Westside Church News

Praying for the President

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:52:48 +0000

Once again, the tedious process of nominating a Republican candidate to run for president dominated today’s headlines. The emphasis was upon how the campaign ads were becoming fiercer and could possibly be the “most negative” of all time. And these guys are supposed to be on the same team? I cringe at the thought of what the general election process will devolve into. It makes me wonder, “How are we supposed to hold our leaders in high regard, as the scriptures admonish us to, if they are constantly tearing each other down - bringing out the worst in each other?”

New Sermon Series: Hebrews

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:03:09 +0000

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at various times and in many ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son.” Hebrews is a book about Jesus. It paints a beautiful portrait of who Jesus is, “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.” If there is any question as to who God is, we find the answer in Jesus Christ. Hebrews tells us that God has revealed himself to the world. He is not distant, hiding off in the shadows. What can be known about him has been made

Top 5 Christmas movies of all time

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 02:49:41 +0000

I love Christmas movies. There’s nothing like snuggling up on the couch with my wife, the kids, or my wife and the kids to watch one of our holiday film favorites. There’s simply no better way to work up Christmas cheer. In a world that has grown cynical and given up on religion altogether, most of us still hold onto some sense of hope that Christmas time has a certain “magic” to it. This can be seen most clearly in the storylines of our favorite Christmas movies. Even the most hardened, cold-hearted grouch can be transformed by the spirit of Christmas. Not even the Grinch’s, Scrooge’s, and Potter’s of the world can stand up to its’ power. It’s this sense of hope and wonder that I love experiencing this time of the year. Here’s a top 5 list of some of my favorite Christmas movies. What are some of yours?

"Advent"

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:24:48 +0000

This is the season of advent. It’s much bigger than just Christmas day. It’s an entire season that is all about anticipating the birth of Christ. It’s about longing for and desiring that which is yet to come – that which is here, but not yet. We recognize that all is not as it should be. There is an ache in our hearts. We long for the day when Jesus will come again to set things in order and restore peace to our broken world just as he came two thousand years ago to announce the coming of his kingdom. Advent is ab

The New F Word in Church

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:48:17 +0000

I’ve been reflecting this week on the scope of God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ. In Christ God has forgiven all of our sins (Heb. 10:11-18). As I consider the implications of this, I can’t help but recognize how scandalous the gospel really is. All of my sins? Does this include the sins of my past, present, and future? What about major sins? I can’t help but thinking that I’m going to find the conditions in the fine print somewhere. After all, that’s a lot of sin for one man’s death to atone for. So, what is the scope of God’s forgiveness? Does it come with limits, pre-conditions, or disclaimers?

Somebody Cares Holiday Giving Campaign

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:00:33 +0000

Our annual holiday giving campaign "Somebody Cares" is back! There are several ways you can get involved to make this holiday season a bit brighter for those who are in need. We have four main goals this year that are aimed at helping people both locally and abroad.

New Sermon Series "Man vs. Wild"

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:15:40 +0000

The Spirit of God leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted, Moses spends forty years in the desert before God calls him to deliver Israel from Egypt, The children of Israel spend forty years wandering in the wilderness before God brings them into the promise land. Surviving the wilderness is a regular theme in the scriptures. Everyone loves a good survival story. It’s when the odds are stacked against us and we are stretched to our limits that we find out who we really are. Join us for “Man vs.

Money Margin

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:26:36 +0000

Last week I wrote about the principle of developing margin in our lives. It’s a principle that makes a lot of sense, but can be very hard to follow through with. Let’s face it; life in our fast-paced world has a way of sucking every last drop of time, energy, and money that we have. If we aren’t intentional about keeping reserves, we’ll deplete ourselves time and time again. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go through life being depleted. I want to keep a little something in the tank for when I really need it.

The Candy Zone - October 31st

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:38:53 +0000

Candy Zone: a safe, fun, halloween party for kids of all ages. We have carnival games, inflatables, and BIG prize giveaways every half hour! Come get a family picture taken in costume. And collect candy, more candy, and even more CANDY! All for free and for the whole family! October 31st from 5pm-8pm

Margin

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:47:54 +0000

It’s every year as the fall season begins that I’m reminded of an important Biblical principal that I’ve committed myself to following. It’s the principal of margin. After a summer full of unstructured fun, Fall comes around and reminds me that it’s time to start being productive again. It’s time to put my nose to the grindstone at work. It’s that time of the year when all of our community activities begin. It’s time to pay off all of those summer trips as well. Don’t forget that the holidays are only a few months away. Sometimes it feels like it’s necessary to run at maximum capacity just to keep up with all of these demands. It’s important to ask the question – will I survive at this pace?

New Sermon Series "Can you see Him?"

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:04:56 +0000

For many, seeing is believing. It’s natural to want proofs and facts before accepting the wild claims of Christianity – that the man called Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. What we can’t see with our natural eyes, or prove beyond a shadow of a doubt with scientific evidence, God has revealed to us through His Word. The Apostle Paul said, “Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face.” Join us at Westside Church as we seek to discover the reflection of Jesus from the scriptures. We’re taking

Girls Community Church

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 04:54:29 +0000

After the incessant banging carried on for about 10 minutes, I decided to step outside and see what the girls were up to. They were attempting to put together some form of structure with scrap wood from the back yard and a bag of nails I keep in the garage. They quickly informed me that I was not allowed near the premises because they were building a church for girls. Building a church? In moments like these I can’t help but wonder if the dynamics of growing up as pastor’s kids are starting to have an effect upon my children.

Who would Jesus vote for?

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:21:13 +0000

The church I grew up in had a special guest one Sunday morning that was running for president. I don’t remember his name, but I do remember that everyone was encouraged to vote for this candidate because he was a Christian. I thought that sounded like a pretty good idea as a youngster, but now… I’m not so sure.

Test Post

Matt — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:38:42 +0000

This is a test post to the church blog. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Test Post

Matt — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 21:23:18 +0000

Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt.

"Pandamania" 2011 VBS

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 19:29:37 +0000

This years' VBS is "Pandamania" - a wild celebration of God's unconditional love! At Pandamania VBS kids will discover that God has a purpose and a plan for everyone and he has crafted each of us with his loving hands.

Dates: August 1st - 5th (9am - 12pm)

Christian Terrorism?

