October 2009 Volume 31 Issue 10 Monthly newsletter of Westwood Baptist Church October 31 6:00-8:30 pm Family Life Center Games, Door Prizes, Food & Fun! This Issue From the Pastor... p. 2 Church Work Day... p. 2 Honorariums... p. 2 Memorials... p. 2 Thank You Notes... p. 2 New Members... p. 2 Calendar... p. 3 Sunday Servants... p. 4 Music Ministry... p. 5 Food For Friends... p. 5 Parents as Partners... p. 5 Missions... p. 5 Student Ministry... p. 6 Westwood Arts & Ballet... p. 6 Nominating Committee... p. 6 Recreation... p. 7 Children s Ministry... p. 7 Senior s Ministry... p. 8 Couple s Ministry... p. 8 Wednesday Evening Meals.. p. 8 Women s Ministry... p. 8 Singles... p. 8 Collection boxes for candy will be out October 14-30!
From the Pastor Time for the Harvest Then [Jesus] said to His disciples, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field. (Matthew 9:37-38) Autumn is here! Soon the leaves will change colors and fall from the trees. The air will get crisp and cool at night and pumpkins will ripen in the fields. For Jesus and His disciples, harvest time was an opportunity for the Lord to emphasize the spiritual harvest that was also ripe and ready to bring in. Jesus urged His followers to see that many people needed God s salvation and He asked them to pray for workers to be sent into the world to win the lost. This October, we want to let the harvest season remind us of our privilege and responsibility to share the Gospel. The spiritual fields are ripe all around us and we need to pray that the Lord will lead us to reach out effectively and urgently. Let me suggest a few ways: Pray for yourself and other Christians you know to be bold and loving in their witness. Pray for lost people you know to come to Christ. Make it a point to invite someone to church this month. Give a Bible or a good Christian book to someone who isn t yet a Christian. Tell someone each week how the Lord saved you and is helping you through life. Get some Gospel tracts and give them away to people you meet throughout the week. Get involved in our Tuesday Evening Visitation Ministry and other outreach opportunities. Whatever you do, don t miss the harvest! In Christ s Love, Pastor Steve s sermons are now available on line. Click on Sunday Sermons at wbclive.com Church Work Day Highlights October 10-7:30 am Breakfast On Saturday, September 12, over 30 volunteers showed up for our Church Work Day. We began the morning with a delicious breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. There was bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, along with some of Jane Isbell s homemade jellies. The coffee was hot and the juice was sweet. This feast fueled these volunteers all morning and into the afternoon for a variety of jobs that needed to be done around the church. Honorariums Our church & staff, E.R. Tolbert & Emma, Sterling Prichett, Kara & Joseph Kinniard, Richard Cranford Guy & Orvella Atkinson by Florence & Edward Holbrook Katye Thomas Adult 1, Ladies 1, SS class Thank You Notes Received in the church office from: Jo Ann Dunn Jerry Foster Some were involved with painting the stairwell in the education building, as well as other indoor tasks. Outside, the volunteers cut grass, pulled weeds, and trimmed shrubs all around the facility. You could hear weed-eaters and rakes all across our church campus. The Library Committee, under the capable direction of Betty West, worked on updating our library s computer records, as well as cleaning the library itself. It was a very productive day for everyone involved. Our Property & Space Committee Chairman, Jeff Hodgson, was very appreciative of all the volunteers who Memorials Randy Harris by anonymous Taylor F. Roman by Anne Thompson Chuck Jones by Anne Thompson by David & Barbara Green by Mr. & Mrs. Frank Mann by Dr. James Wells & Connie Glenn Terry Mary Hassell Jane Hosmer by Sandra Parker Pastor Steve Potts attended. The committee has scheduled the next Work Day on October 10 following breakfast at 7:30 am to address further projects that need to be done. There will be more indoor and outdoor work to do at that time. For example, No Parking zones will be painted on our parking lot where needed. Each Sunday School Class is encouraged to look around their area of the church and let the church office or Jeff Hodgson know if they become aware of other work that needs to be done. Thanks to all our workers for helping us take care of the facility the Lord has given us! Carolyn Black by Sandra Parker Eviec Golden by Sandra Parker New Members Welcome New Members Clarence Fuller, by statement on June 28. Goy B. Atkinson, by letter on September 2. Orvella A. Atkinson, by letter on September 2. Page 2
