If you were unable to attend our online worship on Sunday, view it here:
Update on February RAoK
Westsiders, thank you for your generosity in February!
Here’a a note from Suzy Jeffreys, Executive Director of NxNE Community Health Center:
Thank you again for the amazing donation of supplies for our free bins. It really was a great haul of items, and we appreciate how high-quality and new everything was (that’s not always the case when we get donations, and we like to give our patients the best stuff when we can). Please pass our gratitude and appreciation on to everyone who donated
In addition to the necessities donated to NxNE, Self Enhancement, Inc received $340 in gift cards!
If you’d like to participate in March’s Random Acts of Kindness, here’s the info on Sock It to March!
RAoK: Sock It to March!
Slipping on warm, dry socks when your feet are cold may be one of the most comforting things in life.
Our Random Acts of Kindness this month will be collecting new socks - men's, women's, and children's - for the different non-profit groups we partner with: Family Promise, HomePlate Youth Services, CityTeam, and Western Farm Workers Association.
You may sign up here. It’s a simple sign up but it will help us know where we may be lacking. Thanks!
There is a basket outside of the church, under the overhang; please bring your socks by March 28.
You may also donate cash and the shopping will be done for you. Donate here. Be sure to designate RAoK.
Thanks for your generosity!
Spring Forward!
Remember that extra hour of sleep you got back in November? It’s time to give it back.
Move your clocks forward one hour this Saturday before you go to bed. Yes, you’ll get one less hour of sleep. But this November… ;)
In-person Worship on March 14
This Sunday, our third Sunday to worship in person in the Lighthouse, we are not requiring a sign-up.
We requested that you sign up for the first two Sundays, in case we were in danger of exceeding our maximum occupancy (25 persons.)
We are all in this together as we navigate our way out of the pandemic. Everyone has their own level of risk tolerance, so we fully understand those of you who will continue to worship from home until you feel comfortable in a group. And we appreciate the need of some to be in communion with others now. Please go at your own pace; we are truly in this together.
Sharing for Mar 7
Share from your week; where have you seen God at work?:
Martha – Ken & I have spent several weeks online trying to get the vaccination. It seemed that whenever we thought we were there it would open it up and then it would close immediately. Thursday night we received an email from a sister of mine; she had a link to the Salem Fairgrounds and said a friend of hers said to try it. We tried it on Friday at noon, like her friend’s instructions said, and no luck. I closed my computer and I was kind of discouraged. I told Ken – We’re not going to get our vaccinations until we are 85… About 6 pm Friday night I was doing something and I had to open up my iPad to find a pattern for a knitting project I wanted to do. I opened up my iPad and up popped the Salem Fairgrounds reservations with tons of times for Wednesday. Ken & I both got 8:45 am appointments this Wednesday so we can both go at the same time which is wonderful and what we wanted to do. God was there. I could hear God saying – Martha, it just took some patience and I’m here with you, you’ve been praying every night for that vaccination and I’m going to make it for you now. So, every night I thank him, Yes!
Gerry – I have a new granddaughter named Eva. My son in Beaverton, Chris and his wife, Sarah, went to the hospital on a Friday and she was induced. It went on for a few days; they decided to break the water. About 2 ½ hrs later or around 2:30 am, they noticed the umbilical cord was in front of the head; they did an emergency C-section. Got the baby out and she was fine and Sarah was doing okay. So, I’m sitting with my grandson, Jack, for about 5 days. He’s about 2 yrs old. That’s been a real blessing!
Michelle – This past week was my birthday. My God Sighting was that I have so many wonderful friends who sent me birthday cards and sent me flowers and contributed to a Senior Dog Sanctuary. I love senior dogs and I’ve always rescued them. I’ve always believed that God puts all these wonderful people in your life and you have to work to keep them there. It was just a really nice week.
