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Westminster Presbyterian Church Joliet, Illinois

A Church Newsletter Published For Our Members and Friends.

1015 Winthrop Avenue Volume 20, Issue 7

Joliet, Illinois 60435 September 2020

815-725-6687

THE CHIMES

PC - USA PC - USA

Musings from Matt . . . Do you remember the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy and the Scarecrow have just met the Tin Woodsman? They’re walking through the Enchanted Forest talking about what they might encounter. As they list off the possible dangers, they begin repeat-ing, “Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh my! Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh my!” And then they are assaulted by none other than - The Cowardly Lion. And he wasn’t much of a fright. I’m beginning to think that 2020 is becoming that walk through the Enchanted Forest. Walking ever so frightfully along, we mutter to ourselves, “Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh my!” Just waiting for the next “thing” to leap out at us. And to be sure, we’ve seen quite a bit worse than the Cowardly Lion this year. This last Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced a new tightening of restrictions for Will and Kankakee counties. It seems the number of new cas-es of COVID-19 have been rising for too many days in a row. So, immediately the ques-tions began coming about our Sunday Worship at West Pres. After much discus-sion, the Session feels that, with the precautions we are taking and the numbers in attendance that we’ve experienced, we will continue with in person worship on Sun-day mornings. Now, to be clear, we are concerned for everyone's health and well being. That is why we have been adhering to safety protocols recommended by the IDPH and CDC. However, if you are in a high risk category, stay home and attend worship via our Livestream on YouTube. Just go to www.westpresjoilet.org and click on the “Connecting Virtually” link in the upper left hand corner of the page. That will lead you to a page of links for our YouTube page and the most current worship service. We care about your Spiritual Nur-ture AND your physical health and welfare. Thank you for your understanding and pa-tience as we continue to navigate through this strange and trying and amazing time. Shalom,

Matt

The Reverend

Matthew T. Robinson,

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Those attending: Moderator, the Reverend Matthew T. Robinson, Clerk of Session, Dale T. Evans, Elders Mark Ballard, Fred Henize, Sheila Huckins, Marlene Jones and David Smith. Elders Excused: Sandy Alaimo, Gayla Audia and Sean Matay Meeting opened with prayer and lighting of the Christ Candle at 6:32 PM Approved the 16 July 2020 Regular Session Meeting Minutes as corrected. Reported the death of Affiliate Member Lawrence E. Weaver on Saturday 7/25/2020 with pri-

vate burial in the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Reported that Mr. & Mrs. Gordon (Marilyn) Tatro were publicly received into Christ's family

during the regular worship service on Sunday 26 July 2020. Placed the 31 July 2020 Balance Sheet and Church Operating Fund Treasurer's Report on

File. Learned the Mission Outreach Team would resume meeting in September. Scheduled a Property Work Day on Saturday, 12 September 2020 from 9 AM - 1 PM. Vol-

unteers are encouraged to bring their own water and snacks as no lunch would be served because of the COVID-19 Coronavirus protocols. Volunteers are encouraged to wear gloves, masks, bring their own lawn tools as the emphasis would be upon lawn and flower bed maintenance.

Learned Fred Henize and David Smith met with an energy evaluation specialist who took an inventory of all the lighting instruments in the church building in order to prepare an in depth assessment to convert incandescent and fluorescent lighting instruments to LEDs as there may be some grant monies available to funding such a project. The Session is look-ing forward to a report in September.

The Worship Ministry Team will be researching prepackaged single service communion ele-ments in anticipation of observing the eucharist on Sunday, 4 October 2020 World-wide Communion following COVID-19 Coronavirus protocols.

Pastor Matt, Mark Ballard, Durene Cartelli, Paul Kraus, Rob and Sarah Arbuthnot would be meeting with the sound technician from Hicks Brothers to understand the finer points of not only live-streaming voices but also the lyrics being sung by soloists and tunes being played on different keyboards.

Viewed weekly cash flow reports for 2019 and 2020 comparing sixteen weeks where the gathering for regular church services were suspended because of the COVID-19 Corona-virus protocols from 22 March through 5 July 2020.

