I don’t particularly enjoy hospitals. I think I can actually feel the germs crawl on me when I enter the hospital. Those little cans on the wall for hand sanitizer? I run from canister to canister, treating them like dispensers of hope. The foam reminds me of whip cream and instantly takes me to a happy place.

I’m also pretty much the world’s worst small-talker. I’m not anti-small-talk. I know that it is often necessary to go through the small-talk to get to the big stuff. I just wish I was better at it.

And then of course are the feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. How many times have I heard the doctor’s report and just cringed, knowing there wasn’t a thing I could do for them?

All of this can make a trip to the hospital incredibly awkward and exhausting.

However, I’m pretty sure none of that really matters. I’m learning that whatever awkwardness I’m feeling, the folks I’m seeing are oblivious to. They are consumed by something much larger and more important at the moment: that huge STOP sign that life has just thrown in the middle of their world.

Cancer, surgery, sickness, pain, disease – it comes in many different names but with the same stunning result. It has the power to stop everything else that we THOUGHT was so important moments before. It can be the wake-up call for some, the valley of the shadow of death for others.

All of this can make a trip to the hospital an altar moment.

It doesn’t always happen this way, but sometimes that room becomes an altar. Not the false god/idol kind of altar but an Abraham kind of altar. A marker to remember the faithfulness of God. Could be a healing, could be a moment of insight and change. Could be a surrender point. I’ve seen it be a place of reconciliation for wounds long suffered. At times it’s a homecoming, the kind that those of us on earth have to mourn through.

A place of deep, profound worship
Ironically enough, these are the moments I enjoy. “Enjoy” isn’t exactly the word I’m looking for. The moment itself is normally not very fun or enjoyable at all. It does have profound meaning, though. Full of raw, unvarnished emotion and heart. There is no mask of “I’m okay” nor the comfortable distractions of grocery lists or bills or errands. It’s just them and God.

When I get to be in these moments, there is joy. Not the cheerleader, rah-rah joy. That’s not joy anyway. But a “in-the-now” sense of peace. Not that everything will be alright but that everything will be with Him.

It’s hard to explain, maybe impossible. But it’s real and probably it was that kind of experience that inspired David to write Psalm 34:18.

God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Series Overview
There is an overwhelming openness in people when talking about the subject of God. Even when the talk wanders over into Jesus, most folks feel comfortable talking about him. But bring up the Holy Spirit and you might as well be talking about ghost hunting. Even among Christ-followers, there is this huge silence and uncomfortableness concerning the topic of the Holy Spirit.

What exactly is the Holy Spirit? Is it an it? A he? A she? How important is the Spirit for the Christ-follower? Is he even necessary? What exactly does the Spirit do? Is the Holy Spirit responsible for all those crazy people that think they hear God’s voice? The answers may surprise you.

Come discover what you’ve been missing about God.

Series Resources

April 8: I’ve Got Jesus. Why Do I Need The Spirit?
Questions for “I’ve Got Jesus. Why Do I Need The Spirit?”
Message

April 15: What Are You Afraid Of?
Questions for “What Are You Afraid Of?”
Message

April 22: Theology of the Holy Spirit 101
Questions for “Theology of the Holy Spirit 101″
Helpful Verses
Message

April 29: A Real Relationship
Questions for “A Real Relationship”
Message

May 6: Forget His Will For Your Life
Questions for “Forget His Will For Your Life”
Message

May 13: Supernatural Church
Message

It’s that time of the year again! Summer, movies, and the return of one of our most popular series – the Summer Movie Festival.

Friday night – we will watch the movie together here at the church. Showtime is 6:39 pm sharp. We will have FREE popcorn and very inexpensive snacks, hot dogs, and drinks available as well.

Sunday morning – we’ll walk through these movies looking for spiritual applications and talking points. This will be a great example of how to teach your kids to watch movies critically, through a biblical worldview. You’ll see how to unpack these movies in your family and your life group.

Besides that, it’s fun finding the Gospel in the movies…because it’s impossible to keep the gospel out of a good story.

Showtimes for all movies are Friday night at 6:39 pm.
Sunday, May 27th – Jesus And The Movies
Friday, June 1/Sunday, June 3rd – Up, G
Friday, June 8/Sunday June 10th – Secondhand Lions, PG
Friday, June 15/Sunday June 17th – The Count of Monte Cristo, PG-13*

*This year we will be screening a PG-13 movie. Parents are encouraged to visit the IMBD link to the movies to help determine whether or not their child should see that movie or not. No child under the age of 13 will be allowed to view the Count of Monte Cristo without their parent. There will be an available alternative selection for children kindergarten and older for Friday, June 15th.

A Bible Study considering the blessings that are ours through our unity with Christ.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

In Christ, we are…

Chosen by God to be Holy.

Adopted into God’s Family

Redeemed.

Identified as His own.

Sealed with the Spirit.

Guaranteed an Inheritance.

Purchased as His own people.

