Changes to Website (revised)

A reimbursement form has been added to our website under the Resources tab. If you need to be reimbursed for a church-related expense, download the file, then:

• Print, complete, and email/mail form and receipts. Email to finance@westsidejourney.org or mail to the church -or-

• Open in Acrobat Reader, complete using “Fill and Sign”, save, and email your saved file and receipts to finance@westsidejourney.org or mail to the church

The Prayer Request form is also under the Resources tab now.

And don’t forget that the church directory is also available online at westsidejourney.com/directory. This one isn’t under the Resources tab — you must enter the URL — for privacy reasons.

Let us know if you have other things you’d like to be able to access online.

Prayer Vigil Tonight

From Pastor Brett:

Dear Westsiders, 

I am calling for a Prayer Vigil tonight, Friday August 28th at 8:30 PM on Zoom to lament and pray for an end to violence against unarmed black people, and for God to grant repentance to those who resort to violence.

As you may know, Jacob Blake, a black man, was shot in the back at point blank range seven times earlier this week, in front of his children, as he readied to step into his vehicle in Kenosha, WIsconsin. This unacceptable act was followed by protests the following nights in the streets.  During those protests, a 17 year old white civilian youth named Kyle Rittenhouse murdered two people and injured another after bringing an assault rifle with him to the streets. 

As your pastor, and as a Jesus follower, this centuries-old pandemic of violence against black flesh is deeply disturbing.  We serve a God, Jesus the Jewish Messiah, who was violently murdered in the first century by the Roman Empire, in coordination with the religious authorities, for being perceived as a threat to the established religious and imperial order of the day.  Even though the Pontius Pilate, the religious leaders, and the crowds put the Prince of Peace to death, Jesus and his Father were working to destroy death once and for all.  Since Jesus, no one needs to die as a sacrifice for anyone or anything. I'm summarizing the book of Hebrews here. Indeed, Jesus is the end of sacrifice, once and for all.  He died for "law and order" (aka Rome) once and for all.  Our faith tells us there should be no more bodies upon any altar, to any god or ideal, or system, and yet we still see a disproportionate amount black bodies sacrificed in the streets, sacrificed in the prisons, or sacrificed at home doing nothing (Breonna Taylor), just to name a few and say nothing of the countless black bodies sacrificed in the Atlantic slave trade.  

This vigil will not be about stoking divisions on ideological sides, demonizing people out of the redemptive frame, it won't be about gaining attention for ourselves as individuals or for Westside as a church to post to social media about how 'woke' or righteous we are. In other words, it won't be about us.  Instead, we will focus giving witness to Jacob Blake's life being shattered and his body paralyzed, his children and the greater black community (re) traumatized and terrorized, to give witness to those who were murdered on the streets during the ensuing protests, and to pray for the police officer Rusten Sheskey, who shot Jacob Blake, and to pray for Kyle Rittenhouse who shot three people, murdering two. 

So, as you feel led, let's bring a candle, our griefs, our laments, and most importantly our prayers for tomorrow night. May the love of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you today and forevermore. Amen. 

Click link below to join, or copy and paste into your browser the following: 

https://zoom.us/j/93451906873?pwd=WVdkaXdlQjlxK0hPK1o3QWplQkhvQT09

Meeting ID: 934 5190 6873

Passcode: vigil

Changes to Website

A reimbursement form has been added to our website under the Resources tab. If you need to be reimbursed for a church-related expense, download the file, then:

• Print, complete, and email/mail to the church, or

• Open in Acrobat Reader, complete using “Fill and Sign”, save, and email/mail your saved file to the church

The Prayer Request form is also under the Resources tab now.

And don’t forget that the church directory is also available online at westsidejourney.com/directory. This one isn’t under the Resources tab — you must enter the URL — for privacy reasons.

Let us know if you have other things you’d like to be able to access online.

Online Worship

We worship online every Sunday morning at 9:00 am.

To join us online, click here. You will be prompted to install the Webex application if you haven’t done so already. The link should go directly to the worship service at 9:00 am on Sunday. If the link doesn’t work for you, go to webex.com, click ‘Join’ and enter these details:

• Meeting number (access code):  294 667 249

• Meeting password: GodIsGood!

You may also join using a smartphone by calling 408-418-9388.

Remember to “mute” your audio when you’re not speaking, to cut down on background noise.

See you there!

