West Wind

Westwood Baptist Church Newsletter

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November, 2007

Retirement Announcement
Of Charles Allard
October 28, 2007

I am today announcing my retirement effective January 1, 2008. When I accepted the call to become Pastor of Westwood in 1994, I promised the Pastor Search Committee that I would give the church at least 10 years, if God permitted. By the grace of God and by your generous support, I will celebrate my 13th anniversary with you on January 1.


Serving as your pastor has been the icing on the cake of 48 years of ministry. Serving you and serving with you has been a wonderful privilege and joy and an experience that I will treasure as long as I live.


Our church has been deeply involved in a spiritual renewal process called “It’s Time”. In my own spiritual pilgrimage over the last year and also through this special study, I believe that “It is time” for me to pass the mantel as Shepherd of the Flock to younger and more energetic hands. I believe that a strong foundation has been laid and that the greatest, brightest and most exciting days in the life of Westwood are still ahead. This is especially true if Westwood will continue to join God in the work that He is doing.


I am announcing my retirement today so that my resignation can be accepted at the November 4, business meeting and in order to give the responsible committees ample time to fill the necessary leadership roles that will lead to a smooth transition of the churches ministry. My decision has been shared with our Ministerial Staff, and with the chairpersons of our Church Council, Deaconate and Personnel Committee.


According to our Church By-laws, it is the task of the Church Council to name a Pastor Search Committee. I ask you to pray earnestly for the Council’s wisdom in fulfilling this great responsibility.


In making my retirement announcement, I want to express my deepest appreciation to you, the members of Westwood, for entrusting in me the awesome responsibility of being your pastor. I thank you for calling me to this great work, for loving and supporting us and for being the people of God that you are.


I want to express my deep love for and appreciation of our church staff. No pastor could ask for a better team of people who are truly servants of God. They deserve your strongest support and your faithful prayers in this period of transition.


I also express my heart-felt appreciation to my family, without whose support my ministry would be impossible.


Words are not adequate to express my love and appreciation to my wife, Gloria, who has stuck with me through the good times and the bad through all these years of ministry. She has indeed, next to God, been the wind under my wings, my strongest supporter and best critic. Her love and encouragement has kept me going when I might otherwise have been tempted to throw in the towel.


My children, Micky, Anita and Jonathan have through the years loved me and supported me despite the fact that their lives were often disrupted because of our call to the ministry. I love them more than words can tell and I owe them a deep debt of gratitude for their flexibility and for the inconveniences forced upon them when they had no choice and when they did not understand.


For all that has been accomplished in my life and at Westwood, I give God the glory and praise. Great things He has done. My family and I were just privileged to be a part of it.


Until January 1, 2008, we have much work to do. As we enter this blessed holiday season, let us work together to fulfill the mission that our Lord has entrusted to us. Let us look to Him who holds the future to guide us and to show us what He wants to accomplish through us. May God bless you and keep you in His love.

Weekly Activities


Sunday
9:15am Sunday School
10:30am Worship
5:00pm DivorceCare
5:30pm Orchestra Rehearsal
6:30pm Back Porch String Band
6:30pm YAC-Youth Center

Monday
10:00am Women’s Bible Study
4:00pm Youth Handbells
7:15pm Adult Handbells

Tuesday
6:30am Prayer Breakfast
4:00pm Children’s Handbells
6:30pm ESL Classes
7:00pm Outreach (1st, 3rd &
4th Tuesdays)

Wednesday
5:30pm Fellowship Meal
6:00pm Nursery (Rm. 104)
6:00pm Youth Missions
6:00pm Preschool & Children’s
Activities
6:30pm Prayer & Bible Study
6:30pm Men’s & Women’s Bible
Study
6:45pm Ensemble Rehearsal
7:00pm Youth Praise Band
Rehearsal
7:30pm Outreach (2nd Wed)
7:40pm Adult Choir Rehearsal

Minister on Call

 

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

Nov. 3-4 Mike Eddinger
Home: 846-2108
Cell: 805-1022


Nov. 10-11 Michelle Anderson
Home: 481-6673
Cell: 368-6508


Nov. 17-18 Caroline Allen
Home: 872-0579
Cell: 522-3046


Nov. 24-25 Charles Allard
Home: 363-4020
Cell: 606-8360



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

November Sermon Topics

Theme: It's Time

4th It's Time..to Do Justice and Mercy
Isaiah 1:11, 15-17; Hosea 6:4,6; Micah 6:8

11th It's Time..to Rediscover Our Baptist Heritage
Galations 5:1, 1 Peter 2:9

18th It's Time..For Hope
Roman 5:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:1

25th Standing on Gods Promise's
2 Peter 1:2-4

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
Rob McLain, Deacon Chair
Diane Owens, Pianist
Kim Taylor, Organist

Nov 3- Remember to set your clocks back 1 hour!

