Good News & Saturday Workday

We were holding up on this email as long as we could so we could share some good news with you…

Waterbrook Bible Fellowship can officially open the doors to our new 507 Ministry Center and Offices!!! Praise the Lord!

We secured approval on occupancy today for the 507. There are a few more hoops to jump through before the process is completely closed, but we now have permission to take up residence for our offices and begin ministry activity on our new property. It has been a crazy week of activity at the ministry center with many people involved. We appreciate each one of you who has showed up to help in some way or has been praying for us along the journey. But, the work isn’t finished, in fact, now we have to finish the move! So, we’re asking for your help again tomorrow. We need to move our final boxes and equipment from the former (I love the sound of that) offices on Birmingham Street and into the new 507 building. We also have to give the ministry center a big cleaning to put it into operational condition. We have some additional jobs to do around the place yet. There’s something for everyone and we need your help Saturday, January 30th from 9:00 am until whenever we’re done. If you know you can make it, let me know by replying to MY email address (not to this email). My address is Jeff.Denton@Waterbrook.org Thanks! We need trucks to haul a few more items and some healthy lifters.

The reason we need it cleaned tomorrow is because we’re having our first official activity on Sunday. It’s the Newcomer’s Lunch with pastors on Sunday after church. What a great way to put the building into use, by hosting people new to Waterbrook and letting them know the “Next Steps” of involvement. Then, Tuesday we’re hosting a prayer meeting in the morning for local pastors who have been praying for our church family through our land purchase and city approvals. These pastors will be praying on site for the ministry that God will use us for. What a blessing! In February we’ve also scheduled a Splash worker training, an elder/staff retreat, and the new Wednesday parenting class. We won’t let this new building sit idle, so we need to get it ready to hit the ground running this weekend.

Sunday is going to be great at Waterbrook as we worship at Dodd Elementary. We’ll start the day at 9:30 with the Annual Congregational Meeting. We’ll be covering the 2010 budget, financing for the next building project (Phase 2), some changes to the bylaws, an update on the new building project, and the affirmation of the elders for 2010. PLUS, we’ll have snacks we can enjoy with fellowship after the meeting; that is if you bring some finger food items to share. Our 10:45 worship service will follow with a dynamic time of worship in song with Pastor Don and the music team. I’m really looking forward to a sermon series Stephen will be starting this Sunday. He’s going to pick up the rest of the story of Joshua from last fall when he did Joshua 1-5. It’s an appropriate time to jump into chapters 6 and following as we take up occupancy of our own new land. I hope you’ll be there Sunday morning.

We’re extremely grateful to God for all the new people He’s been bringing to Waterbrook recently. This has created a wonderful problem…we have a bunch of babies! New young families are bringing their youngsters with them and we’re needing more workers. Please let Pastor Don Moore or Carolyn Russell know if you’d like to help out in the nursery once a month.

IMPORTANT NOTE about the new 507 Center: All the locks have now been changed. If you have a key that’s worked previously, you may toss it out. Contact the office if you think you need a key. BUT, we also have a new ALARM in place. Contact the office for alarm procedures if you’re going to need to enter or leave when other people are not present at the ministry center.

We’re also looking for a nice little coffee table or night stand type table for the reception area. Let us know if you’re got one available. It’s a dark wood area.

PRAYER ITEM: If you haven’t heard, Kathy Hume’s own Aunt Kathy went home to be with the Lord this week. Please keep Kathy and her entire extended family in your prayers during this time of loss.

It’s been a week of ups and downs, with many wonderful blessings along the way. I’m so glad you’re part of our Waterbrook family. I hope to see you Saturday morning at the 507, if not, I’ll see you Sunday morning at Dodd Elementary.

Wishing you God’s best!

Jeff

Pastor Jeff Denton
Waterbrook Bible Fellowship

Intervention Series Notes Online Here

Depression, Anger and Fear and three emotional conditions that come with self-condemnation. We assume others are judging us, and sometimes they are. During our three-week series, “INTERVENTION: A Moment of Hope,” we’ll be looking at what God has to say about these situations. Should we expect people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and move on with life? This series is intended to help us know we’re not alone in our struggles. These issues are common, not uncommon, in the church. We can also help one another through the healing process. Join us and you may experience your own “INTERVENTION: A Moment of Hope.”

Notes on FEAR & VICTORY for the week of January 24, 2010

Here is the sermon outline and article for “Fear” on January 24, 2010 -> BulletinNotes-FEAR_01-24-10

Small Group Discussion Questions are available for download HERE -> Discussion Guide #3- Fear_PARTICIPANT VERSION  (Leader’s Guide for these questions is available by contacting Pastor Jeff or the church office.)

