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Are you interested in Fostering and becoming a resource for kids in care? Want to learn more about the process? Join us for a casual conversation around fostering with a panel that can help answer your questions. Wednesday October 13th from 6 to 8 in the 1st-3rd Grade classroom. To Register go to https://thecontingent.microsoftcrmportals.com/upcoming-event/event-detail/?id=40e60c7f-955c-4cce-8f75-7e65a8bbab63

Pray: to open your time.

Read: Luke 23: 26-43

Consider: Some thoughts for your group

In Luke 23 we are given a front row seat to the end of Jesus earthly life. It is a painful one. Jesus, innocent and unjustly accused, is in His last moments of a tortuous death on the cross. To each side of him are two thieves. The Son of God is being put to death with common criminals. We might be tempted to look past this moment as unfair to Jesus and insignificant because of His circumstances. But we would be wrong to look away.

In this moment, an extraordinary exchange is happening between the three dying men. Many have spent the day mocking Jesus, extolling him to save himself if he is really who He claims to be. One of the thieves joins this chorus, “Aren’t you the messiah? Save yourself and us!” Can you blame him for this response? Desperation has set in, and the end is near. We can empathize with the man’s panic. Surprisingly, the reprimand comes not from Jesus, but from the fellow thief also on the cross.

“Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” The second thief is clearly processing the end of his life in a very different posture. Rather than desperate demands for his own rescue, this man clearly sees the brokenness of his own humanity. Two men. One Circumstance. Two very different responses to Jesus’ presence.

Most significant of all is Jesus’ response. The thief says, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responds, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Notice a few things in this exchange: 1) The man clearly believes that there is a kingdom beyond this world; 2) The man believes that Jesus is the key to that kingdom; 3) Although there is no formal prayer, no confession or repentance, no accounting for sins, Jesus assures the man of his future, “Today you will be with me in paradise.”

Group Questions:

1. Can you relate to either of the thieves that are present with Jesus? Which one do you most relate to in their responses to their circumstances? Think of a challenging circumstance you are in now. How can this account of two people responding differently to the same circumstance help shape your perspective on your own response to your challenging situation?

• In this account there are many opinions about who Jesus is and varying expectation of what Jesus should do. The crowd mocked him, clearly not believing He was a messiah. The one thief was perhaps unsure of Jesus but made a desperate appeal anyway, kind of a spiritual Hail Mary. The other thief seemed to have a confidence in who Jesus was and what He was capable of doing. Who do you believe Jesus to be? What do you believe Jesus is capable of doing in your own circumstances?

• Jesus responds to the dying mans plea, “Remember me..” with a generous grace. He does not chastise, rebuke, shame or dismiss the thief on the cross. Jesus invites him to paradise with Him. How does Jesus’ response in this situation fit with your understanding of salvation? Do you believe that Jesus has extended this same generous grace to you?

Closing Prayer:

Spend some time praying for one another. Ask if anyone has prayer requests for the week ahead, and if someone is prompted to pray for Jesus to meet them in their circumstance pray for that same generous grace to be present for that person.

Pray: to open your time.

Read: 1 Timothy 4:11-13; Matthew 28:16-20

Consider: Some thoughts for your group

Do you remember what it was like when you were young? Some of us grew up in a time where the phrase “Children should be seen and not heard” was not just a turn of phrase, but a whole parenting philosophy. Others of us grew up in nurturing communities with families who cultivated deep relationships with us. Most of us grew up somewhere in the middle.

In the mid-2000’s Fuller Youth Institute conducted a study of thousands of young adults who were part of a Christian community in their developmental years (elementary to high school) and had transitioned to college. Statistics showed that a very high percentage of students walked away from their faith in their college years, but some did not. One of the key factors for those students who stayed, and even grew, in their faith during and after college was a significant relationship with someone other than their parents who modeled a life following Jesus.

As we all have heard, we are living in a time when more and more people are leaving the faith and few young people are following Jesus. If we are to build up the next generation of believers who bring the good news of Jesus to the world, it will require all of us to invest ourselves in young people.

