Westwood Baptist Church

Pastor / Elder Updates

Christmas 2011

Dear Members and Friends of Westwood Baptist Church:

The Westwood Elder Council would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a Joyous Christmas Season!

We would also like to thank you for your overwhelming support and prayers for Westwood Ministries during this past year. We are excited and grateful to be a part of what God is doing at our church!

One of the ways to exalt and worship God is through your giving to your local church. We trust you have learned the joy and thrill of giving to God's work. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, when He said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Acts 20:35

Each year, during the Christmas season, we rely on special end of year gifts to help meet shortfalls in giving during the remainder of the year. This year is no different. As costs continue to increase and as our facilities get older the ongoing maintenance costs have increased. We recently have replaced our heating control panel, repaired and replaced the front roof and column facade damaged by substantial dry rot, completed our sound system project . . . and the list goes on. We are deeply appreciative how God has
provided for the needs of the church through your faithful giving.

We are thankful that Westwood is so committed to Global Outreach by standing with our workers in prayer and support. Westwood has a Faith Promise Fund we call Mission's Challenge where people give over and above their regular tithe to support Global Outreach. Much of our mission's support comes from Mission's Challenge. Unfortunately, we have seen a decline in our Mission's Challenge giving over the past year. We have exhausted our reserves and may not be able to fulfill our commitments to our workers and agencies if additional funds are not available.

As most of you are aware, Pastor Lee will be taking a sabbatical leave beginning mid December through mid February. During his absence we have two exciting teaching series that you will not want to miss. Our Christmas theme "From the Manger to the Throne" and the theme beginning the 2012 year, "The Transforming Story of the Gospel" will continue our emphasis on discipleship.

We urge you to invite your neighbors and friends to worship with us in celebrating Christ's birth during the various Christmas Services. December 11 will feature our Christmas Festival 2011 in both morning services. Our Children's Choir will be presenting "The Next Noel" on December 18 at 6 p.m. Remember we also have two services on Christmas Eve at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. There will be a 10 a.m. special Family Christmas Day Service on Sunday, December 25. Normal child care will be provided for pre-kindergarten -- ages six weeks to five years old.

Merry Christmas to You and Yours!

Westwood Elder Council | Jim Bryan ? Tom Hill ? Ken Stormans ? Phil Lewis ? Jeff Dickason ? Al Lamb ? Bill Larsen Mike Boring ? Les Toews ? Chris Bredeson ? Al Roser ? Pastor's Lee Forstrom and David Steele

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November 17, 2011

Dear Westwood Family,

Thank you for allowing me to take a few minutes of your time to share how God has been working in my heart and life.

As you know the Elder Council has graciously allowed me to take a two-month sabbatical from my preaching/leadership responsibilities this winter. Sheryl and I plan on visiting our daughter, Julie and her husband, Scott in Qatar this Christmas. We will be leaving Dec.14 and returning Jan.3. When we return from Qatar, we will be taking the remainder of our
Sabbatical hopefully in some place sunny or picturesque. We plan to return to Westwood February 14. We will be starting a new series on spiritual influences from 2 Corinthians on February 19.

It has been said, a sabbatical provides a period away from the normal routine - a time to become immersed in a different environment, a chance to see life from a different perspective. We believe that taking this break from the daily routine of ministry will assist in taking a fresh look at our vision for Westwood Baptist Church. We hope to slow down and listen to what God is telling us for the next season of ministry.

I ask you to pray for us during this break that it will provide a way to rest and renew so that we can come back reenergized and ready for more fruitful ministry.

My encouragement to each of you is to do all you can to continue to faithfully support the church during this time. We have secured excellent speakers to fill the pulpit during my absence.

Series: From the Manger to the Throne
- December 11 - CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL featuring our choir and orchestra.
_ I will be speaking.
- December 18 - Pastor Jared Harrington morning services
- Children’s Christmas Choir - evening service
- December 24 - Christmas Eve Services @ 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. -
_ Pastor Wescott Robinson
- December 25 - Family Christmas Service @ 10 a.m. - Pastor Bruce Fuller
- January 1 - New Years Sunday Service - Pastor Steve Alderete
Series: The Transforming Story of the Gospel
- January 8 - Joel Goldberg, Global Outreach Worker from Israel
- January 15 - Patrick Lai, Author and Church Planter
- January 22 - Jamin York, Missionary to Asia
- January 29 & February 5 - Ron Marrs, Western Seminary Professor
_ and former Pastor at Westwood
- February 12 - David M, Appointed Global Worker

Recently our Elders stated, "We believe God has a vision for the next season of both corporate and individual discipleship at Westwood and we are confident that our focus on this goal will help and fuel personal and church growth. Good things are happening in the lives of people and the church collectively." I join with the Elders and each of you with the anticipation of seeing our vision fulfilled during these end times.

I appreciate being your Pastor and having the privilege of sharing God’s Word with you.

I wish you all an early joyous Christmas and an exciting new year.

Pastor Lee Forstrom

Westwood Baptist Church | 333 Kaiser Rd. NW | Olympia, WA 98502 | 360.866.6888