Westminster Loving God & Neighbour

Life is stormy. We need centring. That's a part of why worship is so important. God centres us in himself, lifting our eyes high in praise, and fortifying our hearts and minds by his Spirit. That's what we'll do with song, prayer and God's word on Sunday, October 24th. We continue with the Radiance series and Hebrews 5:11 to 6:12 which includes a warning from falling away, and an encouragement that God notices our sincere acts of faith, even when we are feeling uncertain. We have our 10:01am service (limited in-person, pre-registration required, also live-streamed), and we will also have our 3:30pm outdoor casual service with Sunday School. God is God. You are his. Stand tall. Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube

If you're like a lot of other people, you're feeling tossed about in these storms of life. So on Sunday, October 31st we'll explore what it means that "we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:10). (Hint: it's a very good thing!) We will sing songs, pray, learn from God's word and be... anchored. The 10:01am service remains limited in-person (pre-registration required), and we also have our outdoor casual 3:30 service with Sunday School (no pre-registration needed). REMEMBER that this is also our Jack-O-Jesus party in the Sunday School with fun, covid-appropriate games, and even some treat bags; it's a way to counter the dark elements of Halloween with the light of Christ (See separate announcement). Let's honour the Lord of light who anchors us for tumultuous times. Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube

We Remember. Sunday, November 7th is Remembrance Sunday, always held the Sunday before Remembrance Day. (Remember to change your clocks for the time change!) We worship in gratitude, give thanks to God for his promise of peace, and honor the memory of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and who have served and died in the horrors of war. In the morning 10:01am service (limited in-person, pre-registration required), there will be the Act of Remembrance (including God Save The Queen, the laying of the wreath, The Last Post, Reveille, and O Canada), In Flanders Fields (read by one of our young people), and Lighting the Candles of Remembrance and Hope (so be sure to have your tea lights with you if you are at home watching on the live-stream!) We will enjoy a virtual anthem of Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Pastor Ruttan will continue the Radiance series with a teaching on Hebrews 10:1-25. At the 3:30pm casual outdoor service, we will also have a meaningful Act of Remembrance as a part of our time together. There is also Sunday School in the afternoon. It is always a special Sunday. Let's honour the Lord together.   Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube

On Sunday, we will praise God and rest in his goodness! But there will be a few different formats: The in-person worship experience will be different from the online experience. Online will be a unique worship service, including special guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Richard Topping, the Principal of the Vancouver School of Theology. He will be speaking on Hebrews 11:1-20 and living by faith and not by sight. Just tune in to our YouTube channel at 10:01am and follow along. The in-person service (pre-registration required) will be offline. Our Music Director, Jenn Harris, is away this Sunday, so the service will be led by Pastor Ruttan; it will be a service of singing, readings and prayers. The outdoor service (casual, 40 minute) and Sunday School will continue at 3:30pm (no pre-registration required). The weather has been good as we worship and learn, echoing into the neighbourhood around us!   Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube

In a world that spins, we stand on a firm foundation and worship God! On Sunday, November 21 we worship at 10:01am (via YouTube and with our limited in-person gathering, pre-registration required). Pastor Ruttan will lead us in the 2nd last teaching on Hebrews with the idea that trials can be trainers and teachers. Julie Cunha will join in for the kids' time to discuss our December outreach project. We also  welcome back Jenn Harris to lead us in song! We also have our 3:30pm outdoor casual service with Sunday School. This is our second last outdoor service (they run from Sept 19 to Nov 28). Let's praise and serve our loving God. Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube

On Sunday, December 5th we worship the living God on the 2nd Sunday in Advent. Music Director Jenn Harris and Pastor Ruttan are feeling better! :) Thank you for all the prayers! We sing, pray and light the candle of peace. Pastor Ruttan will lead us through Communion (if you're at home, have your bread and wine and/or juice ready), and the coordinator of our small groups and home church initiative, Henna Kim, will preach a message on an enigmatic text: Ezekiel 17:1-24. Laura Ruttan will join in for the kids' time, and we will have the Q and A Forum after the service. As is our custom on Communion Sundays, you are invited to share a financial offering for the Deacon's Fund, a fund which helps those struggling inside and outside the church. It is also the first drop-off day for our Toy Drive. We honour our coming King! Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube

We light the candle of joy on the third Sunday in Advent, December 12th. We continue singing the songs of Advent, praying, and learning from God's word as Pastor Ruttan provides a wrap-up message on the book of Hebrews called "Hit the light." The service is limited in-person (pre-registration) or via YouTube. Your gifts to for the Mitten Tree will also be received. These are hats/mittens/scarves for the David Busby Centre. If you're not there in person, you are invited to give via etransfer or through the app. We seek to be generous since God has been so generous with us! It is also the last day to drop off items for our Toy Drive (target ages: 0-2, 15-21). And don't forget the Drive-Thru Bethlehem hosted by our Sunday School and youth from 2-3pm! Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube

Hope is Born Again! Things are really different right now, Christmas is different, our celebrations are different.  There is so much doom and gloom in the world and it is so easy to get discouraged.  BUT one thing never changes, and that is the hope that we have in Jesus. Let’s join together on Sunday, December 19 (limited in-person or online) for our 10:01 am service, as we are reminded of and can celebrate our Hope in song. Our choir cantata will be performed both virtually featuring choir members from last December and live with our smaller, socially distanced and masked in-person choir. Celebrate the joyful news - "HOPE is born again!" We will also light the candle of love and sing many favourite Christmas carols. It will truly be a morning of music and prayer. It is also our White Gift Sunday; this means we will receive donations for the Barrie Food Bank. If you’re not able to drop off anything in person, you can give to the Food Bank through the church smart phone app or by e-transfer. Why is it called “white” gift Sunday? This comes from a tradition of wrapping the donations in white paper, but that is not required. Sunday Morning worship at 10:01 a.m. is live on YouTube or limited in-person seating, reservations are required. Please call the church office (705)728-0541 Join every Sunday at 10:01 a.m. live on YouTube