Unwrapping Christmas Around the World!

For the past 3 weeks Western Hills has been in an experience to see what it means for us individually and collectively to "get over" all of the trappings of Christmas and place Jesus at the center of our celebration. First we examined what it means to "unwrap Christmas" in our families. Then we explored what Christmas means for our city. And today we explore what it means globally.

To put our good intentions into action here is a list of organizations that focus on aiding and equipping the poor in developing countries. We challenge you to partner with one of these groups and make it part of your Christmas tradition.

Heifer International - http://www.heifer.org/

You will browse many gift catalogs this holiday season, but Heifer's gives you the opportunity to delight your friends and family while giving a life-changing gift that multiplies to struggling families around the world.

Mission Lazarus - http://www.missionlazarus.org/

Mission Lazarus is a holistic ministry that focuses on basic primary education, skill development, health education and treatment, agricultural development, and preaching and teaching the Word of God.

Food for the Poor - http://www.foodforthepoor.org/

Food For The Poor raises funds and provides direct relief assistance to the poor, usually by purchasing specifically requested materials and distributing them through the churches and charity organizations already operating in areas of need. In this way, the organization serves the poor with dignity and ensures the most appropriate use of donors’ funds.

World Vision Gifts - http://www.worldvisiongifts.org/

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

Samaritan's Purse - http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Our emergency relief programs provide desperately needed assistance to victims of natural disaster, war, disease, and famine. As we offer food, water, and temporary shelter, we meet critical needs and give people a chance to rebuild their lives.

Compassion International - http://www.compassion.com/

Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults.

Unwrapping Christmas: Jesus Birthday Party

Meridith-Dunbar Elementary, Sunday afternoon, December 7: Friends were made, fun was had and kids were loved! As part of our Unwrapping Christmas series, we gathered in the cafeteria of a local elementary school to celebrate the JOY of Jesus' birth with the kids and families in the neighborhood. Thank you to the Home Groups who helped made the Jesus Birthday Party take place. The love and message of Jesus was shared through your words and actions. Below are some pictures from the afternoon. Enjoy and God Bless!

Unwrapping Christmas

Christmas is coming soon! That is why we are planning a three week sermon series beginning November 30 on how you can unwrap the commercial hype, annual stress, and budget demands to find something worth celebrating. During the first sermon our youth minister, Brandon Baker will present practical ways to center Jesus birth in your family traditions. The following week our children's minister, Scott Seela , will invite you to participate in our community Jesus Party. Then Scott Meyer will close the series with the Hope for Honduras project that is designed to engage every family in advancing justice around the world.

Video and audio of sermons are posted here.

We hope you will join us this holiday season for Unwrapping Christmas!

We Are The Sermon - 2008

On a recent Sunday, our church got up out of our pews and moved out into the community. Instead of listening to a sermon, we became a sermon. Our actions preached a message to our community that Jesus loves them! Hope you enjoy the video.

"We Are The Sermon" Photo Highlights

We Are The Sermon

Today is the day we call, "We Are The Sermon." Today at 10:15 our church will gather for a time of worship and sharing in the Lord's Supper. Then instead of listening to a sermon we will go out into the community and BE the sermon. We will put love into action and by doing so proclaim the message of Jesus. I love how this church is so willing to get outside our walls and off our campus to serve God.

See you at Church...

Scott

Student Retreat

The retreat for 7th and 8th graders is coming this September 27-28! This is going to be a great time for students to get away, have fun and hear the challenge to live the radical life to which Jesus calls them. Please keep our students and their friends in your prayers.
~Brandon

School Supplies "Thank You"

Your generosity does make a difference!

The pictures above are thank you notes from kids at Meredith-Dunbar Elementary. These kids received some of the school supplies that you provided. Kids lives and education are being impacted when the people of Western Hills act when a need is presented.

Because you give, 65 plus kids were reached not only with school supplies, but with the knowledge that because of Jesus, people care about them.

Thank you again for loving and giving.

