#WECHOOSEWELCOME
Westminster Church is a community where all people are welcome and respected. Our Mission is to be a Christian community of welcoming and nurturing faith.
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IN THIS EDITION OF THE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:
- From the Pastor's Desk: Trusting God to Be There
- The Virtual Church, Our weekly Online Activities
- This Week at Westminster
- Family Ministries
- Youth Group info and Calendar
- Music Matters
- Mission/Outreach opportunities
- Westminster Announcements
- Prayer Concerns
- Stewardship Update and more!
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From the Pastor's Desk
Trusting God to Be There
Often when we discuss the Bible we tend to engage with particular passages, some that we know so well they become ingrained in our memory like the Great Commission. The problem about passages that are well know is that often we either overlook parts of them or don’t really spend time exploring them. Recently, I was thinking about where God is in the midst of everything going on in the world. This brought me to thinking about whether or not I really trust God to be there when I need God to be.
This brought me to the end of the Gospel of Matthew and the Great Commission, which connects with a lesser-known passage that is from Jeremiah 29. The is a letter to the exiles/slaves in Babylon. The genre of this letter is known to many and is like the letter a mother would send to her homesick child “hang in there, you’ll; be home soon!” While this letter is unique to the situation, with the simple changing of certain names and references, this letter could be written today or any time in history. Like the homesick child, the “exiles” are restless and want their prior lives to be restored.
The theme of exile and enslavement is a common theme throughout the Hebrew history. Each time there is the promise of restoration, but at the same time there is a loss of individual and corporate faithfulness.
Interestingly, Jeremiah also takes a path that shows a slightly different take on the individual’s relationship with God. Much of the Old Testament shows a linear faithfulness. One is faithful within the community and communal practices, but when there is a discrepancy or a moral dilemma within the community, there is some type of mediator: A Prophet, Leader, Chosen Person, etc. who then speaks to God. Sometimes we even see that there is yet another level of an angel that becomes an intercessor between the prophet and God. Here, in an interesting twist, Jeremiah is suggesting an individual relationship with God insofar as the individual is required to seek God and be faithful to be made right once more.
In another seemingly divergent twist, Jeremiah states that God is not removed from his people; he knows who and where they are, but is at a distance, suggesting that he is not intimately involved in every aspect of life. This can be a bit problematic for us since some Christian theologies point to an understanding that God is always with us, and subsequently present in every aspect of our lives. This ever-present God is something that results from a repeated promise of Christ and teachings of Paul that God is always with us. But throughout the Hebrew text we continually see a God who goes from intimate involvement to being aloof and seemingly disconnected.
Here is the nuance: God being with us, and God being intimately involved in every action of our lives are two different things. Think back to the example of the homesick child. The parent, as exemplified in the letter, has neither forgotten nor abandoned the child. Moreover, though disconnected, the parent is with the child if not physically, is then with them emotionally and “cosmically.” Like the parent who is with their child and always has their back, a good parent cannot be intimately involved in every aspect of their child’s life, but they can remain connected and devoted.
There is an important core of this letter that God is still with his people in their “time of trial” though they cannot actively pursue him because of their limitations due to the exile. Hence the promise, well the dual promise, that the exile will end and that God will restore. Interestingly, the action of restoration is not determined by God, rather it is that the people will seek God once they emerge from that time.
Granted there is also the underlying assumption that the times of exile are a direct result of the blanket unfaithfulness of the people. But that is yet another letter!
The primary aspect of the Great Commission is to wrap up the story of Christ and give his followers a direction to follow in their ministry from that point forward. However, when it ends it states “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
We could spend a whole series of services on the Great Commission, and maybe someday we will, but I wanted to highlight one thing this week that is often overlooked as we discuss, God’s promise of involvement. Obviously, the bulk of the discussion of the Great Commission is rightly focused on our call to action, but there is also the promise, really the covenant with God that out of our faithfulness, God will always be with us. Again, like in Jeremiah, God promises an active and individual relationship with us, but also requires our active participation in that relationship.
In Christ,
Bryan
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Few people in the history of Christianity have had as large an impact on the church as the apostle Paul. Yet few Christians understand much about the complex personality of this man. Many know something of his teaching about love, but few realize the brooding and fretful personality traits of Paul or the way he frequently used sarcasm when dealing with insubordinate converts. Paul was a zealot with fiercely held convictions. And zealots inspire both intense loyalty and strong opposition. You love them or hate them.
