Dear Westminster Family –
Our text this week (Joshua 6:21-27) raises questions around one of the most important issues in Christian faith. How can the same God offer rescue and redemption to Rahab and at the same time utterly destroy the city of Jericho and its inhabitants? Is God both a God of judgment and grace? What should that mean to us as we seek to trust Him with our lives?
One of my favorite commentators on the Book of Joshua made four insightful observations that flow from this text.
1). The God of the Old Testament and the New Testament is the same God. It is this same God who is no respecter of persons, whose judgment is
severe upon sin and whose grace extends to all who trust Him.
2). God has not chosen to remain aloof, but has come incarnationally into this mixed up world to involve Himself in our painful existence.
3). God does judge, but He does it consistently.
4). God is also the God of grace throughout all of human history.
The questions we raise about God’s work in history are real and need to be addressed. We will do this on Sunday.
Also this week we will experience communion together. A regular observance that focuses on both God’s judgment and His mercy.
Please be in prayer for our Alpha groups who are in Bellingham this weekend for a retreat focused on the Holy Spirit’s involvement in our salvation. Last Sunday we challenged you to give to support the women and their children from Hope Place who are attending this retreat. You gave over $7,500, which is above what we needed to support this effort!!!
I also wanted you to know the results of our Renewal Food Bank food drive. So far we have received 302 bags of groceries and $3,511.00 in donations. Mark Pedrin let me know that this is an increase of 17 bags of food and over $1,000 in cash from last year’s total. Way to go!!
See you in church,
Pastor Gary
KCIS 630 AM – A CLOSER LOOK
Hear 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: October 26 & 27
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.l1685584634iamg@1685584634RCret1685584634snimt1685584634seW1685584634
CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Fridays, 7:00-9:00 PM, Fireside Room: Childcare provided. Contact Neal at 425-747-1461, ext. 147 or moc.l1685584634iamg@1685584634RCret1685584634snimt1685584634seW1685584634
THIS SUNDAY: October 28
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.
BOOK SALE – Sunday, October 28, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Library: Stop by as we sell overstock books. You’ll get some great deals. Proceeds go toward the purchase books for pastors & leaders in underserved countries and minimal library costs.
WESTMINSTER SUCCESSION PRAYER GATHERING – Sunday, October 28, 6:30-7:30 PM, Sanctuary: As we enter this season of succession with our beloved Westminster church community, we are reminded of the importance and power of community prayer. We serve a sovereign God that has mighty plans for Westminster Chapel and it is our desire to honor Him fully through this process. Beginning now, we are entering into a regular rhythm of community prayer during this important process that we believe He has fully ordained and is guiding. Please join us as we corporately look to seek His will in the succession process as a faith community.
THIS WEEK:
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 atgro.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@rynn1685584634ej 1685584634.
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.l1685584634iamg@1685584634ykswo1685584634kinob1685584634k1685584634. 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.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@rynn1685584634ej1685584634.
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.1685584634retsn1685584634imtse1685584634w@zen1685584634naul1685584634
UPCOMING EVENTS:
ENSENADA MEN’S WORK TRIP – Thursday, November 8 – Sunday, November 11: Build or do maintenance with our partner ministry, Rancho el Refugio. Only cost is airfare to/from San Diego, CA. Contact Scott at .gro.1685584634retsn1685584634imtse1685584634W@pir1685584634Tadan1685584634esnE1685584634
FLOURISH@WORK FOR WOMEN – Thursday, November 8, 6:00 PM, Fireside Room: Join us for an evening of community with women who seek to live out their faith in the workplace. Speaker: Karen Sherwood (I’ll have more details this week, about the topic) Cost $10 includes appetizers and beverage. Register at westminster.org/events. Questions? Contact Jenny at gro.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@rynn1685584634ej1685584634
VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST – Saturday, November 10, 8:30 AM, Atrium: Attention Veterans of the Military! Join us for breakfast as we hear from special guest speaker, Major Joe Crecca. He served in Viet Nam, was shot down, and captured. He spent 6 years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison. No cost to attend, but RSVP at Westminster.org/events/ or click EVENTS on the APP. Contact Tiffany at gro.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@syna1685584634ffit1685584634.
INTERCULTURAL THANKGIVING – Saturday, November 15, 6:30 PM, Atrium: Our Intercultural community is invited to a special evening celebrating a traditional Thanksgiving holiday. A potluck dinner where we will provide the turkey and your bring your favorite dish to share with 8 or 10 people. Games, conversation and cooking demonstrations. Contact: Noelle at gro.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@rell1685584634eon1685584634
THANKSGIVING EVE SERVICE – Wednesday, November 21, 6:30 PM, Sanctuary: A time to reflect and give thanks to God for all He has done. Contact: Bree at gro.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@weer1685584634b1685584634.
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.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@pkra1685584634m1685584634.
REACH BEYOND! WORK WITH YOUTH – Be a middle or high school leader and impact lives for God. Contact Ceri at gro.r1685584634etsni1685584634mtsew1685584634@fire1685584634c1685584634.
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.1685584634retsn1685584634imtse1685584634w@ctt1685584634am1685584634
WEEKLY GIVING:
As of 10/21/18
Expectation for the Week $45,400
General Giving for the Week* $45,735
Expectation to Date $1,089,300
General Giving to Date* $1,087,836
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 $18,746,500
Current Mortgage Balance $3,253,500