WESTGATE COMMUNITY NEWS
Isaiah 56:7 - On Your Knees! (for prayer!)
At 8:45 am on Sundays throughout the summer in Room 303 of the church
Prayer chain contact - contact Kathryn via email or at 978 897-1569.
~~ SPECIAL INFORMATION & EVENTS ~~
Family and Student Ministries Task Force -- the elders have identified family and student ministries as a key area we want to bring renewed focus to, in the life and ministries of Westgate. By “family and student ministries,” we mean everything we do as a church to invest in children from cradle to college, and everything we’re doing to strengthen parents and families for that investment. We believe that God has given parents primary responsibility for discipling their children—thus it is crucial for us to invest in training and building strong, gospel-centered families. At the same time, we recognize that children and students are themselves an important part of the local church’s community and mission, that not all children come from traditional or even believing homes, and that, as peers, students face common challenges and share a unique community. In other words, we believe that family and student ministries are closely related but not synonymous. Therefore we want to see our vision applied to both our investment in training families and our specific ministries to children and youth, which overlap in many but not every way.
This task force includes Nancy Brown, John Cuozzo (chair), Lil Fischer, John Kaliski, Mimi Karys, Wendy Mitchell, and Pastors Bruce Daggett and Brandon Levering. The goal will be to present the recommendations to the elders in May or June of 2012.
If you have any questions, concerns, ideas, or just want more information ... please contact John Cuozzo at jwcuozzo@verizon.net.
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2012 MISSIONS PLEDGES: Please prayerfully consider making a pledge to the 2012 Missions Budget. The annual pledges are an extremely important input for the development of the 2012 Missions budget.
Westgate Church has the privilege of helping to support 30 missionaries / missions organizations around the world. Pledge envelopes may be found in the pews and put in the boxes at the back of the sanctuary.
Please pray that enough pledges are received so that Westgate can increase support levels to our missionaries who are in great financial need.
Click here to see pictures from the Westgate Missions Conference. Thank you Dave Kwak!
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Meet our new Pastoral Intern ... Tom Morris will be serving as a Pastoral Intern at Westgate beginning this month. He comes to us from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he is currently pursuing dual master’s degrees in Theology and Church History. He brings significant experience in discipleship and ministry training in both adult and student contexts.
Part of our vision at Westgate is to provide intentional leadership training for every level of ministry at Westgate and for broader kingdom ministry. Bringing on pastoral interns is one key way we are working toward this goal. Our aim is to help Tom sharpen his vision and skills for pastoral ministry, providing exposure and building experience in a local church context, while at the same time utilizing his gifts to strengthen some of our existing ministries. He will be working about ten hours per week this spring under Pastor Brandon in several ministry contexts, with an emphasis on discipling high school students and equipping Youth Group leaders.
If you haven't yet seen a copy of his biography, be sure to pick one up from the deacon's table in the foyer this Sunday.
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CHRISTMAS PICTURES - David Kwak has shared pictures that he took over this past Christmas season at Westgate. Just click on the following links:
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"Our Daily Bread" - Copies of this devotional for December ~ January ~ February are available, located on the deacons' table in the foyer and at the exit by the church office. They are free of charge. Take one home and/or share one with a friend if you'd like.
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~~ REGULAR EVENTS ~~
Westgate Choir - Sing to the Lord a new song!
Rehearsals are Thursdays at 7:30 pm and/or Sundays at 8:30 am.
AWANA - Friday nights at 6:45 pm at the church, during the school year. We are still looking to fill a few more leaders spots - please contact the church office if you are willing to help out.
Women's Bible Study - Thursday morning from 9:15 - 11:30 am
Men's breakfast is an open format gathering of about a dozen Christian men from area churches. Each weekly meeting is on Friday mornings at 6:30 am, and runs for about one full hour. There is a time of prayer, followed by discussion on a selected Bible passage. Coffee, bagels and fellowship are provided.
The Prayer Shawl ministry regularly knit shawls as gifts to those grieving over the loss of a loved one, or going through difficult times, recovering from sickness or surgery, or sad, hurt or lonely. This is a wonderful opportunity for outreach to friends, neighbors, relatives or others in need. If you know of anyone who might like one, please let Linda know. Any and all knitters and crocheters, (beginners or experienced) are welcome to join us to share God's love in these soft shawls or blankets that are covered in prayer and available to give out.
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~~ OPPORTUNITIES ~~
Junior Worship - This summer we are on a week by week volunteer basis for the Junior Worship time (pre-K through third grade). There is a signup sheet in the hallway outside the nursery. If you would like more information about what is required or how to sign up for the summer or upcoming year, please email Tina at tinaanderson2001@aol.com.
Westgate Church Wedding Coordinator: We have an immediate need for someone to serve in the role of official Wedding Coordinator for the church. You will have training by working alongside in preparation for the next wedding which will be held at Westgate. If you are interested or would like to discuss this possibility further, please contact Nancy at nnorthgraves@yahoo.com or by phone at 508-655-9731.
Sound Ministry: We are in need of people to be trained in this ministry to as part of the rotating monthly schedule, or a substitute. It is not as hard as you may think! You will be fully trained, so please consider serving. Thank you!
Interested in membership at Westgate? Please see Steve Hope or any of the elders. The elders are offering a new accelerated membership class.
Need to use the Westgate Church building?
Click here for more information.
Westgate Church is a fellowship of Christian believers.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the way to salvation and in the power of prayer.
We also believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
Westgate Church is located at 100 Winter Street in Weston MA.
Our families come from many of the surrounding towns in the MetroWest area.
