We are offering an Advent story series for kids (aimed at ages 3-12) as a way to begin experimenting with how to help our kids encounter Jesus and engage with the meaningful seasons of the church. To learn more and sign-up your child, please complete the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZNZ3WZB
Re-Imagine Outreach Together
This Sunday at 10:30 am is the fourth in our series of reimagining Westside during and after COVID. All are welcome to participate!
Re-Imagine Outreach Together: Come learn more about the outreach ministries of Westside UMC and how we are adapting during COVID. Who are we becoming through our outreach? What are the themes of our outreach and who is God is calling us to be?
Re-Imagine Together Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/91376283930?pwd=a3BNcjFzN082SFhUem12czc4MW9JUT09
Meeting ID: 913 7628 3930
Passcode: reimagine
God Sightings and Saints for 11/1
Sharing where the Holy Spirit has been at work this week or who you are you remembering or celebrating on this All Saint’s Day.
Sally – Yesterday I had a wonderful walk with our son’s girlfriend. We walked through Laurelhurst Park and somehow we started talking about parents and grandparents. Just to be able to share stories with her about my mom and grandmother who lived with us. I shared poems that I’ve learned from them. She looked at me at one point and said – Does Dobb know all this? That’s my son. Does Christopher know everything that you just told me? I think sometimes we forget to even tell our own children about their ancestors who they never knew but, they only know them through your stories. So, it just made me realize how important it is for us to keep our grandparents & great grandparents alive in their world because, that’s their only connection to them... And me because of them. So, it was really wonderful.
Gerry – I am in Leadville, CO, remembering my wife, Sandy, with our daughter, Sarah. Sandy passed away 3 years ago last week.
Pastor Brett – Looking at her bench in the front yard of the church, Gerry. Lifting up a prayer for you and your family.
Martha – So glad you are with your daughter, Sara…thinking of you this month. Sandy was a wonderful woman…and she is dancing on the clouds with Mom.
Like Gerry, October is a hard month for us. We lost 2 Saints – Mom in 2017 and Dobb, my brother Don, in 2018. And in July of this year we lost my step sister. So, within 3 years we have lost 3 family members. So, All Saint’s Day really makes you value those that are still in your family. Because, we have lost 3. We still have a big family but, still not as big as it started out to be.
We did have a blessing our granddaughter, 3 year old Ada, came yesterday dressed as a beautiful witch. She came inside and was waving her arms just like Mom used to do. It was a remembrance that the Irish-Canadian-Scottish heritage is continuing on. You find laughter in grief and that’s important.
Kari – Remembering Joe’s Aunt, Sister Sharon, who passed last October and our friend, Kathie, who died about 2 weeks ago.
Remembering Sandy with you and Sara, Gerry! She was a Saint! And she is a Saint!
Carol – Celebrating the life of my Mom, Wilma Hamilton, who passed away 11/4/2015 at the age of 95. She was an excellent example of how to spread the love of Christ.
Wendy F. – My father in law, Bob Fedderly, turns 70 today, on the very All Hallows’ Day. And it makes me think about how it is very true when you marry someone, you marry their whole family and how blessed I am for the whole Fedderly family. I did not know what I was getting into and I just couldn’t be more thrilled 25-30 years later since I met them. It’s just a joy. I am broken hearted that I can’t be with him today but, just thrilled and blessed to be grounded in the gratefulness to have him in my life.
Our church gives me hope! No matter what happens this week, I know that church will happen on Sunday with all of you. I love this church, filled with kind people who are my extended family! Knowing that I will “see” you on Sunday gives me comfort and something wonderful that I can count on, no matter what else happens this week.
Stephanie – Remembering my sister, Haley, who went into the hospital 4 years ago on Thanksgiving Day and never came home.
I sat on Sandy’s bench this week…soaked up the warm sun and held Haley’s memory close. Such a special place.
Jan – I woke up this morning and that song, Bless The Lord O my soul…And the 1st verse of that says – The sun comes up, there’s a new day dawning…
And isn’t it a beautiful Sunday morning? God has given us such a beautiful sunny day to have communion and to remember Him! He’s so Good!
Worship Video for November 1
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
Perspective
Well, the November US Presidential election is right around the corner. And while this event can take on enormous significance and the power to shape aspects of our lives here in America, and have consequences for humans and the earth, we might be right to zoom back from this moment to remember what our future holds in Christ.
