Welcome!
Our mission is to invite people into God’s larger story as we follow Christ together.
SUNDAY MORNING
April 28
9 & 11 am | Worship in the Sanctuary
9:45 am | Study Hour for All Ages
11 am | ASL Interpreter
May 5
9 & 11 am | Communion and Worship in the Sanctuary
9:45 am | Study Hour for All Ages
11 am | ASL Interpreter
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.
April 26 - 28, 2024 | Mo Ranch
We are so excited to return to Mo-Ranch for our Annual Church Retreat. Join us for a relaxing, fun weekend with your family and friends. Registration Fee is non-refundable after February 13. Questions contact Teresa Ward.
June 10 -13
Let’s Start the Party this summer with VBS! Jesus gives us the most amazing reason to party. That’s why we believe God’s love and the Gospel of Jesus is the best news ever. Drop off your child for four days of God centered FUN, where kids will be placed in groups to play games, sing songs, do crafts, and learn to celebrate the good news of Jesus.
Volunteers:
Volunteer with us for VBS 2024: Start the Party! We are eager and excited to guide our kids through an energetic and God filled week, and we need YOUR help to make it happen! Start the Party VBS will help kids strengthen their faith by celebrating God and all He has done for us. Please join us as we shepherd our students through worship, fun, and fellowship.
June 23 -28
Middle schoolers are invited to join us in the heart of San Antonio this summer, we will serve others by making homes safe, warm, and dry. Students will get the opportunity to gain new skills like working with power tools and tarring roofs (under adult supervision). This project is safe and done along side the empowering staff at Blueprint.
July 6 - 12, 2024
Next summer, we will partner with Praying Pelicans Mission and head to Belize, where PPM had its beginnings. Our mission will involve home repairs, hosting VBS, and organizing a sports camp for a partner church in Belize. Join us on our annual mission trip, where we will partner with God in the work He is doing in Belize.
This trip is open to all high school students who have completed at least one year of high school, including graduating seniors.
August 31 - September 2 | Camp Buckner in Burnet, TX
Celebration #26 is a three-day retreat for all students 8th - 11th grades, designed to connect you with others and deepen your understanding of Christ. This retreat is pivotal in helping with the transition to high school and finding your community to journey through life together. Register now to secure your spot for this unforgettable weekend.
OUR LATEST STUDIES & READINGS
Sundays, April 14 – May 19 | 9:45 am | Room 200
Come join us for six weeks as we explore the rich storytelling of Jesus and discuss how these tales can inform our faith, our parenting, and our lives today.
April 14 - May 19 | 9:45 am | Room 201
Find a group of fellow travelers to explore the places faith and reality meet. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, this is a class where you can keep asking questions, look at things from a new perspective and stay in touch with a Christian community of your peers.
March 4 - May 13 | 9:30 - 10:30 am
Room 200 & Zoom
Despicable people doing deplorable things. That pretty much sums up the book of Judges. Why would the Bible even contain such trashy tales about dysfunctional characters? Find out in our new 10 week class led by Pastor Kevin.
Space Still Available
Monday | 6 pm | Room 200
Thursday | 11 am & 4 pm | Zoom
This Lent, small groups are meeting to read and discuss the life of the Apostle Peter through the faith stories of fellow church members in short video presentations accompanied by a study guide. We are creating new Lenten Journey Groups for those who want to explore the life of faith with others for the six weeks of Lent.
Contact Pastor Stacy to join.
A series of classes given during Lent of 2024 on the life and the inspiration of the Apostle Peter A lesson on the role of Peter and Paul in the growth of the early church.
April 2 - 23 | 9:30 - 11 am
Join us for a 4-week study on Ruth, led by Rachel Finken, WHPC's Seminary Intern. We will read and discuss this four-chapter book of the Bible together. NO homework necessary! Childcare will be provided.
Thursday Women's Bible Study
Begins April 11 | Room 200 | 1 - 2 pm
Join Pastor Emily and other women in weekly Bible study. We will be studying the Gospel of John. Come when you can. If you can’t make it every week, no worries. Each week will do a brief review of the previous texts. Come with your Bible!
LIBRARY EVENTS
JOIN US Anytime
We invite you to join one of our Women's book clubs. Come to one meeting or come to all. You're sure to enjoy the fellowship and discussion with fellow book lovers.
Daytime Book Club Leader: Peggy Greenawalt, 512.415.0318
Daytime Reading List
Evening Book Club Leaders: Susie Turk, 512.584.1087 or Dale Truitt
Evening Reading List
May 9 | 6:30 PM CT in-person
The Orphan Keeper by Cameron Wright HF
Based on a true story of 7-year-old Chellamuthu's life that changed when he was kidnapped from his village in India, sold to an orphanage, and adopted by a US couple. When he can speak enough English he tells his parents that he has a family in India. They try unsuccessfully to track down his family. Meanwhile, they change his name to Taj and make him part of their family. But Taj's questions: Who am I? Why was I taken? How do I get home? More than a decade later, Taj meets Priya, a girl from India with ties to his past. Is she the key to unveiling the secrets of his childhood, or is it too late?
