WESTOVER HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Westover Hills in Depth

Affiliation: Westover Hills in Depth,
Westover Hills is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the largest of the Presbyterian denominations in the United States and is a part of the Presbytery of Arkansas We are a connectional Church, working with other Presbyterians in joint mission ventures locally, nationally, and throughout the world. We are also an ecumenical Church, working with other Christians to share the good news of Jesus Christ. All the activities of this congregation are open to people who come in faith regardless of their denominational background.

What is a Presbyterian?: he Presbyterian Church USA is a Christian denomination which draws its name from the Greek word for elder. Presbyterian congregations are governed by Sessions which are made up of elected elders and the ministers of the particular church.

Joining the Presbyterian Church : We want you to feel welcome to participate in the life of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church! Should your experiences with us lead you to consider active membership in the work and fellowship of this congregation, we invite you to talk to the pastor or to an elder. They will be most happy to answer any other questions you may have.

Membership in a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation is open to all those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
In general there are three ways of joining a Presbyterian congregation, each of which involves meeting with the session and being introduced to the congregation during Sunday worship.
• Profession of Faith: a person who has never been an active member of a Christian body and has never publicly professed his or her faith in Jesus Christ may do so to be received as an active member. Baptism may also be celebrated at this time if the person has not been baptized previously. It is usual for some instruction to be given to adults or young people before they make a profession of faith, such as the annual confirmation class for youth, or a new member class for adults.
• Reaffirmation of Faith: a person who has previously professed his or her faith in Jesus Christ and been baptized may publicly reaffirm his or her faith and become an active member.
• Transfer of Letter: a person who has been an active member of another Christian congregation may be received as an active member pending the receipt of a transfer of letter from the other congregation.

At the time an individual meets with the session to pursue membership they will be asked the following questions as a way of making their faith in Jesus Christ known:
• Is Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior?
• Will you be Christ’s faithful disciple, obey Christ’s word and show Christ’s love?
• Will you be a faithful member of this congregation, giving of yourself in every way, and will you seek the fellowship of the Church wherever you may be?

Baptism in the Presbyterian Church
There are two sacraments practiced in the Presbyterian Church (USA), one of which is Baptism. Baptism is the sign and seal of incorporation into Christ. In Baptism, we participate in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit binds the Church in covenant to its Creator and Lord.

Baptism signifies:
• the faithfulness of God,
• the washing away of sin,
• rebirth,
• putting on the fresh garment of Christ,
• being sealed by God’s Spirit,
• adoption into the covenant family of the Church,
• resurrection and illumination in Christ.

Baptism is administered only once in the lifetime of the believer, but it may occur at infancy, childhood, young adulthood, or later in life. If the one to be baptized is an infant or a child, his or her parents or guardians promise to raise the child in faithful obedience to Christ Jesus, and the congregation promises to participate in raising the child as a community of faith. When an adult is baptized, he or she is asked to profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to promise to live an obedient life.

Baptism is normally administered during morning worship in the presence of the whole congregation, but under certain circumstances may be administered elsewhere, such as in a home or hospital.

The Lord’s Supper in the Presbyterian Church
Apart from Baptism, The Lord’s Supper (or Communion), is the only other sacrament administered in the Presbyterian Church. At the time of Communion all those present who are baptized believers may participate, regardless of their church membership or denominational affiliation. The table is open to all of God’s people.

The two elements used in Communion carry great significance. The bread, broken and shared, reminds us of the body of Jesus Christ, itself broken by the crucifixion. The cup reminds us of the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed for the forgiveness of sins. Taken together, the elements are a powerful reminder of the spiritual presence of the risen Christ who is the host of the meal and who invites us to share it in his name, even as we are lifted into Christ’s presence.

Communion is celebrated throughout the year at Westover Hills, but always in conjunction with worship, where the Word of God is heard and the fellowship of believers is celebrated. Arrangements will gladly be made so that those who are unable to attend a church service may share in the sacrament of Communion at home or in the hospital or elsewhere.

Serving God through fellowship!
Music Programs
Music has always been important to the life of our congregation. Whether gathered in the Sanctuary, the Fellowship Hall, a Sunday School classroom, or on retreat, music is always a part of the event. The music groups in our church meet throughout the year.

The Sanctuary Choir, which sings each Sunday morning and for many of the special worship services, rehearses each Wednesday at 6:45 p.m. Rehearsals are a positive, joyous experience. If you attend a rehearsal, you'll hear singing, of course, but you'll probably hear as much laughter as music. Frequent choir parties help create the closeness our Choir members feel.
You may think that the Westover Hills Choir just meets on Wednesday evenings for rehearsal in preparation for Sunday Worship. This is just part of what we do and who we are. In 2005, the choir funded scholarships for two students at Carver Magnet to attend Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama. We have shared fellowship times this year with potlucks at MEMBERS' HOMES. In December a group of us went to Women and Children First where we helped with the entertainment and provided a large portion of the food for their Christmas party. A group also went caroling to some of the members of our church and to the patients of Arkansas Hospice. As you can see, we do more than just sing on Sunday mornings. We have a great time and would invite others in the congregation to join us.

Presbyterian Women: One of the most active and involved groups in the life of Westover Hills is the Presbyterian Women. Organized for service as well as fellowship and study, this group has a long-standing tradition of dedicated participation not only in this congregation, but throughout the denomination as well.

Three circlesof Presbyterian women meet monthly for study, fun, and fellowship. If you are not already a member of a circle, we hope you will plan to join one. The Sarahs Meet the 2nd Monday at 12:00 noon at the church, The Ruths meet the 2nd Monday at 7 p.m. in homes, and The Marys meet the 3rd Monday at 1:30 p.m. in homes.lly

Youth Fellowship
WHYouth Fellowship is for youth in grades six through twelve and meets each Sunday afternoon. The youth enjoy Bible Study, service projects and fun outings. They plan and lead worship services and participate in summer mission trips.

Westover Hills also encourages its youth to attend Presbytery or denomination-wide conferences and camps, providing financial assistance and transportation when needed.

Adult Fellowship Groups
• The newly formed "No-Name group is for interested adults and meets some time.
• The Mariners: ("Middle Age") meet every 2 or 3 months for fellowship and fun. Members host pot-luck dinners in their homes such as the soup and salad potluck, and an annual Christmas party.
• The Beacons: ("Mature Adults") meet for fellowship, service, and various activities throughout the year for a
catered lunch 8 months of the year. The Christmas party is an annual high-light.

Westover Hills Presbyterian Preschool
Westover Hills Presbyterian Preschool has provided quality education and care for children for over forty years. Presently, the Preschool serves children from the ages of two to five during the school year and includes children through the second grade during the summer in the Play Days program.

Our Preschool, like the church, is committed to families who need a loving, warm, safe and nurturing environment for children. We provide a half day of structured learning and a full day of personal supervised care. Our programs are planned to help each child in his or her mental, emotional, social, and physical development. We are interested in the total, unique growth and development of each child and seek to emphasize fun, and creative and age-appropriate methods of learning. We welcome visitors and questions. For more information, please call the Preschool Director, at the Preschool (666-0880).

Recycling Is Good Stewardship: Several years ago the session of Westover Hills decided to adopt a few "environmentally friendly" policies. One of these was to purchase office paper that has a high post-consumer recycled content. Another was to collect office paper plastic cups and bottles and batteries for recycling. We hope to move our recycling efforts to the next level. You will find recycling bins in the office, narthex, and fellowship hall for the collection of paper, recyclable plasticsand batteries. If you are not sure if something can be recycled look for the "recycling triangle." We will need your help in making sure that items are placed in the appropriate containers, according to the labels. It is also important to NOT deposit random trash in these containers. Please help us in this endeavor to reduce the amount of trash we are sending to landfills and recycle those items that can be re-manufactured. When you are at the church, for worship, committee meetings, or fellowship remember to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle."

The Cotham Lectures: From time to time, a series of lectures is sponsored by Westover Hills Presbyterian Church. featuring a noted member of the Christian faith. The lecture series was established by Ralph and Mary Francis Cotham in memory of their son and are open to all who are interested. Additional information regarding the next Cotham Lecture will be provided as soon as it is available.