A Place to Begin: Convo with Jakki

We have opened up more spaces for this Sunday’s event! Please click here to view the online signup sheet.

Our friend Jakki Cotton, who attended Westside for several years, desires to share some of her experience as a black woman and bring a deeper conversation about racial existence to our Westside community.

Face coverings and social distancing will be expected of all participants. Two groups of 10 will take turns watching a short video in the Lighthouse, and then we will all gather outside for comments and questions to Jakki.

Please let us know if the signup is full and we can try to accommodate another session in September with Jakki!

God Sightings 8/23

Where have you seen God at work this past week?

Michele M. – Yesterday, at the council meeting - that we were all able to get together and see each other. It was kind of like restoring, it puts you in better places and brought you back together; helped you remember what everybody looks like.  Pastor Brett – Amen! Church Council was able to meet yesterday in person.

Jan – I have a word.  I am very concerned about Education of our children; I have been praying about it & I know God is working on it. We don’t see him, but he’s working on it…And I have a Word from Him (for all you grandmas, all you mommas, daddies; all you aunts & uncles – hear the word of the Lord) and it is in Isaiah 54:13  – “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; And great shall be the peace of thy children.” And I have another one, it’s from Isaiah, also. Isaiah says to us today - Isaiah 49:25  – “I will contend with him (or her - if it’s the governor) that contend with you, and I will save thy children.” ….Any governor or anyone who stands in the way of our children being taught of the Lord will be contended with by the God who created this Universe; that is the Word of the Lord!

Martha – Two God Sightings – 1) Jakki & her husband, Brad, were such good friends with my brother, Don Meikle. Whenever I see them, or see things that Jakki posts on Facebook or Instagram, I think of their great friendship with him. Thank you Jakki!  2) Sarah, my daughter who is in Bloomington, is starting her YMCA Kid’s program. She has 160 kids signed up in various locations in Bloomington IL, at the different schools. The kids will be bringing their laptops so they can do school during the day and the Y is providing meals, art & music and PE classes for them. So, she’s going to turn from a Presbyterian Minister into a Principal this year until this Covid is over. She said the other day that there is a reason God brought me to Bloomington and this is the reason!

Laura – I see God through the Women’s Weekly Bible Study and Prayer time. There are some powerful prayers and encouragement going on.   Debbie – Anyone wanting to join Zoom Bible Study send me your request gabeld@frontier.com 

Amy F. – Free Food Ministry was able to connect with another gleaner to further extend our outreach.

Kari – My God Sighting is about the Cell Phone Tower deal getting finalized yesterday!  Pastor Brett – Amen! I’m sure there will be more to share about this in the coming weeks & months.

Pastor Brett – One of my God Sightings this week - I was able to go to FFM and walk around with Amy as she showed me the ropes. If you haven’t been out there yet, I would encourage you to go visit. It is a feeding of the 5,000 sort of situation where God is multiplying what there is and being able to meet the extraordinary need of people who are hungry at this time. Amy, thank you for hosting me on Tuesday…

Worship Video for August 23

If you missed worship on Sunday, catch it here:

https://holtrich.my.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/holtrich.my/recording/play/d195423de2d44162a0ebc4ab63280a69

Skills for Today's World

George Packer wrote, “Ideology knows the answer before the question has been asked.”

In a divided nation and world, and in an election year, we can feel the truth of Packer’s words in our bodies.  So how do we learn, as followers of Jesus, who learned by the Spirit, in a world that has forsaken learning in favor of ideological capture?

I believe it starts with listening.  Empathetic listening. Connecting with each other without bringing in another audience to watch the conversation. Taking in different perspectives without being threatened and being able to disagree and remain connected. These are vital skills in today’s polarized and polarizing world.

This Sunday, we will have an opportunity to hear from our friend Jakki Cotton, hear a glimpse of her perspective, and dig into some empathetic skills as we seek to become people who can truly hear one another and stay connected to each other, no matter what perspective we bring to the table.

Clothing Needed

The following items are needed for the guests in the Family Promise program:

1. Adult Male: pants - size 34 mens, shirt - size L/XL mens

2. Adult Male: pants - size 36 mens, shirt - size M/L mens, shoes -  size 9.5

3. 12 year old boy: underwear and PJ's - size 14, shoes - size 6.5

4. 8 year old boy: underwear and PJ's - size 12, hoodie - size 12

5. 14 year old girl: pants - size 18 in womens, shirts - size 2x in womens, underwear - size xxl, shoes size - 10

If you have any of these items, please leave them in the Lighthouse for Bonnie. If you don’t have access to the Lighthouse, contact Bonnie to make arrangements. Thank you!

