Westgate Church https://www.westgate-church.org Learn about the life and ministries of Westgate Church Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:22:13 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Winter Clothing Drive https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/winter https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/winter#comments Thu, 02 Nov 2023 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/winter Clean out your closet or purchase new items or even shop resale (savers/goodwill)!  Sara Mitchell, community chaplain with EGC, in association with Miracle Mile Ministries of congregation Lion of Judah host a weekly outreach to those experiencing homelessness.   As colder temperatures approach, helping with winter clothing is a key part of this ministry as they are serving more refugee clients from warm climates such as Haiti .  They distribute mens and women’s clothing but are currently in critical need of men’s clothing.  Please place any donated items in the labeled boxes, located by the main/front doors and in Fellowship Hall.

MOST NEEDED:
*Men’s Coats
*Men’s Pants (32-36), sweatpants
*Men’s Hoodies/Sweatshirts
*Men’s Shoes/sneakers
*Winter boots
*Also accepting women’s coats, boots and warm clothes

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Clean out your closet or purchase new items or even shop resale (savers/goodwill)!  Sara Mitchell, community chaplain with EGC, in association with Miracle Mile Ministries of congregation Lion of Judah host a weekly outreach to those experiencing homelessness.   As colder temperatures approach, helping with winter clothing is a key part of this ministry as they are serving more refugee clients from warm climates such as Haiti .  They distribute mens and women’s clothing but are currently in critical need of men’s clothing.  Please place any donated items in the labeled boxes, located by the main/front doors and in Fellowship Hall.

MOST NEEDED:
*Men’s Coats
*Men’s Pants (32-36), sweatpants
*Men’s Hoodies/Sweatshirts
*Men’s Shoes/sneakers
*Winter boots
*Also accepting women’s coats, boots and warm clothes

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Advent 2021 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/advent https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/advent#comments Tue, 21 Dec 2021 15:00:00 -0500 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/advent We hope you’ll join us this Advent season!  Together we’ll journey through the Christmas story.

Sunday, November 28 @10:30am - Luke 1:67-80
Sunday, December 5 @10:30am - Matthew 1:18-25
Sunday, December 12 @10:30am - Matthew 2:1-12
Sunday, December 19 @10:30am - Luke 2:1-7
Friday, December 24 @6:00pm - Luke 2:8-14

Christmas Eve Service Invite

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We hope you’ll join us this Advent season!  Together we’ll journey through the Christmas story.

Sunday, November 28 @10:30am - Luke 1:67-80
Sunday, December 5 @10:30am - Matthew 1:18-25
Sunday, December 12 @10:30am - Matthew 2:1-12
Sunday, December 19 @10:30am - Luke 2:1-7
Friday, December 24 @6:00pm - Luke 2:8-14

Christmas Eve Service Invite

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Welcome Kristy Watkins, our new Kids Journey Director https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/welcome-kristy-watkins https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/welcome-kristy-watkins#comments Wed, 24 Nov 2021 10:33:15 -0500 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/welcome-kristy-watkins Kristy Watkings -1056 CroppedWe are happy to announce that Kristy Watkins is now serving as our new Kids Journey Director at Westgate Church.  Kristy and her family have been attending Westgate for the past seven years.  She has been an integral part of our Kids Journey team for the past year and a half and has been immersed in the training for this position under Heidi Hart, our previous director, over the past month.  Her schedule may vary, but if you have any questions, you may contact her at KidsJourney @ westgate-church.org

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Kristy Watkings -1056 CroppedWe are happy to announce that Kristy Watkins is now serving as our new Kids Journey Director at Westgate Church.  Kristy and her family have been attending Westgate for the past seven years.  She has been an integral part of our Kids Journey team for the past year and a half and has been immersed in the training for this position under Heidi Hart, our previous director, over the past month.  Her schedule may vary, but if you have any questions, you may contact her at KidsJourney @ westgate-church.org

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Jonah Series https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/jonah-series https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/jonah-series#comments Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/jonah-series Jonah_Potential-SlideHow far would you go to help someone you love? Would you dash home from work? Or catch a flight if the situation were urgent? Of course you would. But what if it weren’t a friend or family member who needed help? Would you hesitate to slap down your credit card to buy that expensive last-minute plane ticket? What if the person who needed help was not just a stranger, but an enemy? What thoughts would go through your mind as you considered their need? 

