Relevant

Have I ever told you to check out the Relevant site? If not, I'm doing it now. Good stuff there. Check out their top 10 books of 2008 - if you've read any of them, I'd love to put your review on here. Or for that matter, anything you've been reading. westhillcc@hotmail.com

See you at our CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!

I really hope you're planning to come if you're in town. This Sunday, December 21 at 6 PM at the church. We'll do a potluck supper, so bring some food, and then a gift exchange, so bring a $5 gift. See you then!

What I'm Reading

I did a little shopping today. Book shopping. I did have my eyes open for Christmas presents, but mainly it was for me. And you. Here are some of the titles I got plus a few I brought home from the office to tell you about: "The Secret Message of Jesus" by Brian McLaren. I'm guessing this is going to be a closer look at what Jesus actually taught, and possibly how we've missed it or watered it down. "Hope Lives (A Journey of Restoration)" by Amber Van Schooneveld. This is a 5 week journey looking at Poverty and Hope, in which you read a bit 5 days a week and reflect on it. Week one looks at all the things that keep us from caring about poverty, week two looks at what Scripture has to say, week three looks at the issues plaguing the world, week four at prayer, and week 5 at how God created you to be his messenger of hope. I'd love to work through this; I'd love for one of you to show interest and then teach the rest of us what you've learned. "Intercessors Arise" by Debbie Przybelski. This looks good - another one I'd like to work through myself, and would like one of you to work through and pass on your insights. Those are the new ones. Some that we have already that you might be interested in reading are: "Captivating - Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" by John and Stasi Eldredge. A good read - hits on a lot of stuff that we need to be reminded of, or taught for the first time. "Dear Church - Letters from a Disillusioned Generation" by Sarah Cunningham. I think many of you will identify with this one. Highlights what it is about church that rubs us the wrong way, but leaves you with hope. Well written. "More Ready Than You Realize - Evangelism as Dance in the Postmodern Matrix" by Brian McLaren. Don't get put off by the title! It's a good book on how sharing your faith should be an ongoing conversation, and how you should be a spiritual friend. This one has a lot of good stuff in it. We've also got Shane Claiborne's "Irresistible Revolution" and Rob Bell's "Sex God." Those are both out, but are good reads, too. "Irresistible Revolution" may just start a fire in you. Let me know if you want to be next on the list for one of these when they come back. What I'm reading right now is "Unchristian" by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. It was a textbook (along with "The Gospel According to Starbucks") for the Gospel and Culture class that Carey held this spring. I missed the class, but wanted to check out the books. Finally getting on that. I borrowed it from the Regina Public Library. (I love the library.) If anyone else is interested in reading it, I could get a copy for us. I think the reason I put off reading it (besides the time factor) was that I was expecting it to be depressing. So far (and I'm not that far in) it seems like it won't just address the stats that show how poorly outsiders think of us, but will identify how we can go about changing those perceptions to being seen as being more ChristLIKE and less Unchristian. I'll try to remember to let you know how it turns out and what I learned.

Fondue Scoop

The scoop on the Citywide Biggest Chocolate Fondue Ever... If you were in church on Sunday, you heard it announced that it was going to be postponed. I have been on the phone with some of the others, and there is still opportunity to be involved. Originally Celebration Lutheran was going to do this event; they invited the rest of us who decided that we'd do it as a citywide. Too many things about that fell apart, but Celebration is still doing it, at the Buffalo Lounge at 7:30 (not 7 as originally advertised) on Sunday, December 7. SO - If you would like to attend, you are welcome to, BUT I need to know so I can get them the numbers by Friday. RSVP by THURSDAY NIGHT if you'd like to go. It will be a great time, and it'll be better if you are there. The more the merrier, right? Let me know!

It really is up to us.

As I was praying in my journal this morning, I asked the Spirit to move in a silent revolution where people would just 'get it' and turn to God and live changed lives that would influence their family and friends... as opposed to a movement that was attached to a person or group somewhere is what I was thinking. But I realized that God has already given that job to us. We - the church - are the ones who are supposed to live those changed lives that influence family and friends. Do we influence people in a way that they draw closer to God? Good thing we don't get fired from this job of being the church, hey? Good thing there's always a new day that we can start to try again.

DECEMBER EVENTS

SUNDAY DECEMBER 7 - The World's biggest Chocolate Fondue! This is a City Wide Coffeehouse at the Buffalo Lounge (the house behind First Baptist Church on Lorne and Victoria). The night starts at 7, cover is $5, drinks are $1. It's a fair trade awareness event - check out stopthetraffik for details on the idea behind the fondue. This is also a great chance to meet new people... Some of you like that. SUNDAY DECEMBER 21 - Our Annual Christmas Party Potluck. 6 PM. If you only come to one thing all year, make it this one. Bring a $5 gift to exchange. There will be babysitting after the meal.

November

Have you checked out the BREAKFORTH info? Check out the link soon - I need your REGISTRATION INFORMATION BY SUNDAY if you want to go. Of course you can always register later if it's not sold out, but you'd miss out on the better deal and getting in on the hotel... Check that out this week and let me know of your interest. THIS WEEK - Prayer Room Event. Friday, November 7, 7-10 PM the fellowship room will be set up into a prayer room for YOU. It is a come and go thing, so call a friend and plan to come for an hour. Guided creative prayer. Come. TONIGHT - NEW Bible Study 7:30 Tuesdays at the church - you are welcome to join us. I am leading this one, and we'll be learning about God through the Scriptures. Bring your Bible! (No study on Rememberance Day.) YOUNG MARRIEDS - Stay for lunch after church on Sunday November 16. Lunch is provided. Watch for other couples that morning to invite to join us! ABM - The church's annual business meeting is also on the 16th - Pie & Coffee at 5:30, and the meeting will run 6:30 - 8. CITY WIDE EVENT!!!!! We are going to do the World's Largest Chocolate Fondue! This is an event to raise awareness for STOP THE TRAFFIK, a group committed to stopping the traffiking of humans around the world. Check out the link, and mark Thursday, November 27 on your calendar. More details to come. ADULT CHRISTMAS BANQUET - Sunday, November 30 at the church (catered by Charlottes - mmmmm). Tickets $20. There's a great improv comedy team coming - should be a great opportunity for all us young adults to integrate into the bigger congregation. The Adult Christmas Banquet - not just for your parents!!!