WESTLAKE COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

 Westlake, California, USA
(Last updated June 10, 2001)

AN OPEN ENDED STORY

The church claims Pentecost as its natal date, this year it is celebrated on Sunday, June, 3. The birthday of the church is the day on which the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus' frightened disciples, transforming them into the powerful proclaimers of the gospel. The event is recorded in the second chapter of Luke's book called the Acts of the Apostles.

The Acts of the Apostles is actually the second of a two-volume set written by the same author (together they comprise nearly a quarter of the New Testament). The first volume is the Gospel of Luke in which he states his intention to set forth an orderly and accurate account of what had been accomplished by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ (Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-2). Among the Gospel writers Luke alone tells how the story of Jesus continues into the original disciples lives and how they passed it on to the next generation. Luke teaches us that the story of Jesus does not end with Jesus. It continues on in those who believe in him and live through him. Pentecost marks the point where Christ's story formally moves into the disciples' lives. The remarkable thing is that it is essentially the same story: God acting now - through his people - to help, heal and save!

When you read the book of Acts, you immediately realize that you are reading a story, an ageless literary masterpiece. The novelist Ezra Pound once defined a novel as, "news that stays news." This is Acts. A newspaper headline which causes a brief flutter of excitement and public interest is one thing. News that continues to sway the lives of millions and give meaning to life generations later is news worth pondering.

The story told in the book of Acts is open-ended, because it continues today, even in our church. It is a story worth retelling because it deals with issues that are always in season in the church:

Acts deals with a host of other dilemmas which press upon the contemporary church with more relevance than the headlines of this morning's newspaper.

I will be preaching a series of sermons on the book of Acts this summer. Luke makes it clear that these Christians he wrote about extended and expanded the ministry of Jesus beyond Palestine, beyond the Jews. I hope that their example will encourage and inspire us as Christ's story is now being enacted through us.

With you in Christ's continuing story,

Pastor Mike

Be real "cool" this summer and join us for

Polar Expedition Vacation

Bible School

Where kids discover Jesus' love is cool!

Tentative dates: August 13 - 17

Devotion: Will I have a bedroom up in heaven?

[Jesus is speaking:] "There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly." John 14:2

Jesus told his disciples that the place where his Father lived had many rooms and that he was going to prepare a place for them there. But we don't know exactly what that place or those "rooms" will be like. The Bible tells us that in heaven we will have "new bodies" (Romans 8:23). And when Christ returns, "we will be like him" (1 John 3:2). We will be able to recognize others, but we won't need food or sleep. We won't have bedrooms in heaven like the ones we have here. Instead, we'll have very special places, each one prepared for us by Jesus.

Can you picture not having to worry about the weather? The temperature will always be perfect in heaven. We won't even have to be concerned about what to wear... God will give us special clothes. Heaven is a wonderful place filled with joy, love and happiness!

Activity:

Write a poem or draw a picture that describes what you know about heaven. Let God know how you feel about the wonderful place that he is preparing for you.

Thank you - and HELP!

Once again, my heart is filled with thanksgiving at the generosity of WCCC. It's been a wild month of fund raising and work! I am so proud of everyone for working so hard to make the "Too-Good-to-Throw-Away" Sale a financial success. The Music Department portion of the monies raised will certainly be a big boost to our being able to provide powerful music for worship.

After a well deserved break, the Choir is once again busy preparing music for worship. Their stamina and adventurous spirits continue to bless and encourage me. This really is an extraordinary group of people, and I am honored to work with them. Not only in their working so hard on the music, but in our prayer time and fellowship on Choir nights - I find myself trusting in their compassion and kindness in prayer, and knowing that together we can petition the Lord in our needs and thanksgivings. It is a really special time in my week.

I am looking ahead to the summer months now (even though I am sure that it's only February! Where did March, April and May go?!?). The Choir does not sing in July and August, and I am on my annual hunt for special music:

Can you sing? Play an instrument? Dance? Have a special poem you'd like to share? Summer is the time - and I'd love to hear from some of you quiet ones, who are hiding a gift from the Lord in these areas. Please call me - I'd love to have you share your abilities in worship. If you've never done this before - or if it's been years since you have done so - now is a perfect time.

Bless you all - see you on Sunday!

Nancy Shalkey

CALLED TO SERVE IN JUNE
Greeters Communion Mediation Leaders Stewardship Meditation Leaders
June 3 Bonnie Cox & Dean Hartman Gay Hamby Della Greenlee
June 10 Richard & Jan Dorman Robin Privat Cam Freedlund
June 17 George & Barbara Poole Jan Dorman Phil Boatwright, Sr.
June 24 Frank & Edith Sammartano Joe Ehret Bonnie McPherson
Meals-On-Wheels

June 5 Frank & Edith Sammartano

June 12 Bonnie McPherson

June 19 Betty McFarlin

June 26 George Poole

Events in June