WESTLAKE HILLS
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
We’re glad you’re here

Welcome!

READ OUR STORY

Our mission is to invite people into God’s larger story as we follow Christ together.

Does the Bible Really Say That?

August - September Sermon Series

Does the Bible Really Say That? Often, well-meaning Christians say cringeworthy things—things that are neither biblical nor helpful.

In this series, we’ll examine some of these common sayings and reflect on how we can respond to those who are hurting with more grace-filled words from Scripture.

We’re so excited to launch Humans of WHPC! Inspired by Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, this series is our way of shining a light on the incredible individuals who make up our WHPC family. Through their unique perspectives and heartfelt experiences, we’ll celebrate the stories of faith, resilience, and love that define our community.

We hope these stories encourage you, deepen your faith, and help us all feel more connected as one family in Christ. Stay tuned for inspiring interviews and heartfelt reflections from the people who make WHPC such a special place!

VISIT HERE

SUNDAY MORNING

august 10

9 and 11 am | Worship Service in the Sanctuary
9:45 am | Study Hour for All Ages
11 am | Back to School Blessing for Students and Teachers

august 17

9 and 11 am | Worship Service in the Sanctuary
9:45 am | Family Joyful Jamboree - Breakfast and Activities in the Gym
9:45 am | Adults - Carol Dodd Interview in the Sanctuary
11 am | Memory Care Ministry Spotlight; Pastor Kevin Celebration

Sunday School - HS with Emily Kidd-2421.jpg

Sunday School - children (with Chad, Emily, Brian)-2424.jpg

Live stream at 11 am

WORSHIP BULLETIN

SUNDAY CLASSES

UPCOMING EVENTS, CELEBRATIONS & GATHERINGS - JOIN US!

Our Ministries offer a variety of events to help families, groups, communities, and individuals join together and learn more about God.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENTS

Featured

Aug 10

Back to School Blessing

Sunday, August 10 | 11 am
Let’s get ready for an amazing school year! We would love the opportunity to pray for you and bless the beginning of your new class, new teacher, and fresh start to a beautiful year. Students of all ages are welcome to come to the 11am service to receive a prayer and special gift. Don’t forget to bring your backpacks!

Aug 10

Faith Formation Teacher Training Lunch

August 10 | 12 pm | Parlor
For all Volunteers and Staff working with Children and Youth. Join us for lunch and training to meet our new Director of Faith Formation, Kory Tomlinson. Hear about our emphasis for the 2025-2026 school year and receive the latest child protection training. We will also break into smaller groups and receive schedules and plans for this fall.

Aug 17

Family Joyful Jamboree

Sunday, August 17 | 9:45 am
Celebrate with us! All pre-k and elementary families are invited for a morning of fun as we kick-off the new school year. Come on Sunday to meet your Sunday school teachers, share a delicious breakfast, and enjoy carnival activities in the gym. Each child will be decorating a picture frame with a back to school prayer to take home. Bring the whole family, neighbors, and friends!

Aug 30

Celebration #27

AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 1
Attention Students! Celebration Participant Sign-Up Now Open
Hey Rising Freshmen—and anyone who’s never been before!
You’re invited to Celebration 27, a three-day retreat all about building real connections, growing in your faith, and finding your people. Whether you’re new to high school or just looking for a place to belong, this is the perfect chance to meet others from your school, dive deeper into who Jesus is, and have an awesome time together.
Limited space! Sign up now and be part of something unforgettable!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL EVENTS

OUR LATEST STUDIES & READINGS

CLICK HERE FOR ALL SUNDAY CLASSES

Featured

Reason to Believe

Sundays, June 1 - August 10 | 9:45 am | Room 200
Scripture calls us to honor Christ and be ready to explain the hope within us (1 Peter 3:15). In this ten-week series, we’ll explore key questions of the Christian faith—Jesus’ identity and resurrection, the existence of God, the Trinity, scripture’s reliability, and the problem of evil. We’ll also look at how faith is best defended through faithful living, learning from the lives of Polycarp, Father Damien, Maximilian Kolbe, and C.S. Lewis.

Tuesday Morning Men’s Group

Tuesdays | 7:00 am I Church Parlor

We are watching and discussing season five of "The Chosen" through August 5.

Join our Tuesday Morning Men’s Prayer Group at 7 am Tuesdays in the church Parlor.

For more info, contact Mike Ussery.

Contemplative Christianity

Sundays | 9:45 am | Room 202
Contemplative Christian practice quiets the mind to allow for the experience of God’s presence in that moment and (eventually) in every aspect of life. Our Contemplative Christianity class offers the opportunity for group study, discussion, and experience of this ancient-yet-modern Christian approach to knowing God. We share a group reading and discussion, often accompanied by a practice opportunity.

Janis Claflin facilitates the class and is happy to answer questions, 512-657-5498, jcforpeace@gmail.com.

