Visionary Action

By Associate Pastor Mike Eddinger

We clearly and succinctly state that our vision for Westwood is, Joining God in His Work. That’s a wonderful vision and one that serves to help us stay focused on God’s leadership and keep the proper perspective on our role in building the Kingdom. In his wonderful study, Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby reminds us that the practical application of that vision requires that we pay attention. We must first open our spiritual eyes to “watch and see where God is working” and only then can we join him in that work. Those moments of spiritual recognition followed by faithful action become spiritual landmarks on our journey toward realizing our potential in Christ, both as individuals and as a body of believers.

I believe we established one of those spiritual markers in the life of Westwood when we voted unanimously in our July business conference to open our hearts and our doors to share our facility with the Chinese Bible Church of North Carolina. Beginning September 2, this congregation will be using our sanctuary and several classrooms from 1:30pm until 5:30pm each Sunday afternoon for worship, Christian education, and fellowship. Their goal is to bring the gospel message of Christ to the Chinese population of the Research Triangle Park area. I’m grateful that God has given us the opportunity to partner with our Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ to join him in his work of Kingdom growth in our community. And I’m excited that God’s people at Westwood responded in such a resounding, positive way to that opportunity.

Throughout this edition of Westwind, you’ll find information about even more opportunities in the coming months to become personally involved in converting our vision into action. I encourage you to find something that interests you, pray about it, and see if God would have you “get your hands dirty.” Allow him to help you become the presence of Christ for someone in this community by practicing visionary action!

Weekly Activities

Minister on Call

 

If you have a ministerial need over the weekend please contact the minister on call:

Aug. 4-5 Charles Allard
Home: 363-4020
Cell: 606-8360

Aug. 11-12 Caroline Allen
Home: 872-0579
Cell: 522-3046

Aug. 18-19 Mike Eddinger
Home: 846-2108
Cell: 805-1022

Aug. 25-26 Michelle Anderson
Home: 481-6673
Cell: 368-6508

*Look every month in the West Wind for the
schedule.

August Sermon Topics

Theme: Dangers Christians Face

5th The Danger of Drifting
Hebrews 2:1-4

12th The Danger of Spiritual Paralysis
Hebrews 5:12 6:1-3

19th The Danger of Deliberate Sin
Hebrews 10:26-31

26th The Danger of the Hardened Heart
Hebrews 3:12-13

Mission Statement

A community of believers
worshiping God, making
disciples and sharing
Christ’s love

Charles Allard, Pastor
Mike Eddinger, Associate Pastor
Caroline Allen, Minister of Music
& Worship
Michelle Anderson, Minister of Youth
Becky Bullock, Administrative Assistant
Sandy Dennis, Secretary
Matt Everett, Deacon Chair
Diane Owens, Pianist
Kim Taylor, Organist

August 5th - Deadline to sign up for Swim Party & Lock-In and
Youth Family Cookout
11:30am, Lunch meeting for new youth & parents (FH)
6:15pm, Free Fellowship Dinner
6:30pm, YAC (Back to School Commissioning)

August 12th - NO YAC

August 19th - 12:00pm, Youth Family Picnic (Apex Community Park)
6:30pm, Fun YAC

August 24th & 25th - Swim Party & Lock-in

August 26 - 6:30PM ~ YAC

 

DivorceCare

 

DivorceCare is a special weekly seminar and support group for people who are going through a divorce. A DivorceCare group will start meeting on August 5th at Westwood every Sunday from 5:00 - 6:30pm in Room 209. Please take a brochure from the lobby to give to someone you may know going through a divorce.

 

A thank you note has been received from Justin Ritter, Sara Saunders’ family, Dot King’s family and Don Pendergraft. Please stop by the bulletin board in Hall A to read their words of appreciation.

 

Kick-off For Fall!

 

Join us Wednesday night, August 29th, for the Children and Preschoolers Wednesday night activities Kick-Off. Watch for more details to
follow.

Westwood Mission Trips & Projects in 2007

July 28-August 4
World Changers
Cincinnati, OH

October 6
Community Service Day
(Operation-In-As-Much)

 

Senior Adult Ministry

August ~ We will be going to Johnston Community college on Saturday, August 11th for the 2:00PM show of “How Great Thou Art.” Following the show, we will enjoy the buffet at McCall’s Restaurant in Clayton. A sign up sheet will be posted.

Fall Activities ~ A listing is currently on the Senior Adult Bulletin Board for possible activities. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PREFERENCES WITH A CHECK MARK, so we may make plans.

 

 

Choir Christmas Party

Wednesday
August 1st
8:15PM
Bring a goodie and come join us for the cantata run-through.

_________________________________

Choir Retreat

Saturday, August 11th
9:00AM—Noon
Carswell Concert Hall
Meredith College

Ages 18+ are invited to be a part of our choir. For more information contact Caroline Allen (469-9393).

GriefShare

October 16th—January 29th
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00PM, Room 209
Cost: $12 donation for book

GriefShare is open to anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one through death. It is a 13 week program. You can join any time during a session and continue as long as you wish. There is a short break between cycles.

