​Dear Westminster Family –

Last week’s message focused on earning the right to be heard in a culture that has silenced the collective voice of God’s people.  I suggested that we earn the right to be heard by making relational investments in the lives of people with whom we live, work, and play.

Next weekend we get the opportunity as a church to make a huge relational investment in our community.  Saturday, August 25, is Jubilee Service Day in Bellevue.  For fifteen years, churches have banded together to refresh the school classrooms of our children and to restore some of the homes of our neighbors.  Our specific investment has focused on the two schools nearest to our church (Cherry Crest and Sherwood Forest). The teachers and administrators of these schools have come to count on the investment of our time and energy in helping prepare their schools for the Fall.  As of last Sunday, we are still short of the number of people necessary to fill this challenge.  This week there will be opportunities in both services to sign up for this important ministry.  The investment will only cost you a couple hours of your time.

My text for this week’s message is I Peter 3:8-17.  The focus will be on God’s process of growing us up. Interestingly…one of the signs of spiritual maturity is our willingness to serve the people around us.  It should be a great Sunday.

See you in church.

Pastor Gary

A Closer look with Gary Gulbranson

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: August 17 & 18

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.l1685425034iamg@1685425034RCret1685425034snimt1685425034seW1685425034

CELEBRATE RECOVERY – Fridays, 7:00-9:00 PM, Fireside Room: Childcare provided. Contact Neal at 425-747-1461, ext. 147 or moc.l1685425034iamg@1685425034RCret1685425034snimt1685425034seW1685425034.

THIS SUNDAY: August 19

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: JAPAN – Sunday, August 19, 10:15 AM, CLC: Come greet our Outreach Partners, Tim & Wakako Clark, Makoto and Hero, and be encouraged with their ministry. Contact gro.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@keib1685425034ba1685425034

SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE – July 29-August 19, Drop off in Foyer on Sundays: We partner with UGM Hope Place by providing families with school supplies they need for success. A list of needed supplies is available at the Welcome Center. Contact: Martha Anderson at moc.r1685425034eitno1685425034rf@6.168542503461nho1685425034j.aht1685425034ram1685425034

UPCOMING EVENTS:

JUBILEE SERVICE DAY – Saturday, August 25, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM: Join Eastside churches, businesses & community members to serve the community as one body. Choose Cherry Crest or Sherwood Forest, the two schools that Westminster is helping. Register at www.jubileereach.org. Contact gro.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@pkra1685425034m1685425034

WORSHIP IN THE PARK – Sunday, August 26, 9:45 AM, Downtown Bellevue Park: Join us for a worship service with several other local churches. No services at Westminster this Sunday.

GROW SUNDAY – Sunday, September 9, Both services: Discover opportunities to become who God is calling you to be.

TUESDAY MORNING WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY – Starts September 11, 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.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@rynn1685425034ej1685425034

FLOURISH@WORK FOR WOMEN – Thursday, September 13, 6:00 PM, Fireside Room: Join us for an evening of community with women who seek to live out their faith in the workplace. The September Guest Speaker is Holly Pankratz, Westminster Chapel’s Minister to Care and Equipping. Cost: $10 includes appetizers and beverage. Questions? contact Jenny at gro.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@rynn1685425034ej1685425034   SAVE THE DATE FOR FUTURE FLOURISH@WORK EVENTS – 11-8, 1-10, 3-14, 5-9

AWANA – Wednesdays, September 19 – 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. Mark your calendar for September 12 which is Awana Registration Night. Parents, drop-in from 6:30-7:30 PM to register your children, sign forms, make payments, and pick up applicable club items. Questions? Contact Kay Bonikowsky at  Â.m1685425034oc.li1685425034amg@y1685425034kswok1685425034inobk1685425034Reserve Your Spot at www.westminster.org/EVENTS

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:

SUMMER SUNDAYS, Serve in Birth through 5th Grade: July 15-September 2 Join the Journey and step into the lives of children and youth this summer! Get to know other the kids in our church family, and to say “thank you” to our regular teachers who take this time off. We’ll train you and give you all the supplies you need…just be willing and loving. Sign Up Here! You’ll be blessed – AND will have a blast! Questions, contact gro.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@dnet1685425034srijk1685425034 or gro.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@caht1685425034ram1685425034.

RECYCLE AND REPURPOSE!! Your old sheets could become part of a beautiful handmade quilt by the Helping Hands ministry. You may drop off your donated sheets at the Welcome Center. Be sure to label them for Helping Hands. Questions? Contact Marilyn at moc.l1685425034iamg@16854250341nyli1685425034ramre1685425034txab1685425034

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.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@pkra1685425034m1685425034

REACH BEYOND! WORK WITH YOUTH – Be a middle or high school leader and impact lives for God. Contact Ceri at gro.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@fire1685425034c1685425034

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/belong 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.r1685425034etsni1685425034mtsew1685425034@ctta1685425034m1685425034

WEEKLY GIVING:

As of 8/12/18
Expectation for the Week $57,200
General Giving for the Week* $51,280
Expectation to Date $577,900
General Giving to Date* $550,749
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 $18,713,700
Current Mortgage Balance $3,286,300