These beauties, found around the church campus, need a little TLC! Please stop by and water them when you can. Thanks!
Share from your week; where have you seen God at work?:
Bonnie – I spoke with my daughter in California this week. Her church held a Vacation Bible School in Anaheim, they live in Yorba Linda, but in Anaheim there is a high Hispanic population there. They’ve been doing this for 2 – 3 years and this year they had 175 children, youth and mothers attend. They loved on the mothers and did special things for the mothers while the kids were in VBS. Many of the youth came to Christ this year as well as other years. And they have discovered that the crime rate in the Anaheim area where they go has decreased significantly in the last 3 years since they’ve been doing this. So, God is working mightily in that population.
Pastor Brett – Wow! Amen. You are getting some Hallelujahs and claps from the crowd on the lawn, Amen.
Kari – Good morning everybody! I have a couple ones. It was my birthday on Wednesday and I’m 26 again, for I don’t know how many years now it’s been going. I just felt really well-loved from family and friends and everybody so, it was a really great day. Then the Stuvlands hosted a small group gathering for BBQ dinner at their place. And a number of us came and it was a lot of fun. If you’re interested in joining future ones, we’re going to have a few other ones this summer. Let Pastor Brett know and we will get you a schedule. It is just a time of refreshing, and getting to be in person after the very long year of being separated. So, that was a huge God Sighting. So, hopefully more of you will be able to join in in the future.
Pastor Brett – Thank you, Kari, and Happy Birthday! Yes, it was just a time of food, fellowship & fun.
Martha – You know a lot of people say how they come to their faith and so on but, I found out the other day how I became a Methodist… My son told Ken and I to get a safe for our house instead of a safe deposit box at the bank. So, we went and emptied out a bunch of old stuff…Well, I found a bunch of old letters and things and in it I also… Then my sister was also going through some of their things and she found a letter and information about the Free Methodist from Livingston, Wisconsin. Now my great grandfather founded Livingston, which is named after him, because he gave the land for this town. Albeit, there are only about 600 people there, but it’s still a town. Anyway, I was reading through what my sister had written and some letters that I had received. In the late 1800’s my father’s cousin, Aunt Mabel, who I knew very well, and my grandmother, who I never knew, both became, were converted; became Methodists. So, thank God I found my faith but, also those two women started the whole spectrum of Methodism in our family. Although, Sarah would still say that Presbyterians are better.
Pastor Brett – Thank you, Martha…. Awesome!
Don’t miss our return to Hagg Lake on August 1!
Worship will begin at 11:00 am, followed by baptisms in the lake and a meal together (food provided.) We will gather in the Sain Creek Picnic Area.
Due to the spotty reception there, we will not be able to livestream the service. Please make plans to carpool if needed. There is a parking fee of $7 ($5 for seniors) per car.
Pastor Brett will be offering first-time and renewal baptisms. Please contact him if interested.
Washington County has lifted all COVID restrictions but we encourage those who haven’t been vaccinated yet (e.g. children) to mask up.
We have the opportunity again this year to help the Dairy Women sell ice cream at the Washington County Fair on Sunday, July 25, from 5:00 pm to closing.
Westside gets 15% of the profit plus all the tips. And all the ice cream you can eat!
We need 8 people to staff the booth. If you can help, please contact Sandy directly at 503-830-0215 or sandy@tasteofexcellencepdx.com
Salem First UMC has created an award-winning study on Race and Racism. Resources used include videos, essays, movies, books, and speakers. Each class begins and ends with a devotional thought or prayer.
The class began in 2020 and will continue through 2022. On July 12, Pastor Kalina Seluvaia Malua Katoa, an immigrant from the Tonga islands, will highlight some of the challenges faced by Pacific Islanders in Oregon and the U.S.
Because it is virtual, the class is not limited to church members. If interested in attending, please contact Cesie Delve Scheuermann at cesiedelve@gmail.com. She will be happy to provide information and the link to join the class.
Christ United Methodist Church in Cedar Mills is starting a Young Adult/College Group and invites all UM churches in the area. They are throwing a get-to-know-you party at 11914 SW Jessica Way in Beaverton on Wednesday, July 21, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. S’mores and yard games are on the agenda! Call Tonya at 503-320-5548 for more info.
Yahoo! We have the opportunity again this year to help the Dairy Women sell ice cream at the Washington County Fair on Sunday, July 25, from 5:00 to closing.
Westside gets 15% of the profit plus all the tips. And all the ice cream you can eat!
We need 8 people to staff the booth. If you can help, please contact Sandy directly 503-830-0215 or sandy@tasteofexcellencepdx.com
Share from your week; where have you seen God at work?:
Michele – My God Sighting this week is - Now that I’ve seen my brother in law, it’s been three weeks since he had a stroke, and I’m seeing some things get better. But, I think the real blessing was being able to be here for my sister. I think there were times, when I was working full time, I wouldn’t have been able to have so much flexibility with my schedule. So, I think the real blessing is that I’m really able to be here for her. And I know I’ve been able to help.
