New Bible Seminar Rotation

I've heard many positive comments about our new Bible Seminar format. Neil Haney & Larry Matthews have done a great job kicking off the new format with their two series!

I wanted to let you know about the next two series that begin on Sunday, October 15.

In the Fellowship Room Venue, a series titled Chasing After the Heart of God: A Study of the Life of David will be brought by Jason Bullock. Scripture paints a picture of David as a man who struggled to be a faithful follower of God in a chaotic world. Although clearly a servant of God, David made some very public mistakes. This series will focus on David’s relationship with God through the peaks and valleys of his life. Of all of the heroes of faith, it is David who is referred to in Acts as a man after God’s own heart. What lessons could we learn from the life of David that might one day allow the same thing to be said of us?

In the Family Life Center Venue, a series titled A Legacy of Spiritual Discipline: Guess Who's Watching will be brought by Mike Stirman. When it comes to spiritual disciplines, what we hear and what we see often don’t match up. This series will address the importance of practicing spiritual disciplines as well as some “how-to’s”.

So don't miss out on what's coming. Join us at 9:00 am, grab a cup of coffee at the Coffee Spot and pick a series to join.

Hope to see you there!

-Scott Seela

The remodel effort continues to move forward quickly. Here you can see the work on the pulpit extension, the steps, and the work on the back wall. Things are shaping up quickly. Continue to keep the effort and your prayers.

Keep Checking In,

Scott

The work on our worship center continues. Most of the work so far has focused on the remodel and construction of the front area and pulpit area. Steps have been added, the stage extended, and the walls are being prepared to apply sheetrock and the stone.

The work is on schedule because of your generosity. Neil Haney, one of our elders who is leading this effort, reports that a total of $127,489 has been given and pledged. So many of you have invested in the mission of God in this place. God continues to do amazing things here in this place.

Keep Checking In!

Scott

Party Time

Plans are already being made for our next Jesus party! This year we are going to Wayman Manor and have a good ol' fashioned carnival (or "fall festival", depending on how you were raised) Carnivals this time of year are something numerous churches do, what makes ours different? Ours is unique because instead of hosting the event in our gym, just for us, we ask the question...If Jesus were to host a carnival in Temple, TX, where would he go to host it? When we stop and consider that question, we think Jesus might go to Wayman Manor and throw a party there. Why Wayman Manor? Because no one is throwing parties there.

So now is the time to start cranking up the creativity! ALL Western Hills folks are invited to join in the fun. Groups can get together and come up with ideas for booths and games. (Just let Scott Seela know what you are planning on doing). Families are invited to bring their children to come and enjoy the carnival. Together we will go and have a blast being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Love Ya Much

Scott

New Features and Latest Updates

5 Years

5 years ago I was standing in the living room of my newly purchased, still-moving-into house. Erica, pregnant with Cayden, was already at school teaching her classes. I was getting dressed to come into the office of my job I had been at for 11 days. The TODAY show was on TV when they cut to local news and the local channel six reporter said a plane had just hit one of the towers. When they returned to the TODAY show they were then carrying the story. With all eyes and cameras trained on the towers the second plane hit. It seems that was the moment we all changed. By the time I had arrived in the office the Pentagon was in flames and flight 93 had crashed.

In a strange twist of irony I was heading to a funeral that day. A precious girl, Amber, in my youth group from Southern Hills in Abilene had passed away and her service was that afternoon. It was a day full of tears and terror. The only thing that seemed to make sense to everyone was to pray.

We must continue to pray. We must continue to follow the way of the kingdom and seek the path of the cross.

What do you remember about that day?

Scott

For Our Little Ones

As the work continues on the auditorium I realize that many may not know that the construction/changes go beyond the worship center. Our nursery area is also experiencing a facelift!

We have been blessed with many wonderful babies & toddlers at Western Hills and we want to have a place that is just right for them. Windows are being added to the hallway, the stairwell ceiling is being raised, the nursery bathroom is getting a facelift and all of the walls will get a bright new update.

As the remodel plans took shape, the elders challenged the remodel team to include the upstairs nursery area. It's a wonderful thing that this church has leaders that continue to think about all our people... including the little ones!

-Scott Seela

Change is Happening

The scaffolding is up and the walls are coming down. The transformation of the worship center is underway and on track. Not only is the structural side of things coming along but also the financial side. Western Hills continues to be a generous church as more gifts and pledges from the "Dare To Move" Campaign are received. Your sacrifice and dedication to this effort has allowed us to come far in a short period of time. Thank you.

More pics to come, keep checking in!

Scott

A Look Back

Thought you might like to see the auditorium in its original state. This picture was sent to me by Mike LeFan and shows our worship center circa 1964. While this remodel effort is needed to continue our mission of proclaiming the message of Jesus; this picture reminds me that God has been at work in this church for a long time. It took men and women of vision to see the need for a larger facility and begin to dream of relocating from Ave. G to our present location. It took men and women willing to make great financial sacrifice to build our current structure. We are in some of the most exciting times this church has ever seen, but I do not want us to forget that we stand as heirs to the blessings of faith of countless saints who have gone before us.