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 23:01:21 +0000

In the aftermath of the tragedy that unfolded in Norway last week, almost as troubling as the attacks themselves, has been the discovery that the man responsible for these heinous crimes, Anders Breivick, considers himself a Christian. Initially I didn’t believe what was being reported. Certainly the reporters must be making a mistake. How could a Christian ever be responsible for such evil? Of course, I don’t believe that Anders is a follower of Jesus Christ. However, it has become evident that he was influenced by popular ideas often associated with Christian conservatives. I think it is incumbent upon all of us as Christians to consider how certain ideas that can be found in books at Christian bookstores and in sermons on Sunday morning can be twisted and used by the enemy for destructive purposes.

Sunday BBQ's

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:55:54 +0000

Make plans to join us on August 7th and August 21st for some great BBQ following the second service. We'll be providing hamburgers, hot dogs and all of the fixings, drinks, and condiments, but please bring something to share potluck style. The grills will be fired up at 12:30pm. There will be fun and games for everyone. You don't want to miss it!

"Selah" by Garth Neufeld

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Selah - Have you ever seen that word in your Bible? If you've read the Psalms it's likely that you've come across it, and it's likely that you've jumped into the next verse without "Selah-ing".

Daddy/Daughter Dates

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:16:45 +0000

It would be impossible to overemphasize how important it is for those of you who are married to continue dating your spouse after your wedding day. I always like to say, “date your spouse, or someone else will.” That may sound blunt, but it is often a reality. In this post, I want to talk to you fathers about how important it is for you to take your daughters on dates as well.

Father's Day

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 23:03:10 +0000

The other day my wife asked me what I wanted to do to on Father’s day this year. The first thing that popped into my mind was watching the final round of the U.S. Open in peace. Thankfully, my filter kicked in and I didn’t verbalize this idea. I came to my senses and realized that the whole idea of Father’s day was to spend time with family and enjoy the presence of children. I was immediately reminded of the things that my parents say at family get-togethers like, “I’m just so glad that we can all be together”, or “I’m happy when you (the kids) are all happy.” As a father with young children, I find myself thinking very different thoughts like, “can I just have a moment to myself?” If there’s any day not to have that attitude, it’s Father’s Day.

Who will be left behind?

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:27:26 +0000

I can’t think of anything more humbling than to teach from the Bible on the subject of eschatology (end times theology). At times it feels like trying to interpret the meaning of abstract art. Jesus seemed to indicate the mysterious nature of the end times when he said, “no one knows the day or the hour” (Mt. 24:36). This prophetic statement has certainly been proved true over time. Christians have always had difficulty agreeing on just about everything in the Bible, but when it comes to understanding end times events, the diversity of opinion is, well… diverse.

New teaching series "1 John"

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 06:14:16 +0000

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to walk and talk with Jesus while he was here on earth? If only every one of us could have had that opportunity. What an amazing experience it must have been to hear him teach, to sit down for a meal with him, to laugh with him, or to simply see his face. Of course, we all look forward to that day when we will see him face to face, but in the meantime, the next best thing is to hear about it firsthand. The best way to do that is to read John’s letters.

"Not Ashamed" by Garth Neufeld

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:46:04 +0000

“I’m not ashamed of the Gospel!” When I hear this statement, I tend to imagine bug-eyed “Christians” charging into the streets, full of adrenaline and anxiety, trying to prove a truth not only to the world at large, but also to themselves.

Is this the end?

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 20 May 2011 22:14:22 +0000

“It’s the end of the world as we know it, but I feel fine.” The lyrics of this REM song are running through my mind as I contemplate yet another end of the world prediction setting the media abuzz this week. Harold Camping, a radio preacher from Oakland, CA, has calculated that the rapture will take place Saturday, May 21 at 6pm in every time zone. While there are no shortage of crazy doomsday predictions, this one in particular has generated a lot of interest. A local radio station here in Seattle even went as far as to run an add in an attempt to reassure its' listeners that “no one knows the day, or the hour” (Mt. 24:36), so we shouldn’t be concerned. Phew… that’s a load off! So, what’s with all this crazy talk about the rapture and the end of the world anyways? And why do Christians seem to get so worked up in anticipation of it?

Westside's 13th Birthday

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 17 May 2011 21:47:36 +0000

We're celebrating 13 years together as a church. The party will be at the Salmon Bay Park on June 5th (following the second service at Westside).

Ladies night out on June 10th

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 17 May 2011 19:31:33 +0000

Sure, dinner and a movie can be fun... But why not dinner and a live comedy show made up before you very eyes? Join us for a bite to eat at the Rat and Raven in the U-District and then walk two doors down to the historic University Theater for a night of hilarious improv! Friday, June 10th Jet City will be preforming Quiz Show... 'like getting to play a trivia game with the funniest people you've ever met.' So mark your calendars and come laugh with us!

Current Teaching Series: At the Movies

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 05:18:44 +0000

In the cool darkness of a movie theatre, we're glued to the screen. We laugh, cry, and cheer as the story connects to something deeper within us. But what can these larger-than-life moments tell us about the world we live in? Find the timeless truths revealed in Hollywood's biggest films... Join us for the current teaching series, "At the Movies".

Unbelievable story

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 06:15:35 +0000

I just thought I'd pass this along. I've heard of some crazy survival stories before, but this one takes the cake!

Lent update

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:25:12 +0000

Well, it's been some time since I've contributed to the blog. I think the lack of sugar (I gave up sugar for lent) in my diet has been seriously depleting my energy. It's funny, my mother always used to say that eating too much sugar would be harmful to my health. She's backed up by health experts who have now determined that excess sugar in one's diet will actually weaken the immune system. I think I've stated before that I'm a bit of a sugar junkie. I can't lay off the sweets.

New teaching series "Nehemiah"

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:53:46 +0000

A God-ordained vision will begin as a concern. For Nehemiah, it was the disgrace of God’s people the Jews. Jerusalem was in ruins. The temple was no longer being maintained. Sacrifices had ceased. The people were adopting the religious practices of neighboring cultures. Something had to be done.Read More

How to Help Japan

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:10:07 +0000

We want to ask all of you to continue in prayer for everyone affected by the earthquakes in Japan and the subsequent tsunamis. If you would like to help further with the disaster relief effort, we are partnering together with World Vision, a faith-based organization that is mobilized to respond with supplies and programs. They are positioned to be an immediate help to the victims of this disaster.

The Huskies, selection Sunday, and Lent

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 02:14:15 +0000

I’ve mentioned a few times that I was contemplating giving up TV for lent until I remembered that this is the month of March and along with the Lenten season that means March madness. My choice to give up sugar for the forty-six days of Lent has proved to be difficult, but if I had chosen to give up TV I would’ve failed miserably by now. Why? I never would’ve been able to resist checking out the PAC-10 championship game i

Ash Wednesday

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:03:05 +0000

Today begins with the song lyrics of an old rock song my dad used to listen to running through my head, “no sugar tonight in my coffee, no sugar tonight in my tea, no sugar to stand beside me, no sugar to run with me.” Yes, I’m giving up sugar for the next 46 days in observance of Lent.