Over two millennia ago, a man named Jonah faced a question like this. Living in ancient Israel, he saw a vast and bloodthirsty enemy on the horizon. The Assyrians had already waged brutal campaigns in the region and were presently demanding tributes from Israel so that they would be spared the same fate. Jonah, a prophet in northern Israel, knew judgement would come for the Assyrians one day, and he relished the opportunity to see it firsthand. But then he received a word from God to go to Assyria – to the capital city of Nineveh – in order to call people there to repentance.  

Best remembered for the moment Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish, the book of Jonah is really a story of calling, rebellion, repentance, and most importantly, mercy. It reveals the surprising compassion of God – even toward those who least deserve it. And it compels its readers to face the hardness of their own hearts in the face of that far-reaching compassion.

As we study this short book, we’ll encounter

            The God Who Pursues Rebels (chapter 1)
            The God Who Hears (chapter 2)
            The God Who Reigns Over Nations (chapter 3)
            The God Who Abounds in Steadfast Love (chapter 4)

We hope you’ll join us.

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Jonah_Potential-SlideHow far would you go to help someone you love? Would you dash home from work? Or catch a flight if the situation were urgent? Of course you would. But what if it weren’t a friend or family member who needed help? Would you hesitate to slap down your credit card to buy that expensive last-minute plane ticket? What if the person who needed help was not just a stranger, but an enemy? What thoughts would go through your mind as you considered their need? 

Over two millennia ago, a man named Jonah faced a question like this. Living in ancient Israel, he saw a vast and bloodthirsty enemy on the horizon. The Assyrians had already waged brutal campaigns in the region and were presently demanding tributes from Israel so that they would be spared the same fate. Jonah, a prophet in northern Israel, knew judgement would come for the Assyrians one day, and he relished the opportunity to see it firsthand. But then he received a word from God to go to Assyria – to the capital city of Nineveh – in order to call people there to repentance.  

Best remembered for the moment Jonah is swallowed by a giant fish, the book of Jonah is really a story of calling, rebellion, repentance, and most importantly, mercy. It reveals the surprising compassion of God – even toward those who least deserve it. And it compels its readers to face the hardness of their own hearts in the face of that far-reaching compassion.

As we study this short book, we’ll encounter

            The God Who Pursues Rebels (chapter 1)
            The God Who Hears (chapter 2)
            The God Who Reigns Over Nations (chapter 3)
            The God Who Abounds in Steadfast Love (chapter 4)

We hope you’ll join us.

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Email Safety at Westgate Church https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/email-safety-at-westgate-church https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/email-safety-at-westgate-church#comments Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/email-safety-at-westgate-church We wanted to alert you about phishing or scam emails that have been sent to some of us.  The email appears to be sent by the Pastors and asks the recipient to respond.  Please know that only emails from the @westgate-church.org domain are official communications from Westgate Church.  If you ever receive a questionable email, please do not reply and also it is important to report the email as a scam.

Below are a few tips to help identify a phishing or scam email:

1) Urgent Requests - Email subject may include “Quick Response” or similar, also requests not to call but only reply via email

2) Email address is mismatched - When you hover your computer mouse over the sender’s name, it should match the email that is displayed

3) Spelling or Grammatical errors, formatting including use of bold font or an overly formal signature

Thank you for your patience and understanding, unfortunately this is not an issue limited to Westgate Church.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the church office.

Serving together,

The Deacon Board

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We wanted to alert you about phishing or scam emails that have been sent to some of us.  The email appears to be sent by the Pastors and asks the recipient to respond.  Please know that only emails from the @westgate-church.org domain are official communications from Westgate Church.  If you ever receive a questionable email, please do not reply and also it is important to report the email as a scam.

Below are a few tips to help identify a phishing or scam email:

1) Urgent Requests - Email subject may include “Quick Response” or similar, also requests not to call but only reply via email

2) Email address is mismatched - When you hover your computer mouse over the sender’s name, it should match the email that is displayed

3) Spelling or Grammatical errors, formatting including use of bold font or an overly formal signature

Thank you for your patience and understanding, unfortunately this is not an issue limited to Westgate Church.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the church office.

