Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thank You, Merci, Gracias...

No matter how you say it...Thank you for your support of the Library

Everyone has been so complimentary of our efforts to keep you better informed and involved in the library here at West Hills Baptist Church.  We are so thankful for the opportunity to serve you and for the progress we have made this year.  Look for new and exciting things coming in 2013.

As we approach the holiday season it is so easy to get caught up in the "trappings of the season".  These can  be good things like decorating, baking, choir practices, sports activities, church activities, shopping or family get-togethers but they all take their toll on us.  Let's take a few minutes each day to rejuvenate our bodies and spirits with daily Bible readings and prayer.  We have many great devotionals in the library for every age group that can help you find inspiration and peace after a stressful day.

Book Review


                                                                  Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life 

This is one of the first books purchased when we started updating the library about five or six years ago.  It was written by Joanna Weaver, a pastor's wife and mother of two.  Joanna says  "The life of a woman today isn't really all that different from that of Mary and Martha in the New Testament. Like Mary, you long to sit at the Lord's feet...but the daily demands of a busy world just won't leave you alone. Like Martha, you love Jesus and really want to serve him...yet you struggle with weariness, resentment, and feelings of inadequacy.
Then comes Jesus, right into the midst of your busy Mary/Martha life-and he extends the same invitation he issued long ago to the two sisters of Bethany. Tenderly he invites you to choose "the better part"-a joyful life of "living-room" intimacy with him that flows naturally into "kitchen service" for him."

How can you make that choice? With her fresh approach to the familiar Bible story and its creative, practical strategies, Joanna shows how all of us-Marys and Marthas alike-can draw closer to our Lord, deepening our devotion, strengthening our service, and doing both with less stress and greater joy.

Last month I was placing a lot of demands on myself to do so many things that I felt the stress pressing down on me.  I checked this book out of the library and began to read how Martha felt when Jesus came to visit her and her sister Mary in their home.  I would like to extend an invitation to every woman who feels she isn't godly enough...isn't loving enough...isn't doing enough to read this book.  You will be blessed. 
Hiwanda

Special Thanks to our Donors

Our Preschoolers donated two books, The Pumpkin Patch Parable and The Pine Tree Parable both by Liz Curtis Higgs to the library in honor of our church staff during Ministry Appreciation Month. Thank you Miss Ruthie and the Preschool Class.

 The Mission Friends stopped by on a Wednesday night in October to donate John MacArthur's new book Twelve Unlikely Heroes in honor of the church staff for Ministry Appreciation Month.

Photo: The Mission Friends stopped by on Wednesday night to donate John MacArthur's new book Twelve Unlikely Heroes  in honor of the church staff for Ministry Appreciation  Month.


Books were also donated by Pam Gillis, Kristi Brooks, Jimmetra Thomas and Janet Bayne.


 A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you and remains a friend.  ~Author Unknown


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Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Browsers Welcome


 

Welcome to our blog.    This page is being created for the users and prospective users of our library at West Hills.  Through this avenue we hope to keep you better informed as we add media to the library and introduce new ways to utilize this wonderful space in our church.
On September 22, 2012, three members of the Library Committee attended a Library Conference at Crievewood Baptist Church in Nashville.  This conference was celebrating 50 years of  Tennessee Church Library Ministry.  The training was sponsored by The Tennessee Baptist Convention and The Wayne Todd Church Library Fund.  We came back to West Hills with more enthusiasm and a greater desire to share our library with you.    It is very exciting to share and learn about how others are using their library to enrich the lives of their congregation.


Be patient with us as this is a learning experience for a committee consisting of mostly "oldies but goodies" who are trying really hard to bring you today's technology as best we can.  We would gladly welcome any volunteers who would like to join us in this project.


Pray for us as we serve in this ministry of  our church.

October is Church Library Month 

What a great time to introduce a new way to share what we have available in our library.  Each month we will post information about new additions to our library.  This will enable you to browse at your leisure and choose what you would like to read or view.

We will also post our library "Wish List" on a regular basis.  We rely on your donations to expand our library selections.  Please keep us in mind when you need just that right gift for someone special.  What a great way to say Happy Birthday, Congratulations, I Love You or You're Special..


Seen at the Library on 10/7/12




Ann checked out four books on Sunday
Rylee stops by almost every week after Sunday School and chooses a book to read.
Robert returned a book for his busy wife.
Rebecca chose a selection from the Cape Light Series.
Tommie stopped by for the first time
Billie stopped by to say "good morning"
Cindy recommends a series to Ann.


Cape Light Series by Thomas Kinkade
Cape Light is a charming village on the New England coast where folks enjoy a strong sense of community, and everybody cares about their neighbor. There are 12 books in the series and they have something for everyone. Love stories, politics, mystery, heartbreak and inspiration. The underlying theme is the residents’ dependence on God to see them through the rough times. The Cape Light series shows us how faith can carry you through the toughest situations. Light reading that will entertain as well as inspire the reader.
Thank you to Cindy Gibbs for this book review.