The Season of Lent

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 23:20:26 +0000

Growing up with a non-denominational church background, I had little exposure to the church calendar, or church liturgy for that matter. It was never expressly taught, but I grew up with the attitude that liturgy was about religion and religion was just another system constructed by men to earn our way into God’s good graces. Over the years, I’ve come to discover that in many ways this is true. Religious systems can easily become cold and impersonal ways to relate with God. However, I’ve also noticed that there are many seasons in which my heart becomes hard and my faith grows cold and I don’t even have a system to blame it on. In fact, it’s in those moments that a fresh approach to developing my faith is what I need. This is what I’ve come to discover about lent. It’s an exciting, fresh way to cultivate my faith. Here’s why I’m looking forward to this Lenten season…

The New Golden Rule

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 23:44:35 +0000

Did you see one of the dozen or so interviews with Charlie Sheen that aired this week? There seems to be two reactions to his current state of affairs. One set of people say he’s a crazy addict who’s completely out of control. There are others who idolize his life and wish that they too could be millionaire celebrities who party all night and do whatever they want with no consequences. Of course, recent events are starting to reveal that there are consequences, even for stars like Charlie Sheen.

Sermon series "Once Upon a Marriage"

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 00:41:39 +0000

Cleopatra and Antony, Romeo and Juliet, Brad and Angelina… there’s just something about a juicy love story that captures our attention. Believe it or not, the Bible is full of such stories.

Super Granny

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:10:12 +0000

In case you haven't seen this video clip yet, I thought I would post it here and share it with you. Ann Timson, a seventy year old grandmother from Northhampton, England puts the beat down on several would be thieves who are attempting a jewelry heist. This is the stuff of legend. The thieves are armed with sledge hammers and in comes this little old lady armed to the teeth with her hand bag. She was quoted as saying, "somebody had to do something."

Super Sunday

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 21:51:17 +0000

This Sunday is Super Bowl XLV in Arlington Texas with the Green Bay Packers vs. the Pittsburg Steelers. It’s the biggest television event of the year. All this week the media will be in a frenzy creating hype for the big game. I love sports just like the next guy…at least I thought so. That was until I saw the new super bowl ads put out by Visa documenting the “Super Bowl Club”, a group of friends who have never missed the big game. It may sound like a dream come true, but their individual stories reveal some disturbing side effects that have resulted from their fanaticism.

Jesus, the miracle man

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:19:44 +0000

I’ve always had a difficult time believing in miracles. It’s funny because the biggest miracle of them all, Jesus rising from the dead, is something I’ve staked my life upon, however, having the faith to believe that God will heal my friends’ cancer is something I have relegated to the impossible. Recently, I was praying for a friend following one of our church services at Westside. He was struggling with severe back pain and was scheduled for emergency surgery within days from that Sunday morning. He was miraculously healed! There was no denying it. He came in limping and went out skipping and jumping. My dilemma is…what does this mean?

Super-glue Jesus

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 21:43:18 +0000

I’m in the middle of a Bible reading plan through my youversion mobile app called “Essential Jesus.” I want to immerse myself in reading about Jesus Christ while we are teaching through our current sermon series “Who is Jesus.” Today I’m reading from Colossians 1. I came across a little line in verse 17 that has made a big impression upon me, “in Him [Jesus] all things hold together.”

Reflecting on Jesus

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:17:03 +0000

At Westside church, the church where I pastor, we are in the middle of a 12-week teaching series called “Who is Jesus.” There is certainly no shortage of opinions out there when it comes to interpreting who Jesus was. Jesus has been the subject of more books than I could read in a lifetime. He is the most remarkable human being to ever walk the face of the earth.

The Alpha Course

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:12:06 +0000

Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life in a relaxed, friendly setting. The Alpha course meets once per week for 10 weeks.

"Who is Jesus" sermon series

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 18:05:08 +0000

Some say Jesus is a myth, some say he was a profound spiritual teacher, still others say he is the Son of God... literally God himself, the divine living in human flesh. The magnitude of his life cannot be called into question. All of human history is split in two marking the time before and after his birth. Time magazine named him the man of the millennium. The book that tells of his life was the first book ever put to print and has been the bestseller every year since. So, who do you think Jesus is?

Christmas gifts for juvenile detention center

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:12:16 +0000

(please read and prepare your gift following the instructions carefully)

Waiting for Christmas Pt 2

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:15:59 +0000

Imagine… the creator of the universe chose among numerous galaxies and stars, our tiny planet on which to enter time and space as a human being born to an unwed teenage girl in 1st century Palestine. There were many other births taking place on the very night that Jesus was born, but this was unique. God’s own son – Immanuel, God with us became a tiny, vulnerable, baby.

Christmas Eve @ Westside

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 06:05:06 +0000

Christmas is a season of light. The warm glow of decorations illuminate our homes and for a time the world shines a little brighter. Christmas is about Jesus’ birth and he brought a light, but a different kind. The kind that gives hope and joy in uncertain times. A divine light that helps us see in a world that is often dark.

This is the miracle of Christmas. Experience this miracle with us at one of Westside's candlelight services.

Christmas Eve service times
December 24th, 5pm and 6:30pm

It's God's fault

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:37:07 +0000

Every year I sign up to participate in fantasy football with a dozen other guys from the church for a little friendly competition. This years’ season is drawing to a close and I finished in a very mediocre fifth place. I probably could’ve made it to the championship game if I would’ve replaced my starting wide receiver, who’s status was questionable, with one of the healthy receivers on my bench, but I didn’t and I lost. I’ve decided not to blame myself though. It’s God’s fault. After all, he could’ve warned me of the injury. Ok, not really, but do you see how easy that is?

Waiting for Christmas

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 19:29:44 +0000

Christmas is coming. That means peace on earth and goodwill towards men along with trees, lights, presents, eggnog and all of that good stuff. In our house, it all begins with the Thanksgiving day newspaper. That’s when the kids scour the Black Friday adds with a magic marker circling anything and everything they could possibly want for Christmas. Shortly after Thanksgiving we set the date for what we call “Christmas Celebration Day.” We make cinnamon rolls for breakfast, collect all of the Christmas bins from the attic, set up the Christmas tree and all of the lights and decorations, then we cap it all off with a Christmas movie and eggnog.

