Merry Christmas!

Advent Devotions

Following The Star

Youth News

Springfield Gardens Christmas Party – This annual fun, fellowship, and outreach opportunity has been set for 1-4 PM on Saturday, December 8, at the apartment complex on Commerce Street. Last year folks from Westwood helped by bringing goodies such as cookies, chips, and drinks; setting up, serving, and cleaning up; translating; taking pictures; and encouraging families and friends. This is a great family missions opportunity.

This week @ FaithStation: What does true peace really look like?

Youth Choir Cantata Schedule:
*Sunday, December 9 - Last youth choir rehearsal at 5 PM - Don't miss it!
*Saturday, December 15 - Combined choir rehearsal with orchestra at 2 PM in the sanctuary.
*Sunday, December 16 - Be in the sanctuary at 10:30 AM; girls wear black bottoms and white tops; guys wear dark pants, white shirt, and red tie.

Our Progressive Dinner and Christmas Party is set for Saturday, December 15. Meet at 4:45 PM in the Green Room. Wear your most formal dinner/dancing attire. You'll be put in groups, enjoy dinner, and then meet back at the church for the gift exchange and party. Please bring a wrapped gift (no more than $5 in cost - be creative) if you want to participate in the gift exchange. As always, we will also collect canned goods for the food pantry. Sign up deadline is this Sunday, December 9.

FaithStation Road Trip - FaithStation is hitting the road on Sunday, December 16! We'll be attending the "Jazz at the Vespers - Christmas Style" service at Convergence - A Creative Community of Faith. The service will feature Never in Denver, Harp 46, and Convergence musicians. This service is designed and led by musicians. Following the service is a reception in the art gallery. We'll meet at the church at 4 PM and travel over to Convergence in Alexandria. More details to come.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the Week: How does your family decorate your house for the Christmas? Congratulations to Claire and Christina - they are splitting the prize for favorite Thanksgiving memory!

Youth News

Our annual Christmas Day Camp (Youth Babysitting) is this Saturday, December 1, from 10 AM - 2 PM. This is a service we provide to Westwood parents. Please show up at 9:30 AM if you are going to work the morning shift and at Noon if you are going to work the afternoon shift. You can receive service hours for this activity. Lunch will be provided for you. We still need adult help!

This week @ FaithStation: We will continue our discussion about what scripture says about God's heart for the hungry, poor, homeless, etc.

Springfield Gardens Christmas Party – This annual fun, fellowship, and outreach opportunity has been set for 1-4 PM on Saturday, December 8, at the apartment complex on Commerce Street. Last year folks from Westwood helped by bringing goodies such as cookies, chips, and drinks; setting up, serving, and cleaning up; translating; taking pictures; and encouraging families and friends. You can sign up to help at the welcome center in the narthex.

The Progressive Dinner and Christmas Party is set for Saturday, December 15. Meet at 4:45 PM in the Green Room. Wear your most formal dinner/dancing attire. You'll be put in groups, enjoy dinner, and then meet back at the church for the gift exchange and party. Please bring a wrapped gift (no more than $5 in cost - be creative) if you want to participate in the gift exchange. As always, we will also collect canned goods for the food pantry. Sign up deadline is Sunday, December 9.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the Week: What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Leave your memory in the comments for a chance to win free movie passes. Deadline is this Sunday - we will have the drawing at FaithStation!

Youth News

NO Church Family Night tonight!

NO Youth Choir practice this Sunday!

This week @ FaithStation: We will have a special roundtable discussion on the topic of Thanksgiving. Come join the discussion as we share about what we are thankful for and look at what scripture says about God's heart for the hungry, poor, homeless, etc. After FaithStation, we'll join the church in the "Hanging of the Greens", where we decorate the church for the Christmas season.

Our annual Christmas Day Camp (Youth Babysitting) is Saturday, December 1, from 10 AM - 2 PM. This is a service we provide to Westwood parents. Please sign up Sunday or sign up by emailing Stephen. If you'd like to be a part of the planning team (games, crafts, activities, etc.), please let Stephen know.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the Week: What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? Tell your favorite memory in the comments and you will be eligible to win two movie passes at the Kingstowne Theatre. We'll have a random drawing on Sunday, December 2, from all those who comment.

Youth News

There are two fundraising walks you can participate in this weekend: the Help the Homeless Walkathon (Saturday, November 17)and the CROP Hunger Walk (Sunday, November 18).

