Missionaries of the Month

Tim and Cheri Hoke are our partners in Kampala, Uganda working at African Bible University.  After 30 years of pastoral ministry, Tim recognized that God was calling him to help provide sound biblical training for a future generation of pastors and servant leaders in Africa.  He teaches systematic theology, Bible, preaching, pastoral ministry, Christian counseling and Church history.  One of Tim’s students requested, “Please teach us the Word of God rightly so that we can go back to our villages and teach the people rightly.”  Cheri, who was an elementary schoolteacher for 25 years, helps train future African educators and parents.  Will you pray that God would continue to use them and establish the works of their hands for the advancement of the gospel in Africa?  For further requests and information concerning their ministry, feel free to take a look at their website: www.timandchericoke.org.  Also you may send them an encouraging email: timhoke2@gmail.com and cherihoke@gmail.com and/or you may write Tim and Cheri a small note of encouragement and place it in the box in the Narthex.  We will make sure that they receive your message.  
Our other “Missionaries of the Month” for April are Nicholas Jacques and Shannon Johnston.  We will have more information on them next week, or check in the Sunday bulletin.

Communicants Class

Parents, if you have a child interested in joining the church, speak to Pastor Wade about a communicants class that will begin April 15th. The class dates are April 15th, 22nd, 29th, and May 6th during the Sunday School hour, 9-10:00am. The class meets in Pastor Wade’s office. If you have any questions contact Pastor Wade at wade@wpc-bryan.org.

Spring Cleaning at Westminster

On April 14th from 8 am to 12 Noon, come and get to know members of our church family a little better with a working fellowship cleaning up and cleaning out the facilities.  We will be cleaning windows, walls, etc., and doing minor repairs to spruce up the church building and landscape.  There will be a job for all who come. The weather will be pleasant and with a great turn out we will be able to accomplish much in a few hours!!
Contact Andy Crane if you have any questions. 979-693-5735

Homebuilders

Looking for a great gift idea for your spouse for Valentine’s Day? How about 6 date nights and 6 encouraging discussions about marriage with other couples, and all with free babysitting?
Sign up for Homebuilders, a marriage enrichment group meeting Wednesday nights from Feb.15-Mar. 28 (not meeting March 14).
We’re meeting from 6:15-8:30 in the conference room in the administration building.  6:15-7:00 is a discussion time, then you have 7-8:15 for a date time with your spouse to discuss that night’s topic.
Please RSVP to Chris and Debbie Peterson,
575-7543, debbiempeterson@gmail.com, so that we can plan for materials and babysitting.  

Super Bowl Party for Youth and Families

For the 8th year (wow!), the Ayers will be hosting us for a Super Bowl Party on Sunday for all middle school and high school students, along with their families!
Here are the details:
When: Sunday, 5:00-??? (kickoff is at 5:30)
Where: Ayers’ house (2006 Carter Creek)
What to Bring: Food to share.  Pizza and drinks will be provided, but please bring a snack, salad, dessert, etc. to share!
Who’s invited: Youth, your families, and your friends.
Feel free to invite anyone!
RSVP - Bring as many people as you want!  Just let Brian know at jcbondservant@hotmail.com or at 979.204.1223

Children’s Choir & Covenant Kids

It’s that time again…Children’s Choir would love to have all children grades Kindergarten through 6th grade participate.  We meet every Sunday night, beginning this week, at 5:30. For more information contact Rachel Lafon.
Covenant Kids Club meets, at 6:00pm.
Covenant Kids Club is a time of catechizing, games and snacks for children.  Come be part of the fun as we learn to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!  Covenant Kids Club is for all children three years of age through 6th grade.

College Lunch
All students are invited to stay for lunch Sunday following morning Worship. Carol and her team are making BBQ and all the fixins.  Invite your friends!

Thank You From Tim & Cheri Hoke

Beloved brothers and sisters,
Cheri and I thank God for you,  Westminster was one of our first supporters.  Your faithfulness as partners with us at African Bible University blesses our beloved Africans in every classroom and chapel service.
Through us you are there as Christ Jesus is proclaimed.  Praise God, lives are being changed.
Gospel power is equipping His people.
In Christ,
Tim and Cheri Hoke
African Bible University
Kampala, Uganda

5th Sunday Sing

Please join us this Sunday, January 29th, for Worship and Singing at 6:00pm, in the Sanctuary. We will not have Covenant Kids, Youth, Community Groups or a meal; we will resume all Sunday evening activities on February 5th.