In the first session Paul's explosive personality is explored along with how he turned from being a zealot for the laws of Moses to being a zealot for Jesus Christ. We will consider why he was the center of an intense controversy in the early church and how he addressed his followers and his opponents. The second session looks at some of the difficulties of understand writing in his context and ours. Finally, the third session examines why Paul's theology is so controversial.
For the readings click here!
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We had lots of fun on Monday, July 4 marching in the
Rose, White and Blue Parade!
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Weekly Activities at Westminster
Sunday Morning Worship
at 10:30 am
In person and online. All worship services have on-site infant/child care available in our Family Room and programs for children and youth.
Bulletin and music |
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Children and Youth
Sunday School
In person
Sundays at 9:45 am
Wednesday Logos
Paused over the Summer
Friday Youth Group
Virtual on Zoom
Fridays at 5 pm
Sunday Youth Group
In Person
Sundays at 5 pm
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Adult Education
Morning Bible Study
Paused over the Summer
Wednesday Evening Bible Study
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Family Ministries
Dear Parents,
Please join us for Sunday School at 9:45-10:15 a.m. We follow the sermon series and learn how the different lessons apply in our children’s world. Some of the things we’ve been learning are how we can show kindness, love, and serve others. Along with the lessons, we include interactive activities such as arts, crafts, and games. Hope to see you soon!
Don't forget to invite your friends to our upcoming events this summer!
Upcoming events:
Gear Up! is on the week of July 25th
Summer Bible Blast is on the week of August 8th
Blessings,
Neneth
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Westminster Youth Group meets every Sunday at 5 p.m. in the Hiding Place at the Church, and every Friday at 5 p.m. online. All Youth grades 6th-12th are invited for an evening of fun and fellowship!
The Youth Group has it's own Newsletter! It goes out every Friday, and is the best way to keep up with Youth Group activities. Email Oliver if you'd like to be on the newsletter, and aren't already.
For questions on anything Youth related, email our Youth Director, Oliver Page, at: oliver@westpres-sj.org.
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Music Matters
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Upcoming Summer Music
| July 10 |
Ezekiel Ross, violin |
| July 17 |
Jonathan Huie, vocalist |
| July 24 |
SUMMER SINGERS |
| August 7 |
TBA |
| August 14 |
Summer Bible Blast presentation |
| August 21, 28 |
TBA |
| Thursday, September 1 |
Regular choir rehearsals resume |
| September 4 |
TBA |
| Sunday, September 11 |
Sanctuary Choir returns to Sunday morning worship |
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UPCOMING EVENTS at WPC
Mark your Calendars!
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Do you have an hour or two to help around the church? If you can help please pick one or two and let Bryan, Linda or Ron know.
Thanks!!!
Church Projects:
Cleaning:
- Washing Windows (Monthly)
- Dust Sanctuary (Monthly)
- Clean out the stairwell areas (Monthly)
- Pick up trash around the Church (Weekly)
Maintenance:
- Patio sun-cover (replace ties and covering where needed) (annually)
Grounds:
- Build a wall/gate under the ramp off of Shasta to discourage sleeping under the ramp. (One-time)
- Powerwash sidewalks (twice a year)
- Touch-up paint around the building (annually)
- Patio Plants and flowers (Monthly)
- Touch up paint in Choir loft area (One time)
Creative:
- Design new banners for in front of the church (annually)
- Assess signage around the church, design and recommend signs that need to be replace or added. (biannual)
- Re-arrange notices taped to the window off of Shasta to look more professional. (one-time)
- Update bulletin boards inside the church (refresh backings and suggest the materials to populate the boards) (twice a year)
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Healing for Judy Joy
Healing for Christine Merjanian
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Pray for peace and justice in this world
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STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
Help support the ministries of the Westminster Presbyterian Church through your donation today!
Click Here and donate through PayPal today.
Help me spread the word about Westminster Presbyterian Church. Together we can make a difference.
Please note that using you credit card does incur a fee, which is deducted from the donation.
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Office Hours:
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Monday-Friday
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