Here are the Locations of this week’s small group gatherings. Please feel welcome to join any of these groups for more discussion on the sermon from January 24th. These groups meet the week of January 24-30:

TODAY (Sunday) at 4:00 pm – James & Elizabeth Smith home (6905 Shamrock Court, Garland – 972–675–9891)
TODAY (Sunday) at 5:00 pm – Rob & Barb Richardson home (5319 Miles Road, Sachse – 214–695–6230)
TODAY (Sunday) at 5:30 pm - Odie & Kathy Hume home (1601 Kennedy, Wylie – 972–429–7537)
WEDNESDAY at 7:00 pm – Bos & Marge Bosley home (221 Martin Street, Wylie – 214–794–4263)

GROUPS FOR WOMEN ONLY
TUESDAY at 7:00 pm – Gale Ransom home (710 Lochness Lane, Garland – 972–495–9856)
WEDNESDAY at 9:30 am – Vickie Heath home (4901 Firewheel Drive, Garland – 972–496–9487)
THURSDAY at 8:00 pm – Christy Carnefix home (6126 Hillcrest Drive, Sachse – 972–429–6063)

Notes on ANGER & FORGIVENESS for the week of January 17, 2010

Here is the sermon outline and article for “Anger” on January 17, 2010 -> Bulletin Notes & Article on ANGER 01-17-10

Small Group Discussion Questions are available for download HERE -> Discussion Guide #2 – Anger_PARTICIPANT VERSION  (Leader’s Guide for these questions is available by contacting Pastor Jeff or the church office.)

A good article on FORGIVENESS is available HERE -> Forgiveness-Power-That-Heals_D-Innes_article _2_

This is a good guide to use when praying to forgive yourself and other people. ->Portions on Forgiveness.

This is a good prayer guide from Sylvia Gunter on praying for forgiveness regarding parents or a spouse. -> Prayers to Forgive Mom-Dad-Husband.

Here are the Locations of this week’s small group gatherings. Please feel welcome to join any of these groups for more discussion on the sermon from January 17th. This groups meet the week of January 17-23:

TODAY (Sunday) at 4:00 pm – Gus & Terri Beckham home (2121 Meadowview Drive, Garland – 972–278–2705)
TODAY (Sunday) at 5:00 pm – Rob & Barb Richardson home (5319 Miles Road, Sachse – 214–695–6230)
TODAY (Sunday) at 5:30 pm – Mark & Noelle Massey home (5317 Smithfield Court, Sachse – 214–769–3117)
WEDNESDAY at 7:00 pm – Bos & Marge Bosley home (221 Martin Street, Wylie – 214–794–4263)

GROUPS FOR WOMEN ONLY
TUESDAY at 7:00 pm – Gale Ransom home (710 Lochness Lane, Garland – 972–495–9856)
WEDNESDAY at 9:30 am – Vickie Heath home (4901 Firewheel Drive, Garland – 972–496–9487)
THURSDAY at 8:00 pm - Deana Denton home (1320 Canyon Creek Drive, Wylie – 972–429–0172)

Notes on DEPRESSION & HOPE for the week of January 10, 2010

Here is the sermon outline and article for “Depression” on January 10, 2010 -> (Hopelessness-Depression Notes and Article)

Download the small group discussion questions -> Discussion Guide #1 – Depression_PARTICIPANT Discussion Questions.

Leader discussion guides are available on request from Pastor Jeff Denton or the church office.

We hope you’ll join one of the following discussion groups to discuss this week’s sermon. Here’s the schedule for this week 1/10/10:

TODAY (Sunday) at 4:00 pm – Bert & Bertha Schmiesing home (507 Whittle Way, Rockwall – 972–771–5272)
TODAY (Sunday) at 5:00 pm – Rob & Barb Richardson home (5319 Miles Road, Sachse – 214–695–6230)
TODAY (Sunday) at 5:30 pm – Mark & Noelle Massey home (5317 Smithfield Court, Sachse – 214–769–3117)
TUESDAY at 7:00 pm – Bos & Marge Bosley home (221 Martin Street, Wylie – 214–794–4263)

GROUPS FOR WOMEN ONLY
Tuesday at 7:00 pm – Gale Ransom home (710 Lochness Lane, Garland – 972–495–9856)
Wednesday at 9:30 am – Vickie Heath home (4901 Firewheel Drive, Garland – 972–496–9487)
Thursday at 8:00 pm – Christy Carnefix home (6126 Hillcrest Drive, Sachse – 972–429–6063)

CHRISTMAS WEEK Events at Waterbrook

What a wonderful Christmas present for Christ if we could share the love of Jesus with others this holiday season. Especially if we could share that love with those who may be spending the holiday alone. This is one of the reasons our Christmas Events this year are being held in locations that allow us to GO be with people in need of holiday cheer. Below are the details on two special events.

