Westminster Loving God & Neighbour

April 18 is Maundy Thursday. The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin phrase “mandatum novum.” It means “new commandment” and refers to what Jesus said in John 13:34: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” So that is the main Bible passage for the service. This year our service is “candlelit.” In 2016 there was an ice storm. The lights when out so we had to hold the service by candlelight. We liked the experience so much that we decided to do it again every year since — but this time on purpose! So as you come in you’ll be given a small candle, just like on Christmas Eve. We’ll celebrate the Lord’s Supper, and sing and pray together. At the end of the service we’ll turn low all the candles and leave in silence as we prepare for the cross and Good Friday. Since it is an evening service there will be no nursery care. Join in. This is a moving, meaningful service during Holy Week.

April 19 is Good Friday. It is the day when we gather at the foot of the cross to remember the sacrifice and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Our service is at 10am. It is a special time of singing, of prayer, and of remembering God’s love made known on the cross. Please note that there is also a 1-hour children’s program. It is for children aged 4 and up and will be downstairs. Good Friday is a very important day for younger ages as well, and they will learn that it is not all about chocolate eggs and a break from school — but something so much more wonderful and meaningful. Let us praise God together on this very special day.

Easter Sunday is when we celebrate the resurrection of Christ! At 10:01am we’ll gather together to joyfully sing, pray and marvel at God’s power and goodness. The service itself is an hour long. No matter who you are, you’ll feel welcome and uplifted. There will be nursery and Sunday School. The Sunday School children start the service with the wider group, and then leave for Sunday School classes (divided by age) about 20 minutes into the service. Ages are from preschool to high school. (And after the service there may be a few surprises too!) During the service we’ll be uplifted by special music, and will be encouraged to think about how the resurrection transforms our perspective on life. Pastor Ruttan will use is as an opportunity to launch a new series: "Apprenticeship 2.0." Easter is the main event of the Christian faith. Join in. It will be a morning of hope and celebration. You’ll be glad you did.

(Here is our location via Google Maps.) You’re invited to join us on Sunday, April 28th at 10:01 am as we worship God as his people together. We will joyfully sing, pray and marvel at God’s power and goodness. Pastor Ruttan will continue with the new teaching series: "Apprenticeship 2.0 - Working more closely with the Master to learn the Master's craft more clearly.  In it, he will explore Acts 2 and how we respond to that new found faith. After all, anything less than what Jesus wants for us is an unworthy focus for our lives. There will be nursery care, and our full Sunday School will be in operation: pre-school to high school. Let’s worship and be a part of something bigger together.  Hope to see you there!

(Here is our location via Google Maps.) You’re invited to join us on Sunday, May 5th at 10:01 am as we worship God as his people together. "Apprenticeship 2.0: Working more closely with the Master to learn the Master's craft more clearly." That's the name of Pastor Ruttan's current teaching series. In Part 1 we explored the resurrection of Christ as the foundation of our faith. In Part 2 we looked at the call to repent, be baptized, and the gift of being filled with the Holy Spirit. On Sunday, May 5, we'll explore how we are called to ethically live in the world. Sure, we all know about the great command to love God and neighbour. But since the word 'love' can be over-used and abused (and therefore misunderstood), we'll explore what it really means in the New Testament. We'll also explore the cardinal Christian virtue which is a kind of prerequisite to love if we are to be effective as Christ's apprentices. One thing is for sure: Apprenticing under Jesus is a worthy focus for our lives. We will also sing songs and hymns to God, pray, learn, and encourage one another. That's a significant part of what we do. There will be nursery care, and our full Sunday School will be in operation: pre-school to high school. Let’s worship and be a part of something bigger together.

Mothers Day Tea and Luncheon will be held on Wednesday May 8 at Westminster at 12:00 noon. Come and enjoy fresh baking, sandwiches and desserts galore!  We welcome everyone - men, women and children. The price is 15.00 for adults and children are free. Tickets will be available in the Fellowship Hall after church on Sundays and in the church office during office hours. All proceeds will go to support the work of the church. For more information speak to Ann Macklem or Debbie Hope

(Here is our location via Google Maps.) You’re invited to join us on Sunday, May 12th at 10:01 am as we worship God as his people together. We will sing songs and hymns to God, pray, learn, and encourage one another. That's a significant part of what we do. Have you ever wondered about the Devil or demons? For a lot of us, we know that Jesus (and others in the Bible) talk and teach about the Devil and the presence of real evil in our world, but we don't really know much about it. And much of what we do know is influenced by strange things we see in popular culture like in Hollywood movies. What's more is that many of us have been told by someone that the biblical passages about the Devil and evil are just "dated" and simply reflect a pre-scientific understanding of things... and therefore, they say, we don't need to take them seriously. On Sunday, May 12th, Pastor Ruttan will continue the current teaching series called Apprenticeship 2.0. As a part of that he will look at the battleground that we find ourselves living in -- and yes, it is a battleground. He'll explore Luke 4:1-13 to discover some key findings about navigating real evil in our world. Imagine yourself playing hockey, but the other team simply isn't there. Well, that's how a lot of people think of life. It's just them, God, and the road ahead. But the game is totally different if there is an opponent. (And guess what, there is!) Truth is, you'd be much better prepared if you knew that was the case. The good news is that there is clear, understandable help for living confidently and victoriously as God's people of love and truth in our challenging world. There...

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(Here is our location via Google Maps.) You’re invited to join us on Sunday, May 19th at 10:01 am as we worship God as his people together. As we gather to praise God, we will welcome several new members into the church family who are professing their faith. In the place of the sermon, they will be sharing thoughts about their own faith in Christ and what it means to be a part of his body. This has been something we've done with our young people when they have come of age and confirmed their faith. Since it is so meaningful to hear about other people's experiences, we decided to extend the practice to adults as well! We will worship, pray, and encourage one another on this special Sunday. There will be nursery care, and full Sunday School, from preschool to high school. Let's honour God, and be a part of something bigger together! Hope you can join us!

(Here is our location via Google Maps.) You’re invited to join us on Sunday, May 26th at 10:01 am as we worship God as his people together. We will sing songs and hymns to God, pray, learn, and encourage one another. That's a significant part of what we do. Rev. Patrick will share a message  titled "Unswipeable Community" .  How living in the digital age has changed how we develop relationships and experience community - now we put as much emphasis on virtual connections as we do on in-person interactions.  Social media platforms can enhance community, but we have to remember that they are just tools, and we have to maintain the spirit or ethic of community.  God wants community to be something that feeds our minds, bodies and spirits - so by putting priority on being loving, service-driven, honest, empathetic and positive we can keep on building each other up in the way that Jesus commands us. There will be nursery care, and our full Sunday School will be in operation: pre-school to high school. Let’s worship and be a part of something bigger together.