A Place to Begin: Convos with Jakki Cotton

Our friend Jakki Cotton, who attended Westside for several years, desires to share some of her experience as a black woman and bring a deeper conversation about racial existence to our Westside community.

We are offering you the opportunity to come and engage with Jakki in person in the Lighthouse. Two sessions are available - this Sunday, August 23, or Sunday, August 30. Signup is limited to 8 for each session.

Face coverings and social distancing will be expected of all participants. A video conversation between Jakki and several Westsiders will be shown and then the floor will be open for comments and questions to Jakki.

Please click here to view the online sign up sheet.

Please let us know (office@westsidejourney.org) and (pastor@westsidejourney.org) if the signup is full and we can try to accomodate another session in September with Jakki!

God Sightings 8/16

Where have you seen God at work this past week?

Martha – My husband, Ken, turned 70 on Friday! And also Friday was our 44th Wedding Anniversary! Actually known each other for 45 years – we met my first year of teaching way down in Southern Oregon. God brought him to me.

Pastor Brett – Janelle & I celebrated our 11 year Anniversary yesterday! 11 years and still going strong! Yeah for all anniversaries. God has to be in the midst of marriages for things to work out – Amen!

Kat – My Father built a plane for his retirement. He and my Mother were flying it back here and he had catastrophic engine failure in the middle of nowhere! God is good because God was with him; they were able to land in the middle of nowhere airfield! And made it down just in time before the engine completely failed on them. So Praise God and all His Mighty Glory! In spite of being in the middle of nowhere, wonderful people helped them find food, lodging and rental car and everything. Pretty amazing and thankfully I still have both my parents on the face of this planet!

Worship Video for August 16

If you missed worship on Sunday, catch it here:

https://holtrich.my.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/holtrich.my/recording/play/8d95f035c15d438a8b61e0f9625ea420

Faith That Changes Minds

This week we will catapult ourselves ahead in the Scripture to the book of Matthew to pick up a story of when the Gentile woman approached Jesus to ask for his help. 

His initial response is to explain to the woman that his mission as the Messiah was not to help Gentiles, but the lost sheep of Israel.  But she positions herself on her knees in front of him and begs for his help.  After initially ignoring her request, Jesus grants it to her because of her faith in him. 

What are we to make of this encounter? Is Jesus being (what we would call) a racist here?

Come Worship in the Lighthouse!

Are you tired of worshipping online? Do you long to see some of your friends in person on Sunday morning? Need to switch up your routine?

If so, come and worship in the Lighthouse on Sunday.  We are approved to have ten people in the building, watching and participating in the service, wearing masks and sitting at least 6 feet from one another. 

If you would like to attend in-person, please contact Gayellyn Jacobson (gayellyn@gmail.com), to make sure there aren't more than 10 already planning to attend. We would hate to have to turn you away! First priority will be given to those who have been unable to connect through Zoom.

God Sightings 8/9

Where have you seen God at work this past week?

Kari – I was able to go to Allie Kenfield’s Wedding last night. Brett & Kristin’s daughter. I saw Frank & Karen Strahaul there which many of you may remember from early on Westside days. It was good to catch up on things with them. It was a beautiful Wedding.

Michele – My 12 year old poodle had to have 7 teeth extracted this last week, but he’s doing just fine.

Amy F. – All the wonderful people who stepped up to help me. I have to wait until the 17th to see if I do need surgery on my hip…..so I just appreciate everything from everyone

Jan – My Husband and I were at (mostly inaudible) and saw parade & streets with people lined up with signs and flags. Signs that said Thanks for the Vets & God Loves America. One lady’s name was Betsy – Like Betsy Ross - she headed up this event with her husband…. Very uplifting and glorious to see this.  

Wendy F. – We helped WFWA move things in our big silver van. They had a big bed with tall parts. We weren’t sure we had the muscle to really load it…. Sawyer and I took an hour to load it and then we had to locate the destination by GPS. GPS took us on some strange road under construction where the road turned into gravel and then had an abrupt edge. God gave us funny jokes as the tall parts were swaying in the back of the van. The bed survived the trip and 45 minutes to unload it. God gave us a good laugh on our journey and we are grateful!

