DEAR WESTMINSTER FAMILY –
One of my daily routines is to quickly read through the Seattle Times. I do this to get a sense of what is happening in our community, country, and the world at large. I will admit that I spend a little extra time in three sections….sports, comics, and obituaries. I know this a strange combination. Let me explain.
I read the sports section because of my life-long interest in a wide range of athletic endeavors. I read the comics because they provide a welcome balance to some of the more serious issues in our world. I read the obituaries because I am fascinated by the variety of ways that family and friends describe the life journeys of significant people they have known.
It is the last section that I want to speak to this week. I rarely find obituaries that include some statement of a person’s relationship with God or the influence of their personal faith. Maybe yours will be different. What if you were given the privilege of writing your own obituary? Would it reflect God’s values for your life? Would it be a clear statement of “the life God blesses?”
God is not only concerned about “where” we have traveled in life, and “with whom” we have traveled, but He is primarily concerned with “how” we have traveled through life.
The prophet, Micah, came to this realization. In Micah 6:6-8, he reveals God’s requirements for “the life He blesses.” He lists three life characteristics that should be reflected in our obituaries. I will focus on these things in my message this week.
See you in church.
Pastor Gary
KCIS 630 AM – A CLOSER LOOK
Hear Pastor Gary on the radio with co-host Pete Talbott
Thursdays at 1:00-1:30 PM
Sundays at 9:00-9:30 AM
THIS WEEKEND’S EVENTS: January 11 & 12
CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Fridays, 7:00-9:00 PM, Fireside Room: Childcare provided. Contact Neal at 425-747-1461, ext. 147 or moc.l1701287379iamg@1701287379RCret1701287379snimt1701287379seW1701287379
THE LANDING – 7:30-9:30 PM, Room 311: Celebrate Recovery’s The Landing program for 6th – 12th grade students. Come discover God’s coping skills for life. Questions: moc.l1701287379iamg@1701287379RCret1701287379snimt1701287379seW1701287379
THIS SUNDAY: January 13
WORSHIP SERVICES – 9:00 & 10:45 AM, Sanctuary
WELCOME CENTER – Visit our Welcome Center in the foyer for visitor information and warm hospitality. Limited sermon CDs and Our Daily Bread devotionals are available in the Library.
BREW – Sundays, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Foyer: Is this your first time here? Stop by our café to enjoy a complimentary coffee. We look forward to meeting you.
EXPLORING WHO I AM MADE TO BE – Sundays, January 13 – February 10, 9:00 AM, Room 307: God has given you a unique “SHAPE” (Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience) Join us for 5 weeks of exploring more of who you are made to be. Questions? Contact Matt Conrad at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@ctta1701287379m1701287379
THIS WEEK:
WESTMINSTER LANGUAGE ACADEMY – Winter Quarter Classes: January 7 – March 25: Encouraging and experienced instructors providing conversational English classes at all levels. Private instruction is also available. More information available at www.WestminsterLanguageAcademy.org or contact Kathie Stabbert at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@seih1701287379tak1701287379 / 425-460-4061.
TUESDAY MORNING WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – 9:15 AM, CLC: This year there are 6 electives from which to choose. Prices vary depending on the course you select. For details of each course, and to register, please go to www.westminster.org/woman. Children’s Program (ages birth-Pre K) Cost is $45 for 1 child, $65 for 2 or more. Questions? Contact Jenny at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@rynn1701287379ej1701287379.
KINGDOM COME: WORSHIP and INTERACTIVE PRAYER GATHERING – Tuesday, January 15th, 7:00pm-8:30pm, Fireside Room: Experience God’s presence and power through worship, listening prayer, and intercession for the Holy Spirit’s movement in a relaxing candle-lit environment. For more information, contact Noelle at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@rell1701287379eon1701287379
DIVORCE CARE – Wednesdays, January 9 – April 3, 6:30PM, Room 304: If you are experiencing divorce past or present and want a safe, caring place join us for the 13 week course. The group is led by people who have been through divorce and successfully rebuilt their lives. Cost: $20. Questions? Contact Jenny at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@rynn1701287379ej1701287379
AWANA – Wednesdays, through May 8, 6:30-8:00 PM: Awana reaches kids for Christ through fun, Scripture-rich experiences that lead them to know, love and serve Him. Join us for exciting games, Scripture-based memory work, thrilling stories and awesome awards that help kids develop lifelong faith in Christ. Join us Wednesday nights during the school year from 6:30-8 PM. Our clubs include Cubbies, Sparks and T&T which are for ages pre-school – 5th grade. Questions? Contact Kay Bonikowsky at moc.l1701287379iamg@1701287379ykswo1701287379kinob1701287379k1701287379. Reserve Your Spot at www.westminster.org/EVENTS.
