LOVING GOD, LOVING PEOPLE, SERVING THE WORLD IN THE NAME OF JESUS

1st Sunday of AdventDecember 2, 2018 8:15 & 9:45 am

615 Wright AvenueRichland, WA 99352

509.946.4656

www.westside1.org

Jesus changes everything. No one has made a bigger imprint upon the world. Christmastime, this season of the year when we remember the origins of our Savior’s birth, is not only beautiful, but it is good for us. We have a long tradition of marking the four Sundays before Christmas as a season of preparation: preparing our hearts, minds, hands, and feet for the coming of Jesus in the world and into our lives. The first Sunday is often marked by the theme of hope. God makes promises about who He is and what He will do, and this gives us hope, despite present circumstances, that good tidings are on the way.

Today, we are going to celebrate hope. The hope we are celebrating is strong and realistic. It is not mere wishful thinking, and it is not a denial of reality. It is the hope in a God who works miracles through suffering and death. It is a little bit of an odd hope. This is a very real question: Why does there have to be suffering and death? But, if you are without hope be-cause the world has beat you down, this is the very condition that God wants to give you hope. Hopelessness does not exclude us from God; this is exactly why Jesus came. To give us hope when we have none. Our Scripture this morning comes right at the beginning of Luke’s Christmas story (Luke 1:5-25). If you have time before the service, I invite you to read this story and prepare your hearts to celebrate our Hope in the coming of Jesus Christ.

Here at West Side we believe everyone has a next step, so as you worship today, consider the following as potential next steps for you:

• I believe that Jesus changes everything; and so for this season of Advent, I am going to seek the Lord to transform every area of my life.

• I am going to write on the circumstances of my life, “I run 4 Him.”

• To support local families in need through our Christmas Outreach by donating non-perishable food items, gifts for boys and girls, money for gifts, misc. household items, or items for Family Comfort Packs.

These next steps are also the same as the next steps on the connection card so that you can take a copy home with you.

Our Service Today

Prayers This WeekWest Siders :: Brian and Jenny O’Callaghan (Nigella and Sean)West Side Ministry :: Worship CommitteeMali Children :: Tiebel Dit and Fatoumata Local Church :: Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, PascoAdditional Concerns :: Robert & Margaret Storms, Roger Johnson, Lil Leggett, Carolyn Oster, The Family of Gary Bush, The Family of Carolina Bullard, The Fami-ly of Patricia MuñozIn Military Service :: The Middle East-Jared Hoey; North Carolina-Mike Parkman; S Carolina-Adam Hardy; California-Charina Erhart, Devin Glade; Washington-Matt Serene

This week we are praying for Tyler and Rochelle Holm working in Malawi. Tyler, after spending five months in the U.S., recently wrote: “Returning home to Malawi is disorienting to see all the work that has been done in my absence. Our fourth-year students were licensed as Ministers of Word and Sacrament just a week before I returned. This celebration of these 9 men and women who have less than a year left of academic schooling is always a joyful celebration. Equally exciting is the fact that after many concerned prayers the Synod of Livingstonia has found funds to send eleven students and the Synod of Zambia an additional three to begin classes for a bachelor’s degree. This is a good matriculation and I look forward to growing to knowing these men and women over the next four years.”

Note: If you are admitted into the hospital, the Deacons would like to call on you. Please list “Presbyterian” on the admittance form and notify the Church Office (509.946.4656).

For private prayers throughout the week, contact the Prayer Chain: Go to www.westside1.org and click the Prayer Request button (upper right-hand corner); or call Danni DeYoung (509.546.3959) or the Church Office (509.946.4656). To be included in Additional Concerns or In Military Service, contact the Church Office (509.946.4656).

Advent Sermon Series Begins TODAY: “Christmas Changes Everything: The Savior is born!”

When we deal with Jesus, we come to a place where we have to make a de-cision. It is a decision different from those posed by any of the other ma-jor religions. It is not a question of if he was a prophet like Moses or Mu-hammed, enlightened like Buddha, or even wise like Confucius. Was Jesus truly God? The answer to this question changes everything.

As we come to the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, we have credible reason to believe that God wanted us to know that the birth of Jesus is the turning point of history. Starting with the first Christmas, everything has changed. It is a change that is both cosmic and deeply personal. Jesus came to bring wonderful change into our daily experiences, our sense of purpose and direction, how we understand the world, and what our hearts ulti-mately cherish. In this Christmastime, my hope is that God will give courage us to face the challenges of life and transform us to live into the truth of Christ.

