07/21/2022 edition of Westside Christian Church, Bradenton, FL. Weekly Newsletter & Devotional

Westside exists to lead people to a life-giving relationship with Jesus.

We do this by,
"Sharing Jesus, Showing Love and Building Believers"

July 21, 2022

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The sermon title is:
God's Delivery Service
Malachi 3:6-18

Click below for WCC's sermon archives

Sermon archives

Make sure you have this corrected link for following the Bible Verses during the Sunday sermons

WCC's Elders Want Your Feedback About the
Two Worship Pastor Candidates
There is still time for you to provide your feedback

From the Elders – "We have been blessed with two great candidates for Worship Pastor. We would LOVE to get your feedback on both Lane and Natalie. Please send your feedback to: tim@westsidechristianchurch.com and he will forward it on to the rest of the elders."
If you have any questions please contact Lead PastorTim

Sunday Mornings

9:00 Traditional Service

10:30 Modern Service

Westside Kids Kdg. - 5th
Sundays at 10:30am
Wednesdays 6:30-8:00pm
Westside Kids Jr.6-weeks old through PreK children.
Sunday Mornings 10:30am

DEVOTIONAL

GET UNCOMFORTABLE

I'm going to guess that each of us have a Sunday routine. You probably have a church service you prefer to attend. You may go out to brunch after service. Or maybe it is your cheat day and you allow yourself to indulge with the donuts at church. You probably have a preference as to where you sit in church. It may be the exact same location each week. Possibly, you are a little more general in your planning. Just like school, some of us are back sitters and others prefer the front of the class. I am sure there are some who would like to be in the middle of things too.

My point is we like to be comfortable. We have certain preferences and when those preferences are met, we enjoy comfort. Comfort provides us with calm and peace. Being comfortable feels good.

Jesus knew that comfort could be the enemy of growth. When the apostles got too comfortable, Jesus shook things up. He took them out on a boat. Many of His disciples were fishermen. A boat was a place they had been before. A comfortable place. They had great command of boats because of their profession.

As they were out a large storm came and created massive waves. The apostles became fearful that the boat would capsize. Jesus had fallen asleep during this journey. Fearful for their lives, "The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!'" (Matt 8:25).

We like to be comfortable. There is safety in comfort. There is strength in comfort.

Maybe they had become comfortable with watching Jesus do miraculous things. Maybe they needed to get uncomfortable to remember that God had given them the skills needed to safely guide the ship through the storm. Maybe they had gotten so comfortable with watching Jesus do miraculous things that they forgot He was the Messiah. Even in his sleep, He was present and would protect them.

I think they needed to get uncomfortable so they could grow. When Jesus woke up He said “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” (Mat 8:26). The safety and comfort of their comfortableness exposed their need to grow. God grows us in those uncomfortable situations. He uses those moments to remind us how much we need Him. I think He uses them also, to remind us of how He has prepared us to face that moment and how we are never alone. He is always with us.

Where is God calling you to get uncomfortable? Is it by sitting in a different row and meeting new people at church? Is it a nudge to plug in with one of the amazing ministries we partner with? Is it a calling to support Renaissance Church in their upcoming launch? Maybe you are being challenged to stretch that budget and give 10%. Wherever God is pushing you out of comfort and into uncomfortableness, embrace the growth He is doing in you.

Matt Ennis
Be Blessed and be a Blessing
07/21/22

I think most can join me in being overwhelmed as we try to keep track of all the "official" holidays identified in our USA.
When I was researching the varying July holidays that are included on the lists
I came across the below one about which I was unsure.

My first thought when I saw this holiday listed to be celebrated on July 24th was... what can we do to honor the Grandparents and the Elderly? But I was led to a different twist.

* "...We need wise, elders, mature in spirit, who give hope for life! The sensibility of the spirit, the maturity of the spirit. It is the image of Simeon and Anna, whom are spoken of in the Gospel of Jesus’ childhood, composed by St Luke. They were certainly elderly, the “old man”, Simeon, and the “prophetess”, Anna, who was 84 years old !"
We grandparents and elderly people have a great responsibility: to teach as they did and so many after them have.

