A Message from Our Senior Pastor -...

WESTWOOD WORLD May 2015 1

Westwood World A Publication of Westwood Baptist Church

May 2015 _________________________________________

2015 Edition 5

Jim Abernathy

A Message from Our Senior Pastor

“Cooperative: involving two or more people or groups working together to do

something.”

In her wonderful book Lifelines: The Black Book of Proverbs, Ashkari Johnson Hodari includes this

wonderful African proverb: “If everyone helps to hold up the sky, then one person does not become

tired.” This old proverb speaks to the significance of working together toward a common good as well

as recognizing that one person cannot accomplish alone all that can be done when the opportunity is

shared. Webster’s definition of “cooperative,” listed above, sounds a similar challenge in helping us

understand the importance of working together with others. A cooperative venture draws more

participants, strengthens the message, and broadens opportunity.

Westwood Baptist Church has had a cooperative approach to missions giving for many years. Dating

back to our days in the Southern Baptist Convention, Westwood participated in the Cooperative

Program which provided a specific means of funding the work of the SBC and the Virginia Baptist

Mission Board. The church decided on a percentage of undesignated offerings that would be sent on to

the SBC and VBMB, as well as our local association, that would go toward sharing Christ in our region,

state, nation, and world. This enabled the work of missionaries, boards, agencies, seminaries, and

other schools and organizations to continue the work of Christ in places we could not go. Cooperative

missions was another way of carrying out the mandate of Christ to go into all the world and make

disciples.

Though Westwood is no longer affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, there has been a

continuing theme of cooperative missions as we partner today with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship,

the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, and the NorthStar Church Network. Our budget for 2015 includes

9% of budget receipts that go to the CBF and VBMB, and 3% which goes to NorthStar. Those

designations last year allowed us to contribute $79,232.38 to Cooperative Missions.

In a church conference earlier this year, the Vision Council was asked to review the amount we give to

Cooperative Missions, considering whether the percentages should be adjusted or whether we should

adopt a flat amount for these mission gifts. A team appointed by the Council is studying this issue. As

part of this important topic, we will be addressing our Cooperative Giving and Partnership Ministries

during worship in May. This will be a good reminder to us all of why we work together with others to

share the love of Christ, and it will help us better understand the work done by Christians we cooperate

with around the world.

Your budget gifts do make a difference, here and around the world. Thank you for your faithfulness in

giving. Together, we help hold up the sky so that no one becomes weary.


In Our Prayers . . .

Al Sanders; Aminata Turay’s father, Alfred M. Kanu; Anne Daly; Andy Willetts; Berkley McKenzie; Bernard, Emilie, and George Bretz; Betty Helfenberger; Dave Schmitz; Dennis Hunt’s father; Ed & Joan Tarlosky; Eileen Griffith; Elise Clark; Eric Williams; Faye Riley; Greisy Acosta’s mother, Gregoria Hernandez; Helen Hill; Jackie Weaver; Jeanette Meyers’ co-worker Kim Folland; Jewel Bowers; Jim Crupper; Josh Towner; Joy Earner’s neighbor David Gordon; Karen Armstrong; Kathy Boothe; Kathy Freeman’s father; Landon & Christina Taylor’s friends Joe Murphy and Olivia Hilton; LaVonne Boyer’s daughter; Leah Balluck’s mother; Lori Christensen; Lucy Kinsel’s sister, Betty Gray; Lynne Storer’s grandson, Bo Storer; Martha Siemering’s granddaughter Olivia; Nancy D’Ambrosio; Olga Teutler’s father-in-law; Pam & Thomas Daly’s friend and neighbor Maryann Ridge; Rick Mooney; Ruth Draper and her great-granddaughter; 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; Virginia Hole’s sister; Wakie Paganelli; Wallace & Phyllis Brinkley’s friend Skip Gallager; and Yvonne Bryant.

Westwood Member News

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Page

Westwood Member News 2 Community Involvement 3 Women’s Ministry 3 Church Life 4

Preschool & Children’s Ministry 5 Youth Ministry 6-7 Church Family Life 8 www.GO Seniors Ministry 8

YOUTH Sunday

Westwood Baptist Church May 17

Class of

2015 Looking for a way to

volunteer? Check out

page 3 for

opportuni�es and

contact informa�on.

With SympathyWith SympathyWith SympathyWith Sympathy

We extend our Christian

sympathy to Deanita Verbeck

on the loss of her brother.

The church office will be

closed on Monday, May 25

in observance of

Memorial Day


Women’s Ministry

Burke Lake Gardens Social Wednesday, May 6 at 12 p.m. 9608 Old Keene Mill Road, Burke, VA 22015

Burke Lake Gardens is a housing community for

low-income, independent seniors which is owned

by the Arlington Assembly of God Church. Resi-

dents live in apartments within the complex.

Every year WOM hosts an

afternoon social event to

thank the ladies at Burke

Lake Gardens who crochet

baby afghans which they

donate to our November

layette project. All Burke Lake Gardens residents

are invited, and 30-40 usually attend.

All Westwood women are invited to come and

spend some quality time with the residents of

Burke Lake Gardens. Setup will start at 12 p.m.,

and the residents will join us at 1 p.m.

Help is especially needed with dona-

tions of food for our social. Anything

you would like to donate in the way of

finger sandwiches, fruit trays, cookies,

and cookie bars would be welcome. Please sign

up to donate food at the Welcome Center.

Please join us for the final WOM event of the year.

This event is held in lieu of a WOM meeting in

May.

To learn more about WOM, contact Judi Kern at

703-440-0750 or Joy Earner at 703-256-7898.

Judi Kern and Joy Earner

Community Involvement

Letter Carriers’ Food Drive May 9

Stamp Out Hunger, the US Postal Service Letter

Carriers’ food drive, will be held on Saturday, May

9, and local donations will benefit ECHO. Letter

carriers from the four post offices serving Burke

and Springfield will collect donated food on that

date, so please support the food drive by placing

your donation of non-perishable food and personal

care items (in non-breakable containers) by your

mailbox that Saturday morning. Help the letter

carriers in their effort to Stamp Out Hunger!

ECHO Needed items

For its client families, ECHO especially needs:

• boys’ jeans

• men’s jeans up to size 38

• sneakers (girls’ sizes 1-6, and boys’ sizes

1-7)

• toasters and microwaves

• children’s books

• card games

• small stuffed animals

If you have new or used donations for ECHO,

please take them to the Donation Door at 7205 Old

Keene Mill Road on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to

12:30 p.m. or on Tuesday, Wednesday, or

Thursday evenings at 7 to 9 p.m., or place them in

the large ECHO bin across from the church office.

ECHO Yard Sale

The ECHO yard sale on April 11 netted $22,656.

Thank you for your support.

For more information, speak to Westwood’s ECHO

Board member, Dick Marvin.

HAPPY

MOTHERS

DAY!


Church Life

May 2015 is Global Missions Offering Month In May, prayerfully consider giving to the Global

Missions Offering. You will find offering

envelopes in the pews, in the offering envelopes

set that was mailed to you, and at the Welcome

Center. This special offering addresses needs

throughout our world and in our community.

The Global Missions Offering breakdown is as

follows: CBF Global Missions 75%, Baptist World

Alliance 5%, State Missions (Alma Hunt) 4%,

NorthStar (Local Association) 4%, Earners

(Japan) 4%, ECHO 4%, and ServeTrust (India)

4%.

Mama Mia’s DVDs DVDs of the Mama Mia’s performance in March

will be available at the Welcome Center on three

Sundays: May 3, 10, and 17.

Scholarship Deadline The Don Forester Scholarship was established

last year to assist Westwood youth with college

expenses. Dr. Forester was known for his

encouragement of young

people at Westwood, and this

scholarship continues that

legacy. Scholarship

applications and information

are available through the

church website and the church office, and must

be returned no later than Friday, May 15.

Save the Date!

• Women’s Retreat October 2-4, 2015 • Men’s Retreat October 24-25, 2015

U.S. Navy Band Chamber Ensembles Concert Saturday, May 30, at 3 p.m.

Invite your neighbors to attend this special

performance here at Westwood.

Westwood Night at The Washington Nationals Friday, June 19 at 7:05 p.m.

Get your tickets now to

see the Washington

Nationals take on the

Pittsburgh Pirates. Our

outfield reserved seats in

Section 101 are $30 each and are available from

Rev. Gray.


Preschool & Children’s Ministry

The Worship Experience for Westwood’s Children At Westwood, we strive to provide a meaningful

worship experience even for our youngest

congregants. Our program is designed to help

children transition to full participation in our

worship services.