Both raise money for great causes. See Tom Kern or Holly Schmitz if you are interested in the CROP Hunger Walk.

Don't forget: Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are due this Sunday, November 18!

The church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner is Tuesday, November 20. Sign up Sunday at the Welcome Center in the narthex. Cost is $3.50.

Our annual Christmas Day Camp (Youth Babysitting) is Saturday, December 1, from 10 AM - 2 PM. This is a service we provide to Westwood parents. Please sign up Sunday or sign up by email. If you'd like to be a part of the planning team (games, crafts, activities, etc.), please let me know.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the Week: What does friendship mean to you?

Youth News

There will be a short meeting for all Threshold members this Sunday night after FaithStation.

There is a Service Project on Monday, November 5. Meet at the church at 10 AM and bring work gloves and rakes. We'll be done around 2 PM and we'll get lunch together around noon. ADULTS ARE NEEDED TO HELP DRIVE - PLEASE CONTACT STEPHEN!

The Youth Bowling Fellowship will take place Tuesday, November 6. Meet at the Bowl America in Burke at 11:30 AM. Pick up at Bowl America will be at 1:30 PM. Bring money for shoes ($3.40), games ($2.49 each), and lunch. There will be prizes for the best bowler and the worst bowler.

ALIVE! Middle School Conference sign up is ongoing. The conference is November 16-18. Cost is $85. A $20 deposit is due as soon as possible. There will be worship sessions, great speakers, bands, comedians, and more! Sign up deadline is Sunday, November 11! Right now, we have 8 students and adults going!

The Youth Choir is now working on the Christmas Cantata. The Cantata is Sunday, December 16, during the 11 AM service. Please come at 5 PM on Sundays if you want to be a part of the Christmas Cantata.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the Week: What is special about today, November 2?

Youth News

Due to the wet weather and some scheduling conflicts, Saturday's Corn Maze has been cancelled. INSTEAD, we'll watch a movie at the Kingstowne 16 Theatre. We'll watch The Game Plan. It is rated PG and starts at 7:15 PM. Be at the theater at 7 PM on Saturday night. The movie should be over around 9:15 PM. Drop off and pick up are at the theater. Ticket cost is $9.50 ($8.50 with your student ID). The theater's address is 5910 Kingstowne Towne Center, Alexandria, VA 22315. The first youth that correctly identifies the alter ego and famous saying of the star of this movie wins a free movie ticket. Leave your name and answers in the comments.

ALIVE! Middle School Conference sign up is ongoing. The conference is November 16-18. Cost is $85. A $20 deposit is due as soon as possible. There will be worship sessions, great speakers, bands, comedians, and more! Please let me know by Sunday if you are interested in attending the conference! Right now, we have 8 students and adults going!

There will be a Youth Leadership Council (YLC) meeting Sunday, October 28, after the morning worship service. Lunch will be provided. This meeting is mandatory for all youth who want to be on the YLC. Contact me if you are unable to attend.

The Youth Choir is now working on the Christmas Cantata. The Cantata is Sunday, December 16, during the 11 AM service. Please come at 5 PM on Sundays if you want to be a part of the Christmas Cantata.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the Week: Who's going to win tonight's football game between Lake Braddock and West Springfield?

Youth News

The funeral service for Keith Gilbert (Leah and Rachel's dad) is at 2 PM tomorrow (Saturday) at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home, 9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax. Please remember the family in your prayers.

There will be a brief BWA World Youth Conference in Germany informational meeting this Sunday after the morning worship service in Room 18/20. We will discuss trip options, costs, fundraising, etc. If you are interested in this trip, please attend this meeting or, if you are unable to attend, please contact me so I can get you the information.

The Baltimore Blast Christian Youth Night is Friday, October 19. Enjoy an indoor soccer game and a post-game concert with Big Daddy Weave. Cost is $16. The final opportunity to sign up is this Sunday. WE STILL NEED ADULT SPONSORS FOR THIS ACTIVITY!

ALIVE! Middle School Conference sign up has begun. The conference is November 16-18. Cost is $85. A $20 deposit is due as soon as possible. There will be worship sessions, great speakers, bands, comedians, and more! Please let me know by this Sunday of you are interested in attending the conference!

