Upward Basketball

What's Upward Basketball? This is an evangelistic sports ministry designed to promote community outreach, develop volunteer leadership, and share the love of Christ with children and their families, using something as simple as a basketball! Specifically designed for kindergarten through sixth grade boys and girls, Upward promotes Bible teaching, character, and self-esteem in every child.

Our 1st Game of the season will be Saturday, January 14, 2006.

Just a few ways you can be involved in this wonderful ministry:

• Be a Prayer Partner
• Be a Coach
• Be an Assistant Coach
• Be a Referee
• Help with the Concession Stand
• Help with Set-Up on Game Days
• Serve as needed on Game Days
• Tell Others about Upward

If you are interested in getting involved in Upward, please pick up one of the interest forms, fill it out and return it to the church office or Scott Seela. (Applications for Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Referees are also available.)

Upward Basketball- another great way to reach our community for Jesus!

Mission Sunday this Sunday

Western Hills has been called a hands and feet ministry congregation, and this is no better illustrated than in our MISSIONS. In order to raise awareness of our variety of missions involvement, we are conducting a Mission Fair Sunday, September 25. After our morning worship service, with our missionary Dave Meadows, we will have a potluck luncheon with displays provided to illustrate all of the ways Western Hills is involved in the mission of God.

Here's a brief summary of what will be on display:

Dave and Sarah Meadows have been doing outstanding work in greater Sao Paulo, Brazil for well over 30 years. They have been instrumental in establishing a thriving congregation in Guarulhos, as well as neighboring communities, and have developed an "after-school school" for the poorer children of their area.

Denville and Nicolette Willie have begun and developed numerous "house-churches" throughout Cape Town, South Africa. The response has been overwhelming. The church is growing faster here than in any other part of the world.

Jorge and Josephina Quijano, who live in Belize, Central America, but center their efforts in the Yucatan region of Mexico, conduct Men's and Women's Seminars, VBS, preach and teach in several villages, and are the local coordinators for the Medical Mission Program.

Speaking of the Medical Mission, Western Hills has been sending teams of 20+ people to the Yucatan Peninsula for over 15 years to treat and minister to upwards of 2000 mostly Mayan Indian poor during the 5 day clinics. Not only does this effort directly touch lives in the villages we visit, demonstrating Christ's compassion to others, but it energizes the local churches as well.

World Bible School, headed up by our own Jack Williams, brings Bible knowledge and instruction to countless individuals (mostly in Africa), who otherwise wouldn't have access to such information.

Our Youth Group is very mission oriented, not only with trips to Monte Crystal, Mexico to assist building a church clinic, along with a nightly VBS, but also to mission fields in the US, such as the Four Corners area, large metropolitan inner cities like Atlanta, and right here in Temple. Scott Meyer and Matt Peacock lead this incredible mission.

Upward Basketball, coordinated by Scott Seela and our Children's Crew, brings the mission field right to us in our own FLC, and is generating a lot of excitement and enthusiasm among the younger folks (as well as their parents).

A Whole Lotta Fun!

Last Sunday evening, we kicked off a new format for our 4 year olds through 5th Grade. This new format is called CREW TIME.

It was a blast!

We began with praise time. We are learning some great new songs during this time. They are really fun and have a great message for kids and adults alike.

We are in a series called "Stories Jesus Told." Everyone helped tell our parable for the evening, The Sower. All the kids were "Seeds" while our teen leaders were the different "Soils." Of course, I got to play the role of "The Farmer."

After our story, everyone made a book about the parable. The covers of the books were awesome! (See the picture above.)

This coming Sunday, September 18th we will start Crew Time again at 6:00 pm in the gym.

Kids, be sure to get your parents to bring you so you can take part in the story of The Lost Sheep.

See you there!

- Scott S.

Katrina Relief Fund

On Sunday, this church held a special collection specifically for aid and relief to the victims of hurricane Katrina. I am excited to announce that $5,592.80 has been collected so far. Praise God. This is simply one more sign (among many) God is active in this place and working through this church.

The money collected will be used to create a resource fund, right here at Western Hills. We are dedicated to meeting the vast needs of this disaster both immediate and future. So this fund will place us in the "at-the-ready" position to meet the needs God brings to our attention. This may include:

• purchasing immediate food/water/diapers etc
• covering cost of medications
• providing transportation for evacuees
• sponsoring a family who was displaced by Katrina

We are not sure exactly which opportunities of ministry God will bring to us. We do know He will bring some opportunity and this fund is just the beginning of His providing the means to answer the call.

May God continue to bless Western Hills with ministry.

Scott M.

Crew Time on Sunday Night

When was the last time your kids dragged YOU to church? We are wholeheartedly committed to making sure church is NEVER boring. Therefore, this coming Sunday evening, September 11th, we will kick off a new format for our 4 year olds through 5th Grade that will hopefully elicit such a response from our kids.

