 |
Jazz Sunday - April 23
Join us for worship at 10:00 a.m.
- Confirmation Sunday
- Scripture Readings: Psalm 16 and 1 Peter 1:3-9
- Sermon: Pastor Scott will preach "Inheritance: Blessing or Curse?"
The popular Jazz Sunday returns to Westminster with a swinging program complementing our worship service. Led by Westminster's own, Karla Killinger, the program will feature the skills of local professionals and Westminster members, and will showcase the music of the big band era. Jazz Sunday will surely have you toe-tapping during and after the service!
|
|
Daily Devotion from Pastor Scott
|
We just celebrated Easter on Sunday. The tomb is rolled away, and Mary recognizes the risen Lord. But then Peter and John check out the empty tomb. They quickly realize Jesus' body could not have been stolen, what thieves would take time to fold the burial clothes in one place, and his head bandages in another. Something happened, but what does it all mean, and what do we do now?....
Pastor Scott writes a devotion every week day. To read past devotions click here.
If you'd like to receive a daily or weekly e-mail for the devotion please e-mail Laura at [email protected].
|
If you'd like to listen to Pastor Scott's sermon from Easter please
click here.
If you'd like to read the story of "Ragman" by Walter Wangerin, Jr. that Scott read during the sermon please
click here.
Click here
to watch to view past sermons. Our sermon archive has sermons from as far back as 2014. To watch any of them click on "Watch" for a video screen to pop up.
If you click on "Guide" you will find a PDF of the sermon transcript. These are available approximately 3 weeks after the sermon has been preached.
|
|
Welcoming the Stranger...
|
by Erin Marth, Director of Christian Education
This week, our Jewish neighbors begin their celebration of the Passover. It's also, as you likely know, Holy Week for Christians. It was for the festival of the Passover that Jesus travelled alongside his disciples and many others to Jerusalem.
The story of the first Passover is described in Exodus 12. God was about to rescue the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, guiding them as refugees through the wilderness to the Promised Land. But then, in the middle of an action-packed exodus story, there's a pause in the narrative where God instructs...
|
|
Classes, Groups and Activities
|
Fulfilling Our Promise of Baptism
By Tim Wilson, Director of Stewardship and Development
Each time this Sanctuary is blessed by the sacrament of
baptism, the congregation is asked, in part, "Do you ..... undertake with these parents the Christian nurture of this child?"... and "Will you endeavor by your example and fellowship to strengthen (the child's) family ties with this household of God?"
We answer "We do" and "We will" as scripted. We smile at the baby as the ritual proceeds, perhaps laugh at the child's noises or gestures and then move on with worship service. But what did we mean...
|
Our Family Promise Host Week begins on Sunday.
We have an
URGENT
need for volunteers.
Please consider volunteering your time or preparing dinner to help this very
If you would like to volunteer, or have any questions, please contact Susan Denton or Lisa Anderson at 515-274-1534.
|
Upcoming All Things Considered
April 23:
"Reading the Lectionary is like Partying with John Calvin." Really? Does anyone actually just curl up and read the lectionary? Come join us as Ken Arentson explores the "What" and the "Why" of the lectionary collection of Bible readings at All Things Considered on Sunday, April 23.
Join the group at 11:15 a.m., following worship in Westminster Hall.
|
Book Club to Read
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
You are invited to join the Westminster Book Club in May for discussion of the book Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan. Named a "Best Book of the Year" by NPR, this is a story about love... of books, of history, and of the future. The Book Club will discuss this book on Wednesday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Simmerman Lounge.
|
Missing Book Club Book
The Westminster Book Club is missing a copy of the book, "29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life," by Cami Walker. This book was discussed at the April 5 Book Club gathering and is now due back to the Johnston Public Library. If you have this book, please return it to the church office as soon as possible, to help us avoid paying a fine.
Thank you!
|
Are you in your 20s, 30s, or 40s?
You are invited to join us and others in their 20s, 30s, and 40s
for breakfast in Westminster Hall at 9:00 am on April 30th.
Come enjoy a time of fellowship and conversation about
how the Church can walk along-side you in your
spiritual journey at Westminster.
Please let us know if you are planning to attend by April 24th
so we can make sure to have enough food!
To sign up, stop by the office, call Susan Denton at 515-274-1534,
or email Susan at [email protected].
|
Preschool Family Fun Day
Westminster Preschool's Free Family Fun Day is Saturday,
April 29, 2017 from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. It will be held in the Westminster's Allison (west) parking lot. In case of rain we'll head inside to The Commons. Activities include painting, water play, experiments, planting and more! All are welcome to come. Be prepared to get messy!
|
Join Iowa Presbyterians June 2-3 in
Ames for an Inspiring Weekend!
Registration ends May 10!
This summer the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is coming to Iowa, and all Iowa Presbyterians are invited to join him in Ames for an inspiring weekend gathering. The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson was elected Stated Clerk last June in a historic vote by the General Assembly, becoming the first African American to hold this top ecclesial office.
|
Graduating Soon?
Are you or someone you love graduating this spring? We will be celebrating and recognizing graduates during worship on April 30.
Please contact Susan in the office (515) 274-1534 or e-mail [email protected] to let us know about your special graduation.
|
VBS 2017:
Hero Central: Discover your Strength in God!
Westminster invites all kids age 3 to those entering 6
th grade to soar with us at Hero Central Vacation Bible School! This superhero adventure experience includes music that will energize your ears, interactive Bible fun, super science, cool crafts, hands-on mission hero work, delicious snacks, great games, and more. The fun runs July 10-14, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, with our incredible VBS Celebration on Sunday, July 16.
Hope to see you there, Heroes!
|
Preschool Summer Camps
Children age three through those entering first grade in the fall are encouraged to attend Westminster's Summer Preschool Camps! The camps are held from 9:00 a.m. to noon daily.
This year's camps are:
Fine Arts Two Week Camp, On The High Seas Camp,Backyard Adventures Camp, and When I Grow Up Camp. Learn more by
clicking here.
|
Hospitalized or in Health Care Centers...
Willie Glanton - Luther Park Trinity Center
Marcy Nelson - Calvin Healthcare
Dick Wissink - Valley View Village
Norma Bowlsby - Scottish Rite
|
Click
HERE
to see what's
happening at Westminster
this week and in
the weeks to come!
|
|
Westminster is a fairly large church with nearly 1100 members. Small groups help bring the church down to a manageable size. We have numerous small groups. They bring together folks with similar interests.
|
|
PASTORAL STAFF
Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski, Senior Pastor/Head of Staff -
Email Scott
Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Arentson, Executive Associate Pastor -
Email Ken
MISSION STATEMENT
Westminster is a welcoming Christian family, joined in discipleship to pray, learn and serve.
INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT
We welcome all persons as participants in our congregation, regardless of age, race, gender, marital status, physical condition, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic background, economic status, or any other human condition.
|
4114 Allison Ave. Des Moines, IA 50310
At the corner of Beaver and Franklin
|
|
|
|
|
|
