Dear West View Family
December 22, 2022
Christmas means so many things to different people but as we have discovered during the season of Advent in our series Vision Quest: seeing more clearly, that Christmas is also about God doing a new thing in our world and lives!
Since creation humanity has always tended to run away from God, through free will, we have all at some point wandered away from the God who loves us and invites us to live into that love. Christmas and the incarnation serve as a reminder that God doesn’t give up on us and our world, that God is always looking for ways to reach out to us.
The incarnation reminds us that God became human, birthed as the Son, Jesus Christ, to be Emmanuel, meaning, “God with us” and really with us. He lived a human life so that we can identify with him; he died on a cross to atone for our sins so that we could have eternal life.
My prayer for each of us is that this Christmas season, will enable us to experience God’s new thing in our lives and world so that we may see more clearly God’s Vision for our lives and our world.
WELCOMING REV DAMIAN O’GRADY
Let me also take this opportunity to officially welcome Rev Damian O’Grady into the West View community, Damian officially started work on the 20th December 2022 and will participate in worship services from the 24th December. Please share the West View warmth and hospitality with Damian by finding ways to welcome him as he settles into this new environment. I want to also express a word of thanks to the WA (morning and evening) and the Women’s Manyano for stocking up Damian’s pantry
WHAT TO EXPECT IN WORSHIP
I encourage you to join us for worship this weekend starting with the Crib service on the 24th December at 18h00, this is a family service loaded with lots of fun for all ages.
Please note that the Christmas Day services times are 7h30-8h30 and 9h00-10h00, we are looking forward to seeing you in the in-person services and for those who might be travelling the online service will be streamed at 8h30 on our YouTube channel.
On the 1st of January we go back to our normal service times 8h00-9h00 and 10h00-11h00 for in person worship, then 8h30 for the Online service.
WEST VIEW OFFICE CLOSURE
The West View office will be closed from the 23rd December 2022 and will be open again on the 3rd January 2023. The pastoral team will be available to attend to pastoral needs that may arise during this period and you may get in contact with us through the West View cell on 072 537 2384.
SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUB 3-6 JANUARY 2023
Children from age 4 to gr 7 are invited to our fun holiday programme while they learn more about Jesus. The cost is R50.00 per day which includes lunch. The programme is held at the West View campus from 07h30 to 13h00. Contact our Children’s Pastor at manti@westview.org.za for more information.
NEXT PREACHING SERIES: FIVE MARKS OF A METHODIST (THE FRUIT OF A LIVING FAITH)
A New Year offers us a wonderful opportunity to think about life in general but in the Methodist tradition it also affords us the space to think about our faith more seriously and to re commit ourselves to God through the Covenant service. As we prepare for this year’s Covenant Service, we will be exploring what it means to be a follower of Christ in the Methodist tradition. Join us on the 15 January 2023 as we explore five marks that are the Fruit of a Living Faith and discover the Joy of living in a life changing relationship with God and others.
Important Dates
Office Closed 23 December – 2 January
Crib Service 24 December 18h00
Christmas Service 25 December 07h30 & 09h00
New Year’s Service 1 January 08h00 & 10h00
Summer Holiday Club 3-6 January
On behalf of the staff team, we wish you a blessed and joyful Christmas and a peaceful New Year
Your Servant for Christ’s sake
Siphiwe