Brian Shimer
Online Worship on Zoom
Brian Shimer
Zoom Begins this Sunday
Brian Shimer
Join Us for Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Online Worship
Brian Shimer
Worship On Sundays

Sponsors Guide

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We have been provided with a copy of the Western Farm Workers Association’s Sponsors Guide. There are eight pages of businesses that support WFWA in their efforts to build a strong, independent association for the well-being of their members. All without receiving any government funding.

The opening letter from the WFWA Operations Manager states, “The year 2020 has placed the worst pandemic in 100 years and worst economic collapse since the Great Depression squarely on the backs of farm workers and other low-income workers.”

We hope that you will read this guide and patronize these businesses. Share it with your friends and family. Advertise the need for help and change for those who provide us with the very food on our tables.

WFWA Winter Update

Here’s news about the Western Farm Workers Association, from Merry Goldthorpe:

Hello Westsiders,

Thank you to all who helped with our holiday events. I hope everyone looked at our photos and thank you card. Sunday, January 17th, was our Martin Luther King Day distribution, held at Reedville Presbyterian church. Most of our members did not have the Monday off.

After the seasonal Christmas tree and wreath making work is over, winter season brings its' own challenges. Many of our members work in landscaping plant nurseries and floral export companies, outdoors, all year round. The members who participate with us sort food and clothing, answer phones, clean the office and grounds, and transport items for distribution. The YWCA donated the food for our generous holiday food boxes that went to about 120 families. Friday and Saturday the 22nd and 23rd will be a hygiene supply and January food distribution, with "contact-free" delivery.

If you would like to help with any of our distributions or advocacy, please call our office or contact me. I will gladly pick up donations from the Lighthouse, or from your house!

Cheers!

Merry Goldthorpe
Home 503- 690 -1908
Cell 503 -840 -7410
WFWA Office 503- 681- 9399

Sharing for Jan 17

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Share from your week:

Jan – (regarding Psalm 139: 1-12 that she was asked to read in service today by Pastor Brett) This is the most beautiful Psalm…This Psalm wasn’t just by chance that I was asked to read it, believe me, it was the Holy Spirit. I meditated on this chapter, (Pastor wants verses 1-12), and in that portion there is a line that says – If I go up to the heights, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead the very pits, you are there. I think this is so appropriate for right now. My husband has been struggling tremendously with discouragement & depression. Since he’s now gotten through physically with this part of the illness, now he is so discouraged. Listen to the Words, the Word of the Lord for this morning! Picked by the Holy Spirit through Pastor Brett! ……Hallelujah!    

Laura – Man, I REALLY needed to get my dose of Jan this morning. AMEN!

Martha – Thank you Jan, your testimony is wonderful and you actually saved Pastor Brett a sermon. Your testimonies are always so faith based and so vibrant, thank you.  

Kat – It’s been a really rough week, but one filled with also the sight of God being there as we all cried. I don’t know how many of you know or heard about the big mudslide on I–84, with a woman – it’s now a recovery mission instead of a rescue. Jenny was a coworker of mine; it’s been really rough for the entire Good Samaritan Hospital. She was a Charge Nurse so, she was very well known. She worked there for 17 years. Good Sam, one of the reasons I love working there is that we consider ourselves a family and we really are. So, it’s been really hard for the staff on night shift because, she worked nights. But, through all of this, we’ve been together and bonded together and supported…They put up a GoFundMe page to help support her husband and her two children. Their goal was $5,000 and they’ve reached over $20,000 to help the family. So, if you guys have a moment to say a prayer for Jenny Moore and her family – that they may find her body and receive closure through all of this; to give God thanks for holding us all, because, I’ve definitely felt his love in bringing us together as a community.   

Pastor Brett – Wow, I’m so sorry to hear that Kat; thank you for sharing. I think I can speak for everyone here at Westside that we’re with you in this moment of grief and anguish. Feel free to reach out to anyone; thank you for sharing that.  Lord, we lift up Jenny Moore to You; we lift her family up to You. We pray that You would assist the recovery mission, as Kat said. Bodies are so important to you, God, you made them and you decided to live in one of them forever in Your son, Jesus. So, we ask that you would be involved with this mission, God, and help bring closure to this family. We lift them up to You and we keep them for You. To Your throne, in Jesus name, Amen.      

