Random Christmas Pictures

Here are some pictures from Christmas Day. The last picture is Micah, Melia and kids talking to Micah's parents via video conferencing on the Internet. Micah's parents are in Austria.

Yorkshire Pudding Perfected!

After three attempts I think I got my puddings right for Christmas Eve!

Can you believe that it is almost 2008?

Can you believe that it is almost 2008? In just a few days the New Year will be here! God doesn't wait until after Dec. 31st to begin a new thing. According to the Lamentations, God's compassion is new every morning. Great is God's faithfulness. In Isaiah 43:18,19 says: "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

What new thing is God doing in your life? Where is God building a path and beginning to trickle streams of living water in the desert places of your life?

I believe God is doing a new thing at Westminster. I hear stories of changed lives. I see new ministries being born in peoples' hearts. I see a spirit of change and a willingness to risk in faith.

At our congregational meeting on Jan. 13 the session will share the 2008 vision plan. Through out 2007 at monthly meetings and special vision retreats your session has been seeking God's will and direction. This year we need to complete the playground. We are moving forward on being a green Church by beginning to utilize solar power. We are finding better ways to communicate between the two language groups at our church. We are restructuring the session and ministries to be a better fit with our gifting and calling.

Another important meeting will be Equipping 101, Feb. 3 at 3 PM in Mission Hall. This is a meeting for all church leaders, where we will go over the new structure of session. I hope all church leaders will be there.

God is always doing a new thing. Isaiah asks, "Do you not perceive it?" My prayer is that we would turn our eyes from past glories and past pains at WPC and that our eyes would be open to the new things God is already doing and will be doing in the midst of us. I hope this would be your prayer too as we step into 2008 as followers of Jesus.

Lily's choir debut

Lily - the one in pig tails, made her choir debut on the third Sunday of Advent at Westminster.

Just a picture of Peter and his dad

Colbert Advent

I'm not sure why Stephen Colbert is singing and dancing like this - BUT WHAT A WAY TO START ADVENT!!!!!

Advent at Westminster

Year after year it seems that Christmas get farther removed from the One whose birthday we are celebrating. Hopefully during our worship celebrations at Westminster we can find ways to enter Advent and celebrate Christmas in ways that bring us closer to the real message and meaning God intended.


The Advent theme for this year is Advent Wreath: Full Circle. The circle of Advent Candles we light each year bring with them the traditional themes of hope, love, joy and peace. Each week's worship celebration we will focus the theme for each candle. The hymns, scriptures, and sermon will speak to those themes. The Advent services will be a bit more traditional as the Sanctuary Choir will be back in the choir loft, pastors will be wearing robes and we will sing all carols instead of praise songs. Various members and friends of Westminster have graciously agreed to share personal stories of how they found gifts of hope, love, joy and peace in their lives through Jesus. The overall purpose is to be encouraged and set free to worship God in new and creative ways during Advent.

Here are a few suggestions from www.simpleliving.org on how we can celebrate Advent in a way that brings us back to the true meaning of the season:
STOP - Evaluate absolutely everything you do for the Christmas season. Does it give life and joy? Does it bear Christ’s light into the world? If not, say “goodbye.”

PRIORITIZE - Family comes first. Make space in a hectic schedule to enjoy the beauty of the season together in your own home.

SIMPLIFY - Instead of a gourmet extravaganza, host potluck dinners or invite friends for a cup of Christmas tea and a plate of cookies.

DO IT DIFFERENTLY - Instead of hosting a dinner, go to a soup kitchen, give to the food bank and serve those who are not overfed this season. Now, that is welcoming one another as Christ has welcomed you, to the glory of God.

SABBATH TIME - Savor the relationship you have with God, the relationships you have with others, the gift of this day. Be still. Listen. Give thanks.

Visit www.simpleliving.org for more great ideas.

Advent is also a great time to invite family and friends to worship services so they might learn more about the real meaning of Christmas.