Congregational Outreach
Over time Westover Hills has developed ways of helping to meet the needs of our community and our world through specific outreach programs.
• Food and Clothing Collections: on a regular basis members and friends of Westover Hills contribute food and clothing for various area agencies. Among those agencies which receive such support from the congregation are Dorcas House, Union Rescue Mission, Our House, and St. Francis House. An annual special collection is the Mitten Tree which in past years has been given to Watershed, Our House and Women and Children First Shelter for distribution.
• Service Fairs: Periodically the congregation will hold a "service fair" in Fellowship Hall at which time members may view exhibits and displays sponsored by various groups and organizations in the church or the community. This helps to keep members informed of outreach opportunities and allows them a chance to volunteer or contribute to the various programs.
It is important to keep in mind that the congrigation of Westover Hills continues to explore ways to serve in the community and the world.

Westover Hills Staff
Mike Kuner, interim pastor
David Austin, Organist and Choirmaster
Shea Pickens, Administrative Assistant
Tammy Pflug, Treasurer
Shawn Mittledorf, Helen Paulson, Preschool Directors,
Richard B. Hardie, Pastor Emeritus
ULYSSES NEYLAND, Sexton

Updated: 01/17/2011 05:56:18 PM

PRAISING GOD IN THE HEIGHTS
SERVING GOD IN THE WORLD
Mission Statement and Goals: At a special meeting on June 25, the following mission statement and goals were adopted by the session.. It is the session’s intention that in the months to come the mission statement and goals will be used to guide this congregation in its effort to respond to God’s call.
MISSION STATEMENT:   By the grace of God, Westover Hills Presbyterian Church is an open community of faith praising and serving God through worship, fellowship,outreach, and education.
GOALS:   • To increase the importance and awareness of the full meaning of stewardship as life lived in Christ.
• To provide opportunities for spiritual growth.
• To Explore new Expressions of worship for our church.
• To respond to the biblical call to seek justice and righteousness by developing additional outreach opportunities.
• To improve communication with our members and the community.
• To increase membership and active participation in the life of our church.

Our Location: Westover Hills Presbyterian Church was founded in 1948 at 6400 Kavanaugh Blvd. In 2004, the section of Kavanaugh at the intersection of Kavanaugh Blvd. and Pine Valley Road was renamed Richard B. Hardie Drive in honor of our pastor emeritus, Richard B. Hardie, who served as pastor of Westover Hills from 1949 until 1985.

The Session? The word Presbyterian is derived from the Greek word for elder, meaning that Presbyterians are those who are governed by elders. The session is the governing body of a local Presbyterian Church, made up of elders, elected by the congregation and ordained to office. The session is moderated by the pastor or pastors of the church and has responsibility to administer the work of the congregation. Some of the areas in which the session is involved include maintaining worship and education opportunities, overseeing the outreach efforts of the local congregation, encouraging good stewardship of resources, guiding the work of the church staff, and making evangelism a primary goal. If you have needs or questions, contact a Session Member.

Session Committees
To better serve the congregation and the wider community the Session of Westover Hills uses a committee structure to facilitate its work. Each of the eight committees is made up of Session members as well as members from the congregation at large, all of whom work together to explore and implement ways by which to answer God's call to the church. The Session committees are:
• Christian Education: provides for a variety of educational ministries, including Sunday School, the youth groups, Vacation Bible School for all ages, and adult Bible study, such as Kerygma
• Property and Maintenance: provides for the upkeep and repair of the church's buildings and grounds, and oversees their use.
• Stewardship: is responsible for the Session's annual budget and for the annual stewardship drive.
• Service: co-ordinates and encourages outreach ministries within the congregation and in the wider community.
• Worship and Music: provides for the worship life of the congregation, the care of the sanctuary, and oversees the music program.
• Fellowship: plans and co-ordinates events in the life of the congregation when members may enjoy being together as Christians for fun and recreation.
• Membership (Evangelism): responds to visitors and seeks ways to encourage evangelism and church growth.
• Preschool Board: oversees the operation of the Westover Hills Pre-school.

