Last year, a study group looking at the structure of Westwood recommended
that we participate in a ministry fair to highlight the various ministries of
Westwood. The purpose was two-fold, to focus attention on the many and varied
ways we minister to church and community, and to make folks aware of particular
opportunities of service they might want to be involved in. Becca Larson, and a
team appointed by the Visioning Council, has led our efforts in preparation for
this event to occur this Sunday morning. We will begin with coffee, doughnuts,
and fellowship in the narthex at 9:30, then move to the sanctuary at 9:50 where
I will share a few words about our shared commitment to service and ministry in
Jesus' name, then move to Whitten Hall at 10 to walk among the various ministry
displays. The ministry fair will take the place of adult and youth Sunday School
for this week and provide an opportunity for us to consider together the way we
minister and the opportunities before us to serve and share as part of the
Westwood family. Preschool and children's Sunday School will be held at its
regular place and time. Please join us for this time of fellowship and ministry
as we celebrate God's hand at work in the many and varied ministry opportunities
at Westwood.
In addition to the Ministry Fair this
Sunday, the handbells will be playing in worship, we will observe communion, and
I will bring a message based on Galatians 1:11-24, entitled, "Because of Me." I
look forward to sharing with you in the ministry fair and the worship of our
Lord.
Jim Abernathy
Friday, June 3, 2016
Friday, May 27, 2016
Sacrifice
How does one gauge the quality of another's sacrifice? Certainly children in
healthy relationships with their parents will come to appreciate the sacrifices
their parents make for them, particularly when those children grow to have
children of their own. Friends might talk about the faithfulness of other
friends who give of themselves is support of each other, willingly making
sacrifices in the name of friendship. But what of those we will never meet,
those men and women whose service to their country secures the freedom we so
often taken for granted? How does one evaluate such sacrifice?
Thomas Paine, 18th century writer and American revolutionary, said, "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it". You and I are fortunate today because many have been willing to undergo the fatigue of supporting the cause of freedom. Memorial Day weekend gives us pause to stop in the busyness of our lives and remember the sacrifices of others, many whose names and stories we will never know. The inscription on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery reads, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known only to God." We cannot know the names of so many whose sacrifices are part of the fabric of our nation, but we can, particularly on this weekend, give thanks for those who have given so much. Let us be faithful to honor such sacrifice.
If you have guests visiting on this holiday weekend, bring them with you to worship this Sunday. In the spirit of the holiday weekend, dress more casually for Sunday, perhaps wearing the colors of our nation as we remember the significance of sacrifice and service. Cindy and Olga will be playing duets on piano and organ, Pat and Dina will be sharing special music, you will have an opportunity to express appreciation for the sacrifice and service of others, and I will bring a message entitled, "A Soldier Under Authority," based on Luke 7:1-10. I look forward to seeing you as we gather to honor the Lord this Sunday.
Jim
P.S. You may still join us tomorrow at Quantico National Cemetery at 9 a.m. to help clean and prepare the cemetery for Memorial Day events...just one way to honor and give thanks for the sacrifice and service of others.
Thomas Paine, 18th century writer and American revolutionary, said, "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it". You and I are fortunate today because many have been willing to undergo the fatigue of supporting the cause of freedom. Memorial Day weekend gives us pause to stop in the busyness of our lives and remember the sacrifices of others, many whose names and stories we will never know. The inscription on the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery reads, "Here rests in honored glory an American soldier known only to God." We cannot know the names of so many whose sacrifices are part of the fabric of our nation, but we can, particularly on this weekend, give thanks for those who have given so much. Let us be faithful to honor such sacrifice.
If you have guests visiting on this holiday weekend, bring them with you to worship this Sunday. In the spirit of the holiday weekend, dress more casually for Sunday, perhaps wearing the colors of our nation as we remember the significance of sacrifice and service. Cindy and Olga will be playing duets on piano and organ, Pat and Dina will be sharing special music, you will have an opportunity to express appreciation for the sacrifice and service of others, and I will bring a message entitled, "A Soldier Under Authority," based on Luke 7:1-10. I look forward to seeing you as we gather to honor the Lord this Sunday.
