Question: In what one way this week have you noticed or reached out to someone less fortunate than you?
Answers:
I sent a card to a coworker who just had to resign due to health issues and she sent me a text telling me how much my words meant to her.
I spoke to a neighbor and encouraged him.
By talking to and comforting an unfortunate person.
Collecting donations for non-profit auction.
Want to discover your spiritual gifts but just don’t have a lot of time to spare?
Beginning March 11, this tremendous workshop will be offered online! You’ll need a computer with camera and microphone to do group discussions through Zoom. One of the strengths of this program is sharing with others to uncover what God has planned for you.
All materials will be emailed to you, for you to print if desired. There will be one session each Monday night, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm, for seven weeks, with our last session on April 22.
The cost for materials is $10. You may register and pay online at signups.wumc.me.
Greetings from a 110-degree day in Paraguay!
When we left New York, it was 4 degrees. Yes, it was quite the shock at first, but now we're getting used to the heat again. By the way, we had a great time in the U.S. You can read about our trip, as well as our first week back, at www.tmrevett.blogspot.com.
And please keep us posted on you and your loved ones.
Have a great Superbowl Weekend!
If we are earning more than something around $25,000 per year, we are in the top 10% of the wealthiest people in the world. Double that yearly household income and we are in the top 1%. This means most of us here find ourselves among the elite. In His earthly ministry, Jesus aligned himself with those with the least, “The Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” How might you and I stand with those who live life on the fringe of life? How might we align ourselves with those with whom Jesus aligned himself even if it might mean being criticized or misunderstood?
What might this day have felt like to you, had you been among the crowd following Jesus has he approached the city of Jericho? You might have been exulting with the others. Jesus had said some spectacular things that day, depending upon how long you had walked with him. You might have seen him single out children as recipients of God’s Kingdom! “Become like a child,” Jesus had said. You might have witnessed his talk with a young, rich guy who wanted eternal life, and claimed to follow all the commands of Scripture, but when it came to his wealth, his most cherished possession, which really possessed him, he couldn’t let it go. “Sell everything, give to the poor and come follow me,” Jesus had told him. And he left, sorrowful. You might have heard the shocked response of the disciples to whom Jesus said, “How difficult it is for the rich to enter God’s Kingdom. Indeed it is more difficult for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter God’s Kingdom.” The disciples were shocked. Salvation was impossible, Jesus had said, for people, but not for God. You might have heard when JEsus said for the third time that he would have to be killed when he reached Jerusalem, and with the disciples you might have decided he was just speaking in figurative terms. But what could that mean?
When Jesus stopped for the blind man in Jericho, told in Luke 18, he demonstrated how He lived “hearing” and “seeing” those whom others missed. Had you seen that guy by the side of the road? Had you even heard his shouts? Some had heard, they yelled right back telling him to be silent, putting him into his place. But had you really seen him or heard him? Or rather had you been surprised along with the others when Jesus stopped and called this man to come to him. This blind beggar was received and healed by Jesus. In fact, he was healed by his own faith, Jesus said. He believed and that made healing possible.
In your own life, today, who are the marginalized? Who are the blind? Who are the beggars who need love and grace? Who are the lost, hurting, lonely, abandoned? Jesus calls you and me to see them and reach out to them. How might you choose to do such ministry with your life?
You are cordially invited to an evening for Family Promise on Friday, February 15, from 5:30 - 8:00 pm. Chuck Currie, Pacific University Chaplain and Director of Center for Peace and Spirituality, will be the guest speaker. Dinner will be provided by Claey’s Catering. There will also be live music and a silent auction.
The event will be held at Community of Christ Church, 5170 NE Five Oaks Drive in HIllsboro.
Tickets are $50 per person and available at https://squareup.com/store/family-promise-of-washington-cty. Questions? Contact Veronica at 503.844.2919 or FamilyPromiseVeronica@gmail.com.
We will be collaborating our Ash Wednesday service with West Portland UMC on March 6, at 7:00 pm. Youth will be playing an active role that evening. Plan to attend!
West Portland UMC is located at 4729 SW Taylors Ferry Rd in Portland.
Question: In what did you encounter the power of God’s kingdom on earth this week?