Jan – At the end of Pastor’s message last time he was talking about Peter and how Peter tried to correct the Lord. Sometimes I think we try to correct the Lord and say – No, Lord, it’s supposed to be this way. This is exactly what Peter did he said – No, Lord, it will never be that way. The Lord said – Get behind me Satan! That’s what I’ve been saying this whole week – Get behind me Satan! Because the evil one is bent on destroying the voice of the Lord inside of my husband. My husband knows the word like no one else I know, and Satan wants to silence him. But, we will believe what the Lord says. We won’t try to tell the Lord how to do it. He said we were healed; that we were filled with the Holy Ghost in power. That we were free and that we have victory! That’s in that song that goes – Whose report are you going to believe? We will believe the word of the Lord. His report says I am healed. His report says I am filled. His report says I am free. His report says victory. Whose report are you going to believe? I’m going to believe the report of the Lord, and I’m not going to argue with Him!
Marianne – I just heard this week that my niece is pregnant with her first child. She got married a couple years ago and she is due in September. This is my brother’s first grandchild, so they are over the moon! Fred – I still picture her as 6 yrs old, so I don’t know how she’s having kids!
Janelle – I have one. I don’t get out of the house very much and this week I did get out. Everywhere I went the workers and complete strangers kept giving me free things. For two days I got coffee, pastries and flowers all for free. Ky is reminding me that he got a free Chick Fil A biscuit and he was so happy. I came home and I told Brett – I love humanity! Because I realize how much I don’t have contact with people. So, then to encounter complete strangers being so generous. I kept saying - No, no, I don’t need it…. They kept insisting that they give me these things; I thought this is so sweet and really moving.
Please Share
If you know of someone looking for a home to rent, please forward this information to them:
House for Rent: 970 SW Tropicana Ave, Beaverton 97005
One-story home, approx 1800 sf, with large fenced-in backyard and two-car garage. Quiet neighborhood near Hwy 26 and Murray Blvd, close to Nike. 4 BR, 2 BA, 2 living areas. New washer, dryer, refrigerator, kitchen counter tops, and interior and exterior paint in 2019-20. Fireplace, dishwasher. One year lease, one month rent deposit, $250 deposit per pet. $1950 per month. Available April 1. Contact Virginia at office@westsidejourney.org or Gerry at 509-336-9030 for more info.
Communion This Sunday
Join us in the parking lot at 11:00 am this Sunday, March 7. We will (safely) celebrate Holy Communion together.
All are welcome!
Sign Up for March 7
We have several more spots available for in-person worship this Sunday, March 7.
If you would like to attend, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BABAF22AB9-worship. Remember to include any children in your group’s number.
What to expect if you can come Sunday:
A great time
Participating in worship with Pastor Brett and through a big screen TV.
Masks covering nose and mouth required at all times except for Pastor Brett, who can take his off to lead elements of the service pursuant to denominational and scientific guidance.
Social distancing - chairs have been set up 6 feet apart or more.
Sign in upon arriving, having your temperature taken and recorded.
Open windows for ventilation - so you might need layers or a lap blanket
No singing
No food or drink
Emergency only restroom usage
Feeling a wide range of emotions tied to the past year's many losses.
Thanks for your support and patience as we continue the “Worship Lab!”
Sharing for Feb 28
Share from your week; where have you seen God at work?:
Rich – Well, how’s this for proof – we have people meeting in person again!
Pastor Brett - Uproar of applause in the lighthouse, Rich! Amen, Amen!
Gavin – A friend planted daffodils in front yard several years ago and they are open as sort of a symbol of the openness of the future. And how the rains come and water the earth; the newness of life.
Dianne – For a month or so I’ve had depression; then I got sick (not Covid). I have gone through so much stuff in the last few years. I thought 2021 was going to be my year, it was going to be wonderful. However, January I had problems with house & shed; February we had snow and ice. Valentine’s Day came and went… Then my neighbor alerted me to a gutter that was hanging down, another problem….I prayed about it for a day, then called some roofing repair companies. No one called back so, I started praying again. Three days later a 3 man crew showed up and checked the entire roof and fixed the hanging gutter. Only took about 15 minutes. I asked them to bill me, but I still have not received a bill. This is a remarkable blessing from God, in light of what I’ve gone through in the last few months.
