Welcome to Westood!
We are glad that you've decided to find out more about Westwood! When you visit us in person you'll see people of every age group worshipping, serving, and growing together. We are not perfect, but we do our best to welcome and care for you from the minute you enter our doors.
Planning to visit on a Sunday soon? Be sure to stop by our Welcome Center booth located just inside the main entrance to receive a free gift bag and more information on how you can engage in faith with us!
Planning to visit on a Sunday soon? Be sure to stop by our Welcome Center booth located just inside the main entrance to receive a free gift bag and more information on how you can engage in faith with us!
Where do I park?
There’s plenty of parking at Westwood. If you are a first-time guest, we even have parking spots conveniently reserved for you at the near the entrance to the Sanctuary. For easiest access, enter the church parking off of Westhigh Street and take a left up the hill. The parking spaces are marked with the words “Visitor Parking” and will be located on your left. A greeter will meet you at the glass doors and help guide you on your way.
Is there a dress code for Sunday mornings?
Nope!
You will find people wearing a wide diversity of clothing choices on Sunday morning. Some will be dressed casually, and others wearing dress clothes. The heart we bring is more important than the clothes we wear. So, come and worship in the clothing where you are most comfortable. So whether it means jeans or suit and tie, as long as you are actually wearing clothes, you are welcome at Westwood.
You will find people wearing a wide diversity of clothing choices on Sunday morning. Some will be dressed casually, and others wearing dress clothes. The heart we bring is more important than the clothes we wear. So, come and worship in the clothing where you are most comfortable. So whether it means jeans or suit and tie, as long as you are actually wearing clothes, you are welcome at Westwood.
What's worship like on Sundays?
At Westwood, we believe that worship is different than anywhere else in the area!
A typical service lasts around an hour and features music from traditional (think hymns, choir, and organ) and modern (think drums, praise team, and guitar).
We embrace technology in our worship and you'll find elements that range from traditional responsive readings to modern video reflections.
Children will find a space for them in the service with the weekly children's time–– a tailor-fit preview of the sermon to come.
Speaking of the sermon, our Pastor crafts sermons that are Biblically center, but relevant to our lives and world today. Sermons are supported by imagery to give even more depth to the things that you can take away.
All-in-all, worship at Westwood is a change for you to slow down, come together with others, and worship Christ in impactful and meaningful ways!
A typical service lasts around an hour and features music from traditional (think hymns, choir, and organ) and modern (think drums, praise team, and guitar).
We embrace technology in our worship and you'll find elements that range from traditional responsive readings to modern video reflections.
Children will find a space for them in the service with the weekly children's time–– a tailor-fit preview of the sermon to come.
Speaking of the sermon, our Pastor crafts sermons that are Biblically center, but relevant to our lives and world today. Sermons are supported by imagery to give even more depth to the things that you can take away.
All-in-all, worship at Westwood is a change for you to slow down, come together with others, and worship Christ in impactful and meaningful ways!
What about my children?
On Sunday mornings we have options for children from birth through fifth grade. Visit the Welcome Center, located adjacent to the Sanctuary, and at the double glass doors in the lower portico, for assistance regarding where to take your children. Our preschool and children’s classrooms are located on the first floor (lower level) of our church facility.
There is a nursery for newborns and toddlers where our trained caregivers sing worship songs and play with your precious little ones.
There’s plenty for your 2-5-year-old children to look forward to in our preschool program. Four- and five-year-olds meet in their respective classrooms before heading to the sanctuary at 10:40 a.m. where they participate in children’s message as a part of our weekly worship service.
1st through 5th grade children enjoy time in the sanctuary with adults during worship. Activity bags, including an age-appropriate order of worship, crayons, paper, kleenex, etc., are prepared each week to guide your children through service. These can be picked up in the vestibule (the lobby directly adjacent to the Sanctuary) next to both major entries into our sanctuary.
There is a check-in system in each classroom to make dropping off your children safe and easy. Parents of preschool-aged children will receive a pager to notify them in case any issues may arise. Additionally, every staff member who works with children and youth goes through an intensive screening process called Ministry Safe. This involves training, background and reference checks, and an interview. We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for your child.
There is a nursery for newborns and toddlers where our trained caregivers sing worship songs and play with your precious little ones.
There’s plenty for your 2-5-year-old children to look forward to in our preschool program. Four- and five-year-olds meet in their respective classrooms before heading to the sanctuary at 10:40 a.m. where they participate in children’s message as a part of our weekly worship service.
1st through 5th grade children enjoy time in the sanctuary with adults during worship. Activity bags, including an age-appropriate order of worship, crayons, paper, kleenex, etc., are prepared each week to guide your children through service. These can be picked up in the vestibule (the lobby directly adjacent to the Sanctuary) next to both major entries into our sanctuary.
There is a check-in system in each classroom to make dropping off your children safe and easy. Parents of preschool-aged children will receive a pager to notify them in case any issues may arise. Additionally, every staff member who works with children and youth goes through an intensive screening process called Ministry Safe. This involves training, background and reference checks, and an interview. We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for your child.
Are there accommodations for the hearing impaired?
Our Sanctuary is equipped with personal assisted listening devices for individuals that would benefit from them. These devices are located in the vestibule, the lobby directly adjacent to the Sanctuary. Ask an individual at the Welcome Desk for assistance.
What kind of 'Baptist' is Westwood?
There are a lot of kinds of Baptists. In the broad swath of Baptist expressions Westwood would be seen as a moderate evangelical Baptist church. Westwood chooses to voluntarily affiliate with the Raleigh Baptist Association, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of NC, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
What if I want to take part in church life but am not a member?
Most activities and ministries of the church are open to you. If you want to sing in a choir, go on a mission trip, do hands-on ministry in our community, participate in one of our focused studies, or help in some other way, you are most welcome. We hope you will ultimately choose to become a part of our church family, but we are glad for you to come and work and worship with us as a part of your spiritual journey. If you have questions, the pastor or a staff minister will be glad to talk with you.
What do you believe?
We are a Baptist congregation with a strong belief in the soul competency of every believer that claims faith in Jesus Christ. So, while no church can speak to the beliefs of everyone in the church family, we would affirm that:
We believe in one triune God expressed in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe Jesus Christ was God born in human form and is the pathway of reconciliation between God and humanity.
We believe the Holy Spirit guides and empowers our lives.
We believe the Bible is the inspired record of God’s revelation of Himself to humanity through Jesus Christ and is our guide for salvation, faith, and life.
We believe that all people are created in God’s own image.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, one universal fellowship, with many local expressions, composed of individuals who profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
We believe that the Church is commissioned by God to be the presence of Christ in the world by sharing the Gospel in word and in deed.
We believe in one triune God expressed in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe Jesus Christ was God born in human form and is the pathway of reconciliation between God and humanity.
We believe the Holy Spirit guides and empowers our lives.
We believe the Bible is the inspired record of God’s revelation of Himself to humanity through Jesus Christ and is our guide for salvation, faith, and life.
We believe that all people are created in God’s own image.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, one universal fellowship, with many local expressions, composed of individuals who profess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
We believe that the Church is commissioned by God to be the presence of Christ in the world by sharing the Gospel in word and in deed.