Granted permission to the Stewardship Ministry Team to combine the PC(USA) Special Of-ferings of One Great Hour of Sharing and Pentecost with the Peace Offering in September and dedicating the monies raised for all three on World-wide Communion.

The Session amended vacation and study leave for Pastor Matt to include 21-26 September and 19-26 October 2020.

Elder Smith was requesting information from the Will County Clerk regarding how they will be observing COVID-19 Coronavirus protocols during the November 2020 Election, as the Session is allowing the use of the Social Hall as it is a larger space than Room 7.

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Session Highlights

Thursday 20 August 2020

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(Continued from page 2)

Mountain Movers and Presbyterian Mens Group will begin their bi-weekly Bible studies in Sep-tember.

Granted permission to publicize the #Give828 PC(USA) day of philanthropy during the last two weeks of August through the West Press Weekly.

Closed the meeting with the sharing of joys/concerns; prayer and extinguishing of the Christ Candle at 8:13 PM.

Church Operating Fund Year-to-Date ending 7/31/2020: YTD 7/31/2020: Budget: Variance: Income: $ 85,521 $126,394 ($40,873) Expense: ($123,581) ($126,394) 2,813 Shortfall: ($38,060) 0 ($38,060) Please note in February the Session authorized a transfer of $13,900 of available and spenda-ble endowment fund earnings to be carried forward into 2020 to help support the projected budget shortfall of $68,580. The $38,060 shortfall does not reflect this transfer. The Session is thankful to our God for the many blessings Westminster has received at His benevolent hand! And the Session extends its gratitude and appreciation to the members and friends of the Congregation for their dedicated support during this unusual economic time as a result of the COVID-19 Coronavirus epidemic. There have been many volunteer contributions of time, talents and treasures. Many personal testimonies of how individuals in our church family consider their stewardship in re-sponse to God's gift of grace. We should all take stock of how we have been doing financially by taking a look at last year and comparing it to this years. You'll be surprised at the good news we are sharing here with you. Comparing 2019 average weekly receipt cash flows for the same sixteen weeks in 2020 where all church activities were suspended 3/22-7/5/2020, the average weekly receipts for 2019 were $2,680. The average weekly receipts for 2020 were $2,963! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Have you completed your questionnaire? Need help completing it? Call toll free: 844-330-2020 or go to the website: www.2020census.gov and complete it online. It's easy! Last day to be counted is 9/30/2020.

United States

Census 2020

Political Campaign Season has begun! The national political parties have nominated persons for federal and state elections to be held on Tuesday 3 November 2020! Are you a citizen? Are you registered to vote? Need help in finding answers as to how to request an absentee ballot? Voting by mail? Call the Will County Clerk's Office at about how to exercise your franchise to vote? Go to the website: www.thewillcountyclerk.com. Or e- mail: coclerk@willcountyillinois.com. Telephone County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry at 815-740-4699 Mondays - Fridays 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Visit the Office at: 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, Illinois 60432.

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Your Session through its Stewardship Ministry Team has selected September as a month for us to "revisit" and celebrate these Special Offerings of our Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination! Why are we doing this now? One Great Hour of Sharing typically happens during Lent and Pente-cost during Pentecost...why now? The answer is simple...we were operating under COVID-19 Coronavirus protocols which pre-vented us from gathering during regular worship services where we could share the importance of the Christ's vital missions and ministries that each of these offerings support locally, nation and world-wide! And on a more personal note we at Westminster, wish to maintain a distinction of be-ing a "Four-for-Four" Congregation, where we have been annually recognized for participating in all four of the denomination's special offerings. The Elders agreed to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where you may donate to a Three-for-One promotion! One promotional effort during September over three consecutive weeks 9/13, 9/20 and 9/27. One giving opportunity to be split three ways unless otherwise designated by the donor! And all three special offerings consecrated on the one first Sunday in October - World-wide Communion on October 4!

OGHS - One Great Hour of Sharing -- For over 70 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God’s love with our neighbors in need around the world. In a world of disaster, hunger, and oppression millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing - Presbyterian Disaster Assis-tance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People - all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing com-munity development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

Your OGHS Impact - Restoring Hope, Feeding the Hungry, Empowering the Oppressed Each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Pres-

byterian Hunger Program (PHP), promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP), and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster

Assistance (PDA).

