Happy New Year?

Happy New Year! We’ll all hear that phrase repeated often during the first few days or maybe even weeks of 2010. Have you ever stopped to think what folks mean when they wish you a “Happy New Year?” Or for that matter, what do you and I mean when we repeat that phrase? Is it just another throw-away greeting, like “how are you doing” or “have a good day?” Is it some form of congratulatory expression for having survived another cycle of the calendar? Is it a good luck wish that a person’s life during 2010 will be problem free and devoid of any unpleasant events? What constitutes our having a happy 2010?

Let’s face it, happiness can be a very relative term. For a lot of us, our happiness too often depends on our life’s circumstances working out just the way we want. And we spend a great deal of our precious time and energy trying our best to make that happen.

But the Bible takes a different view of happiness. In the first part of his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5), Jesus said some remarkable things about it. He used a Greek word that we translate “blessed” or “happy;” a word that describes pure joy that’s completely independent of the roller coaster ride of life’s circumstances and events. And then he said that happy people are those who reach the end of their rope and find God there; those who experience loss and find God sufficient; those who find contentment in who they are in Christ; those who care about others; those who’s hearts are in alignment with God; those who work to keep the peace rather than stirring up trouble; even those who are made fun of or rejected for their commitment to God and doing the right thing.

I think at least part of what Jesus was saying in that sermon is that happiness isn’t about me trying to make the circumstances of my life work out the way I want (notice the pronouns). True happiness is all about him. It’s about allowing God to make me more like Christ, seeing the world and people through his eyes, touching others with his love – in short, happiness is something we talk about all the time; being the presence of Christ for people in our lives who need to meet and know him.

So as I wish you a “Happy New Year” in 2010, that’s the message I want to communicate. As followers of Christ, may we all grow in our understanding and practice of what it means to be the presence of Christ in our families, in our schools, in our places of work, in our church, and in our community.

Happy New Year!
Mike

Keith's Korner

by Associate Pastor Keith Vaughn

Wednesday Evenings Pastor's Bible Study

The church of Jesus Christ is a diverse body; made up of people from every nation, every ethnicity, every socioeconomic group, and every culture. The force that unifies us while maintaining our diversity is our love for Jesus and our commitment serving him. While in a Roman prison, Paul wrote a letter to the church in Ephesus, not for the purpose of correction or to address any specific problem, but to applaud and encourage the family of believers serving there. In his affirmation of the Ephesian church, believers today are challenged to function as the living, breathing body of Christ in our world. During the month of January, we’ll study Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as a mechanism for examining the nature and purpose of our own church family. Come join us as we look at what Being the Body of Christ means for us.

Ephesians: Being the Body of Christ

January 6
United We Stand
Ephesians: 4:1-16

January 13
Living in the Light
Ephesians 4:17-5:20

January 20
Living with Accountability
Ephesians 5:21-6:9

January 27
Dress for Success
Ephesians 6:10-24

GriefShare

GriefShare Session begins Jan. 5
through March 30, Tuesdays,
7:00-9:00pm Room 209

For additional information or to register for any of the above events please contact Jackie Woodcock at 302-4846 or call the church office 469-9393.

So Long, Farewell...

I have some sad news to share. Billy Dennis, pastor of Swift Creek Baptist Church in Raleigh has accepted a pastorate in Manteo, NC at Manteo Faith Baptist Church. He will be leaving the week of the 17th of January to assume his new position there. Unfortunately for us at Westwood, he insists on taking Sandy with him. Her last day as our receptionist/secretary will be Friday, January 15th. We are going to miss her servant heart, her laughter, and contagious positive attitude. Since I have been here over the past six months, Sandy has gone out of her way for me, the other members of our staff and church congregation to help them with anything they needed.

Please take some time to drop by the office or give her a call and let her know how much we appreciate her service to our church and how much we will miss her. Please keep Billy, Sandy, Heather and William in your prayers as they begin this new ministry and new direction in their journey as Christ followers. Pray that God will continue to use Sandy in a ministry role somewhere in Manteo as he has for us at Westwood. We wish her God’s blessings and grace upon her and her family as they continue to serve our Lord where he sends. We love you Sandy and will miss you very much!

In Christ’s Love, Keith

Friday, Jan. 8 ~ Middle School Youth to Hockey Game (leave at 6:00pm)
Sunday, Jan. 10 ~ 6:30pm, Running the Rapids Parent Session
6:30pm, YAC
Sunday, Jan. 17 ~ 6:30pm, Running the Rapids Parent Session
6:30pm, No YAC
Sunday, Jan. 24 ~ Fundraiser Lunch / Business Meeting
6:30pm, Running the Rapids Parent Session
6:30pm, YAC
Saturday, Jan. 30 ~ High School Youth to Hockey Game (leave @ 6:00pm)
Sunday, Jan. 31 ~ 6:30pm, Running the Rapids Parent Session
6:30pm, 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