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Are We Ready? I suspect that even the casual readers of this column or those who have heard my recent sermons and Bible teaching probably realize that God is “messing” with me. He’s continually placing in front of me the burden that we are to be the presence of Christ in this community. And that means finding effective, creative ways to share his love with the diverse population in our own backyard, so that we might have the opportunity to demonstrate and communicate the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Are we ready for that challenge? Based on conversations and emails I receive, I believe that God is “messing” with some of you as well. He seems to be focusing our vision, opening our eyes to opportunities, planting seeds of call in the hearts of many of our members that hopefully will grow into practical ways to meet the needs of the people around us as we reach outside the walls of our congregation. Some of God’s movement is taking the form of expanding our ideas about existing ministries. Space doesn’t permit me to be all inclusive, but I’ll share two brief examples. In our growing ESL ministry, we’re exploring ways to provide opportunities for more folks in our congregation to meet those students and their families; to get to know them as individuals and learn more about their cultures. We’ve already met with the leadership of the Chinese Bible Church of NC about how our congregations can have more interaction. Soon we’ll be sharing those ideas, including joint worship services and Bible studies. God is also opening our hearts and minds to new ministry opportunities. Several of our members are sensing God’s direction to begin a contemporary worship ministry outside the day and time of our Sunday morning worship. Our ministry staff has been involved in conversation and planning about this opportunity and we’re all excited about its potential to reach unchurched, unsaved people in our community with the gospel message. You can read more about this particular ministry idea in a separate article in this newsletter. I sense God moving among us in a powerful way, and I’m excited and overjoyed by that fact. But I’m also sensitive to the troubling nature of God’s movement. When we open ourselves to him, he inevitably calls us to change; to do things we’d never consider on our own; to meet and love people with whom we’d never associate on our own; to take risks we’d never take on our own. But then, that’s the point isn’t it; we aren’t on our own. If we are, our efforts will fall flat. But in making sure we’re joining God in HIS work, he’ll take us places and bless us in ways we can’t even imagine at this point. We just have to let him do that. In the ninth chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul talked about doing just that; about laying aside his own prejudices, traditions, opinions, and biases in favor of sharing the gospel message of salvation for all people. He described it as voluntarily becoming a servant in order to reach a wide range of people right on their turf. He kept his bearing, his grounding in Christ, but he was willing to enter their world and try to see things from their point of view all with the goal of bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. How I pray that God will grow in us that same willingness. May God open our hearts
and minds, and make us ready! In His Service, Mike |
Weekly Activities
Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Minister on Call
If you have a ministerial need over the weekend please contact the minister on call: 3rd
& 4th Caroline Allen
10th & 11th Keith Vaughn
17th & 18th Mike Eddinger
24th & 25th Michelle Anderson
31st & Nov. 1st Mike Eddinger *Look
every month in the West Wind for the |
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by Associate Pastor Keith Vaughn |
A thank you note has been received from Grace Beale and Marcelle Ellers. Please stop by the bulletin board in Hall A to read their words of appreciation. |
| Wednesday Evenings Pastor's Bible Study We live in a world, and a community, marked by religious pluralism. Every day, we encounter folks from varied religious traditions or those who embrace a myriad of human philosophies at our PTA meetings, YMCA soccer teams, neighborhood watch groups, as well as work and school settings. Often these people know of Jesus, but for many of them, he’s included on a list of important people such as Mohammed, Buddha, Moses, or Socrates. Even Christians can fall into this trap. Some of the Christians in the town of Colosse seemed headed down this road. For them, cosmic forces of one sort or another were as important in their lives as Jesus. Paul wrote a letter from prison in an attempt to restore Jesus, the Messiah, to the center of their lives. For the next six weeks during October and into November, we’ll study Paul’s letter to the Colossian church to examine the question, “Is Jesus central in my life?” Come join us on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Colossians: Big Letter to a Small Church October 7 October 14 October 21 October 28 November 4 November 11 |
Media Center News
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Community Service Day October 3 On Saturday, Oct. 3 we will be having our annual Community Service Day from 9:00 a.m until Noon. Please plan to come and go out with us as we share Christ's love by helping our neighbors. There will be something for everyone to participate in. There will be breakfast for volunteers at 8:00 a.m., flu shots will be available for volunteers at 8:30 a.m., and everyone will head out by 9:00 a.m. to complete their assigned tasks. Hope to see you on the 3rd!
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Flu Shot Clinic October 3
Insurance plans that
are accepted are as follows: At this time we have no information on the availability of a vaccine for the N1H1 virus (swine flu).
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| Trunk or Treat October 25 4:30-7pm
Trunk
or Treat is a fun, safe Halloween alternative for the entire family.
Dress up in costume (no scary ones please) and come enjoy free games
and rides. 4:30pm ~ Free
Games and Rides
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Potential New Ministry at Westwood
After much prayer and
conversation, the ministerial staff and several people within the congregation
sense God’s direction to begin a new contemporary worship ministry
at Westwood. Many of us have sensed the need for this for some time,
but it appears God is now putting the pieces in place by placing his
call in the lives of several of our members. The idea for this ministry
has recently been introduced to groups such as the Music and Worship
Committee, Church Council, and Deacons. While this possibility is still
in the planning stages, it’s important that we share with the
congregation our thoughts and planning to this point. |
| Operation Christmas Child Nov 1-22
Christmas will soon be here and Operation Christmas Child is a wonderful way to get excited about the holiday season. We will be collecting boxes Nov. 1st - Nov. 22nd. Thank you for your commitment to this unique mission project. |
Processing Center for Operation Christmas Child November 30 On Nov. 30th from 2 pm - 10 pm, Westwood has reserved a spot for 12 people to serve at the processing center in Charlotte. All volunteers need to commit to working a minimum 4 hour shift. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Jessica Sidgreaves 720-1848 or the church office 469-9393.ur next meeting will be held Sunday, August 16th at 6:30pm. We have just completed a food drive for the Backpack Buddies program and we are excited about planning more activities. This is a new group and we would love to have YOU come and join us. Contact Joy Minster for further details.
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World Religions Lecture November 10 12:30-2pm Butler Chapel at Campbell Guest missionaries from around the globe
engage in a discussion moderated by Dr. George Braswell. For information
about this lecture, please contact Dr. Braswell at worldreligioncenter@campbell.edu
or leave him a message at 1-800-334-4111, ext. 1506.
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Volunteers Needed Once again, Westwood will offer a free medical clinic for persons in our community on Saturday, November 7 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. The purpose of the clinic is to provide medical screening, diagnosis, and treatment for individuals who have no medical insurance. Our team of volunteers will be led by Dr. Brian Forrest, a member of Westwood who senses God’s call to this important ministry. We need a small team of volunteers to assist with the clinic. Our needs are for both medical professionals and non-medical personnel. The sign up sheets in Hall A & B list the various volunteer opportunities available. Please prayerfully consider how God would have you participate in this exciting ministry opportunity. Contact Leanne Ritter (481-1173) or Marilyn
Eddinger (805-1009) |
Mission Statement A
community of believers Mike Eddinger,
Pastor
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October Sermon Topics Theme: The God You're Looking For October 4 October
11 October
18 October
25
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Saturday,
Oct. 3 ~ 9:00am-Noon, Community Service
Day
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