Westminster Loving God & Neighbour

Sunday is special. Well, every Sunday is special, but when people declare their faith it is a special blessing. Several of our youth have gone through a confirmation process – of making ‘the’ faith ‘my’ faith. They will give statements of faith, some will be baptized, others anointed with oil, and we will pray over them! We will worship God and pray. “Yet not I but through Christ in me…” “How great thou art…” Our youngest class (grade 4 and below) will be taught and encouraged in Sunday School (the older youth will remain in the sanctuary), and the youngest from our midst cared for in the nursery. We will enjoy cake after the service! Your presence enriches everything we do.

This year Westminster is hosting the annual World Day of Prayer service. Local churches host this ecumenical service on a rotational basis and share in leadership. Last year there were 1.5 million participants in 150 countries. This year there are 12 local churches participating. The theme for 2025 is “I made you wonderful” (based on Psalm 139) and highlights life in Cook Islands. There will be songs, prayers and readings. The service will be held on March 7, from approximately 1:30pm to 2:30pm, followed by lunch. A free will offering will be received. Please contact the church office for additional information. Our address is 170 Steel Street, Barrie, ON. There is parking in the front and back lots.

Sunday, March 9th is the first Sunday in Lent – a 40 day period of preparation (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. We gather to praise God as a people who give thanks, focus, bless, and serve.  Remember to change your clocks! They “spring ahead” 1 hour the night before. Matthew and William will lead the service together with William sharing the sermon on Matthew 4:1-11 (Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness) and Hebrews 4:14-16. We are blessed and supported by Sunday School, nursery care and fellowship time. We are also blessed to have Jenn Harris leading the service while Music Director Nena LaMarre is away. “How great is our God…” “King of heaven come down…”

Sunday, March 16th is the second Sunday in Lent – a 40 day period of preparation (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. We will gather and lift our voices to the living God – in prayer, song, teaching and mutual encouragement. Pastor Ruttan will return to our series on Mark. The main text is Mark 10: 1-52. Something we’ll ponder: Jesus said: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” We are nourished and helped by Sunday School teachers and classes, caring nursery care and fellowship time.

Sunday, March 23rd is the third Sunday in Lent – a 40 day period of preparation (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. Spring is on the march! We will lift our voices to our God of grace and truth – in prayer, song, teaching and hopeful encouragement.  Our main teaching text is Mark 10:46 – 11:43. Jesus arrives in Jerusalem: “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” We are blessed and helped by Sunday School teachers and classes, caring nursery care and fellowship time. We will enjoy “ham and a bun” after the service in the Fellowship Hall. “In Christ alone, my hope is found…”

On Saturday, March 29th at 1:30pm we will host a memorial service for Corry Willems who passed away on January 30th. Corry was an active part of our church family, served God, and blessed others faithfully in many ways! The service will include songs, readings, memories, prayers and a video tribute. There will be light refreshments to follow. You may read Corry's full obituary by clicking here. Update: a last minute decision has been made to live-stream the service on YouTube due to the Ontario ice storm. Click here to go to our YouTube channel. Near 1:30pm you will see a video go 'live.' Click on that for the service.

Sunday, March 30th is the fourth Sunday in Lent. The last few weeks your singing has been robust! Let’s continue with that. “For my God is the Ancient of Days…” “As the deer…” Our main teaching text is Mark 12:1-27. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…” “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's…” “He is not God of the dead, but of the living…” There is Sunday School, fellowship time, nursery care – and one another for one another.

Sunday, April 6th is the fifth Sunday in Lent. The last few weeks your singing has been robust! Let’s continue with that. “For my God is the Ancient of Days…” “As the deer…” Our main teaching text is Mark 12:1-27. “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s…” This line has some important applications for us today. We will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion, also called The Lord's Supper. There is Sunday School, fellowship time, nursery care – and one another for one another. If you are in a position to do so, you may make an extra financial contribution to 'The Deacon's Fund.' This is a fund that exists to help people who are struggling financially, either inside or outside the congregation. (There is an application process and a committee who discreetly oversees this work.) We honour the Lord of glory together!

Palm Sunday happens in 2025 on Sunday, April 13th. Our service is at 10:01am. We sing, pray, and celebrate Jesus' 'triumphal entry' into Jerusalem on the week prior to his torture, sacrifical death on the cross, and triumphant resurrection. You will be given a palm branch as you enter the service. There will be worship, Sunday School, nursery care, and fellowship time. Our main biblical text will be Mark 12:28-44. Let's prepare for Easter - the ground zero of the Christian faith. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna!"