Kari – I got my vaccine yesterday. So, I will dedicate that to Jenny Moore and thank all the nurses and the volunteers that are doing & trying to make the vaccine process go smoothly. So, I’m relieved to have that part done. I’m very thankful that I could be in an early group to get the vaccine.  

Pastor Brett – That is good news, Kari, that is really great news, thanks for sharing! We’ve had a couple of our folks here who have had at least their first shot. So, signs of hope among us! Awesome!

Re-Imagine this Sunday at 10:30

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The pandemic has altered the way we meet together to worship God, and we are preparing to have an online presence deep into 2021 and perhaps beyond. Come brainstorm ways to do worship both in person and online in 2021. What should worship look like visually? What should it sound like? How will we engage the people in person and help the people online feel like they are also in the sanctuary? Bring your thoughts, ideas, and questions this Sunday, Jan 17, at 10:30 am


https://zoom.us/j/91376283930?pwd=a3BNcjFzN082SFhUem12czc4MW9JUT09

Meeting ID: 913 7628 3930
Passcode: reimagine

Sharing for Jan 10

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Share a word or phrase from Psalm 29, or a God Sighting:

Kari – I liked in the Psalm how God is Glory and Strength. That’s what stuck out to me. My God Sighting is that I am 1 of 35 people who will get a Covid Vaccine at Providence as part of Medical Teams International’s volunteers. And there’s a God Sighting right there with Levi smiling!     

Pastor Brett – Yes, when he sees people in person he’s like – what is this? Because, he is so used to looking at the screens.  Yes, it is a God Sighting – Levi is rolling around like a rolling pin now and babbling. He wants to eat everything and wants to drink my coffee. So, it is definitely fun to have a child this young during the pandemic. It gives me great hope beyond the current moment for his full life.  

Sally – I think for me the last line of the Psalm – May The Lord bless his people with peace. Because, it just doesn’t feel like we have very peaceful existence right now. We’re not alone, but it doesn’t feel peaceful if you stay abreast of what’s happening in our country. I will share something I shared with our women’s group. We were talking about babies because, we know that Debbie Gabel shared that Katie is pregnant; with the whole - where is God in all of this? An expression that I know from when I was in High School & I used to journal and it says - Every baby comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man. I just think about that because, as long as the babies are coming, there’s hope! God is not going to bring babies into the world and then abandon us.    Gerry, this is for you to think about. I’m still eating our Christmas cookies from December with a cup of coffee and they’re still wonderful!

Gerry – That was my God Sighting when Sal came and it was pretty dark outside; she didn’t know if I was even home or not. So, she called and I was. She brought me a special cookie that was made after activity & some other treat. I took a picture of it and sent it to my family. 

Volunteers Needed This Week!

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Community Volunteers Needed to Improve Internet Connectivity for Beaverton High School Families

We know that families depend on the Internet, whether at school or at home, so they can do homework, search for jobs, access financial or government services, and much more. During the current reality of school that need is even higher as students participate in school remotely. 

Comcast is offering six months of free internet and will train volunteers to assist families with the application process.

Who are we looking for in volunteers?

  • Kind, patient, volunteers who can guide families through completing the online application process

  • Bilingual (Spanish) is an asset but not necessary

  • Problem solver who can help answer questions

  • Ability to use the meeting platform Zoom

Volunteers will need to complete the Beaverton School District background check (if not already completed)  https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/communications-community-involvement/volunteer

January 13th or 14th Training session

Information presentation, hosted by Comcast trainers, on Zoom.  You may attend either session: Wednesday, Jan 13, 2:00 – 3:00 pm -or- Thursday, Jan 14, 9:00 – 10:00 am

  • This is a train-the-trainer session, with step-by-step instructions for the application process

  • The session will be recorded for volunteers who cannot attend or for volunteers who sign up later

January 27, time TBA

  • Our first session with families

  • These will be held over Zoom

  • Each trainer will work with 2-4 families   

Contact Anne Erwin, anne_erwin@beaverton.k12.or.us or 503-356-2833, to volunteer.

If these dates for training don’t work please let Anne know about your interest so she can set another date, or send you the recorded Zoom sessions.

January Random Acts of Kindness

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Our RAoK opportunity in January will be lifting the spirits of the residents and caregivers at an assisted living facility.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many facilities are limiting or prohibiting visitors. For the residents’ safety, they are often confined to their rooms.

So we are going to gift them with Valentine’s Day cards and gifts!