You really do make a difference!

-Scott Seela

Abigail's Baptism Sunday

Congratulations to Abigail and her family as they celebrate this new beginning. Feel free to leave a word of blessing, encouragement or congratulations for Abigail.

The Shack: A Review

The following review is from Beth Kelley, one of the members of Western Hills:

When I picked up this book last Sunday, I was prepared for good story that would leave me feeling content. I had no idea where this story would actually take me. As a walked through the story with the main character, Mack, I also found myself face to face with God.

In this novel, Mack, who is cloaked in grief, goes to meet God at an old shack that is tethered to his grief. However, Mack does not meet the God he has perceived for so long. He comes face to face with the true God, as well as His Son and His Spirit in a way that is not the stereotypically religious way we usually envision them. God seeks to unravel Mack’s despair and draw him into a relationship with Him. He consistently shows Mack the love relationship among Himself, His Son, and His Spirit. The reader sees “the Trinity” in a new light. Their relationship is a source of confusion and joy for Mack that helps bring him closer to God. The author also shows how God seeks each of His children and loves each of us uniquely. Through this, Mack comes to understand the importance and beauty of true forgiveness, which forces him to let go of his own anger toward the one who caused his pain. Throughout the book, God continually seeks Mack and draws him back to Himself.

This book was perception shattering! The author took God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit out of categories and revealed them as they are. It made me take another look at my own relationship with God and the perceptions I had of Him. God is taken out of the hierarchy we’ve placed Him and moved to the center of our lives, touching everything within them. He exposes our perceptions and religious stereotypes for what they are and he used a story to unravel the true importance of a deep, personal relationship with God. This book goes deeper than the story told on the surface. It delves into the depths of our own grief and separation from the God who cares so deeply for us.

Beth Kelley is a follower of Jesus and an "everyday" missionary. Her current mission field is the 3rd grade classroom at Thornton Elementary in Temple.

Houston Mission Update #3

We are making new friends and having many new experiences. We have been well received by other youth groups, the VBS children, and people from the church. Pictured above is our intern, Joel, and Marlon, a long time member of the Impact Church of Christ. Last night we went to the Water Wall and then ended our evening in worship with the Maryland youth group.

Houston Mission Update #2

I'm so proud of our students! They have jumped in with both feet today working with the children. We had time to sing, teach, read, play, and above all demonstrate the love of Jesus. It has been a long and wonderful day and we are excited about tomorrow.

Samantha's Baptism

One of our students recently made the confession that Jesus is Lord of her life and was baptized. You can watch her baptism here. After you watch the video be sure to click on the comments link and leave her a word of encouragement.

Houston Mission Update

The student mission team was sent out in prayer this morning! We made the journey to Houston safely and look forward to worship tomorrow at Impact Church of Christ. We will post a picture or two each day and would love for you to leave comments for the students throughout the week. Keep us in your prayers. ~Brandon

Houston Mission Trip

This Saturday our Home Groups will be meeting at the Western Hills campus to send 16 of our students on the Houston Mission Trip. It has been a blessing to see the active role our Home Groups have taken in sending this student missionary team to work with children in the city of Houston. The pancake breakfast will begin at 8:00am and we will send the team off in prayer around 9:00am.

Special thanks to all our Home Groups and your overwhelming support. Please keep our students in your prayers this week.

Haley, Brynn and Emily Baptisms

Keep these three ladies in your prayers as they begin a new walk with Jesus as their Lord. Please leave a word of encouragement, prayer, or blessing for them.

The Samaritan Project Continues

On Sunday, June 29 we had the wonderful opportunity to help prepare a rental house for Mary Ann Garrett (see previous post). Thank you to all who put in some "sweat equity" to enable Mary Ann and her family to move into this new place. Enjoy the video of the Western Hills Church being the Hands & Feet of Jesus!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: You can help!

Watch the video to discover a special opportunity we have to be Good Samaritans in our community. More details will be coming soon!

