SPRINGFIELD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

There is a new Church forming in Springfield. Springfield Presbyterian Church has begun renting the Pioneer Valley Christian School facility at 965 Plumtree Road for the purposes of beginning Sunday morning Worship Services. The congregation, numbering 40 men, women and children, together with the Organizing Pastor, Rev. Stephen LaValley, had been worshipping for six months in the Conference Room of the Howard Johnson's Motel on Boston Rd. until the facilities no longer served their size nor their needs.

Springfield Presbyterian Church, organized as a 'Mission Church'of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), began in 2001 as, first, a Home Bible Study began in members� homes with an average attendance of 20 adults, thereby leading to an interest meeting which was held on the behalf of a number of Springfield, Wilbraham, and Hampden families who desired a committed Reformed church in their own community. Pastor Stephen LaValley was then asked to come and organize the congregation and to be their Minister. Sunday Evening Worship services began in the Fall of 2001 and now Sunday Morning Worship Services began on June 2nd of this year.

Pastor LaValley says, "Springfield has long lacked a Reformed presence in its churches, in regard to the practice of worship, discipleship and doctrine. Our aim is to 'return to the basics' of reading the Bible, singing the Bible, preaching the Bible, and praying the Bible--in all that we do, whether Home Bible Studies, Sunday Worship services, Women's Bible Studies, Sunday School instruction, or even our private individual devotional times. We are committed to the same great themes of that great historical event of not so long ago, the Reformation, when such men as John Calvin, Martin Luther, and others, declared that men, women and children are saved by God's Grace alone, through Faith in Jesus Christ alone, revealed in Scripture, and who alone is able to save sinners and all to the glory and praise of God. We are genuinely thrilled to have this opportunity to 'plant' a Presbyterian Church in Springfield in the same way that the PCA has seen many core groups of committed Christian men and women rise up all over New England and ask for the help of church-planting Pastors to come and organize local congregations."

The Presbyterian Church in America is one of the fastest growing Evangelical denominations in America due to it's commitment to the Reformed Faith--which is summarized as being an exalted view of Scripture, worship, and the ministry of the Church in general.

The Springfield Presbyterian Church congregation seeks to glorify God through regular public worship which is characterized by the faithful preaching and teaching of Scripture in order to encourage and equip His people to do the work of the Church in ministering to an unbelieving world who are lost in sin, and yet to whom God's grace is so freely offered in Jesus Christ. The categories through which they hope to fulfill this commitment are outreach (by speaking to others concerning our faith in Jesus Christ), worship (passionate traditional worship that exalts the vitality and authority of God's Word), fellowship (meaningful, encouraging, and family oriented) and discipleship (devoting ourselves to the exercise of knowing and applying God's Word).

Worship Services are held at 965 Plumtree Rd. in Springfield every Sunday Morning at 10:30 AM with Sunday School beginning at 9:00 AM. A continuing Wednesday Evening Home Bible Study is held at 7:00 PM each week which is studying through the Gospel of John and a Women's Bible Study will begin soon. Sunday Evening Worship Services will soon be added as well. If any further information is needed Pastor Stephen LaValley may be reached at 733-2828 (Office) or 746-6198. The Church does have a website along with e-mail atwww.springfieldchurch.com and may be reached at [email protected]. All are welcomed to 'come and see' and to worship God with us!