Sr. Men’s Bible Study

Tuesdays | 8 am | Zoom

Join this small group of men who read through the Bible, explore the context in which it was written and discuss its meaning for our lives today. Contact Bill Allaway for a Zoom invite.

LIBRARY EVENTS

Featured

Aug 14

Evening Women's Book Club

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon HF

This mystery follows Martha Ballard, a midwife in Hallowell, Maine, who finds herself trying to solve a murder that may connect to her friend’s violent rape. The story covers a year in Ballard’s life as she manages her large family, births babies, fights for justice, and conducts autopsies.

Aug 21

Daytime Women's Book Club

Aug 21 | 11:00 CT in-person/Noon Zoom

The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man by David Von Drehle NF

Join us at 11:00 CT for lunch and a discussion of this biography about a journalist's friendship with his neighbor, Charlie White, a man who lived through a century of change. The story is set in Kansas and explores themes of goodness, the American spirit, and time.

Sep 11

Evening Women's Book Club

Sep 11 | 5:15 PM WHPC Parlor Southern Dinner/Live Zoom with author RSVP

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi F

This is the endearing story of Theo, a curious old man, who quietly moves into a southern city and, for reasons unknown to anyone but himself, undertakes a campaign of anonymous generosity.
Stories are shared, friendships are born, and lives, in response to his inexplicable kindness, are affirmed and transformed.

NEW IN THE WHPC LIBRARY
The WHPC Library adds new items to it’s collection each month. Visit the Library and find treasures for all ages.

Click here to view “What’s New”

SERVE

Featured

Central Texas Flood Relief Special Offering

The Session of WHPC has voted to receive a special Central Texas Flood Relief Offering. In response to the recent devastating floods across Central Texas, we invite you to join us in providing critical relief to those affected. Your generous donation will help bring hope, comfort, and essential support to families and communities in need.

75 % of the offering will go to Presbyterian Disaster Assitance and 25% will be reserved to support local, hands-on projects in the affected area through direct engagement.

Why Presbyterian Disaster Assistance?

PDA brings both expertise and deep local partnerships to every situation they serve. They are often among the first to arrive and the last to leave, committed to long-term recovery, not just immediate relief. Most importantly, PDA is guided by a Gospel-centered commitment to justice, ensuring that aid reaches all who are impacted, especially the marginalized and overlooked.

Why retain 25% for project support?

This will allow our church and its members to participate in meaningful recovery work alongside those impacted. This effort is especially close to the hearts of many in our church family who have roots in or loved ones living in the affected areas. We invite you to give generously and, as opportunities arise, to serve personally in the work of rebuilding and restoration.

Donations Received To Date: $88,000

GIVE HERE

Featured

MOBILE LOAVES & FISHES

Through the Mobile Loaves & Fishes (MLF) food truck ministry, volunteers provide food, clothing, hygiene products and other life-sustaining items to our homeless neighbors 7 nights a week, 365 days a year.

Mobile Loaves & Fishes is also the visionary organization behind Community First! Village, a master planned development in east Austin that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for the disabled, chronically homeless in Central Texas.

WHPC is responsible for make-ready and truck run shifts on the first and second Sundays of every month.

SIGN UP HERE

Visit www.mlf.org to learn more.

SERVE AT COMMUNITY FIRST!

NEW, REGULAR OPPORTUNITIES

WHPC has a long history of supporting MLF with transitioning people from homelessness to being part of a community that includes housing, dignified income, physical and mental well being, and supportive relationships. We are continuing to do this with monthly gatherings at King Park area of Community First. These gatherings focus on hanging out with neighbors and sharing a meal. Think of it as cul-de-sac party/cook out in your neighborhood. Grilling, games & conversations … This is a family friendly event that will bless all those that participate.

Please sign up here

Manos de Cristo Food Run

February 22 & March 22 | 11:30 am | Central Texas

Manos de Cristo is looking for one to two volunteers to pick up food from the Central Texas Food Bank and deliver it to Manos on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Contact Pastor Stephen Finkel for more information.

FIND AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

MISSION BLOG

Featured

Finding Hope, Building Futures: An Update from PCHAS

At Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church, we believe in the power of restoration—the kind of transformation that happens when someone hears, perhaps for the first time, “You matter. You are not alone. There is hope.” That’s exactly what Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) offers families across Texas—and why we’re proud to call them a mission partner. We recently got an update from PCHAS during our monthly Mission Spotlight at WHPC.

Building Hope: WHPC’s Commitment to Ending Homelessness

We believe that faith calls us to action at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church. Throughout Scripture, God commands us to care for the vulnerable, provide shelter for the homeless, and extend love to those in need. This mission drives our deep commitment to supporting families experiencing homelessness in Austin. One of the most powerful ways we are living out this call is through our partnership with the Foundation for the Homeless (FFH) and Peace Lutheran Church’s Peace Family Housing Project, a collaborative effort to provide transitional housing for families in crisis.