Preacher's kid

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:35:44 +0000

One of the greatest joys I have in being a pastor is knowing that my nine year old son Josiah wants to follow in my footsteps. It’s difficult to discern how serious he is about actually following through with this, after all, I wanted to be a professional football player at that age, however, he does seem to genuinely admire what I do. This gives me the chance to teach him the tools of the trade. I’ll often take him with me on

New teaching series "The Ghost"

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:20:20 +0000

The spirit of life... the essence of truth... the voice of God. He has always been here, and will always remain. Over and over again the Bible mentions the Holy Spirit. In fact the Spirit of God is mentioned over 800 times in scripture. He is first mentioned in the very second verse of the Bible.

Jesus is my homeboy

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:39:31 +0000

Through the month of October we’re teaching through a series called “Bumper Sticker Theology” at Westside Church. In addition to the topics we’re addressing during our weekend services, I’ve decided to tackle a few more via the blog. Do you remember the popular “Jesus is my Homeboy” T-shirt that came out several years ago? Since then the phrase has been printed on hats, sweatshirts, and it has even inspired the creation of a Jesus action figure. I’m certainly not one to call the blasphemy police, however, I do wonder if in the midst of the current trend to take a more casual approach to our faith, we are losing a sense of reverence for our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Religulous? Part two

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 05:30:32 +0000

Last week I talked about a perception that exists in our world today that faith is irrational. However, upon further investigation, we can identify an element of faith that exists within every worldview. Even those who look to science to discover the origins of life are required to accept their hypothesis on faith. It turns out faith is not such a bad thing. In fact, one could even say that faith in God is the most rational position to take in life.

Seattle Harvest Crusade

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 19:57:21 +0000

On November 5-7 Greg Lauri is coming to Seattle to host a city-wide evangelistic event at the Key Arena called Seattle Harvest. Churches from all over the region, including Westside have come together to promote and participate in this event. The goal of the event is simply to introduce as many people to Jesus as possible. The opportunity to make an impact in our city for Jesus is great and we want to encourage you to prayerfully consider how you might get involved.

Religulous?

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:16:27 +0000

Some of the most powerful and succinct writing in our world today can be found on the back end of automobiles. In a society where you’re not supposed to talk about religion and politics in public, it’s ironic that we will display the most raw and honest opinions that we posses and then drive them down the freeway for all to see. You can learn more about your fellow motorists than you may have ever wanted to by reading the small adhesive labels attached to the rear bumper of their cars.

New sermon series "Bumper Sticker Theology"

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:56:44 +0000

Some of the most powerful and condensed writing in the world today can be found on the back end of automobiles. In a society where you’re not supposed to talk about religion and politics in public, it’s ironic that we will display the most raw and honest opinions that we posses and then drive them down the freeway for all to see. The truth is we can learn a lot about people by paying attention to these pithy sayings. We can lea

Unplugged

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 23:09:30 +0000

In our current teaching series at Westside Church, “The Social Network”, we are taking a closer look at how technology has the power to shape our relational lives. While our lives become ever more busy, we rely more and more upon emails, phone conversations, and Facebook updates to stay in touch with friends and family. However, do we ever stop to think how this might be harmful to us in the long run?

Social Network sermon series

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:29:27 +0000

As human beings, we are designed for social connection. Relationships are vital to our happiness and well being. Unfortunately, in our busy, fast paced society, relationships often go unattended, or extinct in the activity of every day life. We’ve placed a technological band-aid on this problem with communications devices like cell phones and social networking sites like Facebook, but are they helping us stay connected, or are they contributing to the

Genesis 1:1 vs. Hawking

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:07:50 +0000

The famed Physicist and writer, Stephen Hawking, has created a fire storm in the media with his new book “the Grand Design.” In it, Hawking writes, “Because there are laws such as gravity, the Universe can and will create itself out of nothing. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the Universe going." While this is disappointing news for a person of faith such as myself, Hawking’s publishers couldn’t be happier. It’s crazy statements like these that sell books.

A Carbon Copy of Jesus

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:29:14 +0000

We are starting a new sermon series next week called, “Carbon Copy.” The idea being that as believers in Jesus, we are called to be like Jesus. That’s exactly what it means to be a “Christian”, a term that was first used to describe the believers in Antioch around 40CE. At first, the term was used in derision, or mockery of the early believers. It literally means, “little Christs.” Eventually, however, Christians used it to describe themselves as a name that described perfectly their goal in life to emulate their Savior, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:16).

Carbon Copy sermon series

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:38:51 +0000

A life well lived. Sounds good, right? But how do we achieve that when we get conflicting advice everywhere we turn? It doesn’t have to be so complicated. In fact, we already have a blueprint for our private and public lives. Come see what we can learn from being a Carbon Copy. Check out the promo below.

Kenya Medical Mission Updates

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:33:01 +0000

September 1 - Kenya team update:

Dear Friends at Home,

High Seas VBS

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:33:28 +0000

It was quite an adventure on the high seas this year. We had over 80 kids take the journey with us as we explored God's Word. There were games, skits, songs, crafts, and pirates along the way. Check out the video below documenting the vast voyage. Thanks to all of our volunteers!

Kenya Medical Mission details

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:40:55 +0000

A HAND OF MERCY FOR THE POOR - MEDICAL CAMPS IN KENYA AUG 15-27

In a few days we will be on our way back to Kenya to host Medical Camps for the poor in Nairobi and Kakamega. As we disembark we want to again thank all of you who have given financially to help make this lifesaving venture possible. Your gifts will not be spent on overhead, bureaucracy, or salaries; they will go straight to the need. Our Kenya team has been working now for over a year to organize and recruit medical volunteers from Kenya to work with us on this project. When we depart on August 15th we will be carrying 500 pounds of medicine and medical supplies with us.

All Church BBQ

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:18:52 +0000

Following the Sunday service on August 15th, we are planning on bringing out the grills for a community BBQ. The church will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs and all of the fixins as well as drinks, cups, plates and utensils. If you are planning on joining us please bring a salad, chips, or a dessert to share. We'll fire up the grills immediately following the 10am service. We look forward to seeing you there!

Leavin on a jet plane

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 03:30:03 +0000

In the past few weeks we’ve had some great friends who attend Westside relocate to different cities. It’s been tough as we’ve had to say goodbye to Matt and Rachel and their family and Romen and Emily and their family. They've become apart of our church family and it’s difficult to say goodbye. I wanted to appreciate them in my post this week as a way of saying thanks.

