Whatever It Takes... To Reach People Acts 1:8. January-February Mark Your Calendar. What s In Store for 2013?

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1 Whatever It Takes... To Reach People Acts 1:8 January-February 2013 Mark Your Calendar No Evening Activities Seasoned Saints Monthly Luncheon! Wednesday Nite Activities Begin!! see inside for new schedule Women s BIG CHILL Conference RESOLVE 2013 Kick Off!! RESOLVE 2013 OutReach Seasoned Saints Monthly Luncheon! What s In Store for 2013? Your staff is excited at the opportunities that await us in 2013! We are gearing up for more activity within the ministries God has brought our way in the past year. We are looking at making gains in the AWANA Ministry and thank Marisa May for her leadership as the AWANA Commander. We have seen so many children come and participate; approximately a 300% increase in attendance from opening day. God has His hands up on it. We are looking forward to the opportunities with the future building for the youth. We have recently taken ground bore samples and are moving toward finalizing the floor plan and other details. At the time of this writing we have narrowed the search for our future Children s Pastor to one individual and are in the final stages of the search. There is still more work to be done and if we continue with this candidate, we expect to reveal him to the church sometime late January. More details to come. We are also excited at the opportunities to reach new families and children with the recent approval for Waller Christian Academy (WCA) to operate within the facilities of WBC. This allows us to reach out to the community in a unique way through many activities throughout the school year from PTO meetings, open house where the public views the school and our church, and community events. All of this brings new people to our campus and is an opportunity to open our hearts and arms to them with the love of Christ. There are other events and activities coming our way where we can all utilize the gifts God has given us as Believers to further His Kingdom and reach Waller for Christ in It is a pleasure serving Him with you! Allen

2 It's a brand new year and time for brand new resolutions! If you have already completed your list, great job! If you are procrastinating on goals for 2013 we hope to help get you started. Let me offer a couple of suggestions -- #1 Resolve to get back into Sunday School. On January 27th, we are having dinner-on-the-grounds. We want to take this time to invite everyone to join us together for a "family gathering." This will also be a great opportunity to invite everyone to check out our Sunday morning Bible Study classes. If you have been out for a while or have yet to find a class this will be an excellent time to get acquainted or re-acquainted with a new group of friends. (More details will be coming soon to your SS classes.) We are also asking each SS class to sit together for lunch and invite those who may be new to your class to join you for lunch. It will be a great time of fellowship and a great opportunity to bring in new friends into your class. #2 Resolve to share the love of Jesus Christ with those around us. If you have lived in Waller for the last 30, 40, 50 years, then I am sure you have seen great change! I bet that many things have changed in just the last 15 to 20 years. Some families that once called Waller home are no longer here. Many of our own who grew up at WBC no longer call Waller home. So who took their place? The school district is growing. Many new people have decided to call Waller home. Some even live right around the block yet we have never met. Welcome to RESOLVE 2013!! On February 2nd we are looking to take WBC into the neighborhood. Pastor Allen has been challenging the church for some time to reach those around us in the community. Many of you have said, We are ready. So now comes the opportunity! We will meet here at the church on Saturday, February 2nd, at 8:30 am to pray together as a group and then we will march out into the neighborhood and meet those living all around us. Our goal is this: to invite the community to WBC. We will pass out flyers with information about WBC, AWANA, Youth Ministry, and an upcoming Block Party being planned by WBC s Men s Ministry (BOB) and Women s Ministry (WOW). So there is no need to feel uncomfortable trying to come up with the right things to say, we are simply passing out invitations to our community inviting them to WBC. But we need you! Mark February 2nd on your calendar! Circle it, highlight it, and put a star in the middle. And then contact the church office or cpace@wallerbaptistchurch.org and let us know that you plan to be a part! The more people we have, the more ground we will cover! This may be the driving moment for the future of WBC impacting the community, the church, and the kingdom of God forever!

