Westbury Baptist Church Spring | Summer Newsletter

YOU

BELONG HERE

INSIDE THIS EDITION

A Word From the Pastor

Spring |Summer Calendar

Mission Opportunities

Youth Summer Camp

Senior Adult Activities

Children’s Summer Camp

Church Fellowships

WBC Day Camp

Small Groups

Weekday Programs Playcation

10425 Hillcroft St | Houston TX 77096 | 713.723.6428 | www.wbchouston.org

2021 Spring | Summer Edition

JOIN US . . .

Join us Sundays, for Bible study and worship.

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE Our desire is to focus on creating a gathering space that allows us to ENGAGE in our relationship with God, with one another and with the community around us.

We will do this by . . .

• Gathering for meaningful worship experiences each week • Committing to spending time focusing on the Scriptures • Reaching beyond the walls of our church to work with others to create whole & healthy communities • Creating space for intentional conversations for the purpose of seeking reconciliation • Becoming intentional in learning across generational lines • Providing space for conversations to take place that lead to community transformation

Bible study, 9:15 AM Worship, 10:45 AM

SMALL GROUPS . . .

Small group gatherings offer an opportunity to get connected with a group of people for building lifelong relationships. Some groups focus on Bible study, others on shared interests, while others are out of convenience to schedules.

Whatever the reason you might be looking for a small group to connect with, we want to help you find your place to belong. To learn more about our current and upcoming small groups, please email, groups@wbchouston.org, or contact the church office. We’re ready to help you find what you’re looking for.

WHO TO CONTACT . . .

Brandon Webb, Senior Pastor Ext. 301 | brandonwebb@wbchouston.org ADULT MINISTRY Randy Mitchell, Associate Pastor of Church Life Ext. 312 | randymitchell@wbchouston.org THE BRANCH YOUTH MINISTRY Patrick Ryan, Minister to Youth Ext. 317 | patrickryan@wbchouston.org CHILDREN’S MINISTRY Joan Ross, Minister to Children Ext. 337 | joanross@wbchouston.org WORSHIP ARTS MINISTRY Dylan Reese, Minister of Worship Ext. 303 | dylanreese@wbchouston.org DAY CAMP Erick Salazar, Day Camp (Family Life Center) Director Ext. 311 | ericksalazar@wbchouston.org WBC WEEKDAY PROGRAMS (PLAYCATION) Geneva Ponce, Director of Weekday Programs Ext. 305 | genevaponce@wbchouston.org

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We’re all born with a desire to belong.

Watch a child when they arrive at a playground, looking for friends or others who look like they could be friends. Listen to a teenager worry about attending an event and their greatest fear is not having any friends. Adults are no different. We often have the liberty of choosing what we will attend based on how we feel we’ll fit in, and once there, we have a tendency to migrate to the social circles we feel we connect with. None of these things are wrong, it’s simply how we were created: to live in relationship with others. But what happens when our sense of belonging is uprooted?

Over the past year many of us have lost our sense of where we belong. The places our children go and the activities they participated in came to a screeching halt. Our daily routines were forced to change overnight. Gathering spots with friends and family were immediately closed, and when we were able to gather we had to maintain a safe distance and wear a mask. All of the things we participated in to fulfill our need to belong were no longer permissible.

As we hopefully and cautiously make our way out of this pandemic we have some amazing opportunities awaiting us. To begin with, we have the opportunity to take control of our once pre-pandemic over-scheduled lives.

Remember when you used to talk about how busy you were and wondered if life was ever going to slow down? Secondly, we are reminded how valuable relationships are. In this way we have the opportunity to engage in relationships beyond the surface level. For some this has been the opportunity to step away from unhealthy relationships. And finally, we have the opportunity to reprioritize our lives. Prior to this pandemic we found ourselves committed to things which didn’t

The Westbury WORD

WORD from the Pastor add value to our lives, nor did they line up with our own personal values. We stayed committed to these things because we felt obligated, but we were aware this wasn’t where we belonged.

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We were created for relationship.

Our desire as a church is to be a place where people find connection and purpose. We do this by engaging in relationships, equipping ourselves with understanding, and empowering one another to live.

We believe the most important relationship we can engage in is with God. It is this relationship that builds the foundation for everything we do. We also engage in relationships with one another because we were not created to journey through this life alone. Once we’ve built a foundation of who, and whose, we are, then we can begin the process of equipping ourselves to live life to its fullest intent. And as we do this we want to stand together to spur one another along.