The Corn Maze has been rescheduled for Saturday, October 27. We'll be heading down to Belvedere Plantation to enjoy the corn maze, fun barn, pig races, joust, zip line, and more. Cost is $12. Sign up this Sunday. WE STILL NEED ADULT SPONSORS FOR THIS ACTIVITY!

There will be a Youth Leadership Council (YLC) meeting Sunday, October 28, after the morning worship service. Lunch will be provided. This meeting is mandatory for all youth who want to be on the YLC. Contact me if you are unable to attend.

The Youth Choir is now working on the Christmas Cantata. The Cantata is Sunday, December 16, during the 11 AM service. There are 8 more rehearsals left. Please come at 5 PM on Sundays if you want to be a part of the Christmas Cantata.

Make sure you check out the Youth Ministry Calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the Week: Which school's football team is going to go the farthest in the playoffs this year?

This is FaithStation! (Sunday, September 30)

Last Sunday we watched the NOOMA DVD Store and talked about anger. I hope you have been giving thought to some of the issues that were raised in the film and discussed in our time together. To help you with further reflection, I've listed the issues below. Please read them and feel free to continue the dialogue by making a comment to this post.

• Many people carry around with them a low-grade boiling rage.
• Anger is your body's way of telling you that your will has been blocked.
• The problem isn't anger; it's what we do with it.
• Is our response to anger about us (selfish kingdom) or about something larger than us (divine kingdom)?
• Is what we are angry about worth getting angry about?
• Has your anger scared you?
• Jesus' anger leads to healing and restoration (Mark 3:1-5).
• What can we do to ensure that our anger leads to making things better?
• What makes you angry?
• We were made to give ourselves to a cause bigger than ourselves.
• Have you given yourself to a cause bigger than yourself that is making the world a better place? How is it making the world a better place?

Finally, may you find encouragement in these words from Rob Bell at the end of the film:

"May you become aware of your anger. May you learn to channel it, to focus it, direct it into something beautiful. And may it fuel sacred acts of healing and restoration."

Remedy

Where there is pain, let us bring grace. Where there is suffering, bring serenity. For those afraid, let us be brave. Where there is misery, let us bring relief. Let us be the remedy.

If you haven't already checked out David Crowder*Band's new album, Remedy, do it now!

Picture this. School has just started...the tension is rising already. You've had a week for the stress level to mount. Your head is already being crammed with useless knowledge. Brain about to burst. UNLESS...you find some way to release all of that tension and unwind. What better way than a good, old-fashioned demolition derby? A uniquely American (REDNECK) sporting event that focuses on total destruction of more than 100 cars, vans, (and sometimes buses), all in an effort by the Silver Hill Lion's Club to raise scholarship money.

Saturday, September 8

COST: $13

Meet at the church at 4:30 PM; return no later than 11:30 PM

Contact Stephen if you are not signed up yet and want to go!

Youth News

Summit Lake Senior High Retreat is September 21-23! Sign up and pay your $20 deposit by this Sunday, September 9.

Youth Choir begins this Sunday, September 9, at 5 PM, in the Music Suite. Contact Pat Close for more information.

Small Groups sign up has begun! Sign up with Stephen! We will be having a Youth Leadership Council (YLC) small group this year - let Stephen know if you are interested.

Church Family Night (CFN) begins Wednesday, September 12. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:30 PM. Dinner costs $3.50. Reservations must be received in the church office by noon on Monday. Youth activities are from 6:30-7:30 PM.

Awakening Festival '07 is Saturday, September 15, at the Bull Run Park - Special Events Center in Centreville. Featured artists include Toby Mac, Barlow Girl, DecembeRadio, NeedToBreathe, This Beautiful Republic, Mainstay, Ashes Remain, and speaker Tom Davis. There will also be rock climbing walls, gladiator jousting, giant slide, volleyball, and much more! Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. The group rate is $13 for groups of 10+. Sign up and pay by September 12 if you are interested in going. This is a great event for the whole family!

Open House @ FaithStation is Sunday, September 16, from 6-8 PM, in Whitten Hall. Youth, parents, and youth workers are invited. There will be a catered meal, a presentation about our youth ministry, and we'll worship together! RSVP to Stephen.

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: What is going to be your best class this semester? Why?

