Brian Shimer
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Brian Shimer
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Brian Shimer
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Brian Shimer
Worship On Sundays

Free Movie Tonight

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Tonight at 7:00 pm, Lifeway Films Team is inviting you to a free pre-screening of UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION.  Based on Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling book, UNBROKEN: PATH TO REDEMPTION begins where the hit movie UNBROKEN concludes, sharing the next chapter of the unbelievable true story of Olympian and World War II hero Louis Zamperini. 

Haunted by nightmares of his torment, Louie’s wrathful post-war quest for revenge drives him deeper into despair, putting his marriage on the brink of divorce. But when his wife Cynthia meets Christ at Billy Graham’s (played by his grandson Will Graham) 1949 Los Angeles Crusade, her most fervent prayer is for God to help Louie find the peace and forgiveness he so desperately needs.

The movie opens in theaters on September 14.

Tonight's pre-screening will be at the Regal Lloyd Center 10, 1510 NE Multnomah St in Portland.

Join the Journey, 8.12.18

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Question:  Name an experience that changed your perspective on how you live your life.  What changed as a result?

Answers:

  1. Overdose.  It made me want to live and live right in God.
  2. Going to the Dominican Republic!  Praise God!
  3. Learning how to hear from God.
  4. My divorce. It directed me to make choices that moved me across the country and close to God.
  5. Going to a city mission.  Feeding the homeless.  I saw how blessed I am.
  6. My brain tumor - it changed my focus and path in life.
  7. Stopped an addiction.  Clearer vision.
  8. When I learned that the angels are REAL and the devil has no power.  I try now to reject negative thoughts that enter my mind.

Choices for this Saturday

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This Saturday, August 18, you have two opportunities to make a difference in your community -- and get dirty!

The first is our quarterly work day at Heart2Heart Farms, which is dedicated to providing for everyone, regardless of income level, access to natural, pure, nutritious food.  It's a dirty job, working with crops and animals.  Wear your grungies (including shoes) and bring a water bottle.  Heart2Heart is located at 21555 SW Hells Canyon Rd in Sherwood.  Learn more at https://www.heart2heartfarms.com/

Your other opportunity is at Barnes Elementary School or Meadow Park Middle School, helping to prepare the buildings and grounds for the new school year.  Projects will include hedge trimming, clearing out a student garden, cleaning the staff room, and much more!  Please RSVP to insilk@vbconline.org if you're planning to attend.

Both events are from 9:00 to noon, but flexible if you have only an hour to spare.

We Put on Our Walking Shoes

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For months we sat in the first three chapters of Ephesians reflecting upon this fact: where we are is different than were we came from. That God had done something to move us because of love and mercy, from one place to another, from “outside” of Christ to “In Christ,” from excluded to included, from no hope to filled with hope, indeed, filled and rooted in love.  This was a huge thing and Paul described this, and now, he describes something more -- that how we “walk” out what God has “done” needs to reflect the new person we have become. Paul describes the human condition around us in those we meet who have no hope like we discovered, and invites his readers and us into a new way of living with emotions, with temptations, with feelings, in all our relationships. This NEW way is a way of walking that can change the world.  Our missions team will share how we were wearing these new shoes as we walked out the faith in the Dominican Republic and how we saw Jesus at work inviting us to live in new ways. Don’t miss worship. And expect to meet God as you come.

Columbia District Events

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There are several events this fall, sponsored by our UMC district, that might be of interest.  Follow the links for more information and to register.

Upcoming Events and Dates to Know

Learn to Lead: Preparing you to Lead Small Groups
September 8, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Gresham UMC

Healthy Boundaries Training - Portland
September 15, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Lake Oswego UMC

Columbia District Laity Summit
September 22, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Lake Oswego UMC

Practical Whole-iness Disciple-Making Workshop
October 5-6, a 2-day event, Fremont UMC

Called by God: Live In It

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We are called to love and be loved.  That is our calling. To rest in the love God has for us, to live our lives immersed in that love, and to love others out of that love.   The call is simple. It all comes down to love. We live into that love so we can live out of that love. Sounds simple, right? Simple maybe, but not easy.  So many things can distract us. Our thoughts. Our hearts. Our actions. Our interactions. Our reactions. How can we live this out if so much can keep us from staying in that love?  We can’t. Not on our own. Not in our own power. Only through the power of God living in us can we stay grounded in that love. But it’s our choice. Do we live out of God’s love or do we go it alone.  It’s a daily decision. To choose love, God’s love. To walk in that love. To live in that love.

Compassion to Action: Portland 2018

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Be part of this non-denominational movement to reach disciples for Christ.  This 4-day event, September 19-22, will feature prominent speakers, such as Chris Overstreet, Ben Fitzgerald, and Bill Johnson, along with live music from Lindy Conant & The Circuit Riders, Bethel Music, and more.  Tickets for this Oregon Convention Center event are only $15.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.portland2018.com.

 

Upcoming Family Promise Events

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Family Promise of Beaverton will have an entry in the Annual Beaverton Celebration Parade Saturday, September 8.  The Family Promise theme is to publicize their annual "Bed Race" fundraiser event and their gratefulness to volunteers, donors, sponsors and the City of Beaverton. 