Preschoolers – As early as age two,

children are brought into the worship service to sit

in the front row. This allows them to hear the

opening music and prayers and participate in the

Preschool Choir and the Children’s Sermon. The

preschoolers and kindergartners leave for

Extended Session immediately following the

Children’s Sermon.

First Through Third Grade – As they

graduate past kindergarten, our younger members

expand their participation in worship. During the

service, they remain seated with parents or

grandparents. To deepen their understanding of

meaningful traditions, they attend the full service

on special Sundays like Easter and on the first

Sunday of each month when communion is

served. On the second, third, and fourth Sundays

of each month, young elementary students leave

after the Offertory to attend Children’s Church.

Fourth Grade and Up – By fourth grade,

children are better able to sit through the hour-

long service and can remain with their parents

during the service. By seventh grade, our youth

typically sit as a group.

If you are unable to sit with your child due to choir

or other obligations, please let me know. We have

many folks who are happy to share the worship

experience with your child.

Child Protection Training Completion of Child Protection Training is

required once every two years for any individual

who volunteers with Westwood’s children,

including at VBS. See page 7 for details.

Rebecca Larson

Vacation Bible School

Everest Conquering Challenges with

God’s Mighty Power!

July 6-10, 2015

Online registration begins on May 18 at

www.westwood-baptist.org

for Ages 4 (by Sept. 30, 2015) through

6th Grade (in June 2015). Free of charge.

Westwood Mother’s Day Out

MDO has openings for fall classes. We

take children ages 3 months through 4 years.

We meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10

a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information or to register, call

Gail Shelton at 703-455-6360 or 703-451-

8392.


Youth Ministry

Youth Advisory Committee Saturday, May 16 at 9 a.m.

The Youth Advisory Committee (adults) will meet

to plan, organize, and evaluate Youth Ministry

activities. All parents, guardians, and volunteers

associated with the Youth Ministry are

encouraged to attend.

Mission Madness Success! Thanks to everyone who

helped make our weekend

mission trip such a

resounding success! Last

month seven youth and four

adults traveled to

Charlottesville, VA to participate in “Mission

Madness,” the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of

Virginia’s annual weekend mission. During the

weekend, one team performed yard work and

prepared meals at the local Ronald McDonald

House. Another team replaced stairs, cleaned

siding, and performed yard

work for a local couple. The

final team organized supplies

and cleaned for a Salvation

Army Service Unit.

Upcoming Events

Mission Possible Sunday, May 3 at 5-8:15 p.m.

Westwood will host youth

groups from approximately

eight NorthStar congregations

for an evening of worship,

preparing weekend food packs, and fellowship.

The food packs will be used to help feed local

elementary school children during weekends.

Zip Line Obstacle Course Saturday, May 16

Go Ape Treetop

Adventure Course is an

outdoor experience that

provides participants 2-3

hours of outdoor fun and

exercise. The course allows participants to

explore Maryland’s Rock Creek Park from an

otherwise unobtainable vantage point while

navigating through the treetops using zip lines,

obstacles, and Tarzan swings. Cost $15.

Youth Sunday May 17

The youth will help our congregation experience

God from a slightly different vantage point as we

lead worship. Expect the unexpected!

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Forum Monday-Tuesday, May 18 – 19

This forum is sponsored by the Virginia Baptist

Mission Board (VBMB) and is a high-quality,

low-cost opportunity to receive great youth

ministry training while meeting youth workers

from other Virginia Baptist churches. You can

register or get more information on the VBMB

website or by contacting Andre Towner.

Are You Graduating? We will recognize all graduates in

worship on June 14. Please let

us know your plans if you are

graduating from high school,

college, or graduate school. Please send your

name, school graduated from, and any plans for

school in the fall. Please contact the church

office by June 1.

Impact Virginia Training Sessions #1—Sunday, June 7 #2—Sunday, June 14 #3—Sunday, June 28

(Con�nued on page 7)


Israel Archeological Dig May 24-June 28

Andre will travel to Israel to participate in an

archeological expedition to search for remains

dating to the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Early Bronze,

Middle Bronze, Iron Age, Roman, Medieval, and

Islamic periods. Jezreel, the dig site, is the former

residence of Ahab and Jezebel, whose conflict

with the Prophet Elijah is recorded in 1 & 2 Kings.