Nov 4 - Youth Spaghetti Lunch Fundraiser - NO YAC

Nov 11 - 245pm - Heartfield's Assisted Living

630pm - YAC

Nov 18 - 6:30PM - YAC

Nov 21 - 7PM - Thanksgiving Service (All other activities cancelled)

Nov 25 - NO YAC

 

Wednesday Schedule


On Wednesdays we have a missions study
from 6:00-7:00pm and Praise Band practice
from 7:00-7:30pm. Those youth not involved
with Praise Band may fellowship quietly or
work on homework in a side room.

 

A thank you note has been received from Betty Branson, Harvey Duke, Maggie Pruden, and the Wade Ritter family. Please stop by the bulletin board in Hall A to read their words of appreciation.

Operation Christmas Child


Collection week will be November 12th – 18th. Please bring your box by 6:00pm on Sunday, Nov. 18th. The GA’s will be wrapping a limited number of shoe boxes for Westwood members to take and fill up for Operation Christmas Child. The boxes will be in front of the library, please help yourself as they are available or feel free to use your own boxes as in the past!

Poinsetta Tree

 


We will have a poinsettia Christmas tree again this year. You may contribute one of these poinsettias in memory or in honor of a loved one. The cost is $7.00 each and the deadline is Nov. 18. Order forms and payment envelopes can be picked up at the Welcome Centers.

 

Deck The Halls at Westwood

For Christians, the celebration of Christmas is an important part of the church calendar. Decorating our church building with greenery and festive trimmings is an expression of our anticipation and excitement as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The Decorating Committee would like to invite the entire Westwood family, all ages, to participate in this process during this Christmas season. There are several opportunities available.


First, on Sunday November 25, we will remove the decorations from storage and distribute them to locations around the church building. Some of this will require a bit of “heavy lifting” so the assistance of some strong backs will be greatly appreciated. During this time, we will also be assembling the seven Christmas trees at various locations throughout the building. Sign-up sheets are available on the bulletin board in Hall A. You may volunteer for a session from 3-6 pm, from 6-8 pm or for both.


Next, on Monday November 26, we will place the decorations (nativity scenes, etc.) hang the greenery (garlands, wreaths, etc.) and decorate the trees. There will be three sessions on that day from 8 am – 12 noon, noon – 5 pm, and 5-8 pm. Sign-up sheets are available on the bulletin board in Hall A and you may volunteer for any or all sessions.


Finally, on Wednesday November 28, we will enjoy a Church-Wide Time of Celebration with something for all ages including Christmas carols, hot chocolate, and cookies, highlighted by the Lighting of the Chrismon Tree. We hope all members of the Westwood family will come be a part of this celebration. Our schedule for that evening will be:

5:30-6:30 pm Wednesday Night Meal in Fellowship Hall
6:00-7:00 pm Children: create Chrismons and gingerbread houses
6:30-7:00 pm Adults: prayer time in Fellowship Hall
7:00-7:20 pm Carols and Lighting of Chrismon Tree in Sanctuary
7:20-until Hot Chocolate and Cookies in Fellowship Hall

We hope you will plan now to come and help us begin a Westwood tradition by participating in one or more of the decorating sessions and by joining us for the Lighting of the Chrismon Tree. If you have questions, please contact Eunice Robertson or Emmett Waller.

 

A Christmas Party!

You are cordially invited to the
Annual Westwood Christmas Party,
Saturday, Dec.15th, 6:00PM in the
Fellowship Hall.

 

This event will be covered dish. Please bring food for your family plus one! Come celebrate the season with family and friends!

 

 

Medical Clinic A Success

We want to offer a special “Thank You” to the Westwood family for assisting in making our first Medical Clinic such a great success. The clinic was conducted on Saturday, October 13. Led by the efforts of Dr. Brian Forrest and his wife Shelley, we ministered to ten patients and their families from our community. Each patient had an opportunity to be seen by a physician and was provided with prescription medications as needed. Exit counselors met with all patients to provide information and resources for follow-up care. Also, each patient and their family members spoke with a minister and received a “goody bag” including personal hygiene items, over-the-counter medications, resource information and a Bible in their native language.
We are grateful to all of our Sunday School classes for their prayers and for donated items as well as to our youth for preparing the “goody bags.” A special thanks goes out to the 56 volunteers who staffed the clinic stations, prepared the food, cared for the children, and assisted the patients on the day of the clinic. Westwood is truly blessed with so many people willing to join God in his work among the folks right here in our neighborhood!


Love in Christ,
Marilyn Eddinger & Leanne Ritter

Cake Ministry


Please sign up to make cakes for the Women's Prison in your Sunday School Classrooms. There will also be a sign up sheet on the mission bulletin board outside the Media Center. You will get a reminder postcard with the date and instructions. The cakes will be collected on Dec. 12th and 13th. If you have any questions please call Debbie Dion.