Answers:
I was in charge of coaching some highly skilled kids who weren’t able to go to a special out-of-town hockey clinic. They were bummed! God helped me see that they needed the opportunity to lead drills they wanted to do instead of my preset coaching plan. They were great leaders and ended up being thrilled at the practice. Thank you, God, for your direction for my life.
In a personal relationship where love triumphed.
The family from the church I have is so precious.
God’s love, peace and mercy.
My contemplation from Bible Basics.
“Do you take your grandchildren to church?” my neighbor was asked by another neighbor. “Yes, my daughter brings them over Saturday nights and then I take them with me on Sundays. They love it.” He responded, “Brainwashing them, are you?”
She was staggered. The tone. The language used. It left her breathless. She looked at him thinking “what should I say?” and said, “The God I know loves them and loves you,” she told him. “We all need an introduction.” When she saw me later that day, she invited me over. She told me of the encounter and said, “I think I should have said more. I just feel deflated, like I missed an opportunity. I wanted to say, ‘And I am praying for you too.’ and feel disappointed that I didn’t.”
Hearing what had transpired I thought I caught that it was a conflict of kingdoms that had occurred. It is less about our neighbor and more about the spiritual stuff behind him that is so challenging. It is a spiritual scrimmage that took place. This is possibly why she felt so beaten by it. It was the wrong voice whispering in her ear. I told her, “You know, God can write straight on crooked lines, and we have plenty of them. I’d trust that you did just exactly what God wanted and I’d like you to remember there’s an enemy who wants to steal your joy. Don’t let him do it.” We prayed for our neighbor.
There is a kingdom.
There might be an effort to change out the word kingdom today, for something less “male” (king) or powerful sounding. Also, some say it is a word meaningless in our world. But I cannot think of a better one. Although McLaren has suggestions, they all fall far short of the reality that there are realms in conflict around us and that we are in that we can get in the crossfire. They fall short of explaining the rulers and powers of this world. They fall short of defining what it feels like to encounter a scrimmage like my neighbor experienced. We might want to soften the word, but we will miss out on crucial theology in our effort.
There is a kingdom. And there is a King.
Maybe some bristle against this idea. But for me, it causes me to breathe easy. There is a King. And we are in a kingdom realm that is full of light, power, and impossibilities made possible. A kingdom in which by faith we have authority to act. When the disciples in this passage encountered an unexpected test of faith, they were in awe of the King. Know the king and encounter the kingdom. Come and worship.
The Columbia District Church Extension Society (CDCES) is a society that provides grants and loans, and manages investments for churches in our district. Organized in Portland over 100 years ago, they have loaned and granted millions of dollars and have an investment portfolio of over $3 million.
The board meets once a month and one Westsider is invited to attend. The annual meeting is February 19 at Christ UMC, 12755 NW Dogwood St, Portland, and includes lunch. If this interests you, please contact the church office or Pastor Brian. For more info about CDCES, visit https://umoi-email.brtapp.com/!yAxBDi67BM1pFQoRn1u2+q9YOsSnJP3GR4WQ8yelg5FHYqgfnGsmXRABr3KNi3zlM
The Beaverton High School production of “The Diary of Anne Frank” has three more performances: tonight and tomorrow at 7:00 pm, and a matinee tomorrow at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors. You may purchase tickets online at http://shannondery.wixsite.com/beavertondrama.
"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 next week to Westside! If you still need to register, forms are available in the church lobby and here. You may also register online at signups.wumc.me.
On two consecutive weekends, you will discover the spiritual gifts that were bestowed upon you by the Holy Spirit, and 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)
Question: How has God spoken to you through scripture?
Answers:
He has developed a language to communicate through journaling, giving me peace and knowledge.
There is a feeling of completeness I live with when I read routinely.
Memorizing verses helps me to remember that God is real! Next step: memorize more scripture.
Psalm 23.
He has chosen a scripture to point out a certain issue or happening in my life. I am not unique, we are all his children.
Given me encouragement, hope, healing, direction.
What are all those names/words and what do they mean?
What does the Old Testament have to do with Jesus?
How am I supposed to remember all this stuff?
Why should I read my Bible?
What’s in it for me?
Come take a glimpse at what’s inside.
