WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 1

Westwood World A Publication of Westwood Baptist Church

August 2014 _________________________________________

2014 Edition 8

A Message from Our Senior Pastor

This summer has had a different feel for me. Married to a Fairfax County school teacher, the time has

seemed a bit compressed as school remained in session a week longer than usual due to our snowy winter.

Since our schools go so late anyway, this additional week ushered us right into the July 4th holiday, then

VBS, Impact, and now, quickly, August. Our conversations in the context of our busy lives often include the

phrase, “where did the time go?” and this summer it truly seems to have passed more quickly than usual.

Contrasting this rush of summer is the slow pace of my recovery from a torn ankle tendon that has kept me

from doing many of the things I normally do during this season. On the grand scale of things, my injury is not

terribly significant, truly more aggravation than anything else, but I can’t drive, don’t walk much apart from

the assistance of my knee walker, haven’t been able to make visits as I normally do, and haven’t swung a

golf club in nearly three months. The juxtaposition of my slowed personal pace and the rush and compres-

sion of the summer have made this an unusual season of stops and starts, connectedness and disconnect-

edness for me.

Life takes unexpected twists and turns. We recognize in this uncertainty that the very things we work so hard

to control often seem just beyond our reach. It is not unusual for us, like the Psalmist, to long for a return to

things as they once were. In the 42nd Psalm, the writer laments, “My heart is breaking as I remember how it

used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, sing-

ing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration!” Though the source of his lament is un-

known, something has changed and he is not able to do what once gave him such pleasure and fulfillment.

My “aggravation” is temporary, but for many, life’s unexpected changes remain a familiar part of their ongo-

ing journey. I am a bit more careful these days in sharing the familiar axioms of faith that have often so easi-

ly come through the years of offering pastoral encouragement. It’s not that I doubt these truths but perhaps

understand a bit more how cavalierly we toss them around without much thought as to their particular appli-

cation to a particular person’s need. Maybe the continuing words of the Psalmist that follow his lament from

the 42nd Psalm speak to the perseverance of faith that cannot be bound by calendar or personal circum-

stance. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—

my Savior and my God!”

Beginnings and endings, interruptions and predictable patterns all have their place in our lives. Persevering

faith must have its place as well. Perhaps the third verse of Karolina Sandell-Berg’s wonderful hymn, “Day

by Day,” is a good reminder of this. “Help me then, in every tribulation, so to trust Thy promises, O Lord.

That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation, offered me within Thy holy Word. Help me, Lord, when toil and trou-

ble meeting, e’er to take, as from a father’s hand, one by one, the days, the moments fleeting, till with Christ

the Lord I stand.”

Jim Abernathy

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 2

In Our Prayers . . . Al Sanders; Amanda Maguire’s father, Walt Strickland; Anne Daly; Andy Willetts; Berkley McKenzie; Betty Helfen-

berger; Cathy Moody’s father; Dave Nachison’s father; Dave Schmitz; Dennis Hunt’s father; Don Anderson; Ed &

Karen Armstrong; Ed & Joan Tarlosky; Eileen Griffith; Elise Clark; Emilie Bretz; Eric Williams; Ernie Kirkland; Faye

Riley; George Stone; Greisy Acosta’s mother, Gregoria Hernandez; Helen Hill; Homa Sherdel’s husband, Moham-

ad; Jackie Weaver; Jewel Bowers; Jim Crupper; Jo Sergio; Joshua Brown; Kathy Boothe; Kevin & Nancy Kersh;

Landon & Christina Taylor’s friends, Joe Murphy and Olivia Hilton; Lauren Caruso’s grandfather, Italo Cosentino;

Lee Christensen; Lynda Mooney; Lynne Storer’s grandson, Bo Storer; Martha Siemering’s granddaughter, Olivia;

Myrt Gildea’s sister-in-law, Marge Blose; Nancy D’Ambrosio; Olga Teutler’s father-in-law; Pam & Thomas Daly’s

friend and neighbor, Maryann Ridge; Rita Pearsall’s daughter, Sherry; Rita Roberts’ niece, Karen Van Name;

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; and Yvonne Bryant.