3 Happy New Year Ladies! We are going to ring in the New Year with an exciting and fun Scrapbooking Bible Study Project. The Fruit of the Spirit Scripture Scrapbook Bible Study by Sherri Harris will deepen our relationships with God and other women in our church. Best of all, you will be energized and encouraged as you see more clearly the ways God is moving in your midst to grow your relationship with Him!!! Come and join us on Wednesday! Women of Wisdom January Schedule February Schedule January 9 Introduction to the Study February 6- Kindness and Goodness January 16 Love and Joy February13- Faithfulness January 23 Special Guest Speaker! February 20- Gentleness and Self Control January 30 Peace and Patience February 27- Wrap up and Completion Come to the Big Chill Women's Conference January 26th, 6:30pm. Sometimes we need to just take a day and rest, relax and refocus on what is really important in life. Don't miss this years conference where Kris Swiatocho from From His Hands Ministries will encourage, empower and make you laugh while you take some time to just chill in the Lord! Cost is $12 & includes Dinner! Tickets are available Sunday, January 6th Beginning January 9 th at 6pm the Band of Brothers and Women of Wisdom will begin meeting on Wednesday Nights in an effort to consolidate schedules and preserve precious family time. We know that everyone is busy with work and school activities so it our desire to be as efficient and effective as possible. So now is your time. AWANA and Youth will remain the focal point of Wednesday nights for children and teens and we hope to bring in many parents to a relevant ministry and application of God s truth. For those of you who have not participated in the past, what better time to join than now. The men will begin to study masculinity in the Bible. We will take a look at the men of Scripture noted as heroes of the faith and seek to understand what it means to be a man of God with all our strengths and all our flaws. The women will. So come join us on January 9 th at 6 pm as we start a new journey Band of Brothers linking arms together for the sake of the kingdom of God and Women of Wisdom seeking Christ with all our hearts to impact the kingdom of heaven! BOB Schedule January 9 Abraham January 16 Jacob and Esau January 23 Joseph January 30 Moses

4 News & Reviews from Your Church Library! From The Children s Library WBC Library Volunteers enjoyed a Christmas luncheon at Secret Tea Garden in Hempstead. We appreciate each one of you and thank you for your dedication and hard work! Growing Up Cowboy This roundup of wisdom is inspired by the art and heart of Jack Sorenson, called "the Western Rockwell." His endearing images of little cowpokes relishing life will inspire anyone bringing up a young boy and remind everyone of timeless virtues. Donated by Jim & Sandy Oquin A boy has two jobs. One is just being a boy. The other is growing up to be a man. Herbert Hoover ADULT NON-FICTION: Celebrating Biblical Feasts Experience the New Testament significance of Old Testament feasts. Serving up rich insights into seven Jewish meals, Zimmerman explains the meaning of each repast, lists materials necessary for observance, and provides complete directions for the events. Help your family or church grasp the symbolic representations of Christ found in Passover, the Sabbath and more. ADULT FICTION: The Other Side of Darkness As a wife and mother, Ruth knows her prayers are crucial to her family's spiritual welfare. She stands between her precious children and the evil one, doing battle in prayer. But the forces that threaten Ruth's faith, her familyher very life-are not the ones she expects. Ruth doesn't realize that her heartfelt desire to obey God is mingled with dangerous currents of OCD- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Her own strategies for protecting her family may be the very thing that tears them apart. Donated by Jim & Peggy Rast Read Me Bible Guides are now available in the church library or in the church foyer beside the water fountain. Start the New Year off right in God s Word! With this guide, you may read through the Bible in one year or just through the Old Testament or the New Testament.

5 We had a GREAT fall season with Awana and now are gearing up for the winter!! Look at all the fun & excitement!! Be checking the calendar so you don t miss all the fun!! We want to say congratulations to Raingutter Regatta race winners!! T&T - Sydnie Nichols Sparks - Shae Nichols Cubbies - Ava Robles Also, congrats to the following clubbers: Sparks: Rank: Olivia, Laney, Jesse, Carrie, Dylan Red Jewel 1: Ryan, Andi, Shae, Jessica Green Jewel 1: Paige, Hannah, Braeden, Solomon, Dylan Y, & Tyler Red Jewel 2: Liam, Finished Hanglider Book: Bethany T&T: 5th/6th grade: Start Zone: Bella Discovery 1: Alleson, Anthony, Kaitlyn, & Trent Discovery 3: Kylie Discovery 7: David, Finished Book 2: Kendall Cubbies: Timothy - Bear Hugs 1-10 Kaydee - Bear Hugs 1-10 Walker - Bear Hugs 1-10 Ava - Bear Hugs 1-10 Justin - Bear Hugs 1-10 T&T: 3rd/4th grade: Discovery 1: Chloe Discovery 2: Lily, Malaki, Sara Discovery 3: Steven, Zack Discovery 7: Alyssa January Happenings!! 9th- Double Share Night 16th- Awesome 80 s Night 23rd- Mustache Night 30th- Favorite Sports Team Night February Happenings!! 6th-Balloon Blast 13th-Heart Night 20th-Store Night#3 27th-Western Night

