Fall intentionally helping one another grow toward maturity in Christ, in obedience to God, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Transcription

1 West Side Christian Growth Committee Elders: Jim Morris & Ward TeGrotenhuis Other Members: Melanie Saint James, Dan & Kay Johnston, Shannon Spencer, Patty Wilburn, Tamara Brown, Dan Wodrich Fall 2015 intentionally helping one another grow toward maturity in Christ, in obedience to God, by the power of the Holy Spirit

2 SUNDAY 9:45-11:00 AM Begins Sept. 20 GAP Get Acquainted Place Fellowship/book study WSS Rm 302 Ecclesiastes Bible Study WSS Rm 102 ReFrame: Connecting Faith & Life Fall Sermon Series discipleship course #1-Men & Women WSS Rm 306 (Upper Rm) #2-Women of the Word WSN Rm 2-4 (Library) SUNDAY 7:00-9:00 PM Ongoing TUESDAY Meal: 6:00-6:50 PM Classes 6:50-8:15 PM WSN Childcare provided 2 Fall 2015 Adult Christian Following Jesus Learnin Alpha Intro Dinner Sept. 22 Classes Begin Sept. 29 Video and discussion ReFrame: Connecting Faith & Life Fall Sermon Series discipleship course begins Sept. 22 Cross Currents College/Young Career Fellowship & book study WSS Rm 105/The Barnes WEDNESDAY Adult Bible Study 10:00-11:00 AM Study of Daniel begins Sept. 23 Sarah Circle 11:30 AM-1:30 PM WSN Narthex Women s lunch and fellowship Monthly (2nd Wed.) begins Sept. 9 Debbie Mellinger ( , dmellinger@westside1.org), or Pastor Dan Wodrich ( , dwodrich@westside1.org). If you are interested in starting a new Life Group and/or becoming a Life Group leader, please contact Tamara, Debbie, or Dan, as well Special Christian Growth Retreat: Fri.-Sun., Oct The Daring Way is a 16-hour, highly experiential retreat experience based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown that helps men and women identify and address some of the blocks and barriers in our lives which too often hinder our ability to develop deep and meaningful relationships with God and one another. During the retreat, topics such as vulnerability, courage, shame, and worthiness are explored. If you are interested in experiencing more freedom and joy in your life, then we invite you to join us for a weekend of good food, thoughtful discussion, and healing soul work. The cost is $60/person. You must register to attend. Questions or to register, contact Melanie Saint James ( or melanie@imagochristi.org). Past participants had this to say about the Daring Way : I appreciated The Daring Way so much that I ve been through it twice -- the second time with my husband (so he would understand what I was so enthusiastic about). Brené s work helped us distinguish between reparative guilt and destructive shame. I liked the way she encourages us to reality-check when we are reacting to people or events out of shame, so we can become more intentional about responding in congruence with our core values. I also appreciated how she names things that would otherwise be swirling around in a murky unknown emotional soup. The training has helped me grow in depth, honesty, and vulnerability both in my relationship with God and with others. I liked Brené s emphasis on authenticity, joy and gratitude. Brené s work gives a whole new perspective on giving grace, both to ourselves and others. Melanie and Roy did an outstanding and compassionate job of facilitating the workshop. I highly recommend it! ~ Julie Coppock The Daring Way has been an amazing experience! I have a lot of work ahead of me, but I also understand myself a bit better. Roy and Melanie are so kind and generous with their time and resources for which I am grateful. ~ Anonymous 11

3 ReFrame: Connecting Faith & Life What does it look like to follow Jesus in our modern world? ReFrame is a 10-week film series that equips Christians to see the gospel with fresh eyes and experience its renewing power in every aspect of life. Our Fall 2015 sermon series starting Sept. 20 will be closelyintegrated with ReFrame. For more information refer to the cover story in our September SERVANT Newsletter and pg. 4 of this booklet. Opportunities to engage ReFrame in group settings this Fall include: Sundays: 9:45-11:00 am, starting Sept. 20 (childcare) WSS Room 306 (Upper Room) Women of the Word, WSN Room 2-4 (Library) Tuesdays: 6:50-8:15 pm,, starting Sept. 22 (meal provided 6:00-6:50 pm; childcare) Wednesdays: 6:00-7:30 pm,, starting Sept. 23 (potluck meal-main dish provided 5:15-6:00 pm; childcare) Life Groups: Various times and locations (see below) ReFrame video episodes are