Youth News

Demolition Derby is Saturday, September 8. We'll meet at the church at 4:30 PM and return back around 11:30 PM. Cost is $17. Not sure? Let's see what Tom has to say: Picture this. School has just started...the tension is rising already. You've had a week for the stress level to mount. Your head is already being crammed with useless knowledge. Brain about to burst. UNLESS...you find some way to release all of that tension and unwind. What better way than a good, old-fashioned demolition derby? A uniquely American (REDNECK) sporting event that focuses on total destruction of more than 100 cars, vans, (and sometimes buses), all in an effort by the Silver Hill Lion's Club to raise scholarship money. Sign up deadline is Sunday!

Summit Lake Senior High Retreat is coming soon (September 21-23)! Sign up and pay your $20 deposit by Sunday, September 9.

Small Groups sign up has begun! Sign up Sunday! We will be having a Youth Leadership Council (YLC) small group this year - let Stephen know if you are interested.

Youth Choir begins on Sunday, September 9, at 5 PM, in the Music Suite. Contact Pat Close for more information.

Church Family Night (CFN) begins Wednesday, September 12. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:30 PM. Youth activities are from 6:30-7:30 PM.

Awakening Festival 07 is Saturday, September 15, at the Bull Run Park - Special Events Center in Centreville. Featured artists include Toby Mac, Barlow Girl, DecembeRadio, NeedToBreathe, This Beautiful Republic, Mainstay, Ashes Remain, and speaker Tom Davis. There will also be rock climbing walls, gladiator jousting, giant slide, volleyball, and much more! Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. The group rate is $13 for groups of 10+. Sign up Sunday if you are interested in going. This is a great event for the whole family!

Open House @ FaithStation is Sunday, September 16, from 6-8 PM, in Whitten Hall. Youth, parents, and youth workers are invited. There will be a catered meal, a presentation about our youth ministry, and we'll worship together! RSVP to Stephen.

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: How many games are the Redskins going to win this year?

Youth News

Fantasy Football is back! Do you have what it takes to be crowned champion of the FaithStation Fanatics? If you think you do, let Stephen know and sign up your team before this Monday. On Monday, any remaining league spots will be offered to interested adults.

Summit Lake Senior High Retreat is coming soon (September 21-23)! Sign up and pay your $20 deposit by Sunday, September 9.

Small Groups sign up has begun! Sign up Sunday! We will be having a Youth Leadership Council (YLC) small group this year - let Stephen know if you are interested.

Threshold Meeting this Sunday at 4 PM in the FaithStation Room. Attend this meeting if you are interested in being a part of the worship band team.

Demolition Derby is Saturday, September 8. We'll meet at the church at 4:30 PM and return back around 11:30 PM. Cost is $17. Sign up Sunday! Not sure? Let's see what Tom has to say: "Picture this. School has just started...the tension is rising already. You've had a week for the stress level to mount. Your head is already being crammed with useless knowledge. Brain about to burst. UNLESS...you find some way to release all of that tension and unwind. What better way than a good, old-fashioned demolition derby? A uniquely American (REDNECK) sporting event that focuses on total destruction of more than 100 cars, vans, (and sometimes buses), all in an effort by the Silver Hill Lion's Club to raise scholarship money."

Youth Choir begins on Sunday, September 9, at 5 PM, in the Music Suite. Contact Pat Close for more information.

Church Family Night (CFN) begins Wednesday, September 12. Dinner is served from 5:30-6:30 PM. Youth activities are from 6:30-7:30 PM.

Open House @ FaithStation is Sunday, September 16, from 6-8 PM, in Whitten Hall. Youth, parents, and youth workers are invited. There will be a catered meal, a presentation about our youth ministry, and we'll worship together! RSVP to Stephen.

Make sure you wish all our college students good-bye if you haven't done so already! GOOD-BYE! HAVE FUN AT COLLEGE!

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: What are you looking forward to most this upcoming school year?

I Am Optimus Prime (well, at least 73%)

I saw this over at a blog I read regularly and decided to give it a shot. What Transformer are you?

I AM
73%
OPTIMUS PRIME

Take the Transformers Quiz

IMPACT Video!

Here it is - the long awaited IMPACT video! Also included is the IMPACT Staff Intro video. ENJOY!

Just For Fun!

Here's the leadership team for the PlanetWisdom Tour taking a little time out to dance! As you watch this, imagine the Church Staff, your Sunday School teacher, and/or your Small Group leader doing this. Wouldn't that rock?!?