In the pages that follow you will discover there is a place for everyone to belong. Our prayer is these things will be more than just another obligation on your calendar, but will add great value to your life and to the lives of those you love and care for. Our hope is this will be more than just going to church or Day Camp or Playcation or an event, but this will be about discovering the place you belong. After all, nobody wants to look back on their life to find they spent all their time fulfilling obligations. No, our desire is to look back over our lives knowing our relationships, our moments, our lives mattered.

So as we take the next steps forward in establishing our new normals, I invite you to join us on this journey, seizing this chance to rethink the places and relationships to which we belong.

Grace & peace,

Brandon Page 3

WORSHIP Worship

It has been wonderful to see faces in the worship service again! We are wearing masks, social distancing, and worshipping our Lord together. We continue to live stream our services on our website, Facebook, and on our app. Archived services are available for viewing there as well.

Choir

Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal has resumed! We will meet all through the summer at 6:30 pm in the choir room. If you like to sing, come join us! We sing a wide variety of music, so there’s something for you, your grandmother, and your college kid. Worship is one of the central activities we get to participate in as a church. Worship leading is an important leadership role in the church, and the choir plays a huge part in that leadership. We’ve missed the choir’s leadership in this way this past year, but we’re excited to continue returning to normal, and resuming regular leadership from our choir in worship is an important step for us. If you’re interested in joining the choir, or would like more information, reach out to Dylan at dylanreese@wbchouston.org.

Podcast

We started a podcast at the beginning of this year! Dylan has been trying to convince Brandon for months to start one. Brandon finally caved, and all of his worst nightmares about podcasting have come true. Just kidding! It’s actually been a blast, we’ve had a lot of fun putting this together. We’ve seen the way that the podcasting medium has taken off in our culture, and we also see the need for the opportunities to have deeper discussions on our Sunday sermon topics. Brandon, and the rest of the staff, have some great insights into the faith, so we thought this would be a helpful way to connect during the week. Collective Thoughts is available each week in our new WBC app, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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2021 Spring/Summer

CHURCH LIFE MISSIONS May 15 | Houston Food Bank Join us as we seek to show God’s love in a practical way to those who are less fortunate. Contact Randy Mitchell to obtain the link for registration.

June 19 | The Beacon Join us as we work to serve the poor and homeless of Houston. Food prep, serving food, registration, doing laundry, etc. are all a part of what we will be doing. Sign up in Bible study or contact Randy Mitchell July 11-17 | Week of Missions Join in on all or part of a week of missions in and around the Houston area. Contact randymitchell@wbchouston.org for more information.

SENIOR ADULTS April 6 | FIRST Tuesday Bible Study Join us the first Tuesday of each month through July as we dig deeper into God’s word. A hamburger lunch is served after the study for $3.00.

May 15 | Senior Adult Day Lunch A free barbecue lunch to honor senior adults and all they do to make WBC a better place. Contact Randy Mitchell to make your reservation.

Day Trips We are trying to work out details so that we can resume having day trips on the county busses. Watch for details about possible trips. We are hoping to have our first excursion in May. FELLOWSHIPS April 18 | Burgers & Bunco, 5:00 PM Warm up your throwing arm and join us for a great time of food and fellowship. This event is for everyone grade 3 through adult. Childcare is available by reservation for birth through grade 2. Contact Randy Mitchell to register.

August 15 | Church Picnic, 5:30 PM Come to the lawn behind the gym where there will be food, music, games and fellowship for the whole family.

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MARK

your calendar

APRIL

April 6, 10:30 AM, Parlor D Prime Timer Bible Study Bible study and lunch for 50+ year olds. The hamburger lunch is $3.00.

April 7 and April 14, 6:15 PM, Room C206 Parenting Class: Everyday God Moments You want to pray and study the Bible with your preschool and elementary kids, but with work, school and activities how do you find the time?

The good news is that there are many resources and some ways to add this to your routine. David Callison, a Bible Study teacher, and his wife D’Ann, an elementary teacher will offer encouragement and share how they found ways to have spiritual conversations with their four daughters.

On April 14, there will be a panel discussion and some various resources presented.

April 7 - May 12 (Wednesdays) , 10:00 AM, Sanctuary Heart to Hand Ladies’ Bible Study Ladies will meet in the sanctuary to view a six week video series titled Gideon, Your Weakness, God’s Strength by Priscilla Shirer. Childcare is provided.