May 16 | 11:00 CT in-person/Noon Zoom
Horse by Geraldine Brooks HF
Join us at 11:00 CT for lunch and a discussion of this story about: the stain and legacy of slavery in the U.S., the love we have for the animals around us; and the sacrifices we will make (or fail to make) to make the lives of those around us better. And at the center of it all, in a novel that spans 170 years? A horse named Lexington.
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.
SERVE
Hi!
Meet Élida, an extraordinary woman who works in the kitchen of a local hotel, cares for her family, and attends ESL class at Manos de Cristo. Élida’s story is not only inspiring, but also a powerful reminder of the grit, determination, and resilience that immigrants bring to this country.
As an ESL instructor, I had the pleasure of teaching Élida in an Introductory ESL (English as a Second Language) class. During one of our classes, we worked on English vocabulary for weekly schedules, and I asked Élida to share her schedule with the class. What I heard next completely blew me away!
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.
Visit www.mlf.org to learn more.
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.
MISSION BLOG
Every year, WHPC hosts a special offering on Christmas Eve. In 2022, you all raised $100,000 that went to the Afghan Refugee Ministry and Memory Care Academy of Austin.
In 2024 we have high hopes to bring independence to our Afghan Refugee women.
Our refugee women rarely if ever leave their home. The local mosque here in Austin contacted us and asked us to encourage the women to experience community and education beyond their homes. They have encouraged the women to come to the Mosque during the day so that they can receive English as a Second Language classes while free childcare is provided. The mosque is eager to see the women break the cycle of dependency!
BY NANCY PICKETT
Prior to Covid-19 and recent government unrest, WHPC had both a consistent financial and physical presence in Nicaragua.
Even if WHPC is currently not as physically present, our WHPC missions still has a substantial financial and spiritual presence.
One example of WHPC involvement in Nicaragua Missions is:
Colegio Christiano Presbiteriano (CCP). CCP is our oldest and dearest school ministry. They are in one of the poorest neighborhoods, but shine as a true example of how God can take that which has been cast off and make it pure and vibrant.
WITH SHER HASSAN
On Sunday, Oct 8, 2023 our Afghan Refugee families came to WHPC to share a story in worship as well as showcase their home made products and sell them to the congregation. The women and children made beautiful bracelets, handbags and more. The men prepared delicious food and blessed us all with their presence. In addition to the beautiful market experience, Sher Hassan (one of the refugees), shared his story in worship. Keep reading to hear his story.
WHPC BLOG
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.
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 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!
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!
Our Sunday Funday gathering had us singing and smiling non-stop as we gathered together to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Kids made cards for their friends and families at our craft table, and decorated yummy cupcakes with candy hearts and m&ms. Then we had our unforgettable karaoke singing that had us up dancing and singing along with some of our favorite tunes. What a fun event!
The school year is off to a great start as we invited our children and youth for a blessing of the backpacks. We shared in the joy of blessing them with a fabulous year and reminded them how much they are loved by God and our church family. We love our kiddos!
We loved seeing the friendly faces of all the kids and parents that joined us for CASA. Our theme was scripture, so families read bible stories together, played games together, and connected through the word of God. Such a special morning!
On Saturday, July 2 at the Washington DC National Cathedral, Charlotte Blais, Taleesa Fox and William Nabors raised their voices with over 100 student singers from churches around the country at the 25th Nation’s Capital Festival of Choirs Grand Concert. The Festival is produced by YouthCUE, whose stated purpose is to teach and instill the astonishing power of musical arts as a means of changing the world for the better. Sacred texts are often embedded in the choral music YouthCUE sings, and those passages, combined with beautifully crafted music, enrich the students’ experience, and will remain with them for the rest of their lives. To sing at the National Cathedral is a memory of a lifetime – the holiness, the beauty, the grandeur, the acoustics of the Cathedral are magnificent and our WHPC students took full advantage of the opportunity to ‘sing praises to God in his sanctuary’.
33 participants went to San Antonio a couple of weeks ago and partnered with Blueprint Ministries. Blueprint Ministries is an urban home repair ministry, which consists of painting, repairing siding, or roofing someone's home. The WHPC team split into 4 work groups, and each team repaired a roof. We all became familiar with terms like tar paper, roll roof, weather guard, and orange caps. Each team enjoyed getting to know the homeowners through conversation, fellowship, and prayer.
VBS was a BLAST! We did everything from an air guitar competition to eating ice cream sundaes, to bible memory verses and learning all about the love of God. We had kids Press Play on confidence and learning to see themselves the way God sees them. Our hearts and souls were full seeing kids experience the love of Christ! What an amazing week! Thank you to all our volunteers and everyone who helped out. We couldn’t do it without you.