Your mess is not too big for God. That's the theme of this summer's Online Bible Study by FaithGateway, which begins this week. Get free access to the videos for the six-week study plus other free downloadables here, plus discounted prices for the book and study guide.
Join the Journey, 6.3.18
Question: How can you create space to truly rest? What distracts you from that rest?
Answers:
- Separation physically from others / Always have something I choose to prioritize as work
- By quieting my mind and being with God in a still place / Fear and stress
- Put away all screens (phone, iPad, TV) / Busyness; being a doer - wanting to cross things off my to-do list
- Get dog onto couch and lie next to him / Evil tutoring homework
- Through daily prayer / Pace of life
- Spiritual peace
Let's Change the World for a Local Family!
Joining together we can build all the frame walls for an entire Habitat for Humanity House before lunchtime! All the wood will be precut; if you can swing a hammer or hold a 2x4 in place, you're needed. If your skills don't involve work gloves, you're still needed -- to distribute water, set up breakfast items, and offer words of encouragement! Go to helpbuildhope.com/cumc for more information and to register.
Journey to Portugal
Josh and Risa Hobson, along with Taste of Excellence Catering, are hosting an evening of food and wine from Portugal on Sunday, June 24, from 5-8 pm. The proceeds will benefit a retreat center for ministry workers and their families throughout Europe and North Africa. Tickets are $50 per person and are available at www.tasteofexcellencepdx.com.
Pulpit Swap!
Pastor Brian will be switching places with Pastor Christy Dirren this Sunday, June 10. Pastor Christy comes to us from West Portland UMC with a message from the book of Ephesians, which tells us to "Sit Down!" To find out why, be sure to attend on Sunday!
I Will Give You Rest
On the 7th day of creation we read in scripture that God rested and hallowed that day as a day of rest. God rested from his labors, yet, did not NEED rest. He rested by example, by design, and by calling upon us to realize that our lives were meant to be lived in rhythm not in frenetic activity. Rest is part of the rhythm of every day, every week, every season. Creation knows how to do this. Seasons do this. Only people needed a command to “keep Sabbath,” a day of rest. Indeed in the bible we are told to strive for one thing, and one thing only and that was this, to “Enter God’s rest” (Hebrews 4:11). So is it any surprise that the Son of God, Jesus, coming to this people caught in the frenetic activity of this world would also come inviting us into rest, saying, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I WILL GIVE YOU REST…” (Matthew 11:29, emphasis mine). Sunday, Josh and Risa Hobson, being sent to give missionaries rest in Portugal, will be sharing about this very rest we need as well. Enter in this week in order to experience and participate anew in this REST set apart by God for you...
Join the Journey, 5.27.18
Question: When have you experienced the Holy Spirit speaking?
Answers:
- Through Pastor Brian
- Sometimes when I am at the ocean. God and I have a great conversation.
- When my grandfather was about to pass away. It gave me peace and helped me let him go.
- In my journaling
- When I agreed to go on a date with Daniel. We just celebrated 11 years of marriage.
Holy Spirit Speaking
Jesus walked with his disciples. Teaching, ministering. To them. To those around them. When he ascended to heaven he left them, but he did not leave them alone. He promised the Advocate, the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit would come and guide them in all wisdom and knowledge. We have received that same gift, but do we access it? Do we acknowledge the Holy Spirit moving in our lives? Do we even know what that looks like? Feels like? Sounds like? Come hear voices tell of their own experiences with the Holy Spirit speaking.
Summer's Comin'
Mark your calendars!
Saturday, July 14, 11am-2pm Lighthouse Celebration
Sunday, July 15, 11am Hagg Lake Baptism Sunday
Saturday, July 21, 6-9pm "Beacon of Light" Auction
Lighthouse Celebration!
Ps 66:12
We went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.
On July 14 from 11am to 2pm, we will join with our neighbors to celebrate our beautiful and functional Lighthouse. We are planning food (brisket, ribs, and hot links), fun, and a firetruck! But we need some help to pull it all together. If you're available, please contact the office at office@westsidejourney.org. Thanks!
Small Groups Meeting This Week
May 22 6:30pm Bible Basics, Lighthouse
May 22 7:00pm Family Promise Review, Family Room
May 23 7:00am Worship Design Team, Family Room
May 23 7:00pm Family Promise Review, Family Room
Join the Journey, 5.20.18
Question: What is your most intimate experience with God's Holy Spirit?
Answers:
- In His sanctuary; in His world.
- Journaling with God and being totally vulnerable before Him.
- Raggers ceremony in Yosemite.
