e-Letter
February 5, 2021
Dear West View Family
There are many opportunities to grow, connect, serve and worship in coming weeks:
ANNUAL SOCIETY MEETING VIA ZOOM: Wednesday 10th February 19h00
At next Wednesday’s Zoom A.S.M, I’ll be sharing with you the plans, flowing out of last year’s strategic planning, for West View to be a hybrid congregation. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions. We’ll also inform you about the restructuring of Khuluma and how that will impact counselling at West View. The agenda and Zoom link will be circulated early next week via email and WhatsApp. I do hope you can join us.
ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP : Wednesday 17th February 10h00 and 19h00 in-person; 8h30 online
We mark the start of Lent with in-person Ash Wednesday services at 10h00 and 19h00. Attendance is limited to 50 people. An online Ash Wednesday service will premiere at 8h30 on Youtube.
IN-PERSON SUNDAY WORSHIP: starts Sunday 21st February
In-person worship services will resume at 8h00 and 10h00 on Sunday 21st February. Attendance is limited to 50 people. Online worship will continue to premiere at 8h30
CHILDREN’S CHURCH AND ROOTED YOUTH
Our volunteers in Children’s Church (Toddlers to Grade 7) and Rooted Youth (High School) are looking forward to welcoming back our youth and kids on Sunday 21st February at 10h00.
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR WORSHIP SERVICES AND YOUTH AND KIDS ACTIVITIES OPENS NEXT WEEK
BAPTISMS AT WEST VIEW
If you would like your child baptised, please contact manti@westview.org.za
EMBRACING THE UNCERTAIN LENT SERIES
What if God is calling us to engage and wrestle with life’s uncertainties instead of ignoring them? This Lent we’re exploring how faith empowers us to live abundantly, even when life is uncertain. I encourage you to worship, either online or in-person, each Sunday of Lent as we journey through this timely series.
EMBRACING THE UNCERTAIN SMALL GROUPS
Join or Re-join a Small Group, Launch Open Now!
Life change, through meaningful relationship at West View through small groups, which are communities of 5–10 people who meet regularly for spiritual growth and connection. We have a number of online groups available for you to join today. {SMALL GROUPS}
CHITTER-CHATTER AT THE TREEHOUSE
Starting next Saturday 13th February at 10h00, Grade 1 – 4 children are invited to join Manti, our new Children’s Pastor, for a fun Zoom conversation about God and life. The link will be sent out on the WhatsApp group. Parents and grandparents, please remind your kids and assist them to join the Zoom. This promises to be a great way of connecting our young children to each other, to God and to God’s Church.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Tithes and offerings in January were R395 000, R65 000 (16.5%) behind our 2021 budget of R460 000 per month. The Finance Committee is monitoring West View’s finances carefully. Thank you to all who continue to give faithfully to God’s work.
A WORD ABOUT THE VACCINE
There is much fake news doing the rounds about the various COVID-19 vaccines. Sadly, some Christians are responsible for spreading false rumours linking the vaccine to the anti-Christ, to a plot for racial genocide, or to attempts by a global order to control the minds of those who have the vaccine. Such rumours and conspiracy theories are to be expected in a time of upheaval such as we are living through right now. However, I encourage you to check the sources and veracity of video clips that you receive on social media. Pseudo-science and false prophets are dangerous if they discourage us from doing that which leads to life. Let us be discerning as people of the Truth.
Grace and Peace
Ian