Covenant Kids & Youth Bible Study

It’s that time again…Children’s Choir would love to have all children grades Kindergarten through 6th grade participate.  We meet every Sunday, beginning February 5th at 5:30. For more information contact Rachel Lafon.
Covenant Kids Club meets, at 6:00pm.
Covenant Kids Club is a time of catechizing, games and snacks for children.  Come be part of the fun as we learn to glorify God and enjoy Him forever!  Covenant Kids Club is for all children three years of age through 6th grade.
Youth Bible Study begins February 5th.  Come and sing with the Youth Choir at 5:30 and then spend time learning with Brian Franklin. 7th-12th graders will meet together.
At 7:00, everyone meets in our fellowship area for a meal and conversation.
**Parents are encouraged to participate in one of many ways.  You are more than welcome to join your children in Bible study, or you might consider singing with the choir, joining a community group, or helping prepare meals in the kitchen. **

Session Happenings

The Session met on January 12 at 7:00p.m. for a regular stated meeting.  Pastor Anderson read Acts 20:28-29 and Pastor Coleman discussed the passage.
TE Coleman led a discussion of chapter 8 of The Shepherd Leader by Timothy A. Witmer.
Officers had a season of prayer for several families and individuals of the congregation.
The following items were discussed:
1) Pastor Coleman reported on the upcoming events
and dates:
A. Missions Conference – January 22-24
B. Presbytery in Austin at Redeemer PCA
January 27-28.
C. 5th Sunday Sing – January 29
2) Clerk reported that Jonah Wade Worrell, son of Damon and Amanda Worrell, was baptized on December 25, 2011 by Pastor Coleman.
3) TE Coleman reported that deacon Michael Findley has requested a sabbatical . RE Wilkerson moved that the sabbatical be granted. The motion was seconded and approved.
4) TE Anderson reported that beginning in March 2012, the new Sunday School material for Kindergarten through sixth grade will begin being used.  The Christian Education Committee submitted information about the curriculum to the session.  RE Mills requested TE Anderson remind the Sunday School teachers that the session is committed to them.
5) Worship bulletin: It was agreed to postpone consideration of a new bulletin format until the February session meeting.
6) Administration Committee: RE Mills moved that 15% of the approximately $23,000.00 by which the WPC general fund was over that needed to meet the 2011 budget be used to support missions and that RE Wilkerson and Deacon Haisler met with representatives of The Bank & Trust of Bryan, Texas to gather information on refinancing the WPC loan from the bank.  The motion was seconded and approved.
7) TE Coleman reported that Rev. Jason Pickard will preach at the Missions Conference on January 22-24.
The meeting was closed with prayer by RE Moehlman at 9:08 p.m.

Sanctity of Human Life Sunday

BBQ & Bake Sale
Sponsored by Hope Pregnancy Center
Sunday, January 22
Bryan High School, Silver Campus Cafeteria
3401 East 29th Street
11am-2pm – Donation at the door

Missions Conference January 22-24

Westminster family, please make plans to join us for our Missions Conference starting this Sunday. Babysitting will be provided for each of the Worship services (see side-bar for times of Worship.)
There will be a pot-luck Fellowship Dinner before the service on Sunday evening.  Attenders please bring a main dish for your family plus 12 and:
A-M side dish, N-Z dessert.
For the dessert fellowhip on Monday, and the fellowship dinner on Tuesday, the food will be provided by WPC.

Missionaries of the Month

In an effort to encourage and better communicate with our missionaries in 2012, Westminster is beginning a “Missionaries of the Month” ministry.  Each month we will highlight two of our missionaries and give you, the congregation, an opportunity to write them a note of encouragement and drop it in the box in the Narthex.  At the end of each month we will gather the notes and letters and mail them to the missionaries.  You may write your own card or letter, or just use the space provided in the bulletin, tear it off, and place it in the box.  Ultimately, we hope that this ministry will help us connect with our missionaries as well as be a visible sign of our love and support to our missionaries so they will know and understand in a deeper sense that we are their partners and that we appreciate their service to our King.
Our “Missionaries of the Month” for January are Jason and Sarah Pickard, and Kris and Paula Lundgaard.  Jason and Kris will be guest speakers at our Missions Conference, January 22-24. 

