FaithWestwood United Methodist Church

Happenings @ FaithWestwood

Coming Soon @ FaithWestwood

Sunday Worship 9 & 10:45 am

Rooted
May 31 - July 26
Sermon Series Title & Overview / The rooted sermon series will focus on deepening our understanding of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit while exploring our Wesleyan and Methodist roots.

Coming Sunday, July 12
9 & 10:45 am, in person & online
Nature of Holy Spirit: Power
Acts 4:23-31
After being released from prison, Peter and John lead a powerful and bold prayer, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. How do we claim the power of the Holy Spirit to speak the word of God boldly?

What Else This Sunday?
Summer Sunday Fun Day Theme - Wrong Party (dress for any holiday, celebration, or other occassion -- like you showed up for the wrong party)
Sunday School - 9 am - kids worship with their families (activity bags available); 10:45 am - Bible Story Time with Ms. Leah
Mission Offering Focus - Iglesia Comunitaria (giving code: iglesia)

Coming Sunday, July 19
9 & 10:45 am, in person & online
Nature of Holy Spirit: Presence
John 14:25-29
As Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to his disciples, he proclaims how the nature of this Spirit is its presence of peace. How might you need to claim this peace in your life right now?

What Else This Sunday?
Summer Sunday Fun Day Theme - Way Back Westwood ('60s & '70s)
Sunday School - 9 am - kids worship with their families (activity bags available); 10:45 am - Bible Story Time with Ms. Leah
Mission Offering Focus - Outside the Walls (giving code: OTW)

Resources:
Rooted Study Guide
Message Descriptions
At a Glance
All kinds of exciting things are happening at FaithWestwood! For a full calendar of upcoming events, visit faithwestwood.com/FWCalendar
- Rooted Worship Series - Now through July 26
- Scrip Fundraiser - ongoing; in the foyer or online
- FaithWorks Pantry GARDEN Work Days - Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 9 am - 12 pm, through the growing season
- FaithWorks Pantry Upcoming Dates - Thursday, July 9 from 5 - 7 pm; Saturday, July 25, from 10 am - 12 pm; Wednesday, August 12, from 1 - 3 pm (seniors, by appointment. Email info@faithwestwood.com for appointment); Thursday, August 13, from 5 - 7 pm; Saturday, August 22, from 10 am - 12 pm
- Spillin' the Tea - Wednesdays, July 15 & 22 from 5 - 7 pm, east entrance
- Trivia Potluck - Sunday, July 19 from 12 - 2 pm, fellowship hall
- Pet Blessing - Wednesday, July 29, 5 - 7pm, east entrance
- GriefShare - New Group Begins Wednesday, August 5, 5:30 pm
- Backpack Blessing - Sunday, August 9 - both services
- T.A.C.O. Sunday - Sunday, August 9 - 12 pm, fellowship hall
- Micah Center Open House - Sunday, August 9, between & after services
- Outside the Walls *Save the Dates* - Saturday, September 12; Saturday, September 26; Sunday, September 27. Details and signup information to come.
Summer Safari Sunday School

Summer brings exciting new activities to Sunday School!

9 am - kids worship with parents in worship center; special activity bags available
10:45 am - Bible Story Time with Ms. Leah in the Micah Center Children's Library

Scheduling Note: No Sunday School on Sunday, July 5. We'll have ONE worship that day at 10 am. Nursery available.
FW Passport summer adventure guide

Welcome to Your Summer Passport Adventure at FaithWestwood!

Your Summer Passport is your guide to growing closer to God through service, study, and worship this summer.

Pick up your passport in the foyer on Sunday or check it out here.

Each activity on the passport is a chance to have fun, try something new, and make great memories with your faith family and friends.

Grab your passport, bring your family, and let's make it an awesome summer!

Brought to you by the FW Reimagine Team
Summer Sunday Fun Days

In June, July, and August, we'll celebrate summer each Sunday with a special theme, and we hope you'll join in the fun!

Upcoming June & July Theme Days:
July 12 - Wrong Party (dress like you showed up for the wrong party)
July 19 - Way Back Westwood (60's & 70's)
July 26 - Perfect Excuse (a "you" theme; the perfect excuse to wear whatever you want)

Check out our FW Passport Summer Adventure Guide to see all the Sunday Fun Day themes for June, July, and August PLUS a bunch of other opportunities to have fun, try something new, and make great memories at FaithWestwood this summer!
FaithWorks Pantry Upcoming Dates
FaithWorks Pantry
South entrance of FaithWestwood United Methodist Church
4814 Oaks Lane, Omaha, NE

Upcoming Dates for July & August:
Thursday, July 9 - 5 - 7 pm
Saturday, July 25 - 10 am - 12 pm
Wednesday, August 12, (seniors by appointment) - 1 - 3 pm (email info@faithwestwood.com for appointment)
Thursday, August 13 - 5 - 7 pm
Saturday, August 22 - 10 am - 7 pm
For more information about FaithWorks Pantry, please visit faithwestwood.com/faithworks-pantry
FaithWorks Pantry is an equal-opportunity provider.
USDA Non-discrimination Statement

Serve at the Pantry - NEW SIGN UP
Pick your task & your days -- as many or as few as you'd like. Two opportunities each month. Sign up at the NEW SIGN UP LINK tinyurl.com/FWPantryServe

FaithWorks Pantry Giving Focus for June
- July Focus: Laundry detergent
- Most Needed: Boxed pasta (NO spaghetti), breakfast bars, 64 oz juice (apple, cran-apple, grape), adult cereals (shredded wheat, raisin bran)
- Monetary donations are always appreciated!
Our FaithWorks Pantry are proud partners of Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, Omaha's only dedicated food rescue service.
To learn more about Saving Grace, please visit savinggracefoodrescue.org.
Spillin' the tea

Wednesdays, July 15 & 22
5 - 7 pm, east entrance

Let's Have a Visit!
Spillin' the Tea is simply a classic front porch gathering under the awning outside the east entrance of FaithWestwood.

Bring your favorite chair and we'll sit a spell with some cold tea and water and some warm conversation.

Everyone is invited, bring your friends, and hopefully, we'll get to wave at some neighbors too.
Trivia Potluck July 19

Grab your thinking caps and join us for our brand new TRIVIA POTLUCK
Sunday, July 19 from 12 - 2pm, fellowship hall

EVERYONE is invited to this fun and friendly generational event - bring your family and friends!

Let Us Know You'll Be There!
Sign up your favorite dish, side, or dessert at tinyurl.com/FWTriviaPotluck (or join the set-up/clean-up crew too!)
Pet blessing july 29

Bring Your Pets for a Special Blessing
and Celebrate the Love and Bond We Share
Wednesday, July 29, 5 - 7 pm
East entrance, FaithWestwood

We Bless All Pets
Each pet receives a personal blessing - stuffed animals too!
(We also bless photos if your pet does not do well away from home.)
*On site pets must be leashed or crated and under their caretaker's control
at all times.

Keepsakes & Photo Opportunity Too
Each blessed pet also receives a keepsake certificate and a tag to attach to a collar, crate, or kennel -- and if you like, a free family photo!

Can't wait to see you and your beloved pets on July 29!
(In case of inclement weather, we will move to the Micah Center gym inside FaithWestwood.)
Griefshare - begins august 5

GriefShare Grief & Loss Support Group
Begins Wednesday, August 5
First Meeting: 5:30 - 8:00 pm
(other meetings 5:30 - 7:30 pm)
FaithWestwood United Methodist Church
4814 Oaks Lane, Omaha, NE
enter through the west entrance

A GriefShare group is a supportive place where people experiencing a loss – whether recent or in the past – can find understanding, clarity, and answers to the many questions that flood in during the journey through grief.

Each meeting features a video on a grief-related topic, supportive discussion, and tips and exercises from a participant handbook. A light supper with water and ice is provided.

For planning purposes, pre-registration is required.
To register: Email Caring Ministries Director Vikki O’Hara at vikki.ohara@faithwestood.com or call/text her at 402-650-9489 to let her know you’re coming.

For more information, visit FaithWestwood's GriefShare page at https://find.griefshare.org/groups/298369
Greater Love Gift Shop

Greater Love Gift Shop
inside the FW office, west entrance

The Greater Love Gift Shop features gently used and newer items ready to gift to friends & family members. Suggested donations support FaithWestwood's Greater Love fund.

Hours of Operation
Sunday: 10 am - 12 pm
Monday & Thursday: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Wednesday: 11 am - 3 pm
or by appointment

Coming Soon! Greater Love Gift Shop Inventory Reduction Sale
in the hallway inside the west entrance of FaithWestwood
Thursday, August 6 & Friday, August 7
9 am - 3 pm
Shop our inventory overflow of gently used and newer items - ready to gift to friends and family.
Suggested donations support the Greater Love fund.
Backpack blessing August 9

Backpack Blessing
Sunday, August 9 at 9 & 10:45 am

Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to worship for a special blessing.
T.A.C.O. Sunday August 9

Taking Awesome Care of Others (T.A.C.O.) Sunday
Sunday, August 9, 12 pm
fellowship hall

What is T.A.C.O.?
FaithWestwood gathers to enjoy tacos then fill goodie bags with treats and supplies for over 130 teachers and staff at our neighbor Central Middle School.

It's also a POTLUCK!
This is also an intergenerational potluck event and a chance for our church family to share a meal in fellowship.

What Will You Bring?
The taco meat is arranged, but everyone is invited to contribute the extras – chips, shells, cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce, etc. – and desserts too!

Sign Up Today!
https://tinyurl.com/FWTacoSunday
Save the dates for outside the walls

Outside the Walls 2026
Saturday, September 12;
Saturday, September 26;
Sunday, September 27

Outside the Walls is a great weekend each year when FaithWestwood worships by stepping out of our building and out of the worship center to focus on projects that serve our community.

In 2026, Outside the Walls will servce with projects on Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27 + NEW THIS YEAR one Early Bird Project on September 12!

Sign up information coming soon!
serve in the FaithWorks Pantry Garden

Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
9 am - 12 pm
FaithWorks Pantry Garden, south of FaithWestwood

Come anytime, stay as long as you like and help our FaithWorks Pantry Garden grow and share good things with the FaithWorks Pantry all summer!

Bring water, your favorite tools, hat, sunblock, and bug spray.

Information: Contact Nancy Vogel at info@faithwestwood.com
Great Reasons to purchase scrip!
UPDATE
Get ready for summer vacation! Use SCRIP to purchase gas, make reservations, buy tickets, travel supplies, and more!

Purchase Scrip cards to use for other purchases too!
Purchase Scrip cards to many of your favorite shopping locations at the green table in the foyer (between services on Sundays) or at raiseright.com,

Other Ideas for SCRIP:
Wedding presents and other gifts, budget planning, vacation planning & travel, big purchases (appliances, etc) & MORE!

What is Scrip?
- Scrip is an on-going fundraiser for FaithWestwood.
- Church family purchase Scrip cards from their favorite merchants for everyday purchases and gift-giving needs.
- FaithWestwood earns a portion of each sale -- depending on the merchant, up to 20%!
- Then, you use the entire value of the cards for your everyday shopping and gift-giving needs.
- Choices include your favorite spots for general merchandise, pharmacy, gas, restaurants, coffee, home improvement, and more!
How Do We Purchase Scrip? In-person & Online!
- Purchase physical cards between worship services on Sunday morning, at the GREEN table in the foyer.
- Or, purchase digital cards at raiseright.com and/or download the RaiseRight app to your mobile phone from the app store.
- To get the unique enrollment code for FaithWestwood, check out your Monday FaithConnect email, Pastor Cindi's Thursday email, or email Brenda Bowers at brenda.bowers@faithwestwood.com
For questions or assistance with the app: Visit the GREEN table between services on Sunday mornings, or email Brenda at brenda.bowers@faithwestwood.com.
***NEW*** UPDATED GROW Catalog for 2026

Check out the updated GROW Catalog for 2026 to see descriptions and contacts for of all the different ministries, missions, and groups going on at FaithWestood. Watch for the latest update coming soon!

Ongoing @ FaithWestwood

Visit us on Facebook & Instagram

Help FaithWestwood Spread the Word!

Spreading the news about God's love and FaithWestwood can be as easy as clicking a button on your device!

Encourage those social media logarithms to reach out to more of our community by sharing, liking, and commenting on FaithWestwood's social media platforms! It really does make a difference!

Facebook: /FaithWestwoodUMC
Instagram: @faithwestwoodomaha
What is a Faithgroup?

FaithGroups: Creating Small Caring Communities That Love and Serve Jesus Together

Becoming a deep, daring, and daily disciple is a life-long journey. If you are looking for people to share your faith and life with, a FaithGroup is the place for you.

Most groups meet weekly for a time of fellowship, study, and prayer. Some groups meet year-round, some are just starting up again after summer, and some are short-term groups based on a particular topic.

There are many FaithGroups looking for new participants. If you're interested in connecting with a FaithGroup, reach out to Pastor Cindi by email to cindi.stewart@faithwestwood.com.
Four or more for Faithworks pantry
Introducing Four (or More!) for FaithWorks Pantry!

How it Works
- Keep This List: The pantry has put together a list of the 48 items they use the most throughout the year.
- Shop: When you shop for your groceries each month, add an item or two from this list -- with the goal of a minimum of four items per month.
- Donate: Bring your donation to the canvas collection bin in the church foyer on Sunday mornings or drop them off by the FW offices during the week.
If everyone at FaithWestwood participates in Four (or More!), we can significantly reduce our pantry's expenses and continue our commitment to serve the patrons twice a month.

Thank you for your continued support of FaithWorks Pantry.
Serving Opportunities at FaithWestwood

Looking for the perfect way to share your gifts and serve others?
Check out the tab at the top of faithwestwood.com -- faithwestwood.com/serve

And take a look at our Grow Catalog too!
Tai chi for Balance

Tai Chi for Balance
Improve physical health // Connect with others // Gain Confidence

When: Mondays & Thursdays, 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Where: FaithWestwood UMC, 4814 Oaks Lane, Omaha, NE -- west entrance by large wooden cross
Instructor: Paula Allen, experienced and certified Tai Chi instructor
Cost: $3.00 per drop-in session (no charge on first day for new attendees)
Information: Vikki O'Hara, M.Div. Director of Caring Ministries // vikki.ohara@faithwestwood.com

Scheduling Note: There will be no Tai Chi July 2, 9, or 13.

Weather Policy: If Millard Public Schools close because of inclement weather, Tai Chi for Balance will be cancelled as well. If the FaithWestwood building closes due to weather, illness, or another unexpected reason, look for announcements on the FW website, by text or email, and on Facebook.
Never-Ending Yarn Drive
FaithWestwood's Blanketed with Prayer Ministry create thousands of prayer shawls, prayer blankets, baby afghans, hats, scarves, and other handcrafted items to distribute to the FaithWestwood family and throughout the entire community.
- For flyer with more information, click or tap here.
Blanketed with Prayer is for You to Share Too!
- Racks with white gift bags containing prayer shawls, prayer blankets, and baby afghans in are located in the foyer and inside the west entrance of FaithWestwood. Please take these items at any time to be gifted to friends, neighbors, and family members who are welcoming a new baby or are facing an illness, hospitalization, grief, or other challenge. It's free, and as the shelves empty, Blanketed with Prayer will refill them.
How Can I Help? The Never-Ending Yarn Drive
- Check your closets, ask a friend, keep an eye out at thrift stores and garage sales.
- Any color, any amount -- as long as it's yarn, it will be put to good use by Blanketed with Prayer. NEW is not necessary!
- Drop off scrap and leftover yarn any time of day in the labeled bin located inside the west entrance of FaithWestwood.
Volunteer Information
For more information about Blanketed with Prayer and how you can participate in this ministry, contact Vikki O’Hara, Caring Ministries Director, at vikki.ohara@faithwestwood.com
Serve with FaithWorks Pantry!

This is a great serving opportunity for small groups or individuals!

No experience necessary -- just a warm heart for serving others. Different jobs available for all ages and abilities.

Sign up for as many or as few days as you'd like at tinyurl.com/FWPantry

Details: Contact Pastor Cindi Stewart at cindi.stewart@faithwestwood.com