Group Questions:

1. Did you have a significant person in your life that shaped your faith? What were some of the characteristics of this person? What impact did that relationship have on you?

• In 1 Timothy we read Paul’s instructions to a young pastor and his church.  In this letter, Paul’s says, “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity”. How do you live as an example to other believers? How do you live as a witness to non-believers? If you are not a follower of Jesus, how have you experienced those who call themselves Christians? Is there a noticeable difference?

• In Matthew 28:16-20 is called “the great commission”. If you’re not familiar with it, give it a read. Who are you currently mentoring or discipling in your life? If the idea of discipling someone else is intimidating, you’re not alone. Discuss in your group what you find intimidating about discipling and what might be some benefits, for you and the other person, if you were to take the step of inviting someone into this journey with you.

Closing Prayer:

Spend some time praying for one another. Ask if anyone has prayer requests for the week ahead, and pray for those who feel prompted to invest themselves and their resources in our younger generation of Jesus-followers.

Pray: to open your time.

Read: Joshua 1:1-9

Consider: Some thoughts for your group

Change is hard. All of us handle changes in life differently. Some find it exciting and energizing. Others dread change. Regardless of how we feel about it, change is inevitable. The choice we do have control over is how we manage change in our life.  

In Joshua 1, we read God’s direction and encouragement toward the national of Israel, and specifically, its newly appointed leader, Joshua. At this point in time, Israel had been wandering the desert for a generation and had just lost Moses the leader that brought them out of slavery. If Israel was afraid and discouraged, that would certainly be understandable. It would be natural for them to through their hands in the air and say, “We give up!” We can all probably relate to that feeling.

However, God has different plans. Not only is He not done with Israel, He gives them a pep-talk for what is about to come. “Be courageous”, He says to them over and over.

As Pastor Steve talked about on Sunday, the Church is also in a tremendous time of change. Often it can feel like the Church is swimming upstream against culture, politics and so many other challenges. It is understandable that many in the Church want to throw their hands up and say “We give up!” But like His encouragement to Israel, God is calling us to “Be Courageous” is these challenging times.

Group Questions:

1. Pastor Steve mentioned that we are living in a “turning the page” moment in the church where some of the old ways of doing things are just not going to carry us forward into this next season of life and ministry. What areas have you noticed that might need consideration for change in the church? What are some ways of doing things that carry forward into this new season? If you don’t attend church, how have you experienced the church from afar? Does the church seem engaged in this current moment?

• What changes could God be challenging you to make in your own life? Are there areas of your life, work, or relationships that you know need change, but are frightening to consider changing? Share one or two things that you sense might need change and that you need encouragement to follow through on.

• One of the natural reactions we might have to change is grief for losing the way things used to be. Are there changes in life that you are grieving? There is no shame in this grief, but it is important that we process grief before it can be resolved. Take some time to share any grief you might have for the changes in our current culture, relationships, church-life, or other areas.

• God’s encouragement to Israel is that while this new season of change is inevitable, He promises to be with them. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Remember this hope as you enter your time of prayer together.

Closing Prayer:

Spend some time praying for one another. Ask if anyone has prayer request for the week ahead and pray for those who feel prompted to invite others into their life and/or community.

Pray: to open your time.

Read: John 1:43-50

Consider: Some thoughts for you group

Invitation is such a key theme in the bible. For most other religions, the journey of faith is one where the individual human must ascend to reach God through things like moral behavior, meditation, or enlightenment. Jesus introduces a totally different faith paradigm: God finds us and invites us to join Him on the journey.

In the scripture we just read we see God’s strategy to change the world. Jesus finds His disciples and tells them to “follow me”. Philip is so excited by this opportunity that before leaving he finds his friend, Nathaniel, and invites him to also join Jesus. It is so simple, but so profound. The community of God is a community of invitation. As Jesus invites us, and we experience His love, grace, and power, we are then compelled to invites others to join us on the journey.

