DEAR WESTMINSTER FAMILY –
On Sunday we will begin an Advent series that I have entitled, THE JOURNEY BEYOND – FINDING FULFILLMENT IN GOD’S PROMISE AT CHRISTMAS. The messages in this series we will help us take a fresh look at the very familiar story of Christ’s entry into our world. Each of the participants in the story was asked by God to take a step of obedience that would lead them to a deeper experience with God’s plan of salvation.
This week our focus will be on the most significant of the journeys….the one that took Jesus from the splendors of Heaven to the humility of the stable. I will be speaking from Hebrews 10:5-7 where Jesus gives us a first person account of this journey. I was reminded as I prepared for this week that God always comes to us and we need to be prepared to receive Him.
THE COMING OF GOD
Our God is the One who comes to us
….in a burning bush
….in an angel’s song
….in a newborn child.
Our God is the One who cannot be found
….locked in the church,
….not even in the sanctuary.
Our God will be where God will be
….with no constraints,
….no predictability.
Our God lives where our God lives,
….and destruction has no power
….and even death cannot stop
….the living.
Our God will be born where God will be born,
….but there is no place to look for the One who comes to us, When God is ready
….God will come
…..even to a godforsaken place
….like a stable in Bethlehem.
Watch….
….for you know not when
….God comes.
Watch, that you might be found
….whenever
….wherever
….God comes
(From KNEELING IN BETHLEHEM by Ann Weems)
See you in church.
Pastor Gary
P.S.
A WEEK OF LOSSES AND CELEBRATIONS
Sympathy to the families of…
• Billy “Dale” Caples Sr. passed away on Thanksgiving, November 22. His memorial service is tomorrow, December 1 at 11:00 AM in the Fireside Room. (There will be a viewing here from 10:00-11:00 AM.)
• John Ireland passed away on Sunday, November 25 – His service is being scheduled.
• Dale Price passed away on, Tuesday, November 27. There will be a memorial service for him at Westminster on Saturday, December 22 at 1:00 PM.
We celebrate the following births that took place this week.
• Jeff & Cat (Kraayeveld) Cotton – baby girl
• Nick & Sara Kuffel – baby boy
• Brady & Mafe Deal – baby boy
• Brandon & Jessie Hall – baby girl
DID YOUR FAMILY WELCOME A CHILD into your family this past year through birth or adoption? We would like to present you with a small Christmas gift during our Christmas for Children service at 4pm on Christmas Eve. Please email gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@dnet1685589089srijK1685589089 if you will be attending that service. We look forward to seeing you and your family!
PARENTS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS are warmly invited to join their child in youth group THIS SUNDAY MORNING! Witness God’s work among us through a parents versus kids mixer, worship led by the youth worship band, separate Middle and High School talks and special parent-only small group with info from the Youth Ministry and new summer ministry strategy. We hope to see you there!
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: November 30-December 1
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.l1685589089iamg@1685589089RCret1685589089snimt1685589089seW1685589089
CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Fridays, 7:00-9:00 PM, Fireside Room: Childcare provided. Contact Neal at 425-747-1461, ext. 147 or moc.l1685589089iamg@1685589089RCret1685589089snimt1685589089seW1685589089
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR BILLY “DALE” CAPLES SR. – December 1, 11:00 AM, Fireside Room. (There will be a viewing here from 10:00-11:00 AM.) He passed away on Thanksgiving, November 22. His memorial service is tomorrow,
THIS SUNDAY: December 2
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.
MS/HS OPEN HOUSE PARENT MEETING – Sunday, December 2, 9:00-10:15 AM, High School Room: Middle and High School parents are invited to join us for our Youth programming from 9-10:15 on December 2nd in the High School Room. You will participate in worship, our teaching time and a small group set up just for you. Questions? Contact Ceri at gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@fire1685589089c1685589089
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY CHRISTMAS PARTY (Potluck) – Sunday, December 2 from 12:15 – 1:30 PM in the High School Room: JOIN US FOR A POTLUCK LUNCH CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS! Families with children birth – 5th grade are invited to come celebrate Christmas together. We will gather for lunch and fellowship. The Children’s Choir will be performing for us. It is a short time and a great opportunity to meet other families. Bring a main dish, salad or dessert to serve 10 to 12 people. Your whole family is welcome.We are looking for volunteers to help with set up, decorations, and clean up. Want to volunteer or have questions? Contact Martha at gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@caht1685589089ram1685589089 or Kjirsten at gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@dnet1685589089srijk1685589089.
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 at gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@rynn1685589089ej1685589089.
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.l1685589089iamg@1685589089ykswo1685589089kinob1685589089k1685589089. 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.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@rynn1685589089ej1685589089.
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.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@zenn1685589089aul1685589089.
CHRISTMAS POPS CONCERT featuring the Westminster Chapel Choir & Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra
Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Dec. 8, 6:00 PM
Sunday, Dec. 9, 3:00 PM
Warm your heart and send your holiday spirit soaring with Christmas POPS! Join the Westminster Chapel Choir and Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra for some of your holiday favorites.
TICKETS ARE $15 – Children 12 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased this Sunday between services, online or at the door. For online tickets click here.
No childcare provided.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
WHY CHRISTMAS? – Sunday, December 9, 6:00 – 7:45 PM, Atrium: Celebrate your first Christmas party of the season with us! Everyone is welcome. Share dinner and a warm conversation. Listen to a short talk and openly discuss what you think or feel about Christmas. For more information, contact Noelle at gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@rell1685589089eon1685589089
GRIEFSHARE – Starts January 3, 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.s1685589089ngise1685589089dtdk@1685589089yhtak1685589089
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.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@rynn1685589089ej1685589089
WINTERBLAST – January 19-21: MS and HS Students are invited to spend the MLK weekend at Tierra Retreat Center in Leavenworth. We will play in the snow, hangout with friends and grow in our relationships with God and each other. Sign up at Westminster.org/events.
Questions? Contact Ceri at gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@fire1685589089c1685589089.
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.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@pkra1685589089m1685589089.
REACH BEYOND! WORK WITH YOUTH – Be a middle or high school leader and impact lives for God. Contact Ceri gro.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@fire1685589089c1685589089.
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.r1685589089etsni1685589089mtsew1685589089@ctta1685589089m1685589089.
WEEKLY GIVING:
As of 11/27/18
Expectation for the Week $45,100
General Giving for the Week* $44,903
Expectation to Date $1,369,900
General Giving to Date* $1,328,731
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 $18,762,900
Current Mortgage Balance $3,237,100.