CHRISTMAS EVE – December 24th at 6:00 PM

Location: Garnett Hill Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wylie

This Christmas Eve service will be a beautiful moment of anticipation as we prepare for our Christmas Day celebrations. Classic Christmas carols led on guitar by Pastor Don. Reading portions of the Christmas story from Scripture. And a devotional thought from Pastor Jeff titled, “It was NOT a Silent Night!” Service begins in the dining room at 6:00 pm. Live Christmas music will be played beginning at 5:30 in the lobby.
Click HERE for a link to directions to Garnett Hill.

CHRISTMAS MORNING – December 25th at 8:00 AM

Location: Mercer House in Rowlett

Join Pastor Jeff and his family for one of their Christmas morning traditions, singing Christmas carols to residents of a local nursing home during breakfast. This year they’ll be singing to residents of the Mercer House in Rowlett during breakfast from about 8:00 am to 9:00-ish. A fun time to help residents experience Christmas first thing in the morning. We’ll be singing classic carols and some of the fun, contemporary songs as well. An enjoyable, informal opportunity to focus our own hearts on the meaning of Christmas as we begin the day ministering to others in Jesus’ name. Professional singing voices not needed! This is for those who simply want to have fun and spread some Christmas cheer!

Click HERE for a link with directions to Mercer House.

END of YEAR WORSHIP SERVICE – Sunday, December 27th at 10:45 AM

Location: Dodd Elementary, Wylie

We’ll spend the last Sunday of the year worshiping together and considering how we can “Finish Well”. Pastor Don Moore will be including the children in our worship singing for a family friendly combined worship experience. Pastor Jeff Denton will be taking the Splash kids after our worship time for a special time of lesson, learning and fun for the rest of the service. Teaching Pastor Stephen Bramer will be joined for the message by his son-in-law, Justin Hartweck. We hope you’ll join us for our last Sunday worship service together for 2009.

Looking Ahead to January Opportunities to Care for Others

Dear Friends,

Some exciting things are happening this winter and I want to let you in on the initial details now. First, some background on why these things will be important.

While reading a recent study I learned 90% of non-churched attenders who walk into a church for the first time have come because they’re hurting. These are people who previously decided they have no use for God, but are now experiencing a rough personal situation that has driven them to consider the existence or maybe the goodness of God. I’m not talking about Christians shopping around for a new church, but people who’ve not yet encountered Christ. These are the people we’re burdened to reach through Waterbrook Bible Fellowship. Then, I just received an email from a WBF member this morning who encountered two individuals from his neighborhood in one day. One was dealing with the sudden death of a spouse, the other with job loss. These are not accidental encounters, and we’re all having them. We all know people who are going through hard times. This presents a great opportunity to us because we have the answer to their needs. In January 2010 we’re going to offer some different ministry opportunities to reach those hurting people.

First, we’ll be hosting a Financial Peace University specifically for teenagers. We have a family willing to sponsor this four-week training. It’ll be open to our own students and any others willing to attend the Sunday evening sessions. We believe there are many parents who’d love to see their kids get a solid education in financial management, therefore helping their kids avoid some of the pitfalls their parents have encountered.

Second, I’m going to begin a special class geared to help struggling parents. Possibly offered at two separate times (same material covered each week for separate parent groups, based on needs. One session specific to parents of younger children on how to prepare kids for the dangerous journey into and through the teen years. The other geared to parents of kids who are already struggling on how to fight for the lives of those teens. The material I’ll be using has proven very effective for outreach and helping people in the past. These groups will also give opportunity for parents to support one another as they face similar parenting challenges.

Third, I’ll be doing a short series of sermons in January on what the Bible has to say to hurting people. I’ll deal with fear, anger and depression. I’m producing additional discussion guides for each topic, and will be inviting Bible study groups and Home Teams to take up these issues for the short, three-week commitment period. We’ll focus on understanding those who struggle with these issues, and finding ways to offer hope. This will be an excellent, and relevant, time to invite friends, family and neighbors to join you and church and for a discussion group on these topics. I’d guess you could easily identify people you know who deal with each of these topics in their daily lives.