 

 

Baptist Men - Gulfport, Mississippi Mission Trip

 

The last opportunity to participate in Hurricane Katrina disaster recovery will be November 10-17, 2007. This will be the final mission trip for Westwood to Gulfport, Mississippi. NC Baptist Men made a two-year commitment to the Gulfport area and that commitment will be completed at the end of this year. The current plans are to close the NC Baptist Men operation in Gulfport at that time and begin moving equipment such as shower units, etc. back to North Carolina. Our commitment was to rebuild 700 homes in the Gulfport area, and about 550 houses have already been completed. Those who have been to Gulfport will tell you that the needs are beyond one’s imagination. This is a great opportunity to help people who are in desperate need and to share Christ’s love. No special skills are required; just a commitment to help someone in need. This will be Westwood’s seventh trip to Gulfport. If you are interested, contact Norm Dion (467-0881) or Jim Canterberry (467-3126) for more information about participating.

 

Women's Bible Study

 

Starting in September, Westwood will be offering the Beth Moore bible study Beloved Disciple: Life & Ministry of John. Beloved Disciple is a video based study in which women will explore the depths of John’s relationship with Jesus Christ. They will see themselves as modern “beloved disciples” and will discover how to allow God to establish a love relationship with Christ as the motivation for all they seek and do. This is a 22 week study which runs from September through March. We will meet from 6:30-7:30pm in Room 206 starting Wednesday, September 5th. If you would like to participate in this study, please sign up on the bulletin board in Hall A. If you need further information contact Pam White.

 

Christmas in August for the Romany Gypsies

 

Again this year we will be sending gifts to the Romany Gypsy children through our church wide Christmas in August project. The Mission Committee would like to ask church members to donate any of the following items: winter hats, gloves, socks, hard candy (individually wrapped), toothbrushes, toothpaste or school supplies (pencils, crayons, markers, but please NO PAPER). These items will be shipped to our missionary contacts Tammy and Ralph Stocks in Hungary for distribution. Please put your contributions in the storage box in front of the Media Center by Sunday, Sept. 2.

Westwood GAs

 

From June 25-27, nine mothers and their daughters headed off to Camp Mundo Vista near Asheboro, NC, for an extended Mother-Daughter Camp. We had a wonderful time together, bonding with our daughters, making new friends with women and girls from across the state and getting reacquainted with each other. Singing songs by the campfire, hiking to craft sessions and the exquisite Outdoor Chapel as well as hearing from missionary families from the Czech Republic and the eastern shore of Maryland were just a few of the activities we enjoyed during our camp stay. Thank you to Westwood for allowing us all to experience such an amazing time together at Mundo Vista!

Other Mission Opportunities

Hazel Green, Kentucky
September 14-22, 2007

A team from our church will be participating in a project to help Red River Baptist Association. There are many things planned including dental work, Bible study for children, repair work on buildings, and much more. Cost is $250.00 for housing and food. Hazel Green is about 7 hours from Cary. If you are interested, contact Bobby Branson (387-9447). Information about this trip is posted on the bulletin board by the Media Center

CAN YOU COUNT TO 4?
THEN YOU CAN PLAY HANDBELLS!

Come join one of our handbell choirs in August. We have choirs for all ages.
Children, Grades 3-6 practice Tuesdays at 4:00pm.
Youth, Grades 7-12 practice Mondays at 4:00pm.
Adults, any age practice on
Mondays at 7:15pm.
Plan now to join a choir in
August! Stay tuned for details.

CBFNC Missions
Initiative ~ Nov. 2-4

This is a weekend mission opportunity in the Henderson-Littleton area of North Carolina. Sponsored by several local churches and CBFNC, this mission is designed to help families in a poverty stricken area of our state. There will be a multitude of activities and projects. We will have more information on this later. Contact Mike Eddinger if you would like to participate

Westwood Orchestra

Have you ever played a musical instrument that could be a part of the orchestra? Please prayerfully consider joining us beginning Sunday, Aug. 26th from 5:30-6:20pm and make a joyful sound!

Time to Join The Choir!

Join us on Wednesdays at 7:40pm for rehearsal. We would love to have you be a part! Contact a choir member or Caroline Allen (469-9393) for more information.

CBFNC Missions
Initiative ~ Nov. 2-4

This is a weekend mission opportunity in the Henderson-Littleton area of North Carolina. Sponsored by several local churches and CBFNC, this mission is designed to help families in a poverty stricken area of our state. There will be a multitude of activities and projects. We will have more information on this later. Contact Mike Eddinger if you would like to participate

RBA Training Extravaganza

Saturday, August 18
Trinity Baptist Church
4815 Six Forks Road
8:00 a.m.—12:45 p.m.
Continental Breakfast Served

Westwood’s 15th
Anniversary Celebration!

Sunday,
Sept. 23, 2007

Special Music
Pig Picking

It's Time!

...a Journey Toward Missional Faithfulness

Coming to Westwood:
September 30 through November 18

Christians on Mission Day or Operation In-As-Much

October 6, 2006
8:00am ~ 12:00 Noon

It's time to add muscle to your spiritual growth. Working as a team, in only one day, our church members can make a big difference in our community.

Christians on Mission Day is a one-day blitz by Christians performing hands-on mission work for folk whose needs are great. Here are some suggestions: visiting nursing homes and shut-ins, home repairs, yard work, and sewing projects.

This mission day is for all ages. Start talking with your Sunday School classes and look for the sign up sheet on the bulletin board in Hall A.

Also, flu and pneumonia shots will be available on a first come, first served basis. People over 65 may get theirs free with Medicare card and ID. Blood pressure checks are free to everyone.