DEAR WESTMINSTER FAMILY –
This Sunday we begin our Lenten series on the spiritual disciplines. Our “first step” on this “Journey to the Cross” is the discipline of prayer. There is arguably no other experience in our spiritual lives that has created more confusion, frustration, or guilt than this discipline; but I don’t believe that this is what God has in mind for us.
It is right and proper that we should begin this series with the discipline of prayer. I agree with Ruth Hayley Barton’s comments about prayer in her wonderful book, SACRED RHYTHMS: ARRANGING OUR LIVES FOR SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION…
“It has become increasingly difficult for me to distinguish prayer as a spiritual discipline from all the others. The longer I journey in the spiritual life, the more I experience all of life as prayer and the other disciplines as different ways of praying. Solitude and silence help me experience the more contemplative elements of prayer. ‘Lectio divina” is a way of praying the Scripture. Self-examination is the prayer in which I invite God to search me and reveal those things I need to know about myself. Discernment is the listening part of prayer: sitting with a question or decision in God’s presence and waiting for the wisdom of God that is given as a pure gift…Any approach to the spiritual life that sets up false or awkward distinctions between prayer and life, or prayer and the other disciplines, seems to unnaturally rip apart elements of life that belong together or to unnecessarily complicate something that is in essence quite simple. And so it happens that all of life becomes prayer. From prayers that are more formal and structured to those that are informal and spontaneous, from prayer with words to prayer that is beyond words, from the most intimate expressions of love expressed privately to God to words spoken in unison by God’s people when they gather, from the eloquent prayers of the church to the breath prayer that is nothing more than a gasp of need or a sigh of love or a groan of longing, from the prayers uttered in beautiful cathedrals to prayers offered on the side of a mountain—-every breath we take can be a prayer, uniting our heart to God and harnessing the energy of our life to his great purposes.”
Barton goes on to offer this brief prayer that sets the agenda for our time together this week.
“May we ever be mere beginners in the life of prayer, always crying out, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.”
I will lead us through some of the lessons of prayer in Sunday’s message.
See you in church.
Pastor Gary
P.S. DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD BY ONE HOUR ON SATURDAY AS WE BEGIN DAY-LIGHT SAVINGS TIME.
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: March 8 & 9
CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Fridays, 7:00-9:00 PM, Fireside Room: Childcare provided. Contact Neal at 425-747-1461, ext. 147 or moc.l1701286283iamg@1701286283RCret1701286283snimt1701286283seW1701286283.
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.l1701286283iamg@1701286283RCret1701286283snimt1701286283seW1701286283.
THIS SUNDAY: March 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.
SNACKCHAT – ENSENADA, MEXICO – Sunday, March 10, 10:15-10:45 AM, CLC (kitchen side): See and hear how our Family Mission Trip at the Ranch el Refugio in Ensenada over Winter Break is a prime example of how Westminster is growing young! Contact Stephen at moc.l1701286283iamg@1701286283ykswo1701286283kinob1701286283nehpe1701286283ts1701286283
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.1701286283retsn1701286283imtse1701286283w@rai1701286283vlys1701286283
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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@seih1701286283tak1701286283 / 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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@rynn1701286283ej1701286283.
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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@rynn1701286283ej1701286283.
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.l1701286283iamg@1701286283ykswo1701286283kinob1701286283k1701286283. 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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@rynn1701286283ej1701286283.
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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@zenn1701286283aul1701286283.
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.1701286283sngis1701286283edtdk1701286283@yhta1701286283k1701286283
SPRING ESOL ALPHA – Fridays, 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.t1701286283sacmo1701286283c@hsi1701286283nimne1701286283lle1701286283
UPCOMING EVENTS:
PARENT CONNECT – Sunday, March 17, between services, CLC: Join other families and our Care Department as we discuss how we use technology and media in our families. Come with your questions and concerns as we work through this topic together. Hopefully you will come away with some resources and things to think about that will help you navigate the ups and downs of technology and media as your children grow and mature. Questions? Contact Holly at gro.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@pyll1701286283oh1701286283
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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@rynn1701286283ej1701286283
“UNCHAINED: KNOWING WHO YOU ARE” 2019 Westminster Chapel Women’s Conference – Friday evening, March 29, 6:30 -9:00 PM and Saturday, March 30, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, CLC: Join us at the Westminster Women’s Conference and learn how to live out our Kingdom Identity with God and Others. This study helps you see beneath the surface’ that we sometimes settle for’ to knowing your true identity in God’s Kingdom that can lead to powerfully connects with and initiate transformation in your life and the lives of others. It’s God’s “secret sauce.” The game changer. And it can be yours, too. At this conference we will interact in discussion with small groups after watching the video series “Knowing Rediscovered” which includes a Biblical foundation followed by real life stories of God’s amazing power to be present in our lives. Please add this info to the bulletin, It’s Friday, FB, Instagram. On Friday night a light dessert and coffee/tea will be served. On Saturday we will provide a light breakfast and at the end of the conference lunch will be served. Cost: $35 per person – Register at westminster.org/events. Questions? contact Jenny at gro.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@rynn1701286283ej1701286283
PRODIGALS INTERNATIONAL’S RESTORING HEARTS WOMEN’S CONFERENCE – Saturday, April 6, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Westminster Chapel CLC: Prodigals International offers this unique one-day conference for women who are facing the startling discovery of their husband’s sexual unfaithfulness – from pornography use to extramarital affairs – or a fiancée, son or father. This is a safe place where women can connect with other women who understand the challenges they face. This conference will provide information, tools, resources, and an important message of hope for women in all stages of the healing journey. TOPIC – “Bravery After Betrayal: It Takes Fierce Strength,” presented by Dr. Sheri Keffer ,Ph.D, author of Intimate Deception – Healing the Wounds of Sexual Betrayal, will present two in-depth breakout sessions, and an inspiring keynote message. For more information and to purchase tickets go to www.restoringheartsconference.org. Tickets cannot be purchased through Westminster Chapel.
APRIL 2019 CONGREGATIONS FOR THE HOMELESS MEAL MINISTRY – Each April, Westminster hosts a group of men with Congregations for the Homeless (CFH). For the entire month, teams of people volunteer to provide dinner and sack lunches for the men. This is a great way to love where we live! Both individuals and groups (5-8 people, kids welcome) can sign up to provide a meal. To sign up or for more information, visit www.westminster.org/aprilmeals
GUATEMALA POVERTY & SOCIAL JUSTICE EXPOSURE TRIP – June 22-30, 2019: Join the intergenerational W.I.N.D. Guatemala Poverty & Social Justice Exposure trip and experience the difference relationships make! Find the information you need about this unique trip here: http://wind-guatemala.org/teams/poverty-and-social-justice/ and then register at: http://wind-guatemala.org/teams/ Or contact Sylvia at gro.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@raiv1701286283lys1701286283.
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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@pkra1701286283m1701286283.
REACH BEYOND! WORK WITH YOUTH – Be a middle or high school leader and impact lives for God. Contact Ceri gro.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@fire1701286283c1701286283.
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.r1701286283etsni1701286283mtsew1701286283@ctta1701286283m1701286283.
WEEKLY GIVING:
As of 3/5/19
Expectation for the Week $52,400
General Giving for the Week* $73,190
Expectation to Date $2,618,100
General Giving to Date* $2,464,594
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.