Pastor Brett – Amen. Thank you, Michele and we will continue to pray for your brother in law.
Jan – Hello, I just want to thank everybody for praying for Wayne. Quick update on Wayne – He actually played cards with his son and my sister and I. Which was real great because he hasn’t been interested in doing anything! He actually played cards; he corrected us a couple times, and like his old self. So, I’m just thankful and I came across that verse this morning in Psalm 30:5, and it says – Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. It doesn’t say – joy may come, like it says - weeping may endure, but joy comes in the morning! So, I’m expecting and I thank you all for all your prayers and know that God is working, God is working mightily!
Dave – So, tragically I lost one of my business partners a week ago. He was vacationing in Hawaii with his two teenage kids and his wife where they went every year. He was out in the water snorkeling and didn’t make it back in; we think he had some sort of health event. We don’t know what triggered it, but it’s very likely, maybe the cause was drowning, but maybe a health event of some kind. What I wanted to share is though it is tragic and sad; we’re all in disbelief. My company has about 180 employees and so we’re all going through grieving. He was 51 and they flew him back yesterday. I’ve had the challenge of calling many, many, many people in his community related to work largely. He was super active in the business community as well as a lot of non-profits and causes, Breast Cancer Association, Dress for Success, to name a couple. So, I called many people on the phone to let them know before we sent out a press release; it was both emotional and raw each and every time, but so affirming for me to speak to people that I didn’t necessarily know, who knew Peter and honor him. They were effusive in their thankfulness and praise for his life and what he meant to them and their organizations. So, his name was Peter Quang and he was a man of faith. Lift his family up in prayers, please.
Pastor Brett – Absolutely Dave, will do. So sorry to hear about him this week.
Wendy F. – Mine is super fast. We’re very grateful that Mimi Markwith is here for the summer. We missed her last summer and so happy she’s back! So, that’s my God Sighting for sure.
Pastor Brett – Amen. Thank you, Wendy; welcome Mimi!
Kari – Good morning everyone. I have 3 quick ones. 1) Our Women’s Bible Study Group got to be in person for the first time Friday morning! It’s been well over a year and there were 7 of us so, it was really a great time. 2) Yesterday, we had Help Build Hope and we were able to be very efficient and get done by 10:30ish before it got super hot so, that was fun. And we had Ky there and he was a big helper so, that was super fun. 3) My other God sighting is that Dave got a haircut!
Francie – Sage’s 4th Birthday is our God Sighting! 4 years in! Here we go!
Pastor Brett – That’s awesome! Happy Birthday Sage! Oh my goodness, 4 years old! That’s an amazing balloon, Sage. I hope you have a great birthday and try to stay inside. Hey Sloane.
Still looking for a few people to come to the church and water outdoor plants once a week, especially in the hot weather. Contact Brett (pastor@westsidejourney.org) if you want to help out.
Don’t forget to bring items for the Dominican Republic mission trip to worship this Sunday. Here’s the list of supplies needed:
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Crayons
Razor blades (for art)
Colored construction paper
Pencils/pens
Notebooks
Shoes - childrens, size 9c toddler to size 7 women’s/size 6 men’s
Highlighters
Hand soap
Masks
Thermometer
3-4 first aid kits
Antibacterial gel
Due to the heat, Pastor Brett promises to keep his sermon under three hours (just kidding!) It shouldn’t be too warm under the commercial size tent, so please join us in person — or online — to worship together.
The start time has been moved up to 7:00 am in order to finish earlier, before the heat of the day.
Bring lots of water, sunscreen, safety glasses, gloves, and a washcloth or towel to dampen to keep cool.
Last chance to register at https://cedarmillchristumc.org/serve/help-build-hope
Stay hydrated!
If you were unable to attend our online or in-person worship on Sunday, view it here:
We apologize but we had technical issues on Sunday. The sound is unreliable.
Share from your week; where have you seen God at work?:
Kari – My God Sighting is just looking at all the lovely people and kids here today! Also, I got to see a lot of my family yesterday so, that was really nice.
Bonnie – We had a great evening at the migrant camp. Pastor Leo and his son came, he’s Hispanic pastor friend of Randy Loayza. They stayed late and brought a soul to Christ.
Merry – I was able to get a few more people to see the dentist, for no charge, and we got hundreds of pounds of food donated yesterday.
A message from the founders of Ground Up, our hometown heroes:
Hi everyone, Caro + Julie here! We have exciting news and a favor to ask -- Ground Up has been selected as a top 10 semifinalist for a UPS Small Biz Challenge in collaboration with Inc Magazine. We are competing to win $25,000 for Ground Up in addition to an Inc Magazine feature!
Ground Up would not be where we are today without each of YOU! Winning this prize would allow us to continue growing and employ more womxn overcoming adversity in Portland.
If you could take 2 minutes to click this link and vote for us now, that would be greatly appreciated! Voting ends 7/5, one vote per email.
