Brian Shimer
Worship in Person or Online
Brian Shimer
Join Us for Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Worship On Sundays

Join the Journey, 12.16.18

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Question: When have you felt like a reject, an outcast? What happened?

Answers:

  1. When I lost my job for doing the correct thing.

  2. When moving to a new school in the middle of my 5th grade year. Somebody made fun of me in some way I can’t remember!

  3. Being rejected by my niece right now. My senior year of high school.

  4. When I was rejected by my husband - I felt alone - My church family surrounded me.

  5. My new sister-in-law had a large party for Mel and I after we were married. I didn’t know any of his many Jewish relatives.

  6. Being a pregnant teen in the church. The judgment was intense and turned my heart against God and myself.

  7. Growing up a naturally obese child and adult exposed me to many difficult situations and statements.

Sneak Peek for this Sunday

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Being a shepherd -- disrespected by society, living without bathing days at a time, separated, earthy, ordinary, yet, the shepherds in the vicinity of Bethlehem raised the sheep for sacrifice in the temple.  So, they were raising the most important of sheep. If they recalled history, they may have remembered the long line of history filled with shepherds. Indeed their forefathers all kept flocks all the way back to Abel the son of Adam.  Talk about a rich heritage. But in the era of the first century it was as if this was forgotten in preference of remembering that they were dirty, smelly, and undereducated. Their testimony was distrusted. So, what might God be saying that the only ones to hear an angelic choir, and the first ones invited by God to worship were these shepherds guarding their flocks by night?  What kind of reverse kingdom, upside down world was God inaugurating through them. That the first testimonies, first worshipers, first experiences of glory surrounding Jesus’ birth was offered to them, might we then learn what it is to redeem humanity, to cherish every life, to remember that God values each person no matter how we might want to devalue them, and that God’s ways are indeed not like our own.

Packing Boxes

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On Saturday, December 22, at 10:00 am, we’ll be packing up food and gift boxes for our “adopted” families. This Christmas we have seven families to whom we’ll be delivering boxes. We need volunteers to help pack and deliver. If you have any questions, please contact Bonnie Becker.

Share The Meal

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What a difference an app can make!

Sharethemeal allows you to donate to feed children in Yemen, Syria, Uganda, and many other countries simply by tapping. A mere 50 cents feeds a child for a day. You can also choose to feed a child for a week, a month, or more. Monthly donations may also be set up.

How about donating 50 cents every time you eat out? Or every visit to the grocery store? You can form teams to encourage your friends to contribute as well. Such a small amount to us can make a huge difference to a hungry child.

An initiative of the United Nations World Food Programme, the app has already raised funds for over 29 million meals. Visit sharethemeal.org or your phone’s app store for more information.

Our thanks to Benjamin Roberts, the nephew of Sally and Dave Sullivan, who visited Westside in November and shared this opportunity with us!

Join the Journey, 12.9.18

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Question: How do you see God showing up through your life?

Answers:

  1. Children and grandchildren.

  2. Love from family and friends; generosity of others.

  3. He is within me - His Holy Spirit keeps me in a humble and serene space.

  4. Answering prayer and comforting myself and family He is leading the way.

  5. Guiding me to areas to serve those less fortunate.

  6. Talking to me about life - helping me deal with grief! Reminding me of my faith.

  7. I pause and pray, instead of reacting.

  8. Through my neighbors, Bea and Don. Through my partner, Wayne. God’s protection during a recent fall. Jenna, my daughter’s life, new job and boyfriend this year.

  9. In so many ways! Continued good health of me and my sister, my home, friends, work, etc, etc, etc.

  10. In promptings to connect with people and share my joy.

  11. Everyday in the growth of my children and the continued growth of my ministry.

  12. By giving me my Love of my Life, my wife.

  13. In my children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors and the many unknown faces I see every day.

Sneak Peek for this Sunday

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”All will call me blessed…” No one has been more accurate in that statement than Mary. She had told God yes to the huge announcement that she of all the young Jewish women would bear God’s son. Called “Theotikos” — “God-bearer” by the Orthodox, Mary indeed bore God, impossibly made man, within her and birthed God in the flesh through her life. She was the first God-bearer. As the priests in Israel had borne the Ark, the presence of God on their shoulders supported by the poles, so we still “bear God” in this world. The ark and the temple combined in humanity because of Mary. After Jesus came through her, we have become Him in this world. We shoulder God’s presence. He is again conceived in our hearts, “you have been born again through the imperishable seed implanted” penned Peter (1 Peter 1:23) in order to become mature in him, complete (Matthew 5:48). Do we, like Mary, remember our connection to this long history? Do we remember we are blessed?

Milestone Surpassed!

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Thanks to you, Family Promise was awarded a 30% matching donation from Bottle Drop. They had hoped to collect $500 in refundable bottles and receive a 20% donation, but they actually collected over $1100, bringing the donation to 30%, or almost $350. Westsiders brought in 12% of the bottles. Well done!

We will continue to collect refundables year-round to support Family Promise. Thanks for your support.

