THE WINDOW 2017: THE YEAR OF “FILL THE FILL” Volume 68, Issue 1 January 2017 www.winbap.org Check out our Facebook page and download the Winstanley app for more information on services, events, and opportunities to serve. Sunday Schedule 8:15 & 10:55 am Worship 9:30 Sunday School 6:00 pm Evening Worship Wednesday Activities 5:00 pm Dinner 6-6:30 pm Children’s Choir 6-7 pm Prayer meeting Mission Friends Youth Worship Handbells 6:30-7:15 pm RA’s/GA’s 7-8 pm Chancel Choir 8:30 pm Open Basketball
Without a doubt, God has prepared Winstanley a year of “Fill the Hill.” After a long search, Fielding Poe came to be on staff in September and we have since delighted in his presence and that of Alison and Audrey. They have added immeasurably to our life and ministry. Though the final figures are not in, of course, this year has been a strong one financially. You stepped up to the challenge we presented at the beginning of the year. In addition, we are in shouting distance of paying off our building loans and our stated goal is to be debt-free by Anniversary Sunday in September. We have an evangelism and outreach plan for the year. Given that God opens new doors and offers fresh opportunities along the way, we do not know everything. However, in January we will dedicate a new welcome center. We will unfurl banners which signal the start of our efforts. We will begin the year with a New Year’s Day worship/prayer service. On the second, third, and fourth Sundays of the year we will define “Fill the Hill,” and give you specific tasks. Sunday School will have an important role, too.
In February—as you will read elsewhere—we will do evangelism training. Special opportunities for outreach will happen in our neighborhoods and with a second annual Easter Egg Hunt in April, and those are just the beginning. Along the way you will be hearing testimonies from each other about how you came to Christ and led others to Christ. Videos, communication, and social media efforts will be a significant part of what we do. Moreover, we have another interesting and really special surprise that I will be very excited to share with you. There are places for you in all of this. “Fill the Hill” will not be everything we hope unless you are part of it. The Winstanley experience is too good not to share. Beyond and above that, however, we need to be sharing the love of the Lord and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If, at the end of 2017, we have done that faithfully, we will have “filled the Hill.” Grateful to be your pastor, Dr. Steve
WINTER BIBLE STUDY James and Mesa Wemhoener-Cuite Lilliana, Natalie, Jasmine & James 2425 Larchmont Dr. Belleville, IL 62221
This year’s Winter Bible Study will be the book of James. A very relevant book for our day, James will direct us toward these subjects—the trials of life, how we use our mouths, and wealth. All of this will be set in the context of our living lives that are obedient to Christ. The study, which will be preceded by lunch and be held in Garrison Hall, will begin on Sunday, January 8, and conclude on Sunday, February 5. Each Sunday we will cover one chapter of James. Dr. Steve will be teaching the first, second, fourth, and fifth Sundays. Fielding will teach the third.
By now you have heard at least something about Fill the Hill. When I think about filling the hill at Winstanley, the idea of church growth comes to mind. Duh, you say. But what might not be so obvious is how we will go about this effort, and what it will require of church members. It would be tempting to launch into a series of methods and strategies to get people up Winstanley Hill. An attractive website with lots of events, activities, and ministries displayed might get us going in the right direction. We could even utilize our big electronic sign down by the road with creative messages in hopes of drawing someone up the hill. It may also be helpful to begin some new ministry that has proven successful at another church. I’m sure you can add to this list. By the way, these things can be good, useful, and even necessary. But I want to suggest one indispensable element we cannot afford to leave out in 2017 or at any other time. A heart for the lost. We must have a heart for the lost because God does, and we are his people. I’m reminded of the sermon Dr. Steve preached a short time ago on the Prodigal Son. Do you remember what happened in the story after the young man wasted all his money and had nothing left to live on? He decided to return home to his father in hopes of becoming a hired servant. Luke writes, “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Fill the Hill cannot merely consist of implementing strategies in order to achieve church growth. Our efforts and methods must be undergirded with the desire to see lost people come to know Jesus. And we must be willing and equipped to share the good news of salvation with those in our community. Beginning in February, we will be offering evangelism training, which will take place over the course of about five weeks. This training will equip you with the tools to communicate the gospel in a clear, faithful, and relevant manner. Please take advantage of this opportunity and plan on joining us! There will be more information to come soon. Fielding
Sunday School Teacher Training Sunday school training for Adult teachers will be held on Saturday morning, January 14th from 9-10:30am in Garrison Hall. Spouses are welcome. Breakfast will be provided.