SNL Meals May 3 Wilson May 10 No SNL! May 17 Kern May 24 Frazier May 31 Mooney

Weekly Youth Schedule

Sundays Cafe & Announcements 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School 10 a.m.

Morning Worship 11 a.m.

Youth Dinner 6 p.m.

Sunday Night Live! 6:30 - 7:45 p.m.

Wednesdays Church Family Night Meal 5:30 p.m. Youth Activities 6 p.m.

Be blessed,

Andre Towner

Child Protection Training All volunteers who work with children and

youth who did not train in 2014 must attend

one training session this year. Training will be

held on:

• Sunday, June 14 at 9 a.m.; • Tuesday, June 30 at 9:30 a.m.; and • Sunday, July 5 during the Sunday School

hour.

Completion of Child Protection Training is

required once every two years for any individual

who volunteers with Westwood’s children,

including at VBS.

KingsFest at Kings Dominion Saturday, June 27 Youth will travel to Kings

Dominion to attend

KingsFest where we will

spend the day on rides

and the evening at a

concert featuring several

national and local

Christian bands.

Impact Virginia! Mission Trip Sunday to Saturday, July 19-25

Youth and adult volunteers will participate in a

transformative week of mission work in Fluvanna,

VA. Cost is $150. Contact

Andre Towner or Tom Kern to

register.

(Con�nued from page 6)

Stay In Touch

Andre (703) 955-0002 /

[email protected]

Westwood Baptist Church Youth

Ministry

https://twitter.com/Westwood Youth

http://www.westwood-

baptist.org/#/youth

Youth Ministry


Items for the June 2015 issue of Westwood World are due by Friday, May 15, and

should be sent to Martha Newman at [email protected].

Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152

703-451-5120 www.westwood-baptist.org

www.GO ~ Older Adult Fellowship

Canasta 2nd & 4th Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. – Greenspring Village Towne Center Craft Room

Join us on May 12 and 26 for fun and fellowship.

Canasta is a great game that’s fun and easy to

learn.

Longwood Gardens Wednesday, June 3 (all-day trip) to Kennett Square, PA

Board the bus for an early departure from

Westwood to arrive at Longwood Gardens for a 60-

minute guided tour. Enjoy a box lunch and time in

the afternoon to wander the grounds and gardens.

$35 for admission and lunch. Dinner en route

home on your own. Please RSVP to Rita at 703-

967-6987 or [email protected] BY MAY 24.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Strathmore Music Center Thursday, June 25

Hailed as “America’s Choir,” this famed ensemble

includes 360 singers and a superb orchestra, and

shares a proud 150-year history that includes

performances for ten U.S. Presidents, at World

Fairs, and in concert halls around the world. We

have a few tickets to the 2 p.m. show at

Strathmore Music Center. Depart Westwood at

12:15 p.m. The cost is $50. Please RSVP to Rita at

703-967-6987 or [email protected].

For further information or to RSVP, please contact

Rita Roberts at 703-967-6987 or rita.roberts@

verizon.net. If signup deadlines are not specified,

RSVP at least five days before the event so we

may plan appropriately.

Rita Roberts

Church Family Night

CFN Picnic Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Mark your calendars for

the final Church Family

Night event of the year.

We will hold our annual

CFN Family Picnic in the parking lot. There will be no

children’s or adult programs that evening. Adult Choir

will begin at 7 p.m.

The cost of the meal is $4 for everyone 5th grade and

older; $2.25 for children; no charge for 2 years and

under; and a $17 family maximum.

The usual reservations are required. If you do not

have a standing CFN reservation, fill out a gold slip

and place it in the offering plate, or call or email the

church office ([email protected]),

or go to the church website and make a reservation

online.

All are invited. Bring lawn chairs and family games to

play! In case of rain the picnic will move into Whitten

Hall.

Appreciation Dinner Wednesday, May 13 at 6 p.m.

Our annual Appreciation Dinner for our Church

Family Night workers and Sunday School teachers

will be catered. Family members

are invited, but there will not be a

separate children’s menu.

An e-vite has been sent out to the

workers and teachers. If you have

not already replied, please reply as soon as possible.

If you should have received an invitation and did not,

please email Stephen with your RSVP at

[email protected].

CHURCHWIDE

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