Martha – I was just looking outside our window and it’s so beautiful out today! So, I thank God for the beauty today compared to what it was a couple of weeks ago. I mean I love the snow, but it was so awkward for so many people. But, I also think that God has shown us that this is a week and a year of patience. Many of the older people in our neighborhood have been able to get their first shot–yahoo! Ken and I are so anxious to get our shots; he has had so many frustrating hours trying to navigate how to get in and get the shot. God is teaching us patience and willingness to step aside and let others have it first. Hopefully, we won’t have to step aside too long.
Pastor Brett – I want to give one last word that’s been on my heart this week that might be relevant. I’ve been thinking a lot about the Flood (Noah’s); I preached on the flood in Noah’s passage last week. If you remember that story, Noah sends out several birds as the waters are going down. He sends out a raven, a dove and later another dove. The waters of the earth came up for 40 days, but they didn’t go down for 150! That’s half a year, right; then there is even more time that goes by as the waters are going down. It just kind of feels like we’re waiting for the waters to subside. I feel like we’re sending out that dove to check in today; we’re trying to say – What’s it like in this different world? So, there’s not a lot of analogy with the flood, because God is not destroying the earth (God doesn’t work like that anymore). But, it kind of fits this group here and our online group – we’re sending out the dove; we’re waiting for the waters to subside.
Wendy F. – As of this week, all of my 4 parents and in law’s parents have gotten their first vaccine shot. Praise God!
In-person Worship on March 7
We’re asking you to sign up again this week, as we try to get a handle on how many people want to worship in person.
We have been approved for up to 25 persons to gather for worship. If you would like to attend, sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4BABAF22AB9-worship. Remember to include any children in your group’s number.
What to expect if you can come Sunday:
A great time
Participating in worship with Pastor Brett and through a big screen TV.
Masks covering nose and mouth required at all times except for Pastor Brett, who can take his off to lead elements of the service pursuant to denominational and scientific guidance.
Social distancing - chairs have been set up 6 feet apart or more.
Sign in upon arriving, having your temperature taken and recorded.
Open windows for ventilation - so you might need layers or a lap blanket
No singing
No food or drink
Emergency only restroom usage
Feeling a wide range of emotions tied to the past year's many losses.
Thanks for your support and patience as we continue the “Worship Lab!”
Free Clinic
Compassion Beaverton is offering a free health clinic this Saturday, Mar 6, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.
The clinic will be held at Parkside Fellowship, 5755 SW Erickson Ave in Beaverton. They are offering dental cleaning, extractions and restoration, and chiropractic medical checks. They are not offering any COVID testing or vaccinations.
Services are on a first come, first serve basis, but there is a phone number to pre-register. See this flyer for more details.
Family Promise Week
We continue to be in partnership with Family Promise of Beaverton. Next week would have been our turn to host families in our Lighthouse. While the pandemic prevents that, it also makes the need even greater.
Family Promise partners like Westside are currently providing food to 10 families/individuals that are being housed in a motel, and to one family in their Day Center.
If you can contribute to the cost of the food, our own Bonnie B is willing to do all the shopping this weekend. It will cost approximately $500, so any amount you can give is appreciated. Give quickly and safely here by Friday, March 5. Please be sure to indicate that your tax-deductible gift is for Family Promise. Thank you!
Worship Video for February 28
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
Labyrinth Signup Continues
Our Church has secured a massive labyrinth that is being set up in the sanctuary for Lent.
Come walk a path that has one way in and one way out. Labyrinths have been employed by Christians and many faith traditions over the years as a means of drawing near to oneself and to the Holy Spirit.
Come pray, meditate, walk, and let the Spirit of God refresh you through this ancient spiritual practice.
