Westminster Loving God & Neighbour

KICK-OFF SERVICE & BBQ - SEPTEMBER 11, 2022 This Sunday, September 11 is our Kick-Off service and BBQ! We haven't been able to do this in person since 2019. It is the official kick-off to our 2022-23 church year. We will worship, learn (upstairs and down), bless each other, and enjoy a (free) BBQ after the service, and even have a bouncy castle (if the weather holds out). We are also holding a drive for urgent needs of the David Busby Street Centre (see info below). Join us online right here Sunday morning at 10:01 a.m. DRIVE - The local street centre is in urgent need of some items. We’re inviting you to pick some up and bring them to the church for this urgent drive on Sun. Sept. 11. The needs are: Cases of water and juice boxes; men’s underwear; individually packaged snacks; tarps/tents/sleeping bags; razors and deodorant; men’s track pants and t-shirts; plastic or canvas shopping bags; muffins and bagels; bread and lunch meats; cat and dog food; pens and pencils. Thank you for helping those struggling on our streets!

The presbytery of Barrie will hold their monthly meeting at Westminster. This is our first in-person service since the pandemic. There will be no meal, but worship will begin at 7pm in the sanctuary, led by Pastor Ruttan. The meeting will take place in the sanctuary and also the Fellowship Hall. Please see the email from the Clerk for materials. Look forward to a book giveaway which will prompt some great discussion as we move forward in this new time!

Have you ever wondered, ‘Is God punishing me? Am I dealing with all this because of some sin I committed?’ It’s a question as old as John 9. That’s what we’ll explore on Sunday, and also Jesus’ enlightening response. We will sing songs, pray, benefit from Nursery and Sunday School ministry, and enjoy fellowship and encouragement with one another. Let’s honour (and walk with) the Lord. The service begins (both in person and online) at 10:01am.

Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This is a part of his teaching about being the Good Shepard. On Sunday we’ll explore this rich text, and also what it means to have ‘abundant life.’ There’s life, and then there’s abundant life! We will also commission our Sunday School teachers to their important work! We will sing songs of praise, pray, benefit from Nursery and Sunday School ministry, and enjoy fellowship and encouragement with one another. After the service, Pastor Ruttan and some elders will be available to pray over anyone who would like prayer and to be anointed with oil at the front of the sanctuary. Let’s honour the Lord of love, light and abundant life!

Confirmation is an opportunity for many of our young people to discuss the meaning of Jesus, participate in some faith-based activities, and see whether they want to make the faith their own—i.e. so that their faith isn't just something a parent believes in, but that they believe in. If a child has already been baptized, this would mean they are confirming their faith. If a child hasn't yet been baptized, this would be the time for that to happen as they publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ. It is also the moment when a young person becomes a full “professing member” of the congregation. These gatherings will take place on Sept 21 (7pm), Sept 28 (7pm) and Oct 5 (7pm). They will be led by Pastor Ruttan.  To RSVP or to ask questions email matthew@westminsterpc.ca or call the church office at 705-728-0541.

There are several things happening this Sunday at Westminster: -We share the Sacrament of Communion near the start of the service when we are all together as a church family. (See resource below for youth.) Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). -We will have a special financial offering for the Deacon’s Fund. This is something we do everytime we celebrate Communion; it is a fund which provides financial support for people who are struggling either inside or outside of the congregation. There are application forms and a committee who oversees it. Feel free to mark ‘Deacon’s Fund’ on a portion of your offering or with your online gift. -You can bring in items for the Barrie Food Bank’s Thanksgiving Appeal. (See separate announcement.) -We will be blessed in singing, prayer, Sunday School, nursery care, fellowship… and each other! -Pastor Ruttan will teach on John 10:22-42 and how we hear Jesus’ voice as the Good Shepherd when we can’t physically hear it. It has to do with how we discern the voice of God. He will share four Scriptural steps.

Confirmation is an opportunity for many of our young people to discuss the meaning of Jesus, participate in some faith-based activities, and see whether they want to make the faith their own—i.e. so that their faith isn't just something a parent believes in, but that they believe in. If a child has already been baptized, this would mean they are confirming their faith. If a child hasn't yet been baptized, this would be the time for that to happen as they publicly profess their faith in Jesus Christ. It is also the moment when a young person becomes a full “professing member” of the congregation. These gatherings will take place on Sept 21 (7pm), Sept 28 (7pm) and Oct 5 (7pm). They will be led by Pastor Ruttan.  To RSVP or to ask questions email matthew@westminsterpc.ca or call the church office at 705-728-0541.

October is upon us, as is Thanksgiving. It’s always a time of great need for the Barrie Food Bank. Over 3000 individuals required assistance last month. “Sadly, the need in our community has never been greater. The number of households served at the food bank in August was up 60 per cent over last August,” Barrie Food Bank says. You are invited to bring in items on October 2 and 9, 2022. Thank you for your help and faith-in-action. If you're unable to donate in person, you can donate directly to the Barrie Food Bank here, or you can send an etransfer to etransfer@westminsterpc.ca or mark your check and we will pass it on to them. You can also donate through our online giving form with tithely here or through the church app.