Beginning January 1, 2017 the WBC Van will be available for those who need a ride. It will only bring people to Sunday School and the 10:55 am service. The drivers are: 1st Sunday 2nd Sunday 3rd Sunday 4th Sunday 5th Sunday
Mark Teichler Bruce Hicks Sarah Lancaster Mike Brown Tom Golden
920-6968 277-0661 558-3730 344-4092 540-9556
Please call before 5 pm the night before you want to be picked up. You can also be a REGULAR and only call if you are not riding. Please contact Dale Horstmann at 779-8949 if you cannot reach the appointed driver or if you have questions.
GREETER SCHEDULE
8:15 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29
Elaine Gantner Jerri Robbins/Linda Rogers Brad Taylor Ken Rogers
10:55 Jan. 1 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 22 Jan. 29
Louise Stegman J. Riggan, L. Haverman Rick & Evan Shepard D. Stegman/C. Mitchell Rick & Lyn Haverman
BUDGET SUMMARY FOR NOVEMBER & WEEKLY STATISTICS Report for November Budget Checkbook Bal. 10/31/16
$ 83,200.87
Gross Budget Receipts
$ 28,644.91
Less Total Budget Expenditures
$ 27,839.50
Budget Checkbook Bal. 11/30/16
$ 84,006.28
Sunday School
12/4 156
12/11 144
12/18 109
Worship
163
171
115
$12,490.00
$7,556.00
$6,908.05
Budget Off.
SECURITY TEAMS January 1
January 8
January 15
January 22
January 29
David Harrier Glenn Knobeloch Jim Bryant
Steve Campbell Mike Niederer Bruce Hicks Jim Smallwood
Rick Haverman Randy Saunders David Showmaker Dennis Reinard
Jim Newton Jim Robbins Dave Stidham Chris Hoots
David Showmaker Mel Gunter
New in the church library….. “Reframing Life: Focusing on God when Life Gets Sideways” (offers practical advice that will help you process your circumstances, by Colleen Swindoll Thompson) “Unlocked” (about an 18 year old locked in a prison of autism, by Karen Kingsbury) “Letters from the Land of Cancer” (Profound insights into the greatest challenge we face, by Walter Wangerin Jr.) “One Perfect Spring” (workaholic Keith Watson is interested only in the bottom line, until a letter from Claire Summers’ eleven year old daughter reaches his desk and changes everything! by Irene Hannon)
NOTES ON LIFE AT WINSTANLEY Christmas basket week-end proved, weather-wise, to be one of our more interesting Christmas basket experiences. Treacherous roads necessitated our calling off the Friday night work. However, a solid group of workers showed up early on Saturday, filled the baskets more quickly than usual, and made it possible for one hundred families to have Christmas meals and more. Thanks to Lea Green, who led this project, to Rick Haverman, who was chief assistant, and many, many more!
1 No 8:15 am or 6 pm service
2 Office Closed
3 Romeo’s Breakfast 8 am/ Juliet Breakfast 9 am
4 Wednesday Activities
5 Open VB 7 pm
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8 January Bible Study/Lord’s Supper
9
10 Romeo’s Breakfast 8 am
11 Wednesday Activities
12 Open VB 7 pm 13
14 SS Teacher Training: 9-10:30 am
15 January Bible Study
16 Office Closed
17 Romeo’s Breakfast 8 am/ Juliet Breakfast 9 am
18 WOM/ Wednesday Activities
19 Open VB 7 pm 20
21
22 January Bible Study
23
24 Romeo’s Breakfast 8 am
25 Wednesday Activities
26 Open VB 7 pm 27
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29 January Bible Study
30
31 Romeo’s Breakfast 8 am
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