available free via the internet to anyone in our West Side Church family. To receive instructions on accessing and viewing the episodes, Wendy Puz wpuz@westside1.org. Life Groups Life Groups are one expression and form of personal Christian community within our West Side Church family. Life Groups are small groups of 8 to 12 people (typically) who commit to each other to meet regularly (typically weekly) for an agreed-upon season (typically 9 to 12 months). Each group has a unique flavor but all aim to nurture, encourage, and experience personal fellowship, Bible (or Bible-based) study, prayer, care, and service together with one another BY NAME! Some groups also decide to share together in service to others in our church, local community, and beyond. Many Life Groups will be engaging with our ReFrame discipleship resource this Fall. If you are interested in joining an existing Life Group, there are two ways to do so. (1) Go to our church website ( to view descriptions of Life Groups currently open to welcome and enfold new members and contact the group leader directly, or (2) Contact one of our Life Group Ministry leaders, Tamara Brown ( , dtbrown90@frontier.com), 10 n Growth Opportunities ng and Growing Together WEDNESDAY 5:15-7:30 PM FALL WEST SIDE (WSN) Kick-off Sept. 16 (WSS) 5:15 pm-potluck Dinner 6:00 pm-evening of Worship & Prayer Regular Schedule Sept. 23 5:15 pm-potluck Dinner 6:00 pm-classes-all ages Childcare provided ReFrame: Connecting Faith & Life Fall Sermon Series discipleship course Listening for Heaven s Sake WSN Rm 2-4 (Library) Learn the power of effective listening THURSDAY Early Birds 6:10-7:15 AM 1725 Horn-Richland Bible study begins Sept. 24 Morning Glory 9:00-11:00AM WSN Rm 2-4 (Library) Women s Bible study begins Sept. 24 Compassionate Caregivers 10:30-11:30 AM Support group for Alzheimer s/dementia caregivers Monthly (4th Thurs.) 3 FRIDAY 5:30-7:00 AM Ongoing Pure Desire Men s sexual integrity class WSN Rm 7 SATURDAY 7:30-9:00 AM Begins Sept. 19 Men s Breakfast & Bible Study Fellowship & study WSN Koinonia Café

4 SUNDAY Morning Classes 9:45-11:00 am - Begins Sept. 20 (Childcare, children & youth activities provided) The Get Acquainted Place (GAP) year around Facilitators: Fred & Pat Reich, Roger & Carol Johnson Location: WSS Room 302 The GAP gathering serves as a relaxed place to meet and get acquainted with others in our West Side Church family some who have recently started visiting and some who have been members of our family for decades! We enjoy personal sharing with one another and typically read and discuss a Bible-based book. All are invited to step into and experience Christian community with us in The GAP. We look forward to getting to know you! ReFrame: Connecting Faith & Life Our lives are increasingly complex and so is our modern world. Many Christians experience a frustrating and confusing disconnect between the story of Scripture and the story of our lives not seeing the connection between what we believe and what we do day to day. ReFrame is a 10-week, video and discussion-based discipleship course aimed at helping Christians connect faith with all of life whether they be scientists, artists, homemakers, politicians, janitors, engineers, farmers, retirees, everyone. Developed by Regent College s Marketplace Institute (in association with the Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation, and Culture), ReFrame integrates graduate curriculum with personal stories, questions, and exercises to engage the complexities of our daily experience. ReFrame draws on the encounter of Jesus with disciples on the Emmaus road as told in Luke 24, and seeks similar transformation in our everyday lives now. The course invites participants to encounter Jesus in their everyday circumstances, understand the meaning of Jesus s life and work in the biblical story, and respond to Jesus in practical and creative ways. ReFrame is not simply an intellectual exercise. Its primary goal is to help Christians open their eyes to see Jesus in new ways and then be filled with joy and confidence to live every aspect of life fully for him. Our Fall 2015 sermon series at West Side will be closely-integrated with ReFrame. Our hope is that all adults in our church family will both participate in weekly worship and ALSO engage in this 10-wk ReFrame discipleship course in some venue this Fall whether it be through Sunday morning, Tuesday or Wednesday evening offerings on our church campus, or through