All Good Things...

We are discontinuing this blog. We will no longer be adding new posts so that we can focus on other efforts. Be sure to join us on our website and on Facebook.

Adam Prather's Baptism

We rejoice with Adam Prather and his family! Adam chose to put on Christ in baptism on Sunday, February 15, 2009. We are grateful for Adam and for what God is doing and will do in his life. The video of Adam's confession and baptism are below. Be sure to leave a note of encouragement to Adam by using the comment function.

"Taking Ground" - WHY Loft Expansion

Are you wondering where the "loft" is? Wondering what the WHY Expansion is all about? Watch this short video as Brandon walks us through the dream.

Taking Ground!

What a Sunday!...if you missed it Brandon Baker, our Student Minister, presented a vision for what God can do in the lives of students in our area. Not only did Brandon present a vision from God he also articulated what I describe as a call from God. He challenged us to be a church that "prepares a place" for students. Not just any place but a place to worship! So with the vision and call before us we as a community of faith are responding. The challenge is to remodel existing storage space and transform it into worship space. I love this idea...not only are we taking back spiritual ground in the lives of students we are also "taking ground" in our own building. We are trading storage space for sacred space!

If you missed Brandon's message on Sunday you can watch here.

The need is $75,000 dollars, the day we will collect the funds is Feb. 8. We will not borrow money for this effort. We build and remodel as the money comes. So be in prayer about how you and your family can participate in this effort to Take Ground!

Grace & Peace...
Scott

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.