Westsiders are invited to walk alongside the Family Promise "bed" float, wearing pajamas, robes, fuzzy slippers, etc. (bonus points for curlers in your hair!)  The more, the merrier!  And the more we show our support of Family Promise to the Beaverton community.  

If you love a parade (and who doesn't?), contact Bonnie Becker to get all the details.

Later in the month, September 29 and 30, is the Drive-In/Sleep Out event at Beaverton City Park.  Join the team from Family Promise, as they try to pack 200 parking spots with ‘car-camping adventurers’ who want to raise funds and awareness about child and family homelessness in Beaverton.  

Saturday festivities include live music, guest speakers, food, and an art show. There will be hands-on activities for the kids, too.  Don’t forget to bring a chair and a blanket since the night ends with a movie in the park for the whole family. Once the festivities end, event participants will spend the night sleeping in their vehicles in order to better understand the reality that so many families in our community are faced with on a daily basis.    

On Sunday morning the smell of ham and pancakes will fill the air as volunteers serve a hearty breakfast and lots of coffee to the brave adventurers who Drove-In and Slept Out.  

To find out how you can volunteer, donate, and sign up for the Drive-In Sleep Out, visit their website at https://www.familypromiseofbeaverton.org/events/   

 

Join the Journey, 7.29.18

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Question: What might it mean in your life to be rooted and established in God's love for you?

Answers:

  1. Church family
  2. I would be unstoppable
  3. Spiritual company and well being
  4. Everything
  5. You don't fall when the devil tries to push you over
  6. To give love to those who have hurt you because you know God's love, which is love above all love.
  7. I would be able to love others better
  8. This divorce is uprooting me to be totally vulnerable and surrendered.

Stand in Prayer: Dwell There

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Ten of us are traveling from Beaverton the night of 7/29 to the Dominican Republic to work with a ministry there in the community of Rio Grande. We will be taking pounds and pounds of sports equipment and medications with us and hopefully LOVE that will weigh even more. Love packaged in our hearts, on display because of Jesus, and expressed across cultures as we travel from our comforts here to their discomforts there.  We will be reaching across cultures into the lives of these adults and children living in poverty who will be working alongside of us to construct the school where the children can come to be educated.  And what we need more than anything, any money or supplies, is your prayers for us to be so rooted in the love God has for us so that the people there will meet Jesus in our eyes, in our embraces, in our presence.  We need your prayers, like Paul prayed for the people in Ephesus, that they may meet the God who is able to do more than we ask or think or imagine through us.  Pray with us as we team up with the people there to make a difference in God’s kingdom representing you, the senders. 

 

Save the Date

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Confirmation classes, for those in 6th grade and older, will begin in mid-October.  Classes will be held three Sundays a month, after the 10:00 worship service.  Lunch will be provided. The theme for this year's class is "God is Real."  With all the "truthiness" facing our kids these days, isn't this a powerful message for them?

Parents and mentors will meet with Pastor Brian on September 9, 23, and 30 from noon to 1:30 pm.  At these sessions, all questions can be answered and expectations clarified.

Volunteers Needed!

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The teams of walkers are in place for the Portland to Coast Relay on August 24-25, but volunteers are still needed to fill 4-hour shifts in various support roles.  The walkers will not be allowed to participate if they don't fill these roles.  If you’re available to help, please contact Paige Flanagan or Gayellyn Jacobson no later than August 5. 

 

Women's Retreat, September 28 - 30

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Beckie Jasa will be our speaker at this year's retreat, "Set Apart to Speak God's Heart."  Beckie is a graduate of Portland State University and Western Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree.  She is currently a hospital Chaplain at Kaiser Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro.  Beckie is married to David, the mother of two adult children and has three grandchildren.  She has been a student of God’s Word for more than forty years; pursuing God in relationship, teaching and training others, facilitating at prayer events and retreats.

The September retreat will allow time to be attentive to God’s voice, with teaching and time to practice listening to the Spirit Who functions within each one of us. We will be encouraged to follow Christ’s example — Set Apart to Speak God’s Heart.

The retreat will be held in Monmouth, OR, at Fern Hill Lodge, a beautiful gathering place that offers something for everyone: lovely views, peaceful walks, and even a theater room!  The Lodge sleeps 24 comfortably, with six bedrooms and four baths.

The cost for the retreat is $150 per person; scholarships are available.  Price includes all meals, including gluten-free options; feel free to bring snacks to share. You may register at church or at signups.wumc.me.

God's Plan and My Role

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This week we have moved 2nd worship time to Christ UMC beginning there at 10:15 am. Morning Watch will still take place at Westside at 8:15.  

We are looking at the first half of the third chapter of Paul’s letter. We are in the “Sit down in what Jesus has done” section of this letter.  Paul wants everyone to really relax in Jesus, sit down, put up your feet, rest. Settle into what has been offered. Too often we are so busy trying to “do stuff for God” we forget that this whole thing began with all God has done for us. And that’s about a change in identity, a change in address, a change in meaning.  So, come, sit down, enter in, rest a while and look at the magnificent economy of God offered for your sake and mine. Let’s worship.