participation in a Life Group that meets at various times and 4 SATURDAY Men s Breakfast & Bible Study resumes Sept. 19 Time: 7:30-9:00 am Leaders: Steve Schlahta, Kip McGilliard, Rev. Dan Wodrich Location: WSN Koinonia Café Men of all ages gather to share breakfast, fellowship, and a time of Bible study and prayer. We take turns helping with breakfast prep. Any and all men are welcome to join us! EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP at West Side Meet the Pastors Lunch Data: Fri., Sept. 20 Time: 12:30-2:00 pm Location: WSS Room 306 (Upper Room) Are you fairly new to West Side, having attended for the past few weeks or months? We d like to meet you and get acquainted! Come and join our pastoral staff for lunch. Bring your kids! We ll eat lunch together then share a bit about our individual ministries at West Side. Discovering Christian Community: The Joy of Belonging Date: Sat., Oct. 10 Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm Location: WSN Room 7 Facilitators: Bob & Judy Tibbatts Teacher: Rev. Ralph Kieneker The Welcome Mat is out and we re excited to help you learn more about West Side Church and what it means to be a member. This class will answer your questions and give you the opportunity to join West Side if you desire. This will be a time of teaching and conversation with Pastor Ralph. A light luncheon will be served. If you would like to attend, please contact Bob or Judy Tibbatts ( or rjtibbatts@yahoo.com) or the Church Office ( or info@westside1.org). 9

5 THURSDAY Early Birds Bible Study resumes Sept. 24 Time: 6:10-7:15 am Location: Bob and Judy Tibbatts Home (1725 Horn Ave.-Richland) Leader: Rev. Bob Schmitt Start your Thursday morning with brothers and sisters in Christ enjoying fellowship, praying, and chewing on God s Word in community. Questions? Contact Bob or Judy Morning Glory Women s Bible Study resumes Sept 24 Time: 9:00-11:00 am Leaders: Ann Forsythe, Joan Swinth, Judy Wagenblast, Patty Wilburn Location: WSN Room 2-4 (Library) Childcare is available (please call in advance) Women of all ages are welcome to join for Bible study, fellowship, and prayer. If you have questions or are in need of childcare, please contact Joan Swinth ( ). Compassion Caregivers Support Group (monthly, 4 th Thursday) Time: 10:30-11:30 am Location: Facilitators: Jan Jacobson, Jan Michael, Rev. Dan Wodrich If you are a caregiver and/or relative of a loved one with Alzheimer s or other Dementia, you are invited to join our support group. Our group provides a safe place for caregivers to learn together, to share our thoughts and feelings with one another, and to pray. locations throughout the week. (See pg. 10 for information on Life Groups.) Sunday Morning Option 1: Men and Women of All Ages Facilitators: Cameron Hohimer, Steve Schlahta, Shannon Spencer, Matt Leggett, Rev. Dan Wodrich Location: WSS Room 306 (Upper Room) Sunday Morning Option 2: Women of the Word Women of All Ages Facilitators: Marian Holm, Colleen Yahyaoui, Diane Pratt Location: WSN Room 2-4 (Library) Ecclesiastes Bible Study Facilitators: Gene Carbaugh, Dan Johnston, Jim Morris, Will Shaw Location: WSS Basement 102 (Red Carpet Room) Often quoted, rarely studied; few portions of the Bible carry the wallop of Ecclesiastes. Some say it doesn t belong in the Bible. But it speaks to our society, suspended between a vaguely religious background and a schedule packed with worldly tasks and toys. It tells us our lives are a mix of happiness and unhappiness, and we have no control over the mix. Time and chance happen to all. Hovering over the richest, most fulfilled life is the brute and brutal fact of death. The book sorts through solutions to the meaning of life, and hints that there is more to being human than most people think. God anchors all human joy and pain, holding our meaning in his grasp, becoming the whole point and duty of humankind. After reading Ecclesiastes on that reality, no one will dismiss the Bible as unrealistic. Come join us as we listen to the author of Ecclesiastes expose our attempts to live and find fulfilment apart from God. SUNDAY Evenings 7:00-9:00 pm - Ongoing FRIDAY Pure Desire: Breakthrough & Break Free (men only ongoing) Time: 5:30-7:00 am Location: WSN Room 7 Pure Desire is a weekly for men only gathering aimed at fellowship and healing for those men struggling with sexual behaviors harmful to social, family, and spiritual well-being. Questions? Contact Rev. Dan Wodrich or the Church Office ( ) for referral. 8 Cross Currents College/Young Career Fellowship Facilitators: Steve & Sandra Critchlow, Brian & Annette Barnes Location: Varies WSS Basement and/or Brian & Annette Barnes Home (378 Wolverine Ct.-Richland) Come join us for weekly fellowship and discussion about the connection between Christian faith and life. We share together in food, fun, conversation, and prayer. This Fall we will be engaging with a video resource entitled, For the Life of the World: Letters to the Exiles. Join our Cross Currents Facebook page for the latest news:

