< Previous18The connectivity of the Christian body of believers in and out of our formal place of worship has been a hallmark of the church from the beginning. In the book of Acts we see a disparate band of believers from Jerusalem to Rome. Paul authored letters to these churches encouraging, teaching and rebuking them. These letters make up the majority of the New Testament.Westwood carries this mission by reaching people far and wide, people who aren’t close enough to be able to worship in person. The online services and resources like the Bible reading plan and discussion questions, help you be a part of the body of the church when you can’t be physically there. For several years now, Westwood has sent me study notes and small group discussion ques-tions here at the prison. I have used them for my own personal study and devotions, and I use them for small group studies with the men I am incarcerated with. I also share them with an inmate in Wisconsin who I correspond with. Worship / Belong / Serve / GoAbout the author: Matt Moeller is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for second-de-gree murder at the Moose Lake Correctional Facility. Matt is passionate about seeing others gain hope in a dark place. He leads Bible studies and mentors fellow inmates. Matt considers Westwood his church home.“The ways in which Westwood Community Church is impacting the world with the Gospel are immense. From the heart of Africa to lonely prison cells, the light of the Gospel is shining. The teaching is salt, bringing out the best flavors. Westwood is showing people what a true Christian body really is. You are a shining example of what the Kingdom of God looks like.”by Matt MoellerBelonging from a DistanceThrough our letters, we discuss the study notes and share our personal reflections. The ways in which Westwood Community Church is impacting the world with the Gospel are immense. From the heart of Africa to lonely prison cells, the light of the Gospel is shining. The teaching is salt, bringing out the best fla-vors. Westwood is showing people what a true Christian body really is. You are a shining exam-ple of what the Kingdom of God looks like.My friend and Westwood pastor, Brian Suter, told me how proud he is of the “go and serve” mentality Westwood operates under. This is what the church should be. A light from a fire burning through the world with the love of God. It is being done in something as big and bold as the 10-10-10 vision, as well as something as simple as sermon notes sent to a prisoner.Thank you to everyone at Westwood for your witness and dedication to the message of the Gospel. Your reach is far and wide. Your impact is deep and real.1819Prison. This word probably brings certain pictures to mind. But what you might not be picturing is the power of Christ that is present and at work in the lives of inmates there.From our very beginning, Westwood has been serving inside the Shakopee Correctional Facility, which is the state’s only women’s prison. Currently, a team of over 60 volunteers are involved in leading worship services, conduct-ing weekly Bible studies and writing letters. Katie Blomquist, who serves on the team says, “The women are hungry for truth of who and whose they are. Jesus is drawing them close, saving them and transforming them. We listen to, care for and celebrate with them all that he is doing. We get to worship with these women, pray with them, share the truth with them.”Marti Nyman is involved with the Saturday eve-ning praise team. He has been encouraged by seeing the real transformation that takes place in their lives. “I was brought to the passage in Matthew 25:39 that said, ‘When I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ A light went off in my heart. Many of the women are essentially without hope. What lies ahead of them seems bleak and hopeless. They need a better answer. A better life. I no longer saw them as women to pity, but rather daughters of a loving God, who needed to hear the Good News of the Gospel. We truly get to be the church in their lives and in the prison. Not all the team serves inside the prison walls. Wendy Happe is one of many volunteers who serves from home as part of the letters of encouragement team. “I pray for the women and write letters of encouragement to them. I am super blessed as my own heart gets trans-formed, making me more sensitive, compassion-ate and merciful towards others. I consider it a privilege and a great honor to serve him,” she shared.Worship / Belong / Serve / GoGoing Behind Bars19“The women are hungry for truth of who and whose they are.”Volunteer on the Prison Ministry TeamPray for and write encouraging letters to women in prison. Writers serve anonymously from home, responding to prayer request cards that are submitted from inmates at the women’s prison in Shakopee. Other service opportunities also exist with in-prison worship, support and Bible study teams. If you’d like to learn more or to get involved in Prison Ministry, contact Steve Taborek: stevetab30@msn.com, 952.688.8405. 20WE’RE BETTER TOGETHER, WHEN WE’RE IN IT TOGETHER. Start off the New Year in a Group!GRAB A BETTER TOGETHER BOXIn January we will launch the Better Together box. This box contains every-thing you need to start a group, includ-ing 8 video sessions. All you have to do is grab a box and grab some friends. Online training will be provided for leaders. Boxes will be available at the Info Spots.1COME TO GROUP CONNECTSaturday, February 2, 9:00-11:30am, hosted at the Chanhassen CampusGroup Connect is a gathering where you can meet people in your same life stage or part of town and begin in a small group. We will help you get to know each other and set you up to continue meeting. Childcare is available. 