Jason & Sarah Pickard are our partners right here in Aggieland as Jason ministers to international students with RUF-I.  He is a native Texan as well as an Aggie, and he is very excited that the Lord has called him back here to serve the international community at Texas A&M.  Would you pray for Jason and Sarah, that God would open the door for relationships so that the gospel would go forth among the nations right here in Bryan/College Station.  For further prayer requests you may corner Jason or Sarah at church.  They are both eager to make international friends and are very thankful the Lord has brought them to the Westminster family. 

Kris and Paula Lundgaard are our partners in Trnava, Slovakia.  Having been on Home Ministry Assignment since June 2011, Kris and Paula look forward to returning to Slovakia on February 1, soon after our very own Missions Conference, where Kris will serve as one of our keynote speakers.  As they prepare to return to Slovakia, Kris and Paula would ask us to pray that God’s Spirit would keep them focused and renew Kris and Paula in their knowledge that they are where God wants them to be, serving the people God wants them to serve.  Would you ask God to propel them forward in their work in the church in Trnava, in their learning of the language, and in their growth together as man and wife? Another prayer concern is that they will again be saying goodbye to friends and family, and particularly their two youngest sons Kristian and Ethan, who have been actively involved in the work in Slovakia. Would you pray for their transition into this new season that God would grant them all peace and comfort in their time of need? For further prayer requests or updates you may check their website:
www.the-lundgaards.com

Sunday School Classes for Adults & College

Spring Semester – January 15, 2012

Promises Made: The Message of the Old Testament
Taught by Rev. Jon Anderson
The Old Testament is the story of God’s promises to His people.  Below its somewhat obscure surface is hidden magnificent truth about the love and power of God.  Throughout its pages the reader can find promise after promise from God, all of which are fulfilled in the New Testament – in the incarnation of Jesus Christ.  Come join us in this class as we overview each of the 39 books of the Old Testament and see the glorious big picture of the majesty of God and wonder of His promises.

Friendship & Hospitality
Taught by Dan Wilkerson
The class will be studying two books from the Life Guide Bible Study series on Friendship and Hospitality. The two studies will be integrated to show how a Biblical, Christian calling to minister to others can affect both our lives and those around us. We selected this series now to particularly prepare us for ministering to those who may be drawn to Westminster by RUFI. It is our hope to grow as Christians in the way God calls us to serve Him by serving others.

The Enemy Within
Taught by Norval Sells
Why do I keep on sinning? This book takes dead aim at the heart of ongoing sin.  Drawing from two masterful works by John Owen, Kris Lundgaard offers insight, encouragement, and hope for overcoming the enemy within.

“Foundations” An Introduction to Westminster
Taught by Rev. Wade Coleman
The Foundations Class  will meet for 6 weeks, beginning January 29th. The class meets in the Conference Room, across from the Sanctuary. This class is for new members of Westminster, people who are considering membership at WPC, and those who are interested in the PCA beliefs.

Covenant Kids & Youth Resumes
February 5th

Due to our upcoming Missions Conference and 5^th Sunday Sing, our normal Sunday evening activities with Covenant Kids and Youth Bible Study will start up again on Sunday, February 5^th.  Please contact Pastor Jon if you have any questions.

Bryan Ladies Bible Study Christmas Party

Dear Church family,
The promised pictures of our Christmas Party, with our Bryan Ladies Bible Study, will be on the Christmas tree at the visitors center in the Narthex this Sunday.
We hope that you are able to see a little of the joy in their faces that our team leaders saw all evening.  We are deeply encouraged in our ministry with the outpouring of love and support from YOU, our wonderful church family.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Special thanks to Barbara Crane for graciously and kindly filling in for Jackie Alcorn.  Your extra hands, and food you prepared from a heart of love and joy were a great blessing to our team.  Many thanks!

Thank You

Dear Westminster family,
Over the past six years I have been very blessed by the church body there.  Thank you all for supporting me, for helping me in times of need, and for helping me grow in Christ.  Texas A & M Corpus Christi has been great.  I love working for RUF.  I love my students, and I love to see how God is working in their lives.  There have been challenging times, but God has seen me through.
I am so blessed to have this opportunity.  Thank you all so much for helping me get here.  I look forward to visiting soon!
In Christ,
Sara Freeman

Game Night!