6 TUESDAY Evening Classes Meal 6:00-6:50 pm - Classes 6:50-8:15 pm - Begins Sept. 22 (Childcare provided) Alpha Facilitator: Larry & Katie Rigsby Teacher: Nicky Gumbel (via DVD) Location: WSN The Alpha course is a practical introduction to the Christian faith, a place where guests have an opportunity to explore the meaning of life. The 10- week course is presented free of charge in a relaxed, friendly setting including good food and easy conversations. Spiritually, Alpha has been described as an open door, a place to begin, a bridge, and a springboard to exploration of Christianity and Spirituality. Alpha is for everyone. All are invited! ReFrame: Connecting Faith & Life Facilitators: Jim Morris and John Campbell Location: Meal (optional) & Class in Our Fall 2015 sermon series at West Side will be closely-integrated with ReFrame. Our hope is that all adults in our church family will both participate in weekly worship and ALSO engage in this 10-week ReFrame discipleship course in some venue this Fall whether it be through Sunday morning, Tuesday or Wednesday evening offerings on our church campus, or through participation in a Life Group or 10-week small groups that meet at various times and locations throughout the week. (See SUNDAY Morning Classes on pg. 4 for full course description.) WEDNESDAY Sarah Circle (Monthly 2 nd Wednesday) Time: 11:30 am 1:30 pm Location: WSN Narthex Sarah Circle is a group of West Side women who meet monthly to share lunch and fellowship. Interesting educational programs are presented, and we support various local, national and international mission causes. West Side women of all ages are welcome! Some Sarah Circle women also meet to knit together on the 1 st Wednesday of each month from 1 to 3 pm in the WSN Koinonia Café. Contact Audrey Pilger or Kay Johnston. 6 Adult Weekly Bible Study: Daniel Resumes Sept 23 Time: 10:00-11:00 am Teacher: Rev. Ralph Kieneker Location: Join Pastor Ralph for an in-depth Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. All are welcome! West Side Meal 5:15-6:00 pm - Classes 6:00-7:30 pm - Begins Sept. 23 (Childcare, children, & youth activities provided) ReFrame: Connecting Faith & Life Facilitators: Bill & Renee Root, Kip McGilliard, Rev. Ralph Kieneker, Rev. Dan Wodrich Location: Our Fall sermon series at West Side will be closely-integrated with this ReFrame discipleship course. Our hope is that all adults in our church family will both participate in weekly worship and ALSO engage in this 10-week ReFrame course in some venue this Fall whether it be through Sunday morning, Tuesday or Wednesday evening course offerings on our church campus, or through participation in a Life Group or 10- week small groups that meet at various times and locations throughout the week. (See SUNDAY Morning Classes on pg. 4 for full course description.) Listening For Heaven s Sake Teacher/Facilitators: Ward TeGrotenhuis, Jerry & Wendy Lester Location: WSN Room 2-4 (Library) Truly effective listening is transformative in relationships in ministry, with family members or with co-workers. Are you ever surprised or confused when a seemingly simple conversation turns sour and ends in conflict? Do you find yourself frustrated when you ve tried to help someone with a problem, but they don t seem to get it? Do you wish to have deeper, more intimate relationships with your spouse, children, or friends? This life-skills class provides biblical insights and hands-on coaching to build deeper understanding and more respect; to recognize and avoid bad habits that lead to frustration, misunderstanding and conflict; and to effectively express caring and compassion. You will practice new skills in listening and communicating in small groups before applying them in your everyday life. Come experience the power that effective listening can have in changing relationships and making you more effective in coming alongside people in a hurting world. 7