2010: the year in review

Pastor Jeremiah — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:01:31 +0000

I’m in the middle of our family summer vacation, but I thought I’d take a few moments and reflect upon what was an incredible Annual meeting with our members last Sunday afternoon, the 18th. Most Annual Report meetings are predictable in nature. You go over the financial numbers, report on the various ministries, staff changes, past year accomplishments, etc.

Annual Report 2009/2010

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:27:31 +0000

Following the 11am service (approximately 1pm) on Sunday, July 18th, we have scheduled a special meeting to give the Westside Church annual report. Once a year we take the time to review the past twelve months, celebrate the good things that God has done, and hear from the elders and church staff on the vision for the future. Make plans to join us.

Guard your Heart

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:31:49 +0000

Continued from last week...

Solomon says, “Above all else guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”(Proverbs 4:23) According to Solomon, we live out of the heart. Simply put, when the scriptures refer to the heart, they are referring to that mysterious union between our mind, will, and emotions. But how does one guard his, or her heart?

SUNdays in August

Matt — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:40:10 +0000

We're doing something a little different in the month of August. There will be only one Sunday morning service at 10 AM, allowing us all to gather together this summer. This will give everyone a chance to re-connect and you may even meet some people you haven't had the chance to before. It might get a little crowded, but it should be fun! So, remember, only one service in the month of August. Pass it on!

The Modern Toilet

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 23:00:05 +0000

Have you ever found yourself sitting on the toilet thinking, “you know, this would be a great place to eat dinner?” Yeah, me neither. But at least one entrepreneur has turned this crazy idea into a huge profit. The “Modern Toilet” restaurant in Taiwan has its customers going again and again and again (pun completely intentional). In reading about this restaurant I was reminded of a phrase my mom used when I was a kid.

Global rich list

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:36:36 +0000

This week I’ll be preaching from James 2:1-13. As I’ve been spending a significant amount of time reading through these passages over the last few weeks, I’m aware of a nagging deception that is so easy for me to slip into. Whenever I come across a scripture warning the rich, I immediately pass over it thinking that somehow it doesn’t apply to me. After all, I’m a poor man if you compare my wealth to the person down the street. I don’t have to heed warnings to the rich because I don’t have their problems, or so I tell myself.

Seattle Harvest Crusade

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:19:10 +0000

Earlier this week, Corbett Stubbert and I, along with a few hundred other pastors from the Seattle area, had the opportunity to hear from Greg Lauri of Harvest ministries. Coming to Seattle Nov 5-7, Greg Lauri will be holding a Harvest crusade at the Key Arena that will potentially draw 36,000 people to hear the message of the gospel. Greg Lauri is an incredible evangelist with a very inspiring story and a passion for reaching people for Jesus Christ (more about Greg Lauri here). While I was instantly drawn to Greg and inspired by his story, I have some reservations about reaching people through giant crusades in mass quantities. I’ve had to ask myself the question, is this something we should get on board with and support as a church? Here’s a few reasons why I believe the answer to that question is, “Yes!”

Jesus struck by lightning

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:03:59 +0000

The famous “Touchdown Jesus” statue in Monroe, Ohio burned to the ground as it was struck by lighting late last night. The enormous, 65-foot, six-story creation was the pride of the Solid Rock church located just outside of Cincinnati. According to news sources, the church membership is devastated by the fire and they are already making plans to reconstruct the statue, which is estimated to cost $300,000.

Kenya medical relief fundraiser

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:59:49 +0000

Good news! We raised $5,100 for the upcoming Kenya medical mission during the rummage sale this year. Thanks to everyone who donated to the cause and a big thanks to all of you who came by and helped out. We have now raised over $17,000 to go towards the medical supplies and we are only a few thousand dollars away from reaching our goal. Praise God!

Cell Phone Slavery Cont.

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:13:09 +0000

I celebrate advances in technology as much as the next person (will work for Ipad), however, over the last few weeks I’ve been taking a closer look at some of the negative side effects that come along with our beloved progress. Technology, just like anything else, can be used for good, or evil. For example, consider the age-old debate about whether or not there is such a thing as Christian music. The answer – music is amoral and just like binary code it can be used to express something beautiful, or something debase and sinful (to see what I mean check out the imbedded video below). Sure they’re singing about Jesus, but I question whether or not he still wants to be their friend after they released that song on youtube.

Cell Phone Slavery

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:40:13 +0000

It's a rare privilege nowadays to sit through an entire movie, church service, or school play without the interruption of someone's cell phone ringing. It's considered public enemy number one when it comes to bad social behavior and we are all victims of these senseless crimes. Of course, most of us have been guilty of the crime as well. If it's ever happened to you, you know from first hand experience the humiliation one feels. Every eye in the room is on you as you frantically search your pockets, desperately pressing every button on the phone to make it stop.

New teaching series "James"

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 26 May 2010 18:21:48 +0000

This summer, beginning on May 30th, we will be teaching through the book of James at Westside Church. I've spent the past month studying for this series and the more I learn about this book and it’s author James, the brother of Jesus, the more excited I’ve become about what God is going to teach us through the writings of Jesus little brother James.

Profiling James

Pastor Jeremiah — Sat, 22 May 2010 00:44:57 +0000

This summer, beginning on May 30th, we will be teaching through the book of James at Westside Church. I’ve spent the past month studying for this series and the more I learn about this book and it’s author James, the brother of Jesus, the more excited I’ve become about what God is going to teach us through the writings of Jesus little brother James.

Celebrating 12 years

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 19 May 2010 00:30:05 +0000

Over the last twelve years God has done some amazing things in and through the people that make up Westside church. Some of us have been here to witness it all from the beginning, others are just getting started on the journey, but we all agree that the best years are yet to come! This year, we want to celebrate all that God has done and is doing at Westside on our birthday weekend, June 6th. We are planning a picnic in the park following the 11Am service at the Salmon Bay park. Here's the details.

Father's day

Pastor Jeremiah — Sat, 15 May 2010 23:19:34 +0000

This Sunday, June 20th is the 100th anniversary of "Father's Day" here in the U.S.A. As always, we are making plans to honor dads here at Westside church this Sunday with a gift and a special presentation from pastors Corbett and Jeremiah called the "Mantage". You don't want to miss it! However, what's most important is that you don't miss Father's day, so here's a little help with our suggestions on what to get dad this year.

Kids say the darndest things

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:59:50 +0000

The other day my wife took my two youngest kids to the grocery store. For those of you don't know, shopping with children in tow isn't always a pleasant experience. My wife is both gracious and patient, so she usually gives the kids a bit more freedom to roam. I, on the other hand, strap them into the cart and place them on notice that I will not tolerate any horsing around. Needless to say, the kids love shopping with mom. Unfortunately, after this particular occasion, I don't think they will have the chance to enjoy the experience of shopping with mom in the future.

