August 2014 Newsletter - Westwood Baptist Church

August 2014
Joining God in His Work
Westwood Baptist Church
Phone 919-469-9393 Fax 866-682-1360
…Why Pray?
Church Staff
Mike Eddinger, Pastor
Keith Vaughn, Associate Pastor
Caroline Allen, Minister of
Music & Worship
Michelle Anderson, Minister of Youth
Suzette Mason, Minister of Children
Charles Allard, Pastor Emeritus
Becky Bullock, Administrative Assistant
Beth Lockamy, Secretary
Anna Ferdinando, Church Hostess
Ellis Williams, Deacon Chair
Diane Owens, Pianist
Kim Taylor, Organist
Church Office Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Weekly Activities
9:15 am
10:30 am
6:30 pm
Sunday
Sunday School
Worship
YAC
7:00 pm
Monday
Boy Scouts
6:30 am
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
5:15
6:00
6:00
6:30
pm
pm
pm
pm
6:30 pm
7:40 pm
Tuesday
Prayer Breakfast
Cub Scouts
GriefShare
Wednesday
Fellowship Meal
Nursery
Youth Missions
Summer Missions
Program
Prayer & Bible Study
Westwood Choir
Rehearsal
I find myself reading Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount a lot, particularly over the past
several years. For me, there’s just so much of Jesus himself in those words…what
he thought about, what was important to him, how he lived and acted and loved in
his world. Of course, every time I read his words, I can’t get around the tough truth
that Jesus meant what he said, and he meant for me to live that way too.
Well, the other day I was reading the part of the sermon in Matthew 6, just
before Jesus said pray like this and then went on to pray what we call the Lord’s
Prayer. It was a section of the sermon where he talked about what prayer ought
and ought not look and sound like. He said things like don’t pray like the hypocrites,
a theatrical performance intended for those around them; pray in private, God sees
everything anyway; don’t babble on and on, God isn’t impressed by a lot of words.
Then, right before he launched into the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus said…your Father
knows what you need before you ask him.
What? If that’s true, and I believe it is, then it sure invites an obvious
question. If God knows my prayer before I even get the words out of my mouth,
then why pray? If he already knows what I’m about to say, then why don’t I just
save my breath.
The answer to the question why pray strikes at the very heart of what you
or I believe about prayer. You see, if we think of prayer as a means to
communicate information to God, then Jesus just blew that idea out of the water.
God doesn’t need information from us, he already knows more about us and our
lives and our situations and our circumstances than we do.
But if we stop and think about it for just a moment, we just might come to
the understanding that prayer isn’t all that much about communicating information
to God. Prayer is about relationship; it’s the language of relationship; a personal
love relationship with God through Jesus.
It’s kind of like the story we’ve all heard about the couple who had been
married for over 50 years. One morning over breakfast, the wife says, "I've noticed
that you never tell me you love me anymore." The husband replies, "Well, I told
you I love you the day we got married. If anything changes, I'll let you know." He
thought he was hilarious, she wasn’t amused.
Even the most un-romantic person on earth can recognize that’s the wrong
response. You see, words expressing love are never redundant, never unnecessary,
never unneeded…and neither are words of prayer. My words to God aren’t about
telling him things he doesn’t already know. Certainly it helps me to unload to God,
to articulate my feelings, my fears, my insecurities, my failures. Certainly he cares.
But the exchange that takes place in prayer is about how much God loves me and
how much I love him in relationship. Words of love and words of prayer not only
reflect our relationship, they also help create and strengthen the tender ties of that
relationship. And in that relationship, God brings me to a place where I can pray
with love and confidence and complete sincerity…your Kingdom come, your will be
done on earth as it is in heaven.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Page 2
Westwood Responds…Garden Ministry
Most of the vegetables from the Westwood
garden are delivered to the Western Wake
Crisis Ministry. For those who are not
familiar with this organization, it was
founded in 1983 by a small group of
churches and community leaders interested
in coordinating benevolence services to
people in Apex and Holly Springs although it
is open to anyone who is in need. Its
mission is to provide a helping hand in the
form of food or crisis financial aid to those in
our community whose ability to sustain
independent living is threatened by
unexpected circumstances: illness, car or
home repairs, decrease in wages, etc.
In the garden, okra and tomatoes are in full production while
yellow squash, zucchini, and cucumbers are still doing well. By
the time you read this newsletter, the garden production will have
exceeded 2,000 pounds and is on schedule to exceed production
in each of the past two years. A spread sheet showing the
pounds of vegetables harvested at each picking is posted in
Hallway A. Field peas and another row of cantaloupes have been
planted to replace the cabbage. “Who is my neighbor” for
Wednesday night, July 9, was The Western Wake Crisis Ministry.
