News & Prayers January 24, 2016 - West University Church ......2016/02/01 · “As iron sharpens...
2
News & Prayers West U Members: Home Bound Members : Please pray for our home bound family: Mary Broome, Mildred Kohlmann, Karen Wiggins, Bob & Jean Allred (Please contact the office if you need contact information on any of these.) Family & Friends: Lauren in Bakersfield, CA, needs prayer for the situation with her neighbor. John King, Josiah’s friend, needs prayer for his mom who had to return to the hospital. Prayers needed for his finances and funds for her care. Ragan in Vancouver, WA, a friend of Josiah, needs continued prayer for direction on whether to go into the Air Force or study Psychology. Brandon in Priest River, a friend of Josiah, is feeling weary and burnt out. Wes Rhodes, Roy’s brother, remains in the hospital with pneumonia. Cancer Prayers: Marc Isenberg, friend of the Coulsons, has pancreatic cancer. He is weak and is not eating well. His pain seems constant. Betty Ripple is now in cancer treatment. Services Times Sunday 9:00 a.m. Coffee & Donuts 9:30 a.m. Bible Classes for All Ages 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Evening Life Groups Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Studies Daniel McGraw [email protected] Roy Rhodes [email protected] Jay Roberts [email protected] Christy McDonald [email protected] Reni Burns [email protected] Mark Rue [email protected] Janet Cockerham [email protected] Senior Minister Community Minister Youth Minister Business Manager Footsteps Director Custodian Administrative Assistant Staff Elders Jim Taylor [email protected] Hilton Merritt [email protected] Worship Children & Youth Adult Education Elderly/Home Bound Building Med Center Finance Missions Involvement Deacons John Fletcher [email protected] Brad Hinrichs [email protected] Cameron Bird [email protected] Ryan McDonald [email protected] Kerry Lackey [email protected] Brian Deaver [email protected] Al Richey [email protected] Paul Vaughan [email protected] Mike Coulson [email protected] West University Church of Christ 3407 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005 Office 713.666.3535 Footsteps (Mothers Day Out) 713.666.9403 [email protected] www.westuchurch.com Coming Events Jan. 31 - Baby Blessing Jan. 31 - Backpacking Interest Meeting Feb. 7 - Church-Wide Fellowship Luncheon Feb. 7 - VBS Volunteer Sign-Up Feb. 12 - Teens Ice Skating Trip Feb. 13 - Valentine’s Celebration Dinner Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day Feb. 26-27 - Teens Attending Soul Link “Seen” March 20 - LTC Sunday March 25-27 - LTC in Dallas March 27 - Easter Sunday April 8-10 - Family Camping at Brazos Bend April 30 - Multi-family Garage Sale May 7 - VBS Workday May 8 - Mother’s Day June 5 - VBS Volunteer Meeting June 19 - 23 - Vacation Bible School Last Week’s Record A.M. Worship – 103 Contribution - $2,719.00 Coins for Christ - $318.91 Jesus’ last message to his followers, before he ascended into heaven, was this: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt. 28:19-20). Jesus sent them out with a mission: go and make disciples. It is interesting that Jesus didn’t call them to go and make converts. Go and convince people they are wrong. Go and baptize a bunch of people. No, Jesus was specific: “Make disciples.” A disciple is a student, a follower, a person who is learning and growing and putting this new knowledge into practice. This discipleship begins with baptism and continues with teaching and obedience. In the past we have been very good at evangelism. We help them come to faith and bring people up to the point of baptism. And then we leave them on their own to figure out the spiritual life. But Jesus called us to go beyond just evangelism. The good news is that Jesus liberates us from our bondage to sin and death, but that freedom begins here in now in our daily lives. Discipleship is about being formed into the image of Christ in every aspect of our lives; that is an ongoing process, and something that is never-ending. Discipleship is about allowing God to transform us through the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus. What does it look like to be a disciple? Well, it means we look like Jesus. We spend time with God in prayer and communication and reading. We do what Jesus would do. We love, we serve, we bring hope. We love those who others look down on. We allow the Spirit to transform the way we think about ourselves and about others in every area of life. And the power to do this comes through the Holy Spirit. As Jesus says, “And I will be with you always…” The Spirit is the presence of God in us, given to us in baptism; and that Spirit continues to transform us ever increasingly into the likeness of Christ. Discipleship comes in part through the Spirit. But it also comes in relationship with one another. It comes through knowing other Christians and learning from them. Having accountability. Having someone that you want to imitate and emulate. Discipleship comes through the investment in others. We find someone we want to learn from, and we also help teach someone else what it means to follow Jesus. Are you a disciple of Jesus? How are you