Dear Westminster Family –
After the victory at Jericho, you would think that the children of Israel would be absolutely convinced that strict obedience to God’s plan and purpose would guarantee God’s blessing. God’s instructions relative to the defeated city were simple. The city of Jericho represented God’s “first fruits” on their journey through the Promised Land. All the spoil belonged to God and the people were not to take any of it for themselves. One man ignored this instruction and as a result, God’s blessing was removed from all the people. While this seems harsh it represents a principle of God’s judgment that is relevant to the people of God in all ages. Francis Schaeffer describes this principle in his commentary on the Book of Joshua.
“First, Achan stole from God just as a man today might steal by promising to give a tithe and failing to do so. Second, though only one man sinned, the blessing of God stopped for the people of God corporately. Third, when the judgment was applied, victory came. This simple yet profound process explains all the rest of the Old Testament. It explains the period of the judges, the period of the kings, the captivities under Assyria and Babylon, the Jews’ return from Babylon and the Jews’ in A.D. 70 under Titus. It explains Romans 9-11, which speaks of the Jews turning away from God and yet at a future day coming back to God and once more, as a nation, being the people of God. First comes blessing, then sin enters, then comes judgment, the blessing begins again and flows.”
This principle of judgment defined much of Israel’s history and it may define your history as well. Schaeffer goes on to say that this principle is…”unchanging throughout Scripture because God is really there. God is a holy God, God loves His people, and God deals with His people consistently.”
We will explore this principle of judgment and its impact on our lives in the message this week.
See you in church.
Pastor Gary
P.S.
• ELECTION DAY is Tuesday! Don’t forget to vote.
• DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ends this weekend – REMEMBER TO “FALL BACK” and turn back your clocks an hour when you go to bed Saturday night.
• TIME TO CLEAN IT OUT – Please check the Lost and Found closet by the drinking fountain in the nursery hallway for lost items. Our closet is overflowing. We will be taking everything to Jubilee Reach in the next few weeks. Questions? Contact Martha at gro.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@caht1696117923ram1696117923.
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: November 2 & 3
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.l1696117923iamg@1696117923RCret1696117923snimt1696117923seW1696117923
CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Fridays, 7:00-9:00 PM, Fireside Room: Childcare provided. Contact Neal at 425-747-1461, ext. 147 or moc.l1696117923iamg@1696117923RCret1696117923snimt1696117923seW1696117923
THIS SUNDAY: November 4
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.
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.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@rynn1696117923ej 1696117923.
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.l1696117923iamg@1696117923ykswo1696117923kinob1696117923k1696117923. 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.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@rynn1696117923ej1696117923.
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.1696117923retsn1696117923imtse1696117923w@zen1696117923naul1696117923
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@rynn1696117923ej1696117923
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.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@syna1696117923ffit1696117923.
ORPHAN SUNDAY – November 11: On Orphan Sunday, we celebrate God’s deep love for the fatherless…and for each of us as well. We also explore ways to inspire and equip one another for action—from adoption, foster care and mentoring to global orphan care.
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.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@rell1696117923eon1696117923
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.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@weer1696117923b1696117923.
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.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@pkra1696117923m1696117923.
REACH BEYOND! WORK WITH YOUTH – Be a middle or high school leader and impact lives for God. Contact Ceri at gro.r1696117923etsni1696117923mtsew1696117923@fire1696117923c1696117923.
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.1696117923retsn1696117923imtse1696117923w@ctt1696117923am1696117923
WEEKLY GIVING:
As of 10/28/18
Expectation for the Week $60,500
General Giving for the Week* $49,111
Expectation to Date $1,149,800
General Giving to Date* $1,134,947
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