The labyrinth will be available every day except Sunday, February 22 through April 3. Signup for your personal timeslot here
Sharing for Feb 21
Share from your week; where have you seen God at work?:
Gavin – Preparing for worship services – All the recording with the odd band has helped me recall my original Jesus songs with renewed purpose.
Jan – I’ve been thinking about the question - Who is Jesus to you when you met him and who is He to you now? There is an old Methodist Hymn that goes – Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him….all for grace to trust Him more! I’ve been trying to help my husband get out of depression; God has proved Godself to me, removing all doubt.
Sally – With power outages during and after the storm last week, we have been able to keep our power on in Beaverton. So, we were able to house some friends who were without power in our basement. We would have them meet with us wearing masks and explain the setup in the basement apartment. Then, we would tell them to go and enjoy the basement with power.
Chris – I had a client come in recently whom I haven’t seen for a while. I asked him how things were going and he said that actually the last time he saw me he was getting his affairs in order, because he was going to commit suicide. He went on to explain that I had been kind to him and talked about my family to him. He left and realized he needed to work on his relationships with his family and he did not commit suicide!
Worship Video for February 21
If you were unable to attend our online worship yesterday, view it here::
February RAoK for Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, we have chosen two organizations dedicated to the needs of Black Portland area residents. Dropoff will be on Saturday, Feb 27. You may sign up here.
The first organization is the North by Northeast Community Health Center:
North by Northeast Community Health Center is the only medical clinic in Oregon devoted to African American/Black health. We exist to improve health outcomes and advance health equity by offering primary care services and health education and promotion focused on the African American/Black community.
The items we need most are personal, feminine and dental hygiene supplies to stock our free bin. We anticipate we may be doing some large vaccine distribution days in the next few months, and we’d love to be able to give little care packages to folks when they get a vaccine. Here’s a specific list of things we could use:
Shampoo and conditioner
Liquid or bar soap
Hand or body lotion
Chapstick
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Pads and tampons
Condoms
Cough drops
The second organization is Self Enhancement, Inc:
SEI is a comprehensive, one-stop resource for youth and families, primarily African Americans and others living in poverty or seeking culturally responsive services. It is also one of the city’s leading multi-service organizations, providing thousands of youth, families, and adults with a wide array of education and social services on an annual basis. SEI’s strength is in its ability to meet the complex needs of the children and families it serves, including helping people to overcome cultural, educational and economic barriers.
SEI is committed to helping youth and families realize their full potential. SEI believes that every child has a gift and that it is our shared responsibility to help every child find that gift. By expanding learning opportunities and teaching every child that “Life Has Options,” SEI is seeing amazing results proving that SEI is the solution.
SEI is seeking gift cards in any denomination and in a wide array of stores. They send them to their students to celebrate milestones, as well as using gift cards to supplement groceries for the food insecure. They recommend $10-25 cards for students, such as Amazon, Visa, or Starbucks; $50 and up for groceries with cards for Safeway, Fred Meyer, Target, or Visa.
Lenten Labyrinth
Our Church has secured a massive labyrinth that is being set up in the sanctuary for Lent.
Come walk a path that has one way in and one way out. Labyrinths have been employed by Christians and many faith traditions over the years as a means of drawing near to oneself and to the Holy Spirit.
Come pray, meditate, walk, and let the Spirit of God refresh you through this ancient spiritual practice.
The labyrinth will be available every day except Sunday, February 22 through April 3. Signup for your personal timeslot here
Ash Wednesday Ashes & Service
Each person or family unit will be responsible for imposing their own ashes, which are pre-packaged and available for pickup outside the church. We apologize for the short window for pickup but snow will be snow.
A short, pre-recorded video service will be available on Ash Wednesday, Feb 17, that you can watch at your convenience. It will include the imposition of ashes which you picked up. A special email will go out tomorrow morning with the link to the video.
Lent activity packets are also available so that kids can enter into and learn about the Lenten season. Unable to get by the church? You can download the kids packet here