HISTORY

The vision that has captured this church is that we would be "a house of prayer for all peoples." Come here if you want to be prayed for by name. We will pray that God will release blessings into your life, and into the lives of those you love. Come join us here if you want to connect with others who are on a spiritual journey. We don't have any prayer "experts," but we have people who are ready to try new things.

One thing we have here is called "prayer circles." People meet to share their lives and pray together. It's that simple. We have been surprised by the way these circles have brought us together, taught us how to be Christian, and encouraged us.

Westminster was first organized in 1951, holding services in a strip mall Laundromat near Indian School Road and 19th Avenue. Washing machines were rolled away to make room for Sunday School classes. The year 1952 was an important year as the church was formally chartered by the Presbytery and began meeting at Grandview school, now the site of Osborn Middle school on Highland, and began construction of the facility on 19th Avenue. Soon part of the original brick church structure was completed, and double services were being held in Fellowship Hall. The current Sanctuary was completed in 1965.

Presbyterians enjoy a rich heritage and history as part of the Reformed church tradition dating to sixteenth century French theologian John Calvin. It is characterized by the importance of lay leadership at all levels of the church. The name Presbyterian comes from the Greek word for elder, the name given to ordained lay persons charged with the leadership of the church. Presbyterians began their work in America in the late 1600's and missionaries came to present-day Arizona more that 100 years ago to convert the Native Americans and organize the settlers. Churches are located throughout the state and on most Indian reservations.

("The Protestant Reformations") is a new series of studies that our class will begin next Sunday.  Join us in the lounge at 9:00 AM for a six week survey  of people and events that continue to shape our lives today.

Next Sunday  09-24-17

How long is the reach of God's love?  Is the Gospel good news for everyone, or just some?  The apostle Peter needs a lot of nudging, but he ends up crossing the greatest divide there was, the division between Jews and Gentiles.  We will read a remarkable story found in Acts 10, which results in the conversion of the "least likely" people.  We will ask what this means for our attitude toward people we tend to label as "them."

PRAYER 

Our Father,

give us, we pray thee,

eyes to see and ears to hear;

give us open minds and gentle hearts.

Keep us indifferent to time and place

but keenly aware of the simple

human values by means of which

men, women and children live

happily together.  In Jesus' name.

Amen.

(Margueritte Harmon)