2JOIN AN EXISTING GROUPThere are existing groups that you can join. You can search them online anytime. Select your campus, day/time of week, and/or life stage to find the right group for you.One of the great groups available is the Women’s Bible Study:Women’s Bible Study Wednesdays, January 23-April 3, 9:30-11:30am and Tuesdays, January 22-April 2, 6:30-8:30pm3God has wired us for relationships. Doing life alone is way too much work! At Westwood, we have several ways that you can get connected in community through groups.Worship / Belong / Serve / Go2021New Year’s resolutions are often short lived and can be a source of frustration when follow-through fails. Instead, why not pray and ask God to give you a focus for 2019 in the form of one word or phrase that drives prayer and personal goals forward?When our family first moved to Minnesota from Utah, I struggled with the loss of close friends nearby and a home I loved surrounded by a spectacular mountain range. I could even say I felt angry at God for answering my prayers in way that was different from what I wanted and expected. I wanted new work opportunities in our existing area, not a relocation package.As I wrestled with God about our move, the word “HOPE” came to the forefront of my mind and heart. HOPE became my focus and when I discovered Romans 15:13 in my reading, I knew that it would be my theme verse: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The promise of joy and peace as I put my trust in God, along with overflowing hope empowered by the Holy Spirit—not my own efforts—helped keep me going through a tough transition. As we settled into our new location, slowly things began to change. I meditated on Romans 15:13 and began to have hope that all would be well. I learned to rely more on the Holy Spirit for strength and encouragement, began to make new friends, and watched our sons grow and flourish. My one word, HOPE, along with Romans 15:13, became a powerful catalyst for change in my life. Since then, I’ve picked one word each year as my theme. My words have ranged from “Simplify” to “Forward” to “Flourish.” Whatever the word, it has helped me narrow my focus and has empowered me to grow. What’s Your Word for the New Year?If you’d like to choose one word to carry you through the new year, consider the following:Pray about finding a special word and wait to see what God brings to mind.Read God’s word expectantly – watch for a verse or a theme that captures your attention.Think about the longings of your heart. What do you want God to do in you or who do you want to become? Or, perhaps you feel a tug toward something that needs to be accomplished, i.e., “simplify.”Write your thoughts down as you pray, read and think. Eventually a theme will rise to the surface. Record your theme and what it means to you.Share your word or theme with friends and ask them to support you in it and pray with you about it as you embark on a new year.Choosing just one word as your theme can shape the way you think, sharpen your focus and help you become all that you are called to be. May your chosen theme be as powerful for you as HOPE was for me!by Roberta Nichols12345A note in my Bible reminding me to hope in God 21223We open our third campus, Westwood Bush Lake7people said yes to Jesus through FaithSearch25 Care Partners offered care through one-on-one relationships to 54 individuals going through difficult circumstances$3.7million was pledged for new initiatives in the 10-10-10 vision150kids are enrolled in Westwood Preschool164members serve on 12 teams at the Minnetonka Campus200people attended parent seminars that helped equip and encourage parents162people celebrated new life in Christ through baptism8different countries visited by outreach teams (Haiti, and multiple countries in the Middle East, Central Asia and Malawi) 126students and leaders went on mission trips2017-2018 Ministry Year in Review2223455students attended Student Ministry programs each week on average800kids and 400 volunteers took part in Vacation Bible School248,823meals were packed during the annual Food Pack1,691people are active in small groups$311,000raised on Christmas Eve that was then given to disaster relief efforts, helping newly arrived refugees and rescuing children from slavery in GhanaExperience more of the story through this video24ALL CAMPUSHOSTED AT CHANHASSENAdoptive & Foster Moms Coffee & Connect Meets once a monthContact Kim Monsenkim.monsen@westwoodcc.orgCare With the Love of Jesus ChristTuesdays, January 15– February 196:30-8:30pmFood PackTwo-hour shifts available Friday, February 22– Saturday, February 23 Group ConnectSaturday, February 29:00–11:30amGriefShareMondays, February 4– March 257:00–8:30pmThe Marriage CourseMondays, January 14– February 25 6:30–8:30pmThe Outpost in ChaskaCHANHASSENHope for the HolidaysNovember 18–December 2 LifeKeys:Discover Who You AreTuesdays, January 15–February 26 6:30-8:30pmLife Transformed: Learning to Live Like JesusSundays, January 20– February 10 10:30am-12:00pmLooking for holiday events and Christmas Eve times? See pages 32–33!For a complete listing of events and details (including location and costs) or to register, visit westwoodcc.org/events.Find a group!Interested in joining a small group? Attend Group Connect or start your search at westwoodcc.org/smallgroups. Interested