AMAZING SUNDAY!

If you were present during our Sunday morning worship service then I do not need to tell you that we witnessed God do some AMAZING things as we concluded our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting. For those who could not be with us allow me this chance to recap some of what occurred.

First, a big thanks to Byron and the praise team. The worship on Sunday was powerful and encouraging. Thanks for using your gifts to lead us to God.

Second, an announcement was read by Larry Matthews sharing the GOOD NEWS of Jeff and Jennifer's future plans. They will move to the Dallas area and join the staff at The Colony Church of Christ. This church offers a program specifically designed to help ministers and their families overcome and heal. Follow the link if you wish to support this effort financially.

Third, Philip, who has spent the last 4 years in prison is now released and joined us for worship for the first time.

Finally, if all of that is not amazing enough...Courtney, one of our WHY members, gave her life to Jesus in baptism.

The service ended with all gathering at the front and singing "Holy Ground" together. Only God could have arranged all of the participants.

Remember Joshua 3:5 says

Conscecrate yourselves for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things
among you.

Looks like He meant it!

Love Ya Much
Scott M.

Request Night

Isn't music a powerful tool in our spiritual formation? There are certain songs we sing that bring up all kinds of emotions and memories in me. Of course "Holy Ground" is one of those songs. Every time we sing it the memories of all of the baptisms at Western Hills comes rushing back to my mind.

This Sunday night during our service known as "The Well" we will be worshipping in an "ole fashioned way." We will be singing the songs that you want to sing straight out of our song book. Is there a song that is meaningful in your spiritual journey? Do you have an old favorite that we have not sung in a long while? Is there a song that you have wanted us to learn? In either case bring your request with you to The Well this Sunday night and our worship leaders will lead as many songs as there is time. See you there.

Because of the Cross
Scott Meyer

Back to School Prayer Blessing

Last night, during The Well, we had the wonderful experience of praying for our students, teachers and all those involved in education as they prepare to return to school. From our preschoolers to our college students, each group was lifted up to God. Many of the prayers offered were for protection and strength. Other prayers asked God to empower each student to live as Christ would.

As we prayed for our teachers and administrators, I was moved by how many of our number are working in the field of education. What a wonderful ministry they have! Not only do we have great students living as Spiritual Champions, but we have great leaders in education as living models of what it is to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

Continue to lift up our students, teachers and administrators in prayer throughout the school year. Encourage each one to be a Spiritual Champion that illuminates every place they go.

-In Him,
Scott Seela

Summer Fun USA

Tonight several of the churches in Bell County came together for a great time at Summer Fun USA Waterpark. This is the second year this event has been held. The turnout tonight was terrific and everyone had a great time. Each year this event is hosted by the Bell County Youth Ministries. Hosting churches this year included Ave T, Belton, Canyon Creek, Northside, Salado, and Us! If you did not make it this year you missed out. Hope to see you next year.

Mountain Top Experience

Our Trekkers are back on level ground. The Western Hills Youth Group is home from Wilderness Trek. After enduring 80 degree days and cool nights our group of 11 has come home from a week in God's beautiful creation. The week was spent getting to know ourselves, each other, and God. The trip was both physically challenging and spiritually challenging. On Tuesday of the experience each Trekker was allowed to take their water bottle, Bible and journal and instructed to go "spend 3 hours with God." This was time for prayer, journaling, worship, and simply spending some time with our Father. Below is a poem written during the "Solo Time" by Crystal Hughes. May it be a blessing to you...

God's Creation

Sparkling streams
Ripple beneath a clean crisp breeze.

Mountains majestic
Kiss radiant blue skies.

Cotton-like clouds
Send dancing shadows across rolling green hills.

Fragrant flowers
Adorn soft warm meadows.

Towering trees
Embrace tender creatures of all sorts.

Sumptuous sun rays
Soak into carefully rounded stones.

God's creation,
Heaven's imagination.

We marvel with ease
At His perfect masterpiece.

But we often forget,
Push aside and neglect,

That above all the magnificence He's made out of love,
WE are His treasure, His children, His most prized, his beloved.


Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 10:28-31

By Crystal Hughes
July 27, 2005

A Word from our Shepherds

On behalf of the elders I would like to provide some information on the status of the replacement process for our pulpit minister.

Very early in the elder’s discussion of the next steps and the process of recruiting and hiring a new preacher it was decided that we would take our time and as much time as necessary to get the right person for the job. We want to be very methodical, intentional and prayerful as we move forward. The decision was made to give ourselves a minimum of six months before we begin the process of actively seeking and recruiting for the position.

We are now three months into that time period. Over the last several weeks the elders have had and continue to have regular formal and informal discussions concerning the vision and direction of this church, the process of recruitment and selection that may be best for Western Hills and the many traits and qualities that the next preacher should possess in order to help insure a good fit and a successful tenure.

During these last few months we, both individually and as a group, have earnestly asked God’s guidance in and through this process. As you are well aware, we have also asked for you to take an active part in this process by participating in the current period of 40 days of prayer and fasting. We firmly believe that God will hear our prayers and that we need to be sensitive to His leading as we move through this process and look to the future.

We are interested in your comments, concerns and questions. Please know that you are welcome to speak with the elders as a group or individually at anytime. We are looking at and considering a way or ways that communication between the leadership and the congregation can be accomplished in the most positive and constructive way possible. We will make every effort to keep you up-to-date as to where we are in the process.

Over the past few weeks and into the future we will be having guest speakers fill the pulpit on Sunday mornings. Some members have asked if any of these men are candidates for the full-time position. They are not. It is understood up front, when the invitation is extended, that they are not looking for a job and that if they preach in the capacity of a guest speaker they will not be considered for the full-time position. We will try to have as much continuity with our guest speakers as possible.

The elders recently asked the ministry staff to take charge of the Sunday evening period of worship and congregational fellowship that we refer to as “The Well.” The staff has taken this assignment very seriously and will be developing meaningful programs and activities for our times together. These periods of worship may be non-traditional in format but will be designed to build our relationships with one another and with the Lord, to help us explore our missional outreach to the world and to deepen our overall spiritual commitment. There will be singing, prayers offered, scriptures contemplated and there will be an opportunity to share the Lord’s Supper with those who were not present during the Sunday morning memorial feast. If you do not already regularly take advantage of “The Well” the elders encourage you to do so. Please take advantage of this great opportunity to worship God and to learn how to become a better disciple.

Finally, Western Hills is blessed to have three wonderful, dedicated ministers on staff. The elders want you to know how very important they have been to keeping things moving during this difficult transition period. We are very grateful to them for going above and beyond what is expected. I don’t have time to list all that they have done but just know that they have done amazing things with wonderful, positive attitudes sometimes on very short notice. Please take time to say thanks to Scott Meyer, Scott Seela and Matt Peacock and please be diligent in praying for them and their families as they serve us and the Lord with great dedication and enthusiasm.

May God bless us all as we strive to serve Him.

James Penland