5,676 PDA work team volunteers served in 2019; $3.2 million granted around the globe through PDA in 2019

$925,960 granted around the globe through PHP in 2018; 329 farms and gardens provided healthy

food to families in need; 95,500 trees and seedlings planted around the world; 946,000 pounds of fresh produce grown and prepared by five PHP grant partners in the U.S.; 213

certified PC(USA) Earth Care congregations in 47 states helped care for creation 5,316 clergy, wage theft monitors, human rights trainees, organizers, policy advocates, and indige-nous leaders attended intensive trainings in the U.S.; 5,600 loans distributed for income generating

projects and cooperatives; over 5,000 projects in economically poor communities in the United States and around the world have had an opportunity to develop solutions to their own challenges

since SDOP’s inception (Continued on page 5)

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(Continued from page 4)

Pentecost - The Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. Investing in our greatest resource help youth begin life with a solid foundation of faith. Psalm 71 testifies that a foundation of faith established during childhood helps ensure lifelong faith and service. The patterns and lessons established during these formative years continue to bear fruit throughout a person's life. By receiving the Pentecost Offering, you are nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come — children, youth, and young adults.

Your Pentecost impact of nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come

A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people

within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

1980 saw the first Presbyterian Youth Triennium being held; $14 million raised for ministries

that benefit younger members of God's family since 1998

************

Peace & Global Witness - The Peace & Global Witness Offering encourages the church to cast off anxiety and fear, discord and division, and embrace our reconciling God's mission to those around the corner and around the world. Confronting hopelessness, thwarting division, empowering congregations and individuals to become peacemakers themselves. Through the Peace & Global Witness Offering, congregations are encouraged and equipped to find and address the anxiety and discord that is prevalent throughout this broken and sinful world.

Your impact Equipping Peacemakers in Congregations and Around the World. A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of

Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congrega-tions are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of

Christ's peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and jus-tice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and

Christian witness. In 1980, Presbyterian Commitment to Peacemaking is established; 15 International Peacemak-

ers selected for 2019

For more information concerning PC(USA) Special Offerings visit: pcusa.org and scroll down to Stewardship Resources and click on Special Offerings.

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“ONE MAN’S TRASH

IS

ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE”

SECOND-HAND SALE

DROP OFF: Clean, whole, usable ITEMS ONLY ON:

Sunday, September 27th from Noon – 4 p.m.

Monday, September 28 and Tuesday, September 29 from 8:00 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Wednesday, September 30 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon

NO ITEMS WLL BE ACCEPTED AFTER NOON ON WEDNESDAY—NO EXCEPTIONS

SALE:

Thursday, October 1 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday, October 2 from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 3 from 8:00 a.m. – Noon

Please sign up to help. If you have Questions or want to help -

Call: Paul Kraus (815) 325-2620, Gayla Audia (815) 439-2202 or the Church office (815) 725-6687

Women’s Bible Studies are once again meeting. All Women Welcome.

Bycota Circle meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.

Hannah Circle meets on the third Thursday of the month at9:00 a.m.

Mountain Movers meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at 8:00 a.m. for

a continental breakfast followed by a Bible Study.

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~ In celebration of ~

~ In loving memory of ~

~ To the glory of God ~

September 6 - Nancy Dock in honor of her sister Lois McMillin’s 90th Birth-

day.

September 13—Mark & Jina Ballard in celebration of their anniversary.

September 20 - Marlene Jones in memory of her mother Mildred

Schwiesow

September 27 – Dave & Jean Smith in celebration of their anniversary.

Our Prayers

For:

Please include these

members and friends

in your prayers:

Terry Berg

Tom & Ruthann Bone

ShirleySwithin

Kay Collins

Karen DeWitt

Jim England

George Gonzalez

Lynn Harman

Fred Henize

Mike Matay

Norma Metzler

Charlton Quinn

Ron Reece

George Wietting

The Zbroskewich Family

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 social hall at the church.

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

warding challenge. . Please join us, on the 3rd Saturday in September,

Sept. 19th.

Our monthly free Pancake Breakfast

remains cancelled until further notice.