Gifts and Talents Workshop

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"When I first led the Gifts and Talents Workshop while working with another congregation, I was skeptical.  I mean, this seemed like a backdoor to spiritual gifts.  But as I walked through the course, the exercises, and challenged others to do so as well, what I saw happening was the birthing of deeper relationships between participants and then in the end, I watched as God began to move among them.  More than a 'gift inventory,' this course is a workshop in getting to know yourself through the eyes of others and in that 'knowing' discovering gifts hidden within which you might never have seen before.  It is a remarkable course.  Sign up."  Pastor Brian

The Gifts and Talents Workshop is coming to Westside! On two consecutive weekends in February, you will have the opportunity to discover the spiritual gifts that were bestowed upon you by the Holy Spirit.

Find out which outreach/ministry/passion best suits your talents. Your time and energy will be so much more fruitful if spent where the Holy Spirit leads.

The cost is only $25 which includes all materials, snacks and two meals. You are strongly encouraged to attend all sessions, for your success and the success of others in your group. The sessions are:

Feb 1             Friday           7:00 - 9:00 pm

Feb 2             Saturday       9:00 am - 3:30 pm (includes lunch)

Feb 8             Friday           7:00 - 9:00 pm

Feb 9           Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (includes lunch)

Registration forms are available in the lobby and here. You may also register online at signups.wumc.me.

HomePlate Update

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Bonnie Becker and Pastor Brian met with HomePlate Youth Services on December 5th regarding Westside providing a future Wednesday night drop-in site.  

The organization is still surveying the youth to see what they would like and where.  

Currently our space is not an ideal location for the HomePlate drop-in.  There are so many kids in the Aloha High School area that having something closer is preferable.  However, we do have you all who have interest and investment in doing something. They are so thrilled with your energy and interest so stay tuned! 

The next meeting will happen in mid-January to look at the Wednesday night gathering site needs.  If you are interested in being on that team contact Bonnie Becker.  That night we will also discuss another agenda item of where HomePlate might move its main office as the current location is getting too small.  

They are searching for space near the MAX line with shower and laundry facilities, kitchen, hang out area, etc.  The space needs to accommodate 60+. 

We talked about offering another drop-in at Westside for any interested youth some Wednesday between now and the next visioning meeting.  HomePlate might take us up on that.  

Pray for vision for a new location for the main office!  Pray for vision for Wednesday night for the youth.

Join the Journey, 12.2.18

Question: How has fear had an impact upon your heart and life?

Answers:

  1. It almost ended it. Thankfully, Jesus met me on that cold floor and brought me back to life through his amazing love and grace and forgiveness.

  2. It has made me even more aware how much I can depend on God when I am afraid.

  3. Overreacting to situations that cause anger and misunderstanding; kept me on the sidelines of life by missing opportunities.

  4. Need maximum time with my family. Fear of anything fatal.

  5. It helps me not make bad decisions because of the fear.

  6. Fear about what others thought of me which was inhibiting.

  7. I am hesitant to trust my heart to another relationship. Staying close to God.

Opportunities for Christmas Outreach

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This Christmas season there are so many ways to share God’s love with our neighbors, through donations of time and material goods. Here’s a brief rundown of some ways Westsiders are assisting those in need:

Give:  Your Christmas Offering to the church on December 16. Your generous gift makes a difference in the lives of so many through our various ministries.

Sign Up:  Bring food and/or gifts for our Christmas families by December 16.  Signup sheets and gift requests are in the church lobby.

Volunteer:  For the WFWA Christmas Party on December 15. Call the WFWA Office at 503.681.9399 or Merry Goldthorpe for more details.

Encourage:  Support homeless teens by buying gift cards for the Beaver’s Den at Beaverton High School. Donations of food and toiletries are collected year-round.

Assist:  The HomePlate Youth Christmas Store needs volunteers tonight and on December 13 to assist the youth in shopping for their families. Call Bonnie Becker for more info.

Support:  A Family Promise family is graduating to their own home.  There are still items needed; contact Bonnie Becker for more info.

Food and Gifts

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A Favorite Westside Tradition

This Christmas we have seven families that we have “adopted” for the holidays. We will be collecting donations of food, gifts, and gift cards beginning this Sunday.

You will find all the information on the round table in the lobby. You can sign up to bring food or take a gift tag off the tree. Please sign and leave the white copy of the tag, so that Bonnie knows who has what.

If you choose to donate a gift card, please consider ordering it through our Scrip program this Sunday. The church receives a percentage of the proceeds from the retailers.

Thank you for your generosity!

Sneak Peek for this Sunday

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There are so many things I have always loved about Joseph. First, he says nothing in the gospels.  No recorded word. That’s immense. Second, he’s a strong, silent type. I don’t know what that is like! :-) He is righteous -- upright before God. He is chosen to be the earthly dad for the Son of God, that has got to merit him some admiration.  Some of us guys get to be dads of all kinds of incredible kids, but there was only One Jesus. And I imagine the stress of the responsibility to raise God’s Son might have been a bit overwhelming! Yet, Joseph, he sought an out it appears not because he thought Mary had really sinned, but because he believed she was pregnant with God! It took divine intervention and a prophetic quote to convince this man Joseph not to go through with his plan.  And that’s all it took. Joseph shifted gears and “did what the angel had said” and took Mary home as his wife but had no union with her until she brought forth Jesus. What a guy. How are you “Still Joseph” as events come that bring fear? How are you still him as you choose faith? How are you still him as you obey God in your life? What might it look like for you to walk alongside of Jesus as Jesus works within you?