Be Great

Pastor Jeremiah — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 04:35:30 +0000

This Spring, once again, I'm coaching my son's basketball team. It's the perfect age group. They are all 4th-6th grade boys. They haven't reached that too cool for school stage yet and they still think that, even though I'm an adult, I'm a pretty cool guy.

Women's retreat: Oasis

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:30:30 +0000

Westside Women's Retreat: Oasis

Redmond Marriott Town Center Hotel
Friday night and Saturday, May 14th - 15th, 2010
Registration deadline is April 28th

You're invited to join us for a relaxing and uplifting time on the Eastside with the women of Westside. Our guest speakers will be the women from 4 families 4 Christ, including our very own Amanda Stubbert.

Kenya team report

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:00:00 +0000

Dear Friends:

This will be my final report from Kenya. At 11pm tonight, Nairobi time, we will board a Kenya Airways plane bound for Bangkok. After a 12 hour layover we will head for Seoul, Korea, for another 10 hour layover, and finally we will board a Korean Airlines plane for Seattle. We'll be home, if all goes well, on Friday April 21st at 12:25pm. As far as things go, this whole thing has not been much of a crisis for us. Our Ken

1 + 1 = "I love you"

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:12:32 +0000

Have you ever been to a movie and 10 minutes into it you know exactly how it will end? We call that predictability. It's not a good thing in a movie and it's not a good thing in life either.

Mythbusters: The Resurrection pt. 4

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 05:26:59 +0000

Let's be honest, the disciples weren't the “A-team” by any stretch of the imagination. They were a rag tag group of fisherman, tax-collectors, and zealots. There wasn't a man among them who could be considered a revolutionary. In fact, when Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, they wilted like flowers in the desert sun. Peter attempted to defend Jesus when he still anticipated that Jesus would miraculously smite all of his captors, but when it became clear this was not his intention, he ran away. The scriptures say that all but John and a few of the women were absent at the time of Jesus crucifixion. John was a teenager who didn't know any better. The women wouldn't be seen as a threat and were able to be present without fear of harm.

Mythbusters: The Resurrection pt. 3

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:49:58 +0000

Some have suggested that the resurrection narratives in the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John must have been developed long after the events themselves. They say that the two main evidences for the resurrection – the empty tomb and the eye witnesses were fabricated stories that were passed on by well-intentioned, yet naïve individuals. Could that be true?

Mythbusters: The Resurrection pt. 2

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:04:21 +0000

Many people argue that unless the resurrection can be proved, they cannot put their faith in Jesus Christ. I would argue that until the resurrection can be disproved, one is compelled to come up with an explanation for how Christianity emerged in the first century, toppling the Roman empire from within, and has now become the world's largest religion showing no signs of slowing down. How do we explain this? I believe the answer lies in the reality of Jesus' resurrection.

But is the resurrection a sustainable belief? Over the next three days, I want to explore three reasons why I believe the resurrection to be a reality.

Mythbusters: The Resurrection

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:35:04 +0000

Gandhi is quoted as saying, “I could accept Jesus as a martyr, an embodiment of sacrifice, and a divine teacher, but not as the most perfect man ever born. His death on the Cross was a great example to the world, but that there was anything like a mysterious or miraculous virtue in it, my heart could not accept.”

Good Friday Worship Night: April 2nd, 7pm

Matt — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:00:44 +0000

Join us for a night devoted to worship around the theme of the cross. The Westside band will be leading us in song, and there will also be space for prayer and contemplation. It starts at 7pm. Childcare will be provided.

the true charm of St. Patrick

Pastor Jeremiah — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0000

St. Patricks day is coming! Seriously, aren't you excited? I've never really celebrated St. Patrick's day before. I can't really say I'm a big fan of green beer, shamrock decorations, or bag pipes and leprechauns freak me out! So, St. Patrick's day has never had much appeal to me in the past. However, this year my wife signed my daughters up for highland dance lessons and guess what? We're partying Irish style!

Disciple

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:16:42 +0000

The goal of the Christian life is to be a disciple. This is how Jesus referred to the twelve men he chose to spend most of his time with – they were his disciples. In his great commission he charged these twelve to go and make more disciples (Mt. 28). A disciple by definition is a learner, or a student of the master. I love this definition. In life we never arrive. There's always something more to learn and life is a perpetual growing experience.

Teaching series "Famous Last Words"

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:24:32 +0000

In His final hours, a bloody, beaten and crucified Jesus looked at those around Him and spoke His last words as a man. What did he Say? Join us for this teaching series, "Famous Last Words" as we unpack the depth of the final words that Jesus uttered before giving up his life.

March 14th - "Father Forgive them"
March 21st - "My God, My God, Why?"
March 28th - "It Is Finished"

Top Ten Couples' Prayer Tips

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:20:31 +0000

This last week we challenged married couples at Westside to pray with each other every day. Many have taken on this challenge and the feedback we've received so far has been excellent. It's amazing that something as simple as praying with one another can have such a positive impact upon the marriage relationship. What's more amazing is that something as effective as praying together as a couple can be so neglected. Statistically, only 8% of Christian couples pray together on a regular basis. Obviously, there are some hurdles that we need to clear in order to make praying together as a couple a priority. So, here's my top ten “Couples' prayer tips”.

The Woman's role debate

Pastor Jeremiah — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:58:56 +0000

A few months back I ran across an article at CNN.com revealing that many wives are now outearning their husbands at work. A Pew Research Center survey released in January 2010 found that 22% of men made less money than their wives in 2007. By comparison, 4% of husbands earned less than their wives in 1970. I don't think that comes as a surprise to many of us, but is this growing trend a good thing for our society, for our families?

Genesis 2:24

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:54:09 +0000

Deborah and I just returned from a five day pastor's conference in sunny Southern California. The trip was great, however, we returned home to a war zone. All four of our kids have had the flu and on Tuesday, Deborah was hit with it. It's weeks like this that really test a marriage. Ironically, we're in the middle of a series at Westside called “The Vow”. This week I put together a suggested reading plan to go deeper into God's word and explore further his plan for marriage. Wow, I really needed that this week.

The Seven Year Itch

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:14:59 +0000

Apparently, the seven year itch is more than just a movie, it's a reality. We live in a generation that has so completely given up on the thought of ever experiencing happily ever after in marriage, that we have decided to flush our expectations down the toilet. Introducing the marriage license with an expiration date. Well ...not yet, but it's coming soon to a drive-in chapel near you.