Mark September 5th on your calendar as the date the WestPres fabulous

Bell Choir will be resuming their Saturday 10:00

practice Times. If you are interested in Praising

God with the Bell Choir just give Linda Evans a call

at 815-474-1409. No previous experience is neces-

sary and you will be welcomed by all! Join the Bell

Choir and …”make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

Psalm 98:4

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Ways to Give To Westminster

Presbyterian Church

1. Online at westpresjoliet.org by clicking on the online giving link. Give one time or automate a systematic gift.

2. Write a check payable to Westminster Presbyterian Church and place in the of-fering plate on Sunday or mail to 1015 Winthrop Ave., Joliet, IL 60435.

3. Donate appreciated securities from your brokerage account to pass on long-term capital gains.**

4. Donate your RMD (required minimum distribution) as a QCD (qualified charita-ble donation) to reduce adjusted gross income**

5. Leave a legacy by naming Westmin-ster Presbyterian Church as a beneficiary in your will or life insurance policy.

6. Shop at smile.amazon.com and select Westminster Pres as your charity of choice.

Securities donations are processed through The Presbyterian Foundation. For more info, contact the church office at 815.725.6687 or see the Ways to Give tab on westpresjoliet.org.

**The above information is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal. or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

When and what time?

Did you know you can stay up-to-date with activities and events at our church by adding our Google calendar to your phone?

Go to westpresjoliet.org/calendar/ and scroll to the bottom right and hit the + button.

You can also add birthdays and anniversaries on the cal-endar menu drop-down at the URL westpresjoliet.org/birthdays-and-anniversaries.

Save yourself a phone call to the church office and check there first. We are fortunate to have an amazing Office Manager who keeps things up-to-date!

We also list events on our Facebook page. Please help us spread the word by sharing these events on your personal page.

If you want something listed on Facebook or the website, please email peggy@westpresjoliet.org. To add some-thing to the church calendar, please contact Lyn Somer-ville at office@westpresjoliet.org.

Thank you! Peggy Robinson

PROJECT DAY

September will bring the return of “Project Day”.

We will continue to meet the 3rd Monday of the

month at 10:00 am but this year we will be meeting

in the fellowship hall. We will continue to focus on

Linus Blankets and Fidget Pads. The Linus Blan-

kets are given to children and youth who find them-

selves is distressed situations. We also make Fidg-

et Pads for people who are challenged with Alzhei-

mer’s Disease. The pads help to stimulate their

brains with colors, textures and gadgets as well as

exercising their hands and fingers. We can always

use donations of fleece or quilt batting or monetary

donations to purchase these items. Contact Linda

Evans with questions or suggestions. 815-474-

1409.

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Westminster

Presbyterian

Church

Minister - Every Member

of the Church

Pastor - The Reverend

Matthew T. Robinson

Music Director -

Paul Kraus

Organist -

Durene Cartelli

A/V Tech Crew -

Sean Matay

Rob Arbuthnot

Sarah Arbuthnot

Office Manager/

Bookkeeper

- Lyn Somerville

Custodian - Mike Riley

Church Building ~

815-725-6686

Church Office ~

815-725-6687

FAX ~ 815-725-7866

Office Hours ~

Mon. thru Thurs. 9-4:00

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!

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.

A church work day has been scheduled

for Saturday September 12th beginning at

9:00am. Please bring yard tools , work

gloves and a mask in case you are working

close to someone else. Bring your own

water and snacks no food or water will be

provided.

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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 20, Issue 5 July 2020.

We thank God for:

** Please deliver promptly,**

dated material enclosed.

Mailed: August 27, 2020

PERIODICALS

POSTAGE PAID

AT JOLIET, IL

USPS 022648

Westminster Presbyterian Church

1015 Winthrop Avenue

Joliet, Illinois 60435

ARTICLE DUE DATE

VOLUME & ISSUE

VOLUME 20

ISSUE 7

Contact Us:

Westminster Presbyterian Church

1015 Winthrop Ave.

Joliet, IL 60435

815-725-6687

Email:

office@westpresjoliet.org

Website:

www.westpresjoliet.org

NEWSLETTER DATES