Westwood Member News

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Page

Westwood Member News 2 50th Anniversary 3 Community Involvement 4 Church Life 5 Preschool and Children’s Ministry 6 Pictures from Vacation Bible School 7

Adult Education 8 August Sundays at Westwood 8 Youth Ministry 9 www.GO Seniors Ministry 10 CFN Returns in September 10 Music Ministry 10

With SympathyWith SympathyWith SympathyWith Sympathy

We extend our Christian sympathy to former Westwood

staff member Pat Pastor on the death of her husband, Alan.

If you wish to send your condolences to the family, the address is:

2921 Dragonfly Way, Maryville, TN 37803

Congratulations to Rebecca and Erik Larson and family on the arrival of Henrik Edward Larson, born Tuesday, July 29.

I would like to thank the Westwood congregation for all the love, support, and especially the encourage-ment you have shown to Steve and me during my recent surgery and recuperation. The phone calls, cards, visits, and meals have been so generous and greatly appreciated. It is truly a blessing to belong to such a

loving and caring community of friends.

From Jo SergioFrom Jo SergioFrom Jo SergioFrom Jo Sergio

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 3

50th Anniversary

Westwood Has A History of Bus Ministry for Children

From her earliest origins, Westwood Baptist has

been a church with an outward vision. Her world-

wide view found expression in the missionary work

of Baptists through the Cooperative Program and

also found vision locally to reach out to the chil-

dren of West Springfield. Before the mission be-

came a church, Tom Lovelace was picking up chil-

dren in his small car and bringing them to Wash-

ington Irving Intermediate School for Sunday

School. He remembers that once he piled 13 kids

in. It must have looked like a circus car when they

unloaded at the school where we held our Sunday

services.

After Westwood organized into a church, the “Bus

Ministry” continued with Tom heading up the

Transportation Committee. By then he was shar-

ing the “honor” with Roger Brooks, John Stratton,

and Ed Carr, so he did not have to drive each

week. Later, Del Ray Baptist, our sponsoring

church, gave us their old Blue Bus, and we ex-

panded the area where children were served.

Many children who otherwise would never have

experienced a church family heard the stories of

the Bible and discovered Jesus.

After a few years, the bus collapsed and the minis-

try died. But, in the early 1970s, Jack Archer saw

the need and campaigned until we not only re-

vived it but we also bought another used bus. (No

wonder that Jack later made General in the US

Army). Under Jack’s wing, that brown and cream

colored bus became an institution—at least in our

parking lot. Jack and Billy Riley could be seen on

Sunday mornings making their rounds and inviting

children to Sunday School. Later, the youth would

use the bus to go on their retreats, and Pam Wil-

liams and Rusty Newman became able drivers.

Finally, when we began to see the pavement

through the floor boards as we rolled down the

highway, we retired that bus with all appropriate

honors to a vehicle which meant a lot to the chil-

dren of our community—and a lot to Westwood.

Bob Whitten

Currently, Westwood owns a 15-passenger bus

which was bought in August of 2009. This vehicle

is used frequently for trips in our www.GO Seniors

ministry, for Youth ministry trips, for providing

transportation for residents living in the Springfield

retirement village of Greenspring so they can at-

tend Westwood worship and events, and whenev-

er other needs arise.

Joy Meyer

ABOVE: Westwood youth enjoy travel for a mission trip aboard the church bus.

50th Anniversary Special Events in 2014

• Army Chorus Concert on Saturday, September 20

• Homecoming Celebration on November 8-9

Save the Dates!

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 4

Community Involvement

Shopping List for Weekend Backpack ProgramShopping List for Weekend Backpack ProgramShopping List for Weekend Backpack ProgramShopping List for Weekend Backpack Program

1-gallon Ziploc bags Breakfast Items: Instant oatmeal, individual

serving cereal box, granola/cereal bars, or Pop Tarts.