The Vow

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:31:23 +0000

For better or worse, til' death do us part, for richer, for poorer...
Wedding vows are more than a declaration of love, they hold the keys for a strong, lasting marriage. Whether you hope to get married someday, or you've already tied the knot, discover what these words can mean to the future of your relationship. Join us as the secret of the vow is revealed. Series starts February 14!

Celebrate Divorce?

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:57:09 +0000

Celebrating one's divorce is all the rage these days. Sales are skyrocketing for divorce “celebration” cards, divorce party supplies , and divorce cakes. Yes, the effects of a divorce can be devastating, especially when children are involved, and you may have lost half of your stuff, but what if you could make your friends buy it back for you? Would that make you feel better?

"Forever Yours" Valentines dinner for couples

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:30:16 +0000

Grab your sweetheart and head to the Westside for a sumptuous catered dinner, hilarious entertainment, and a little dancing (cheek to cheek, of course!) Seating is limited, so sign up today! You can sign up on-line or on your connection card at a weekend service. Pay and register for this event by clicking here. Simply designate your payment as "Forever Yours" and you will have successfully reserved your spot for the event.

Theology for 8 yr. olds

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:23:03 +0000

Tuesday night has become guys night at the Siers house. Deborah and my daughters Addie and Gwyn vacate the premises along with my youngest son, Judah, who is not quite old enough to reach man status. For the next hour and a half, Josiah and I talk about life man to man. For those of you who are parents with multiple children, the most effective “parenting time” that you could ever spend with your kids is one on one time. It's amazing how your kids will open up if they know that you are solely focused on them.

Super Bowl Bash

Pastor Jeremiah — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:54:42 +0000

Haiti relief effort

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:17:15 +0000

As a church, we are heartbroken for the people of Haiti who are living through the tragic aftermath of the catastrophic earthquake that hit on January 12, 2010. As a people, they have inspired us with their great faith and resilience. We continue to pray for Haiti that God would be "an ever-present help in their time of need".

"Hooks" a sermon series dealing with Temptation

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:35:09 +0000

Have you ever been told, "you took that bait hook, line, and sinker"? From the apple in the garden, to the guy with the cute smile, to the slightly illegitimate business deal, the hooks of temptation are all around us. But why is it that we have such a hard time walking away?

Brit Hume, evangelist!

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:37:08 +0000

Should Tiger become a Christian? Apparently, Brit Hume, the Fox news commentator turned evangelist thinks so. He encouraged Tiger (see video below) to turn to Christ and Christianity in order to seek the forgiveness that he so desperately needs in order to reconcile with his wife and family. The media has been having a field day with Brit's bold assertion that Christianity could actually reform Tiger. Could turning to Christ really do golf's superstar any good?

New sermon series: The Church

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:47:34 +0000

Fit both of your hands together in a fist then repeat after me, "here is the church, here is the steeple, open the doors and see all the people". For many of us that has been the extent of the teaching we have received about "the church". It's a building with doors, a steeple and people inside (at least on Sundays). Maybe it is this understanding of the church that has led many to believe that the church is useless and boring. Jesus didn't think so.

Christmas gifts by Deb Siers

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:01:59 +0000

How many of you have finished Christmas shopping? Well, I only have four gifts left on my list…..both sets of parents. My mom wants leather gloves, I am getting my dad and Jay’s dad musical ties (not really, but they may be reading this so hush, hush), but what to get my mother in law? Buying Christmas gifts is really bothersome to me because it is so expected. It makes me feel like it is not from the heart.

Vengeance is a click away

Pastor Jeremiah — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:33:11 +0000

Apparently, getting revenge has never been easier. With the advent of social networking sites, one can effectively destroy another persons reputation with a few strikes of the keyboard and a click of the mouse. A recent article from the Wall Street Journal explores the art of “Webtribution” ...

Christmas is For-giving

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:23:39 +0000

Ahhh Christmas. It brings up all sorts of memories doesn't it? Too bad all of those memories are not fond ones. In fact, for many of us the last place we want to be is home for Christmas. Navigating relationships during holiday gatherings is a lot like entering a mine field. It's almost certain that someone will blow up.

Be perfect as Tiger is perfect

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:03:51 +0000

The recent buzz surrounding Tiger Woods little accident over the weekend has peaked my curiosity more than most of the celebrity gossip that is out there. I could care less about another Brittany Spears meltdown, or the latest appearance of Michael Jackson (is he really dead?), or Jessica and Tony's rocky relationship, but this Tiger Woods story is surprising. Tiger is the model of perfection. He doesn't make mistakes. He has the perfect golf swing that can be repeated under pressure time and time again. His putting stroke is flawless even in the most pressure packed scenario. He has the perfect family with two kids and two dogs. Do I need to mention his perfect bank account, or his beautiful mansion.

The End of Days Craze

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:23:09 +0000

I haven't seen the latest Doomsday thriller, “2012”, that hit theaters last weekend. Then again, maybe I've seen it a thousand times. I'm guessing it starts with a conspiracy that is met with healthy skepticism, then an earthquake, an explosion, a flood, or invasion happens followed with chaos and totally awesome special effects! It's an old, and familiar plot which should spell disaster for a movie, but somehow “2012” destroyed the box office competition while amassing 65 million in ticket sales this weekend, triple the revenue of the runner up. Why? And what is with our obsession with doomsday films anyways?

Somebody Cares

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:41:03 +0000

Jesus said, "it is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). In a season where Americans will spend millions of dollars buying toys for kids who's toy boxes are full and gifts for their friends who's garages have no room to contain more stuff, we wanted to create an opportunity for you to experience the blessing that comes from giving. There are four ways to get involved.

All Dogs Go To Heaven

Pastor Jeremiah — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:05:07 +0000

As I was driving home from work one afternoon, I was amused by a church sign that simply read “Pet Blessing Service”. I had a few laughs at envisioning just what a pet blessing service looked like. After all, what do you do at a pet blessing service? Sit, roll over, shake, good dog! Maybe you could serve communion with an assortment of bird seed, meow mix, and milk bones. I began to wonder if I would be allowed to worship with my pet horse in attendance with me. If I opened up a church for animals, I thought, I would name it “the ark”.

Women's Christmas Brunch

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:45:06 +0000

The annual Women's Christmas Brunch will be Saturday, December 12 @ 10am. Once again we have reserved the Women's University Club downtown for the event. This year in addition to Tea and Brunch we will have a great program featuring a performance by Taproot theatre. Tickets can be purchased anytime on the website (click here to pay online with credit/debit card), or at either of our Sunday services from Nov. 8th - Dec. 6th.

