Upward Sunday

What a wonderful day! First of all, I want to say THANK YOU to the Western Hills Church for the warm and loving welcome given to our Upward Basketball players & families. I saw so many of you greeting and talking with our guests. Western Hills truly is a welcoming church!

I had serveral Upward families tell me how much they enjoyed and were blessed by the worship at Western Hills. Of course, the overwhelming comments were about how much they appreciate the way our coaches love their kids. The "backbone" of our Upward Basketball is the willingness of so many volunteers to give of themselves. From the concessions stand to the half-time devotionals to the referees and the coaches, the kids and families are shown the love of Jesus in every touch and word.

The Upward families who were able to attend on Sunday were once again shown that Western Hills is on a mission to connect them with the love and power of Jesus Christ and His Church. Please be in prayer for the many kids and families involved in Upward Basketball. For many, this is their first positive experience with church and our prayer is that they will want to continue that experience beyond Upward.

Thank you again for being Jesus to our guests. Continue to be on the lookout for newcomers at Western Hills because your attentiveness to them makes all the difference!

Have a great week.

-Scott Seela

Camp Koinonia Staff

Adults:

Are you looking for a way to impact others lives for Jesus?

Does the idea of working with teenagers excite you?

Do you have a week or two open in the summer?

Then we have a deal for you!

Every summer our teenagers spend two weeks at Camp Koinonia. The first week of camp (June 24-29) is Senior Week (for students 9-Grads) and the second week (July 1-6) is Junior Week (for students 5-8 grade). Camp K helps train our students to be disciples of Christ.
This year, we would love to have some more adult sponsors. We are looking for counselors, Dining Hall, Kitchen Staff, and Medical trained adults. If you are interested in serving and training up students you can get the 2007 Camp Koinonia First Time Staff Application HERE or if you have questions please talk to Matt Peacock or Randy Pittenger.
See you this summer!

Announcement From Matt

I would like to announce to you that after lots of prayer, Megan and I have decided that this August I will be going to law school to pursue a law degree. We have considered all the choices before us and feel God is calling us not only to a new vocation but to new ministry opportunities. The unfortunate part is that we will be leaving this great church. I want you all to know that Megan and I love you and these teenagers very much. This career choice is not due to a bad situation here. This is a decision based upon the future of our family as I get the higher education I desire.
I will always be proud to be associated with Western Hills. This family has loved on Megan and me and helped train me up, and for that I will always be grateful. I have been a part of this church through different ministry positions for almost five years now, and leaving this place is by far the most difficult part of this transition. After talking with the elders, they have decided that it is both beneficial for the church and Megan and me if I stay on as the full time youth minister until the end of May. That means we are not gone yet and today is not good-bye. We will continue to train, teach, and provide opportunities for our students to learn what it means to live as the hands and feet of Jesus.
My petition is that you please pray for Megan and me as we make several tough decisions about schools and the future of our family. As excited as Megan and I are about the prospect of going to law school, it still saddens us to be leaving such a great church. Again, we love you and have no doubt that God will continue to work in this place. He always does. Thank you.
Matt Peacock

I Love My Home Group

Last night was our Home Group/Small meeting. I love my group! I'm in the Neighbors/Leavelle group. We have quite a diverse group. There are young and old. Singles and marrieds. Parents and grandparents. Well... you get the idea.

Even though we are a diverse group, we love being together. It was great to see all the connections and coversations taking place last night. We always eat well when we're together, but more importantly, we always connect and care well. Prayer needs are shared. God's blessings are shared. In general, life is shared.

I am always thankful after a group meeting. I'm thankful for reconnecting with valued relationships and I am thankful for the new and growing relationships. I'm thankful that my kids have friends in our group and I'm especially thankful that my kids have adults that love them in our group.

I could go on for a long time about my group. As I said before, "I love my Home Group!"

I hope you love your group too. And if you aren't in a group, I hope you decide to start the process of getting into one. If you would like assistance in finding a group, go to the Western Hills website (www.westernhillsonline.org) and click the link- Home Group Assistance.

Have a great week!

