Operation Christmas Child: Last Call

Don’t miss out on putting a smile on a child’s face this Christmas.

MORE INFO HERE

Good $ense: November 14

Would you like to discover the peace and contentment that comes from managing your financial resources according to God’s purposes and principles?

The Good $ense Budget Course is designed to help you do just that. In this hands-on course, you’ll learn how to honor God and live with more financial peace…

MORE INFO AND ONLINE FORM HERE.

Sign up by Sunday, November 8th to receive prep work needed for the course.

Broken

This week-end THE STORY continues with part 2: BROKEN

An interesting turn in the story, the plot thickens.

If you want to read ahead: short version Genesis 3, longer version Genesis 3-11.

“STORY” GROUP NOTES

Discussion Notes for STORY GROUPS starting this week are here.

CLICK HERE for notes.

Each week will have notes/questions for discussion that will be used in groups.

If you haven’t signed up for a group, DO IT NOW.  Only lasting 6 weeks (short commitment).  The groups will help you take the Sunday messages to a deeper level and more revelant application.

Join a group in DDO or NDG – both on Wednesday evenings.
OR join the group at West Island College on Tuesdays, 7PM.

Contact Christina Parrillo or call Westside to connect.

The Story starts this week-end

This Sunday we kick off our new series – THE STORY.

Ever wonder what the scriptures would be like if read through as story?
What’s the underlining theme through out the Bible?
What characters stand out throughout this epic tale?

Starting THIS SUNDAY, November 1st (runs until Dec. 6)

More info here.

GO AND LIVE ON THE 25th (this Sunday)

There will be NO Gathering
THIS Sunday, October 25^th

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?  Imagine we were being the church scattered in our communities.

Here’s some options we’re encouraging you to think about:

COMMUNITY: connect with people from Westside

…plan a breakfast at a local restaurant with 1-2 or more people
…make some coffee, buy some croissants, and have some people over
…do something like Apple Picking, a Nature Walk, or a drive up north
…get together to read scripture and pray for each other

MISSIONAL: connect with friends or neighbors

…spend time with a friend from work or school
…invite a friend or neighbor out for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or supper
…meet up with someone who’s probably at church on a Sunday
…do something (like Apple Picking, Golf, etc.) with neighbors or friends
…help your neighbor do some work/project around the house
…create a mixed environment with church friends and other friends

COMPASSION: serve a need

…www.volunteerwestisland.org has a list of West Island needs you can serve on your own or with a group
…search for ways you can serve your own neighborhood
…ask West Island Mission or another food bank if you can collect food around your neighborhood for their Christmas Campaign
…visit the soup kitchen at Welcome Hall Mission or Old Brewery Mission (or stand in line with those waiting to eat and see how it feels)

The GOAL is not what you choose, but allowing God to use you and shape you through whatever you do.  The above suggestions are only suggestions, feel free to be creative.  Be the church, God’s living and local presence, Go and Live. (and then share your story).

NOTE: we’re not tracking or asking you to sign up for anything… it’s all up to you!

THE STORY

How have you viewed the Bible or it’s message?  Have you ever felt it’s been merely theory, theology, or principles?  It has all that, but it’s so much more.

Imagine reading it like a story, from beginning to end.  From the very start of creation into the beauty and wholeness of new creation.

Starting Sunday, November 1^st our week-end gatherings will retell the biblical story in 6 weeks, one chapter at a time (not literal chapters, that would take 6 years).

But there’s more…: our small groups will help you unpack and discuss each chapter in the context of a fun and friendly community.  More importantly, we hope the group environment will also help you see how your story can get caught up into God’s grand story.

Join a small group for 6 weeks!  Starting the week of November 1^st.

Various times and locations are available.  Sign up today (or before Nov. 1^st).

Also available: a group will be held at West Island College on Tuesdays, November 3 – December 8, @ 7:00PM, in the Resource Center]

Contact Christina Parrillo for more info: christinaparrillo[at]hotmail[dot]com

Operation Christmast Child 2009

Join the world wide impact of Operation Christmas Child this Christmas 2009.

It’s so easy: get a box, fill a box, impact a child on the otherside of the world.

Boxes and details are available at our Sunday gatherings.  Visit the OCC table from now until Nov. 8th.  Contact Wendy Gariepy for more info.

Shoebox Collection Date: Nov. 8 & 15

(help will be needed on collection day – Nov. 8 & 15 – to transport boxes to a near by location; let Wendy know if you’re available for about 45 min. after that Sunday’s gathering)

Engaging the Bible (2 week class)

New Learning Environment in just a couple of weeks.

Have you wondered if you could engage the Bible more?
Ever desire to have the Bible be more transformational in your life?
Is there lingering questions you have about how the Bible developed and it’s history?

…discover where the bible came from?
…get a broad view of the whole story?
…learn how to approach the bible?
…learn how to read so you can get more out of it
…learn to engage what you’re reading: spiritually, practically, intellectually
…become aware of simple tools for a lifetime of transformational bible reading

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20 & 27, 2009 (7:00PM)
WHERE: West Island College (851 Tecumseh)
COST: Free

(sign-up via email or at the connection hub, you can also leave questions in the comment section below)

Family Matters

Family Matters is a teaching series that will jump into what the Bible teaches about families and tackle some issues such as:

…what is the purpose of a family
…what are important goals for my family
…how can I build a healthy family
…who’s role is it to shape my kids spiritually and practically, and how
…how does this affect me if I’m single
…am I only responsible for my family

Join us Sundays, Sept. 27, Oct. 3, 11, & 18

(check our resource page for extra tools to help you get the most out of this series)

Week 1: The Shift (Sept. 27)
Week 2: Plan the Path (Oct. 4)
Week 3: Who’s Responsibility? (Oct. 11)
Week 4: The Village (Oct. 18)

Check out some extra resources that go along with this series or relisten to the messages on our podcast