I’ve been frustrated many times in my life knowing I live among people hurting in so many different ways, yet unable to figure out how I can help them. This emphasis gives us the opportunity to live out and share the HOPE Christ offers those in pain. You may wonder why I’m writing you this far in advance on these ministry events. It’s because I want to offer you four specific ways to be involved in these ministry opportunities. Most of these options call for immediate involvement.

PRAY. This is not a superficial request for a pseudo-spiritual action. Prayer is the heart of any impact we hope to have in people’s lives. Satan does not want us to interfere or offer hope to those whom he has convinced they are in hopeless situations. He will fight, discourage, attack, and attempt to distract or intimidate us from reaching out. Pray for those who’ll be leading these events. Pray for information about these opportunities to reach those who are hurting. Pray your own heart would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as you encounter people who may benefit from the invitation to attend one or more of these activities. Please begin praying now for what God will do at and through the Waterbrook family in January.

INVITE OTHERS. PLAN TO JOIN US YOURSELF. Step out in bold faith to invite someone you know to something listed above. Don’t hesitate when prompted by the Holy Spirit. If you feel intimidated in asking someone to join you, consider this à What if someone you knew had the answer to the biggest struggle in your life, yet they kept it a secret from you? Wouldn’t you want them to be bold and let you know? Also, consider whether any of these ministry opportunities fit a need YOU have. If so, commit now to making attendance at one or more of these items a priority. Maybe share your decision with someone and ask them to hold you accountable.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE with ADVERTISING. We have the opportunity this week to secure a billboard on Rt 78 to advertise our January emphasis of Helping Hurting People. Pastor Don has found a company willing to rent us the space for just under $1,000 for a month prior to these outreach opportunities. The billboard would be evident for the thousands of commuters who travel 78 each day, and shoppers heading to Firewheel Mall and toward Dallas for Christmas shopping. We believe the repetitive exposure of a message like this would be more beneficial than a one time mail flyer. It could say something like (this is just an idea):

NEED HELP…
…coping with life?
…handling money?
…parenting kids?
www.Waterbrook.org

Time is short on this advertising option, and it’s an item we don’t have budget money to cover. So, we’re looking for some people who might be led to help cover this cost. It could be one large donor or many people wanting to help with smaller amounts. This would be a gift above your general giving. If you are willing to help with this cost, please contact Pastor Don BEFORE NOON THURSDAY of THIS WEEK (Nov. 12) with your intention. (Email Don.Moore@Waterbrook.org ) *Special Note: As of Noon, Nov. 12th, we’ve not only reached, but exceeded our financial request through the generosity of our WBF family! This is allowing us to do the billboard a little longer and supplement our publicity for the January outreach. THANK YOU & Praise the LORD!

LEAD A SMALL GROUP. If this subject resonates with you, would you be willing to open your home for a short, three-week small group to discuss the sermons? We’d encourage you to invite some people to join you for those three weeks, preferably friends outside Waterbrook. We would also list the day/time of your group meeting in our bulletin and on the website for others who may want to join you from Waterbrook. If you’re already leading a Bible study group or Home Team, would you be willing to deviate from your planned study for this three-week period? I will provide all group leaders with a copy of the sermon outlines in advance, also an article I’ve prepared and discussion questions for each topic. Since the time is short, I’m inviting any interested potential leaders to join me for LUNCH THIS SUNDAY (Nov. 15) AFTER CHURCH at my home. I’ve tell you a little more about the sermon series and topics. I’ll show you some samples, explain what we’d expect in your three-week commitment, and answer any questions you may have. You don’t have to be already leading a study to do this. Please RSVP if you’d like to join us for lunch to let us know a possible number to expect and materials to prepare. (Contact Deana or myself to RSVP.)

Thanks so much for reading this lengthy letter! I hope your heart is as excited as mine to consider the potential we have in ministering to unsaved people through these opportunities. How great it would be if God would add 5, 10, 25, 100 people to His Kingdom as a result of this month of reaching out to Hurting People.

Praise God that He cares for and offers hope to hurting people. I was one of those hurting people, and am eternally grateful someone cared enough to share with me.

Wishing you God’s best!

Jeff

PS: Please take a moment and reply NOW if you’re willing to commit to any of the above opportunities to help out. Thanks!

Boo on Ballard – Fun, Candy & Community

Click HERE to read a report by Pastor Jeff Denton on Waterbrook’s booth at the Wylie “Boo on Ballard” Trunk or Treat event.

Mission Team returns from Colombia, South America

Title: Mission Team returns from Colombia, South America
Description: Please join us in praying for our Colombia team as they travel back to Dallas from their week of ministry with E3 Partners in Baranquilla, Colombia, South America.
Date: 2009-10-31