Lisa B. – God Sighting is that it is great to be able to join in with Westside! All the way from Missouri! And see everyone!  I miss Westside so much!  Gayellyn – We all miss you!  Wendy F. – Lisa, we hope to see you every week!!  Sally – So great to see your face and hear your voice, Lisa.

Merry – I was able to bring 90 lbs. rice and 24 bottles of cooking oil from Westside over to the Farm Workers, thank you.

Laura  - Kevin – I got to see the tenderness of my son, Bruce, in full bloom this week.

Gerry – My God Sighting was at the Lighthouse building yesterday, seeing Bonnie loading so much food into her car.  Don’t know how she does it. I was able to help a little with that.  Bonnie – Thanks Gerry, I was so grateful you were there!!

Kari – Volunteering on the mobile dental van and helping get people out of pain.

Worship Video for August 9

If you missed worship on Sunday, catch it here:

https://holtrich.my.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/holtrich.my/recording/play/0f8457f5bb924e1aa7cfc4ba147f65b0

Gleaning

With modern agricultural machinery like the combine, virtually all parts of a crop are harvested from fields with the emphasis being on leaving nothing behind and maximizing yield for profit. 

However, in ancient Israel, the people of God were instructed not to harvest every single crop, leaving behind an amount for the vulnerable and destitute that would go behind the reapers and glean the remaining crop.  Boaz practiced holy restraint in his fields, not harvesting all his grain during the famine. 

Join us this Sunday for a conversation with Pastor Brett and Pastor Bo Sanders from Vermont Hills UMC on the practice of gleaning.

Paying It Forward

Workin’ Dream Farm

Remember way back in 2019, when we met in person at church? You generously donated your loose change for KIVA, the non-profit that makes small business loans to marginalized people.

As the original $750 worth of loans is being repaid, we are reinvesting in more small businesses. To date, we have loaned $975 to 15 groups in the Dominican Republic and the US.

The latest loan helps a small regenerative farm in Langley, Washington, feed their community during the COVID-19 crisis. Read their story here.

Thank you!

God Sightings 8/2

Where have you seen God at work this past week?

Kari – Yesterday at Help Build Hope – I saw all the people join in together to build the wall units.

Bonnie – I agree with Kari, great time yesterday building walls.

Francie – The girls have started to play together…….it’s amazing!

Kristin – 25 years ago today I was blessed with my daughter Emily! She has grown to be a wonderful mother herself and she helps me a lot with her Grandmother.

Stephanie – My oldest son turned 23 Friday!

Merry – We celebrated our 25th Anniversary on Thursday!

Kat – A friend in Seattle tested negative for COVID; I also tested negative for COVID – Praise God! So, my friend was able to come down and visit here in Portland. It was so good to have her come during this time when we are so isolated.

Morgan Holt – We Celebrated my Grandma’s 92nd Birthday yesterday!!!

Pastor Brett – Kyrie & I were able to join in with Hope Build Hope yesterday for a short time. This was good to join in with the group.  My God Sighting this week was on Monday when my son, Levi, was born at 11:45 am. 9 lbs. & 21 ½” long. Janelle & I felt the prayers and presence of God with us through the whole experience; we are so blessed! I wish all of you could hold him! If you come to our house with a meal, you can see him through the window. Or perhaps I will put him into a Zoom meeting….

Janelle – (mostly inaudible)…..Feeling good and recovery is going well with no complications.

Paige – My Goddaughter’s Wedding on Saturday went very well; thank you for all the prayers. I was able to stand at a distance while officiating the ceremony.  Gwen got to be Flower Girl and did an excellent job. It turned out to be a small crowd instead of being too large, so everything was easier and more relaxed. This was my First Wedding officiating the ceremony!

Michele M. – My Brother in law is having his 93rd Birthday! And this is no small feat!

Baby Stuvland Arrives!

Levi Houston Stuvland was born on Monday, July 27, at 11:45 am! Congratulations to Pastor Brett, Janelle, and big brother Kyrie!

You can still sign up to take them a meal. All of the dates in August are taken, but September will be here before you know it. Not a cook? You can also donate a GrubHub gift card on the website!

Meal Train Link: https://mealtrain.com/3g18rw

Contact Francie if you have questions or would like her to sign you up.