being transformed? And who are you helping in their own transformation? Welcome to Worship Just for Kids (a special time for children ages 3 to 10) Call to Worship - Paul Vaughan Worship Leader - Jim Taylor #226 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing #830 Open My Eyes, That I May See #771 Lord Speak to Me Prayer #376 He Paid a Debt Communion All Christians are invited to commune with us. Offering Guests are not expected to participate in the offering. This is a voluntary offering. (Screen Only) Just Over the Glory Land (Children are dismissed to Little Lambs or God’s Flock during this song) Scripture Reading Romans 8:1-11; 14-17 Message “What We Believe About ...the Holy Spirit” Daniel McGraw #601 My God and I Shepherd’s Prayer & Benediction “ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” 1 Thessalonians 5:23 #523 I Know the Lord Will Find a Way for Me Discovering and Sharing God’s Love January 24, 2016 Welcome to West U We’re glad you’re here to join us in worshiping God. *Please register on one of the cards in the pew racks and place it in the offering tray. We do not make unannounced visits but we would like to write you and call you to welcome you and answer any questions that you might have. *Please write your prayer requests on a Prayer Request card and place it in the offering tray. *We have an attended nursery west of the foyer for babies. *During the assembly, we invite your children up to the age of eight to participate in a learning time on their level. *You are invited to attend one of our LIFE groups that meet this evening at the various locations listed on page two. *You are invited to attend our Wednesday Bible Studies at 6:30.
Transcript of News & Prayers January 24, 2016 - West University Church ......2016/02/01 · “As iron sharpens...
News & Prayers West U Members:
Home Bound Members: Please pray for our home bound family: Mary Broome,
Mildred Kohlmann, Karen Wiggins, Bob & Jean Allred (Please contact the office if
you need contact information on any of these.)
Family & Friends:
Lauren in Bakersfield, CA, needs prayer for the situation with her neighbor.
John King, Josiah’s friend, needs prayer for his mom who had to return to the hospital.
Prayers needed for his finances and funds for her care. Ragan in Vancouver, WA, a friend of Josiah, needs continued prayer for direction on
whether to go into the Air Force or study Psychology.
Brandon in Priest River, a friend of Josiah, is feeling weary and burnt out. Wes Rhodes, Roy’s brother, remains in the hospital with pneumonia.
Cancer Prayers: Marc Isenberg, friend of the Coulsons, has pancreatic cancer. He is weak and is not
eating well. His pain seems constant. Betty Ripple is now in cancer treatment.
Services Times
Sunday 9:00 a.m. Coffee & Donuts
9:30 a.m. Bible Classes for All Ages
10:30 a.m. Worship Service
Evening Life Groups
Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Studies
Daniel McGraw [email protected]
Roy Rhodes [email protected]
Jay Roberts [email protected]
Christy McDonald [email protected]
Reni Burns [email protected]
Mark Rue [email protected]
Janet Cockerham [email protected]
Senior Minister
Community Minister
Youth Minister
Business Manager
Footsteps Director
Custodian
Administrative Assistant
Staff
Elders
Jim Taylor [email protected] Hilton Merritt [email protected]
Worship
Children & Youth
Adult Education
Elderly/Home Bound
Building
Med Center
Finance
Missions
Involvement
Deacons
John Fletcher [email protected]
Brad Hinrichs [email protected]
Cameron Bird [email protected]
Ryan McDonald [email protected]
Kerry Lackey [email protected]
Brian Deaver [email protected]
Al Richey [email protected]
Paul Vaughan [email protected]
Mike Coulson [email protected]
West University Church of Christ
3407 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005
Office 713.666.3535 Footsteps (Mothers Day Out) 713.666.9403 [email protected] www.westuchurch.com
Coming Events
Jan. 31 - Baby Blessing
Jan. 31 - Backpacking Interest Meeting
Feb. 7 - Church-Wide Fellowship
Luncheon
Feb. 7 - VBS Volunteer Sign-Up
Feb. 12 - Teens Ice Skating Trip
Feb. 13 - Valentine’s Celebration Dinner
Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day
Feb. 26-27 - Teens Attending Soul Link
“Seen”
March 20 - LTC Sunday
March 25-27 - LTC in Dallas
March 27 - Easter Sunday
April 8-10 - Family Camping at Brazos
Bend
April 30 - Multi-family Garage Sale
May 7 - VBS Workday
May 8 - Mother’s Day
June 5 - VBS Volunteer Meeting
June 19 - 23 - Vacation Bible School
Last Week’s Record
A.M. Worship – 103
Contribution - $2,719.00
Coins for Christ - $318.91
Jesus’ last message to his followers, before he ascended into
heaven, was this: “Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age” (Mt. 28:19-20). Jesus
sent them out with a mission: go and make disciples. It is
interesting that Jesus didn’t call them to go and make
converts. Go and convince people they are wrong. Go and
baptize a bunch of people. No, Jesus was specific: “Make
disciples.” A disciple is a student, a follower, a person who is
learning and growing and putting this new knowledge into
practice. This discipleship begins with baptism and continues
with teaching and obedience.