Group Questions:

1. If you are a follower of Jesus, how were you “found”, meaning who invited you into your faith journey, perhaps it was a friend, a pastor, or a family member? If you’re not a follower of Jesus, have you ever experienced someone who welcomed you or invited you to join them in a project or journey? How did that feel to be invited?

• What might God be inviting you into right now? It could be a step of faith, or to pray for someone, or to join a community group. Is there anything you sense God might be nudging your toward? Share that with the group.

• Is there anyone in your life who God might be asking you to invite into this journey of faith? It could be a co-worker, a friend, or a neighbor. Take a moment to ask God who might be that person to invite into your life or your community. Share with the group if there is anyone that comes to mind.

Closing Prayer:

Spend some time praying for one another. Ask if anyone has prayer request for the week ahead and pray for those who feel prompted to invite others into their life and/or community.

September 18, 9:00am-11:00am

This family-friendly 5k run/walk hosted by Westside Church benefits global outreach through our partnership with Bold Ventures.

Pro runner & pastor Mario Mendoza will headline the event, starting with the Run For the Nations 5k, followed by foot races & an awards ceremony, and ending with a raffle. We’ll have bounce houses for kids with local vendors for food & drink.

Come with your family, your community group, or on your own to get a new PR and support Bold Ventures’ ongoing efforts to reach unreached nations!

Saturday, August 28th, 11:00am – 1:00pm

This coming Saturday is our School Supply Giveaway Event!

This is a fun family environment that will include a hot dog bbq and other fun surprises. No registration needed and every child present will receive a cinch bag of age-appropriate school supplies.

If you know of a family who would benefit from receiving school supplies, or if it would be a help to you and your family, please join us in the Westside Student Center and Family Lobby area.

Read Romans 12:9-18

We are living through a uniquely divisive time in our history. Many things vie for the supremacy of our attention and passion. When you read Paul’s words to love others and seek unity, in and out of the church, how does that mandate form your everyday life given the times in which we live?

The words Paul used in Romans 12 describe not only emotions of loving others, but actions. Rejoice. Honor. Bless. Be hospitable. Do these words describe your life in Jesus? Do you experience this type of love in action in other Christians right now? How can you make these the markers of your life of faith?

Summer Camp for Middle School and High School will be held this year at Washington Family Ranch! Camp is for students who have finished 5th grade and are going into 6th grade in the fall through students who have finished 11th grade and going into 12th grade in the fall.

Registration is now closed. (If you’ve already registered, please check your email & spam folder for important communications).

Get Ready for Camp

• Fill out the online medical waiver BEFORE bringing your student arrives at camp Parent release form
• Parents will need to arrange transportation to camp for their student. If they need help finding a carpool, please join our Carpool Facebook Page! Westside Summer Camp Carpool
• Follow these driving directions to get out to Washington Family Ranch and follow signs to CREEKSIDE. Students can be dropped off at camp at 5pm on Sunday (Aug 15) and should be picked up at 12 on Tuesday (Aug 17) Driving Directions
• Packing List:
  • Sleeping Bag & Pillow
  • Towel
  • Bible & Journal
  • Activewear/shoes for free time
  • Pajamas
  • Sunscreen
  • Swimsuit
  • Toiletries
  • Medications (All meds will be checked in, and administered by our camp nurses)
  • **Costco/Family Size Packaged Snack to share (please no large boxes of goldfish or other items that are not individually packaged)
  • Camera if desired (phones and tablets not allowed)

Important

Phones are not to be used during camp, this is an important part of the ‘unplugged’ experience. Phones/tablets brought to camp will be held by our leaders until we arrive back at the church on Sunday. There will be videos and photos of camp available to students.

NO skateboards or scooters are allowed at Creekside Camp at Washington Family Ranch. (That was only for Winter Camp)

Are you curious what young people are experiencing and feeling right now?

I’ve noticed some very interesting trends and common feelings in the past year from the young people I mentor. This talk is a collection of what they’ve been saying.