Jim
P.S. You may still join us tomorrow at Quantico National Cemetery at 9 a.m. to help clean and prepare the cemetery for Memorial Day events...just one way to honor and give thanks for the sacrifice and service of others.
Friday, May 20, 2016
Happy Birthday to You!
In his 1959 children's book, "Happy Birthday to You," Theodore Seuss
Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, weaves a wonderful tale of celebration as
the main character, the Birthday Bird, takes the reader on a fantastical
journey. The book assumes that the reader is the one with the birthday and he
or she is treated to a colorful array of gifts, food, and activities meant to
celebrate his or her special day. In his inimitable style, Dr. Seuss offers
profound truth in the midst of this whimsical tale as he writes, "Today you
are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than
you!"
Birthdays have a way of calling attention to the uniqueness of each person. The details of one's birth often highlight this uniqueness, from the date, time, and place of birth, to one's doctor, parents, siblings, and on and on we could go. One's birthday is a special moment that calls one to embrace the Birthday Bird's words; "There is no one alive who is you-er than you!"
Friday, May 20, one of our oldest members turns 94, and that bears remembering! Helen Hill will celebrate her birthday on Friday and be honored as a unique child of God. Helen is a great story teller whose narrative often centers around her family, her faith, her church, and her many years as a military wife. I always enjoy Helen's stories and the twinkle in her eye that often accompanies her humor and candor. She is a treasure to her family, friends, and church and is a shining example of the wonderful way the Creator fashions each one of us. And so, Helen, "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you." Amen, and God bless you on this special day.
It also bears noting that Wallace and Phyllis Brinkley are celebrating 65 years of marriage this week. Their love and faithfulness to each other is a blessing to our community of faith. Congratulations Wallace and Phyllis! May God's loving hands continue to guide your steps.
Join us Sunday morning as we give thanks for the ministry of Andre Towner. A reception will be held for Andre and Shondelyn from 9:15-10 in the narthex and then we will be recognizing them in a special way during our morning worship service. We have been blessed by the Towner's over the last three and one-half years. Come and share your appreciation with them.
Whether you are 4, 34, 64, or 94, give thanks to God for the uniqueness of creation at work in you, and whenever your special day occurs..."Happy Birthday to You!"
Jim Abernathy
Birthdays have a way of calling attention to the uniqueness of each person. The details of one's birth often highlight this uniqueness, from the date, time, and place of birth, to one's doctor, parents, siblings, and on and on we could go. One's birthday is a special moment that calls one to embrace the Birthday Bird's words; "There is no one alive who is you-er than you!"
Friday, May 20, one of our oldest members turns 94, and that bears remembering! Helen Hill will celebrate her birthday on Friday and be honored as a unique child of God. Helen is a great story teller whose narrative often centers around her family, her faith, her church, and her many years as a military wife. I always enjoy Helen's stories and the twinkle in her eye that often accompanies her humor and candor. She is a treasure to her family, friends, and church and is a shining example of the wonderful way the Creator fashions each one of us. And so, Helen, "Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you." Amen, and God bless you on this special day.
It also bears noting that Wallace and Phyllis Brinkley are celebrating 65 years of marriage this week. Their love and faithfulness to each other is a blessing to our community of faith. Congratulations Wallace and Phyllis! May God's loving hands continue to guide your steps.
Join us Sunday morning as we give thanks for the ministry of Andre Towner. A reception will be held for Andre and Shondelyn from 9:15-10 in the narthex and then we will be recognizing them in a special way during our morning worship service. We have been blessed by the Towner's over the last three and one-half years. Come and share your appreciation with them.
Whether you are 4, 34, 64, or 94, give thanks to God for the uniqueness of creation at work in you, and whenever your special day occurs..."Happy Birthday to You!"
Jim Abernathy
Friday, May 13, 2016
Baggage
The scene was enough to make any airline executive's heart skip a beat yesterday
as video surfaced of thousands of suitcases and other travel bags lined up in a
parking lot at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. A computer glitch in the TSA
system caused the unprecedented backlog of bags...by some estimates, more than
3000! That's a lot of baggage! One man, asked to assess his experience in the
midst of the confusion, said, "I've heard every swear word known to man in
the last fifteen minutes." Anger and frustration is understandable in such
a circumstance. We are righty concerned about how our baggage is handled.