Car Wash!

Raising money for missions and for Youth EnCounter!

Bringing in the customers!

Washing a car!

Another satisfied customer!?!

Goo Games 2007!

Here are the pictures and a short video from this year's Goo Games. ENJOY!

Summer Snowball Fight!

Summer Youth Happenings

Here are some pictures from some of this summer's happenings: Brown Bag Bible Study, FaithStation, 7th Grade Welcoming Breakfast, Cookie Service Project, and the Outdoor Movie Night. ENJOY!

Youth News

Goo Games & Picnic tomorrow at the church at 3 PM. Wear clothes you can get messy and bring a towel and change of clothes!

Car Wash Fundraiser Saturday at the church from 10 AM - 4 PM. Bring towels, hoses, scrubbers, brushes, etc. Lunch will be provided! Proceeds go toward Youth EnCounter and the Youth Missions fund!

Old Rag trip is next Wednesday, July 25! Sign up in the FaithStation room.

The next Brown Bag Bible Study will be Thursday, July 26.

Sign up for YEC (August 2-3) with Stephen as soon as possible - space is limited! YEC will cost $75 this year - a reduction in price from the last several years - yay! A $25 deposit is due at sign-up! YEC is ALL-NEW this year! Come be a part of something new, different, and exciting!

L1FE Retreat - August 9-12 in New Jersey. Cost is $30. Deadline to sign-up is Sunday, July 29. Space is limited!

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: What has been the best part about your summer so far?

VBS

Here is the Youth performance of Forever at the VBS Family Night Program.

IMPACT VA! Eastville

Enjoy these pictures and videos from this year's IMPACT! We had a great time in Eastville (Eastern Shore). We had 34 youth and 8 adults participate this year. The theme "Whatever" was excellent and the IMPACT staff did a great job of challenging us this year to live our lives for God in whatever we do! Enjoy!

Youth "Bowling" on our afternoon off!


Youth playing "Steal the Bacon" on our afternoon off!


Even at IMPACT there's time for "Log Tag"!


IMPACT testimonies during report-out in morning worship service.


IMPACT theme interpretation project explained.

If you have (good quality) pictures you would like to add to our yearbook, please email them to me. Thanks!

ARE YOU READY?!?

NATS Game!

We celebrated the end of school by attending the Nats game vs. the Detroit Tigers on Monday, June 18. The game was eerily reminiscent of the Spring Break game we attended - except the Nats' 9th inning comeback fell one run short this time!

Riding Metro to the game.

Some of the group waiting for the game to start.

Game action: notice the Detroit base runners - there were too many during the game!

The sad final score!

2007 Graduates!

Graduate Recognition Sunday - June 10, 2007

Corey Donnelly - Lake Braddock Secondary School

Michael Gillespie - West Springfield High School

Cristina Goldchain - Stonewall Jackson High School

Ryan Moore - Lee High School

Haley Schmitz - Schmitz Institute of Higher Learning

Dustin Wood - W.T. Woodson High School

Caitlin Young - West Springfield High School

Mindy Zhang - Robinson Secondary School

GO SPURS GO!

IMPACT VERSE/ COLOSSIANS

This is just a friendly reminder to those going on Impact; remember to read the book of Colossians and memorize the verse (Colossians 3:17). Once you have done that, don't forget to e-mail me so that I can check your name off of the list. My school e-mail is lcgilbert@bluefield.edu. Hope you are having a WONDERFUL last week of school! God bless!

Anniversary Time!

Randa and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary yesterday! Natalie, a former youth and current student at Georgetown College (KY), blessed us with free babysitting for the evening, allowing us to enjoy dinner, a movie, and dessert together! Thanks Natalie!

Natalie with Annie and Allison in the midst of playing some board games. The girls immediately took to playing with Natalie and could barely be bothered with hugs and kisses for Mommy and Daddy as we were leaving!

We ate at Mike's American Grill in Springfield. We had always heard it was a great restaurant, so we decided to give it a try! Randa enjoyed the Filet Mignon and I had the Baby Back Ribs. Our waiter said the ribs were his favorite and I can understand why - they were excellent! Outside we ran into Caitlin, a graduating senior who was celebrating with her grandparents. Caitlin took our picture outside the restaurant. Ainsley accompanied us on this anniversary dinner and was a big hit with everyone!