View the OUTLAW Trailer

Our new message series explores men and women who followed God and became OUTLAWS because of their faith.

New Addition to Western Hills Family

Congratulations to the Bullock family on the arrival of Claire Catherine! Mom and family are doing well and look forward to being home soon.

Happy Father's Day

Join us on Sunday as we celebrate Father's Day. We will explore our Bibles as we discover the heavenly Father that loves us more than we can imagine!

Video Blog #2

In this post Scott Seela describes our new ministry to 5th & 6th graders and extends a special invitation to come and see the new home of Route 56.

Equip and Send: WHY Houston Mission Trip

Last night Western Hills took a step in a new direction as we prepare for the summer student mission trip. Nine Home Groups have chosen to send our students as missionaries to Houston this summer to serve children through the Impact Church of Christ VBS program. Last night each Home Group was paired with 1-3 students that they will support through prayer, encouragement, and financial assistance.

It is exciting to be part of a church family that takes an active role in equipping and sending. What a blessing it was to see the outpouring of love for our students through the prayers of our Home Groups.

In Honor of Our Wives...

Here is a great parody, of a Carrie Underwood song, that is from the point of view of being a minister's wife. So to Erica, Qwynn, and Heidi...this is for you. Thanks for putting up with us.

Enjoy!

Scott

Welcome to Our Youth Intern

We are excited to welcome Joel Brown who arrived this past Sunday to begin his youth ministry internship. Joel is an entering senior at ACU majoring in Biblical Text and Philosophy.

Joel comes with a passion for teaching and mentoring our students as they follow Jesus.

Please keep Joel in your prayers as he joins the wonderful work that God is doing at Western Hills.

Feel free to leave Joel a word of blessing, encouragement, or prayer.

Thank you,

Brandon

2 Minute Replay

Here is the 2 minute replay from our message on the story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37. To learn more about the Samaritan Project click HERE.

Sunday Night Reflections

Well, if you missed it today here is what the Samaritan Project is all about. In the message we explored the parable of the Good Samaritan and discovered that what made the Samaritan good was that when he saw a need he simply met the need. He did not try to rationalize his way out of it. At the end of the message we distributed sealed envelopes and dared everyone to take the Samaritan Project challenge. In the envelopes was cash in varying amounts from $5-$20. The challenge is this...the next time we see a need in front of us we are going to meet the need. We are not going to talk ourselves out of it. We will use this money (after all it is God's money) and address the need. If we have to add more money to it we will. That's it. It is simple. See a need, meet a need.

The only other thing we ask is that you send us a note or email and share with us the story of how God used you to meet a need.

Have a Great Week!

Scott

On a personal note: I am so grateful to our elders for their leadership and courage to allow us to attempt ideas like this. They are a blessing to serve.

Samaritan Project

Once an expert in the law asked Jesus for the greatest commandment, Jesus responded with the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4), an ancient Jewish doctrine that called Israel to love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. But what Jesus did next would change the course of history. Jesus actually added to the Shema. He gave his followers a new directive - to love God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, but ALSO to love others as themselves. This Sunday we are going to discover some of what it means to live out this call from Jesus. We are calling it "Samaritan Project." Hope to see you on Sunday.

Sunday Night Reflections

As another Sunday comes to an end here is what is running through my mind.

• I loved seeing the babies and their families on our pulpit this morning
• We had a great crowd this morning
• Todd did a great job leading our worship...I thought the singing was great
• Thanks to Seela for bringing the message to us today
• It was a real treat to see many "old" faces like the Bundy family and the Ross family

Well that's all for now.

Scott

PS - Don't miss next week! Come and discover what the "Samaritan Project" is all about

Voices of Blessing

Yesterday was our Senior Sunday for the high school students graduating from our student ministry. To bless our students we gathered several people with the gift of wisdom to share their blessing on video. To hear the blessings in their own words watch the video above. After you watch the video leave your own word of blessing in the comment section.

Senior Sunday '08

This coming Sunday, May 4, is Senior Sunday at Western Hills. This is a day when the church comes together to support, encourage, and challenge those who are graduating from high school to lead lives on a mission for God. Our youth minister, Brandon Baker, will lead this special worship experience and bring the message.

Video Blog 1

Sunday Night Reflections

Here again are some of my assorted thoughts at the end of another Sunday.

• I have enjoyed the series on Temptations...hope you have too!
• It was a blessing to see James and Barbara Penland in for a visit.
• I continue to hear great stories from our Home Groups, I am so grateful to the elders for blessing this effort.
• Another great family became "covenant members" today. It is incredible the way God is using Western Hills right now.
• 2 of our Home Groups have been hosting newcomer lunches. This is an incredible ministry...keep up the great work.
• Our students went to Wayman Manor to be Jesus to the kids there.

That is just some of the stuff I am grateful for...how about you?
Have a Great Week!
Scott M.

Sacred Grounds

Western Hills is a growing church! Yes, we are growing numerically, but more importantly we are growing in kingdom impact. Two current signs of this are found in our commitment to children and students. To achieve a greater impact in these 2 life stages we are redesigning some of our current building space to meet our strategic plans.

Above - is the new home for Route 56 - our new ministry focusing on students in 5th and 6th grade. This area is upstairs at the end of the hall that runs across the front of the building.

Below - is the loft over the gym. Plans are for this area to be transformed from storage into the new home for WHY (our youth ministry).

If you would like to make a financial donation to either effort see Brandon Baker or Scott Seela.

God Bless
Scott

Nick's Baptism

Congratulations to Nick on his recent baptism. You are invited to leave a comment or word of encouragement for him as he begins his new life in Christ.

Sunday Night Reflections

Sundays are always long, but incredible days. It is late on Sunday night and my mind is still going over all that happened today. Here are some of the things that I am grateful for

• The singing this morning! (thanks Todd for leading us.)
• Launching the new series on Temptation
• Kyle's words during the Lord's Supper
• Nick's Baptism
• Seeing the church surround Nick following his baptism
• Being with Godly men during the Elder's meeting
• Worshipping tonight during 1st Sunday Worship

Each week I find myself more grateful to be a part of this church.

God Bless

Scott

Zack's Baptism

We want to congratulate Zack on his decision to give his life to God. Click the comment link to leave him a word of blessing or encouragement.

I Need Your Help!

I need your help. We have been in our sermon series called "Simply Jesus". In this series we have been exploring the Gospel of Luke trying to see a clear picture of Jesus. To help with this effort we are launching the "Simply Jesus: Photo Essay Event." What I want is for you to take your camera and capture images that you believe reveal Jesus. The photograph can be of a person(s), an event, a situation, landscape, abstract, etc... Whatever you see that simply communicates something about the person of Jesus: his nature, characteristics, humanity, deity, mission or heart.

I will use the photographs in an upcoming sermon.

Here are the details....

• The images must be submitted digitally
• Files should be no larger than 2MB
• Each image should be an original photograph taken by you (no copyrighted work can be accepted)
• Photoshopping your image is great
• Each image should be titled and accompanied by a caption (50 words or less)
• Email the image to simplyjesus@westernhillsonline.org
• Attach only 1 image per email
• Submit as many times as you like
• Submission Deadline is Monday, April 14

I'm looking forward to seeing Jesus through your eyes!

God Bless,

Scott

Lifting Our Teens in Prayer

Sunday, February 24, over 200 people came forward to get a prayer wristband committing to pray for a student who would be attending the Exile 2008 retreat.

How wonderful and sacred is the collective experience lifting up a common prayer. What a blessing for our teens to know the Western Hills family jumps at the opportunity to actively support their developing faith.

Today I want to thank God who renewed many relationships during the Exile weekend. I want to thank God who spoke to our teens. I want to thank God for blessing our teens with a church family like Western Hills. I want to thank God who promises his active presence in our collective prayer.