The Scripture from Revelation paints a picture of a multitude from every tongue, nation, and tribe, larger than anyone can count who are worshipping around the throne of God. This vision of the kingdom finally fully transcends that which has the power to divide in our world. Empires will rise and fall, kingdoms will come and go, but the risen Lord will reign forever and ever and ever.
2021 Pledge
2021 will be The Year of Jubilee - freedom from captivity, freedom from inequality, freedom from financial burdens.
It’s not too late to make your pledge of time and support for 2021. Visit https://www.westsidejourney.com/stewardship-2020 today!
Ultimately, Jubilee as a year is brought into the everyday by Jesus. Every day is an opportunity to experience the Spirit’s power to release us from sin, from the bondage of the evil one, and to have our relationship with God reset by the precious blood of Jesus. Come, be a part of Jubilee!
Fall Back!
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour this Saturday night. Reclaim that hour of sleep stolen from you in March!
Tomorrow: HomePlate Donations
We still have work slots available for tomorrow’s Random Acts of Kindness donation collection for HomePlate Youth Services. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BABAF22AB9-random
Bring your items to church tomorrow between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm:
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Backpacks
NEW Undergarments (bras, underwear of all sizes)
Beef Jerky
Granola Bars
Their General Needs list may be found at https://www.homeplateyouth.org/wish-list
You may also contribute through their Amazon wishlist or by donating cash through our website, designated for HomePlate.
If you have any questions, you may contact our own Stephanie Raether at stephanie@homeplateyouth.org or 971-978-9397.
Survey: Small Groups at Westside
Currently, there are two small groups meeting online - the weekly women’s group and a short-term study of race and Christian identity. You can find more info about both on our calendar by clicking on the event.
In addition, a men’s group will be starting soon.
Please take this short survey to help us plan future groups: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YL62FJW. Now’s the time to brainstorm and give us your ideas!
Action Assembly: Building Housing
We continue our Re-imagined Action Assemblies this week.
Join District Superintendent Tim Overton-Harris and others in a four-week series of Zooms about storytelling, dreaming, and scheming for the year ahead. Based on Bishop Elaine Stanovsky’s address* to the Greater Northwest Area.
Wed, Oct 21: Nurturing Partnerships (recording available soon)
Wed, Oct 28: Building Housing REGISTER
Wed, Nov 4: Dismantling Racism REGISTER
Wed, Nov 11: Battling Climate Change REGISTER
All events are from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Attend any or all, but you must register to attend.
*The Bishop's three-part address can be found here: Part I, Part II, Part III.
God Sightings for 10/25
Describe when you saw God this week.
Laura – Prayers of Thanksgiving for my brother, Stephen, who finally returned to work last week after contracting Covid on Labor Day Weekend. He and his wife are feeling much better. Thank you for your prayers.
Pastor Brett – It’s Aurelia’s Birthday today, she is 11!
Jan – I want to tell you, if anybody tells you that growing old is a bad thing, tell them they are full of hot air! Because it is not true. You know that the older you get, the better it gets. You get to have grandkids, now that’s over the top; you also get to see your children become so wise and they tell you great, wise things. My daughter, yesterday, blessed me so much – I told her she was such a good grandma…She has 4 little grandchildren now. She said – Mom, that’s because I had such a good teacher! That just blessed me so much! As we pass through the different stages of life, He saves the best till last! God does all things so good. Hallelujah, Praise The Lord! We can Praise The Lord no matter how many years he gives us, Hallelujah! Praise The Lord!
Worship Video for October 25
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
Journey to Joy
Sunday, we welcome guest preacher, Rev. Todd Bartlett, the Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference to Westside to preach on our theme of Jubilee.
Journey to Joy is an exploration of what goes into our experience of Joy from a faith perspective. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and is a natural consequence of living our lives in line with Christ’s call. Todd will argue that Joy is hard earned and more than worth the struggle.
Be sure to join us at 9:00 am on webex.com. Click ‘Join’ and enter these details:
Meeting number (access code): 294 667 249
Meeting password: GodIsGood!
Extravagant Generosity Sunday!
This Sunday is EGS! We will have a guest speaker, Rev. Todd Bartlett, the Director of Camp and Retreat Ministries for the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference. Rev Todd will speak on joy, the fruit of the Spirit that we all yearn for during these days.
There will also be a show-and-tell and a jingle that you won’t be able to forget!
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to visit https://www.westsidejourney.com/stewardship-2020 and pledge for 2021.
See you Sunday!