After dinner, Randa fed Ainsley and we dropped her back at the house and put her to bed so that we could enjoy a movie. We intended to see Waitress, but ended up seeing Gracie instead, due to a change in start times. The movie was good and we had the whole theater to ourselves!

After the movie we swung by the drive-thru at McDonald's and ordered some McFlurries to cap off the evening! All in all, it was a great and relaxing anniversary!

It's Friday - Laugh!!!

I saw this on the news the other night. It is called "The Dancing Cadet" and it is hilarious!

Youth News

Graduate Recognition Sunday is June 10. There will be a special breakfast for the graduates at the Abernathy's at 9:30 AM and the graduates will be recognized and will receive their gifts from the church in the worship service later that morning. Parents are invited to join their seniors for a special FaithStation that evening.

IMPACT Training this Sunday! We will hold mandatory Impact Training Sessions from 4:30-5:45 PM this Sunday and next Sunday, June 10. This training will take place in the Green Room and is for all adults and students going to Impact! Contact Tom Kern for more information!

Impact Commissioning Service will be Sunday, June 17. Please attend the service as the church commissions us to be Impact missionaries!

Nationals game on Monday, June 18! Celebrate the end of school by joining us to see a Nats game! Details will come soon!

Brown Bag Bible Study begins on Thursday, June 21, at 12:30 PM. Bring your lunch and Bible and come explore the Bible together! The first BBBS will meet at the Hodge's house. Contact Stephen or Leah for more information and for rides.

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: What are you looking forward to most this summer?

Cappies Winners!

Congratulations to South County for being the big winners at this year's Washington area Critics and Awards Program, otherwise known as the Cappies! South County won four awards (out of 12 nominations), including the award for best musical for Thoroughly Modern Millie. Westwood was represented well in the musical with Justin and Scott performing and Kit, Kayla, and Karianne working hard behind the scenes. Check out the Washington Post article spotlighting South County's big win! Other area schools (West Springfield, Lake Braddock, Robinson, and Thomas Jefferson) also won awards. Check out the Cappies website for the complete list of winners.

KMT's 'The Secret Garden'

KMT's The Secret Garden was great! Congrats to Justin, Erin, Andrew, Pat Close, Donna Hill, and Pam Bryson for representing Westwood well!

Justin, Erin, and Andrew after Saturday's performance. Justin was Major Holmes, Erin was in the Ensemble, and Andrew was the Spot Light Operator.

Justin and Erin in costume!

Youth Family Cookout Pictures

Pictures from this year's Youth Family Cookout. Thanks go out to Mike Colley for the pictures!

Mother's Day Challenge Contest Winners!

Grand Prize Winners:

Haley with her mom walking into Caribou Coffee. The surprise didn't work here, but the manicure and pedicure later on was a pleasant surprise! Haley and Holly won gift cards to Starbucks and the Family Christian Store.

Consolation Prize Winners:Jessica with her mom at Outback Steakhouse for a Mother's Day lunch. They tried to see Spider-Man 3 that day, but had to wait until the following weekend! Jessica and Lisa won a Starbucks gift card.

Don't forget to celebrate your moms every day, not just on Mother's Day!

Youth News

ATTENTION 2007 High School graduates! Help us recognize you on Graduate Recognition Sunday by emailing me your name, high school graduating from, college attending, proposed field of study, other plans if not college, etc. Also, parents should send pictures (from baby to senior portrait) of their graduating seniors to Marty Freeman. There will be a special breakfast for the graduates at the Abernathy's at 9:30 AM on Sunday, June 10, and the graduates will be recognized and will receive their gifts from the church in the worship service later that morning.

KMT Musical Theater presents The Secret Garden on Friday and Saturday, May 25-26. Performances are held at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale at 8 PM. For tickets, contact Donna Hill at 703-628-1340. Support Westwood's own Justin Alderson, Erin Donnelly, Pat Close (Director), and Donna Hill (Producer).

IMPACT Training begins this Sunday! We will hold mandatory Impact Training Sessions from 4:30-5:45 PM on the following Sundays: May 27, June 3, and June 10. This training will take place in the Green Room and is for all adults and students going to Impact! Contact Tom Kern for more information!

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: Who is your hero? Why?

We Love Working With Youth!