In the past we have been very good at evangelism. We help
them come to faith and bring people up to the point of
baptism. And then we leave them on their own to figure out
the spiritual life. But Jesus called us to go beyond just
evangelism. The good news is that Jesus liberates us from our
bondage to sin and death, but that freedom begins here in now
in our daily lives. Discipleship is about being formed into the
image of Christ in every aspect of our lives; that is an ongoing
process, and something that is never-ending. Discipleship is
about allowing God to transform us through the Holy Spirit to
become more like Jesus.
What does it look like to be a disciple? Well, it means we
look like Jesus. We spend time with God in prayer and
communication and reading. We do what Jesus would do. We
love, we serve, we bring hope. We love those who others look
down on. We allow the Spirit to transform the way we think
about ourselves and about others in every area of life.
And the power to do this comes through the Holy Spirit. As
Jesus says, “And I will be with you always…” The Spirit is
the presence of God in us, given to us in baptism; and that
Spirit continues to transform us ever increasingly into the
likeness of Christ.
Discipleship comes in part through the Spirit. But it also
comes in relationship with one another. It comes through
knowing other Christians and learning from them. Having
accountability. Having someone that you want to imitate and
emulate. Discipleship comes through the investment in others.
We find someone we want to learn from, and we also help
teach someone else what it means to follow Jesus.
Are you a disciple of Jesus? How are you being
transformed? And who are you helping in their own
transformation?
Welcome to Worship
Just for Kids (a special time for children ages 3 to 10)
Call to Worship - Paul Vaughan
Worship Leader - Jim Taylor
#226 Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
#830 Open My Eyes, That I May See
#771 Lord Speak to Me
Prayer
#376 He Paid a Debt
Communion All Christians are invited to commune with us.
Offering Guests are not expected to participate in the offering.
This is a voluntary offering.
(Screen Only) Just Over the Glory Land (Children are dismissed to Little Lambs or God’s Flock during this song)
Scripture Reading
Romans 8:1-11; 14-17
Message
“What We Believe About ...the Holy Spirit”
Daniel McGraw
#601 My God and I
Shepherd’s Prayer & Benediction “
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and
through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” 1 Thessalonians 5:23
#523 I Know the Lord Will Find a Way for Me
Discovering and
Sharing God’s Love
January 24, 2016
Welcome to West U We’re glad you’re here to join us in worshiping God.
*Please register on one of the cards in the pew racks and place it in
the offering tray. We do not make unannounced visits but we would
like to write you and call you to welcome you and answer any
questions that you might have.
*Please write your prayer requests on a Prayer Request card and
place it in the offering tray.
*We have an attended nursery west of the foyer for babies.
*During the assembly, we invite your children up to the age of eight
to participate in a learning time on their level.
*You are invited to attend one of our LIFE groups that meet this
evening at the various locations listed on page two.
*You are invited to attend our Wednesday Bible Studies at 6:30.
We invite you to visit
www.westuchurch.com:
Sermon Audios
You may also find links
(Free Sermon CDs available in the foyer or through the office.)
This evening, you are invited
to meet with any of these LIFE groups.
Please call the leader if you would like
more information or need directions.
1. All ages: Hilton Merritt leads a group that meets at 5 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall here in the building.
([email protected]; 281-546-1170).