Re-Imagining Together
Don’t forget to join us this Sunday at 10:30 am for an open conversation about the future of our buildings and land. All are welcome to participate!
Re-Imagine Building, Land & Place Together: How are we utilizing our buildings and land during normal times? During Covid times? How are we using our land to give glory to God and to witness to His creation? Are there budding ministries that need a place to thrive on our land? What is going on in our neighborhood and in the churches around our neighborhood? How are we connected to our place in Beaverton? Why do we exist here and not in Hillsboro or downtown Portland?
Re-Imagine Together Zoom Link:
https://zoom.us/j/91376283930?pwd=a3BNcjFzN082SFhUem12czc4MW9JUT09
Meeting ID: 913 7628 3930
Passcode: reimagine
Action Assemblies Re-Imagined
Maybe 2020 is an apocalypse - an unveiling of what’s been true all along - in the biblical sense.. Or, it could be, if we join the Spirit in reimagining our life together for times such as these. Indeed, we were called as Christ's church to nothing less.
It's a life together district churches are already pioneering.
Some are finding the future of their faith as weavers of social holiness in their neighborhood.
Others are stewarding their shared real estate by building affordable housing.
Some are performing courageous moral inventories about the racism in their shared history.
Others cared for climate refugees after September's fires.
Let us celebrate these stories. And let us pair them with Bishop Elaine's summons* to courage for the year ahead, to keep reimagining what it could mean to be a people called Methodist.
Join District Superintendent Tim Overton-Harris and others in a four-week series of Zooms about storytelling, dreaming, and scheming for the year ahead.
Wed, Oct 21: Nurturing Partnerships REGISTER
Wed, Oct 28: Building Housing REGISTER
Wed, Nov 4: Dismantling Racism REGISTER
Wed, Nov 11: Battling Climate Change REGISTER
All events are from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Attend any or all, but you must register to attend.
*The Bishop's three-part address can be found here: Part I, Part II, Part III.
Women's Bible Study
Our women are meeting every week (alternating Thursdays/Fridays) at 9:30 am on Zoom for fellowship, prayer and teaching.
If interested, email Debbie at gabeld@frontier.com and she will send a link to the meeting.
The next meeting is this Thursday, October 22, at 9:30.
God Sightings and More for 10/18
What are you doing to make this time different for worship? And/or describe when you saw God this week.
Pastor Brett – Next to me I have this little book stand and on it I have placed a glossy image of Jesus holding scripture with wood backing. This is a gift I got from one of my college friends after I was in his wedding. I am having this in front of me to distinguish this space this morning as a worship space not like a work space. I also have this candle which I am going to light. Take a moment and grab something to make your space different for worship.
Martha – Usually, when the weather was nice during the summer I would watch the service outside. Usually, I do my meetings inside the guest bedroom which I call the Woman Cave… I told Ken to go to the Woman Cave today so I could sit outside by our gas fireplace.
Sally – Nothing different…I get here and I get online and that’s my victory….I also have my coffee and my cookie.
Kari – My God Sighting is that we had a really great Church Council Meeting yesterday. We had really great conversations; we were able to agree and disagree & respect each other. I thought that was a good representation; that it would be nice if we could spread that out to others in our community and world.
I clearly have a way different work situation than a home situation. So, this is fantastic – I don’t have to wear a mask, I can sit on this soft chair and I can have a beverage right by me; it’s all good.
Michele – I was thinking that a really neat way to prepare for service is to talk to Martha - she mentioned yesterday about a prayer shawl. That would be really neat to make a prayer shawl to wear on Sundays in preparation for our service. (Bonnie – I have many simple prayer shawl patterns)
Mark – Lit a candle.
Worship Video for October 18
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
Random Acts of Kindness: HomePlate SignUp
This month’s Random Acts of Kindness spotlight is on HomePlate Youth Services.
Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BABAF22AB9-random
HomePlate is Washington County's only non-profit provider of outreach for young people experiencing homelessness. They provide meals, basic supplies, and access to showers and laundry facilities.
We will be collecting the following, their High Needs list, until October 31:
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Backpacks
NEW Undergarments (bras, underwear of all sizes)
Beef Jerky
Granola Bars
Their General Needs list may be found at https://www.homeplateyouth.org/wish-list
You may also contribute through their Amazon wishlist or by donating cash through our website, designated for HomePlate.
If you have any questions, you may contact our own Stephanie Raether at stephanie@homeplateyouth.org or 971-978-9397.