Dear West View family,
We can confidently assume that we speak on behalf of everyone when we say that we are relieved that an extremely cold winter seems to be behind us, and that the signs of the warmer spring season seem to be emerging. The same is similarly true of life, God keeps and carries us through the seasons that we have to endure, so that we can step into a new season, that we can genuinely enjoy. For those of us who have recently been through a season of struggle, sickness or uncertainty, we trust and pray that you would know that God’s next season for your life will always be better than the previous season. We trust that you would have seen and recognized a growth in your relationship with Christ, as you step into a new chapter. Please be assured that our prayers are for you and your family to be strengthened and sustained by God, as you experience change and transformation in any capacity in your life. May you know that the community of West View is there for you during times of transition.
Here’s what to look forward to and take note of during the month of September at West View:
NEW SERMON SERIES FOR SEPTEMBER: ‘MONEY MATTERS’
It’s the elephant in the room. It’s a subject that we love to shy away from as Christians. It’s the cause of countless conflicts and controversies. Money! We need to talk about our MONEY MATTERS, because MONEY MATTERS to God. As Christians, what should our relationship with money look like? What role does tithing play in the life of a Christian and the local church? How do we cultivate an attitude of generosity with our money, whilst trusting God to provide for our needs? Join us for our upcoming sermon series, entitled ‘MONEY MATTERS’ to explore these and many more questions and concerns from the 8th to the 29th of September 2024. Invite a friend or family member for this thought–provoking series.
AN UPDATE ON WEST VIEW’S FINANCES FOR JUNE AND JULY 2024
Please take note of the latest financial update for West View for the months of June and July 2024: The total giving for June was R448 193.94, which was R8 193.94 ABOVE budget for the month. The total giving for July was R363 504.07, which was R76 495.93 BELOW budget for the month.
This is where our overall finances currently stand at the end of July 2024: So far, we have received a total of R2 803 359.49 in pledges, offerings and tithes. This leaves us with a total shortfall of R276 640.51 by the end of July 2024. We would like to thank everyone for their immense generosity and sacrificial giving. Your financial contribution makes God’s work at West View possible!
COME JOIN US AT OUR COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE
We would like to invite all families and individuals to join us for our Community Worship service, which will be taking place this Sunday, the 1st of September 2024, during the 10h00 service. Spring reminds us of a season and a time of new beginnings and possibilities. So, bring your whole family along for a wonderful time of worship and listening to God’s word. Please note that we will still have our 08h00 service as usual. We hope to see you there!
THE MEN @ WORK ANNUAL CAMP
If you are a man above the age of 18, we would like to invite you to join us for our annual Men @ Work camp. This year, the camp will be held at Shekinah, on the border of the Mabula game reserve near Bela Bela. Included in the weekend will be worship, various activities, fellowship, and lots of time to rest and reflect on your spiritual growth and calling. The camp will run from the 18th to the 20th of October 2024.
In order to secure your spot, we would like to encourage all men to pay and confirm their attendance by the 12th of September 2024. The cost per person will be R1250 for the weekend, which includes dinner on Friday evening, breakfast, lunch and a braai on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday, as well as accommodation. Please send your response to Adrian Gant via the following details: Adrian.John.Gant@gmail.Com or 082 902 9376. Come and join us in these scenic settings and encourage a friend to come along!
INVITATION TO SPRING AWAKENING EVENT
Get ready for an evening of fun and fellowship! Join us for our Spring Awakening Worship Evening at West View on Saturday, the 7th of September 2024, starting at 17:00! Bring your favourite picnic basket to enjoy, as you immerse yourself in the spirit of live worship music with friends and family. We’ll also have Burgers, Boerie Rolls and Coldrinks on sale, all to support our goal of raising funds for new sound equipment. Card facilities will be available.
So, pack your picnic, bring your loved ones, and come celebrate Spring with us. We can’t wait to see you there!
AN INVITATION TO JOIN THE FUNERAL TEA MINISTRY
We express our heartfelt gratitude to all the ladies of the Funeral Tea Ministry who dedicate their time and talent towards this ministry. Their warm smiles and delicious refreshments offer comfort and support to grieving families.
We encourage members of the congregation, who are able, to consider volunteering for this important work in God’s Kingdom, whether through baking, providing eats, or assisting with serving and cleaning on the day. Alternatively, if you are unable to be physically present, you would be more than welcome to make either a financial or food donation towards this vital ministry.
If interested, please contact Lesley at the church office or via email: reception@westview.org.za
EXPRESSING OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE WINTER HOLIDAY CLUB AND THE ‘WOMEN IN NEED’ DRIVE
We are extremely glad to report back to you that our June Winter Holiday Club, which provides a fun and safe space for children to learn about Jesus, was a great success. Lives were touched and transformed, friendships and relationships were made and strengthened, Christ was glorified and worshipped, lots of fun was had, and everyone had more than enough to eat. Our aim was to provide our Winter Holiday Club completely free of charge to all children who wanted to attend, and we were able to do so. However, we recognize that this would not have been possible without your contributions, donations, support and prayer. So, from the very bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for sowing into this ministry. We have no doubt that your generosity will continue to build and grow our ministry to children here at West View. Thank you so very much!
