Finishing Well

I received a wonderful book this week from a dear friend that contains a treasure trove of home-grown country sayings, full of good humor and straight forward common sense. In a section entitled, "Completing a Job," were these words about expediency: "We ain't got time to do it right, so just hit it a lick and give it a promise." Most, if not all of us, can relate to that moment when you're in a hurry or distracted by something else that needs to get done, and attention to detail in finishing the matter at hand suffers. Finishing a task well is the mark of a faithful worker.

As we approach the close of 2012, there are a number of things that we can finish, not expediently, but well as members of the Westwood family.

1. Giving Tree Gifts...if you took a card with names and wishes for Christmas, complete your shopping and have those presents back to the church no later than Tuesday, December 18. In doing so you will truly brighten someone's Christmas celebration.

2. Global Missions Ingathering...this Sunday, December 16, during morning worship, we will bring forward our gifts for global missions and place them in the manger as a sign of our continuing commitment to share the love of Christ with people near and far. This meaningful moment will be concluded as long time Westwood member and missions advocate Kay Cumbie leads our prayer of dedication for these gifts. If you cannot be present Sunday, Global Missions gifts will be received through the end of December.

3. Worship Opportunities...as mentioned above, this Sunday's worship will feature the Global Missions Ingathering and special music from our preschool and sanctuary choirs. We will also light the Advent candle of joy! Our wonderful handbell ringers will present several special pieces in

morning worship on the 23rd, and of course, the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service is always one of the highlights of the year. You can share these

blessings by inviting someone to join you for these special services.

4. Year-end Giving...Westwood has a strong history of generous year-end giving. Your faithfulness throughout the year empowers our ministry efforts. By finishing strong, we express our gratitude for the blessings God has given us as individuals and as a church family, and build momentum to move into the new year, expecting and attempting great things. In our stewardship emphasis this year we focused on the theme, "Building the Kingdom...One Gift at a Time." Your faithful gifts over the next several weeks and beyond will indeed make a difference.

Let us do more than "hit it a lick and give it a promise." Let us finish this year well and look forward with hopeful anticipation to what God will do in and through us in the days to come.

Make the most of this beautiful day! I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Jim Abernathy