Network is a dynamic program to help Christians understand who God has uniquely made them to be and mobilize them to a place of meaningful service in the local church.

Each participant in Network will work through a series of assessments which leads them to discover their unique blend of spiritual gifts, passions and personal style. The participants are also taught the biblical nature and purpose of the church as the body of Christ and the unique importance of each member’s contribution.

The Network material was developed by Bruce Bugbee, Don Cousins, and Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church to motivate people to discover, connect, and apply their unique blend of passion, gifts, and style to specific ministry opportunities.

Go Fish…Andy Stanley

This new study by Andy Stanley will take the struggle out of sharing your faith.

People love to tell stories of their fishing adventures. When it comes to faith, however, most people clam up. Why is it we can’t talk about what God has done in our lives as naturally as we can spin fishing tales?

Go Fish offers a new perception of the word “evangelism” by showing how believers can make it a natural, easy part of everyday life.

As a participant, you will enjoy the DVD lessons and thought-provoking study guide that will equip you to share your faith.

Western Hills Equipping Classes are an opportunity for individuals to focus on certain areas or topics of the Christian faith in a more in-depth setting. Click on the title of each class for more information.

Session Two: May 27 – July 22

Go Fish…by Andy Stanley

Go Fish offers a new perception of the word “evangelism” by showing how believers can make it a natural, easy part of everyday life. The DVD lessons and thought-provoking study guide will equip and help take the struggle out of sharing your faith.

Network…Bill Hybels, Bruce Bugbee, Don Cousins

Network is a dynamic program to  help Christians understand who God has uniquely made them to be and mobilize them to a place of meaningful service in the local church. Each participant in Network will work through a series of assessments which leads them to discover their unique blend of spiritual gifts, passions and personal style. The participants are also taught the biblical nature and purpose of the church as the body of Christ and the unique importance of each member’s contribution.

Life In The Son…Facilitator: Bob Keller

A Bible Study considering the blessings that are ours through our unity with Christ.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Men’s Fraternity…The Quest for Authentic Manhood…Robert Lewis

Men’s Fraternity provides a man with an encouraging process that teaches them how to live lives of authentic manhood as modeled by Jesus and directed by the Word of God.  Its purpose is to energize men for service in their church and community.  Gary Manford, facilitator

Financial Peace University…Dave Ramsey

Financial Peace University (FPU) consists of a 13-week video curriculum—taught by financial expert Dave Ramsey—that incorporates small-group discussions to encourage accountability and discipleship. Financial Peace University is highly entertaining for everyone, with a unique combination of humor, informative financial advice and biblical messages.  More than one million families have already had their lives changed by attending FPU.

Kevin and Jennifer Norton, facilitators

Series Overview
Every single person deals with pain. It’s not all the same kind of pain – loss, betrayal, sickness. It’s not ‘equal’ either. Some people deal with pain better than others. All of us spend an extraordinary amount of time and money either fixing pain or avoiding it. Because ALL pain hurts.

So what then is the secret of those people who handle pain well? How do they live beyond the pain? From death to sickness to betrayal, how do any of us deal with the constant ache of pain? How can we get beyond pain?

Series Resources

March 4: Pain of Loss
Message
Questions for “The Pain of Loss”

March 11: Victim, Abuser, or Survivor?
Message
Questions for “Victim, Abuser, or Survivor”

March 18: Rejection
Message
Questions for “Rejection”

March 25: Is Pain God’s Idea? Roundtable with Bob Keller, Chuck Stones, and Grant English
Message

April 1: When You Bring The Pain
Message
Questions for “When You Bring The Pain”

Series Overview
It is impossible to follow God standing still.

Impossible.

Sure, there will be moments of stillness and quietness but these are moments of preparation. They are pointing to a GO! A moment where God demands some ridiculous act of courage, an act of faith and His only promise to us is that He will be with us. Not success as we understand it or even safety. Just His presence.

Joshua had a GO! faith even with his fears, confusion, and insecurities. His life will be a great example for us.

Join us as we learn about GO! – a faith that pleases God.

Series Resources
January 8: Following a Legend – Deut 32:44; 33:1; 34:1-8
Message

January 15: Be Strong – Joshua 1:1-18
Message

January 22: Sleeping With The Enemy – Joshua 2:1-24
Message
Questions for “Sleeping With The Enemy”

January 29: Big Tasks, Big Asks – Joshua 3:1-17
Message
Questions for “Big Tasks, Big Asks”

February 5: All In – Joshua 5:1-15
Message
Questions for “All In”

February 12: Who’s Side Are You On? – Joshua 6:1-27
Message
Questions for “Who’s Side Are You On?”

February 19: What Not Going Really Costs – Joshua 7:1-20
Message
Questions for “What Not Going Really Costs”

February 26: What’s Your Ai? – Joshua 8:1-29
Message
Questions for “What’s Your Ai?”

Celebrate with us on Sunday, May 13th…!!!

Mother’s Day and Baby Dedication