The fellowship committee is sponsoring a Game Night on New Year’s Eve (Sat 12/31) starting at 7 p.m. in the fellowship hall.  It is a come and go, family event and everyone is invited.  Bring your favorite game(s) or dominoes and a snack to share.  It will be a time to just fellowship and enjoy each others company as we await the coming of a new year. We hope to see you there.

Westminster Adult Choir Presents…

Christmas Cantata 2011

Sunday, December 11th, 9:30am

Bryan Ladies Bible Study Christmas Tree

The tree is GONE because our wonderful church family, in only TWO weeks, removed every one of the tags!  What an outpouring of love! THANK YOU!
Just a note regarding the hams:  Please put them on the bottom shelf of the church refrigerator in the kitchen.  You may do this anytime before Wed, Dec 14.
Please return the $20 tags, with the money, NO LATER THAN SUN, DEC 11.
Look for pictures of our party with these dear women on our church e-bulletin Dec 18.  Perhaps you will be able to see a little of the joy in their faces that our team
leaders will see all evening!
In Christ’s Joy!
Bryan Ladies Bible Study Team
Shirley Wilkerson, Sharon Haigler, Jackie Alcorn

Congregational Meeting

There will be a called congregational meeting, following worship, this Sunday, December 4th, for the purpose of presenting the 2012 WPC budget, and hearing a report on the status of WPC’s incorporation.

CMA at Texas A & M Missions Fundraiser

The Christian Medical Association at Texas A&M HSC College of Medicine will again be making a Spring Break medical missions trip to Peru this coming March. This is one of the missions ministries being supported by Westminster.
On Friday, December 9th, from 5:00 – 8:00, they will be having a fundraiser at Chick Fil A on Texas Avenue in College Station. 20% of the profits during that time will be given to the CMA missions trip. If you come by to support the group, please turn your meal receipt in to the student table marked as being for the missions trip.

Session Happenings

The Session met on November 10th for a regular stated meeting.  Pastor Coleman read and discussed Mark 10: 43-45.
Officers had a season of prayer for several families and individuals of the congregation.
The following items were discussed:
1) The clerk reported that the following persons were received as members of WPC:
Gregg Kite, Libby Kite, Felipe Cifuentes, Charles “Chas” Clift, Nathan Cartegena, Angela Cartegena, Andrew Till, Jane Deinken, Jason Pickard, Sarah Pickard, Mark Benoit, David Richardson, Corinne Metzger, Lauren Spigner, John David Newman, Mark Franklin, Drew Alders, David Kanipe, Diane Kanipe, David Joffrion, and Philip Flowers.
2) Clerk reported that the Evangel Presbyterian Church (PCA), of Wichita, KS, had sent a letter thanking WPC for the VBS materials we had sent and for the time, guidance, encouragement and participation of Kierstyn Krajca in their VBS in June.
3) RE Moehlman moved that WPC not have Sunday school on December 25, 2011, or January 1, 2012.  The motion was seconded and approved.
4) RE L. Gallagher moved to accept the 2012 WPC Proposed Budget as presented pending staff salary discussions.  The motion was seconded and approved.
5)The meeting was closed with prayer by Elder Mills at 9:15 p.m.

Bryan Ladies Bible Study Christmas Tree

WHERE?  On the Library Counter, across from the Nursery.
HOW DOES IT WORK?   Our study has grown this past year so we now have 7 wonderful families to remember!  We have made adjustments in the way we are setting it up this year so that we can stay within a reasonable dollar amount.
We will give $100 cash to each head of household to be used as they feel is best; one, 5 lb ham to each family; and one loaf of Pumpkin Bread to each family.
Therefore, we will hang 35 gift tags for $20 each, plus 7 gift tags for the hams.  Our team will provide the Pumpkin Bread for each family.
TIMELINE:  Gift tags may be taken this Sunday, November 20.  Please sign the Gift Tag Sheet so that we will know who has the tags at the end of the timeline.  Then, if some have not yet been returned, we will know who to call with a gentle reminder.  Gift tags need to be returned with the cash or the ham NO LATER THAN DEC 11, to any of the three team leaders.
Thank you, Church family, for putting DEEDS OF LOVE along side our Bible Study with these women who are growing weekly in their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word.
Bryan Ladies Bible Study Team
Sharon Haigler, Shirley Wilkerson, Jackie Alcorn