Saturday, April 10, 2021, 6 PM Spring Dessert Theater Our show and auction offerings will be the grandest we have put together yet. You will not want to miss this show. The students have practiced and curated an amazing display of their talents and skills. The auction this year will have more original pieces made by the students. Please come show your support for our students! This event will be a fundraiser for 2021 Summer youth camp. Tickets now on sale - http://bit.ly/DessertTheater2021 April 18, FLC, Gym, 5 PM Burgers and Bunco Warm up your throwing arm and join us for a great time of food and fellowship. WBC will provide hamburgers, all the fixings, and chips. You provide the sides and desserts. Burgers & Bunco is for participants grade 3 through adult. Childcare by reservation is available for children birth through grade 2. There is no charge for this event. Contact Randy Mitchell to sign up or register here http://bit.ly/BURGERSandBUNCO April 24, 5-9 PM Parents Night Out Parents enjoy a date night while the kids have fun with games, roller skating, crafts, etc. This event is for registered babies through grade 5. https://bit.ly/PNO-WBC Page 6

FRI MA DGE GN HE ET RE

April 19, Registration for Playcation Begins Weekday Programs Summer Playcation, the ticket to a great summer! It is an active, fun-filled program for adventurers who are 3 by April 2021 through completion of pre-K 4. Each week is filled with age appropriate activities designed to spark the imagination of the pre-school child.

MAY

May 2, Gym Senior Adult Day Lunch

Join us for a free lunch to honor senior adults and all they do to make WBC a better place.

Reservations are required. Contact Randy Mitchell to sign up.

May 4, 10:30 AM, Parlor D, FLC Prime Timer Bible study Bible study and lunch for 50+ year olds. The hamburger lunch is $3.00.

May 15, 8:00 AM - 12 PM Mission Project | Houston Food Bank Join us as we show God’s love in a practical way at the Food Bank. We are working the 8 am to 12 pm shift. Contact Randy Mitchell to sign up.

May 16 Graduate Recognition Join us in celebrating our 2021 graduates. We will be acknowledging the achievements of our high school and college graduates in the service, and there will be a luncheon for high school graduates and their families following the service. We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of these graduates! Registration for the luncheon opens on April 14, 2021.

JUNE

June 1, 10:30 AM, Parlor D, FLC Prime Timer Bible Study Bible study and lunch for 50+ year olds. The hamburger lunch is $3.00.

June 19, 7:15 AM The Beacon Join us as we work to serve the poor and homeless of Houston. Food prep, serving food, registration, doing laundry, and more are all a part of what we will be doing. Contact Randy Mitchell to sign up.

2021 Spring/Summer

June 22 RH+ | Random!

That’s right RH+ will be returning this summer! Join us for a positively amazing Random Hangout experience weekly! Notifications and updates are only sent out via text messages, so if you want to participate you need to make sure you are signed up on our Remind List: Parents (https://www.remind. com/join/thebranchp) and Students (https://www. remind.com/join/branchyout).

June 21-25, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM VBS The Children’s Ministry is excited to offer Vacation Bible School for children ages Pre-K through 5th grade, June 21-25 from 9 am - 12 pm. Please register each child attending.

AUGUST

August 4, 6:00-8:00 PM, FLC Kitchen, Gym Family Fun Night Want to play with your food? Parents and elementary kids will want to come for this fun night of kitchen creations. Families will also participate in an “Explosive Bible Study”.

August 1-10 Youth Mission Trip, Greece We will be taking a team of youth and adult leaders to Greece to serve and work alongside refugees. If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact Patrick Ryan at patrickryan@wbchouston.org.

June 30, 6:00-8:00 PM, Gym Family Fun Night When is the last time you got together with another family for dinner and a movie? Join your friends for a kid friendly meal and movie. Plus we’ll have an “Explosive Bible Study”with some hands-on science.

Weekly Recurring Events

JULY

YOUNG ADULT GATHERING (Currently meeting) 6:30 PM, Courtyard The 20-somethings of the church will gather in the Courtyard behind the Children’s Building at 6:30 PM on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month during the Spring and Summer.

July 6, 10:30 AM, FLC, Parlor D Prime Timer Bible Study Bible study and lunch for 50+ year olds The hamburger lunch is $3.00.

July 11-17 A WEEK OF MISSIONS Join in on all or part of a week of missions in and around the Houston area. Contact randymitchell@wbchouston.org for more information.