October 2009 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Church Information: Church Office (205) 798-3341 Fax: (205) 798-3397 Family Center: 798-7829 Daycare/Kindergarten: 798-6770 Prayer Chapel: 791-0694 Ballet/Arts: 798-0900 For emergencies or crisis after 4:30 p.m. or Fri.-Sun. Contact the Deacon on Call. (page 4) 1 Friends Meeting 10 am Room 208 2 Women s Game Night 6 pm Fellowship Hall Skating 7 pm 3 4 Kids Konnection 10:30 am Men s Ministry Meeting 5 pm Couples Class 5 pm (Old Library) Kids Drama 5:30 pm Bible Drills 6 pm 5 Class 6 Weight Watchers 6 pm Upward Registration 6-8:30 pm Boy Scouts 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7 pm 7 Class 8:30 am GA s, RA s & Mission Friends 6:30 pm 8 Grief Support 10am - 12 pm Upward Registration 6-8:30 pm 9 Skating 7 pm 10 Work Day 7:30 am Fellowship Hall Youth Quake Trip 11 Kids Konnection 10:30 am Couples Class 5 pm (Old Library) Kids Drama 5:30 pm Bible Drills 6 pm 12 Class 13 Senior Adult Luncheon 10:30 am Fellowship Hall Weight Watchers 6 pm Upward Registration 6-8:30 pm Boy Scouts 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7 pm 14 Class 8:30 am GA s, RA s & Mission Friends 6:30 pm 15 Upward Registration 6-8:30 pm 16 Joylife trip to drive-in NO Skating 17 18 Kids Konnection 10:30 am Deacon s Meeting 5 pm How to Study the Bible Class 4:45 pm Couples Class 5 pm (Old Library) Kids Drama 5:30 pm Bible Drills 6 pm 25 Kids Konnection 10:30 am Finance Committee Meeting 3:45 pm How to Study the Bible Class 4:45 pm Couples Class 5 pm (Old Library) Kids Drama 5:30 pm Bible Drills 6 pm 19 Class 26 Class 20 Weight Watchers 6 pm Boy Scouts 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7 pm 27 Weight Watchers 6 pm Boy Scouts 6:30 pm Cub Scouts 7 pm 21 Class 8:30 am GA s, RA s & Mission Friends 6:30 pm 28 Class 8:30 am GA s, RA s & Mission Friends 6:30 pm 22 Grief Support 10am - 12 pm 29 23 Skating 7 pm 30 NO Skating 24 RAs & GAs Fall Mission Trip 31 Fall Festival 6:00-8:30 pm Page 3
OCTOBER SUNDAY SERVANTS DEACONS ON CALL Dan Lyemance 791-9405 E.R. Tolbert 798-2244 Johnathan King 477-7847 Sterling Pritchett 798-1547 Matt Wiginton 295-1628 Donnie Hays 798-1818 James Moore 674-0216 Ken Patterson 798-1715 NOVEMBER 2 Tommy Maddox 590-0743 Jeff Hodgson 674-6840 USHERS Team 8 Greg Thomas, Captain Johnathan King Stephen Freeman Ken Holley Neal Justice John Bass Byron Smith Ronnie Spears Team 1 Johnny Pollard, Captain Ralph Chappell Ronnie Manoske Mike Gibson Donnie Hays Ron Lay Richard Manoske Team 2 Gary Bohannon, Captain Porter Higginbotham Wallace Steadman Oliver Brand Bill Caffee Kenneth Myers Don Swann Ray Wilson Team 3 B.C. Coalson, Captain Jack Heaps Bill Byrd Don Langston Don Lemley John Isbell Alonzo Kirksey Ken Patterson NOVEMBER 2 Team 4 Ronnie Sims, Captain Tommy Maddox Charles Burrell Lee Dunn S.J. Dunn Jeff Hodgson Ellsworth Nix Tommy Owen WESTWOOD PATROL A.M. Charles Burrell Lee Dunn P.M. Fabert Davis Johnny Pollard Wednesday, October 7 John Bass A.M. Earl Black Ronnie Rickard P.M. Tyrone Fox Johnathan King Wednesday, October 14 Wallace Steadman Frank Thomas A.M. Sterling Prichett Dan Lyemance P.M. Greg Bohannon Wednesday, October 21 Ralph Chappell Ken Holley A.M. Bill Caffee P.M. Ken Patterson Jerry Foster Wednesday, October 28 Leighton Mays Ronnie Sims NOVEMBER 2 A.M. Ronnie Manoske Richard Manoske P.M. Gary Bohannon David Young Wednesday, November 4 Buddy Bailey Ronnie Spears NURSERY WORKERS Anngie Corbin Kristi Stinson Karen Allred Kasey Wiginton Jeanine Wright Tricia Frazier Cecile Lemley Greg Bohannon Elizabeth Bohannon NIGHT: Sandy Rickard Carol Davis Melinda Ames Brannon Miller Michelle Miller Cindy Henderson Stephen Freeman Angie Freeman Gary Sanford Jerry Sanford NIGHT: Heather Potts NOVEMBER 2 Faye Foster Debbie Hays Lisa Bohannon Richard Manoske Bethany Manoske COUNTING TEAM CHILDREN S CHURCH WORKERS SKATING VOLUNTEERS OCTOBER SUNDAY Byron Smith Greg Bohannon MONDAY Ken Patterson Jeff Hodgson Angela Freeman Stephen Freeman Ronnie Richard Debbie Smith Kasey Stinson Kirstin Stinson Kara Kinnaird Melinda Ames OCTOBER 2 Barbara Leniger Rhett Leniger OCTOBER 9 Heidi Barnette CJ Barnette OCTOBER 16 Closed OCTOBER 23 Bill Caffee Rebecca Hankins Sunday s Financial Report August 30 September 6 September 13 September 20 September 27 Budget Receipts Designated Gifts Building Fund Year to Date Budget Needs YTD Budget Gifts YTD Missions YTD $8,335.41 $1,940.69 $14,013.00 $623,093.45 $534,326.65 $2,978.75 $24,475.70 $8,115.14 $15,220.00 $640,896.12 $562,622.25 $3,188.75 $8,717.64 $415.00 $15,500.00 $658,698.79 $572,700.44 $3,223.75 $8,353.11 $40,895.80 $15,810.00 $676,501.46 $582,357.22 $3,258.75 $7,546.81 $363.75 $16,055.00 $694,304.13 $591,081.85 $3,273.75 Bible Study Attendance 252 268 293 293 274 Page 4
Music Ministry Attention all past choir and orchestra members, and those who have ever considered joining. In October we'll begin working on music for this years Christmas presentation. Now is a great time to join us. This years event will be big. You don't want to miss this. Details are still coming together. So for now, all I can tell you is this... Save The Dates: December 4 & 5 Wednesday & Thursday nights Choir and Orchestra will be involved. You've probably heard of the famous "Eleven Pipers Piping". Well, they ain't got nothing on us. Church members enjoying fellowship at the Spaghetti Dinner. Food For Friends November 29 Lunch at the BBA Leave church at 9 am Return around 2 pm The BBA is in need of the following: Volunteers to make soup, chili, cornbread, crackers or sandwiches. Volunteers to serve For more information contact Debbie Marshall at 798-7829. Missions Ongoing RAs collecting cans for Mission of Hope Parents as Partners Parents as Partners: Equipping Parents to Disciple Their Children October 8 8:30 am - 3 pm Baptist Building 2001 E. South Blvd., Montgomery Parents are the most powerful influence in a child s life even in 2009! Rooted in the biblical mandate of Deuteronomy 6:4 9, a church can build a ministry to families that will equip, encourage and empower parents to nurture the spiritual growth of their children. Special Guest Leader: Clara Mae Van Brink Clara Mae is passionate about training church leaders to equip parents. Her lively, fun-filled conferences are packed with practical ideas and applications that are based on biblical principles for implementing this life-changing ministry. She has become a favorite conference leader/lifeway Ministry Multiplier, church consultant and motivational speaker in more than 30 states and 5 countries. She is passionate about working with parents as well as equipping pastors, church staff members and children s leaders to train and equip parents. Clara Mae has served churches in Georgia, including First Baptist Church, Atlanta, as minister to preschool/children for 27 years and as women s minister for 9 years. She is also a wife and mother; a registered nurse/professor of nursing; a master gardener; and a CFO/business owner. This event is free, but registration is required. Lunch will be served. For more information on this event, contact Ministry Assistant Debbie Dickey, 1-800-264-1225, ext. 313 or ddickey@alsbom.org. November 1 Page 5
Student Ministry When he saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 Compassion. Better than pity, to be sure. Pity is base. There is a little selfrighteousness to pity. Jesus looked at the crowds who followed Him. He saw something that moved Him to compassion. They were like sheep without a shepherd, harassed and helpless. Pity is convenient and easy. You can feel pity and move on. Compassion is a completely different animal. Compassion leads to action. Jesus did not simply feel compassion. He showed compassion. Jesus showed compassion by healing all comers. He saw and did His best to alleviate physical needs. But He also showed compassion by tending to spiritual needs. I think it is telling that Jesus did not throw