PRAISING GOD IN THE
HEIGHTS
SERVING GOD IN THE WORLD
Westover Hills in Depth
From
our pastor:
Dear Friends in
Christ,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR
INTEREST IN WESTOVER HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This page will give you just
a little idea of the many activities and programs that take place in the life of
this congregation on a regular basis. Some are designed for young people, some
for adults, some for all ages. But all of these programs and activities are
intended to glorify God and provide a loving, caring, Christian community in
which we all may serve our Lord.
I hope you will
take a few moments to readinformaion presented on this page and on our web site, paying special attention to
those items which interest you. Then, if you should have any questions or
comments, please do not hesitate to share them with me.
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.
In my nine years
at Westover Hills, I have found the membership of this congregation to be a
loving and supportive one. I hope this will be your experience as well and that
you will be led to make Westover Hills Presbyterian Church your church home. If there is
anything I can do for you please let me know. I look forward to serving you as
together we seek to serve Christ.
In Christ,
Debbie Freeman,
pastor
e-mail
Debbie
What is a Presbyterian?: The
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 one of the co-pastors
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.
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,
Email the church office,
office@westoverhills.org, or email Dotty,
dotmac@aristotle.net
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. On the Wednesday
preceding the first Sunday of the month the service includes an emphasis on
healing.
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 meets in Parlor. Debbie Freeman leads
a lectionary class in the chapel and a current issue class meets in the library.
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 followed by Bible Study, while children,
ages 3 years to 6th grade, participate in activities. 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...
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.
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 from 4:30 - 6:00
p.m. (except during June through August). The youth enjoy Bible Study, service
projects and fun outings. They plan and lead worship services twice a year
including a special Easter sunrise service. The youth also 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
Westover Hills is
blessed with a wide range of adult fellowship groups, one of which is suited for
every age adult.
• The Surfers:
(30-40+) gather monthly for a variety of activities. Recent events have included
dinner at various member's homes, baby showers, and a Halloween family costume
party. Events alternate between family outings and adult-only gatherings when
child care is arranged.
• 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).
Westover Hills Staff
Debbie Freeman, pastor
David Austin, Organist and Choirmaster
Margaret Dorland, Administrative Assistant
Tammy Pflug, Treasurer
Shawn Mittledorf, Helen Paulson, Preschool Directors,
Richard B. Hardie, Pastor Emeritus
ULYSSES NEYLAND, Sexton
