Westwood Presbyterian Church

Ensure that our children learn, experience, and live the Gospel.

CHILD CARE

Children

Child care for infants to three-year-olds is provided for both Sunday services and throughout the morning, with a special Bible story time during the services for two- and three-year-olds.

                ELEMENTARY

        Worship is best learned through experience. Children ages four through fifth grade are invited to attend worship each Sunday with their parents and families. The children attend the first portion of the worship service and leave the service during the second hymn with their Sunday school teachers for a gathering time downstairs. Gathering time is an opportunity to share prayer concerns, express joys, celebrate birthdays, and collect an offering. Children then go to their graded classes.

Each week our teachers help our children experience stories and messages from the Bible appropriate to their maturity through lessons, discussion, and activities in the Exploring Faith curriculum. We learn about God's love for us and how to share the Good News.

The Children's Choir meets Wednesday afternoons as part of Wednesdays at Westwood from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Hoffman Hall. The choir sings occasionally during Sunday worship, each year in the spring musical, and in the annual Christmas musical celebration.

                STUDENT MINISTRIES

The fundamental goal of Student Ministry at WPC is to bring our students into an intimate relationship with God. We pray that students will come to know the passionate love of Christ and will desire to follow Christ’s example of service and ministry. We believe it is our call to equip teens to share this unique love with all of God’s people. We desire to prepare our students to be faithful and devoted followers of Christ, leaders of the Church, and advocates of justice in our society and world. We aim to develop mature disciples of Christ who hunger for the Word of God and who share this Good News not only by their mouths but by their lifestyles, their thoughts, and their faithfulness, so that all whom they encounter may see and know Christ through them.

Middle and High school students gather together for worship during the 11:00 service on Sunday morning. Students leave during the second hymn to dig deeper into scripture while building wonderful relationships with each other. This class is led by Travis Overbeck, M. Div., Director of Student Ministries and Mission Outreach.

C.H.A.O.S (Christians Hyped About Our Savior), our Middle School ministry, meets Wednesday nights from 5-6:30 where we play awesome games and have great discussion as we live into the lives that Christ has called us to.

L.I.G.H.T (Living In Grace Hope and Truth), our High School ministry, meets Sunday nights from 6:30-8:30 for dinner, games and devotion which push us further into living the lives Christ has called us to.

The Bridge meets on the first Saturday of the month and is for college age through 30's. Join us monthly for service, fellowship and fun as we deepen our relationships with one another and Christ. To get on the email list to find out about our monthly events or if you have any questions contact Travis Overbeck, Director of Student Ministries and Mission Outreach by email or phone 310.474.4535 x.110. We hope to see you there!

If you are interested in any of these groups, please see the student ministries website or contact Travis Overbeck, Director of Student Ministries and Mission Outreach, Remember that friends are always welcome to our groups! We hope you will join us.

ADULT MINISTRIES

Sitka Adult Ministries
Education programs valuing the life of the mind and spirit and engagement in society.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A Lecture Series with Lunch. A forum to explore spiritual, social, scientific and cultural issues with WPC leaders and distinguished speakers from Los Angeles and the national scene. Bi-monthly programs on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

TOPICS AT TEN
Discussion groups held Sunday morning between 10:00-11:00 a.m., lasting four to five weeks, moderated by WPC members. Recent Topics have ranged from Christian art and practices to health, genetic engineering and climate change.

FAITH, SEARCH AND SUPPORT
A weekly ongoing exploration of major theological works, under the leadership of Dr. John Crossley, Emeritus Chair, USC Department of Religion, John Quiring, Ph.D., Claremont School of Theology and Rev. Luke Landers, Ph.D. Meets Sundays from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The group may be joined at any time.

ADULT BIBLE STUDY
Weekly study group under the direction of Elizabeth Evans, M.Div., focusing on biblical texts and themes. Sundays 10:00-11:00 a.m.

POETRY AND SPIRIT
A literary workshop for both novice and experienced writers to compose and share poems and ideas. Meets bi-monthly on Monday evening.

WOMENS’ PRAYER BREAKFAST
This prayer group meets weekly on Wednesday mornings to enjoy community, engage in contemplative and meditation practices and share prayer concerns.

CHILDREN & FAMILY PROGRAMS

Egg Hunt Wednesdays at Westwood and Children's Choir: The mid-week program for K-5 children takes place during the school year on Wednesdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Hoffman Hall. JK Hilbert leads the group in music before a snack, crafts, and fun lessons with Greg Halterman and Marie Nelson. See old friends and make new ones after school at WPC! Questions? Contact .

Potluck dinners: This quarterly fellowship event is for all parents of children and youth at WPC. This is a great opportunity for "grown-ups" to gather for an evening of food, fun, and fellowship, while sharing their journey of parenthood.

Special family activities: There are numerous opportunities for family fun and fellowship at WPC. Each year an Easter egg hunt, family picnic, Christmas pageant, and potluck are some of the events that enrich family life at WPC.

Greg Halterman Christian Education Director

Greg Halterman is our Christian Education Director. He holds a B.A. in Music Education from California State University, Los Angeles and has taught both children and adults, in various disciplines, since 1993.

Director of Student Ministries

Travis Overbeck is our Director of Student Ministries and Mission Outreach. He holds a B.A in Religious Studies from California State University, Long Beach and a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. Travis and other outstanding adults lead Sunday school during the 11:00 AM worship service. C.H.A.O.S. (Christians Hyped About Our Savior) is our middle school youth group that meets Wednesday nights from 5-6:30. L.I.G.H.T. (Living In Grace Hope & Truth) is our high school group that meets Sunday nights from 6:30-8:30. Join us for games, food, worship and devotion. Our students are also involved in regular service projects, great retreats and mission trips.

See News from WPC and the church Calendar for more information on activities at WPC.