Thanks to God for a legacy of faith and vision here at Western Hills,

See You on Sunday,

Scott

Some Personal Thoughts

10 months ago I transitioned from the role of the youth minister to the role of preaching minister for this church. I am not sure how everyone else has experienced this transition but I'd thought I would share some of my reflections.

1st - The most amazing experience has been it seems that I am have many of the same conversations as when I was youth minister...Except now the person talking to me is older. It appears no matter how old we are we are still concerned with "Do people like me?", "Can God forgive my mistakes?", "How can I grow my faith?", "What does the future hold for me?", "Why is life so hard?".

2nd - I no longer have the luxury of being older/more mature than everyone I am speaking to. One guarantee about youth ministry was that I was sure to be older than anyone in the youth group. If nothing else I at least had age and experience on them. Now I find myself week after week speaking to an audience where roughly half has far more experience, expertise, insight and wisdom than I possess. Many of these seasoned saints can provide more Godly answers than I attempt to serve up each Sunday. I am humbled simply by the lives of the faithful that sit before me each week.

So that brings me to number #3

3rd - I covet your prayers and encouragement now more than ever. So many of the congregation have consistently blessed me with encouraging words each week. Many of you tell me you are praying for me. THANK-YOU! I need your prayers now more than ever. I am so grateful for the prayer effort that is behind me each and every week. Your behind the scenes ministry is effective and powerful.

May God continue to bless Western Hills as we journey together.

I am blessed to be a part of this great group of believers.

Thank-you

Scott

Thank-You Unsung Heroes

Each Sunday I am humbled by the numerous volunteers who show up early to make sure the lights are on, AC is blowing, doors are unlocked, coffee is hot, powerpoint is right, sound system is working, communion is prepared, Bible classes are staffed, etc..etc...Each of these elements are critical to our Sunday morning mission of connecting to the unconnected and caring for our people. To an outside spectator these actions may appear small and basically inconsequential. But each of these actions when offered to God becomes the building blocks to life change. Thank you to everyone who serves so willingly. You are making an eternal difference.

If there is an "unsung hero" from our church who is an example of Christ-like service to you, then I encourage you to post a "Thank-You" to them in the comment section.

God Bless

Scott

Going...Going...Gone!

It's official. There are no pews in our worship center. The work is underway. Many volunteers have jumped in to break down, pick-up, and carry out our old seating. The room is now ready for its makeover. One interesting thing to note is that many who have seen the room with pews removed have said it feels smaller. I am excited to think that our new pews with the improved seating plan will actually bring a greater since of intimacy. God will use our new auditorium to help the unconnected find a place to belong.

Keep Checking In

Scott

Welcome!

One of the many cool things that occurred this past Sunday was the grand opening of our new COFFEE SPOT. Patty Thomas and her "First Impressions" team is working hard to see that every person who walks on to our campus is greeted and made to feel welcome. Many people will make a judgment call about us, our church, and God in the first few moments they are in our building.

The question is this, are we willing to do whatever it takes to reach someone for Jesus? If we are serious about connecting the unconnected, then making a positive, welcoming, first impression is key. Each week God is sending new people through our doors. Many are coming to us with little or no church background. Many are coming to us after having been away from God for a long time. Each Sunday God is bringing us people who He wants to reclaim. So we are starting with a cup of hot coffee and a welcoming smile, believing all the time that these simple gestures could be the first steps in someone's relationship with Jesus.

Our First Sunday in the Gym

I don't know about you, but I could feel the energy and excitement in the air yesterday. It was our first Sunday worship in the Gym/FLC and it was great! Scott Meyer kicked off a new series on the Exodus titled "Road Trip: When God Moves His People" and called us to hear and respond to the cry of the oppressed.

As the previous blog's pictures illustrate, the auditorium remodel has begun with the removal of the old pews. Therefore we have begun our soujourn in the gym for worship! Thank you to the many people who made the move possible. Countless hours of work by several people went into converting the gym into a very usable worship venue. Western Hills is blessed to have so many who quietly serve behind the scenes.

August 20th was also the first Sunday of our new Bible Seminar format. I've heard many good comments about the 2 Seminars taking place. Neil Haney's seminar is covering the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Larry Matthew's seminar is titled "Faith Risks" and is examining how people in the Bible have taken risks of faith to serve God.

I believe yesterday was just the first of many times of excitement, blessing and challenge for the Western Hills Church. Thank you again to all those who made it possible. And thanks and praise to God for all He has done, is doing and will do!

See you next Sunday!

- Scott Seela

The work is under way. Here are the first pictures of the effort. God is doing amazing things. I am excited about our first worship together in the Family Life Center (gym) this coming Sunday. There has been a ton of activity around the building to get ready for it. Numerous people are working behind the scenes to make sure everything is ready to go. What a great time to be a part of Western Hills!

Keep checking in...

Scott

It's Begun!

The worship center remodel has begun! Yesterday morning we hosted our last worship service in the current auditorium and by yesterday afternoon an entire section of pews had been removed. (Thanks to the efforts of Jake and Jim). So at this point there is no turning back. We are headed to the Family Life Center (gym). It will be exciting to see the new worship center take shape over the next 3-4 months. Each week during the remodel I will post pictures of the progress here on the blog.

Lot's of other things are going to happen this Sunday. We launch the Bible Seminar. You will have two choices. Check out the website for all of the details. We will also open the COFFEE SPOT. This is one of our many efforts to welcome people as they come into our building. We want to be a place that CONNECTS people to JESUS.

Youth Ministry Sunday Night-Be There!

Sunday night Matt Peacock will be sharing all of the things God has been doing in the lives of our students this summer. This group has traveled from Mississippi to Colorado in the name of Jesus and have some exciting stories to tell.

You need to be there. I know it is not always easy to be present on Sunday night, but this Sunday night you need to make the effort. It is easy to say, "I don't have any kids in the youth group why should I be there?" Here is the reason...Do we believe in our students or not? Do we want to see them grow to mature disciples in Jesus or not? Are we willing to do what it takes to reach the next generation?

Western Hills is a church with a passion for young people. That is one of the reasons I love this church so much. Many churches have dismissed the "kids" to the backroom or the basement thinking they will just keep them happy, then when they are old enough we will call them to follow Jesus. WRONG! By then it will be too late. Most people make a lifelong commitment to Jesus before the age of 18. If we do not consider our children and teenagers as a priority-one-mission field then we might as well coast into obscurity.

So why do you need to be there? Because our teens need to know that a life of faith is worth it. They need to see people who are living it right now. They desperately want to know it is real. So join us Sunday night, your presence might just be making an eternal difference.

Random Thoughts

This post is some of the random thoughts that are going through my brain...

#1 - Thanks for the encouragement from Sunday - Many of you have come to me to share how much you enjoyed part 1 of AWESOME WONDER. This series has been loads of fun to prepare for and to deliver. Thanks for your encouragement. I am glad you share my complete amazement at how BIG our God is. I can't wait for this coming Sunday. I saved the coolest pictures for this week.

#2 - Only 1 more week in the auditorium - I can't believe this coming Sunday is our LAST Sunday to worship in the auditorium as it currently exists. Starting on August 20 we will be worshipping together in the gym. I am excited because it will cause all of us to break out of our habits. God is going to bless us so much during this time.

#3 - Coffee Spot Opens - Also on August 20 the Coffee Spot will open up. I know you are wondering what is so exciting about coffee? (Especially since I don't even drink coffee.) I am not excited about the Coffee Spot because of the coffee, I am excited because of what it means for this church. Our elders have laid out a vision of CONNECTING the UNCONNECTED. The Coffee Spot is just one of the strategies we will employ to accomplish the mission. How welcoming will it be for a first time guest to walk in our door, be greeted, and receive a hot cup of coffee served from a very warm and welcoming environment? We are simply taking advantage of every opportunity to connect someone to Western Hills and connect them to Jesus. It all starts with a smile.

#4 - Operation Backpack - Once again this church shows its love for this community through the collection of school supplies for Wayman Manor. ALL of the backpacks have been claimed! Thanks for loving on some kids like Jesus would. This is one more reminder that we are a church that sees the mission field in our own backyard. Be sure to return your backpacks this Wednesday night.

That's all for now.

Scott

Pardon our Progress

The remodel of our worship center is about to begin. The construction schedule is coming together and coming quickly. Because it will be happening fast we will begin worshipping in the Family Life Center on August 20. That means only 2 more Sundays (Aug. 6 & 13) will we worship in the auditorium as it currently is. This is an incredibly exciting time for WH. Keep on praying as God keeps blessing us and calling us forward into His future.

See Ya Sunday,

Scott

Don't Miss This Sunday

You will not want to miss this Sunday. I'm not kidding! I will be starting a 2 sermon series called AWESOME WONDER. We will be discovering how BIG our God is (and how small we are). We serve a God who created the universe and everything in it, simply by saying the word. All around us are miracles that shout out His glory. The Psalmist says...

the heavens declare the glory of God.

the skies proclaim the work of His hands

For the next 2 Sundays we will explore the heavens and see what they teach us about the God who spoke them into existence. I have been hanging out on the Hubble Telescope site and the NASA site lately. I have gathered a ton of cool stuff I want to share with you. The next 2 sermons will be image rich and visually stunning. The messages will be great opportunities to invite a friend or co-worker to church. This will be the kind of presentation they can understand, even with little or no church background. So bring them and let them hear how BIG our God is.

See you Sunday

Scott