Leah, Jenny, and I spent Monday and Tuesday in Richmond at the VBMB Summer Youth Ministry Conference. We are pictured here with the main speaker, Laurie Polich. We learned a lot about youth ministry and we are excited about what will happen this summer in our youth ministry and in Jenny's case, with IMPACT! You can't read what my shirt says in the picture, but it says it all: "...there's nothing like youth ministry!" And I'll add: "...there's nothing like youth!" I'm ready for a great summer! How about you?

First-Ever David Crowder Band Music Video!

From David Crowder's latest blog post: "suppose with me for a moment that this whole time the squirrel were simply a metaphor, what then?" Check out all the posts about squirrels on his blog. ENJOY!

Jeremy Foster Videos

I used to post short humorous "videos with a message" from Jeremy Foster. Recently, Jeremy has been doing a full-length TV show instead and that is why I haven't been posting any of his stuff lately. If you're interested in checking out his TV show, go here.

Invisible Children Benefit Concert

Check out this great opportunity to help support Invisible Children!

Youth News

The Youth Family Cookout at the Gray's is this Sunday from 5:30-7:30 PM.

In accordance with Westwood’s Child Protection Policy we will hold a required annual training session for workers with youth, children, and preschoolers on Sunday, May 20, from 8:30-9:30 AM. If you are currently a volunteer or would like to work with the young people of Westwood, please plan on attending this training session. Training will be held in the main section of Whitten Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Lora Johnson. Youth who are currently age 18 or older or will be by VBS (July 13) need to attend this training as well!

We have two contests running - the Mother's Day Challenge Contest and the She's Back! Contest. The deadline to enter is this Sunday before the Cookout.

ATTENTION 2007 High School graduates! Help us recognize you on Graduate Recognition Sunday by emailing me your name, high school graduating from, college attending, proposed field of study, other plans if not college, etc. Also, parents should send pictures (from baby to senior portrait) of their graduating seniors to Marty Freeman. Thanks!

KMT Musical Theater presents The Secret Garden on Friday and Saturday, May 25-26. Performances are held at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale at 8 PM. For tickets, contact Donna Hill at 703-628-1340. Support Westwood's own Justin Alderson, Erin Donnelly, Pat Close (Director), and Donna Hill (Producer).

We will hold mandatory Impact Training Sessions from 4:30-5:45 PM on the following Sundays: May 27, June 3, and June 10. This training will take place in the Green Room and is for all adults and students going to Impact! Contact Tom Kern for more information!

If you are on Facebook or are thinking of joining Facebook, join our This is FaithStation! group by clicking on the link found above.

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: What is your favorite hobby?

She's Back!

Guess who decided to be our intern again this summer!?! Let's have some fun: The first person to track Leah down and take a picture with her and the front section of The Washington Post and email it to me wins a Starbucks gift card! GO!

Essay Contest

The 2007 Religious Liberty Essay Contest, sponsored by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, is open to all Baptist high school students in the classes of 2007 and 2008. The essay contest asks participants to respond to this quote by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and critic of the state, and never its tool." The grand prize is $1000 and includes a trip to Washington, D.C.

For contest rules and a registration form, please visit www.BJConline.org/contest.

Essay deadline is May 21.

Youth Family Cookout

Youth Family Cookout

Sunday, May 20

5:30-7:30 PM at the Gray's

All youth and their family members are invited!

FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, and GAMES!

Bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

Youth News

There will be NO FaithStation this Sunday. Instead, participate in the Mother's Day Challenge Contest.

If you are on Facebook or are thinking of joining Facebook, join our This is FaithStation! group.

Don't forget about South County Secondary School's rendition of Thoroughly Modern Millie this Friday and Saturday. All shows are $10 and start at 7:30 PM. Suggested arrival time for all shows is 7:00 PM. Please go out to see a great show and support Westwood's own Justin Alderson, Scott Morgan, Kit Alderson, and Kari Alderson!

ATTENTION 2007 High School graduates! Help us recognize you on Graduate Recognition Sunday by emailing me your name, high school graduating from, college attending, proposed field of study, other plans if not college, etc. Also, parents should send pictures (from baby to senior portrait) of their graduating seniors to Marty Freeman. Thanks!