Board of Deacons
As Westover Hills has grown and developed as a congregation, so has the pool of those whose talents, gifts, or sense of call is to minister to the physical, mental and spiritual needs of others. In 1999 the congregation voted to institute a Board of Deacons as partners in service to the members of Westover Hills.

The Board of Deacons is made up of 12 women and men serving terms of 2 years each whose primary responsibility is to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the lonely, and to any who may be in distress. Another role played by the deacons is to provide various types of support at times of birth, death, or illness.

Transportation to and from church activities, fellowship groups, and the distribution tapes of worship are ways the deacons meet some of the needs of ITS MEMBERS as well as maintaining contact and providing friendship.

Those who feel called to minister to others within the fellowship of Westover Hills are encouraged to contact the Board of Deacons for further information on how to get involved.

Care Line
Westover Hills has a care line so that we can keep up with our church family and keep informed as to events in the life of our church. The care line is available 24/7. The number is 603-5270. Call daily for up-dates. To provide information, call the church office, 663-6383, or Email the church office, office@westoverhills.org,

Child Care
Child care for children through pre-school age is available for all worship services, and normally for other church activities. At other times it will be arranged when a need is expressed. Westover Hills believes that children in our midst are a blessing!

Serving God Through Worship!
"Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship the people of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives.…In worship the faithful offer themselves to God and are equipped for God's service in the world." Book of Order, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Worship is of primary importance in the life of Westover Hills and takes a variety of forms during the course of the year. But at all times the focus of worship is the love of God as seen in the person of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Sunday Morning Worship
Westover Hills conducts public worship of God on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary, which is open to all who wish to attend. Worship includes opportunities to:
• hear the Word of God as it is read, sung, and proclaimed,
• confess sins and participate in a declaration of pardon,
• participate in the sacraments of baptism and communion,
• pray,
• offer gifts of time, talent, and money to the work of God's church,
• join together with other members of the body of Christ in praise of God.

On the first Sunday of each month the sacrament of communion is included in worship. Communion in the Presbyterian Church is open to all baptized Christians regardless of denominational affiliation. Once a year members of the youth group participate in Youth Sunday, and at other times worship may involve drama, special music or other activities.

Wednesday Evening Worship
On Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. there is an informal service of worship held in the chapel which contains all the elements of Sunday morning worship. This service lasts approximately one-half hour and includes communion each week. All are invited to participate.

Special Worship Opportunities
During the year there are special services of worship which celebrate significant seasons of the Christian calendar. These include the following:
• Ash Wednesday: at the beginning of the season of Lent a service is held at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary and includes communion and the imposition of ashes.
• Maundy Thursday: on the Thursday before Easter a communion service is held at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary to commemorate the Last Supper and the passion of Jesus.
• Good Friday: on the Friday before Easter a service of prayer is held at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary remembering the crucifixion.
• Christmas Eve: on the night before Christmas a candlelight communion service is held at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Please contact the church office for further details. Child care for children up through pre-school age is always available during services of worship.

Serving God through education!
Christian education is vital to the life of Westover Hills. Through study and reflection we seek to better understand God's will for the world and to discover ways that we might respond to God's call in our lives. Westover Hills offers a variety of educational opportunities, including Bible study and special programs.

Sunday School
Westover Hills offers Sunday School classes for all ages including infant and toddler care in the nursery from 9:30 - 10:20 every Sunday morning. Classes for preschool and kindergarten(ages 3,4,5), and elementary (grades 1 -6) meet on the second floor of the education building. Youth classes are held as well. Westover Hills uses the innovative "Rotation Model" for Sunday School which means that participants engage in the use of computers, arts and crafts, cooking, music, videos, drama and puppets, and Bible games and skills, all relating to one theme each six week period.

Three adult classes are available. A Bible Study Class, taught by Rev. Don Campbell meets in the Parlor. A second Bible study class meets in the Chapel and is taught by Rev. Sally Johnso, and . Rev. Bill McWeeny leads a lectionary class in Room 301.