6 Centrifuge Youth Panama City Beach July 7th-July 12th Cost: $400 (lots of fund raising opportunities!) Price includes: Chartered Bus 5 days of Camp All meals at camp Lodging T-shirt A Life Time of Memories! Wednesday Night Youth ALERT!!! Edge Student Worship is moving to Sunday afternoons! Introducing: EdgeGrow Classes on Wednesday Nights. For January, February and March, Edge Student Worship is moving to Sunday afternoons 4:30-6:30 in the Gym. And we will start EdgeGrow Discipleship Classes on Wednesday night from 6:00-7:30. At EdgeWorship on Sunday, will begin Jan 13th. We will strive to create a large group environment that attracts students just like you. We ll have large group games, a cool worship band, and a relevant message. We ll make this time as fun and relevant as we possibly can. And with it being on Sunday afternoon, we will be able to be in the gym and spread out a bit. At EdgeGrow on Wednesday, our aim is to have some more specific classes or allow students to serve in our AWANA program. On January 9th we will start David: Seeking God s Heart class, and The Case for Christ: Student Edition. Each of these classes will last from 6 to 7:30pm. Informational Meeting Wed Jan 16th, 5:30 in Worship Center $50 Deposit due Wed Jan 30th Hot Hearts, 2013 Student Conference, is a 2 day student conference similar to Acquire the Fire! Ryan Dalgliesh will be the special speaker and Sixteen Cities will be the worship band for the weekend. We ll leave out right after school on Friday, Feb 8th and return to church at 8:00 on Saturday night. Cost is only $30 and a deposit of $10 is due by Sunday, Feb 3rd.

7 Bring a friend!!! Saturday January 12th Bring a snack or a 2 liter drink Youth Game & Pizza 4pm- 8pm Chestnut Falls in and Rebecca s

8 The Good Fight: How To Get Along with Your Family All families fight. We just fight about and for different things, and we fight in different ways. Some families are very vocal; others quietly stuff their frustrations inside. But regardless of how families fight, every family decides what they are going to fight over. Fighting about rules and issues will always drive us apart, but there is another way. What if we began to fight for relationship? What if our sole objective was to know each other and to honor each other? The Good Fight encourages students to stay in the fight and never give up on their relationship with their parents. Because some things are worth fighting for. Session 1: The Home Front (Jan 13th) Bottom Line: Honor opens the door to relationship. Session 2: Surveillance (Jan 20th) Bottom Line: Relationship = putting position over perspective. Session 3: Behind Enemy Lines (Jan 27th) Bottom Line: My relationship with my parents is up to me. High School Mission Trip: Tucson, Arizona June 8th-14th For those who have completed 9th-12th grade Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona and is located just north of the Mexican border. An area steeped in history, The Old Pueblo," has been consistently inhabited for thousands of years. Over the past three hundred years, Tucson has evolved from a Native American farming community, to Spanish outpost, to frontier town, to railroad hub, to its current state as a sprawling metropolis of around one million people, the majority of which have never heard about Jesus. Join us as we partner with other churches to share the gospel of Christ in the community through putting on a VBS in the morning and a sports camp in the afternoon. The trip is 7 days and 6 nights and we will be staying at a local church. Cost is $295 and is all inclusive. Information and lunch meeting on Sunday February 17th. $25 deposit due by Wednesday February 27th. Tuscan Mission Trip!!

9 Thirty-five hundred years ago Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with a short list of rules that has shaped the values of people and nations for centuries. We know them as the Ten Commandments, but do we really know them? Many people believe that the rules are a condition for a relationship with God, things we must do to get in His good graces. But just the opposite is true. The relationship came before the rules. And the commandments were meant to not only reveal God s heart, but to keep His people free. Session 1: The Rules (Feb 3rd) Bottom Line: Relationship always precedes rules with God. Session 2: One & Only (Feb 10th) Bottom Line: The most important decision you make is what you place in the center of your life. Session 3: That s Not My Name (Feb 17th) Bottom Line: When we use the name of God to dodge the will of God, you will ultimately miss out on God entirely. Session 4: Do Nothing (Feb 24th) Bottom Line: When we stop and acknowledge how God has cared for us and our world, we realize who is really in control. Session 5: Unto Others (March 3rd) Bottom Line: God places value on each person, and desires for everyone to be free.

