DEAR WESTMINSTER FAMILY –
What a week! By now I would imagine some of you are experiencing a bit of “cabin fever.” Well…the snow has melted, the kids have their routines in place, and it is time to get back to church.
Jesus must have looked around the circle of faces before He asked His disciples this question: “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed?” After a moment, He gave them the obvious answer. “Instead, don’t you put it on a stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open?” (Mark 4:21). I am approaching our time together on Sunday with the same question in mind. If you are a follower of Jesus, He has placed His light in you. Where are you shining?
Christianity is not for spectators. God does not limit His work to a few special people while expecting the rest of us to look on as spectators. The real wonder is that He has a place and work for everyone. Our “candles” may not seem all that significant, but we have been asked by God to place them in His hands. How He uses them is His business. I believe this is especially true as it relates to bringing God’s light to the culture’s discussion around the “sanctity of human life.” This week we will talk about our responsibility to “shine” for God on this topic.
I love this quote from Christopher Columbus about his opportunity to “shine” for God in his day……”It was the Lord who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) to sail from here to the Indies. All who heard of my project rejected it with laughter, ridiculing me. There is no question that my inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous illumination from the Holy Scriptures, encouraging me to press forward…..No one should fear to undertake any task in the name of our Savior, if it is just and if the intention is purely for His holy service….O what a gracious Lord, who desires that people should perform for Him those things for which He holds Himself responsible! Day and night, moment by moment, everyone should express to Him their most devoted gratitude.” (Columbus explaining his voyage to the New World)
See you in church.
Pastor Gary
P.S.
Sympathy to Marc & Bev Bothel as Marc’s father, Jim, passed away on February 2. A service was held in California this past week. Please keep Jim’s family in your prayers.
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: February 8 & 9
CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Fridays, 7:00-9:00 PM, Fireside Room: Childcare provided. Contact Neal at 425-747-1461, ext. 147 or moc.l1680432433iamg@1680432433RCret1680432433snimt1680432433seW1680432433.
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.l1680432433iamg@1680432433RCret1680432433snimt1680432433seW1680432433.
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.d1680432433eretn1680432433ec@ne1680432433rak1680432433. Questions? Contact Jenny atgro.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@rynn1680432433ej 1680432433.
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR SUE DAHLIN – Saturday, February 16, 2:00 PM, Sanctuary. Please keep Reuben and their family in your prayers.
THIS SUNDAY: February 10
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, through February 10, 9:00 AM, Room 303: 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.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@ctta1680432433m1680432433.
WINTER ALPHA – 6:00-7:45 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.1680432433retsn1680432433imtse1680432433w@rai1680432433vlys1680432433
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.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@seih1680432433tak1680432433 / 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 $30 for 1 child, $45 for 2 or more. Questions? Contact Jenny at gro.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@rynn1680432433ej1680432433.
KINGDOM COME: WORSHIP and INTERACTIVE PRAYER GATHERING – Tuesday, February 19, 7:00-8:30 PM, 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.1680432433retsn1680432433imtse1680432433w@rel1680432433leon1680432433
DIVORCE CARE – Wednesdays, through 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.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@rynn1680432433ej1680432433.
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.l1680432433iamg@1680432433ykswo1680432433kinob1680432433k1680432433. Reserve Your Spot at www.westminster.org/EVENTS.
WEDNESDAY EVENING WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – 6:45 PM, CLC: Three 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.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@rynn1680432433ej1680432433.
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.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@zenn1680432433aul1680432433.
GRIEFSHARE – Thursdays, through 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.1680432433sngis1680432433edtdk1680432433@yhta1680432433k1680432433
CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE FOR JOANN MULLEN – Saturday, February 23, 2:00 PM, Sanctuary. Please keep Don and their family in your prayers.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
RE-ENGAGE – Marriage Enrichment Program – Sundays at 9:00 AM (starting February 24), Room 307 or Wednesdays at 6:30 PM (starting February 27) CLC: 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 gro.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@pyll1680432433oh1680432433 or Steve at .gro.1680432433retsn1680432433imtse1680432433w@pev1680432433ets1680432433
SPRING ESOL ALPHA – Fridays starting March 1, 9:45 -11:45 AM, Fireside Room: Discuss your questions of life and faith in easy English with an open, warm environment. ESOL Alpha guests will cover 13 basic topics about the Christian faith. Free continental breakfast and childcare provided. For more information, contact Ellen at ten.t1680432433sacmo1680432433c@hsi1680432433nimne1680432433lle1680432433
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE – Wednesday, March 6, 6:30 PM, Sanctuary: The Ash Wednesday service is a time to reflect on our humanity as we begin the Lent season.
FLOURISH@WORK FOR WOMEN – Thursday, March 21, 6:00 PM, Fireside Room: Hear the success story of a small business owner, Nicole Larkin, Bradford USA. Balancing work and motherhood, and most importantly, pursuing God in unexpected places. Cost: $10 – register at westminster.org/events. Contact Jenny at gro.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@rynn1680432433ej1680432433
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.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@pkra1680432433m1680432433.
REACH BEYOND! WORK WITH YOUTH – Be a middle or high school leader and impact lives for God. Contact Ceri gro.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@fire1680432433c1680432433.
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.r1680432433etsni1680432433mtsew1680432433@ctta1680432433m1680432433.
WEEKLY GIVING:
As of 2/3/19
Expectation for the Week $60,800
General Giving for the Week* $10,652
Expectation to Date $2,468,700
General Giving to Date* $2,251,636
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 $18,819,000
Current Mortgage Balance $3,181,000