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.
West Portland UMC is located at 4729 SW Taylors Ferry Rd in Portland.
Let’s begin this holy season together.
Question: How has believing in Jesus impacted how you lived this week?
Answers:
Jesus has given me strength in my faith when my church has let me down. Despite a decision I don’t agree with, I know Jesus loves me and all of us.
Joy: news of new grandbaby due in July.
I was encouraged to think about how I can reach out to others.
I have been so grateful for my eyes that see, my feet that walk, my lungs that breathe the fresh air.
He has allowed me to pray for others so I didn’t have to take anymore on myself.
I know he takes care of me through all things.
A reminder that this event is happening this Thursday!
Learn more about this organization dedicated to reducing human trafficking in Portland.
On Thursday, March 7, from 8:00 - 9:30 pm, EPIK’s Program Director, Justin Euteneier, and intern Bradley Bettis will present an overview of the program and answer any questions. All adults are welcome to attend. The event will be held at Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, 61 SE Yamhill St, Portland.
There will also be a training opportunity in April for men to join the patrol team. More details to follow.
Men create demand. Better men can end it.
Here is the meaning I find in the stories of John the Baptist, the virgin birth, Herod’s slaughter of the innocents, the ancestor lists, the coming of the Magi, and Jesus in the temple at age 12…
Here is why Jesus’ parables, miracles, and teaching about hell are important to me…
Here is how I respond to Jesus’ care for the multitudes and Jesus’ attitudes toward Caesar…
Here is my understanding of the Kingdom of God…
I believe in Jesus. I have confidence in Jesus. Here is what that means to me…
How might you answer any one of these queries?
This Sunday we are breathing in the middle of our walk through the book by Brian McLaren, We Make the Road by Walking, by actually doing just that. We are making the road by walking together, and sharing together from how we have been impacted along the way. It has been a journey! We are talking a few months of passages, plus all the other scriptures you might have been reading. It is a great adventure.
So come worship and hang together sharing in how God has been meeting up with you and through you in this world. It is a rare day. Don’t miss out! Come!
After the Special Session of the General Conference, it is more important than ever to gather together.
Our district is offering Table Talks 3.0, a time of worship and sharing Holy Communion together, as well as conversation about where we go from here.
The closest location is at Portland First UMC, 1838 SW Jefferson St, Portland, on Sunday, March 17, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. To pre-register or see alternate dates and times, click here. They request that you register by March 10.
Dear Family -
Jesus remains our focus as the church adopted what was titled the traditional plan at the General Conference(GC). This decision came after the conference spent six hours in corporate prayer. They’d sought God. But what bothered my own heart the most was the dehumanizing language used of any of our LGBT siblings. The GC — in that regard— lost hold of the love of God.
As people we have an incredible tendency to sort ourselves into categories of “us and them.” From those strongholds then we dehumanize our opponents, in order to affirm our own stance. Dehumanization comes often with labels, making the “other” an object, not a person. And generally whomever comes out on top takes a superior stance to the ones who lost. Some of that happened at GC and some has continued since.
There are no winners in these times. And as long as people are feeling threatened, endangered, that there will be some kind of witch hunt, Jesus gets lost.
I think there is more going on internationally than this current decision. And basically this plan changes nothing of what has been stated previously in the discipline. But as I said that decision was sadly accompanied by behaviors and words that didn’t help.
This brings me to our recommitment to our calling as a local place that is safe for all people, a place to “come as you are,” to be authentic, to be valued and to be invited to meet the One who knows and loves you best, Jesus. Every person is a man or woman of sacred worth, of God’s creation intent, and all of us are sinners, saved by grace, in need of God’s mercy. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, even though that was not demonstrated at GC.
Let’s remember Him as we walk forward to learn how He is urging the church forward in this era to be a place that embodies his love and his purpose in this world. Love really is the answer (John 3:16-17).
On Sunday we will take time to share together about His impact upon us, and share in prayer for the church and for one another, and share in a love feast.
We remain a place of light and love and grace and of the demonstration of the mercy of God. We remain a place focused upon the person of Jesus.
Love for you—
Pastor Brian
HomePlate is launching a new scholarship program for the youth that will allow them the opportunity to enroll and participate in an educational program focused on career preparation without having to worry about peripheral expenses. The overall responsibility of the part-time Opportunity Navigator position is to work with a select group of young people to prepare for, enroll in, and follow through with an educational or occupational program of their choice.
For more information, please click here.
We share in his own words a story of how one youth found HomePlate and his way home to stability and health. Written by Dennis R. who came to us about a year ago….
“I guess I’ll begin at the time before I really met Homeplate…(1 year prior)…
I began my 2nd year of homelessness and was really struggling in my addiction. I’ve had nights where I spent it out in the rain with only a t-shirt and sweatpants. I maybe ate just some chips in a week.
One day I was just using the library as shelter and then I saw two people walk in with light green hiking backpacks and a smile on their faces. They noticed me and came straight over and offered me water and some healthy filling snacks.
And that day I stocked up on jerky! They were also so kind into pointing me in the direction where I could get warm clothes and a warm meal and other resources to benefit my future.
I later got a small job with HomePlate doing and expressing art. That taught me a valuable lesson about life and the right way to live. HomePlate and their positive community saved my life.
I now am living in a house with roommates working as a web designer for a tech company. I am able to pay monthly bills and provide for myself!
I really wouldn't be where I am today without the support of HomePlate and their amazing community! I’m closer to my family again. I am 70+ days sober and still counting! And I’ve learned how to express myself in a community. I have awesome friends now and good relationships with those around me. I have also learned how to be giving and supportive just like HomePlate!
Thank you for everything guys! Love you all!!
Sincerely,
Dennis R.”
Thank you, Westsiders, for your love and support of this valuable ministry!
Question: In what ways has your faith been enacted this week through your life?
Answers:
By joining the trip to Dominican Republic.
I stepped into a church that I felt left me behind without even a blink.
I prayed with a patient and we bonded through our faith as they dealt with a difficult, new diagnosis.
By church service.
Through this morning’s message I have been given hope that my prayers for others do and will have an impact.
I am constantly amazed at what God gently shows me through my days of being alone. He soothes me and reassures me through his love and grace.
Are you ready to play, engage and stand with HomePlate?
Stand Up with HomePlate will be a fun, interactive evening of improv and youth storytelling to raise funds for critically needed services for homeless and at-risk youth across Washington County. Youth served by HomePlate will engage in improvisational theater and story-telling guided by improv professionals Brad Fortier and the Knockouts. Event will feature music by Melao de Cuba. Heavy appetizers and one drink included with $50 admission.
April 23, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Portland Community College Event Center
Rock Creek Campus
17705 NW Springville Rd, Portland
Register today at https://www.homeplateyouth.org/standup — spots are filling fast!
Pastor Steve Ruetschle (pronounced: “Richly”) is the senior pastor at our neighbor Sunset Presbyterian church. He and his wife and boys came to Sunset from the Philippines where Steve had pastored the Union Church of Manila. Steve says he has three passions that run throughout his life's story: a passion for the arts, for people, and for Jesus. Steve walks side-by-side in ministry with his wife, Michelle. They have three sons: Aidan, Jude, and Zephyr.
In 2010, Steve was in a catastrophic motorcycle accident. He broke his neck and suffered a nearly complete spinal cord injury. He became a quadriplegic and was paralyzed from his shoulders down. The doctors said he would never walk again. (He was given less than a 1% chance of walking and less than a 10% chance of any movement below his shoulders.) But by God's grace, he is now a walking miracle. Michelle Ruetschle has written about that first year in a book called Forty: The Year My Husband Became a Quadriplegic (2016, Amazon.com)
As we are looking at faith, the impact of faith, and how we “Make it Real” part of the message will be a video interview Pastor Brian had with Steve. So, come hear Steve tell his own story of faith, what faith in Jesus means for him and how Jesus met him and Michelle, turning tragedy into a miracle, and this man of faith into a vehicle of blessing.
Steve's life story is a living testament to the greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Justice Seekers are invited to attend the Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) Spring Event: "Rule of Law as a Tool of Christian Justice: the intersection of civil law and social principles."
The program speakers will be Elden Rosenthal and Neal Christie.
The gathering will be Friday, March 22 at Christ United Methodist Church, 12755 NW Dogwood St., Portland. Arrive at 6:30 pm for a light snack, and the program will begin at 7:00 pm with presentations from both speakers and time for questions. Registration is free to current MFSA members and $10 for non-members ($15 at the door). You can join MFSA, renew your membership, or register as a non-member via the website, oimfsa.org.
The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) calls upon The United Methodist Church to expand its understanding and embodiment of the radical call of the Gospel to be the inclusive, justice-seeking, risk-taking Body of Christ. They support and augment peace and justice ministries through and beyond The United Methodist Church. More at http://mfsaweb.org/
Learn more about this organization dedicated to reducing human trafficking in Portland.
On Thursday, March 7, from 8:00 - 9:30 pm, EPIK’s Program Director, Justin Euteneier, and intern Bradley Bettis will present an overview of the program and answer any questions. All adults are welcome to attend. The event will be held at Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, 61 SE Yamhill St, Portland.
There will also be a training opportunity in April for men to join the patrol team. More details to follow.
Men create demand. Better men can end it.
All are invited to the monthly Prayer Gathering in the Family Room. We meet at 6:30 pm to pray for our church and its members, friends, relatives, and strangers.
Don’t worry if you’re new to prayer, or hesitant to pray with others. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart.” Rest assured that God knows your prayers even before you do.
Come this Thursday at 6:30 pm and lift your heart and prayers to God.
Question: How is God working differently than you would like HIm to right now?
Answers:
Helping Christ find a job he would enjoy. He has been stuck for so long.
To eliminate war in the world.
In our government; not always as “fast” as I would like Him to.
Well my desire is that this divorce thing would be over, less painful - done.
Pastor Brian is out of town this Sunday but you don’t want to miss church because of that!!! He has asked our friends of Westside Josh and Risa Hobson to come and share in worship. Josh and Risa are missionaries heading out to Portugal to open a home for missionaries to come to in order to take a respite from the field and be refreshed and strengthened through Josh’s culinary gifts and gift of hospitality, and Risa’s counseling gifts. This fall they offered a retreat day for clergy and some of my clergy buddies were able to attend and came away so enriched and strengthened. This couple are a gift to the body of Christ, and a gift to you. So come.
They will be sharing out of Matthew 16:13-17:9 the two field trips Jesus took his disciples on to Caesarea Philippi and up to the Mount of Transfiguration during which they experienced powerful testimonies about who Jesus was. We see in these instances how Peter got it partly right -- the truth about Jesus. And isn’t that like us -- we get the words right at times about Jesus but then sometimes don’t quite get his heart. Jesus has a message for you out of these passages this week. So -- come, experience His love for you, and the call for you to recognize the beauty of who He is in your life.
Josh and Risa are saying that Jesus is sovereign with their lives. He has led them to give up their housing as of the end of March, even with no place else to go. He has led them to quit their jobs as well and trust his provision. He has led them to push out from the shore into the deep waters of trust in order to experience Him in new, dynamic ways. Come in order to be blessed by the faith they are walking as you walk with Jesus as well. Come to bless them as they walk in boldness. Come be filled.
Breathe into me, Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Attract my heart, Holy Spirit,
that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me, Holy Spirit,
that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit,
that I may always be holy.
Just wanted to send all of you this note and tell you how much I love you and appreciate you.
You are making a difference this week in the lives of those in Family Promise.
You have reached into the life of a single mom facing eviction and brought hope.
You brought healing to a 70-year-old’s life who has experienced intense loss.
I'm grateful for each of you. I’m grateful to be walking with you in this journey!
In addition, You all have made my life so rich. I will be praying for you and giving thanks for you as I travel.
Happy Valentine's Day!
Love Pastor Brian
Every Lighthouse must have someone who will make sure that its lens is cleaned, the oil lamps are filled, the wicks trimmed, the clockwork mechanisms are accurate and the structure that houses its light is properly maintained to ensure that its light will shine brightly through the years to guide others safely home.
The same is true of our Lighthouse building. Just one year after completion, this beautiful new space is already providing both shelter and light to many including our youth group, Family Promise, Home Plate, and those in our church family and surrounding community who have need of a gathering place to celebrate important milestones in their lives such as weddings, memorial services and other special events. But without regular care and maintenance the light our facility shines on those in need may begin to flicker and fade.
Every lighthouse needs a keeper and, as a beacon to our community, our Lighthouse needs a whole team of them! Will you be one of them? We are currently putting together a list of specific tasks that anyone can do to help. Many hands make light work. Please prayerfully consider becoming a member of our Lighthouse Keeper Team by volunteering to do one or more of these tasks. You may do them on your own time and/or by joining others on the team at a mutually agreed date and time. Whatever your commitment, you will ensure that Westside’s Lighthouse shines brightly on our community for many years to come!
Question: What do you believe about hell?
Answers:
1. From life's regrets.
2. I believe that we create hell on earth.
3. Separation from God for eternity.
4. I believe it's real - but I also believe you can make your hell through choices.
5. Hell is not a place. Hell is separation from God. Hell is staying stuck in darkness and not grabbing and sharing the light of Jesus.
6. It is complete separation from God - something we cannot begin to fathom since we are always surrounded by God from before birth.
7. It's a dark and horrible place for those that truly have dark hearts and live life without love, kindness, compassion, and God.
8. It's a real place of desolation and regret.