In addition to this, we have also recently had a ‘Women in Need’ drive and project, with the purpose of providing toiletries to women who are desperately in need of such items. On behalf of the Evening Women’s Auxiliary (EWA), who initiated the project, we would like to express our gratitude for your willingness to have supported this essential initiative. We are completely overwhelmed and humbled at how much has been donated. So, once again, thank you for being a community that responds so enthusiastically and generously to making a difference in our community.
NEW SERIES FOR ROOTED YOUTH: ‘BOY MEETS GIRL’
Most, if not all teenagers, would admit that dating in the modern world is extremely difficult and challenging. Since so much of our lives are now lived online through our various electronic devices, how do we initiative authentic and real connections with the opposite gender? What does God have to say about dating and the qualities that Christ expects from us in romantic relationships?
If you’re a teenager who is navigating the potential pitfalls and challenges of dating, we would like to invite you to join us at Rooted Youth for a new 6 – part series, entitled ‘Boy Meets Girl.’ This new series starts on Sunday, the 8th of September 2024, at 10h00 at Rooted Youth.
CLOSURE AND RE – OPENING OF CHILDREN’S CHURCH AND ROOTED YOUTH
We would like to inform all parents, teenagers and children that both Children’s Church as well as Rooted Youth will be closed on the 22nd and the 29th of September 2024. Both ministries will re – open on Sunday, the 6th of October 2024
REQUESTING PRAYERS FOR CONFIRMATION CAMP AND THE METHODIST CONFERENCE
We would like to invite all of our members at West View to please pray for the upcoming confirmation camp, whereby all of our confirmation students will spend a weekend together in order to be ministered to, challenged in their walk with Christ and equipped to live out their promises to God. The camp will be taking place from the 27th to the 29th of September 2024 at Cyara Lodge along the Magalies river. Please pray for a fruitful time together!
We would also like to encourage our members to pray for the upcoming Methodist Annual Conference, which will be taking place in Welkom (Free State), from the 18th to the 22nd of September 2024. The Conference is the highest decision – making gathering for the Methodist Church, whereby vision and direction is given to the future of the MCSA and new ministers are ordained. Please pray for God’s Spirit to provide discernment and wisdom to those in leadership positions.
LAVENDER LADIES JUMBLE SALE
The Lavender Ladies seek your support as you turn out your cupboards when you do your Spring Cleaning. We would sincerely appreciate it if you could provide the Lavender Ladies with any unwanted clothing which is still in good condition, for their Jumble Sale. The proceeds of the Jumble Sale go towards funding their ministry and outreach towards the needy and the poor. Should you wish to donate, please mark it for the attention of the Lavender Ladies and place it in the church foyer. Your support would be much appreciated!
‘SERVE SATURDAYS’: SOUP KITCHEN
Our seventh ‘Serve Saturday’ for the year will take place on Saturday, the 14th of September 2024, as we continue to commit ourselves to feeding and caring for the poor in the immediate vicinity surrounding West View Methodist Church. We would like to invite the entire West View community to come and be a part of making a visible difference within our community. We will meet at West View Methodist at 07h30 on the 14th of September, before heading to various locations to set up our soup stations.
Should you be interested in attending the outreach or providing soup for the day; please RSVP to our youth pastor (Elvis Mliswa) via email at youthpastor@westview.org.za.
SEPTEMBER IS ‘STEWARDSHIP AND GENEROSITY MONTH’ AT WEST VIEW!
West View has a yearly practice and habit of dedicating an entire month to a renewed focus on stewarding what God has given to us and being generous with what we have. Throughout September month, we would like to challenge each person who forms part of the West View family and community, to be more faithful in using what God has entrusted to them. However, it is also our intention to invite you to give more generously and openly to God’s work within and through our church. Therefore, we have set A TARGET OF R500 000 in total through giving, tithes and offerings for September. Will you help us rise to the challenge and meet our envisaged target?
Your support and ongoing contributions would be deeply appreciated; and it would enable West View to continue to be a community through which life–change happens! Should you wish to make a financial contribution to the work and ministry that happens at West View, please use the following banking details to contribute via EFT:
West View Methodist Church
Account Number: 620 343 07670
Reference: Your name and surname
IMPORTANT DATES TO DIARISE:
Community Worship Service: Sunday, the 1st of September 2024, at 10h00
Spring Awakening Event: Saturday, the 7th of September 2024, at 17h00
Start of new ‘MONEY MATTERS’ sermon series: Sunday, the 8th of September 2024
New Series for Rooted Youth – ‘Boy Meets Girl’: Sunday, the 8th of September 2024
The Men @ Work Annual Camp: From the 18th to the 20th of October (RSVP by the 12th of September 2024)
Serve Saturday Soup Kitchen: Sunday, the 14th of September 2024
Stewardship and Generosity Month: The Entire Month of September
MCSA Conference: From the 18th to the 22nd of September 2024 (Welkom)
Confirmation Camp: From the 27th to the 29th of September 2024
Your Servant for Christ’ sake,
Siphiwe