Baggage is often defined as the container which holds clothing, books, or a variety of personal possessions one takes along, usually when traveling. The word baggage can also be used metaphorically to define other things we carry within our hearts and minds that speak to experiences of life that are often difficult, sometimes traumatic, and at times, unresolved. We often want to keep such "baggage" close, not wishing others to have access to that which we carefully guard. Like suitcases strewn across an airport parking lot, lost somewhere in transit in an eighteen wheeler, or packed onto another plane whose destination cannot easily be tracked, (all things the lost bags of Sky Harbor were subjected to) we struggle to hold onto and claim our own baggage and all that accompanies it.
I Peter 5:7 gives us sound advice in the midst of the burdens we hold close and those that seem just out of our reach. "Cast your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (NRSV) British pastor and scholar, J.B. Philiips, translates this verse, "You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are HIs personal concern." Sometimes this baggage we carry and struggle to control is quite heavy. 3000+ lost bags is a lot of baggage to carry. I would guess there were several TSA and airport personnel with sore backs in Phoenix this morning. Peter reminds us that our weariness can give way to God's comfort and peace as we let God help carry the burdens and heartaches of life that often seem so difficult to bear. Considering the baggage we each carry and seek to manage, learning to throw the whole weight of our anxieties upon God is a practice of faith we would do well to observe.
Sunday morning, we will celebrate Pentecost, remembering the Holy Spirit's presence at work in the early church that changed lives and gave evidence to the power of God at work in those who faithfully followed Jesus, the Christ. The color red is often associated with Pentecost so I encourage you to wear something red on Sunday as reminder to us all of the presence of God at work in and around us. Remember also that we continue to receive a love offering for Andre Towner whose last Sunday with us will be May 22. A reception will precede Sunday School on the 22nd from 9:15-10 a.m. in the narthex, so plan to come and let the Towner's know of your appreciation of and best wishes for them.
Finally, our 5th Sunday project for this month has been finalized. In recognition of Memorial Day and in honor of so many who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation, we will be working with the National Cemetery at Quantico to help prepare the grounds for Memorial Day Celebrations. We will join others on Saturday, May 28 at 9 a.m. to clean and prepare trails, place flags, and other tasks that will prepare this hallowed ground for Memorial Day remembrances. Please sign up at the welcome center so we can have an idea of how many would like to participate and for transportation needs.
I like the last phrase of J.B. Phillips' translation of I Peter 5:7; "...you are God's personal concern." Keep that in mind with the image of all that baggage strewn across the parking lot at Sky Harbor, and as you think about your own baggage strewn across the landscape of your life.
I look forward to seeing you in Red on Sunday.
Jim Abernathy
Baggage is often defined as the container which holds clothing, books, or a variety of personal possessions one takes along, usually when traveling. The word baggage can also be used metaphorically to define other things we carry within our hearts and minds that speak to experiences of life that are often difficult, sometimes traumatic, and at times, unresolved. We often want to keep such "baggage" close, not wishing others to have access to that which we carefully guard. Like suitcases strewn across an airport parking lot, lost somewhere in transit in an eighteen wheeler, or packed onto another plane whose destination cannot easily be tracked, (all things the lost bags of Sky Harbor were subjected to) we struggle to hold onto and claim our own baggage and all that accompanies it.
I Peter 5:7 gives us sound advice in the midst of the burdens we hold close and those that seem just out of our reach. "Cast your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (NRSV) British pastor and scholar, J.B. Philiips, translates this verse, "You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are HIs personal concern." Sometimes this baggage we carry and struggle to control is quite heavy. 3000+ lost bags is a lot of baggage to carry. I would guess there were several TSA and airport personnel with sore backs in Phoenix this morning. Peter reminds us that our weariness can give way to God's comfort and peace as we let God help carry the burdens and heartaches of life that often seem so difficult to bear. Considering the baggage we each carry and seek to manage, learning to throw the whole weight of our anxieties upon God is a practice of faith we would do well to observe.