Serving together,

The Deacon Board

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Lent Devotional https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/lent-devotional https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/lent-devotional#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2021 14:00:00 -0500 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/lent-devotional "A voice cries:
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
  make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”  (Isaiah 40:3)

            In the weeks and months leading up to the birth of our son, we were busy preparing. We read books, assembled furniture, painted and frantically finished other projects around the house. We wanted to make sure that whenever the day came, we would be ready. That’s often the way we approach significant events in our lives. Whether it’s a family vacation, a job transition, or an important deadline, we want to be ready for things that are important. Typically, we want to do everything we can to ensure things go smoothly. Can you imagine trying to assemble a crib and paint the nursery the same day the baby comes home from the hospital? Our work to be prepared helps mitigate stress, but it also changes something in our minds and hearts. Preparing for important life events causes us to internalize the significance they represent. With each piece of furniture I assembled for the baby, I realized a little more how much life was about to change. The same is true of preparing for all of life’s biggest moments.

            In that spirit, we at Westgate are excited for the season of Lent which begins on Wednesday, February 17. It is a time of preparation as we approach Good Friday and Easter, similar to our observation of Advent in December. Specifically, we want to be intentional about preparing our hearts and minds to celebrate the love of Christ for us, carried out in his death and resurrection. These are the most important events in history, so our commemoration of Christ’s work is an important part of our faith. And like other important events in life, we want to be ready for it.

            This year, we are joining together in this process by reading a Lent devotional. Our hope is that with each day’s short reading, we realize a little more how much Christ has changed everything, for our good and his glory. We want to consider seriously how grave our sin truly is, that it would demand the life of God’s Son, and to rejoice truly in his grace and willingness to suffer in our place. These are matters of eternal consequence; there is truly nothing more important, so it is right to get ready by internalizing the significance they represent.

            We hope you’ll join us. You can pick up a Lent devotional at the church, or if needed we are happy to mail your household a copy. The readings are short and can be easily incorporated into daily Bible reading plans, meals, or as a part of family worship. As we read each day’s entry, we will be united in eagerly anticipating our time of celebration that God’s Son gave his life for ours, and afterward leads us into new and restored resurrection life.

Pastor Travis Vaclavik

 

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"A voice cries:
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
  make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”  (Isaiah 40:3)

            In the weeks and months leading up to the birth of our son, we were busy preparing. We read books, assembled furniture, painted and frantically finished other projects around the house. We wanted to make sure that whenever the day came, we would be ready. That’s often the way we approach significant events in our lives. Whether it’s a family vacation, a job transition, or an important deadline, we want to be ready for things that are important. Typically, we want to do everything we can to ensure things go smoothly. Can you imagine trying to assemble a crib and paint the nursery the same day the baby comes home from the hospital? Our work to be prepared helps mitigate stress, but it also changes something in our minds and hearts. Preparing for important life events causes us to internalize the significance they represent. With each piece of furniture I assembled for the baby, I realized a little more how much life was about to change. The same is true of preparing for all of life’s biggest moments.

            In that spirit, we at Westgate are excited for the season of Lent which begins on Wednesday, February 17. It is a time of preparation as we approach Good Friday and Easter, similar to our observation of Advent in December. Specifically, we want to be intentional about preparing our hearts and minds to celebrate the love of Christ for us, carried out in his death and resurrection. These are the most important events in history, so our commemoration of Christ’s work is an important part of our faith. And like other important events in life, we want to be ready for it.

            This year, we are joining together in this process by reading a Lent devotional. Our hope is that with each day’s short reading, we realize a little more how much Christ has changed everything, for our good and his glory. We want to consider seriously how grave our sin truly is, that it would demand the life of God’s Son, and to rejoice truly in his grace and willingness to suffer in our place. These are matters of eternal consequence; there is truly nothing more important, so it is right to get ready by internalizing the significance they represent.

            We hope you’ll join us. You can pick up a Lent devotional at the church, or if needed we are happy to mail your household a copy. The readings are short and can be easily incorporated into daily Bible reading plans, meals, or as a part of family worship. As we read each day’s entry, we will be united in eagerly anticipating our time of celebration that God’s Son gave his life for ours, and afterward leads us into new and restored resurrection life.