* "We must regard others with the same understanding and loving gaze with which we regard our own grandchildren.
This is what happens to an elderly person who is open to a young person who is open: he or she bids farewell to life while, so to speak, “handing over” life to the new generation. And this is the farewell of Simeon and Anna: 'Now I can go in peace'. The spiritual sensitivity of old age is capable of breaking down competition and conflict between generations in a credible and definitive way. This is certainly impossible for us humans, but possible for God.*"

"In Old Age They Will Still Bear Fruit" (Ps. 92:15)

* Excerpted from Salt + Light Media March 30, 2022

Link to Video Archives of WCC's previous Bible Studies AND Info on 2022 Summer Wednesdays Adult Classes 7-8pm. No registration required

As long as child hunger persists, none of us can truly REST!

FELT is Manatee County’s Original Backpack Program.
FELT Has worked for more than 11 Years to End Child Hunger!

WOW! You folks are amazing! Thanks again for continuing to help to feed empty tummies with your food donations. The barrel last Sunday was filled to overflowing! We have two more weeks to help these homeless kiddos not have those hunger pains.

If you would like to make a secure financial donation to FELT please mail your check to:

FELT
936 14th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205.

Learn More About FELT

Join us on the Westside App today for complete information on events .
Click the button below and then scroll to the bottom of the page to get information on downloading the app.

Get Westside's App

Summer Camps & Conference

Thank you to all who help in any way to make these experiences ones that combine faith-filled fun, and friendship for our Westside kiddos.

6^th-8^th Grade Summer Adventure

July 28 thru July 29

All students
entering 6th-8th grades
Are invited for a Summer Adventure!

Join Russ on the "Russ Bus" as you travel all around Manatee County on a treasure hunt. Students will spend the night "camping" at church with a fire (fake), stars on the ceiling, and tents in the sanctuary. Then Friday is a SPECIAL SURPRISE! Cost is $40 per student.

Sign-up at https://subspla.sh/jyv725v

CIY Conference (9th - Graduated Seniors)

✍🏻 Registration is still available!

TRUTH WORSHIP AND
COMMUMITY BEYOND THE EVENT

July 18th - 22nd

CIY Conference 2022 High Schoolers plan on being a part of this incredible, 5-day event coming up in July. It features impactful worship, dynamic speaking, and a clear call to Kingdom work.

Information for Signing-up for 2022 CIY thru Westside

Dates: July 18th - 22nd Location: Cleveland, TN Cost: $200 per student

Click on the link below to complete the 3 steps necessary to register for CIY . The link for CIY info is at the bottom of the linked page.

Sign-up here for CIY

PICKLE BALL AT WESTSIDE

Westside's Pickle Ball continues on any Tuesday at 6:30pm at the courts located just to the south of Miller Elementary at the corner of 43rd St W & 9th Ave W. (weather permitting). It is open to all age levels. If you have any questions please call or text Cindy Otremba at 218-831-6188.

Support a great cause by planning on attending
this fun-filled evening held right at Westside

Clean Comedy for a Cause does shows to raise money for local nonprofits. They are pleased to partner with Our Father's House for this show on August 21st.
A HUGE percentage of ticket sales will go to this wonderful cause.

$20 per person To buy tickets please click on the link below
or scan the QR Code on the above poster.

BUY Clean Comedy For A Cause TICKETS

WEEKLY Summary

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. " Corinthians 9:7

GENERAL GIVING: $5,934.50
DESIGNATED GIVING: $75.00
MINIMAL WEEKLY GENERAL BUDGET NEEDED - $7,458.37
IN PERSON ATTENDANCE: 189

Click To Give Online

Please send any questions or comments about this newsletter to Margo Ennis, Editor, at margo@westsidechristianchurch.com