WEDNESDAY EVENING WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – 6:45 PM, CLC: 3 choices for Wednesday night studies! Pricing is for the year and varies depending on the study you select. For details go to Westminster.org/women. No childcare available. Contact Jenny at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@rynn1701287379ej1701287379.
THE GAP (FOR MEN) – Thursdays, 6:30 AM, Fireside Room: This is a weekly bible study available to all men at Westminster. Pastor Gary will be sharing each week from a book entitled, NOT BY SIGHT – A FRESH LOOK AT OLD STORIES OF WALKING BY FAITH. Questions? Contact LuAnne at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@zenn1701287379aul1701287379.
GRIEFSHARE – Thursdays, January 3-March 28, 6:30 PM, Room 307: All those who have lost a loved one to death are welcome to join us for a 13-week course. Our goal is to provide a safe, comforting place to gain the tools to help you navigate through your grief. Cost: $20. Questions? Contact Kathy at moc.s1701287379ngise1701287379dtdk@1701287379yhtak1701287379
FLOURISH@WORK FOR WOMEN – Thursday, January 17, 6:00 PM, Fireside Room: The topic of “Mindful Mentoring” will be discussed by the speaker Kristen Voetmann, Ph.D. – Staff Consultant -Scontrino-Powell, Inc. Specifically, how can women of faith use a mentoring relationship in their work? Cost $10 per person
UPCOMING EVENTS:
WINTER ALPHA – Begins Sunday, January 20, 6-7:45 PM, Atrium: Looking for a safe place to explore and question the meaning of life? Join us Sunday evenings for a fun and open discussion about the Christian faith. Ask anything you like! Free dinner and childcare included. For more information, contact Sylvia at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@raiv1701287379lys1701287379
BAPTISM CLASS – Sunday, January 27, 10:45 AM, Large Conference Room upper level offices: Are you ready to take the next step in your walk with Jesus? Or do you have questions about WHY it matters? Baptism is an outward sign of God’s inner work in your life. Register online at https://www.westminster.org/start-here/ and click on “Baptism Form”. Questions? Contact Matt at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@ctta1701287379m1701287379
YOUR IDENTITY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD – Saturday, February 16, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, CLC: Guest Speakers Jamie and Donna Winship. Jamie and his wife, Donna, speak around the US and across the globe. Together, they serve as catalysts to help people find their God-given identity and experience a life of freedom. They teach through Biblical teaching and dynamic storytelling and creating experiential life application, in ways that allow people to experience the reality of hearing God’s voice in their daily lives. Their teaching has helped thousands of people discover their true destiny. Cost: $20 per person. To register contact Karen Johnson at gro.d1701287379eretn1701287379ec@ne1701287379rak1701287379. Questions? Contact Jenny at jgro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@rynn1701287379e1701287379
RE-ENGAGE – Marriage Enrichment Program – Sundays at 9:00 AM (starting February 24) or Wednesdays at 6:30 PM (starting February 27) Room 303: WHAT IS RE|ENGAGE? re|engage is a marriage enrichment program. Marriages in any condition can benefit, whether you are struggling to get along, your marriage is broken, or you simply want to grow closer together as a couple. re|engage examines God’s design for marriage and applies principles from the Bible to guide couples towards growth in their relationship with each other. You can expect to: Receive encouragement by hearing stories from other couples that have experienced victory in the midst of hard times; Be placed in a small group with a facilitator couple and other couples to work through a 16-lesson curriculum. Questions? Contact Holly at ro.re1701287379tsnim1701287379tsew@1701287379pyllo1701287379h1701287379g or Steve at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@peve1701287379ts1701287379
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
TALKTIME: AN EASY WAY TO REACH BEYOND – Thursday, 6:30 PM, Atrium: Serve as an ambassador to our intercultural community. Help guests from around the world practice speaking English over dinner and guided conversation. Questions? Contact Mark Pedrin at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@pkra1701287379m1701287379.
REACH BEYOND! WORK WITH YOUTH – Be a middle or high school leader and impact lives for God. Contact Ceri gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@fire1701287379c1701287379.
RESOURCES/OPPORTUNITIES:
GROW GROUPS – Various times & locations throughout the week: These groups meet in many sites and aim to be places where you can GROW with others. No matter where you are, there is a Grow Group that can help you take your next step in community. Visit www.westminster.org/grow-groups for more information.
BAPTISM – If you would like more information on what it means to be baptized, or about the course itself, you can email Pastor Matt at gro.r1701287379etsni1701287379mtsew1701287379@ctta1701287379m1701287379.
WEEKLY GIVING:
As of 1/8/19
Expectation for the Week $38,400
General Giving for the Week* $54,599
Expectation to Date $2,202,200
General Giving to Date* $2,057,645
Annual Expectation $3,600,000
*General giving includes weekly and non-designated special gifts.
NEXT CHAPTER GIVING:
Original Project Cost $22,000,000
Payments to Date $18,779,600
Current Mortgage Balance $3,220,400