money at the problems He saw. Jesus showed compassion by getting His hands dirty and getting personally involved. In verses 37 and 38 of Mathew 9, Jesus sought to pass compassion on. He asked His disciples to pray earnestly (with a sense of urgency) for workers to go out into fields ready to be harvested. If you don t harvest a field, then it goes to waste. Nominating Committee The 2009-2010 Nominating Committee had their first meeting at the beginning of September. The committee consists of Pat Bohannon, Bobby Brown, Larry Hipp, Kara Kinnaird, Barbara Leniger, Leslie Mixon and Judy Turner. Our responsibility is to find members of Westwood who feel led to serve on Westwood's committees, church officers, and as teachers and other leadership for Sunday School. We are asking that each of our members begin praying for ways that they may serve God and His church in the coming year. We believe, as 1 Corinthians 12 clearly shows us, that we are the body of Christ, What if Christians looked at the world the way Jesus looked at the crowd? Jesus didn't see people who were too lazy to get a job, even though that might have been true. I believe Christian compassion is too rare a thing in this world. I am afraid Christian compassion is too rare a thing in Birmingham, Alabama. What does Christian compassion look like in your little world? Here is a short list of what it could look like: Be a friend to someone who doesn t have a friend. Buy a meal for a person that needs a meal. Give forgiveness to people who haven t asked for it. Share the truth of God s love and mercy with a neighbor, co-worker, or friend. Consider being a foster parent. You re welcome Jamie. Be kind to a teacher you do not like. Buy the Student Minister at your church a Playstation 3. That s probably not compassion but it would be cool. Both cool and compassion start with a C. What if every person who is reading this right now looked at the world with the eyes of Christ and acted with the heart of Christ? I believe the world would notice. I believe things would be different. I believe the kingdom of God would grow. Compassion and each one of us is given a responsibility as a part of His body. Sometimes we may feel that we have little to give, but as verse 22 so gracefully declares: "On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable." We are the body of Christ, and our Father has an indispensable role for each one of us to play. Please be in prayer about what that role is for you, and allow God to use you. In Christ, Kara Kinnaird Dates to remember: October 10: Youth Quake Leaving church @ 10:00 am Cost is $10 Bring money for food. December 4-5 Operation Christmas Child Atlanta Details to come Start assembling your boxes today. If you would like to be on the Student Ministry email list, please send your information to Randy Anderson at jrandyanderson@gmail.com Westwood Arts & Ballet Candle Sale Monday, Oct. 5 Thursday, Oct. 24 Serve whole heartily, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one of you for whatever good you do Ephesians 6:7-8 Westwood Ballet and Arts is seeking your support in our Celebrating Home (formally Home Interior) fund raiser. There will be candles, sweets, breads and dip mixes. Please see a ballet/music student, Cindy Best, Kim Dunn or contact the office at 798-0900. As we rejoice in our 10th year, take a minute to say a prayer for the children and thank the Lord for all the new and exciting ways we serve Him through ballet and music. Page 6
Recreation Friday Night Skating Open Fridays October 2, 9& 23 Closed October 16 & 30 7 pm Weight Watchers Tuesdays 6 pm Saturdays 10 am Weigh-in and registration starts 30 minutes earlier Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 8:30-9:30 am Westwood Women s Weight Loss Group Sundays 4:30 pm Room #128 (Adult 8 Sunday School Room) Each week, participants will weigh in and share triumphs and struggles and we will have a devotional and prayer time. Contact Karen Graham at 516-3818 for more information. Weight Room Tuesdays Open 6-8 pm 17 years and under must be accompanied by an adult Exercise Classes Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:30-9:15 am Preferred Qualifications: Healthspring