Pastor Travis Vaclavik

 

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Advent 2020 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/advent-2020-series- https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/advent-2020-series-#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0500 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/advent-2020-series- 4x3-Alt_Banner REV“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:2a)

Two and a half millennia ago, the people of Judah were surrounded on all sides. They had watched as nations rose and fell, empires conquered and toppled one another, and they wondered what the future held for them. So, they built up their defenses, formed strategic alliances, and prepared for the worst. It was a very uncertain time. And in the midst of it all, a prophet named Isaiah declared that the LORD had spoken.

As we come to the end of what has been a year full of uncertainty, Isaiah is a helpful place to turn. It is a book about God’s sovereignty, hope, and the promise that light will triumph over darkness. It is a book that honestly considers how much the world needs a savior, and which makes big promises about God’s plan to send one. It is a book about waiting on the salvation of the LORD. It begins with God’s voice, a word of judgment, and the reminder that in the world’s deepest need he is not far off. And by its end, God’s people are left with a promise that God himself will come to save them from a threat greater than empires and invading armies. As we move into the season of Advent, it is the perfect book to help us celebrate Christ’s coming, God’s promises answered, and the certainty of God’s plans to work all things for good.

We hope you’ll join us as we explore the book of Isaiah this Advent season. Together we’ll discover that the child born in a manger 2,000 years ago is the fulfillment of God’s most glorious promise.

November 29 – Isaiah 1:2-9 & 2:2-5
December 6 – Isaiah 9:2-7
December 13 – Isaiah 40:1-5
December 20 – Isaiah 52:13-53:6
December 24 – Isaiah 60:19-22

Lord willing, we’ll see you Sunday,  Travis Vaclavik and Bruce Daggett

Click HERE to listen to sermons in this series.

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4x3-Alt_Banner REV“Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:2a)

Two and a half millennia ago, the people of Judah were surrounded on all sides. They had watched as nations rose and fell, empires conquered and toppled one another, and they wondered what the future held for them. So, they built up their defenses, formed strategic alliances, and prepared for the worst. It was a very uncertain time. And in the midst of it all, a prophet named Isaiah declared that the LORD had spoken.

As we come to the end of what has been a year full of uncertainty, Isaiah is a helpful place to turn. It is a book about God’s sovereignty, hope, and the promise that light will triumph over darkness. It is a book that honestly considers how much the world needs a savior, and which makes big promises about God’s plan to send one. It is a book about waiting on the salvation of the LORD. It begins with God’s voice, a word of judgment, and the reminder that in the world’s deepest need he is not far off. And by its end, God’s people are left with a promise that God himself will come to save them from a threat greater than empires and invading armies. As we move into the season of Advent, it is the perfect book to help us celebrate Christ’s coming, God’s promises answered, and the certainty of God’s plans to work all things for good.

We hope you’ll join us as we explore the book of Isaiah this Advent season. Together we’ll discover that the child born in a manger 2,000 years ago is the fulfillment of God’s most glorious promise.

November 29 – Isaiah 1:2-9 & 2:2-5
December 6 – Isaiah 9:2-7
December 13 – Isaiah 40:1-5
December 20 – Isaiah 52:13-53:6
December 24 – Isaiah 60:19-22

Lord willing, we’ll see you Sunday,  Travis Vaclavik and Bruce Daggett

Click HERE to listen to sermons in this series.

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Worship Service Update https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/worship-service- https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/worship-service-#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2020 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/worship-service- We trust that God is meeting each of you in in these unique circumstances.  We miss each other and look forward to the day when we can safely gather together again.  Meanwhile, we are encouraged by your engagement in worship, either in person or online.  Our goal is to provide a meaningful and safe worship time.

Since there has been an uptick in the spread of COVID–19, we are making changes to the worship service for a season that you experienced last Sunday.  The primary change involves placing our congregational singing after the sermon and reducing the number of congregational songs in order to limit the time of exposure to any potential viral presence.  This will also allow those uncomfortable with congregational singing leave the in-person service before we sing as a congregation.

We have not come to this decision lightly.  Along with you, we grieve all the ways that COVID-19 has disrupted our lives.  However, we remain committed to finding the safest ways for us to remain in fellowship and worship together.