Come discover the treasure of the Bible.
Planning an event at the church? Remember that you can check the calendar on our website at https://www.westsidejourney.com/calendar/. By clicking on an event, you can see the start and end times and the location.
One word of caution: the Apostolic Ministries are not on our online calendar. They have two standing reservations for the main building, Sunday and Friday evenings.
Please contact the church office at office@westsidejourney.org if you would like to reserve space.
A new movement is emerging out of the dreams of the laity and you can be there at the Launch Party! New relationships are forming, community is being created across congregations, a new vision is taking shape.
Come share your voice, your thoughts, your passion and Lead the Way! Lunch and snacks will be provided, as well as childcare for children ages 5 and under.
For more info, and to register, visit https://www.umoi.org/eventdetail/12239275.
Question: When have you said “Yes” to God’s request upon your life?
Answers:
Extending my time and home to a neighbor - and I’ve been very blessed by her
Weekly church service
When He asked me to forgive people who I did not think deserved or even wanted my forgiveness - letting go allowed me to heal and let go
I have released all worry one day at a time
When I volunteer to serve others
To trust in him and not worry
Tuesday morning as we Hit the Street
Your year-end giving statements will be available this Sunday. Plan to be here!
Luke 4: 1-30 and Luke 5:1-11:
The whole section from McLaren dealt with Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, His entrance into ministry, His preaching in Nazareth and then his message beside the sea sitting in Peter’s boat. What followed this sermon, was Jesus’ request to Peter to push off into the deeper water let down your net. Peter objected, simply saying, that he and his partners had been fishing all night, but Peter simply did what Jesus asked instead of refusing. Peter said, “because you say so,” and let down the net.
To let down those nets meant going against everything Peter knew about fish and fishing. Everyone would have told him to let down his nets in the morning, or midday was foolhardy. No fish would be there at that point in the day. Peter could have leaned into his years of experience on the Sea of Galilee and explained to Jesus why this was a bad idea. But Peter chose beyond saying, “Master we have been fishing all night,” doesn’t raise an objection. He just says, “because you say so,” and let’s down his net.
What followed shocked the sandals off Peter. That net filled with fish, indeed, filled and began to tear. Pete called to his partners and their nets and boat too was filled with flopping fish at which sight Peter fell before Jesus and said an interesting thing, “Depart from me Master, for I am a sinful man…”
Why this statement? What might we learn about the impact Jesus’ miracle had had upon Peter to cause Peter to recognize his own sinfulness?
At noon under a blazing sun, even the shadows are lighter. Everything stands out in bold relief. And in the blazing light of this unnecessary, extravagant, miraculous gift into Peter’s life and that of his partners -- a bounty, a boon, a bonus -- Peter saw himself clearly. He didn’t deserve this. He couldn’t earn it. He would never be able to repay it. It was grace, unmerited, and impossible to comprehend, and in comparison, Peter knew himself well enough to know, he could never measure up. No wonder he fell on his face asking Jesus to depart. His only understanding of God was that he needed to do something to earn this, and couldn’t.
Jesus doesn’t respond as we might expect. He doesn’t say, “Stop groveling!” He doesn’t reprimand Peter. He gets the real issue here, and says, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching men.” And upon reaching shore, they all abandoned their boats, the amazing catch, and their gear and follow Jesus.
They went from experts to apprentices of this radical, unusual, amazing Rabbi. They followed in order to become like Him. That was the whole idea, to become like the Rabbi, to do what the Rabbi did. As apprentices we too have the same goal, and as the Spirit works within us as we practice following Jesus, He will achieve this goal in us as well.
Come on! Join the adventure! Follow the Savior into church -- let’s worship!
Please note the new time for the second Saturday of the workshop:
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.
For more information on the workshop, please visit the original post.
Question: In agreement with your baptism, what needs to change or turnaround in your life today?
Answers:
Be renewed every day by his blood; surrendering all to him. In our weakness finding strength.
That I would put aside my own agenda to follow Jesus’ plan for me instead.
Self care.
I need to learn to be content in my life. I’m always on the go, looking for the next adventure. Need to just be loved.
Watch less TV and movies.
Giving of self for others.
Expand Free Food Ministries.