Prayer Knots
As an aid to spiritual formation and development, Westover Hills is involved in experimenting with a new program called Prayer Knots. Each Knot, a group of 4 or 5 individuals, meets once a week to study and grow together. Each participant also agrees to undertake a discipline of daily Bible reading, prayer, journaling, and memory work. Each is also encouraged to engage in a form of outreach in the community (i.e. Habitat for Humanity, Stewpot, etc.).

It is hoped that this method of study will result in a broadened vocabulary of faith, a deepened sense of God's presence, and greater resources with which to deal with life's challenges.
Westover Hills Prayer Knots began in 1997, and two of the original four groups continue to meet. One of Westover Hills strengths is encouragement of individual and group spirituality; adding more Prayer Knots continues this wonderful tradition. If you’re interested in joining a Prayer Knot or getting more information, please contact the church office

Confirmation Class
As a part of becoming active members in the life of the church Westover Hills youth enter a confirmation program and are confirmed on Palm Sunday. The program consists of regular attendance at Sunday School and other classes where youth learn about the Bible and the government, doctrine and history of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Vacation Bible School
Sponsored by the Christian Education Committee, Vacation Bible School takes place for four evenings during the summer in the fellowship hall. The event is open to all children. Child care for infants and toddlers is always available.

Westover Wednesdays
Wednesday evenings September through April offer a special fellowship opportunity. Westover Wednesdays begin at 5:15pm with a catered meal in Fellowship Hall. For adults worship begins at 6:00pm in the Chapel. Frequently, special learning or service activities are scheduled for children and adults.   Child Care is available for infants and toddlers.

Special Classes
The Christian Education Department offers Bible study classes at various times during the year. These classes cover such topics as Handel's Messiah, a particular book in the Bible, or Christian doctrine.

Other special learning opportunities are made available on a regular basis and are publicized in the church newsletter and on Sunday mornings. A Kerygma Class meets monthly in the chapel.

D.R.A.M.A. (Drama, Recreation, Art, and Music Afterschool)
The Drama program meets from 3:00 until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Fellowship Hall and is open to children in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Children learn to read music, sing, play chimes, and enjoy crafts. they also work on a musical production twice a year to share with the church and community. Church membership is not required to participate in the program.

…Serving God through service to others!
In chapter twenty-five of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches his followers about the urgency of reaching out to meet the needs of the world, especially of those who are less fortunate and those who are suffering. The Presbyterian Church (USA) sees outreach and stewardship to be primary activities of a life lived in Christ.

Westover Hills offers many ways that individuals may follow Jesus' teaching to minister to the needs of others, all of which begin with good stewardship.

Stewardship
Scripture tells us that "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." Everything that we have comes to us from God, and it is our responsibility to be good stewards of it.

Westover Hills sees stewardship, then, as a matter of more than money. Stewardship is about what we do with what we have, our talents, our time, our minds and bodies, as well as our other resources. Members of Westover Hills are encouraged to be as actively involved in the work of the church as they are able, and to reach beyond the work of this congregation and into the world, seeking to serve Jesus Christ.

The Presbyterian Church (USA) firmly believes that the financial support of each congregation, its programs, maintenance, staff, and especially its outreach, lies with its members. Each Fall a stewardship campaign is held during which each member is encouraged to make a pledge of financial support for the coming year. While pledges are non-binding, they allow the Session to gauge the use of resources and make reasonable expenditures over the course of the year. Westover Hills does not actively seek financial support from outside its membership, and only on special occasions or for special purposes will funds be raised by means other than the regular offering.

Among the groups and agencies supported by Westover Hills with regular financial contributions are the Presbytery of Arkansas, the Synod of the Sun, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), LifeQuest, Stewpot, and Presbyterian Village. Support of these groups and others is made possible by the stewardship of Westover Hills' members.

The executive committee of the Session oversees a memorial fund to which contributions may also be made in memory or honor of individuals or families. These funds have been used recently for such church improvements as new handicap parking spaces, restoration of the pipe organ and...