Sunday morning, we will celebrate Pentecost, remembering the Holy Spirit's presence at work in the early church that changed lives and gave evidence to the power of God at work in those who faithfully followed Jesus, the Christ. The color red is often associated with Pentecost so I encourage you to wear something red on Sunday as reminder to us all of the presence of God at work in and around us. Remember also that we continue to receive a love offering for Andre Towner whose last Sunday with us will be May 22. A reception will precede Sunday School on the 22nd from 9:15-10 a.m. in the narthex, so plan to come and let the Towner's know of your appreciation of and best wishes for them.
Finally, our 5th Sunday project for this month has been finalized. In recognition of Memorial Day and in honor of so many who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation, we will be working with the National Cemetery at Quantico to help prepare the grounds for Memorial Day Celebrations. We will join others on Saturday, May 28 at 9 a.m. to clean and prepare trails, place flags, and other tasks that will prepare this hallowed ground for Memorial Day remembrances. Please sign up at the welcome center so we can have an idea of how many would like to participate and for transportation needs.
I like the last phrase of J.B. Phillips' translation of I Peter 5:7; "...you are God's personal concern." Keep that in mind with the image of all that baggage strewn across the parking lot at Sky Harbor, and as you think about your own baggage strewn across the landscape of your life.
I look forward to seeing you in Red on Sunday.
Jim Abernathy
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Earth Day
Friday, April 22nd, is Earth Day. Some would tell you that the first Earth Day
was in 1970, and I suppose they would be right for that was when the Earth Day
movement began. By faith, however, I would argue that the first earth day
occurred when the Creator said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered
together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” The Genesis account
continues, "God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were
gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good." This
first earth day began it all. Now as stewards of God's earth, we are called to
care for this place that God called good.
Throughout our Treasuring God's Creation emphasis we have focused on the wonder of all that God has made and the calling that is ours to share in its stewardship. We will have our own Earth Day focus on Saturday at Westwood. From 9-noon we will work on a variety of projects. The centerpiece will be the adopt-a-highway program that Westwood has been involved in for years. Those 16 and over who would like to participate will put on a yellow vest, grab an orange trash bag, and clean up a section of the roadside along Old Keene Mill Road. I have done this a number of times over the years, as have many of you, and it is a great way for us to be good neighbors to our community. There will also be projects to clean trash and debris around the perimeter of our property, particularly along the edges of the parking lot. The children will have a special project they will work on and there will also be a project to weed, clean, and perhaps stain the benches in the prayer garden. There will be use for weedeaters and leaf blowers so some of you will want to bring those along. I know our Saturday's are busy, but take a few moments to join your Westwood family and treasure God's creation through this good work.
Let us honor the Lord as we gather Saturday to make a difference in our church and community through caring for God's creation, and let us gather with expectation Sunday morning for the last of our Treasuring God's Creation Sundays. I look forward to seeing and working beside you!
Jim Abernathy
AND DON'T FORGET, THE U.S. ARMY CHORUS AND WEST POINT ALUMNI GLEE CLUB WILL BE IN CONCERT AT WESTWOOD AT 5 PM THIS SATURDAY!!!! INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN YOU FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT.
Throughout our Treasuring God's Creation emphasis we have focused on the wonder of all that God has made and the calling that is ours to share in its stewardship. We will have our own Earth Day focus on Saturday at Westwood. From 9-noon we will work on a variety of projects. The centerpiece will be the adopt-a-highway program that Westwood has been involved in for years. Those 16 and over who would like to participate will put on a yellow vest, grab an orange trash bag, and clean up a section of the roadside along Old Keene Mill Road. I have done this a number of times over the years, as have many of you, and it is a great way for us to be good neighbors to our community. There will also be projects to clean trash and debris around the perimeter of our property, particularly along the edges of the parking lot. The children will have a special project they will work on and there will also be a project to weed, clean, and perhaps stain the benches in the prayer garden. There will be use for weedeaters and leaf blowers so some of you will want to bring those along. I know our Saturday's are busy, but take a few moments to join your Westwood family and treasure God's creation through this good work.
Let us honor the Lord as we gather Saturday to make a difference in our church and community through caring for God's creation, and let us gather with expectation Sunday morning for the last of our Treasuring God's Creation Sundays. I look forward to seeing and working beside you!