The new format is called Crew Time and it will take place in the FLC Gym on the 2nd & 3rd Sundays of each month during The Well.

Some of the basics of Crew Time:

The Worship
Our focus will be to not just sing “kid songs”, but to help lead our kids into worship that connects them with God. Creative use of hand motions & movements will be employed when appropriate/useful.

The Messages
The messages will be active. Use of the kids, drama, storytelling, etc. will be hallmarks of the message time. Getting the kids to actively engage with the message is our goal.

The Games/Activities/Projects
We will be using several different methods to reinforce the messages. The method (game, activity, project, craft, etc.) will vary depending on the message.

Crew Time promises to be a blast... so don't miss out- Bring your kids to the FLC Gym @ 6:00 pm before you head off to The Well.

-Scott S.

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina is well on her way to being the most costly (in terms of life and economy) natural disaster in our country's history. As a church we will want to respond to the immense need that thousands along the gulf coast now find themselves in. The recovery effort will be a long sustained process, so we too will need to be praying and assisting over the weeks and months to come.

There are 2 ways we can respond immediately. 1) PRAYER - this is always our first and most powerful response to events that are beyond our control but not beyond God's control. Like we prayed for our 40 Days, let's pray for the people in the Gulf without ceasing. 2) HEB Drive - I have confirmed with HEB that tomorrow (Friday Sept. 2) from 8am-6pm at the store on 31st there will be a truck collecting emergency items. These items include...

• bottled water
• peanut butter
• canned tuna
• granola / cereal bars
• diapers

You can purchase the items at the truck, in HEB or bring some from home. The truck will leave Friday night to go to Waco then onto the coast. Let's make this our first of many efforts to be the Hands & Feet of Jesus to our neighbors to the east.

On a personal note...One of our Western Hills own, Kyle C. has headed to the coast as part of the National Guard to assist in the rescue and recovery. Keep Kyle in your prayers as he ministers.

God Bless,

Scott M.

You are invited to click the comment link and post your prayers for the victims of Katrina.

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

Moving In

The Lord’s message to Joshua- See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands! (Joshua 6). It's moving day for the Israelites. God has brought them through the Jordan River and it's time to move into the promised land (or as Meyer calls it, the God Place). The plan is simple: March around the city once a day for 7 days, led by the priests. On the 7th day, march around 7 times. Blow the trumpets & shout. The walls will collapse. Simple plan, yet it required great faith.

God’s plans are not our plans. His plans require faith and trust in Him. His plans require obedience to Him. God wants us to trust Him. He wants us to lay everything down before Him so that He may move us in to His place… the God Place. You see, sometimes it’s a lot easier to be afraid of the future than to trust God with it. But that is just what we must do- trust Him. And God honors the confidence His people place in Him- and He shows Himself worthy of our trust!

God has a future for Western Hills! And it’s up to us to not let fear or uncertainty get in the way of doing what God has planned for us! We must listen to Him & obey. And it will be amazing what walls He knocks down as we MOVE IN through faithful ministry that lifts up Jesus! And we trust that He will lead us, day by day.

Keep Praying!

-Scott S.

Prayer Rocks!

"What do these stones mean?" This is the question asked by children in Joshua chapter 4. Joshua ordered the building of a memorial out of stones from the Jordan river. The memorial was to celebrate the amazing acts that God had done.

Around Western Hills right now stones have a new meaning. Each member of Western Hills is carrying on them a small river stone. What do THESE stones mean? They also serve as a reminder to us of all that God has done to make us debt-free church. AND the stones serve as a reminder to be praying and fasting for the next 40 DAYS as we seek his leading into new dreams and plans he has for his church at Western Hills.

So let's keep on praying and seeking God. This could be the most crucial 40 days in our history as a church.

Love Ya Much
Scott

Victory Sunday!

This Sunday (July 17) will be an extra special day at Western Hills. This is the Sunday we celebrate what God has done to make us a DEBT-FREE church. We have paid off the note on the Family Life Center. The original note was over $600,000 and we were making payments of more than $3,000 per month. The debt is paid and we no longer are having to make monthly payments.

Join us this Sunday at 10:15 in our main auditorium as we praise God and dream of the future. Following the service everyone is invited to a hot-dog lunch to complete the celebration.

See you there,
Scott

A Church on Fire-WORKS!

Last Monday night Western Hills gathered at the home of Lynn & Kim Becker to celebrate the 4th of July. The evening contained great food, comfortable weather, a blaze of fireworks and most importantly a large gathering of good friends and family. The evening had the feeling of a family reunion, with the youngest to the oldest present.

It is a blessing to have a church family that enjoys being together. It is sad reality but many churches are too involved in fights and squabbles to even enjoy each other. Western Hills continues to shine in the warm, welcoming, fellowship department. If WHCC is to continue to be a church on FIRE then we must WORK at it. We must constantly be inviting others to come and experience the fellowship we know so well. We must constantly reach out to those in our schools and workplaces and share with them the good thing that God has blessed us with. We must always be the church on a mission.

Special thanks to Kim and Lynn for making last Monday possible and reminding us all of the powerful community of faith God is building here at Western Hills.

Love Ya Much
Scott

Wilderness Wonderings...

This is a unique time in the life of Western Hills. I have heard many ask "What are the elders planning to do about the preaching position?" Others have asked, "How long will we go without a preacher?" Still others have asked, "When will we finally know something about the future?" All of these are great questions. Let me now share what I understand to be the current "plan" for the future. The elders have decided to have an intentional interim time. This means the elders want Western Hills to have a span of time to adjust to the new future before we make some knee jerk decisions. The elders have entered into a time of prayer for the future of Western Hills. They are trying to hear God's voice to direct them into the future.

This is an in between time. This is a time of transition. In many ways this is a time of wandering in the wilderness. When God called his children out of slavery in Egypt he could have magically whisked them off and dropped them down into the promise land. He did not do that. Instead he led them on a journey through the wilderness, a journey that lasted for more than 40 years. WHY? Because God needed time to transform his children from slaves into a nation ready to posses the land. God used the time in the wilderness to shape and form his people. God has a track record of calling his people into the wilderness.

Consider these examples...

• Moses spends 40 years herding sheep before God calls him in a burning bush
• Israel wanders for 40 years before crossing the Jordan
• Joseph and Mary are commanded to flee into Egypt
• Jesus fasts for 40 days in the wilderness before beginning his ministry

God calls his people to spend time in the wilderness. It seems in the wilderness we are formed and shaped in new ways to listen to God. Following each wilderness, God calls his children into a new reality and future- one that could not even be conceived of before the wandering and wondering time.

So, take advantage of our "wilderness time." Let God shape us as individuals and especially as a church. Be in prayer for the elders and Western Hills. Continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we move into the future.

Love Ya Much

Scott

Kum Ba Yah....Koinonia

Well, it's that time of the summer again, time to pack the bug spray, the box fan, and the swimsuit (In case you couldn't tell I was just making sure I had everything). We are going to camp K. I am excited about heading through the hills of FM 1431 and starting a great week of Koinonia. This year's theme is ALIVE. We are going through the book of Ephesians, and learn what it means to be an ALIVE person. Paul writes words to the Ephesians all of us need to hear to understand what Christ did for us, what His sacrifice means for me now, and the implications for me after my physical body gives out.

This is going to be an intense, fun, life-changing two weeks. If you would like to post a prayer or an encouraging message for our kids, counselors, and other volunteers please do so. They will be appreciated. We will see you soon and miss you much.

Matt

The Life Saving Station

Last Sunday night during THE WELL, I shared this modern day parable. I thought it would be appropriate to share it here as a reminder to us and our mission in this world.

On a dangerous sea coast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude little live saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves went out day and night tirelessly searching for the last. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little life saving station grew.

Some of them members of the life saving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. They replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building. Now the life saving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely, because they used it as a sort of club. Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on life saving missions, so they hired life boat crews to do this work. The life saving motif still prevailed in this club’s decoration, and there was liturgical life boat in the room where the club initiations were held. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boat loads of cold, wet, and half drowned people. They were dirty and sick and some of them had black skin and some had yellow skin. The beautiful new club was in chaos. So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.

At the next meeting, there was split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club’s life saving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Some members insisted upon life saving as their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own life saving station down the coast.

As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a club, and yet, another life saving station was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that sea coast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown!

May God bless Western Hills, as we stay true to our mission in this world.

Love YA Much

Scott M.

A Father's Impact

We (okay, it was really just Qwynn) bought a Father’s Day card for her dad the other day. The text of the card reads: Dad, thanks to your lectures, I never change horses in the middle of a job worth doing, I know the squeaky wheel gets the worm, and I never count my chickens until I’ve walked a mile in their shoes. And you thought I wasn’t listening!

I can very much identify with this card. I’m pretty sure a lot of what my father’s told me over the years has not completely registered. There are a few phrases that have stuck, of course! Phrases such as:

“You can do what you want. You know what your mother and I would prefer you do, but you do what you want.”

And...

“I’m sure you’ve already thought of this, but what if you…”

There are many others, but that’s not my point here. For me, the impact of my father’s words do have power, but the impact of his actions have much more power in my life.

I’ll never forget the hours my dad (usually with me in tow) would spend helping others. Whether it was a home repair need, a computer problem or simply a difficult math problem (he was a math teacher), my dad would do what he could to help others. I also remember many Saturdays at the church building taking care of repair needs there or balancing the church books (he was the finance deacon).

It was those times together that reinforced what I knew my parents believed- “It’s not about us and our needs, it’s about others and their needs.” I guess one of the greatest things that I learned from my father was a heart of service. And for that, I will always be thankful!

-Scott S.

How about you? How has your father, or a special father figure, impacted your life? Share a story or two by clicking on the comments link below.