Martha T is looking for help and input on re-arranging the children's room just off the sanctuary to prepare for kids returning to in-person worship soon. Please see Pastor Brett or Martha T for details.
March Madness
Basketball is coming to the Westside Blacktop!
The church is going to be putting in a basketball hoop in the parking lot available for everyone's enjoyment. All ages and skill levels will be able to enjoy it. Talk to Brett or Dave S for further details.
Worship Video for March 6
If you were unable to attend on Sunday morning, here’s the video:
Is Re-no Your Passion?
Your Church Council is looking for someone with a vision to lead a re-design of our main building's southern wing (basically every room except the sanctuary).
This could include updates to restrooms, the kitchen, family room, rest stop, and youth area. Help be a part of planning the spatial future of your church building. Contact Pastor Brett if interested.
Opportunities Springing Up
As we emerge from our COVID/winter hibernation, there are fresh opportunities to awaken and re-energize our church!
Pastor Brett is starting a gardening group to use some of the campus for gardening. This is mostly for fun, health, and a creative outlet for anyone in our community. No prior experience is required. Youth are to be accompanied by a parent, please. This idea is just germinating (!), so contact Pastor Brett to find out more. We will also need donations to supply the gardening group, including dimensional lumber (2x6 or 2x8 cedar boards preferred), quality soil, compost, and quality tools (shovels, hoes, buckets, gloves).
Fred C is looking for a partner at the back booth who would find fulfillment leading the congregation in visual worship. Training would be provided, working knowledge of computers preferable. Talk to Pastor Brett or Fred if you are interested.
Outgoing people (you know who you are!) who love welcoming others are desired to serve one Sunday a month. Talk to Pastor Brett for more details.
The Church is looking for more people who want to help stewardship the campus and its building resources and managing repairs when things break. Join Ed D and Gerry E in maintaining and beautifying the building as we *hopefully* get back to "normal" this year.
Surviving COVID During Omicron
Pastor Brett has put together some data from the Oregon Health Authority for those wondering how the people of Oregon have handled the Coronavirus since Westside moved back into the sanctuary in October.
The results reveal surprisingly good news and can help you make decisions about what to do as counties consider following Governor Brown in lifting the indoor mask mandate.
Read his report here
Save the Dates!
Help Build Hope, our annual collaboration with Christ UMC, will be on Friday, July 8 (‘cut’ day) and Saturday, July 9 (‘build’ day) this year.
During these two days, volunteers will construct all the walls for two houses. The walls are then transported to a Habitat for Humanity site and assembled. All skill levels are invited to participate.
More details are coming!
Worship Video for February 27
If you were unable to attend on Sunday morning, here’s the video:
Ash Wednesday Service
Join us for our Ash Wednesday service on March 2 at 7:00 pm. It will be an in-person only service.
Bible Study Beginning Mar 9
Pastor Brett will be leading an evening bible study on some of the apocalyptic passages in the bible, beginning Mar 9. The study will be on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm, both in-person and online.
The modern, western vernacular has come to use the word ‘apocalyptic’ to mean the end of the world. But in the Bible, an apocalypse is what happens when someone is exposed to the transcendent reality of God’s perspective. An apocalypse is a confrontation with the divine so intense that it transforms how a person views everything.
So perhaps it’s more of a beginning...
Worship Video for February 20
If you were unable to attend on Sunday morning, here’s the video:
Are You Ready for an Apocalypse?
Pastor Brett is planning an evening bible study on some of the apocalyptic passages in the bible.
The modern, western vernacular has come to use the word ‘apocalyptic’ to mean the end of the world. But in the Bible, an apocalypse is what happens when someone is exposed to the transcendent reality of God’s perspective. An apocalypse is a confrontation with the divine so intense that it transforms how a person views everything.
So perhaps it’s more of a beginning...
Ash Wednesday Service
Westside will have an Ash Wednesday service on March 2. It will be an evening service; exact time to be announced. Save the date!
Healing Prayer
“Pray for each other so that you may be healed.” -James 5:16b
This Thursday, Feb 17, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm will be a SPECIAL time set apart for people receiving confidential, healing prayer in the company of the prayer team. Join us in the Lighthouse.
Humans are...Trees?
Were you intrigued by Brett's message on Sunday comparing humans to trees in Scripture?
Check out the Bible Project's Podcast on this subject 'Humans are...trees' for a deeper dive into the parallels.
Worship Video for February 13
If you were unable to attend on Sunday morning, here’s the video:
Special Children's Moment
Worship in person this Sunday if you are able!
Martha T has planned a special event for the children (and the young-at-heart) for Valentine’s Day. Bring your kids and grandkids for this lovely moment, which will be at the end of worship.
Need Prayer?
“Pray for each other so that you may be healed.” -James 5:16b
Do you need someone to intercede for you in prayer? Are you in need of wholeness and healing?
Join the prayer gathering in the Lighthouse on Thursday, Feb 17, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Westside prayer warriors will pray for, and with, you.
Another Way to Support KIVA
You know KIVA - the organization that makes microloans to small entrepreneurs around the world. We have supported them for years through an initial investment donated in our change buckets.
Now they have an online gift shop where you can purchase items made by their borrowers, such as:
Fair trade fashion
Upcycled jewelry
Handcrafted gifts
And if you act quickly, today you can get $10 off a $30 order! (Code pops up on their website)
Gifts for those you love (including yourself!) while supporting small businesses in the USA and beyond. Win-win!
Worship Video for February 6
If you were unable to attend on Sunday morning, here’s the video: