I have always been humbled by the servant heart of Westlake UMC. Service is one of my passions and when doing hands-on service I feel that I am living out who God designed me to be. Over the years I have seen so many similar passions for service here and have been amazed at how people give of themselves to help those whom God has called us to serve.

The summer season can often be a low energy time for organizations and the same can go for churches too. Summer could be a time when WUMC  pulls back and waits for the fall to serve but it is quite the opposite!

So much was accomplished in Gods name this summer:

• We began the summer with the adults and youth who gave time to our children at VBS and helped lead them to give their clothes and coins to those in need. 
• We continued the summer with a monthly early morning Feed my People crew who served breakfast to those in need.
• Last week in worship we had the joy of listening to testimonies from students and adults who served on the youth mission trips this summer and we made fleece blankets in preparation for the cold months during Christmas in July as part of Summer Soul Food.
• This coming Sunday we are creating a Food Prayer Labyrinth, after, the canned food will go to Grace UMC's food pantry.
• We are ending the summer with the annual Parker Lane Back to School Blast where we reach out and give not only school supplies but also love and friendly faces to a different community as they start school.

Yes, I'm bragging on y'all and I'm sure I have left things out. God continues to do big and small things throughout the WUMC community without me even knowing and there is beauty in the body of Christ working this way. 

I think as the summer comes to an end (yes I said it, it's coming to an end!) it is a good time to reflect on what God has accomplished through our wonderful church body and how deep and wide it goes. An action item for us all this week: find someone you know who has reached out to those in need this summer and say thank you so that they hear it and are encouraged to keep our servant heart beating here at WUMC.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Tracey

Continuing a WUMC tradition, we will be volunteering with Parker Lane UMC to provide the Back to School Blast event, where children can receive free school supplies, free clothing and shoes, free backpacks, and in some years, free eye or dental health checkups. Your gifts of time and money make this possible. Please contact Misty Blahuta for more information or to volunteer.  [email protected]. This year's event is Saturday, August 12, 10am - noon with an hour before and after for setup and tear down.

Click here to watch a video about the Back to School Blast

Sunday School returns on August 27th this year.  If you have a child who is nursery aged, preschool aged, or in elementary school please take a moment to fill out a registration form, available online here. and return to to Megan Getman.  Doing this early will help us make appropriate plans for the launch of Sunday School.  Registration forms can also be found in the office or by talking to Megan or any of the Children's Council members.  We look forward to ministering to you and your child(ren) this year!

Youth Kick-Off Party - Save the date for the annual WUMC Youth kick-off party on Sunday, August 20. Youth and their families are invited! 5:00 - 8:00 pm.