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.

Jesus Party @ Wayman Manor

Watch the video below to see what a great time we all had with our friends at the Wayman Manor Apartments. You'll see that Western Hills is a church that loves to move beyond the walls of the building to share the love of Jesus!



Thank you to everyone who helped make the party a great success!

-Scott Seela

Easy, Not So Easy

Recently our Kindergartners and First Graders learned what it meant to "Love Your Enemies." The video was a result of what they learned it means when Jesus asks us to do the thing that is not easy.

Emily's Baptism Video

Click the link below to be taken to the WHY Blog to view Emily's baptism video.

Be sure to leave her a blessing using the comment option.

Emily's Baptism Video

Blessings.

-Scott

Leanne's Baptism

Watch Leanne's baptism and then be sure to leave her a word of encouragement or blessing in the comment section.

God Bless

Scott

2 minute replay

Did you miss the Sunday morning message? Be sure to catch this 2 minute replay. This is part of our series "Comfy No More," where we discuss taking down the obstacles that keep people from church.

Scott

Baptism of Chris

This past Sunday we were witnesses to an amazing event, the baptism of Chris Antonelli into Jesus Christ. This is a critical moment in the life of a believer and follower of Jesus. If you would like to celebrate this with Chris simply click on the comment link. Here you can leave Chris a special prayer or blessing that will encourage him as he begins his new walk with Jesus.

God Bless,

Scott

WATS Sunday

This past Sunday was our We Are The Sermon Sunday. This is the Sunday where we worshipped, took the Lord's Supper together and then, instead of listening to me preach we all went out and preached a message through our actions. We put the love of Christ into action! As best as I can tell we had about 70% participation from the Western Hills members. That is incredible. Since Sunday night I have heard one great story after another. I am so proud to be a part of this church.

In case you missed it the Temple Daily Telegram did a front page story on us today. (Just follow the link.) Thank-you to all who preached a powerful message through your quiet service.

God Bless

Scott