Welcome to Westminster By The Sea

Prayer of Intercession

Dear God: with your Word, which is sharper than a two edged-sword, we are carving out a time and a place to be still with you. It is important to know that we are loved not because of what we do, which may make you beam, or what we don’t do, which may disappoint. But we are loved because before you formed us in the womb you knew us; and looking at our very being, you said we were good. And you were pleased. But some days we try to be too much like you: sometimes we judge others, sometimes we act as if we were the center of our own universe; and sometimes we act as if we do not need you or acknowledge you. It is on those days that we move far away from you. How much you want to be close to us; to hear the stories of our days and the adoration of our hearts. So today we pause, to be quiet, to be in your presence, and to find ourselves filled with wonder, and awe, and reverence. Then we can have a closer walk with you. It is hard to find the times or places to do that during times when we sprint through the day in faithful obedience to a calendar, a Blackberry, or a Dayplanner. Teach us how to write in times to stop; and to wait; and to listen without talking.
(Silence)

We pray for those whose days are filled with anxiety; whose nerves are shot, and who need to be brushed by the hem of your centering and grounding presence. For those who are hurt or in harm’s way, let a touch from an angel’s wing renew their strength and remove their affliction. Our words of praise go up for those who are being healed in wonderful ways, and for those who are safe in the arms of Jesus, arms that stretched open for us at Calvary. But in Bethlehem, hope was born and love came down. Thank you O God.
Amen.

Jeffrey A. Sumner January 4, 2015

Lots of beautiful tartans were blessed this morning at the Kirkin' o' the Tartans service, January 18th, 2015!

Our ministers not only provide a sermon for the adults each week, they also create a "Children's Message" to make sure that all our guests, regardless of their age, are treated to the same message. Click HERE to experience one of our Children's Messages ...

Click HERE for Prayer Requests

Mission Statement

"Our Church exists to glorify and worship God, to serve our community, and to witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. "

Welcome to Westminster By-The-Sea Presbyterian Church.
We are a church for all ages with over 750 members.

WBTS Changing Lives

We'd love to hear about why YOU chose WBTS and how it's changing your life or those around you!

Please click HERE to let Rev. Jeff know

Online Member Directory

(password protected, Church Members may contact Mary Ann Sumner for the password.)

Weddings

Westminster By-The-Sea has been the site of thousands of beautiful weddings. Weddings are performed by one of the church ministers, and the music played by the church organist/pianist. Weddings are offered for members or non-members.

Update on Rev. Hills

Rev. Richard Hills is continuing with oral chemotherapy and is improving. He has attended two services and a minister's meeting and we continue to keep him in our thoughts and prayers.

Upcoming Events at WBTS

WBTS Institute Spring 2015 Registration Has Begun!

click here for class descriptions and signups for our spring 2015 semester!

WBTS Scholarship applications are now being accepted!

click here for a printable application that you can then hand in to Mary Ann Sumner.

Bring a Friend to Church Sunday !!!

Share your love of WBTS with your Friends on February 15th! ... Click HERE for more information and invites that you can hand out to your friends!

2015 Talent Show !!!

We had so much fun last year, we're doing it again on February 28th :) ... Click HERE for more information.

Peninsula Hall Groundbreaking 10/19/2014

(click on a picture to make it larger)

The Holy Land

Our 2014 Holy Land trip was a religious pilgrimage that 33 travelers undertook in July. Click on any of the pictures below for a larger image of some of the amazing sites on their journey, and then simply click on the "back" button of your browser to return to the gallery.

Vacation Bible School Was GREAT !!!

Here's a look at the team that led the kids through the week of Weird Animals!

.... And Here's the entire Zoo Crew !!!!

(to see pictures throughout the week of our activities, be sure to check out our Facebook Page!

Tobias Caskey and the Friends of Francis received 15 bikes from a beachside condo to give to people in need who don't have transportation.

Travel With Us

On January 25th, Jeff and Mary Ann Sumner were among 21 members and friends of the church as we road in "A Touch of Class" chartered bus from the church parking lot to the Port of Miami! Once we arrived we boarded the Celebrity Reflection, still in her inaugural year! This beautiful ship was our home for 7 days of pampering and fellowship. The group enjoyed the company of one another, the delicious food, fantastic entertainment, and informative excursions. But most of all, each night we gathered to hear about what everybody did! Our 2014 Holy Land trip was a religious pilgrimage that 33 travelers undertook in July.

Upcoming Trips (click for more details)

Please Fill Out Your Member Talent Sheet

Talent Sheets can be filled out and turned in at the church or ON-LINE ... Click HERE to fill out your talent sheet online today!

Disaster: Where Was God?

In light of recent disasters around the world, Rev. Sumner prepared a sermon to help us all recognize and know the God that we are called to worship! Click here to read and listen to Rev. Sumner's sermon from November 17th, 2013.

What's Going On This Week:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for exploring Westminster By-The-Sea through its Website. Westminster is a church chartered in 1955 by the St. John’s Presbytery and has provided Christian witness to the South Peninsula and beyond since that time. It is an honor to have you inquire about the church. Three ordained ministers join with a dedicated staff and willing volunteers to provide for the Administration, Christian Education, Congregational Life, Operations, Outreach, and Worship divisions of church life.

In short, here is what we believe:

- That the worship of God Almighty, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, is the hub of the wheel of the church. All that we do is inspired by what we offer God in worship and what God commissions us to do in the name of Jesus. We stand with Soren Kierkegaard in believing that in the great drama of worship, those in the congregation are actors, the pastors and choirs are the directors, and God is the audience.

– That Jesus is Lord and Savior of the world; and that the Bible is the Word of God.

– That the church carries out two sacred acts that Jesus commanded his followers to do until he comes again: the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. In short, as our Vision statement says: we strive to be “a caring community, inspired by God, extending the hand of Christian fellowship to all, making disciples, and shining the light of Christ in our community and world; a church for all ages, honoring both old traditions, and personal walks with God.” Come to Westminster when you are in the area. The white colonial “church that looks like a church” will attract you to visit. We hope and believe that the people will make you long to return.

Faithfully yours, Jeffrey A. Sumner, Minister

Click HERE for a Printable User Guide for our web site!

"A picture paints a thousand words: glimpses of our church's early years" (Windows) (Quicktime)

Driving Directions: