WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 1 Westwood World A Publication of Westwood Baptist Church October 2014 _________________________________________ 2014 Edition 10 Jim Abernathy A Message from Our Senior Pastor Several years ago, Cindy and I received a letter from a law firm in Indiana. Our first thought was that it was probably just another piece of junk mail, randomly sent out to try and draw unsuspecting persons into some questionable scheme. But upon opening the envelope, we were surprised to find notification that a good friend had left us a small amount of money in his will. Harold, his wife Mildred, and her mother Ollie had adopted us as seminary students and provided many meals and wonderful times of encouragement and fel- lowship over the years. The money they so generously left us has been spent, but the inheritance of friend- ship lives on in our warm remembrances of these dear friends. To be an heir, in its best sense, is a sign of connection. It signifies a depth of relationship that binds one to- gether with another or others. There is a heritage shared, a story that reminds one that he or she does not exist apart, but shares a connection with someone else. In writing to the church in Rome, Paul reminded his brothers and sisters in Christ that they shared a bond, as he wrote, “…together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.” Because of God’s work of salvation and by their faith in the living Christ, they shared an inheritance that was to empower their daily lives, giving strength and encouragement for whatever they faced. These were powerful words of authentic relationship that con- nected them to their contemporaries, to generations gone before, and to those yet to be born. You and I continue as heirs of God’s glory. We have been blessed by the faithfulness of others who have shared with us the great good news of the gospel and who have provided a heritage of faith that still informs our steps today. That is why I believe it appropriate to embrace the theme, “Heirs of God’s Glory” for our stewardship emphasis this year. As we continue to celebrate Westwood’s 50 years of ministry, we are being continually reminded that others have gone before us, paving the way for the service, ministry, and fellowship we enjoy today. Take a moment to think about someone at Westwood who has blessed your life. Most, if not all of us, could probably think of more than one person. I also believe that others most likely think of you when they remem- ber the blessings of relationship with Christ through this body of believers. I will begin October 5 with a mes- sage entitled, “Fruitful Living,” based on Colossians 3:1-13, and conclude on November 2 with “Sharing the Blessing,” based on Acts 20:25-35. Throughout the month we will be considering the blessings, costs, and opportunities of this inheritance of faith we share in Christ and as members of Westwood. I hope you will join me in worship for this special time and be reminded that you, too, are an heir of God’s glory! If you haven’t done so already, make your reservation for the 50th Anniversary Dinner at Westwood on No- vember 8, and plan to be in worship on the 9th for a very special conclusion to this year-long celebration of heritage we share as part of the Westwood family. Check out this edition of the Westwood World for further details.
Transcript
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 1
Westwood World A Publication of Westwood Baptist Church
October 2014 _________________________________________
2014 Edition 10
Jim Abernathy
A Message from Our Senior Pastor
Several years ago, Cindy and I received a letter from a law firm in Indiana. Our first thought was that it was
probably just another piece of junk mail, randomly sent out to try and draw unsuspecting persons into some
questionable scheme. But upon opening the envelope, we were surprised to find notification that a good
friend had left us a small amount of money in his will. Harold, his wife Mildred, and her mother Ollie had
adopted us as seminary students and provided many meals and wonderful times of encouragement and fel-
lowship over the years. The money they so generously left us has been spent, but the inheritance of friend-
ship lives on in our warm remembrances of these dear friends.
To be an heir, in its best sense, is a sign of connection. It signifies a depth of relationship that binds one to-
gether with another or others. There is a heritage shared, a story that reminds one that he or she does not
exist apart, but shares a connection with someone else.
In writing to the church in Rome, Paul reminded his brothers and sisters in Christ that they shared a bond, as
he wrote, “…together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.” Because of God’s work of salvation and by
their faith in the living Christ, they shared an inheritance that was to empower their daily lives, giving strength
and encouragement for whatever they faced. These were powerful words of authentic relationship that con-
nected them to their contemporaries, to generations gone before, and to those yet to be born.
You and I continue as heirs of God’s glory. We have been blessed by the faithfulness of others who have
shared with us the great good news of the gospel and who have provided a heritage of faith that still informs
our steps today. That is why I believe it appropriate to embrace the theme, “Heirs of God’s Glory” for our
stewardship emphasis this year. As we continue to celebrate Westwood’s 50 years of ministry, we are being
continually reminded that others have gone before us, paving the way for the service, ministry, and fellowship
we enjoy today.
Take a moment to think about someone at Westwood who has blessed your life. Most, if not all of us, could
probably think of more than one person. I also believe that others most likely think of you when they remem-
ber the blessings of relationship with Christ through this body of believers. I will begin October 5 with a mes-
sage entitled, “Fruitful Living,” based on Colossians 3:1-13, and conclude on November 2 with “Sharing the
Blessing,” based on Acts 20:25-35. Throughout the month we will be considering the blessings, costs, and
opportunities of this inheritance of faith we share in Christ and as members of Westwood. I hope you will join
me in worship for this special time and be reminded that you, too, are an heir of God’s glory!
If you haven’t done so already, make your reservation for the 50th Anniversary Dinner at Westwood on No-
vember 8, and plan to be in worship on the 9th for a very special conclusion to this year-long celebration of
heritage we share as part of the Westwood family. Check out this edition of the Westwood World for further
details.
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 2
In Our Prayers . . . Al Sanders; Anne Daly; Andy Willetts; Berkley McKenzie; Betty Helfenberger; Bobby Royce; Cathy Hallmark’s
brother-in-law; Cathy Moody’s father; Dave Nachison’s father; Dave Schmitz; Dennis Hunt’s father; Ed & Karen
Armstrong; Ed & Joan Tarlosky; Eileen Griffith; Elise Clark; Emilie Bretz; Eric Williams; Ernie Kirkland; Faye Riley;
Gary Gillespie; George Stone; Greisy Acosta’s mother, Gregoria Hernandez; Helen Hill; Jackie Weaver; Jennifer
Maguire; Jewel Bowers; Jim Abernathy; Jim Crupper; Joshua Brown; Kathy Boothe; Kevin & Nancy Kersh; Landon
& Christina Taylor’s friends, Joe Murphy and Olivia Hilton; Lauren Caruso’s grandfather, Italo Cosentino; Lee
Christensen; Lynda Mooney; Lynne Storer’s grandson, Bo Storer; Martha Newman’s brother-in-law Jim Smith;
Teutler’s father-in-law, and her son-in-law’s father; Pam & Thomas Daly’s friend and neighbor, Maryann Ridge,
and Pam’s co-worker Afanyi Apaki; Paul & Tammy Hagen’s friend Michelle Present; Rita Pearsall’s daughter,
Sherry; Rita Roberts’ niece, Karen Van Name; Ryan Balluck; Stephanie Wilson’s mother, Linda Gibson; Tom &
Barbara Hall’s brother-in-law Joe Cook, and their friends Margaret Sutton and Kathy Eaton; Wakie Paganelli; and
Yvonne Bryant.
Westwood Member News
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Page
Westwood Member News 2 Stewardship 3 Church Family Night 4 50th Anniversary 5-6 Community Involvement 7 Women on a Mission 8
Church Life 9 Adult Education 9 Preschool and Children’s Ministry 10 Youth Ministry 11 Stewardship 12 www.GO Seniors Ministry 12
With SympathyWith SympathyWith SympathyWith Sympathy
We mourn the passing of Don Anderson on September 18. Our sympathy goes to his children, grandchildren, and sister.
We mourn the passing of Margaret Brown, who died on September 26. Our sympathy goes to her family.
We express Christian sympathy also to Yvonne Bryant on the passing of her uncle,
to Homa Sherdel whose husband has passed away, and to Rich Hawk on the passing of his mother.
There will be a Quarterly Church Conference on Sunday, October
26, at 7 p.m. in the music suite. All are invited to attend.
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 3
A Special Invitation
Heirs of God’s Glory ... A Stewardship JourneyHeirs of God’s Glory ... A Stewardship JourneyHeirs of God’s Glory ... A Stewardship JourneyHeirs of God’s Glory ... A Stewardship Journey October 5-November 2
“…together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.” Romans 8:17b
Join us each Sunday in worship for a journey into the stories of God’s blessings … past, present, and future!
§
R.S.V.P. Pray, asking God to speak to you during this emphasis.
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 4
Church Family Night
Wednesday Nights
Church Family Night is back! Enjoy food, fellowship, music, and learning with your
church family each Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m. Dinner reservations must be
made by Mondays at noon. (See reservation information below.)
The Weekly Schedule
Our regular Wednesday evening schedule begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by children’s and
youth activities at 6:15, adult seminars at 6:30, and Sanctuary Choir practice beginning at 7:15.
• Preschoolers enjoy puppet fun with “Theo and Dina;” choir with Mr. Ariel and Mrs. Wanda;
and a story, craft, and playtime with volunteer leaders.
• Elementary children split their time between music and missions education.
• Youth meet with Andre Towner for activities after dinner.
Adult Seminar Begins October 22
On October 1 and 8, Randa Gray will finish the seminar, “Forgiveness: Finding Peace
through Letting Go.” The next adult seminar begins on Wednesday, October 22. The 4-week
seminar is entitled “Jesus is the Question” and is based on the book of the same title by Mar-
tin B. Copenhaver. In the Gospels, Jesus asks many more questions than he answers. Join
Rev. Gray as we consider the many questions of Jesus and what they imply about following
him.
Potluck Fellowship Meals We give our cooking teams and our children’s and youth workers a break with potluck meals every month
or two. These special evenings focus on fellowship, intergenerational mission and other opportunities.
Our first potluck is on October 15. Bring a dish to share. No reservations are required for potlucks.
Make a Reservation
Reservations are required for CFN dinners (except potlucks). They can be made by turning in a form
found in the pews, or you can go online to www.westwood-baptist.org to make weekly or standing reser-
vations. Dinner costs $4 for those in fifth grade and older, $2.25 for children, ages 2 and under are free,
and the family maximum charge is $17.
Mark your calendars now for these important CFN dates:
November 26 No CFN (Thanksgiving Week)
December 10 Last CFN of 2014
January 7, 2015 First CFN of the New Year 2015
February 11 No CFN (Hypothermia Prevention Week)
April 1 No CFN (Holy Week/Spring Break)
May 6 Last CFN until fall
Church Family Night
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 5
50th Anniversary
Westwood Youth Support Mission Work Through Impact! Virginia Student missions is one of the foundation blocks upon which the Westwood
Student Ministries Program is built. Although there are many different
short-term mission events and opportunities for our students throughout the
year, for the past 16 years the week-long Impact! Virginia Program has
been the highlight of our summer program.
Impact! Virginia is a coed, hands-on ministry for teens in Virginia. Each
year 250-300 Baptist youth come together in each of four different locations
across the state. They join forces to make an impact on local communities
through ministry projects focusing on home renovation and construction needs of low-income, elderly, and special
needs families. Impact! Virginia works with local housing and social service agencies as well as Baptist Associa-
tions to designate priority housing needs. Work includes painting, roofing, cleaning, interior/exterior renovation, and
general carpentry. Participants work all day on their sites under the supervision of qualified construction coordina-
tors and other adult leaders. Evenings are devoted to high energy devotional services and fellowship.
Westwood has participated in the Impact! Virginia Program for 16 years, starting way back in 1998. In that time
we have sent almost 450 Westwood students into God’s mission field under the guidance of more than 115 West-
wood adult volunteers. We have covered the state from Wise in far western Virginia to Eastville on the Eastern
Shore, and our students have probably worked on more than 150 different home sites.
…And the stories over the years are amazing…
The 16-year-old girl who became the recognized team leader for a roof re-shingle job.
The three middle school students who worked all week to shore up rickety under-house pilings, replace com-
pletely rotten joists, and put down new plywood to create a new living room floor.
The student interaction with the elderly female homeowner who was right in the middle of the construction fray
because she was so thankful for the work going on around her.
Wheelchair ramps (some as long as 50-60 feet), repaired door frames, new porch rails, rebuilt decks, new
roofs.
The girl who accepted Christ in her life while kneeling in a bathtub in the middle of the debris from a handi-
capped bathroom makeover.
And on…and on…and on
We have changed lives. The homeowners that we helped had necessary repair and reconstruction work done, but
they were also uplifted by the spirit and enthusiasm of a caring group of Christian teens. The lives of our own stu-
dents were changed as they were surrounded by a large group of other teens of the same faith background. The
lives of our adults were changed while seeing these young people grow and mature in their ability, their confi-
dence, and their faith. And the life of our congregation has been changed as the infectious missions spirit works in
our midst. We are given the opportunity to work with our students in our Youth Ministries Program for only a few
years. Our goal is to plant a seed; to create a missions spirit in our students that will grow in our youth group today,
and continue to grow into the next generation as they become adults with families of their own.
Tom Kern
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 6
Upcoming Special 50th Anniversary Events
There are several upcoming events related to Westwood’s 50th Anniversary celebration that you
will not want to miss. Please be sure to mark your calendars.
Church-wide Clean-Up Day Sat., Oct. 18, 9 a.m.
Sunday Worship with Special Music by The PromisedLand Quartet Oct. 19, 11 a.m. (Read more on p. 9)
Senior Adult Sunday Worship Oct. 26, 11 a.m.
50th Anniversary Dinner and Program Sat., Nov. 8, 5 p.m.
• 5-6 p.m. Gather to Visit with former members and staff
• 6 p.m. Dinner in Whitten Hall and Narthex.
• Cost for dinner: Adults $15, children age 10 and under $9.
• Child care for children 4 and under available by reservation.
• R.S.V.P. by October 10.
50th Anniversary Worship Service Sun., Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m.
Dedications
Forms for dedications made in honor or in memory of Westwood persons can be found at
the Welcome Center. Donations of $5 are suggested. Names will be listed in the Order of
Worship on November 9. (Donor names will not be listed.)
A Special Request from 50th Anniversary Committee
Please send a personal message (note, email, phone call) to former members whom you
would really like to see and encourage them to come for the anniversary weekend. You may
be surprised at the outcome. Thanks!
Sheena Forester
50th Anniversary (cont’d)
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 7
Community Involvement
ECHO ECHO gladly receives computer
hardware donations to refurbish
and give to their clients for their
use. They can accept the following
items:
• Computers with USB port(s)
• Computer monitors 17”-19” flat screen (LCD
only)
• Computer speakers, keyboards, mice, cables,
power supplies, adapters
These items can be dropped off any weekday
from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at ECHO, 7205 Old
Keene Mill Road, Springfield.
Coats for ECHO Now that fall has arrived, ECHO will
be concentrating efforts to provide
warm coats for children and adults
who need them this winter. If you
have a clean, gently used coat or
jacket in your closet that you aren’t
using any longer, give
it a second life by do-
nating it to ECHO. Place your do-
nation in the gray bin outside the
church office or take it directly to
ECHO.
What goes into a weekend food pack? Start with a 1-gallon Ziploc Bag and fill each bag with:
♥2 Breakfasts: instant oatmeal, small box of
cereal, or granola bar
♥4 Proteins (lunch & dinner): cup of soup,
ramen noodles, “Easy Mac,” can/pouch of
tuna or chicken, Vienna sausages, single
serving ravioli, Beef-A-Roni, spaghetti, or
peanut butter crackers
♥2 Fruits: applesauce or any single-serving
fruit cup, dried fruit
♥1 Milk: long shelf-life
♥1 Juice: 100% juice box or pouch
♥1-2 Snacks: pudding, fruit snack, crackers,
pretzels, cookies, or cheese crackers
Thank You More than 1,000 backpacks filled with grade-
appropriate school supplies were given to ECHO
client families before school began in September.
Sixty-two volunteers stuffed the backpacks with
thousands of items donated by our generous com-
munity, including the school supplies you donated
during our ECHO emphasis month in June.
ECHO will continue to collect school supplies
throughout the year. Thank you for your ongoing
support of this project.
Weekend Food Packs Our project to provide weekend meals to students
who need them is off to a fast start in its second
year. Women on a Mission filled 36 food packs
during their September meeting to help get us
started in the new school year. We still need your
donations of items on our needs list.
Dick Marvin
Autumn
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 8
Women on a Mission
We’re Off to a Busy Start! In September, West-
wood Women on a Mission assembled and
packed 36 Weekend Food Packs that will go to
children in area schools. These packs provide
food for the weekend to children who receive free
breakfast and lunch during the school week.
Westwood will once again participate in this pro-
gram throughout the year.
A group of ladies sewed “Little Dresses for India”
which were given to Leena Levanya when she
visited Westwood in September. An important part
of each dress is the cute buttons that adorn the
pocket. During our September meeting, the ladies
sewed buttons onto pockets and made the dress-
es ready to please 27 little girls!
October Activity
We are starting Christmas early!
At our October 1 meeting, we
will decorate and fill 20 Christ-
mas stockings. They will be de-
livered to eastern Kentucky for
use in December by missionaries working with
people in need who live in Appalachia.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 1 at 10
a.m. for a time of discovery, fellowship, and mis-
sion work.
Blankets Needed Once again, Westwood Women on
a Mission are asking you to donate
new or like-new receiving blankets
and baby blankets/afghans, until
the middle of October. We use
these items as the basis for layettes we assem-
ble as our annual November project.
We have been blessed to be registered as a
charitable organization with the Parents of Mul-
tiples group, and so we are able to receive free
sleepers and onesies from items not purchased
at their semi-annual consignment sales. We
match these items up with the blankets you do-
nate, and then we assemble it all into layette
kits which are given to area hospitals and other
organizations that help needy new moms.
Our goal is to donate two hundred
layettes again this year, but we
can’t do it without your help. If you
hate to shop or just don’t have the
time, you can give a financial con-
tribution to either Joy Earner or Judi Kern and
we’ll do the shopping for you. There is a Pack-N
-Play playard in the narthex for your items.
Thank you for your support of this very worth-
while mission project.
Judi Kern and Joy Earner
Women On a MissionWomen On a MissionWomen On a MissionWomen On a Mission
To everything there is a
season and a time to
every purpose under
heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 9
Church Life
Work Day Volunteers Thanks to everyone who partici-
pated in the workday on Septem-
ber 13. We got a lot done!
In preparation for our 50th Anni-
versary celebration in November,
we will have one more clean-up
day to work around and inside our building on Sat-
urday, October 18, starting at 9 a.m.
Our Property Team is planning tasks
from yard work to painting, so plan to
join the fun on one or both of these
dates, and help spruce up our build-
ing and grounds.
Mark your calendar!
PromisedLand Quartet Westwood will host the PromisedLand Quartet in
morning worship, Sunday, October 19.
K.C. Armstong, who has sung at Westwood with
the Army Chorus and Brethren through the years,
recently joined this group, and he contacted us to
see if we would be interested in hosting them.
As music is so much a part of our heritage at
Westwood, we thought this would be a great op-
portunity to host this quartet and celebrate the va-
riety of music that has made Westwood such a
blessing through the years. Invite a friend to join
you for this gospel concert.
Please note, we will receive a love offering for this
group at the service.
Adult Education
New Sunday School Class
for Adults A new Sunday morning Bible study group is be-
ing formed for couples and singles in their mid-
20s to mid-30s.
Beginning Sunday, October 5, this class, named
Connections, will meet in Room 17, and it will be
led by Stephen and Randa Gray. This will be a
discussion-based class that centers around en-
gaging the Christian faith amidst the things in life
that keep us on the go—work, social life, family,
children, etc.
This class will be informative with a relaxed at-
mosphere. Invite young adults you know to check
it out!
The church office will be
closed on
Monday, October 13
for the Federal holiday.
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 10
Preschool and Children’s Ministry
FunDay School
Our Story “Joseph and Pharoah” Genesis 39:20 – 41:57, 45:1-15, and 50:15-21
Joseph has such a big story that it covers many
chapters in the book of Genesis. By the time of this
story, the people of God have grown generations
beyond Adam and Eve and include the many de-
scendants of Abraham and Sarah. Their grandson
Jacob has 12 sons, one of whom is Joseph. He
gets sold into slavery by his jealous brothers after
making them very angry, and he finds himself
alone in Egypt having to make his way. That’s
where we will pick up the story. We will learn how
God took the bad decisions of Joseph’s brothers
and used them for good for his family and for the
people of Egypt.
Connect Class We are continuing the Unit 1: Beginnings study
through the book of Genesis. We will study the
Flood and the Tower of Babel, then do a rewind of
the unit to wrap up the month.
Church Family Night in October Throughout October, the preschoolers will continue
their Bible study with Mrs. Dina and Theo at 6:15
p.m., followed by choir with Mr. Ariel and Mrs.
Wanda, and craft and story time.
Elementary students will talk about what missions
work is and how we work together with God to
make His kingdom a reality. We will also talk about
disaster response ministries. Volunteers are al-
ways needed at 6:45 p.m. in the Art Room, #106.
Come join the kids for choir with Pat Close at 6:15
and fun and learning at 6:45!
Open Planning Meeting All those in the church who are interested in the
Preschool and Children’s Ministry are invited to a
meeting on Sunday, October 19, at 9 a.m., in the
FunDay School Art Room, #106. Come join in and
participate in planning with the team.
PASSPORTkids! Camp 2015 Our families met on September 21 and chose to
attend the July 29 through August 1 PASS-
PORTkids! camp session at Eagle Eyrie Confer-
ence Center in Lynchburg, Virginia. Camp is open
to third through sixth graders, and it is always a
great time. Reserve a spot now for your child by
contacting Holly Bryant. The camp deposit is $60
and the total cost to attend camp is $150 for your
first camper and $125 per child for additional
campers from your family.
Looking Ahead…
Sunday, Nov. 23 - Operation Christmas Child
shoebox packing during FunDay School
Tuesday, Nov. 25 - Westwood’s traditional
Thanksgiving Soup Supper
Wednesday, Nov. 26 - No Church Family Night
Sunday, Dec. 7 - Children’s choir presentation
in worship
Wednesday, Dec. 10 - Last Church Family
Night of 2014
Holly Bryant
Our Memory Verse
Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good. Genesis 50:20
WESTWOOD WORLD October 2014 11
Emergency Care and Medical Release Forms
All youth group members (and friends partici-
pating in events with us) need to submit new
Emergency Care and Medical Release forms for
the 2014-15 year.
Copies can be obtained from the Youth section of
the Westwood website or from the church office.
Upcoming Activities
Youth Retreat at Eagle Eyrie October 3-5, Cost: $45 We'll travel to the luxurious Eagle Eyrie Confer-
ence Center located in scenic Lynchburg, Virginia.