10 During January, in Adventure Zone, on Sunday morning, we will be studying DETERMINATION, which is deciding it s worth it to finish what you ve started. The monthly memory verse is: Let us keep on running the race marked out for us, Hebrew 12:1b, NIrV. When God asks us to do something, He s often guiding us step-by-step in a certain direction that we may not even see or realize. Our determination to be the one who follows God leads us closer to the good things He has in store for us! In Week One s Bible story, God tells Noah to build an ark (Genesis 6:5-22). Our Bottom Line is: Be the one who keeps doing what s right. In Week Two, our Bible story tells when God met Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-12). Our Bottom Line is: Be the one who does what God says because He s AWE-some. In Week Three, our Bible story shows how Ruth is determined to stick by Naomi during the very hardest times (Book of Ruth). Our Bottom Line is: Be the one who sticks by someone in need. In Week Four, Colossians 3:23-24 helps us understand the principle of work. This week our Bottom Line is: Be the one who works hard, because God sees your heart. When you put your faith in God, He ll give you the strength you need to keep doing what you should do even when it s hard and even when others give up. Because when you have the determination to finish what you ve started, you won t miss out on the good things God has in store for you!!!

11 In Adventure Zone in February we will be studying Peace. Peace is part of God s character. And He wants us to reflect peace in our relationships with others. Peace is proving you care more about each other than about winning an argument. The monthly memory verse is: So let us do all we can to live in peace and let us work hard to build each other up, Romans 14:19, NIrV. That is exactly what God did for us when He sent Jesus to make peace with us. Peace cost Him something great, but out of His love for us, He gave His all. In Week One s Bible story, Isaac dug wells in his new land (Genesis 26:16-22, 26-31). Our Bottom Line is: Prove you care about others by walking away from a fight. In Week Two s Bible story, Jacob stole Esau s birthright (Genesis 27, 31-33) taking his inheritance and his place in the family. It wasn t fair that Jacob took everything from Esau, but Esau eventually let go of his anger and forgave his brother. Our Bottom Line is: Prove you care about others by letting go of what s fair. In Week Three s Bible story, Abigail intervenes (1 Samuel 25:1-35) when her husband picks a fight with David. Our Bottom Line is: Prove you care about others by being part of the solution. In Week Four, the Scripture helps us understand the principle of peace (Colossians 1:20; 3:15). This week, our Bottom Line is: God proved He cared for us, so we can prove we care for others. When our relationships are broken, we often find ourselves avoiding other people. We know that we need to work at this relationship, but it s easier to ignore what s going on and sweep it under the rug. Working at the relationship is messy. It will cost us something. It will take time.

12 Budget As 2012 comes to a close, there is no doubt that God has blessed us financially. Even though things have been tight in this economic environment, we were able to control expenses in line with giving. As we budgeted for 2013 we were diligent in cutting back where possible, yet allowing for ministry growth in those critical children and youth areas. Thank you for your confidence in and support of the Stewardship Team. Budget correction: A glitch was discovered in one of our sub-totals after passage of the budget on the 16 th. A line item from the library ($4,330) was pulling into the supplies sub-total. Once identified and corrected, the result was a lowering of the budget from $693,374 to $689,044. If you would like a copy of the corrected budget, it will be available upon request from me or the church office. IRS Audit Update Bah humbug Our 42-page appeal is still in Philadelphia awaiting action. The IRS is woefully understaffed and in a shambles right now. That information is coming from Department of Justice attorneys who are aware of our case and the failure of the IRS to handle it properly. [They totally botched our requested appeal hearing earlier this year]. Our CPA and tax attorney are beginning a series of certified letters to the IRS with a demand that they resolve the matter. The crux of it all is the clergy housing exclusion. In a recent case heard by the Supreme Court (Hosanna-Tabor vs. EEOC), the Court provided a rare unanimous decision and made it clear that a religious organization has the right to decide who is a minister pursuant to their sincerely-held religious beliefs. That s huge and will hopefully carry much weight in supporting our arguments on appeal. Please don t stop praying. Staff Love Offering A special thank-you from the staff for the generosity of God s people in providing a little something extra at this special time of the year! Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.". --- Luke 6:38 Martha Overby, Business Ministry Assistant