Cards may be purchased or handmade. Individually-wrapped, shelf-stable snacks such as nuts, granola bars, dried fruit, or candy would be appreciated. Use your imagination!

We will publish a sign-up sheet soon. We plan to provide for 20 residents and 30 staff.

Drop off will be on Saturday, Jan 30, between 1:00 and 2:30 pm at the church.

Acts Bible Study

We have been invited by Vermont Hills UMC and Pastor Bo Sanders to participate in an online bible study of the book of Acts. You have only five days remaining to sign up!

The study will be on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm, beginning January 13. You are encouraged to pick up Willie Jennings's commentary on Acts. Jennings shows how Acts applies to the divisions of our present world.

We have been approved to use our building spaces for up to 10 people, if you prefer or need to meet in person. Indicate your choice when you sign up.

This group likes to really dig deep into scripture, so expect the study to last into early summer. However, you are not expected to be able to attend every week. Give it a try and see if it’s right for you. It’s not your father’s bible study! Both Pastor Brett and Westside’s admin, Virginia, have been in this group before and highly recommend it.

Sharing for Jan 3

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Sharing – Where have you seen God at work this week?

Gavin – Hindsight is 2020.

Kari – Yes, I was using “2020 Vision” for last year.

Fred – I am thankful that my sister, who is in the medical industry, and is allergic to everything – she’s had anaphylactic instances with other medications. She got her Covid-19 shot and she had no issues at all just a sore arm. We prayed for her and it turned out well.   

Sandy – Kaitlyn got her shot yesterday and had the same thing – just a really sore arm.

Merry – The holiday season went so well for the Farm Workers, please look at the last newsletter and open the photo card.

Michele – I think my God Sighting was how many people…you saw a lot more Christmas Lights. A lot more people were really trying to get into the holiday season and get away from the negativity. I noticed a lot of lights, especially in the condominiums where I live, there were a lot of Christmas Lights & decorating. A lot more than I have seen since I’ve been here. I think it was just really people trying to get a grasp on something better.  

Jan – I want to say thank you to everyone who’s been praying for my husband. My God Sighting was that he went to the hospital ER on Monday and miraculously went home on Thursday! It was just amazing – they did their tests & did a cardioversion that put his heart back in the right rhythm; he’s doing so much better! So, I just want to thank everybody for their wonderful prayers and I love you all. And God is still on the throne!     

Kari – Amen Jan, thanks for sharing. I’m glad that Wayne is doing better, that’s fantastic!

Chris & Debbie – We are going to be grandparents, Katie is pregnant!

Kari – Congratulations! That’s great! Woo-hoo!

Rich – Intro to our closing song - When Pastor Brett first brought up the idea that we could do a virtual Advent walk through, he asked for Fred, Susan & Sandy and the rest of the worship team’s help to set this up. He asked if we could do a particular song at the Annunciation Station and as soon as I heard it I had this vision of something I needed to do. I think many of you will recognize this as it gets going. But, I was literally compelled, unlike things you know you need to do… I was compelled. I had to learn how to edit video. I spent 3 days and probably most of them awake, not much sleep, working on this thing until I finally felt the relief of knowing it was done. Then when I felt it was finished, I was denied the opportunity to share this on YouTube because of copyright, which is okay – I fully understand that. It was a labor of love and I hope you get something out of this, because I did.   (Song is Breath of Heaven sung by Sandy with video clips from The Nativity Story movie) 

Acts Bible Study

We have been invited by Vermont Hills UMC and Pastor Bo Sanders to participate in an online bible study of the book of Acts.

The study will be on Wednesday evenings, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm, beginning January 13. You are encouraged to pick up Willie Jennings's commentary on Acts. Jennings shows how Acts applies to the divisions of our present world.

We have been approved to use our building spaces for up to 10 people, if you prefer or need to meet in person. Indicate your choice when you sign up.

This group likes to really dig deep into scripture, so expect the study to last into early summer. However, you are not expected to be able to attend every week. Give it a try and see if it’s right for you. It’s not your father’s bible study! Both Pastor Brett and Westside’s admin, Virginia, have been in this group before and highly recommend it.

December Acts of Kindness

What a tremendous response to our Random Acts of Kindness for December!

So many hearts were touched through your generous giving. Donations were given locally to several families in need, and to the members of the Western Farm Workers Association. See the photos below and the WFWA note. Thank you, Westsiders and friends!