Women of the Word – Sunday option
Women of the Word will continue to meet on Tuesday mornings – we will start up again on Jan. 13th.
Instead of a Wednesday evening option this semester, we are offering a Sunday morning option during Discovery Hour.  This will begin on January 18.

Our study this semester is “Women of the Old Testament”.  There is a study guide that accompanies the study. For planning purposes, please sign-up at the Information Center if you are considering the Sunday morning class.  If you have any questions, please contact Susan Watson at 987-3220.

This Sunday Jan 4th at 10:35am. (Room by Kitchen)

Come explore how you can help by serving on the Alpha Team!

The Alpha course is an opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening manner over six thought provoking weekly sessions.  Join us for the Alpha kick-off dinner, Wednesday, January 28, 6-8 pm, at the church.

Bethlehem Stories

We are continuing our theme, Bethlehem Stories, this Sunday with our Children’s musical, More than a Story.  Please invite your friends!  You can find an email invitation on the church website, which you can forward on to your friends. (www.westview.org <http://www.westview.org/>  - look under Contacts, Jay’s Blog, “Christmas”)  There are also some invitations sitting on the table in the front foyer.

Dec. 7   Life is a Mess
Dec 14  More than a Story (Children’s Christmas musical)
Dec. 21 Born in a Small Town
Dec. 24 No Room in the Inn  (Christmas Eve, 6 pm)
Dec. 28 Escape to Egypt

Thoughts from our special meeting on the church’s financial picture.
Last Sunday many of you stayed for a meeting about the status of Westview’s finances and our ministry situation.  I was very encouraged by your interest, your questions and your ideas!  I said it last Sunday and I want to repeat it here. I believe that God will use the difficult times we are facing to build us into a stronger, outward focused church.
Concern for those without jobs
Many people have lost jobs lately.  This is an opportunity for those of us who follow Jesus to be the church in action.  Please be praying for those who are out of work.  Ask God to lead them to good jobs.  Be ready to share your resources with someone who isn’t getting paid and is wondering how to pay the bills.  You might have some contacts to share with people who are job hunting.  Let them know about that opportunity you heard about or that friend you have who works for a good company.  Let’s come together and surround those in the Westview family with love and support during this tough time.  We will continue to serve those outside of our church while we offer help to our brothers and sisters in the Lord who are looking for work.

Year End Giving

As we come to the end of 2008 (can you believe it?) would you take a moment to think about your giving to Westview Church?  If you need to catch up in what you had planned to give, this is a good time to do so!  If the Lord is leading you to give a year-end gift to Westview Church, it will be greatly appreciated!  Remember – contributions must be received or postmarked by Dec. 31 for 2008 giving.

Wouldn’t you like to walk the streets of Bethlehem this Christmas season and imagine what Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, Jacob, David, Joseph and Mary experienced in this small town? Come to Westview on Sunday mornings during December, as we listen in on their conversations and struggle with them as they try to understand what God is doing in their lives and in his world. Also, make a point to come to our special candlelight Christmas Eve service, 6 pm on the 24th.

If you can’t come to Westview, this December, would you pray for us? Pray that God would bring to life the ancient stories of Bethlehem.

Bethlehem Stories

Starting this Sunday, December 7, we begin our Christmas theme, Bethlehem Stories.  Please invite your friends!  You can find an email invitation on the church website, which you can forward on to your friends. www.westview.org There are also some invitations sitting on the table in the front foyer.

Dec. 7   Life is a Mess
Dec 14  More than a Story (Children’s Christmas musical)
Dec. 21 Born in a Small Town
Dec. 24 No Room in the Inn  (Christmas Eve, 6 pm)
Dec. 28 Escape to Egypt

Come to a Special Meeting this Sunday regarding our church finances

After worship, during our 10:30 Discovery Hour, this Sunday the 7th, we are having a special meeting in the worship center to talk about our church financial situation.  There will be another meeting after Discovery Hour for those who are serving during Discovery Hour.  Please plan on attending one of these meetings if you are able!  I want to talk with you about where we are and what the Elder Board is doing.  I am confident that God is at work in this troubled time.  As we will see in the message this Sunday, God often uses the messy times of life to do his best work.

Jay Braband

Ps. I just read an excellent article, No Time to Cower, which further helps me understand our need to be courageous and innovative in times like these. I recommend you go to this link and read it!

Women of the Word – Sunday option
Women of the Word will continue to meet on Tuesday mornings – we will start up again on Jan. 13th.
Instead of a Wednesday evening option this semester, we are offering a Sunday morning option during Discovery Hour.  This will begin on January 18.

Our study this semester is “Women of the Old Testament”.  There is a study guide that accompanies the study. For planning purposes, please sign-up at the Information Center if you are considering the Sunday morning class.  If you have any questions, please contact Susan Watson at 987-3220 or through the contact us link.

Another Pancake Breakfast is coming soon – Sunday, November 30th, right after worship service!  Mark your calendar and invite your friends.  There is no Discovery Hour or Adult Forum on November 30th – instead we will be eating pancakes!!

The food pantry will be receiving its largest donation of the year on November 7th ( from the Waukee Dollars for Scholars collection at Waukee Schools).  Many volunteers will be needed to help sort through the expected 16,000 lbs. of food and get the food on the pantry shelves.   Volunteer times:  Monday, Nov. 10, 4-7pm;  Tuesday, Nov. 11, 5-8pm;  Thursday, Nov. 13, 9-11am;  Saturday, Nov 15, 9am-Noon.  Please contact Food Pantry or 321-0894 to sign up to serve.

Calling all Decorators!  Many Elves are Needed!

Danielle Prevette has agreed to share her talents with us and is coordinating the Christmas decorating at Westview, but she needs helpers.  If you would be interested in being involved in transforming our worship space for the Christmas holiday, please contact me at harwood.janet “at” principal “dot” com   and I will forward your information along to Danielle.  Thanks!  Janet

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!  Oct 19th Westview honored Pastor Jay and Pastor Susan by having a time of fellowship with cake and coffee.  Partners were encouraged to bring cards of thanks and appreciation to give to them.  It was a wonderful time to thank Pastor Jay and Pastor Susan for all they do for Westview!