To vote: scroll to the bottom of the page and fill in the "Register to Vote" section, then you will scroll back up the page and click the unmarked box where you see "Julie Sullivan Loos".
Don’t forget to bring your donations this Sunday for our Dominican Republic schoolchildren:
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Crayon
Razor blades (for art)
Colored construction paper
Pencils/pens
Notebooks
Shoes - childrens, size 9c toddler to size 7 women’s/size 6 men’s
Highlighters
Hand soap
Masks
Thermometer
3-4 first aid kits
Antibacterial gel
Take a look at the signup so you can see what’s needed most. If it’s more convenient, you may also donate cash and we’ll do the shopping.
Contact Wendy F or the church office at office@westsidejourney.org for more information on this year’s trip, or with any questions.
Thank you for participating in our survey! Our results show that 88% of people 12 and older are fully vaccinated, and 77% of our whole congregation is fully vaccinated. That puts us in the range of 'herd immunity' as a community.
Our results also showed that the overwhelming majority of survey respondents (95% of Households) indicated they felt comfortable worshipping outside either with their masks on and others' masks off, or all being fully unmasked. As a result of this data, our re-opening team has decided that masks will not be required at our outdoor services, and yes, singing will be allowed!
We are recommending that children under 12, who haven't had the opportunity to receive a vaccine yet wear their masks around other children under 12, and if they are within six feet of adults not in their own household. If you are an adult, please bring a mask to wear in case you are within 6 feet of a child under 12.
I am anticipating we will have a nice mix of masked and unmasked people on Sunday, it will be a glorious morning to worship together on our front lawn. —Pastor Brett
Click here for Pastor Brett’s video message: https://youtu.be/JCq6srNz9WY
Time is running out to register for Help Build Hope!
This year, the dates are June 25 and 26. Volunteers are needed for Friday cutting, Saturday building, and for the check-in/safety crew on Saturday.
Here’s a short video describing what to expect: https://www.facebook.com/99702564838/videos/317879116533227
Register today at https://cedarmillchristumc.org/serve/help-build-hope
Share from your week; where have you seen God at work?:
Martha – I’m going to share because I have been really suffering for the last 5 days - I’ve been in Hawaii! And I’m still there – Aloha! If you want to see God’s beauty, I’ll tell you this is the place to come. Every morning I wake up and look out on the ocean and think – Oh my God, you can just feel that He is here. So, anyway I send you all my Aloha love. I know that it’s raining in Oregon, but they would love it to be raining here, actually. So, have a good week everybody.
Pastor Brett – Thank you, Martha. No jealousy in this room at all. How about the rain this morning? We need it, don’t we? Praise God for the rain this morning. Pray over our fire season; hoping for mercy this year.
Kari – I have a couple. 1) Some of you will remember Funga; he is being ordained at the end of this month. He’s switching from a church in Gresham to a church in Troutdale. Joe called him and talked to him the other day so we’re excited for Funga. 2) Roberta’s toe surgery went really well on Monday. So, she was actually able to walk out in a boot which we were not expecting. So, that was a blessing. 3) Thirty years ago this month, I graduated from Dental Hygiene School and I’ve been a Dental Hygienist working with kids for 30 years now, so that’s pretty exciting.
Brian Shimer – Good morning! Hello! It’s a real privilege to be here this morning. My God Sighting is - it was just so special to walk in here and see all of your faces, well as much of your faces as I can see, but I have a good imagination. Also, the music – tears sprang to my eyes for the second song. I have not heard that song since we sang it here, and it was so amazing to me to experience that. The problem with tears is they get inside your mask…how do you get around that? So, what a privilege and I love being here to celebrate with Tessa and Sawyer. It’s such a really cool gift. So, thank you, Pastor Brett.
Gerry – I had a wonderful 6-mile walk this morning with my daughter in Leadville, Colorado along the streams and mountains here. Along with her 2 dogs and we had a nice time.
Kat – It’s been a month since I’ve been able to worship with you guys. Related to work and a busy schedule. Yah! I’m back! So, beautiful for that! In the last month, I have been on a food journey trying to figure out some things for my health. That has gone really well and I’m happy & praise the Lord, to say that I had no reaction when I reintroduced butter! So, I don’t have a problem with butter! And that is a joy in itself.
Pastor Brett – Amen. Praise the Lord for butter. That’s awesome, Kat, it’s great to see you; I’m so glad you can be here this morning, as well. If you saw Brian Shimer here, I have invited him to be here this morning welcoming him back to Westside to celebrate high school graduations. So, Brian, it’s so good to have you with us this morning.
Sally – I want to say one thing to Kat. Your new challenge now that you can eat butter again is to find all the things that can deliver butter to your mouth. I met someone once who said - that’s my goal, to find butter delivery systems.
If you were unable to attend our online or in-person worship on Sunday, view it here:
Are you available to water the church garden once a week this summer? It’s a short-term commitment that makes a lot of difference! A little weeding might be nice, too!
Contact Pastor Brett at pastor@westsidejourney.org if interested.