Protein Items: Can/cup of soup, Easy Mac & Cheese, can/pouch of tuna, salmon, or chicken, Vienna sausages, individual serv-ing ravioli, Beef-A-Roni, spaghetti, or pea-nut butter crackers

Fruits: Individual fruit cups or dried fruit boxes Milk: Long shelf-life Snacks: Pudding, fruit snacks, crackers, grano-

la bars

Place these items in the large grey bin outside the Place these items in the large grey bin outside the Place these items in the large grey bin outside the Place these items in the large grey bin outside the

church office. Thank You for helping to feed the church office. Thank You for helping to feed the church office. Thank You for helping to feed the church office. Thank You for helping to feed the

hungry children of Springfield!hungry children of Springfield!hungry children of Springfield!hungry children of Springfield!

Springfield Gardens Back-to-School Event on August 30 Westwood is once again assisting in the Back-to-

School party at Springfield Gardens (7224 Com-

merce Street) on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m.

to 1 p.m. There will be a sign-up sheet at the

Welcome Center in the narthex for folks to volun-

teer to help out at this festive occasion and we

hope for you to enjoy this event this year.

As part of this event, Westwood will distribute

health kits to the children attending the event, and

we need your help in providing the items to go in

each kit. We are collecting this material now

through August 24. The kits will be packaged in

an 8” x 12” tote bag, so we need to keep the items

to the indicated sizes so they all fit. Drop your

contributions in the blue bin in the narthex. These

kits are for children up to 12 years of age.

Toothpaste – 4 -7 ounce size

Child’s toothbrush

Dental floss

Bar of soap

Comb

Shampoo – up to 12 ounces

Lip balm

Weekend Food Pack Ministry to Resume in September

Next month we will resume our ministry preparing

Weekend Food Packs. Last year, Westwood was

invited by our neighbor Messiah United Methodist

to join in their established Weekend Food Pack

program, and we agreed to help out. Messiah has

been providing food packs for five years and is

now providing over 100 packs a week to four

schools in central Springfield (Lynwood, Crest-

wood, Garfield, and Springfield Estates).

To be able to do this, we are asking for help in

purchasing the items that go in the packs. We will

need to do this on a continuing basis throughout

the school year. Below is a shopping list of what

we need.

The easiest and most economical way to buy

these items is in multi-packs sold at Costco and

BJ’s. If this is difficult for you, there is a designat-

ed account for this effort and you can donate to it

by writing “Weekend Food Packs” on the subject

line of your check.

Dick Marvin

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 5

Church Life

turn at hosting or choosing a restaurant. The pur-

pose is good fellowship and getting to know oth-

ers in the church.

Elizabeth Colley

Church Conference The quarterly church conference, postponed in

July, has been rescheduled for Sunday, August 3

at 11 a.m. Our August Sundays worship begins at

9:30, with fellowship time at 10:30. This brief

meeting will feature reports from the Nominating

Committee as well as our church treasurer and

other ministry groups. Plan to be present for this

important meeting.

Summer Potluck Fellowships

The last of our summer potlucks will be Wednes-

day, August 13, at 6 p.m. in Whitten Hall. You

may have been traveling during one of these sum-

mer events, and if so, you have missed a great

opportunity for warm fellowship and delicious

food. So don’t miss the opportunity to share in this

special event and invite a friend to join you, intro-

ducing them to our welcoming Westwood family.

Supper Club for Fall 2014 Sign-ups for the Fall Supper Club Groups will be

starting on Sunday, August 17, and will run

through September 7. I hope that people who are

new to Westwood will sign up, as this is an excel-

lent opportunity to meet and get to know others in

the church family that you may not know. If you

are interested in fun, good food, and fellowship,

give this a try. Sign up in the narthex or email Eliz-

abeth Colley at mecolley@verizon.net.

Groups will be set up with six to eight people in

each group. A leader will be assigned to get the

group started, then others host the next event,

and so on. Some people like to eat in restaurants

and others enjoy having people come to their

homes – that is up to the group and host for the

particular event. When you eat out, everyone pays

their own tab. At home, the host may ask group

members to bring a dish or prepare the meal

themselves. Usually the group meets about once

a month, and each person or couple should take a

Army Chorus

50th Anniversary Concert The United States Army Chorus will be at West-

wood in concert, Saturday, September 20, at 7

p.m. We have been blessed to hear the Chorus

over the years here at Westwood and are privi-

leged to have them present this concert as part of

our year-long 50th Anniversary celebration. This

is another gift we share with our community, so

take this opportunity to invite your friends and

neighbors to share in this evening of music.

Special Guest Leena Levanya, founder of ServeTrust ministries

in India, will be with us to preach in morning wor-

ship on Sunday, September 28.

Leena has been with us before,

and she always shares from her

heart the great needs of her peo-

ple as well as the great opportu-

nities we have to be part of this

very unique ministry. Circle the

date, and make sure you are in

attendance to welcome Leena

and be blessed as she shares.

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 6

Preschool and Children’s Ministry

FunDay School, Connect, and

Preschool Sunday School in August All children’s and adult preschool classes will take

a hiatus in the month of August. When we resume

on September 7, we will promote all the children

and preschoolers to their new grade levels. Watch

for more details in the September Westwood

World.

Extended session will be held as usual during wor-

ship at 9:30 a.m. on each of the five Sundays in

August. There will be no children’s church in Au-

gust.

Farewell to Sixth Graders in Connect Our sixth graders will be moving up to join the

youth when Sunday School resumes in Septem-

ber. Thanks for being part of the first Connect

class at Westwood. It has been a blast making

New Testament connections with you this year!

VBS Weird Animals: Where Jesus’ Love is One of a

Kind was a wild success in July. We had tons of

fun and learned all about the unique and ever-

present love of Jesus that is with us when we feel

left out or too different, we don’t understand hard

things, we do the wrong thing, and when we are

scared. The kids gave monetary offerings for Ser-

veTrust and food and other household consuma-

bles as gifts to ECHO.

Many, many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers

who gave their time, energy, creativity, love, and

general weirdness to welcome children into our

church home. Thank you, Directors, for your terrific

leadership and your hours of work in the back-

ground. Most of all, thank you Westwood for gen-

erously supporting VBS year in and year out with

your prayers and generous funding.

Upcoming

Summer Family Socials

• Alexandria Coliseum on Tuesday, Au-

gust 5 at 2:30 p.m.

• August 27—Mark your calendar for a family

bowling night. Details will be announced soon.

Looking Ahead…

Sunday, September 7—Promotion Sunday

All youth, children, and preschoolers will join

their new classes. Welcome to the next level!

Wednesday, September 10—Church Family

Night (CFN) 2014-2015 Kickoff

…And Way Ahead Sunday, December 7—Children’s Christ-

mas Musical in Worship

Wednesday, December 10—Last CFN be-

fore Christmas

Wednesday, January 7—First CFN of 2015!

Holly Bryant

Our Memory Verse

We don’t have have a Bible memory verse in

August, but get ready to recite, anyway. In

August worship, Pastor Jim will invite all

members of the congregation to share their

favorite memory verse. Review the ones you

have learned this year to get ready.

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 7

VBS 2014 Vacation Bible School

The week of July 7-11, 109 adult and teen

staff members welcomed 185 children from

our community to Westwood for Vacation Bi-

ble School.

“Jesus’ Love Is One of a Kind!” was the mes-

sage of the Weird Animals VBS theme.

Many, many, thanks to all those who gave

their time and energy to make this year’s VBS

great!

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 8

Adult Education

Summer Book Discussion

…Unbroken The final book discussion of the summer, focus-

ing on Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken…A World

War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Re-

demption, will be on Tues-

day, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m. in

the music suite. This power-

ful book about the life of

Louie Zamperini and his

journey from celebrated

athlete and prisoner of war

to disciple of Christ is an

amazing story. There’s still

time for you to get a copy of

the book if you have not already done so. You

will be blessed as you read and as we gather to

discuss the book.

Day/Night Study Begins in

September After a summer break, our

Day/Night studies will begin

September 15 and 16.

Once again, Dr. Abernathy

will lead the Monday morn-

ing group at 10 a.m. and

Rev. Gray will lead the

Tuesday evening group at 7

p.m.

Our first study will focus on

a book and video presentation by John Ortberg,

entitled, Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Im-

portant Part of You. Books will go on sale for a

cost of $5 in late August.

These studies offer great opportunities to grow in

faith through the study of God’s word, so look for

a sign-up sheet at the Welcome Center in late Au-

gust, and invite someone to share the study with

you.

Jesus Christ the

same yesterday,

today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

August Sundays at Westwood

During the month of August, we will gather

for worship in the sanctuary at 9:30 a.m.

each Sunday, focusing on the theme “Jesus

Christ, The Same Yesterday, Today, and

Forever.” These worship services will feature

a more casual atmosphere, a more interac-

tive process of worship, and special music

and preaching from our own Westwood fami-

ly and from special guests. We will share in

a time of fellowship in Whitten Hall immedi-

ately following worship each Sunday, giving

our Sunday School teachers and leaders a

break. This is a great time to invite a friend to

join you for worship in August.

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 9

Meetings

Youth Advisory Council (Adults) Saturday, August 9, at 9 a.m.

Upcoming Activities

Summer Communications For the rest of the summer we'll send week-

ly updates about youth activities via email,

Twitter and Facebook. We'll return to our

monthly newsletter format in the fall.

Welcome Congratulations to the rising seventh grad-

ers joining the youth group! We look forward

to getting to know you better and we’re ex-

cited about what you will add to the group.

The new members are:

Calvin Beavers Juliette Frazier Annie Gray Reed League Megan Nachison Sarah Skalski Zohal Tokhi

Evening Meal Schedule Aug. 3 Curtin Aug. 10 Rothwell Aug. 17 Kern Aug. 24 Rodgers Aug. 31 Young

Youth Ministry

Weekly Youth Schedule (August Only)

Sundays Morning Worship 9:30 a.m.

Fellowship Time Immediately after

morning worship

Youth Dinner 6 p.m.

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

Wednesdays For the rest of the month, we will meet at 7

p.m. each Wednesday for assorted activities.

Details will be sent each week via email, Fa-

cebook and Twitter.

Be blessed,

Andre Towner

Stay Connected with

Westwood Youth Ministry

Andre Towner

(703) 955-0002

andre.towner@westwood-baptist.org

WANTED

COW IMPERSONATOR

WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN

Last seen at Chick-fil-A

on Friday, July 11, in the

company of young des-

perados. $5 REWARD

WESTWOOD WORLD August 2014 10

Items for the September issue of Westwood World are due by Friday, August 15, and

should be sent to Martha Newman at martha.newman@westwood-baptist.org.

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

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

CHURCH FAMILY

NIGHT RETURNS !!!

ON

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10

AT 5:30 P.M.

Catered Meal

Games for All Ages

STARTING SEPT. 1, MAKE YOUR WEEKLY OR

STANDING RESERVATION

• Go online to www.westwood-baptist.com;

• Turn in a yellow pew form; or

• Call the church office @ 703-451-5120

Cost is $4.00 for those in fifth grade and old-er, $2.25 for children, and free for ages 2

and younger. (Family max is $17.)

www.GO ~ Older

Adult Fellowship

Upcoming Events

Canasta 2nd & 4th Tuesdays

1-3 p.m. – Greenspring

Village Towne Center Craft Room

Join us on August 12 and 26 for fun and fel-

lowship. Canasta is a great game that’s fun

and easy to learn.

For further information this summer, please

contact the church office.

Rita Roberts

Music Ministry

Thank You, Choirs Our choirs are on a break. We will resume in

September.

Much appreciation for an outstanding job this

year!

Pat Close