Dec. 2 - It’s Never Too Late (Luke 1:5-25)Dec. 9 - Everything is Possible (Luke 1:26-38)Dec. 16 - When Down Becomes Up (Luke 1:46-56)Dec. 23 - All or Nothing (Matthew 2:1-12)Christmas Eve Services (4:00, 5:30, 7:00 pm) - The Way of the Manger (Luke

Monday6:00 pm6:30 pm

Tuesday7:00 am9:00 am6:00 pm6:30 pm

Wednesday 8:30 am10:15 am1:00 pm6:00 pm

Thursday7:00 am9:00 am9:00 am6:00 pm6:30 pm7:00 pm7:00 pm

Friday5:45 pm7:00 pm7:00 pm

Saturday7:00 am7:30 am8:00 am

WSN = West Side North, 615 Wright Ave WSS = West Side South, 603 Wright Ave

Cub Scouts Troop Meeting, WSN Room 2-4/15-17/30/33/HW StudiosBoy Scouts PLC/Troop Meeting, WSN Sanctuary/Narthex/Café

Marcus Whitman Tutoring Program, WSS Narthex/Room 306Church Staff Meeting, WSN Church OfficeAlpha End-of-Course Party, WSN Sanctuary/Narthex/Café/Room 47ESL/Citizenship Classes, WSS - All rooms

Coffee with the Bible, WSN SanctuaryMoms in Prayer Group, WSN Room 2-4 (Library)Knitters Group, WSN Koinonia CaféMS (gr 6-8) Basic, WSS Basement

Marcus Whitman Tutoring Program, WSS Narthex/Room 306Parent Connection Playgroup, WSN Narthex/Koinonia CaféWomen’s Morning Glory Brunch, Patty Wilburn-Niccoli’s houseMS (gr 6-8) Life Groups, WSS Room 306Alpha Prison Ministry, Coyote Ridge Corrections Center (Connell)Adult Choir Rehearsal, WSN SanctuaryWorship Team Rehearsal, WSS Sanctuary

FOF-Fun Folks Over 50 Potluck Dinner, WSN NarthexSpanish Church-Iglesia de Cristo Avivamiento, WSS Room 306/302BEGINS - Boy Scout Lock-In, WSS Basement

ENDS - Boy Scout Lock-In, WSS BasementMen’s Breakfast Bible Study, WSN Koinonia CaféWorship Team Rehearsal, WSS Sanctuary

Events in the Life of the Church

Ministry StaffRev. Ralph Kieneker :: Lead PastorPatrick Grover :: Associate Pastor/Director - Children & Family Ministries Rev. Shari Grover :: Associate Director - Children & Family MinistriesBen Downey :: Director - Youth & Family MinistriesRev. Karel Coppock :: Alpha Outreach, Prison, Service and Missions MinistriesJohn Lipp :: Lay Pastor Emeritus of Care Patrick Smith :: Director - Worship & Music MinistriesBrenda Welsch :: Director - Adult Choir

Church Office Hours :: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

LOVING GOD, LOVING PEOPLE, SERVING THE WORLD IN THE NAME OF JESUS

Welcome to West Side ChurchWelcome! We’re glad you’re joining with us for worship today! We believe that God loves us and calls us into life marked by love for Him and love for one another. It is our hope that you will be drawn towards knowing His love given to us in Jesus Christ. We also hope that you will experience His love through our church family. If there is anything we can do to help facilitate your worship of God, please ask. Blessing in Christ, The Family of West Side Church

Information for Parents:• Worship Activity Bags for children are available in each narthex.• Childcare is available for children (infants through kindergarten) at each worship

service in the Infant/Toddler Room (West Side North).• Cry rooms are available at the rear of the sanctuary at West Side South and in the foyer at West Side North.