13 WBC Prayer Ministry Inevitably at this time of year we start thinking about New Year s Resolutions. Some of us think about not doing them almost as a matter of principle, figuring we are already doing OK. Others of us may determine it is a good time to do something new. Lose weight, change hair style, eat healthier, walk more, read a good book, spend more time with family and friends. The list of good things to start doing, or continue doing, is almost endless. I find that as things wind down right after Christmas and get going into the New Year it is helpful to reflect on how I m doing on my life goals. Call them resolutions if you want, but it s those things in life on which I place a lot of meaning. My prayer life is always near the top of my list. Invariably, that includes my knowing I need to pray more, be more involved in prayer ministry and get deeper in my prayer life. What about you? If you want to improve your prayer life, pray more, be involved in a prayer ministry and get deeper into prayer, I have a deal for you. WBC Prayer Ministry is growing. We are forming new prayer groups, adding to existing groups and looking for new ways to expand the overall prayer ministry in the church. Join us. Make that jump that you know you should make and get involved. If you have a small group of friends, form your own weekly prayer group. Contact me and I ll get you plugged in to an existing group. We make it easy! Not many rules and we will give you a prayer guide to help you get it going. Now that would be a good way to get the New Year off to a great start. I ll see you on campus! Buddy McCaig Prayer Ministry Director John s Senior Moments... Looking ahead to 2013 for WBC, there are exciting times to come. Plans for a new Youth building, bringing on a new Children s Pastor on staff, preparing to host the Waller Christian Academy, Easter services at the Cyrus Rd land, and who knows what else the new year may hold? We will have a new Wednesday night approach beginning on January 9th, as the men s and women s ministries move their meetings to join AWANAs for our mid-week program. I have been very proud that so many Seasoned Saints have been leaders/helpers for AWANAs. There are still more opportunities to serve, and I would encourage anyone else who wants to devote a few hours to helping train our children to contact Marisa May, Yvonne Winborn, or Barbara Isom. If you are not involved in AWANAs, I hope that you will join the men s and women s groups on Wednesdays for study and fellowship this is another mentoring opportunity as well. Our Game Nights have been a lot of fun, and the next is tentatively scheduled for Jan 19th (Saturday) in the Fellowship Hall. More details soon!! We are planning for an Easter service on the Cyrus Road property on March 31st, and I would like to have a special Easter choir for the occasion. Our next monthly choir rehearsal will be January 27th (after luncheon), and I want to invite all adults to join us as we begin to learn the Easter music on that day. Let s create a 40-voice choir for the occasion!! Signing with the Saints!~ John Isom

14 Christmas 2012

15 WBC Face Lift!!!

16 January Events & Happenings!! 1st-New Year s Day-Office Closed 2nd-No Activities-All will resume January 9th 3rd-12 pm Seasoned Saints Monthly Luncheon & Games! 9th-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6 pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry/ 7:30 pm New Stewardship Team 16th-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6 pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry 20th-Sanctity of Human Life Sunday-5 pm Quarterly Business Meeting 21st-WISD Martin Luther King Holiday 22nd-WOW Women s Leadership Meeting 23rd-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6 pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry 24th-WOW Women s Leadership Training 26th-6:30 pm Women s BIG CHILL Conference 27th-RESOLVE 2013 Kickoff!!! Luncheon to follow! 30th-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6 pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry February Events & Happenings!! 2nd-8:30 am RESOLVE 2013 into the Community!! 6th-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6 pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry/ 7:30 pm New Stewardship Team 7th-12 pm Seasoned Saints Monthly Luncheon & Games! 13th-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry 14th-Valentines Day-The Sweetest Day!! 18th-Presidents Day-Office Closed 20th-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6 pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry 23rd-WBC Block Party!!! 27th-9:30 am-11:30 am-ladies Bible Study/5 pm Supper/ 6 pm AWANA, WSM Youth, BOB Men s Ministry, WOW Women s Ministry