Insurance / Senior First (Westwood members without these qualifications can join if space is available!) Upward Fall Registration Basketball & Cheerleading October 6, 8, 13 & 15 6-8:30 pm Come in at back of church at drive under November 7 8:00 am-11:00 am Registration Make-up Day Need volunteers!! Come be a part of God's Kingdom work! GAs fixing cookies for the firemen & policemen. Children s Ministry Kids Konnection Sundays 10:30 am Preschool Children s Church Sundays 10:30 am RAs & GAs Wednesdays 1st - 6th graders 6:30-7:30 pm Mission Friends Wednesdays 6:30 pm Kids Drama Sundays 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm College and Career 1st - 6th grade If you are a drama king or queen, this program is perfect for you! Page 7 Bible Skills and Thrills Sundays 6:00 pm Youth Zone 1st - 6th grade Mini JoylifeTrips: The children will be taking a new approach to fellowshipping with each other during the year. Preschool Bible Study Sundays 6:00 pm Nursery preschool hall October 16 - Drive in Movie Leave church at 6 pm November 14 - Little River Canyon December 12 - Galaxy of Lights Huntsville Botanical Gardens January -Birmingham Southern Basketball February - Ice Skating March - Lock In April - $1.00 Movie and CiCi Pizza October 23 & 24 World Song Fall Mission Camp Cost $45.00 Deadline for Registration October 15 Leave church at 4 pm Fall Festival is coming! Teachers, please talk to your Sunday School class and see what booth they would like to do. Be looking for great candy and drink deals. The Sweet Shop will need fabulous homemade candy. The Cake Walk will need fabulous cakes. Remember this is a great way to be a Good Samaritan and show God's love to our community.
Senior Ministry October 6 Dr. Don Hawkins Bible Studies Southeastern Bible College 10:30 am Leave church 9:30 am Lunch at Golden Corral Pelham October 13 Monthly luncheon meeting Guest speaker - Brian Peters Former weekend weather anchor with ABC33/40. Music Suite 10:30 am Lunch Fellowship Hall 11:30am Meat, bread and beverages Please bring either a vegetable, salad or dessert to go with the meal. October 20 Forestdale Rehab and Nursing Home Dugan Avenue Leave church 10:00 am Program 10:30 am October 27th - NO MEETING Couple s Ministry October 4 Couples Class Men Are Like Waffles-- Women Are Like Spaghetti 5 pm Room 207, old library Women s Ministry October 2 Women s Game Night 6 pm Fellowship Hall November 7 Women s Event Look for more information to come soon! Christmas Party Room Reservations November 1 Deadline to reserve rooms for Christmas parties. Wednesday Evening Meals Dear Christian Friends, Your Kitchen Committee met on Wednesday, September 16, to discuss to possibility of continuing our Wednesday evening fellowship meals. As I explained in the September issue of the Builder, we needed 70-75 confirmed reservations each week to make these meals profitable. After counting the number of reservations that had been submitted, which was a total of 42, we decided that we could not continue with this event at this time. We regret that it was necessary to make this decision. With Christian love, Marilyn Rowel Chairman, Kitchen Committee Singles October 24 O'Charley's Fultondale 5:00 pm Church Staff 205-798-3341 Steve Potts Senior Pastor James Moore Interim Minister of Education & Administration Shawn Stinson Minister of Music Joseph Kinnaird Student Minister Debbie Marshall Director of Children s & Recreation Ministry Watson Smith Building Supervisor November Builder Please have your information to the church office or e-mail Tammy Stringfellow at builder@wbclive.com by Thursday, October 15. Thank you! If you have any church event pictures you would like to share, please bring a cd to the office and they may be seen in an upcoming issue of the Builder. (550-110) is published monthly by Westwood Baptist Church, 2349 Forestdale Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35214 Periodical postage paid at Birmingham, AL and additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send changes to, 2349 Forestdale Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35214 the Westwood Baptist Church 2349 Forestdale Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35214