What’s Happening Today

Additional information available on the Information Boards in either narthex or at www.westside1.org. Youth Ministry Associate. Do you love middle and high schoolers? West Side is hir-ing a part-time Youth Ministry Associate to work alongside our Youth Director. Interested applicants should email their resumé and cover letter to Ben at bdowney@westside1.org. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 21. For full position description, visit our web-site at westside1.org and click on Employment. Women’s Ministry. Knitters Group Wed., Dec. 5, 1:00 pm, WSN Koinonia Café. Sar-ah Circle finger food potluck lunch and cookie exchange Wed., Dec. 12, 11:30 am, WSN Narthex. Bring your favorite finger food and 3+ dozen cookies to share (remember - no nuts). We’ll exchange 2 dozen of the cookies with others and share the extra with our young people during their holiday break. Come ring in the Advent season with us! Senior Adult Ministry. FOF-Fun Folks Over 50 potluck dinner Fri., Dec. 7, 5:45 pm, WSN Narthex. Please bring your favorite Christmas cookies and a main dish or salad to share (along with your own table service). Remember-no nuts. We’ll be singing Christmas carols and enjoying the cookies. P2P-Person to Person lunch Mon., Dec. 10, 12:00 pm, WSN Narthex. Join us for a delicious homemade lunch and lots of laughs. Men’s Ministry. Sarah Squares, spouses of Sarah Circle ladies, lunch Wed., Dec. 12, 11:30 am, Sterlings Restaurant (2500 Queensgate Dr.-Richland). Come Hear Patrick Sing. Our own worship director Patrick Smith will be singing the National Anthem again at the Tri-City Americans Hockey Game: Sat., Dec. 15, 7:05 pm (Toyota Center-Kennewick). If you missed him in September, here’s your opportunity to hear him sing and enjoy a hockey game. Get your tickets online at www.westside1.org by clicking on the rotating “Hockey Game” ad. Finance Committee. Financial data: Jan. 1, 2018 Beginning Balance $22,888; 2018 YTD Income $911,677; 2018 YTD Expenses $874,636; Ending Balance Oct. 31, 2018 $59,929.

Church Calendar: December 3 - 8, 2018

Contemporary Services :: 8:15 & 9:45 am, West Side South (WSS)Traditional Service :: 11:15 am, West Side North (WSN)

Sunday Morning Discipleship: 9:45-11:00 amCHILDREN & YOUTH

ADULTS (see Information Board in narthex for complete descriptions)

Ages 2-K - WSN“Rainbow Kids”

2’s-3’s - Rainbow Rm PreK-K - Sonshine Rm

Kids Gr. 1-5 “Promised Land”

WSNHoly Word Studios

YouthMS-Gr. 6-8HS-Gr. 9-12

WSS Basement

CHRISTMAS WORSHIP EXPERIENCE:

“COME, LORD JESUS”Next Sun., Dec. 9 - 6-8 pm - WSS Sanctuary

Come out and celebrate Christ’s birth together as we participate in an all-church worship experience. Our traditional choir will be performing “How Great Our Joy;” we will share cookies and apple cider during intermission; and then sing out in praise and worship as we recognize not only that Christ has come, but that Christ is coming again. This is an evening you won’t want to miss.

Christmas Gifts for Everyone due Dec. 9* All donations for Christmas for Everyone are due next Sun., Dec. 9, includ-ing: gifts for boys and girls, money for gifts, misc. items, items for the Family Comfort Packs, and single-size blankets and kids pajamas (all sizes).

Christmas Basket Items due Dec. 21* All donations for the Christmas Baskets are due Fri., Dec. 21, including non-perishable food items and money for hams and turkeys (with “Dea-con’s Christmas” on your check memo line).

*Be sure to place your donations in the boxes in each narthex.

Bible Study:The Prophecy of Isaiah

WSS Room 306 (Upper Room)

Women of the Word: “12 More Women of the Bible”

WSN Room 2-4 (Library)

GAP: Get Acquianted PlaceExperience Christian Community

WSN Room 7

All-Church chili cook-offWed., Dec. 12, 5:15 pm, WSN Sanctuary Come for a night of fellowship, fun and chili with corn bread! Bring your favorite pot of chili or a kid-friendly dish to share. We’ll provide the corn bread and drinks. If you wish to enter

your chili in the cook-off, please bring it by 5:00 pm. Want to be a judge? Con-tact Laura Swanson (509.430.8323) or Miranda Smith (509.412.2074) to sign up.

Pledge Cards. Have you turned in your pledge card for 2019? If not, please place it in the offering basket this morning or drop it off during the week at the Finance Office. The more pledges we receive, the better our leadership feels in making wise and faithful decisions in planning and establishing goals for ministry in 2019. [Pledge cards are available on the Infor-mation Board in the narthex.]