In accordance with Westwood’s Child Protection Policy we will hold a required annual training session for workers with youth, children, and preschoolers on Sunday, May 20, from 8:30-9:30 AM. If you are currently a volunteer or would like to work with the young people of Westwood, please plan on attending this training session. Training will be held in the main section of Whitten Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Lora Johnson. Youth who are currently age 18 or older or will be by VBS (July 13) need to attend this training as well!

KMT Musical Theater presents the Secret Garden on Friday and Saturday, May 25-26. Performances are held at the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale at 8 PM. For tickets, contact Donna Hill at 703-628-1340. Support Westwood's own Justin Alderson, Erin Donnelly, Pat Close (Director), and Donna Hill (Producer).

We will hold mandatory Impact Training Sessions from 4:30-5:45 PM on the following Sundays: May 27, June 3, and June 10. This training will take place in the Green Room and is for all adults and students going to Impact! Contact Tom Kern for more information!

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: What movie is a 'must-see' for you this summer?

Mother's Day Challenge Contest!

Sunday is Mother's Day. We will not have FaithStation this Sunday. Instead, you are all invited to participate in the Mother's Day Challenge Contest! Here's what you do:

1. Spend quality time with your mom or mother figure (grandmother, aunt, etc.).
2. Take a picture of you and your mom during your quality time.
3. Email the picture to me with a description of what you did with/for your mom on her special day. This is your entry for the contest prize! Entries are due by May 20.
4. We will have the prize drawing at the Youth Family Cookout on May 20. The prize will consist of gifts for both the youth and for mom!

Attention Youth Workers/Volunteers!

To All Youth Workers/Volunteers:

We are going to have a 'friendly' get together for ice cream on Thursday, May 10, at 7:30 PM, at Friendly's in Burke (5761 Burke Centre Pkwy). We'll fellowship together and talk about our upcoming Youth Family Cookout.

If you can't make it Thursday, but want to help out with the cookout, please let me know.

Thanks,
Stephen

Cinco de Mayo!

Today is Cinco de Mayo! I hope you had a chance to celebrate! Visit here for Wikipedia's article on Cinco de Mayo. MEXonline.com has a good link also.

Out On A Limb!

Can't you just hear these words next? "Wanna get away? Now you can. Fly Southwest Airlines. You are now free to move about the country."

This is the commecial that the Skit Guys submitted to the Southwest Airlines Commercial Contest and it is airing on TNT throughout the NBA playoffs.

Click here to check out more great videos by the Skit Guys.

Youth News

If you are on Facebook or are thinking of joining Facebook, join our This is FaithStation! group by clicking on the link under "Cool Links For All."

Don't forget about South County Secondary School's rendition of Thoroughly Modern Millie this Friday and Saturday (and next Friday and Saturday). All shows are $10 and start at 7:30 PM. Suggested arrival time for all shows is 7:00 PM. Contact CeCe Alderson at Cynthia.Alderson@fcps.edu or 703-446-1608 for ticket information. Please go out to see a great show and support Westwood's own Justin Alderson, Scott Morgan, Kit Alderson, and Kari Alderson!

ATTENTION 2007 High School graduates! Help us recognize you on Graduate Recognition Sunday by emailing me your name, high school graduating from, college attending, proposed field of study, other plans if not college, etc. Also, parents should send pictures (from baby to senior portrait) of their graduating seniors to Marty Freeman. Thanks!

In accordance with Westwood’s Child Protection Policy we will hold required annual training sessions for workers with youth, children, and preschoolers during the month of May. If you are currently a volunteer or would like to work with the young people of Westwood, please plan on attending one of the following training sessions: 1)Sunday, May 6, from 9:45-10:45 AM or 2)Sunday, May 20, from 8:30-9:30 AM. Both sessions will be held in the main section of Whitten Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Lora Johnson. Youth who are currently age 18 or older or will be by VBS (July 13) need to attend this training as well!

We will hold mandatory Impact Training Sessions from 4:30-5:45 PM on the following Sundays: May 27, June 3, and June 10. This training will take place in the Green Room and is for all adults and students going to Impact! Contact Tom Kern for more information!

Make sure you check out the calendar at the bottom of the blog to keep informed about upcoming events.

Random Question of the week: What is your favorite book? Why?

Squirrels!

I found this over at David Crowder's blog. It is funny - and so true! Check it out:

Displace Me

Pictures from Saturday's Displace Me - Washington, D.C. Thanks Haley for the pictures!