Your Pastors,

Bruce Daggett
Travis Vaclavik

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We trust that God is meeting each of you in in these unique circumstances.  We miss each other and look forward to the day when we can safely gather together again.  Meanwhile, we are encouraged by your engagement in worship, either in person or online.  Our goal is to provide a meaningful and safe worship time.

Since there has been an uptick in the spread of COVID–19, we are making changes to the worship service for a season that you experienced last Sunday.  The primary change involves placing our congregational singing after the sermon and reducing the number of congregational songs in order to limit the time of exposure to any potential viral presence.  This will also allow those uncomfortable with congregational singing leave the in-person service before we sing as a congregation.

We have not come to this decision lightly.  Along with you, we grieve all the ways that COVID-19 has disrupted our lives.  However, we remain committed to finding the safest ways for us to remain in fellowship and worship together.

Your Pastors,

Bruce Daggett
Travis Vaclavik

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Communion Update https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/communion-update https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/communion-update#comments Fri, 27 Nov 2020 12:00:00 -0500 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/communion-update We’re sure no one needs to be reminded that the last nine months have been a considerable disruption to our lives. However, we are thankful for the ways we’ve been able to continue to worship our Savior together here at Westgate. As we’ve walked through stay-at-home orders, limited capacity attendance, worship service planning changes, and much else, God has continued to guide us and bring our hearts together to receive the truth of the gospel. In the midst of a difficult year, God has proven his love for his Church.

One of the many factors the Elders have considered this year is how Westgate should receive communion. Earlier in the year, while Westgate could not gather in person at all, we suspended our practice of communion. This is primarily because we observe in scripture that communion is intended by Christ to bring the church together under the gospel, and therefore the physical assembly of the church is an important aspect of its practice. Scripture demonstrates that communion is not an individual exercise, but part of the life of the gathered church (see 1 Corinthians 10 and 11). However, many of our members are not currently able to physically gather with the church on Sunday mornings for worship, not because of a lack of desire, but out of an appropriate caution. For that reason, beginning Sunday, December 6, we will be broadcasting our communion service via Zoom at the end of the worship service. Those who wish to participate will need to request the Zoom link from the church office and log on at the appropriate time. There are several reasons that we’ve made this decision, but one important one is that by broadcasting over Zoom, we are together, receiving the elements together, and united under the gospel.

We hope that you and those in your household will plan to join us as we observe communion together December 6. We encourage you to drop by the church the week before to pick up the elements (prefilled, single serve). This is not because there is anything special about the particular bread and juice we partake, but that it helps us guard the sacred nature of the tradition. Scripture affirms that our hearts and minds ought to be set on Christ and his grace while we receive communion (see 1 Corinthians 11:27). One way we can do that is by using bread and juice set apart for this purpose.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would love to discuss this with you, along with anything else on your mind. For the Zoom link, simply contact Julie in the church office (it will be available by December 3).

Your brothers in Christ,

Travis Vaclavik and Bruce Daggett
on behalf of the Elders

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We’re sure no one needs to be reminded that the last nine months have been a considerable disruption to our lives. However, we are thankful for the ways we’ve been able to continue to worship our Savior together here at Westgate. As we’ve walked through stay-at-home orders, limited capacity attendance, worship service planning changes, and much else, God has continued to guide us and bring our hearts together to receive the truth of the gospel. In the midst of a difficult year, God has proven his love for his Church.

One of the many factors the Elders have considered this year is how Westgate should receive communion. Earlier in the year, while Westgate could not gather in person at all, we suspended our practice of communion. This is primarily because we observe in scripture that communion is intended by Christ to bring the church together under the gospel, and therefore the physical assembly of the church is an important aspect of its practice. Scripture demonstrates that communion is not an individual exercise, but part of the life of the gathered church (see 1 Corinthians 10 and 11). However, many of our members are not currently able to physically gather with the church on Sunday mornings for worship, not because of a lack of desire, but out of an appropriate caution. For that reason, beginning Sunday, December 6, we will be broadcasting our communion service via Zoom at the end of the worship service. Those who wish to participate will need to request the Zoom link from the church office and log on at the appropriate time. There are several reasons that we’ve made this decision, but one important one is that by broadcasting over Zoom, we are together, receiving the elements together, and united under the gospel.

