what one believes

and how one will minister

within the church.

Baptized children are nurtured

and educated until they wish

to make their

personal profession of

faith. During this special pub-

lic worship they are

confirmed in their baptismal

identity and reaffirm the vows

taken from them at Baptism.

Our confirmation class meets

September – March and is led

by our pastors. Throughout

the year, the class covers a

variety of essential topics in-

cluding the Trinity, the

Church, the Bible, developing

personal faith and the Presby-

terian Church (USA).

Prior to being confirmed and

joining the church, each stu-

dent must meet with a mem-

ber of Session.

Confirmation Sunday will be

held on May 11.

Mitten Tree—Thank you to everyone who added mittens, glove, hats and scarves to the

Mitten Tree in the Children’s Chapel.

107 items were donated.

The Children’s Clothes Closet in Rockford will receive your donations.

Thanks for warming the heads, hands and hearts of children in Rockford!

Ash Wednesday Soup Supper

Kids Club hosts its annual Ash Wednesday

Soup Supper on February 18th. All are

invited to join our Kids Club family for a

simple soup dinner preceding the Ash

Wednesday Service at 6:30 pm.

Details are:

Date: February 18

Time: 5:30 pm

Location: WPC Activity Center

Cost: None, free will offering

Reservations: sign up in the Activity Center beginning February 1, at our

website or through the church office.

Splash! Nursery program, administered by the Early Childhood Minis-try Team, provides monthly newsletters, lullaby CDs and a caring contact

to Westminster parents with babies up to 12 months of age. The WPC

congregation can help us reach parents by reporting new births to Barbara

D’Souza at barbara.dsouza@westminsterchurch.cc Help us spread the joy

of welcoming our newest members to our congregation!

Children’s Easter Party. Hop over for a great morning of crafts, stories, treats, music and an egg

hunt! The fun begins in the Children’s Chapel.

Details are:

Date: Saturday, April 4th

Time: 10:00 am

Location: Christian Education Wing

Ages: Pre-school –Grade 3

Cost: None, but please register your children

by March 29th.

Sunday Mornings—a great

time for kids and youth!

Nursery—Room A105

8:30-12:15 Loving care for your

babies, toddlers and preschoolers

available.

Make classes at 10:00 part of the

day for your family’s morning at

Westminster.

3&4 Year Old Class/Kindergarten

meet in A115 and A116, just off

the Children’s Chapel. Jesus’ life

and teachings will be the focus for

our youngest students.

Kid’s Kingdom Elementary classes

meet in the Chapel for music,

prayer and social time, then head

to a different rotation class each

week.

Middle School and Senior High

S.M.A.S.H. (Students Ministering

and Serving Him) for Middle

School and Senior High Youth

meet each Sunday in the Youth

Center (lower level).

Westminster Choristers This is a new children's choir for

anyone in Grades 1-5.

The choir will meet weekly before

Kids Club on Wednesday evenings

beginning Feb. 4-Mar.25 from 4:30

-5:00 pm and will prepare to sing

in worship at the 8:45 service on

March 8 and 29 (Palm Sunday).

Sign up on the website or in the

church office.