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10 am: Worship Service
11:15 am: Coffee Hour
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Youth Bible Study
Sunday, Aug. 24th, 11:30 after 10:00 service at West Pres.
August 25: Carpet cleaning at the Church - The building is Closed
August 25th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)
August 26th @7pm: Yoga (Eastminster)
August 27th @10am: Tai Chi (Boulder Hall)
August 31st @10am: Worship Service in Boulder Hall
September 1: OFFICE CLOSED
September 15th: Tree Cutting Day!
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Aug. 25-30: Pastor Kelly is away.
The Church is closed on August 25th for Carpet Cleaning. Staff will be working from home and accessible via email, but NOT via phone.
Monday, Sept. 1: Office closed for Labor Day
Whom to contact
If questions or concerns arise while Pastor Kelly is away, please contact:
· Office Manager Katie Moore during office hours, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday-Thursday, office@salemwestpres.org or 503-364-3327.
· Elders (Sandy McLean is clerk of Session), clerk@salemwestpres.org
· Deacons (Lori Dalen is head deacon), westpresdeacons@googlegroups.com
· Facility Caretaker Rick Cobb, facilitycaretaker@salemwestpres.org
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REVELATION & RESISTANCE. The final battle has arrived and we’ve reached the dramatic climax in Revelation this week. Revelation 19 & 20 are commonly referred to as the battle of Armageddon. A cosmic war is taking place between the dragon and the beast on one side and a host of angels and saints on the other. The beast and false prophets are thrown into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, the city of Babylon has met its demise, and Satan is imprisoned for 1000 years. Take a review of what has happened:
In chapter 21, the long-suffering of the saints of God has finally come to an end. Those who had died in the great war at the hand of Babylon are redeemed and restored. It is amidst deep exhaustion and broken hearts that the people of God arrive at this week’s reading and hear these opening words, “…then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, a New Jerusalem…” The new Jerusalem is not an escape from a world gone mad but rather the wiping away of tears and the binding up of the broken-hearted, it is the restoration of humanity to all of humanity. In worship, we will revisit and listen to A New Jerusalem Arise, the magnificent choir anthem that was the closing song to the 2025 Palm Sunday Cantata. Between now and then, here is a sneak peak with an animated video of A New Jerusalem Arise by the same composer, Kyle Pederson:
The work of a new Jerusalem is something that is always with us. St. Augustine conceived of this as the Earthly City versus the City of God, with the later breaking into the former and making all things new. Westminster has a special opportunity after worship to hear the personal story of guest speaker Mary Trolan, a Christian Palestinian who grew up in West Jerusalem. This is a chance to hear Mary’s experience and build a deeper understanding of the work of a new Jerusalem…in Jerusalem.
Ever onward,
Pastor Kelly
P.s. To read more about the PCUSA response to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, click here https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2025/7/31/rev-jihyun-oh-calls-urgent-accountability-devastating-crisis-gaza
Ever onward,
Pastor Kelly
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We are reorganizing the office workroom to make it more useful. The large wooden desk will be donated, so all the items on it and around it on the floor need to be moved as soon as possible.
We will display the items that haven't been claimed on two Sundays - Sept. 14 and 28.
You may take what you need. Anything left at that point will be donated.
We are brainstorming ideas of how best to use the open space after the desk is moved out. If you have ideas, please submit them to the office by September 30th.
Interested in volunteering in the office? sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4DA9A92BABFDC25-57977862-thursday
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The Session met Wednesday, August 20th in Russell Hall, for their monthly
stated meeting. Dick Hughes and Steve Kandra joined by Zoom and Maggie Sather
was absent. Bill Faust opened with prayer. Bill Foster was a guest and gave the
GEM annual report. The budget timeline was discussed, with planning going on right
now and the final approval coming in November, December at the latest. The
Elders passed a motion to form a special projects planning team. This group will
evaluate and recommend a comprehensive medium-range plan, not limited to:
Building loan, Winola House, van, federal grants, surplus/deficit, recession, building
projects and upgrades and future use of building. Each of the Elders reported on
their Ministry area and the meeting adjourned with prayer at 9:00.
Sandy McLean, Clerk of Session
| | | Social Justice Outreach Committee | | | Breaking News from the Session and Worship | | | |
We have some new things happening this fall in worship centering around making our worship space more family-friendly and exploring new ways to engage our children and families. This summer, as we tried new seating arrangements and activities, we discovered that we heard each other singing more, sat with some new friends, and generally shared worship in some different ways. Pastor Kelly challenged our artistic skills and creative thinking as she led us through some challenging sermons.