-Scott Seela

A Word from our Elders

I am extremely excited to make the following announcement.

During the month of September, all budgeted ministries were contacted regarding budget requests for 2007. On October 2 the Stewardship Committee began preparing the 2007 Budget by compiling those requests and individually reviewing them. Several meetings were held in the months of October and November to complete this process.

During that time it was decided that we, as a congregation, needed to exercise sound financial management by constructing a Budget that reflected our giving level.

On November 19 Scott Meyer announced that the Elders were calling each member to a time of prayer to consider their individual contribution to the corporate Budget. Then on December 17 you completed purpose cards and submitted them to the Elders. They were totaled. It was found that amount purposed totaled $517,876.

Please allow me to digress one moment. The reason we asked for the stewardship cards was to budget so we would live within our means. The use of those cards has been accomplished and they have been shredded. You will never receive a bill even if you are not able to fulfill your purpose. Your giving is not to man but to God and He is the sole one to whom you must give an account.

The Stewardship Committee was given the purposed amount and charged with the task of reconciling it to the amount requested by the budgeted committees. The total of the “Dream List” submitted by the individual ministries was $19,665 over the amount that was purposed.

The Stewardship Committee met this past Monday night to reconcile the difference. That task was accomplished with the cooperation of all. This meant that part or all of the funds for Guest Speakers this summer, Leadership Training for Christ, Children’s Ministry, Youth ministry, Van Rental, Vehicle Expense, Church Expense, Equipment Repair and maintenance, Advertising, Financial Peace University, Tuesday- Thursday School, A Mexico Expenditure, Missions Travel, Love of Christ Center, and Children’s Homes had to be reduced. Very few of the listed programs were actually cut but all the listed programs had to remove certain items from their desired program of work for 2007.

This Budget was presented and approved by the Elders this past Wednesday night. A Copy of the approved 2007 Budget is available on the Table in the Foyer as you leave if you would like a copy.

I would like to convey on behalf of the Eldership their gratitude for your prayerful consideration of your financial support of the 2007 program of work at this place. We have observed and given thanks to God for your generosity in supporting the 2006 Budget as well as the Auditorium Remodeling project. God has blessed you richly and we believe that you have shown yourselves to be faithful stewards.

It is the desire of the Eldership and the Stewardship Committee to reinstate all of the reductions that were made. The way we will know when that time comes is by the level of giving each week. The Stewardship Committee will review the status of the Budget each quarter during 2007 and make recommendations to the Eldership as to amendments to the Budget.

Here is your part in the process. Would you ask God in your daily prayers to provide additional financial resources to this congregation? If he selects to bless this body through you, will you again prove to be a faithful steward?

When the leadership sees a surplus building in the 2007 contribution, an announcement will be made calling you to a season of prayer on behalf of the Elders to know what ministries to add to the 2007 effort.

We bless God for what He has done at Western Hills and what He is going to do before our very eyes. So consecrate yourselves and be prepared for the generous hand of God to lead us to greater ministries in 2007.

Thank you

The Eldership

More Pictures From Last Sunday

Here are some more pictures from this past Sunday. I hope you enjoy them and we will see you on Sunday.

How Great Is Our God!?!

After a ten month process, this past Sunday, we entered our newly remodeled worship center. Not only did we get to move in but we also got to witness the baptism of Jake Dragoo. God is doing amazing things among us. He is great and He is faithful. What a Sunday!

The best part: God is not done with this place. God is ready to use all these things He has blessed us with to impact and spiritually lead Bell County. This week, as we let the excitement of this past Sunday fill our sails, be praying that God will use these blessings to connect the unconnected, care for our people, and institute Godly life change in our church and in Bell County.

Tell Us: What amazing things do you see God doing here at Western Hills?

Christmas @ Wayman Manor

Once again I have been moved by the generosity of the Western Hills Church. On Sunday, December 17th we delivered 150 boxes full of presents to the Wayman Manor Apartments in Temple. As we pulled up, a large group had already gathered. We were warmly welcomed by smiles and excited laughter.

After a few minutes of "organization" we began to distribute the gifts as moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas and what seemed like hundreds of kids came through the line. The joy of seeing the smiles and hearing the small voices say "thank-you" was instant validation that we were doing God's work!

Thank you to all who bought and wrapped gifts, gave money and lifted this ministry up in prayer. Thank you for being His Hands & His Feet at Wayman Manor.

God bless.

-Scott Seela

Spange

Do you know what "spange"/"spanging" is?

Do you know how WHY participated in the "LOST" series?

Check out the Western Hills Youth Blog to read about how our teenagers have helped homeless teenagers in Denver, CO and learned why God gives us extra.

http://westernhillsyouth.blogspot.com

Mark Your Calendars!

The work is almost done! The worship center is almost ready! We have set our "return to the worship center" for the first Sunday of 2007 - January 7. This day will be a special day in the life and mission of this church. We will have a celebration for all that God has done. We will begin with a breakfast in the Family Life Center at 9am. This time will include prayers of thanksgiving and words of blessing from our shepherds. At 10 we will move into the worship center and at 10:15 we will have our first worship of the new year.

Make plans to be a part of this celebration. Invite anyone and everyone you wish, to be with us and join in our season of thanksgiving.

God Bless

Scott

Tree of Light Christmas Gifts

We began our Tree of Light Christmas Gifts this last Sunday. This year we are doing gifts for the kids at Wayman Manor. (We have an ongoing ministry at the Wayman Manor Apartments in which we share Jesus' love with the kids that live there.)

To participate in the Tree of Light, all you have to do is...

1. Select a tag (or tags) from the tree in the FLC & grab a box (or boxes).
2. Sign your name on the list by the corresponding name.
3. Fill the box with simple gifts (clothing items, toys, etc.).
4. Wrap the box, apply the label provided and return it by December 13.

It's that easy!

The response has been great so far, but we still have a few tags left. Come by and pick a name or two.

Thanks for sharing Jesus' love through this project.

-Scott Seela

Some Movie Recommendations this Season...

Two movies out this season are worth taking your family to see. These two movies support faith and family and would make for a great time together this holiday season. The movies are the Nativity Story and Charlotte's Web.

The Nativity Story (rated PG) is a telling of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus with the same attention to detail as in the Passion. Many of the same locations were used to film the movie to give it an authentic sense of time, place and people.

Charlotte's Web (rated G) is a live action remake of the animated classic that anyone over the age of 21 has seen. The story focuses on the power of believing in someone and seeing them through new eyes. The new version will include the talents of Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning, and Oprah Winfrey.

Either or both of these movies would be a great event for the family this holiday season.

God Bless,
Scott

Stewardship

We, as a church, are actively practicing the value of stewardship. This core value reminds us of several things.

They are...

1. We are not owners, it ALL belongs to God.

2. We are MANAGERS of the resources God has given us to manage.

3. We have a little bit of time and a little bit of opportunity to leverage for the sake of the KINGDOM.

4. We cannot be fully devoted followers of Jesus and remain upside down in our personal finances.

5. We need to order the arena of our money so that we GIVE first, SAVE second, and the LIVE off of the rest.

6. When we have more than we need (extra), it is for someone in need.

The value of stewardship is just as important for the whole church as it is for the individual Christian. To set our operating budget for 2007 we are currently collecting the Stewardship Cards. If you have not yet filled yours out and turned it in to one of our elders please do so. It is important that you participate in this process. Remember, the sum total of all of the cards will become the budget for 2007. We will add or reduce ministries so that the church will practice what we preach, "Live within our means." We believe God will bless us as we learn to be good stewards of all that He has given us.

In Him

Scott

Thankful for...

Of course this time of year it only seems appropriate for everyone to make their lists of what they are thankful . I thought I would create a list of what we as a church have to be thankful for this year.

1. The grace of Jesus Christ.
2. The sustaining presence of God that has seen us through some rough times.
3. Godly leadership from our elders. (They are not perfect by they love God and love this church!)
4. A generous church that is willing to give sacrificially.
5. One of the best youth ministries and children's ministries I have ever seen.
6. Ministry/mission opportunities in our community. (Wayman Manor, Upward Basketball, Love of Christ Center)
7. The Elder's vision to be a church that connects the unconnected, cares for our people, and changes lives for God.
8. The numerous volunteers who serve in a variety of ways each and every week.
9. The beautiful new worship center that will be ready in 2007.
10. So many of our senior saints who love on my kids and make them think that church is the best place on Earth.

That's my list. What would you add?

Happy Thanksgiving

Scott

Rock-n-Roll

The stone is going up and the beams are being painted. In the picture masons are working on the section that is up front, below our baptistery. The work on our worship center is moving forward quickly.

It won't be long before we experience our first worship experience in the new worship center.

Thanks for Giving!

Thank you for your response to our food drive for the Love of Christ Center.

Doug Wheeler estimates that with your food and money donations combined, we will have over 1 TON of food!

This will make a big difference as the Love of Christ Center services the people of Bell County. As Matt Peacock shared a week ago, the Love of Christ will serve approximately 28,000 people in 2006. Your generous contributions make this all possible.

Thanks again for being the Hands and Feet of Jesus.

-Scott Seela

Auditorium Update

The worship center is really moving along now. Everyday we are one more step to being completed. The room is being prepared for the painters to come in and work their magic. We will be moving in before we know it. Of course the worship center is only one of several exciting things occurring right now. Remember to bring your CASES of food for the Love of Christ Food Drive. And our annual Stewardship Sunday is coming Nov. 19. Be praying for your financial commitment in 2007.

Food Drive for the Love of Christ Center

Our annual food drive for the Love of Christ Center is set for this coming Sunday, November 12th.

The Love of Christ Center is a ministry where the basic needs of food and clothing are met every week due to your generosity. As Matt Peacock shared during our contribution time, the Love of Christ Center is on track to serve 28,000 people in the Bell County area in 2006. Your giving and donations make that possible.

The challenge for this year's drive is to make a MAJOR STACK with cases of food items. (Of course, all food items will be gratefully accepted!) A section of the Family Life Center has been taped off so we can make our stack "Case High." If you weren't here last Sunday, this means that we are trying to fill the taped off area to the height of Case H. (a teen in our student ministry).

The area is approximately 4 feet by 13 feet. Case is 5 foot 7 inches. For you math people, that means our goal is basically 290 Cubic Feet.

So bring a case (or 2 or 3 or more) to the Southwest corner of the FLC on Sunday, November 12th. For a list of the needed food items, CLICK HERE or contact the church office (254-778-4246).

I'm looking forward to seeing what God does through His people.

-Scott Seela

Sound Sytem Being Installed

The new sound system is being installed. The new system will provide quality clear sound throughout the auditorium. This will be a great tool as we present the message of Jesus with creativity and passion.

Keep Checking In,

Scott

We Love Wayman Manor!

Wow! What an awesome experience! The Western Hills Church went to the Wayman Manor apartments and lived out the love of Jesus.

For those who don't know, the Wayman Manor apartments is a place where the teens and others regularly minister (Once a week in the summer and once a month during the school year). The teens come together with the Wayman Manor kids to play games, draw, apply fingernail polish, play with play-doh, sing songs, learn about Jesus and share a snack.
Yesterday, the 20/20 Groups (and a few other groups) put on an incredible Fall Carnival for the kids and families at Wayman Manor. Faces were painted, wet sponges were thrown, candle flames were squirted out, rides were taken on an antique fire truck, hot dogs were eaten, kids bounced on air, mass amounts of candy were passed out (I could go on & on) and FUN was had by all.

Western Hills wasn't just the Hands and Feet of Jesus yesterday, they were also His Arms. I saw the loving Arms of Jesus wrapped around the kids and families of Wayman Manor through everything you did!

This church continues to go above and beyond to live out the love of Jesus. The people aren't satisfied to be "the church in the pews." Our people continually seek out ways to be the church in the community and in the lives of others.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for making the Fall Carnival a blessing. Thanks for the mass amounts of donated candy, for sponsoring fun booths and for genuine smiles and love displayed.

- Scott Seela