2. Families with children: Jim and Lou Ann Taylor lead a group for families with children that meets at 5 at their home at
1328 Sue Barnett, 77018. ([email protected]; 713-416-2077).
3. All ages: Paul Vaughan and Daniel McGraw leads a group that meets at 12 noon at the Vaughans’ home at
3815 Childress St., 77005. (Paul: 281-433-1811; Daniel: [email protected], 832-312-8701.)
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Men meet for breakfast and prayer each
Tuesday morning at Chick-fil-a on SW
Freeway. From 6:15 to 6:30 is a time of
fellowship, followed by a short devotional
thought and a time of sharing and prayer. We try to end no
later than 7:15. Make plans to attend, and we hope to see you
there!
“As iron sharpens iron,
so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
Backpacking Trip:
We had a lot of interest in the summer
backpacking trip for 2016. If you missed
the meeting, that is ok! Contact Daniel at
[email protected] for the
information you missed.
There will be another meeting on Sunday, January
31st, right after worship for those who are interested in
attending. There will be a video of the experience, as well
as a chance to ask any questions you might have about the
trip. Contact Daniel for more details.
VBS 2016
Volunteer Sign-Up Believe it or not, preparations are al-
ready being made for VBS 2016.
We will be signing up volunteers on
Sunday, February 7th during the Fellow-
ship Luncheon. Please come by and let us
know how you would like to help.
Also, we are collecting toilet paper rolls. Please place
them in the box provided in the hallway.
Practice Schedule
Drama: 8:30 a.m. Sunday Mornings Upstairs
Puppets: 5 p.m. Sundays at the home of Jim & Lou Ann
Taylor, 1328 Sue Barnett, Houston, 77018,
713-695-1443
Art: TBA
Writing: TBA
Bible Bowl: Sundays at West U at 9:30 a.m.
Wednesdays at West U at 6:30 p.m.
Employment Opportunity Foster’s Home for Children (Stephenville) has a job open-
ing for a newly created position of Development Officer.
This position will require residence in the southeast portion
of the state, and will involve extensive travel throughout the
region.
Also, Foster’s Home has an opening for a caregiver couple.
If you or someone you know are interested in either posi-
tion, please contact Derrick Bam, Vice President of Chil-
dren’s Services, at [email protected].
Sunday Classes at 9:30 a.m. **Women - Avanell Merritt, Jill Mackey & Megan McGraw are teaching “The Book of James” in the Community
Room
**Auditorium - Daniel McGraw is teaching “Ecclesiastes: Seeking Wisdom”
**Young Couples and Families - Roy Rhodes is teaching “The Book of Acts - The Gospel Unfolding” in the
Fellowship Hall
Wednesday Night Classes at 6:30 p.m. ** Fellowship Hall Class - Daniel McGraw teaches “Ephesus: A History of Faith”
** Women’s Class - “Prayer: The Practice of Awe and Intimacy” - Taught by Alicia Hinrichs
Save the Date!!
Family Camping at
Brazos Bend It’s almost time for the Annual
Family Camping trip to Brazos Bend
State Park on April 8th through April 10th.
Don’t miss this great weekend with family and
friends. So mark your calendars today.
Please watch for more information about reserving
your spot.
Join Us for a
Church-Wide
Fellowship Luncheon Please plan to join us for a Church-Wide
Fellowship Luncheon on Sunday, February 7th,
immediately following the morning service in the
Fellowship Hall.
This will be a potluck. Please bring a main dish, salad,
side dish or dessert to share.
Invite a friend, neighbor or family member. Visitors are
always welcome.
Question and Answer
Each Sunday in the months
of January and February there
will be an opportunity to ask
questions after service. At the end of service anyone is
welcome to come to the front of the auditorium on the
right-hand side, where any question is welcome. If you
have a deep question about theology, science and faith, the
Bible, church membership, or any other topic, please come
and ask!
Our sermon series "What We
Believe About..." is meant to
touch on topics that form the
foundation of our faith. We also
want those sermons to be
interactive as much as possible.
Each week anyone is welcome to send in a question
about the upcoming sermon topic, and we will try to
incorporate your questions into the sermon, if possible.
Regardless, you will receive an email response in
regards to your question.
Baby Blessing
On Sunday, January 31st Next Sunday, January 31st, we
will have a baby blessing for the new
babies born into the congregation.
Please come and celebrate, bless, and lift up these new
families with us.
Teen Happenings!!
February 12th Ice Skating Trip
February 26th & 27th Attending Soul Link “Seen”
For more information, please, contact Jay Roberts at
[email protected] or 402-312-7578.