- When I was in so much pain physically. I called out and He sent the Holy Spirit to soothe with hand - stroking my pain away.
- His touch.
- Certain moments with grandchildren.
Family Promise Reviews and Sign-ups
We have another opportunity to host Family Promise coming up in June. So let's get together and brainstorm our last session -- what went well, what could be improved. Come to either one of these sessions -- Tuesday, May 22 or Wednesday, May 23 -- at 7:00pm in the Family Room.
Sign-ups have begun for the week of June 10 - 16. Go to signups.wumc.me to get your name in before your favorite slot is filled!
"Pentecost - Holy Spirit Come!"
What was this like that first day when the Holy Spirit came? Others thought they looked drunk with joy! They saw tongues of fire appear over each of them. They heard wild sounds and then heard coming from each of their mouths what sounded like other languages. The Day of Pentecost. We treat it as if it was somehow very tame, respectable, proper. Yet it was anything but. The Holy Spirit came upon these first followers-- some 120 of them in that upper room -- and all heaven broke loose and with that heaven came 3000 converts that first day. Not an ordinary Sunday by any stretch of the imagination. And perhaps we need to stretch our imaginations a bit more to engage with who the Holy Spirit is as He/She moves, changes, challenges, shifts our thinking and impacts our lives. Let’s engage with this Holy One. Let’s be a people who receive fully the Spirit and are changed and transformed because of that encounter. Even if we look drunk! May the Joy of the Holy Spirit become ours.
HELP BUILD HOPE!
SATURDAY, JUNE 16TH, 2018, 8:00 AM
CHRIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
12755 NW DOGWOOD ST, PORTLAND, OR
We are joining with Christ UMC to build all the frame walls for an entire Habitat for Humanity House in one day. Organized into teams of 8-10, we’ll hammer together 40-50 frame walls in just a couple of hours, which will be transported to a local foundation for Habitat for Humanity.
All ages and skill levels welcome! All the wood will be precut, so if you can swing a hammer or hold a 2×4 in place, we need you! We even provide the hammer and nails. Children are welcome to work with their families. Nursery care will also be available during the event.
There’s a job for everyone. “Crew Members” will build on Saturday, but we’ll also need volunteers to cut wood on Friday the 15th, help serve breakfast, and oversee a first aid station.
Don’t miss out on this incredible day!
Go to helpbuildhope.com/cumc to register for our event. And go to helpbuildhope.com for more info, stories, and videos of this incredible project!
Migrant Ministry
The migrant workers are returning to Heikes Farm. As we have for decades, we will be supporting them this summer with hot meals on Saturday evenings and basic items for their daily living. If you'd like to help with the meals, please contact Bonnie Becker. If you can bring items, immediate needs for the 15-20 workers include:
- toiletries - toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste, deodorant, razors
- clothing - jeans, t-shirts, etc., especially for men
- dish soap, laundry detergent
- towels and bedding (any size)
Please bring items as soon as possible. Meals will continue throughout July. Thank you for your assistance!
Auction News
The time is quickly approaching! This year's auction, "Beacon of Light", will be held on Saturday, July 21. Your mission is to secure donations no later than July 1! Donation forms, with lots of ideas, are available in the church entryway.
30th Anniversary Dinner Celebration
ALL are cordially invited to join the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Western Farm Workers Association. On Saturday, June 9, from 6 - 8pm, you will be treated to a traditional Mexican dinner and performances by an Aztec dance group and Mariachi band. This exciting event, open to ALL, will be held at Hillsboro UMC. There is no cost but you must RSVP by May 27 at signups.wumc.me. If you need more information, please contact Merry Goldthorpe or the church office.
Small Groups this week, May 14 - 19
Bible Basics, Tuesday, 6:30pm
Stewardship Team, Tuesday, 7:00pm
Worship Design Team, Wednesday, 7:00am
Prayer Team, Thursday, 6:30pm
Join the Journey, 5.13.18
Question: Remember a moment, name it, when someone stopped to care for you.
Answers:
- People that helped me after surgery 5.11.17
- Joe stopped to hug, listen and encourage me when I was having a bad day.
- When I had knee surgery and a friend came and stayed with me.
- Telly today. But this week Antonia, 5, stopped and offered mercy and grace after I fell.
- Numerous Westside members helped us with our wedding on 5.6! We are so grateful!
- In huge difficult times my mother will stop and drop everything to come and care for me.
- My mom. All the time. Especially when I was sick. We laughed, we cried, she never left my side.
- When I broke my arm and my boys took care of me.