Westside Family Pastor Josh Cordell also has a coaching/mentoring business where he meets with as many as 30 young people one-on-one in a week. They talk about goal setting, what’s working and what’s not. They build trust and open communication.

Wednesday, August 11th. 7-8pm at Westside Church. Free. Child Care provided.

Read Romans 8:28

Paul says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” This is a verse that gets quoted often, particularly by Christians to those who are going through difficulty. Is Paul saying that everything that happens is good, even if it is bad? Is Paul saying that good will eventually come from everything? What is your experience with this concept set forth by Paul?

Much of the Christian journey is not the avoidance of pain and suffering, but a faith anchored in the character of God through good times and bad. Read Romans 9:1-33 and reflect on the characteristics of God shared by Paul: God is faithful, God is just, and God is full of grace. Have you experienced these characteristics of God? In what way? What is Paul trying to tell us about the relationship between our faith in God’s character and the experiences, both good and bad, we live through?

All men are invited to join Men’s Bible Study.

Monday, 7:00 am in the chapel
Thursday, 6:30 am in the lower Atrium

Connect in community as you grow deeper in your relationship to Jesus. No sign up Is required – just join when you are able.

Contact Us for more information.

As we are a little past halfway through our Romans series, reflect on what we’ve learned so far:

What has stood out to you as a theme in Romans?

What parts of Paul’s teaching has been challenging to you? What has been encouraging?

Read Romans 8:1-39 and make a note of the passages that stand out to you, those that challenge you, and those that encourage you. Share those passages with your group and why you made note of them and/or what you experienced while reading them.

Re-read Romans 8:1-4

How do we live by the Spirit and not by the flesh? What is the role of faith as we love “by the Spirit”? When Paul says, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”, how do those words impact you? Do you live without condemnation in your life? Do you live without condemnation for others? What might change in our world if we could be free from condemnation and receive the grace Jesus generously offers us?  

Read Romans 6:17-22

What does it mean to be slaves to sin? Paul says that when we come to Christ our allegiance is shifted from sin to righteousness. Have you experienced this shift? What does it mean to be a slave to righteousness? What differentiates the life as a slave to sin vs the life as a slave to God?

In Romans 7:4-6, Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to describe our new life in Christ. How is our life with Christ, free from both sin and legalism, like a new marriage? On Sunday, Pastor Bo pointed out that a healthy marriage is similar to a healthy spiritual life… It’s all about who you trust. Share with your group ways you have grown to trust God with your life. Also, share those places or circumstances that have been hard to trust God. In the end, God delights in our faith to trust Him. Pray for each other in any areas you need that faith present in your life.

Thank you so for helping making Art Camp 2021 a great success! We had so much fun exploring creativity and art with kids from Grades 1 – 12. We had some wonderful local artists give of their time and talent, sharing their love of creating with students. The middle and high school kids learned painting techniques from local artist, Zach Filkins. Grade school kids had fun sculpting with Lexie Miller, a local author and illustrator. Grade school kids also got to create a mixed media canvas with local artist, Melissa Blackett.

We had an amazing group of volunteers who helped to create an amazing art experience for the students. We’re thankful for the great feedback we’ve received from kids and parents alike. One 7 year old said, “This has opened up a whole new world for me!”

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It’s our desire to make sure kids know that they were created by the Creator, to create! We look forward to hosting art events in the future to keep students and families inspired to create and make throughout their whole lives.

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Read this beautiful thank you note from the Case Manager at Cascade Youth & Family:

These last six months, you have helped two individuals with the opportunity to take private drive lessons through High Desert Drivers Ed. I am happy to say that after their lessons, both these individuals felt confident enough to pass the driving test and get their license (a goal that seemed insurmountable to them before taking lessons). Now both individuals have been able to get better paying jobs they enjoy because they can travel further for their work. Not to mention they are both more stable in their housing due to their better paying jobs.

Thank you so much for Westside’s help!

Shelley Aube, Independent Living Program

Homelessness is a huge challenge in Central Oregon right now. Both the Veterans Village and the Bend Warming Shelter have asked for our help: