WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 1

Westwood World A Publication of Westwood Baptist Church

March 2016 _________________________________________

2016 Edition 3

Jim Abernathy

A Message from Our Senior Pastor Why are we here? What is our purpose? Who are we?

Questions of identity mark our existence. Individually or corporately, these queries call us to introspection and

assessment that confirm identity or create the opportunity to think in different terms about who we are and what we are

to be.

Churches sometimes struggle to clarify and understand their purpose. Surveys are done, consultants brought in

to evaluate current practices and recommend appropriate changes. These things can be productive, but I often wonder if

we don’t complicate what is often a simple process. Now, please understand, the use of the term “simple” does not

imply that the work and ministry we are called to as followers of Jesus Christ is easy or insignificant. To truly be a

disciple, either individually or corporately, requires nothing less than all of yourself. To be captured by the love of

Christ is to recognize that offering less than one’s best is to cheapen God’s great act of grace through Jesus Christ. As

hymnist Charles Wesley so powerfully put it, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all.”

So how might we summarize this sense of identity we are to have as followers of Christ, both individually and

corporately? You may think my answer too simple and lacking in detail, but here it is: Love others in Jesus’ name.

“It’s too broad,” some might say. “Not specific enough,” others might complain. I understand the twenty-first century

perspective that often identifies meaning and substance with a particular framework that can be evaluated step by step

by step. Such planning and evaluation are helpful in getting things done. Discipleship, however, is more than

scheduling, and ministry more than being held captive to the bottom line. Following Jesus Christ is about relationship

building. Paul wrote in Philippians 3, “I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ

Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may

gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes

through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his

resurrection. . .” The desire to know Christ is the seed that germinates in the rich soil of faith that produces life-altering

discipleship and ministry. Here is the recognition that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Here is the connection that

empowers every thought and action for the person or community of faith that truly seeks to honor Christ. Jesus

affirmed that the greatest commandment is to love God with one’s whole heart, mind, and soul, and the second greatest

commandment is to love others. Loving God empowers one to love others.

For most of us, I am not breaking new ground here. But sometimes, we need to be reminded about that which

holds greatest value, for there we find our purpose and meaning. Loving others in Jesus’ name will be evident when

you work together with brothers and sisters in Christ to host the homeless, give of your time to work in VBS,

participate in Mama Mia’s, teach a Sunday School class or volunteer with youth or children’s ministry, participate in

mission outreach by going, giving, and/or praying, honor the Lord through your financial gifts, visit someone who is

sick, grieve with someone who mourns the death of a loved one, or simply listen and encourage someone who needs to

see an example of Christ’s love.

That is who we are to be as individuals and as a community of faith seeking to honor Christ. Let us faithfully

commit ourselves anew to such an identity and task.

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 2

In Our Prayers . . .

Al & Carolyn Sanders; Aminata Jalloh and her father; Anne Daly; Andy Willetts; Berkley McKenzie; Carolyn

Dickens’ friend Teri Furman; Cathy Hallmark’s brother, Pete Burrell; Chuck Young’s father; Dave Schmitz; Del

Purkey’s father; Dennis Hunt’s father; Don Wilson* (Qatar); Ed & Karen Armstrong; Ed & Joan Tarlosky; Eddie

Maguire’s friends June & Joe Aguello; Eileen Griffith; Elise Clark; Eric Williams; Eva Lee Griffin; Faye Riley; Gary

Gillespie; Ginger Schiffner’s niece Liz Perkins; Greisy Acosta’s mother; Helen Hill; Jackie Weaver; Jeanette Meyers’

co-worker Kim Folland; Jim Crupper; Josh Towner*; Joy Earner, and her neighbor David Gordon; Joyce Taormina’s

sister; Julie Clark’s cousin Richard Johnson; Kara Helfenberger; Kathy Boothe; Kathy Freeman’s father and mother;

Landon Taylor (El Salvador); LaVonne Boyer’s daughter; Lucinda Marvin’s father; Martha Newman’s sister, Mary

Ellen; Martha Siemering’s granddaughter Olivia; Mike Colley’s niece Cheryl Peterson; Mike Long; Olga Teutler’s

father-in-law; Pam & Thomas Daly’s friend and neighbor Maryann Ridge; Phyllis and Bud Sullivan; Rick Mooney;

Rita Pearsall’s daughter, Cherie; Robert Poggio*, spouse of MDO teacher (Afghanistan); Ryan Balluck; Sarah Roberts;

Tom Hall, and Tom and Barbara’s son; Wakie Paganelli; Wallace & Phyllis Brinkley’s friend Skip Gallager; Warren

Graham; and Yvonne Bryant. *Active Duty Military

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Page

Westwood Member News 2 Holy Week and Easter at Westwood 3-4 Community Involvement 5-6 Music Ministry 6 Adult Studies 7 Preschool & Children’s Ministry 7

Church Life 8 Church Family Night 9 Youth Ministry 10-11 Finance Committee 11 www.GO Older Adults Ministry 12

Westwood Member News

With Sympathy

We extend our Christian sympathy to Chuck Young in the death

of his mother; to Beth Seay in the death of her grandfather;

Rita Roberts in the death of her uncle; Dorothy Williams in the

death of her daughter; Barbara Richardson in the death of her

sister-in-law; and Kim Robertson in the death of her

grandmother.

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 3

HOLY WEEK AT WESTWOOD

Palm Sunday March 20

Worship at 11 a.m. Message: Standing Together

Isaiah 50:4-9a

Maundy Thursday March 24

Worship at 7:30 p.m. Tenebrae Service with Communion

Labyrinth available throughout the week.

Easter March 27

Community Sunrise Worship Service 6:30 a.m. at Springfield Country Club

Worship at 11 a.m. Message: Joy in the Morning

John 20:1-18; Psalm 30:1-5, 12

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 4

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae serviceMaundy Thursday Tenebrae serviceMaundy Thursday Tenebrae serviceMaundy Thursday Tenebrae service

Thursday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. Westwood will observe a

Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service in the sanctuary. The

Tenebrae is a service that contrasts light and dark as the

congregation focuses on the events of Jesus’ last hours leading to

the cross. We will observe communion, read stories of those last

hours that led Jesus to his death, sing these stories from our hymn

book, and quietly reflect on the growing shadow of sin that seems

to overtake the light. This service of reflection and introspection

will be a meaningful part of our Holy Week Observance.

Over the years, Westwood has observed global missions offerings

during the Christmas and Easter seasons. These seasons remind us of the

wondrous gift and ultimate sacrifice we find in Jesus Christ. Your gifts go around

the corner and around the world to share the love of Christ. Offering envelopes

are available in the pew racks and at the Welcome Center. This offering will be

received throughout the month of March, so prayerfully consider what God would

have you do to help others hear the good news of Jesus Christ.

Holy Week and Easter

Community Easter Sunrise ServiceCommunity Easter Sunrise ServiceCommunity Easter Sunrise ServiceCommunity Easter Sunrise Service An Easter Sunrise service will be held at 6:30 a.m. at the

Springfield Golf & Country Club, March 27. This service

involves several churches in our community and offers an

opportunity to celebrate the resurrection with brothers and

sisters in Christ from sister churches. Set your alarm, dress

warmly, and join the celebration. Westwood is the alternate

site in case of bad weather.

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 5

Hypothermia Prevention Week at

Westwood

The Westwood participation with the Hypothermia

Prevention Program, led in our area by FACETS, will

end Sunday, Feb. 28. Guests and volunteers alike are

enjoying a time of fellowship, as delicious meals are

served and a warm shelter from the winter weather is

provided to some of the homeless individuals from

our county. Look for a more detailed report of our

week’s experience in next month’s Westwood World.

Thank you for your continuing prayers during this

time as our church home becomes a home for them.

Lucinda Marvin, Sandy Milam,

Martha Lee Fugate

ECHO Volunteer Positions

There are some vital ECHO

volunteer positions open. If you

would like to explore any of these

or to find out more about joining

ECHO’s cheerful volunteer force,

e-mail admin@echo-inc.org for

details or talk to Dick Marvin.

Here are the jobs and days needed:

• The Thursday morning Bread Crew needs

volunteers with large vehicles (such as SUVs) to

transport donated bread from Bimbo Bakery in

Newington to ECHO. A volunteer would commit

to one or more Thursdays per month. Training

will be provided.

• The Food Room needs volunteers to assist in

receiving and shelving food donations on one or

more Tuesday mornings per month.

• On Friday mornings, ECHO needs additional

volunteers to help clients select clothing and

household goods for their families. These

volunteers also assess clothing donations and

keep the shelves and racks stocked.

• Volunteers are urgently needed at the Donation

Door on Monday mornings to assist donors with

bags of clothing, food, and household items, and to

write receipts if requested. Some heavy lifting is

required for this activity.

Amazon Supports ECHO

Would you like to support ECHO while you shop

online at Amazon, at no extra cost to you? Sign up for

“Amazon Smile” (smile.amazon.com) and your

purchases will generate small donations to ECHO

from Amazon. After logging in to your account, type

ECHO into the search bar, then choose the ECHO

listed in Springfield, VA. (ECHO is NOT part of a

national charity — it is strictly local, but many non-

profits use the word “echo” in their names.) It’s easy!

ECHO Needs

This month, ECHO needs facial tissue, toilet tissue,

adult and children’s cold and pain medicines, jelly,

juice, and condiments such as ketchup. The

housewares department needs flatware, cooking

utensils and vacuum cleaners. ECHO can always use

C, D, AA and AAA batteries to recondition battery-

powered toys and devices that are donated for our

clients. Just deposit your donations in the gray bin

outside the church office and we will get them to

ECHO.

A Lamb Center Thank You

Dear Friends at Westwood Baptist Church,

Thank you so very much for the gift of delicious bag

lunches donated to the Lamb Center. You have been

the hands and feet of Jesus to the poor and poor in

spirit in our local community. In His Love,

Patti Brown

Assistant Director

Souper Bowl of Caring Update

Ten bags of food and nearly $600 in donations were

raised on Super Bowl Sunday! Your contributions will

go to local families in need. Thanks. (Continued on page 6)

Community Involvement

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 6

Community Involvement (cont’d)

Women on a Mission

Thank you to everyone for your generous contributions

to a very successful “Cookies for College Students”

project! Our students look forward to receiving their

boxes at this time each year, and they will not be

disappointed. The boxes were filled to capacity with

homemade cookies and other goodies, as well as a

personal note and a Valentine’s Day devotional.

Our next Women on a Mission meeting will be on

March 2, the first Wednesday in March. We will be

working on a project for an area nursing home and

appreciate all the help we can get. Hope to see you

there!

Judi Kern and Joy Earner

(Continued from page 5)

Music Ministry

March Combo

Join us in worship on March 13 when the Youth

Singers and Sanctuary Choir present our

“March Combo.” A three-piece combo of

drums, guitar and bass from the Army

Band will provide accompaniment for a

selection of praise songs.

Our children are preparing their “Spring

Fling Thing” to perform on Sunday, April 17.

Do not miss these special music events!

Pat Close

Minister of Music

March 13

What was lost now is found!

The church office is a repository of lost items that

are turned in almost every week, and the pile is

growing. A Lost and Found bin is located inside the

outer office, underneath the mail cubbyholes.

Contact Martha Newman in the office if you are

missing a smaller item.

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 7

Adult Seminar on Truth

and Power

The topic for the Adult Seminar on

March 2, 9 and 16, will be a review

of the book Truth Speaks to Power

by Walter Brueggemann. We will

study some of the different ways

the Bible addresses the interaction

of truth and power. Examples will

be drawn from Moses, Solomon,

Elisha, and Josiah. Bob Fugate will lead the discussion

at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204.

Adult Studies

Our children had a great February. Megan Purkey led a super event where all our kids, preschoolers and elementary

alike, made “Scripture Cookies.” Scripture Cookies require the baker to look up certain Bible verses in order to figure

out the ingredients (like honey and cinnamon). Thanks to Women on a Mission, we were able to send some of the

cookies to our college students.

Westwood kids also participated in Hypothermia week. During FunDay School and on Wednesday nights, our kids

created centerpieces for our guests that included a variety of candies, including sugar-free.

Coming up! Join us for our annual Egg Hunt and Fun Festivities on Saturday, March 26. Activities with run from 10

a.m. until noon. Egg hunts will be held for various age groups from toddlers through sixth grade. In addition to hunting

for eggs, we will hear an Easter story and enjoy great games and crafts.

Rebecca Larson

Director of Preschool & Children’s Ministry

Preschool & Children’s Ministry

Lenten Bible Study

Join us for a 4-session

Day/Night Lenten Study

beginning on Feb. 29 and March

1. We will explore the discipline

of forgiveness, specifically our

ability to forgive others and our

own need for forgiveness. We’ll

be using the book Forgiveness

by Marjorie J. Thompson as our

study guide. Dr. Abernathy will

lead the Monday morning

sessions in Whitten Hall from 10-11:30 a.m. Rev. Gray

will lead the Tuesday evening sessions in Room 17/19

from 7-8:30 p.m. Sign up at the Welcome Center.

Books are available to purchase for $5.

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 8

Church Life

Order Easter Plants

In March you may order a spring plant to adorn the

church on Easter, March 27, with a dedication in honor

or in memory of family and friends. Plants may be

taken home after Easter worship. Each plant costs $15.

Complete an order form and place it with your check

in the offering plate or turn it in at the Welcome

Center. Please keep the completed order form and

payment together. If paying by check, please indicate

“Easter plants” on the memo line. Be sure also to sign

the spring plant order sheet at the Welcome Center.

Thank you.

Green Awareness Month April is “Green Awareness Month” at Westwood.

Throughout the month, our worship and CFN studies

will focus on caring for this wonderful creation God

has given us. Dr. Abernathy will be preaching a series

of messages highlighting scriptural themes that

challenge us to be good stewards of our world. Our

Green Team will lead us to be more aware of and in

tune with continuing opportunities to grow in our

understanding and application of sound environmental

principles. Watch for further details in next month’s

Westwood World.

United States Army Chorus

Once again, Westwood is privileged to host the U.S.

Army Chorus in concert, Saturday, April 23 at 5 p.m.

Circle the date on your calendar and invite someone to

join you for this special musical event.

Scholarship

The Don Forester Scholarship was established two

years ago 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 will be available in

March. Watch the Westwood Express and Sunday

bulletins for more information.

Church Conference

There will be a quarterly church

conference on Sunday, March 13,

at 7 p.m. in the music suite.

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 9

Church Family Night

Enjoy food, fellowship, music, and

learning with your church family!

The Weekly Schedule

Our regular Wednesday evening schedule begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m.

(reservations required), followed by children’s and youth activities at 6:15,

and adult seminars at 6:30. Sanctuary Choir rehearsal begins at 7:15.

• Preschoolers enjoy puppet fun with “Theo and Dina,” choir with Mr. Ariel

and Mrs. Wanda, and a story, craft, and playtime with volunteer leaders.

• Elementary children split their time between music and missions education.

• Youth meet with Andre Towner for activities after dinner.

India Report

Chef’s Choice nights are mission nights at

CFN. Already this year we have had an

emphasis on our mission partner CBF’s

twenty-year rural poverty initiative. In

November we also hosted a military chaplain

associated with CBF who shared about his

work. On March 30, Dr. Abernathy will

share a report about his recent trip to India.

He will share pictures from the trip and give

a more in-depth report in addition to what he shared in worship Feb. 21. Sandy

Milam will prepare a special Chef’s Choice meal that night. So make a

reservation for dinner at 5:30 p.m. and plan to join the discussion at 6:30.

Mark your calendars now for these important CFN dates

in 2016:

March 23 No CFN (Holy Week)

April 6 Potluck Dinner

May 4 End of Year CFN Picnic

CHURCH FAMILY NIGHT

Westwood Baptist Church The Weekly

Schedule

5:30 pm Dinner

6:15 pm Children & Youth

Activities

6:30 pm Adult Seminar

7:15 pm Sanctuary Choir

____________

Making Reservations

Deadline is Monday at noon!

• Online at www.westwood-

baptist.org

• CFN Form in pews

• Call Church Office at

703-451-5120

____________

Dinner Prices

Adults/5th grade and older:

$4

Children:

$2.25

Age 2 and under:

Free

Family Maximum:

$17

____________

Potluck Fellowship Meal

(no reservations) April 6

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 10

Youth Ministry

Weekly Youth

Schedule Sundays Cafe 9:30 am

Sunday School 10 am

Worship 11 am

Youth Dinner 6 pm

Sunday Night Live! 6:30-7:45 pm Wednesdays Church Family Night 5:30 pm

SNL Meals

March 6 Robinson March 13 Beecher March 20 Robertson March 27 Church

Stay In Touch

Andre (703) 955-0002 or andre.towner@ westwood-baptist.org

Westwood Baptist Church Youth Ministry https://twitter.com/ Westwood Youth

http://www.westwood

-baptist.org/#/youth

Mama Mia’s - March 5

We need all youth to help serve meals during this annual youth missions

fundraiser. The funds raised during this event help decrease the cost of Impact!

Virginia, Mission Madness, and other youth outreach events by 50% or more.

’80’80’80’80ssss PROM PROM PROM PROM

GONE BADGONE BADGONE BADGONE BAD

Saturday, April 2

Starting at 6 p.m.

The Mayhem High

Senior Prom

Mission Madness - April 8-10 (New Date!)

This year our weekend mission trip will occur down the road in Mechanicsville,

VA. On Friday night, students and chaperones will be assigned to their mission

groups. On Saturday morning, each mission group will participate in morning

worship, head out for a day of service, and end the day with a party. The $50 fee

covers the cost for hotel room, four meals, mission project supplies, recreation,

program costs, and a t-shirt.

Thrive - NorthStar Church Network - May 13-15

We will choose a day this weekend to join forces with other area youth and help

the Feed My Starving Children organization prepare 5 million meals for children in

need.

Impact! Virginia (Wise) - July 17-23

We will head out again this summer to work with other Virginia Baptist teens and

young adults to serve the Wise, VA community by providing home repair and other

needed services.

(Continued on page 11)

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 11

Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation

The Duke Youth Academy is a year-long program for rising high school juniors and

seniors to live in Christ and to think deeply about being Christian. It combines a week-

long residency on the Duke University campus with a year of continuing mentorship,

practice, and online community. Residency is June 19-25, 2016, and the year of

mentorship is June 2016 to June 2017. Applications for the 2016 Duke Youth Academy

are due April 1, 2016. More information can be found at: https://duyouth.duke.edu

Student.Go

Student.Go is a missions program of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

(CBF) that provides opportunities for students to serve with CBF field

personnel and ministry partners as they live out CBF Global Missions

commitments—cultivating beloved community, bearing witness to Jesus

Christ and seeking transformational development. Whether it’s for a

summer, a semester or a year, students provide crucial assistance to the ministries of CBF field personnel and ministry

partners. By serving with Student.Go, students also have the opportunity to discover their place within God’s mission to

change the world. Undergraduate students completing their first year of college who are at least 18 years of age, and

graduate students of any age may apply. Applications and additional information can be found at:

http://www.cbf.net/studentdotgo/

Be blessed,

Andre Towner

(Continued from page 10)

Youth Ministry (cont’d)

Finance Committee 2016-2017 Budget The Finance Committee has completed its work in preparing the 2016-

2017 church budget and would like to thank everyone who had a role

in providing input. We believe it is a responsible budget but it presents

a challenge for the church. You will receive a letter in coming days

that will contain the proposed budget and details pertaining to it. We

will present the budget at the quarterly church conference on Sunday evening, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the music

suite. Please be in prayer as you review the proposed budget and plan to be present at the conference for this important

step in our continuing ministry. Thank you.

Finance Committee

Dennis Hunt, Chair, Jim D’Ambrosio,

Paul Hagen, Eric Larson, Joyce Moody

WESTWOOD WORLD March 2016 12

Items for the April Westwood World are due by Tuesday, March 15, and should be sent to martha.newman@westwood-baptist.org

Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22152 703-451-5120 www.westwood-baptist.org

“Samson”

Sight & Sound Theater

Lancaster, PA

Thursday, April 7, 2016

$60 per person for show and lunch

Depart Westwood by bus at 9 a.m. Return around 9 p.m.

Contact Rita Roberts at 703-967-6987. Don’t wait—space is running out!

Rita Roberts 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.

Canasta

2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 1-3 p.m. in

Greenspring Village Towne Center

Join us March 8 and 22 for fun and fellowship.

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

learn.

www.GO

St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day St. Patrick’s Day LuncheonLuncheonLuncheonLuncheon

Thursday, March 17

at Noon

in Whitten Hall

Sign up at the

Welcome Center ~ $5

New in 2016

www.GO ~~~~ Older Adult Fellowship