in leading a group? We have resources and tools available to help you lead. Membership SeminarSaturday, January 26 8:45am–12:00pmMissions and Outreach Coffee & Conversation1st Sunday of every month9:30–10:30amMoms Connect Select Fridays9:30–11:30am MOPS MorningsSelect Thursdays9:30–11:30amMOPS EveningsSelect Thursdays 6:30–8:30pmParenting ConferenceDetails on pg 27Westwood Leadership GatheringSaturday, February 9 8:30–11:30amWomen’s Bible StudyTuesdays, January 22–April 2 6:30–8:30pmWednesdays, January 23– April 3 9:30–11:30am25Upcoming EventsMINNETONKAHope for the HolidaysNovember 18–December 2 LifeKeys: Discover Who You AreWednesdays, January 16–February 27 6:30-8:00pmLife Transformed: Learning to Live Like Jesus Sundays, January 20– February 10 11:30am-1:00pmWorship Night & 3rd Birthday CelebrationThursday, February 28 7:00pmSave the Date: Life TransformedApril 28–May 19BUSH LAKE Life Transformed:Learning to Live Like JesusSundays, January 20– February 1010:30am–12:00pmStudent Ministry KickoffWednesday, January 96:45–8:00pmWorship NightFriday, March 17:00pmAmy AndersonJames BaischKaren BaischSarah BaxterKate HannStephen HannMary LenkerTim LenkerJane LivingstonCarleigh McCormickKaycee KitzmanSpencer LarsenSteven MogckHeidi MogckWendy MooreJacob MooreJoel NavamChristie PatkaChris PatkaLaura SenstJennifer SchoenrockStefanie WernsmanBryce WernsmanLisa ArringtonMark ArringtonNaomi BoothDavid BoothMary Jane BrotenAaron BrotenAmber DahlmanJustin DahlmanBobbie-Jo DieboldShannan DoddsBrent DoddsDanae DurkinJenny ElkjerJoe ElkjerAlan GeiwitzStacy GjetsonKatherine JensenEd SmithConnie SmithAmy SpinelloTodd ThomasTwylah VolkRay VolkSunny BallardWelcome to our new members!26Upcoming Events: Kids & FamiliesChild Dedication Information Class ChanhassenSundays, January 27, February 24 & March 249:30–10:30amFamily Movie Night - Winnie the PoohChanhassenSaturday, February 16 3:00–5:00pmKids Creative Arts Spring MusicalChanhassenSundays, January 20–April 135:00–6:10pmPerformance: Saturday, April 13Kids Skits and Worship TeamChanhassenSundays, January 20–May 125:00–6:10pmSpecial Families Holiday RespiteAll campuses invited to ChanhassenSaturday, December 8 1:00–3:30pmRegistration for Westwood Preschool for the 2019-2020 school year will open in early February. Visit westwoodpreschool.org for more information.Follow us on social media! For a complete listing of events and details (including location and costs) or to register, visit westwoodcc.org/events.Special Families RespiteAll campuses invited to ChanhassenSaturday, February 24:00–7:00pmSave the date: Lenten Family ExperienceChanhassen Saturday, March 16 3:00–5:00pm@westwood.kids27We invite you to join us for our 2019 Parenting Conference. This conference is designed to benefit parents and caregivers of kids birth through college. You’ll be encouraged and challenged through our keynote speaker Jim Candy. He is a veteran of youth ministry with nearly 20 years experience working with students and their families. Jim is part of the Fuller Youth Institute and speaks across the country to parents and pastors on developing faith in kids and students. During these sessions, we will focus on growing faith in your homes and equipping you to be the spiritual teachers of your children. In addition, we will have two breakout times with relevant topical options designed to give you confidence and tools as you do the hard job of raising kids. We’re offering different options depending on the age-stage of your kids.Marriage: Invest in One Another Don and Sherry Mortenson Investing in your kids is only half the battle. You also need to invest in yourselves and your relationship. Discipline that Connects with your Child’s Heart Chad Hayenga: Connected Families When parents are thoughtful about discipline, their kids grow up knowing that they are valued people built for God’s purposes. Sexuality and Other Hard Conversations Peter and Hallie Kapsner Discover how to view sexuality holistically and provide a framework to begin this conversation with your kids.Launching Well: From Teenager to Adulthood Mark Warder You’ve journeyed from diapers to diploma. Let’s talk about how to successfully move kids from teenage years to adulthood.Raising Tech Healthy Kids Dave Eisenmann Get tips and ideas for parenting and understand the significant role you play in helping youth be responsible and safe in today’s high-tech world. Help! I’m a New Parent Geoff Bohleen Beginning the journey into parenthood can be challenging and isolating. Let’s get in a room together to laugh and maybe cry (and no judge-ment if you doze off).Helping Kids in Pain Kari Lyn Wampler Adolescence is not getting easier. Twenty per-cent of youth live with a mental health condi-tion and many others will simply struggle with the challenges of growing up. You’ll get practical ideas to help you stay focused and gain insight and understanding for helping your kids. BREAKOUT SESSIONS:Parenting can be our greatest joy, but it can also be our biggest challenge. We often feel too busy, alone, inadequate or worried. At Westwood we want to be champi-ons of parents by providing moments of refreshment and encouragement. We know that no one has more influence in a kid’s life than a parent, and with all the challenges you face, we want you as parents to feel loved, supported and equipped. Saturday, January 19, 9:00am-3:00pm, hosted at the Chanhassen Campus$15 per person, includes lunch, register at westwoodcc.org2019 Parenting Conference Join us for this fun and encouraging day!27Next >