Children and adult helpers harvested 140 pounds of vegetables
that was delivered to their neighbor the next day.
are having a lot of fun....
please come and join the fun and bring a friend!
COVERED DISH LUNCHEON-AUGUST 12TH AT NOON.
The Baptist Boys Quartet will be singing at the August Senior Adult luncheon. The quartet is made up of two retired and two active
employees of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Phil Stone, Johnny Ross, Donnie Wiltshire, and Ken Tan will entertain the
group with a short program of “ole time gospel favorites” sung mostly a capella or with ukulele accompaniment. Phil is Westwood’s
former Minister of Music & Worship and many of us also know Johnny very well. You don’t want to miss the wonderful opportunity to
hear them. Plan to attend and invite a friend.
See the Senior Bulletin Board for more details
West Wind
Page 3
August: Sermon Series Continued
September 7, 2014 will mark my 11th anniversary of serving on the ministerial staff
at Westwood, my 6th anniversary as your pastor. Lately, this realization has driven
me to some reflection and personal assessment, and I’m amazed at how much God
has changed me during these almost 11 years. He’s changed my perspectives, my
convictions, my passions, my priorities….and certainly those changes in my heart
and mind have informed my preaching and teaching and pastoral ministry. I really
shouldn’t be so amazed about this process because, after all, God is in the
transformation business! Over the past several months, I’ve spent some time
reflecting on how God has changed me and how those changes affect who I am
today in Christ; as a person, as a believer, as your pastor. And so, during July and
August, I’m going to try and share some of those reflections with you through a
sermon series I’ve entitled Things I Think About. I hope you’ll join us as often as you
can this summer and I hope some of the things I think about might give you a bit of
food for thought as well.
Theme: Things I Think About
August 3
Deacon Ordination Service
August 10
Keith Vaughn
August 17
Stewardship
Genesis 4:1-7
Background: Malachi 3:10;
1 Peter 4:1-11
August 24
Being The Church Not Doing Church
Acts 2: 42-47; Matthew 25:40
Background: Acts 2:1-47;
Matthew 25:31-46
August 31
Where Do We Go From Here?
Exodus 17:1-7
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Why pray? Because I love God and desperately need to tell him that; Mike because God loves me and I just as
desperately need to be reminded of that. So pray the prayers that God knows already; enter into ongoing conversation
about all that resides in your heart and mind with the one who loves you. And remember, God doesn't need to be
informed, but his primary desire is to be in loving personal relationship with you.
Amen, and Amen!
Mike
West Wind
Page 4
Youth Group Scoop
Aug. 3
Promotion Sunday for Sunday School
Singles Missions &
Activities
6:30 pm Scatter Day
Aug. 6
11:30 am Lunch Read & Chat
Aug. 10
3:00 pm Heartfileds
Aug. 17
4:00 pm YAC Kickoff (See article for details)
Aug. 22-23
Sept. 7
Sept. 13
Lock in (see article for details)
6:30 pm YAC
Carowinds Trip
Sept. 21
6:30 pm YAC
Sept. 28
6:30 pm YAC
Join Westwood singles for lunch after
worship service on:
 August 3 - Lucky 32 on Tryon Rd.
 August 17 - Ruby Tuesdays at
Crossroads
Meet in Room 209 after
Worship if you would like to
join Westwood Singles for
lunch.
August 17
YAC Kick off
4:00 - 8:00 pm
August 15 – Singles Movie Night
at 7:00pm for Fellowship followed by
movie, “Five People You Meet in Heaven”
at 7:30pm. Meet in the Fellowship Hall.
Sign-up Deadline:
July 30th
Cost is $15
Please note: All are welcome at these
events, single or not!
Featured Fun: Inflatable jousting, wrecking ball and
obstacle course; Dunking booth housing Pastor Mike,
Pastor Keith, Michelle and many other youth leaders;
Giant Jenga; Corn Hole; Relay Games; and Dinner.
Westwood Singles are collecting
recipes for a 2nd Westwood
Cookbook. Deadline to submit
recipes is August 15. Please email
recipes directly to Nancy Hunter at
[email protected] or put them
in the red plaid box in Room 209.
A Preteen Ministry for
Grades 4, 5, & 6
begins Sunday August 10th
from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.
This first night will consist of an important Parent meeting (6:30 - 7) where
we will talk about the IMPACT format, upcoming calendar, t-shirts, snacks,
helpers, etc. Please plan to bring $10 for your preteen’s t-shirt order. We will
conclude the evening (7-8) with FUN with preteens (Bible Study, Games, &
Snack)!
West Wind
Page 5
Ministers On Call
The month of August is
Westwood’s Annual Food Drive
for Eastern North Carolina
Poverty Region at Roanoke
Rapids. Please bring nonperishable food to the
collection site in the foyer by
August 31.
If you have a ministerial need when the church office is closed please contact the minister on call:
Aug 1-7
Keith Vaughn
Cell: 919-605-5714
Aug 8-14 Caroline Allen
Cell: 919-522-3046
Aug 15-21 Michelle Anderson Cell: 919-368-6508
Aug 22-28 Mike Eddinger Cell: 919-805-1022
BIBLE
PRESENTATION for
Kindergartners and
First Graders will be
Sunday, August 24
during the morning
worship service.
Mark Your Calendars:
Grief Share “Surviving the Holidays” will be on
December 6th. Contact Jackie Woodcock for
more information.
August 6 We will be helping our neighbors by picking
vegetables from our Community Garden.
Fall Evening Session 2014
Tuesdays, September 2 – December 2
7-9pm in Room 209
Cost: $25 per person
August 13 We will “decorate cookies and make snack
trays for our community helpers!
It hurts to lose someone you love. Find help at
GriefShare. GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will
walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult
experiences. You do not have to go through the grieving of your
loved one alone. GriefShare is a 13-week Bible based, Christ centered
program for people who have lost a loved one because of death.
August 20 We will assemble “freezer meals” to assist
with the ministry needs of the Andersons...our
missionaries in Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Contact Jackie Woodcock (day: 919-531-7031, cell: 919-302-4846) if
you would like more info.
Your Talent Is Going to Waste!
You should be playing handbells! If you can count to 4 - you can play handbells!
Come Join a handbell choir.

Youth Choir - Grades 7-12 - Mondays, 4:00 - 4:45 pm, starting August 25th

Young Adult Choir - Holidays & Summer

Adult Choir - All ages - Mondays, 7:15-8:00pm, starting August 25th.
Come Join a Choir. You can do this!
Call the Church Office or Dubba Lucas (919-467-2025) to join today.
West Wind
Page 6
4
Interested in learning more about
the Chrismon Ministry here at Westwood?
Don’t Miss the next Chrismon Workshop and Bible Study:
October 18th 8:45 am to 1:00 pm
Contact Dee Parrish or Eunice Robertson for more information.
August
Birthdays
1
1
2
4
4
6
8
10
11
12
13
14
14
15
16
17
Jim Wolverton
Ken Waight
Harold Stierhoff
Jack Riggsbee
Grant Hoke
Payton Duke
Bill Hoke
Gail Stevens
Martha Murray
Robin Andrews
Emily Hayne
Duane Hayes
Sally Anne Thomas
Shelley Forrest
Katherine Ruffolo
Charlie Johnson
19
19
20
20
20
20
21
22
24
24
24
25
26
26
27
27
27
27
27
28
29
29
30
30
30
31
Ramona Maynard
Asa Beale
Dot Jordan
Bill Shearin
Summer Barnett
Mikey Casella
Sally Dixon
Blake Ritter
Beth McLain
Mandy Smith
Tyler English
Ellis Williams
Jennifer Jordan
Logan Casella
Nancy Hunter
Jackie Woodcock
Adam Forbes
Krista Baldwin
Carlie Fitzgerald
Gloria Allard
Dorothy Baker
Cindy Groce
Henry Warren
Christopher Hoina
Sue Metzger
Jessica Glover
Thank you cards have been received in from the
following people and are on display on the bulletin board
on Hall A:
Jay Hayne, Diane Hurlbut, & Amanda McLain
2
2
3
3
9
12
15
17
17
17
18
20
21
21
21
24
26
28
29
29
Diane & Bob Clary
Paige & Nathan Luck
Joy & Keith Minster
Marlene & Larry Wofford
Marilyn & Mike Eddinger
Elva & Mike Slawson
Marilyn & Ian Yorke-Smith
Cindy & Tim Bolden
Betty Ann & Hal Coble
Shelba & Ted Spivey
Debbie & Wayne McLamb
Sara & Bill Overby
Faye & Jim Baker
Ann & Tom Davenport
Ramona & Larry Maynard
Bobbie & George Parker
Rebecca & Chris Cottingham
Penny & Lawson Faulkner
Eunice & Horace Robertson
Sally Anne & Rodney Thomas
West Wind
Page 7
Wednesday Evenings in August
During the month of August, during our Wednesday evening prayer and Bible study time, we will be
led by Lisa Grissom. As many of you might know, Lisa ministers at Central Prison in Raleigh, particuDuring
theinmates
month residing
of August,
our Wednesday
evening
prayer
and Bibleand
study
time,
we willfrom
be
larly
with
on during
death row.
Drawing from
personal
experience
using
excerpts
led
by
Lisa
Grissom.
As
many
of
you
might
know,
Lisa
ministers
at
Central
Prison
in
Raleigh,
particuthe video documentary Through the Door, Lisa lead us to reflect on Jesus’ words about caring for the
larly with
inmates
residing
death
Drawing
from
personal
experience
and using
excerpts
least
of these
brothers
and on
sisters
ofrow.
mine,
including
those
serving
time in prison.
We hope
you’llfrom
join
theinvideo
documentary
the Door,
Lisa lead
us to reflect
Jesus’ words
about caring
for the
us
the fellowship
hall Through
at 6:30 each
Wednesday
evening
for thison
insightful
and challenging
study.
least of these brothers and sisters of mine,
including
those
serving time in prison. We hope you’ll join
Through
the
Door
us in the fellowship hall at 6:30 each Wednesday
evening for this insightful and challenging study.
Lisa Grissom
August 6
prison….
Through the Door
Strangers In A Strange Land – Acts 16:9-10
Lisa Grissom
How do you get there?
How can you prepare for this “strange land?”
August
August 27
20
What can you expect
in this6new environment?
August
Strangers In A Strange Land – Acts 16:9-10 Praising
God
Is
On
the
Tier
Acts
9: 1-7
God and Passing–the
Ammunition
–
God is present with
you
while
you
are
How do you get there?
Acts 2
there….Remember
that…
How can you prepare for this “strange land?”
Sharing the Gospel….
God’s
Spirit
does
move
and
is
very
What can you expect
in
this
new
environment?
Planting the seeds…. active in the
August 13
prison….
The love of Christ
compels you…
Smiley-Faced Christians – Acts 16:25-32
What the inmates/officers will expect from you?
August 27
August
13 inmates/officers?
How you are perceived
by the
Praising God and Passing the Ammunition –
Smiley-Faced Christians – Acts 16:25-32
Acts 2
What the inmates/officers
August will
20 expect from you?
Sharing
the Gospel….
How you
are
perceived
by
the
inmates/officers?
God Is On the Tier – Acts 9: 1-7
Planting the seeds….
God is present with you while you are
The love of Christ compels you…
there….Remember that…
God’s Spirit does move and is very active in the
VBS Missions Offering Total:
$683.63
Cash Balance - General Operating Budget ····· $26,226
Cash Balance - Designated Funds ············· $147,044
TOTAL Cash Balance ······················ $408,270
General Fund Average Weekly Giving vs. Budget (through 6/30/14)
June Average Actual
$17,239
Weekly Budget
$21,538
Average weekly receipt versus budget for June ($4299)
Year to Date Average Actual
Actual as a % of budget
$18,123
84%
Westwood Baptist Church
200 Westhigh Street
Cary, NC 27513
September
Newsletter Deadline
August 21
It’s lock-in time again! This fun filled night is scheduled for
Friday, August 22nd with a drop off at 5pm and pickup Sat
am at 7am. The festivities will include a pool party/cookout,
worship service with “Engraved,” midnight bowling, and of
course the lock-in. The cost is $15 per youth (covers food,
bowling fees) and each youth is allowed to bring one friend if
they wish. The deadline to sign up is August 10th. If the
youth drops after this date, they will still have to pay and will
not be able to added back. The rising 7th grade youth are also
invited.
This is a great time of fun and fellowship for the youth (and
adults) and is always well attended. Therefore we need lots of
volunteers.
We need volunteers for the following:
1.
Adults to drive to pool party and back (leave church around 5pm-return 7:30pm)
2.
Adults to stay at pool for crowd control. ( You will be fed)
3.
Adults to help with worship
4.
Adults to drive to and from bowling (arrive at church 10:15pm- return 1am)
5.
Adults to stay at bowling alley
6.
Adults to stay overnight (1am-7am)
7.
Adults to cook breakfast (nothing fancy)- eat around 630
Youth: please respond to Amy Forbes at [email protected] if you will be attending.
Parents: If you would be willing to help out, please respond to AMY FORBES at [email protected] with what
you can do and provide the # of youth you can transport in your vehicle.