New Teaching series "Supernatural"

Pastor Jeremiah — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:13:10 +0000

What you see is not all there is. The Bible says, "We are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world..." (Eph 6:12, NLT). Join us as we study spiritual warfare, angels, demons and the Holy Spirit. Together we'll uncover the SuperNatural.

The Supernatural teaching series begins Sunday, November 1st and runs through Sunday, November 25th. Come join us on Sunday and invite a friend as we uncover the following themes ...

The Candy Zone

Pastor Jeremiah — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:18:09 +0000

Candy Zone: a safe, fun, halloween party for kids of all ages. We have carnival games (without the carnies), inflatables, and BIG prize giveaways every half hour! Come get your picture taken in costume by a professional photographer. And collect candy, more candy, and even more CANDY! Everyone in Seattle knows that the Candy Zone is the best place to go if you want to fill up that bag of yours to the brim. It's all for free and fun for the whole family! October 31st from 5pm-8pm

Vicknair's in Kenya update

Pastor Jeremiah — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:55:19 +0000

Here's the latest from Richard and Valerie Vicknair in Kenya...

Westside's Birthday Picnic Photos

Matt — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:13:34 +0000

Westside celebrated its 11th birthday with a church picnic at Salmon Bay Park. Everyone had a blast with a great spread of food, awesome games, and genuine affection for one another. It's always a blast when the community gets together!

Update from the Slums of Nairobi

Matt — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:20:33 +0000

Just a month ago a young man in our church and I started a fellowship of "SLUM FAMILIES" - comprising of some of the poorest, drugged, sick and desperate people of the world.

Now our slum-based, poverty-alleviating, Evangelistic outreaches have risen to 3. Working to the Glory of God.

God At The Movies

Matt — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:33:03 +0000

Why are we watching movie clips at church?

Some may question why we would attempt to connect God to anything that comes out of Hollywood. There are many Christians who feel that our culture is so contaminated that there is nothing of redeeming value to be found in it. We love to use phrases like, "in and not of the world" to describe our Christian lifestyle, but what does that mean practically?

Good Friday service - April 10th, 7pm

Pastor Jeremiah — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 21:31:05 +0000

Come join us for a night of worship and reflection upon the cross. Good Friday gives us the opportunity every year to feel the gravity of our sin. We can't fully celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over death, hell, and the grave until we contemplate what Romans 6:23 says, "for the wages of sin is death." Knowing what Jesus has saved us from - frees us to celebrate him for the life that he gives. This year we will gather to worship, read from the scriptures, receive communion, and repent of our sins.

The Four Witnesses

Matt — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 19:04:55 +0000

The Radical. The Rabbi. The Revolutionary. The Mystic. Four unique perspectives have shaped our view of who Jesus was and what he came to this earth to accomplish. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John write as eye witnesses to the events surrounding the life of the man by whom we measure all of human history, either before, or after his birth.

Dagoretti School Academic Progress Report

Matt — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:07:18 +0000

From Osborn:

Here is some praise worthy news: The feeding program is working wonders.

In the last National Primary School examination, our school's performance went up by a factor of 32%. 60% of the candidates managed to score above the passmark of 250 out of 500 possible marks. This is not a mean achievement for school in neighborhoods such as ours, and for students who are facing challenges such as ours.

Women's Retreat: Jan 23-24

Matt — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:42:35 +0000

Recover from the holidays by joining us for a relaxing and uplifting time on the Eastside at the Westside Women's Retreat.

Location:Redmond Town Center Marriott Hotel

Date:Friday & Saturday, January 23-24th

Guest Speaker:Carrie Abott of the Legacy Institute

Registration Deadline:January 13th

Celebrate Recovery Kickoff Jan 9th

Matt — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:51:04 +0000

The kickoff of our Celebrate Recovery program will be on Friday, January 9th at 6:00pm. It is open to anyone wishing to work through hurts, hangups, habits, or addictions in a safe, positive environment. Click the link below for all the details.

Dagoretti School: Water Supply and Electricity Installation

Matt — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:35:39 +0000

WHERE WE ARE

Pictures Showing the progress we have made (as at this week) – with both Water Supply and Electricity installation at the Orphans school. The launching of both projects is on and we are looking forward to doing it before the BIG CHRISTMAS PARTY early next week.

Somebody Cares Holiday Service Campaign

Matt — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:01:48 +0000

Let's face it: Once the holiday's hit, the year is pretty much over in a blur. We don't want to let the holidays slip by without remembering that for many, this can be the roughest time of the year.

As a church, we want to do something about it. This year we're going to focus on four tangible things we can do in service to the vulnerable this holiday season:

Women's Christmas Brunch: Tickets On Sale

Matt — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:31:59 +0000

You’re invited… Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 10:00 AM Women’s University Club 1105 6th Avenue ~ Seattle, 98101 This event includes a lavish brunch, a performance by Amanda Stubbert and company entitled The Mary Monologues and a wonderful time of fellowship. Tickets are going fast. Purchase yours today at the church office or by calling Emily at 206.229.9785 Tickets are $25.

Can you help with a meal?

Matt — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:29:51 +0000

We are looking for people to add to our "meals ministry" team. This ministry mobilizes people to prepare and deliver a dinner for those in our church who are in need of some assistance, such as a mother who has recently-given birth, or after a surgery or illness in a family. This is a practical way we can love one another. Can we add you to the list of people we can call? Please contact the church office or see Alisa Harvey to sign up.

Our Kenya Missions Focus

Matt — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:57:19 +0000

As a church, we have worked diligently to find focus in our long-term missions commitments and we feel the Lord has given us very specific direction. Let me give you some idea of where we are at...

Ordination of a New Elder: Corbett Stubbert

Matt — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 03:14:07 +0000

We are pleased to announce that this Sunday, October 12th, we will be formally installing Corbett Stubbert as one of our elders. We will do this at both of our morning services. Over the past few months, Corbett has been a very important addition to our decision-making process here at Westside. He has demonstrated a life of integrity and has a steadfast commitment to building God's Kingdom.

Dagoretti School Feeding Program

Matt — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:28:45 +0000

At this year's VBS, the kids who attended raised enough money to cover the lunch program at the Dagoretti School in Kenya until next Easter. We just received an email from Osborne Obayo with some pictures of the program. The school provides daily lunches for over 200 children, including those orphaned due to the effects of AIDS.