Meeting People Where They Are

Written by Handy and Barbara Williamson

Anyone who doubts the saying, “the gift is in the giving,” should try volunteering, especially given multiple opportunities through Caring Ministries at WHPC. For us, it began with The Gathering and expanded to include Community First. In addition, we spent a Sunday afternoon riding in the Mobile Loaves and Fishes truck delivering meals to the homeless.

Although each experience was different, the commonality was meeting people where they were, without judgment, and trying to lend a helping hand.

EMPLOYMENT

Featured

Organist/Pianist

The Church Organist/Pianist at WHPC is a part-time, non-exempt position accountable to the Senior Pastor through the Director of Music. The primary responsibility is to provide organ and piano music for worship services, funerals, and special events while accompanying the congregation, choir, and Worship Band in various musical styles. Additional duties include attending staff and worship planning meetings, educating the congregation about the sanctuary organ, overseeing its maintenance, and organizing the Annual Lenten Organ Recital Series. The role also involves serving on the Worship Ministry Team and managing relevant budget items.

JOB DESCRIPTION

CONTACT:
Emily Craven emilyc@whpc.org

WHPC BLOG

Featured

Pizza and Game Night

Pizza and Game night was a wonderful evening of delicious DoubleDave's Westlake's pizza, fun games, and most importantly another opportunity for intergenerational connections with our faith community. The room was filled with joy & laughter as we played Bunco, Mexican Train Dominoes, Swoop, Golf and minute-to-win-it games with the kids! Thank you to everyone who attended, it was a blast!

Thrilling Thursday

WHPC's Thrilling Thursday was a complete success! Our children had an amazing time doing ALL the fun things. We had bounce houses, homemade bubbles, reading with Ms. Peggy, water slides on our playground, paining with Lorraine, a balloon parade, Olympic relays, themed snacks, and most importantly a lot of laughter, friendships, surrounded by love. Thank you to everyone who participated. We are SO excited for next summer! Stay tuned dear families!

VBS - Start The Party

The party never stopped at VBS this year. We had so much fun with our children and volunteers as we learned all about how Jesus gives us endless reasons to celebrate. All week we danced, played silly and sometimes messy games, flew paper airplanes, and painted paper mâché bowls. What a blast to start the summer with so much joy and celebration for the Lord.

Pop Up Sunday

School is over and our kiddos are moving up! Every child was celebrated and promoted as we paraded through the church wearing our graduation hats and waving our pom poms. Goodbye 2023/2024 school year!

Children’s Thrilling Thursday: Inflatable Funday

🎉🎈 Children’s Thrilling Thursday: Inflatable Funday was a blast! Our little artists had a great time drawing on balloons and letting their creativity soar. Stay tuned for more fun and exciting events coming your way! 🎨✨

Confirmation Sunday 2024

On April 14th, our church joyfully received 25 new members from this year’s confirmation class. These students gave so much of their time to this six-month experience of exploring their faith with gifted teachers and mentors. I was in awe when the three teachers spoke to their small groups at the breakfast that morning. One talked about the earnestness of her group - earnest in their pursuit of knowledge, with their questions and with their honesty. All talked about how privileged they were to walk alongside these students. It was such a beautiful example of the blessing that comes from serving others - especially young people.

It took a lot of people to make confirmation successful - staff, mentors, parents, teachers, and of course - you! Your financial giving allowed us to offer this amazing ministry for the year and to celebrate them well. Thank you!

Sunday Funday - Bingo & Bouquets

You could feel the anticipation when you walked into the dining hall for Sunday Funday. The kids’ eager eyes stared at the bingo prize table full of squishmallows, nerf guns, giant candy bars and games. We ate, we played, and we cheered for the winners. And everyone got to take home a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was a lovely time together for the families of WHPC.

Stellar VBS

Our week of VBS was stellar in so many ways and we have much to celebrate! First, we want to thank all of our volunteers who dedicated their time to help the children of our church and community know Jesus better. We learned how to shine Jesus’ light in our lives, so people around us can see the love of God.

Easter Sunday Funday Egg Hunt

Easter is a time to celebrate and we did just that at our Sunday Funday. With over 1,000 Easter eggs, the kids filled their baskets with candy and treats as they hunted for eggs on the playgrounds. Family and friends enjoyed a wonderful lunch and fellowship throughout the afternoon. It was fun for all and we are so happy you joined us!

2023 High School Winter Retreat

This retreat was full of God-filled moments. From the student-led talks and student-written devotionals to the family-style meals and copious amounts of free time - these students I know experienced something miraculous. From camping on top of a mountain, to early sunrise kayak adventures, and all the free time to fellowship with one another in this community. I hope that you will be able to hear the God-filled stories in the coming weeks! To help you get a better picture of what it was like check out the pictures above!