Continuing that quest for meaningful worship and growing together, you’ll notice some changes that will give us more space in every part of the sanctuary, provide a dedicated space for the choir and the handbells, and provide increased spacing between the rows for freedom of movement for folks of all ages. New on the horizon for children is the return of the Children’s Star Choir. Beginning Sunday rehearsals on November 2, they will be working toward a Christmas program in mid-December.
It’s a busy beginning to the fall with the Fall Kickoff on September 8, rehearsals beginning for our music groups later in that week, and later the September 28 Fall Festival, the Westminster Fine Arts Festival, and Westminster hosting the Presbytery Conference on October 24 and 25. Add to that a much-needed Sunday fire drill sometime in October. November brings the beginning of the children choir rehearsals, Choir and the handbell choir participating in a two-day handbell festival at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church before our traditional Advent and Christmas services.
With the support of the Session, the music staff and Worship Committee hope to help make this a meaningful season of worship for you and your family.
Blessings,
Angie Willoughby
Elder for Worship
| | | Just a reminder that August 17th is TOP Sunday! Lets fill those boxes up to the brim! | | | |
The School Supply Drive is coming to a close, and this Sunday, August 24th, is the final day to donate. Please remember to bring your contributions with you to church this Sunday to help ensure every student has the tools they need for a successful school year. Thank you for your generosity!
| | | Youth Oversight Committee | | | |
Join Our Youth Program Team!
Are you passionate about supporting young people and building community? The Youth Oversight Committee is seeking enthusiastic individuals to help guide our Youth Program. We're also looking for volunteers to assist with upcoming Youth Group events—whether you're a planner, mentor, or just love lending a hand, there's a place for you! For more information contact Mat Worley at youth@salemwestpres.org
| | | Congregational Vitality Committee - Photo Directory | | | |
The Congregational Vitality Committee (CVC) is reminding everyone that the Westminster Photo Directory is being updated this summer. The first directory was published in December, 2023, and the plan is to provide an updated version for the congregation twice a year.
There are three reasons why you might be interested:
1. You missed getting your name, contact information, and/or photo submitted last fall, or
2. You need to correct or update your contact information, or
3. You want your photo updated or added.
There is a “Seasonal Photo Selfie Spot” set up in Boulder Hall , and it is available each Sunday for the remainder of the summer. Here are the guidelines:
1. Use your own camera/cell phone (there should be lots of folks to help out during coffee hour)
2. Submit your photo to office@salemwestpres.org; include your name in the subject line.
3. You may also submit your name/contact info/photo at anytime during the month of August to office@salemwestpres.org.
This is for anyone who wants to update any information already in the directory or for anyone who has not had their name included before. The newest version of the Westminster Church Photo Directory will be published in late September, so any information to be included needs to be sent to the church office email address (office@salemwestpres.org) on or before August 31, 2025. If you have any questions, please contact Katie Nelson, nelsonkatieallstar@gmail.com or 503-580-5631 (text or call)
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Fall Opportunities from the Congregational Vitality Committee:
Presbyterian Beliefs Class: a five week led by Pastor Kelly to learn more about the basic tenets of our beliefs, traditions and faith. These classes are open to anyone, whether a frequent visitor or a member. The sessions will be from 11:30-1:00 in Russell Hall on 9/14, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19 and 11/2. Sign up by contacting the church office (office@salemwestpres.org or 503-364-3327).
Red Cross Blood Drive, September 22 from 1:00-6:00pm. Contact bnelson@pacificomm.net, Bobbie Clyde or Pam Garland to sign up to donate.
Fall Festival! September 28 in Boulder Hall. All committees are invited to share information at this festive event, which will also include the Stewardship Pledge Kick-off and family Potluck/BBQ!
New Member Class: mark your calendars for November 11/9 and 11/16, 11:30-1:00 in Russell Hall; led by Pastor Kelly.
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THANK YOU to the friends and well wishers at Westminster who have sent cards and called since my unexpected surgery. What a clear example of the thoughtfulness and caring for which this congregation is so well known. It is deeply appreciated.
Wendy Crane
| | | September 22 from 1:00-6:00pm. Contact bnelson@pacificomm.net, Bobbie Clyde or Pam Garland to sign up to donate. | | | | | |
We’re hosting a community dance class!
Join us every Wednesday at 3:30 PM for a fun, beginner-friendly dance session — open to all ages and all experience levels.
We’ll move to a mix of Latin, pop, and world music — standing or seated, at your own pace. No cost, just joyful movement!
Free & open to all!
Bring a friend and come dance with us!
Christian Arroliga
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