Jim Abernathy
AND DON'T FORGET, THE U.S. ARMY CHORUS AND WEST POINT ALUMNI GLEE CLUB WILL BE IN CONCERT AT WESTWOOD AT 5 PM THIS SATURDAY!!!! INVITE A FRIEND TO JOIN YOU FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL EVENT.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Worry
"What, me worry?" These were the words of fictitious cover boy, Alfred E Neuman,
of MAD Magazine fame. It is said that his "What, me worry?" mantra was changed
only once in the long run of the magazine as a result of the Three Mile Island
nuclear scare, when he said, "Yes, me worry!." Truth is, we worry about a lot
of things. Some of us worry more than others, but all of us give in to worry
from time to time.
Sunday morning, I will be preaching about worry. "Hold on," you might say, "what about our creation care emphasis?" Glad you asked. Jesus had some interesting things to say about worry in the context of creation. You might want to read Matthew 6:25-35 in preparation for Sunday morning and consider how Jesus contrasted worry with the wonder of God's creation. I hope you will be present for our continuing emphasis.
Sunday morning will also feature some great music from our children's choirs and some blessed words of testimony from Charlie and Mary Shuman about how they experience and enjoy God's beautiful world.
I hope you can take advantage of the beautiful weather forecast for the next few days and get out to experience the handiwork of the Creator. I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Jim Abernathy
Sunday morning, I will be preaching about worry. "Hold on," you might say, "what about our creation care emphasis?" Glad you asked. Jesus had some interesting things to say about worry in the context of creation. You might want to read Matthew 6:25-35 in preparation for Sunday morning and consider how Jesus contrasted worry with the wonder of God's creation. I hope you will be present for our continuing emphasis.
Sunday morning will also feature some great music from our children's choirs and some blessed words of testimony from Charlie and Mary Shuman about how they experience and enjoy God's beautiful world.
I hope you can take advantage of the beautiful weather forecast for the next few days and get out to experience the handiwork of the Creator. I look forward to seeing you Sunday!
Jim Abernathy
Friday, April 1, 2016
Treasuring God's Creation
Tri Robinson, in his book, "Saving God's Green Earth," cites fifteenth century
reformer Martin Luther's words as he writes, "The power of God is present at
all places, even in the tiniest leaf...God is currently and personally present
in the wilderness, in the garden, and in the field." The old spiritual
says, "He's got the whole world in his hands..." The Psalmist writes,
"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it." Here is a truth we
need to remember in the midst of this beautiful world, created by the hands of
God. God is present in the beauty of all God has made, and thus, to celebrate
the beauty of the budding trees of springtime, the clear, crisp water of a
mountain stream, or to welcome a treasured friend into your embrace is
to celebrate the presence of God. To do so is to cherish Creator and
creation.
Throughout the month of April, we will observe the theme, "Treasuring God's Creation," in our worship, CFN studies, and in activities that address the needs of our property, community, and world, that we might be better stewards of this wonderful creation God has given. This Sunday we will focus on the creation story from Genesis 1, recognizing that God's handiwork is a gift to be cherished, nurtured, and protected. If the quotes in the first paragraph of this note are correct, then God is present all around us. That presence is to be celebrated with every step, every breath, every moment the senses are stirred, and the result is an humble approach to living that truly treasures what God treasures.
We honor God by honoring God's creation. Over these next several weeks, let us look around us at the wonder of all that God has made, and with the Creator, pronounce it good, not just with our words, but our actions as well.
The joy of Easter continues as we gather for worship this Sunday. I look forward to seeing you!
Jim Abernathy
Throughout the month of April, we will observe the theme, "Treasuring God's Creation," in our worship, CFN studies, and in activities that address the needs of our property, community, and world, that we might be better stewards of this wonderful creation God has given. This Sunday we will focus on the creation story from Genesis 1, recognizing that God's handiwork is a gift to be cherished, nurtured, and protected. If the quotes in the first paragraph of this note are correct, then God is present all around us. That presence is to be celebrated with every step, every breath, every moment the senses are stirred, and the result is an humble approach to living that truly treasures what God treasures.
We honor God by honoring God's creation. Over these next several weeks, let us look around us at the wonder of all that God has made, and with the Creator, pronounce it good, not just with our words, but our actions as well.
The joy of Easter continues as we gather for worship this Sunday. I look forward to seeing you!
Jim Abernathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
