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.