Music...At the Heart of Who We Are

"Music," Martin Luther once wrote, "is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us."  I agree, and from what I know of Westwood, I believe that most of us would find agreement in Luther's words.  From anthems to instrumentals, to hymns...even to Mama Mia's, music is a treasured expression of faith at Westwood that is at the heart of who we are. 

 

Living in the D.C./Northern Virginia area, we are blessed to have a number of wonderful musical opportunities all around us.  This Saturday, we have the privilege of hosting the United States Navy Chamber Ensembles in concert at 3 p.m.  We have hosted this group several times over the last few years and always enjoy the variety and quality of music they share.  Our own Lera League has participated in these concerts and has been instrumental (pardon the pun) in helping bring these musicians to Westwood.   So, recognizing this opportunity as a gift and a reminder of the wondrous treasure of music God has offered, take a few moments Saturday afternoon to enjoy the U.S. Navy Band Chamber Ensembles in concert at Westwood, and invite a friend to share this special gift with you.

 

Dee Whitten will be with us this Sunday to share a bit of the ministry of Northstar Church Network.  Northstar is one of our cooperative missions partners and Dee will be sharing about what's new in the Network, and how churches like Westwood impact this important ministry. Dick Marvin will also be sharing about a new emphasis at ECHO that Westwood will be supporting in June, and I will bring a message from Isaiah 6:1-8, entitled, "Who Will Go For Us?"  Again, I encourage you to join your Westwood family for worship and study of God's word and invite someone to join you.  Together, we celebrate all the gifts that God has given.

 

Jim Abernathy 

 

P.S. Finally, keep Andre in your prayers as he continues his class and archeological dig in Jezreel.  You can follow his experiences by going to our church website and clicking on "Andre in Israel."

Continuing Presence

"I stopped asking God to drop out of the sky to come be with me and started opening up my eyes to the reality that he was already here."  In her book, "Faith Shift," Kathy Escobar includes quotes from everyday believers talking about their struggles and challenges along their faith journeys.  The quote listed here is significant to one's daily walk with the Creator God for it suggests we see God not as elusive or distant, but welcome God as present and  engaged in our lives.  In the midst of ever-changing circumstances and distractions, finding God present in the middle of it all gives strength and help to face whatever comes.  This is the message of incarnation...the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us."

 

Sometimes we look at the world and wonder where God is as if God has done the work of creation and then left us on our own.  I believe that God is at work in the world, particularly in the hearts of those who will listen and learn, then act upon faith.  The words of Jesus after his resurrection and shortly before he returned to His Father, came in the context of his physical departure, but they spoke of continuing presence.  "I will be with you always..."  God continues to work in the hearts and minds and actions of those who welcome the Holy Spirit, not as an occasional rescuer, but a trusted friend and guide for every step.  That is our strength and hope and joy for the living of each day.

 

Arrangements have been confirmed for Bernard Bretz.  Visitation will be held this Tuesday, May 19, at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.  The memorial service will follow Wednesday morning at 11 at Westwood with a reception immediately after the service.  Prayer is the continuing recognition that God is indeed here among us and at work, so please continue faithful in remembering this and other prayer concerns.

 

Sunday in Youth Sunday at Westwood.  We are always blessed when our youth lead in worship.  Plan to be present to encourage and worship alongside them.  It will be a blessed time for us all.

 

Jim Abernathy

Cooperation

To cooperate is to work together with others.  Sounds pretty simple, but whenever human beings get involved, the simple has a way of becoming complicated.  Emotion, politics, race, finances, family relationships, even religion can make cooperation at times more challenging than it has to be.  People are often compelled to rally to a cause or work together for the common good and that is cooperation at its best.  In reality, I suppose cooperation is an intentional approach to the circumstances of life that makes one think beyond him or her self to consider a bigger picture...a broader perspective.

 

On four of the next five Sundays, I will be focusing on this theme of cooperation from the pulpit, particularly as we think about how we work together with mission partners around the world to share the love of Christ.  Twelve percent of our undesignated offerings at Westwood go to cooperative missions, supporting ministry work locally through the Northstar Church Network, regionally through the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, and globally through the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.  By cooperating with brothers and sisters in Christ here and around the world, you and I are able to accomplish more than we could do alone or in our particular congregation.  The Vision Council has been asked to evaluate our cooperative giving and they have appointed a team to review and report back to them.  My hope is that over these next several Sundays, you and I will come to have a better understanding of how we partner together with others for the cause of Christ, and that we will hear in fresh and powerful ways how God can use our resources to reach around the corner, and around the world with the transforming message of hope in Jesus Christ.

 

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we gather for Bible study and worship.  Invite a friend to join you.

 

Jim Abernathy