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| I Always Thank God For You... Since September 2003, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a member of the ministerial staff at Westwood Baptist Church. During those years, there have been many occasions of what Dr. Mike Cogdill refers to as “high and holy moments.” As I write these words, I’m filled with joy and gratitude for another of those experiences, or more accurately I should say a series of experiences, at Westwood. Perhaps because of the theme of our most recent sermon series, “Grace Before Truth,” the words of Paul to the Corinthian church come to mind as I reflect on these past few days. “I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 1:4; NIV) Last Wednesday evening, many in our congregation gathered in the Sanctuary for a time of worship where we offered up prayers for the people of Haiti; the victims of the terrible earthquake, their families, the responders to the tragedy, missionaries serving there, and the international political leaders who make decisions about the allocation of resources. In a marvelous outpouring of compassion and generosity, our Westwood family gave over $8,000 that will go directly to help meet the immediate medical needs of the tens of thousands of Haitians injured in the earthquake. I always thank God for you… On Friday and Saturday, 39 deacons and staff ministers gathered at Caraway for our annual deacon retreat. Through both laughter and tears, Dr. Roy De Brand reminded us of the Scriptural basis of the call to ministry and how that call is expressed in real and practical ways that God uses to touch the lives of people. We prayed together, sang together, ate together, played together, and then ate together some more. And I was overwhelmed by a spirit of togetherness and unity. I always thank God for you… And then on Sunday morning, we opened a new door in our partnership with the Chinese Bible Church of North Carolina as both congregations joined together in our first bilingual worship service. Many who were there will look back on this as a spiritual marker in our lives. As one of our church members expressed so beautifully, in worshipping alongside our Chinese brothers and sisters, we experienced a foretaste of what heaven will be like. I always thank God for you… So I’m grateful
for the privilege of serving our wonderful Lord with a community of
people who, having experienced grace, eagerly apply grace in our relationship
with each other and in our ministry to those in our community and world.
Of course, we can’t rest on our laurels, but must keep moving
forward in Christ. As Paul said about himself, “Not that I
have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but
I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of
me.” (Philippians 3:12) As we continue to run the race together,
I always thank God for you!
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by Associate Pastor Keith Vaughn |
A thank you note has been received from Joyce Molnar, The Family of Janeverett Brown, Paula Settle, Jim & Renee Bridges, Bill Gartland, Ken & Diane Owens, Peggy & Al Percy, The Family of Bertha Todd Cox, and Jan Morrow.
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| Wednesday Evenings Pastor's Bible Study During the months of February and March, our Pastor’s Bible Study will cover a variety of topics. On February 3 and 10, we will complete our last two sessions in the book of Ephesians. February 17 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. That evening our study will focus on the temptation of Jesus in the desert from the accounts of Matthew and Luke. That day also marks the beginning of our “You’ve Got The Time” emphasis where, as a church family, we’ll listen through the New Testament during the 40 days of Lent leading up to Easter. To support that emphasis, each Wednesday for the remainder of February and all of March I’ll chose a passage from that day’s listening to be the focus of our Bible study time that evening. I hope you’ll join us in the Fellowship Hall at 6:30 PM for this time of prayer and study of God’s word. February 3 February 10 February 17 February 24
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Weekly Activities
Monday Tuesday Wednesday |
Mission Statement A
community of believers Mike Eddinger,
Pastor |
February Ministers on Call 6th & 7th Mike
Eddinger 13th & 14th Michelle
Anderson 20th & 21st Keith
Vaughn 27th & 28th Caroline
Allen |
February Sermon Topics February
7 February
14 February
21 |
Breakfast Sponsored by
Baptist Men There will be a breakfast sponsored by the Baptist Men on Saturday, February 6th followed by a mission project at the Carying Place. Women and Children are encouraged to come for breakfast and participate in this mission project. Carying Place in Cary provides temporary housing for families in a 16 week transition program. Our job will be assisting in moving furniture to apartments or moving furniture to storage. Mike Casella is the team leader for this project. If you can help, please call Mike at 388-0861. A sign up sheet is located in hallway A. Wilda and Frank Prince and their crew
will prepare breakfast. Breakfast is free but you need to sign up in
Hallway A.
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Monday Night Mission Group The Monday Night Mission Group will
meet Monday, February 8 at 7:00 pm at the home of Priscila Humphries.
We will meet at Westwood (lower level) to carpool and leave Westwood
at 6:30 pm. We invite anyone interested to attend. We are helping
to support the Wake County Crisis Center and will bring jars of jelly
for their food pantry. For more information contact Judy Auman at
319-1117. |
| Chinese New Year Celebration February 13, 6pm
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CBFNC
Children’s Choir Festival February 19-20 High Point, NC Grades 4-6 Call Caroline Allen for more information at
469-9393. |
Saturday Night Praise
www.myspace.com/saturdayworship |
Kids Proverbs Party Proverbs, Puppets, Pizza, Praise and Play!!! When: Sunday February 21 RSVP by February 14: Call
the church office (469-9393) or email Michelle at youth@westwoodbc.org |
Ka’thy Gore Chappell to
Lead
We are excited to announce that our Winter Bible Study for 2010 will be led by Ka’thy Gore Chappell, Associate Dean for Student Life/Enrollment at The Baptist Theological Seminary of Richmond. Ka’thy earned a B.S. from Auburn University and a M.R.E. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has completed additional study in Pastoral Counseling at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Clinical Pastoral Education at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Many in the Westwood family will remember Ka’thy from her service as the Youth Minister at First Baptist Church in Cary and College Minister at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh. Ka’thy is very excited about “coming home” to be our teacher for our 2010 Winter Bible Study. Our study this year will be Proverbs. Plan now to join us on Sunday, February 21. Ka’thy will bring the message during the 10:30am worship hour as an introduction to Proverbs. We will return for the first study session from 4:00pm – 5:30pm with a stand-up break around 4:50pm. At 5:30pm we will enjoy a light meal and begin the second study session at 6:00pm. The evening will conclude by 7:00pm. Our youth will be assisting the children who will also be engaged in an exciting time of study, crafts, activities, and dinner. They will study several proverbs selected from the NIV Read to Me Bible for Kids. The schedule is designed to be “family friendly” with something for all ages. Plan now to join us for this exciting day at Westwood.
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"Wild, Wild West"
The youth of Westwood would like to treat you to an evening of fun including dinner and entertainment. Feel free to dress in western wear if you would like: bandanas, cowboy hats, plaid shirts, etc.. Please sign up on the Seniors bulletin board by Feb. 21. When: Saturday, February
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Helping Hands for Haiti Our Mission Friends, GA’s and RA’s are collecting spare change in support of disaster relief for the earthquake victims in Haiti. They have entitled this campaign Helping Hands for Haiti. You can help by dropping your spare change into the yellow baskets located at the Welcome Centers and other strategic places throughout the building. Collection will continue through February 28. The children in our missions program thank you for your participation in this effort and for your continued prayers for the people of Haiti and those responding to this disaster.
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Pinewood Derby Race & Mission Fair February 28, 2:15pm The RA’s and GA’s will have a Pinewood Derby Race and Mission Fair in the church Fellowship Hall. This is a very exciting event for the participants and spectators as well. If you have seen or participated in this event, you know just how much excitement is generated. If you haven’t seen this event before, you will be in for a treat. We invite you to come support these wonderful young people. For more information see the information sheet on the bulletin boards or ask an RA or GA leader.
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Churchwide
BarBQue Fundraiser
Proceeds will go to help neighborhood
ministries and missions.
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Dental
Bus
March 13 from 8:00 am-12:00 pm
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Sunday,
Feb. 7 ~ 6:30pm, Running the Rapids Parent Session
Wednesday Schedule
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