July 19-23 Youth Summer Camp, Brownwood, TX We are excited to be taking students to GENERATE camp in Brownwood, Texas. We will be on the SERVE track, so we will have service projects in the Brownwood area that we will be working on throughout the week. Registration opens May 24, 2021! The cost is $379/student. Students that participate in fundraisers get a discount. Scholarships may be available for those in need.

July 21, 6:00-8:00 PM, FLC Family Fun Night Ready, set, go! Families will compete against each other as they race to solve the clues. Parents and elementary kids need to bring your best sleuth skills, for this scavenger hunt. We will also eat dinner and have some wacky science with a Biblical point.

July 26-30 CentriKid Camp, Trinity Pines Grades 3-5 The Westbury WORD

ADULT CHOIR REHEARSAL (Currently meeting) 6:30 PM, Choir Room Every Wednesday during the Spring and Summer.

YOUTH WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE (WNL) & THE SPOT (after party) | 6:30 - 9:00 PM Youth Room Join the youth ministry weekly for a time of worship, Bible study, and games. (Currently meeting). Beginning June 16, hang out at THE SPOT with the WNL crew for a weekly after party at various locations. The location will be announced each week via text alerts and email. Typical locations include Starbucks, The Teahouse, Whataburger, etc. Your student will need to bring money if they plan on eating, but everyone is welcome to come hangout. Parents, pick up from The SPOT location at 9:00 PM. FAMILY SKATE NIGHT! 6:30 PM, FLC Gym Monday nights, beginning June 14th, join us for family skate night! Parents are welcome to join or watch! Bring or borrow skates (if borrowing skates, please bring socks).

OPEN GYM NIGHT Men’s Basketball Tuesdays, 6:45 PM, FLC - Gym WESTBURY WALKERS Indoor track open daily, 7 AM - 7 PM FLC-Gym, 2nd floor

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CHILDREN 2021 VBS JUNE 21-25 During VBS, kids will discover that Jesus is our strong foundation!

Children will have an exciting week of games, music, crafts, and Bible studies. Many adults will tell you that they began their faith walk as a result of Vacation Bible School.

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2021 Spring/Summer

DAY CAMP! JOIN US FOR A GREAT SUMMER! Children have a great experience at Day Camp. They get to be outside, inside, play active games, learn about God and His world, create crafts and best of all, make new friends.

Day Camp also has extended times in the morning and afternoon in order to meet the need created by single parent families and families where both parents work.

Registration Fee (per child) $85 (before May 1) $180 (May 1st & after)

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PLAYCATION Westbury Weekday Programs Summer Camp

JOIN US FOR A GREAT SUMMER ADVENTURE!

WATE RP

Registration Fee: $100 All adventurers must be 3 by April 2021 through completion of Pre-K 4.

LAY!

Playcation Hours 9 AM–2:30 PM June 7-August 20

GA

Monthly Sessions June 7 to June 30 July 1 to July 30 August 2 to August 20

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E NT U V D

RAFT C & 2021 Spring/Summer

THE BRANCH Westbury Baptist Youth Ministry GENERATE YOUTH CAMP

BROWNWOOD, TX JULY 19-23

SCAN TO REGISTER The Westbury WORD

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BIBLE STUDY Small Group Bible Study Groups meet each Sunday, at 9:15 AM

Adults

Catalyst Young adults from varying paths of life who engage faith questions and pursue spiritual transformation Grits and Grace

Adults, generally in their 30’s & 40’s, doing life together and seeking to honor God as we face challenges with balancing work and family

Bits and Pieces

People of all ages, in all of life stages, growing together in Christ

Seekers and Doers Generally made up of adults 55+ Adventurers

65+ Traveling through the Bible one book at a time

Mature Singers A group of mature adults still singing hymns and studying Bible lessons of salvation and Scholars of God Options

Adults of all ages studying the Bible, related themes and curriculum

The Gathering

Mostly single adults 50+ applying Biblical truths to our lives, sharing the good news with the lost, comforting those in pain, and showing Jesus’ kindness to all

Youth

Youth in 6th Grade – 12th Grade

Children

Children Birth – 5th Grades

Family Life Center upstairs on youth floor

Children’s building

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facebook.com/wbchouston

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View Livestream and Archived Sermons Listen to our Podcast - Collective Thoughts Listen to Original Music Take Sermon Notes Read Bible with Church-Wide Plan See Events and Calendar Give Access Shelby Church Directory

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