We hope that you and those in your household will plan to join us as we observe communion together December 6. We encourage you to drop by the church the week before to pick up the elements (prefilled, single serve). This is not because there is anything special about the particular bread and juice we partake, but that it helps us guard the sacred nature of the tradition. Scripture affirms that our hearts and minds ought to be set on Christ and his grace while we receive communion (see 1 Corinthians 11:27). One way we can do that is by using bread and juice set apart for this purpose.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would love to discuss this with you, along with anything else on your mind. For the Zoom link, simply contact Julie in the church office (it will be available by December 3).

Your brothers in Christ,

Travis Vaclavik and Bruce Daggett
on behalf of the Elders

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Update from the Elders https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/update-from-the-elders https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/update-from-the-elders#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2020 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.westgate-church.org/blog/post/update-from-the-elders We hope that each of you has been thriving in your relationship with the Lord during these tumultuous times.  Though it has been difficult to be apart, worship, whether virtual or in person, keeps us united.

God has opened doors for us as a result of our church’s reinvention resulting in:

*Increased impact with more than 500 viewings of our worship service each week from March 15th to June 14th
*Increased visibility with 1,322 viewings of our virtual choir
*Live streaming of worship services
*Updated website with resources we offer our community
*Greater attendance at our virtual prayer meetings
*Vibrant, interactive learning through Kids Journey online
*Virtual Home Groups
*Virtual book studies
*Virtual new members class with seven who will join Westgate this fall
*Regular outreach team meetings
*Numerous outreach activities highlighted in Ryan Cassel’s presentation last Sunday
*Celebration of our recent graduates through a car caravan
*Formation of a Kids Connect team planning kids/family events
*Implementation of Reopening Task Force safety policies

Because of your generous financial and faithful prayer support we are able to move forward as planned.  We look forward to the following:

*Eric Campos’ being on staff
*An elders’ retreat focusing on our role in developing Westgate’s outreach and discipleship.
*The exploration of educational opportunities regarding race relations
*An outdoor service in conjunction with our indoor service
*Outreach with another church
*A virtual adult Sunday school class
*The continuation of virtual Sunday morning prayer
*Multiple kids and family events
*Virtual missions conference
*Virtual AWANA

Let us stay close to each other by sharing the Sunday morning worship experience, attending Home Groups, joining in prayer times, engaging in outreach activities and initiating personal connections.  We welcome any ideas that will help unite us while we socially distance.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Ephesians 3:10, 21

Serving Christ,

The Elders

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We hope that each of you has been thriving in your relationship with the Lord during these tumultuous times.  Though it has been difficult to be apart, worship, whether virtual or in person, keeps us united.

God has opened doors for us as a result of our church’s reinvention resulting in:

*Increased impact with more than 500 viewings of our worship service each week from March 15th to June 14th
*Increased visibility with 1,322 viewings of our virtual choir
*Live streaming of worship services
*Updated website with resources we offer our community
*Greater attendance at our virtual prayer meetings
*Vibrant, interactive learning through Kids Journey online
*Virtual Home Groups
*Virtual book studies
*Virtual new members class with seven who will join Westgate this fall
*Regular outreach team meetings
*Numerous outreach activities highlighted in Ryan Cassel’s presentation last Sunday
*Celebration of our recent graduates through a car caravan
*Formation of a Kids Connect team planning kids/family events
*Implementation of Reopening Task Force safety policies

Because of your generous financial and faithful prayer support we are able to move forward as planned.  We look forward to the following:

*Eric Campos’ being on staff
*An elders’ retreat focusing on our role in developing Westgate’s outreach and discipleship.
*The exploration of educational opportunities regarding race relations
*An outdoor service in conjunction with our indoor service
*Outreach with another church
*A virtual adult Sunday school class
*The continuation of virtual Sunday morning prayer
*Multiple kids and family events
*Virtual missions conference
*Virtual AWANA

Let us stay close to each other by sharing the Sunday morning worship experience, attending Home Groups, joining in prayer times, engaging in outreach activities and initiating personal connections.  We welcome any ideas that will help unite us while we socially distance.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Ephesians 3:10, 21

Serving Christ,

The Elders

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