The Spire Online

Welcome to the online version of the Spire.

If you prefer a printable version, view and download a printable PDF copy of any previous issue here.


A TikTok Bible Lesson

We spend so much of lives waiting. Waiting in line, waiting in traffic, waiting for a pandemic to end, or even waiting for a child to be born. My husband and I are expecting our first baby in a few short weeks (or long, in my opinion). As you may know, babies are typically born between 37 and 41 weeks. That is a very large window of time, which is not something that really occurred to me until…

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Alexander Gilfillan Garden

We would like to thank all our volunteers for their help this year. Gilfillan Garden, a collaboration between Westminster Presbyterian, Upper St. Clair High School, and the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair, is one of several SHIM gardens that serve over 7,500 people in need in the South Hills area. Despite COVID, the drought, and excessive heat, we had a very good year. Total harvest for the…

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Between Here and There -- November

I’d be willing to bet that just about everywhere you go these days you’re inundated with three ideas: 1. Election 2. Pumpkin Spice 3. Gratitude. Together they make up the trinity of this fall season. Advertisers know it, newscasters know it, product companies of all kinds know it, and they all have us hooked. So today, for this one little article, I want to flip to the opposite side of one of the…

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Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: End Racism

On the afternoon of World Communion Sunday, the Westminster community gathered in front of the church and pledged to work to end racism in our community and society. Through scripture, prayers, and hymns, the Lord’s requirement of us was clear: “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly” with our God. The following statements from the program help tell the continuing story at Westm…

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Filling in the Dash

Tucked in November is the observance called All Saints’ Day. This is the church occasion when we acknowledge those who have passed on from this life to the church triumphant, particularly those who have died in the past year. Our recognition will be on Sunday, November 1, when we pause to give thanks for the lives of the saints from our congregation. We also give glory to God for the ordinary, h…

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Forward in Faith Property Update - November 2020

This month we highlight two projects that Forward in Faith has made possible that are timely and necessary for continuing worship both remotely and in person during these exceptional COVID times. An upgrade in the sanctuary audio-visual equipment had been on the wish list for the Property Commission for many years. During planning of the Forward in Faith campaign in 2018, it was included in a…

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November Message from Bruce Lancaster

My Friends, The Pastor Nominating Committee will be making a recommendation for the Senior Pastor for Westminster Presbyterian Church at the congregational meeting on November 1. The candidate will preach the sermon, and the PNC will present the terms of call and share their thoughts on why this person is the one whom they believe God has called to serve with you. As I said in my very first…

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Thanksgiving 2020

Christ United Methodist Church and Westminster Presbyterian Church have a long partnership in serving the South Hills of Pittsburgh. For decades the congregations have gathered on Thanksgiving Eve to worship together. This year, we will not be able to join together for the worship service, but watch for a special Thanksgiving message from Pastors Louise Rogers and Chris Morgan.

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