West Park Baptist Church

Loving God, Loving People, Impacting the World

West Park Baptist Church

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“My experience with the young adult group started in 2020 when Patrick Hobbs gave my mom the Cross Conference invite. I signed up and watched it from home due to Covid-19 and the fact that we couldn’t meet in a large group.

Once we started meeting Sunday evenings again an old acquaintance from high school and church was coming back and wanted to make a young adult group. At first, I kept more to myself because there were a lot of new people that I was meeting, and it was difficult for me. After going for a while, we all started to grow together like a big family. I started to see the Lord open my heart back up and bring me closer to him with this group. I started to go back to church and felt welcomed. Jake and Alli Bishop have opened their home to this group, and I love meeting on Thursday nights. I love this group and I have seen people stop their day and pray for other members of our group. Knowing that we will always have each other in times of need shows that we are a big family with huge hearts and lots of love.”

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“After hearing ABFs weren’t meeting anymore, I approached Patrick Hobbs in the HUB one Wednesday evening to ask about the community groups I’d been hearing about and he mentioned Al Cage had started one along with a few other people.  I told Patrick my family really enjoys when Al Cage preaches and our conversation came to a close.  I left Patrick that night and a few days later Al Cage reached out to Wes and I.

We went to our first community group at Al and Teri’s house.  It was wonderful!  We didn’t know anyone. Before the night was over, we agreed to be the host of community group, meaning everyone was meeting at our house on Sunday nights. As that week passed, I thought “What have I done? There is no way I can host community group on Sunday nights and try to get ready for the work week and the school week ahead”! Let me tell you, it has been such a blessing having this group of people in our home on Sunday nights.

It has blessed our hearts. It has not been a burden in any way, it’s been a pleasure! We laugh, we share, we eat, we pray and we’re still getting to know each other!  That’s been the best part, meeting couples whom we had never even seen at church and getting to know them.  They’re precious and funny and I know they are praying for me.

I invite anyone who is not part of a community group to come to ours on Sunday nights at 6:00 pm.  We don’t have a group name, just ask for Al’s group.”

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“A few people at West Park asked if I was leading a Community Group, before I inquired about it!  I wanted to ‘host’ a lady’s group and the Lord knew exactly who would facilitate!

It is simply amazing how we have grown & love together! Through much prayer, encouragement from each other, tears and lots of laughter. We find ourselves learning & embracing the smallest of details in scripture.

I didn’t know 2 years after my husband passed into heaven, the Lord would give me such an abundance of love & friendships through this group! I’ve always believed your church family is a very necessary, important, supportive & loving gift from Jesus!

Anyone wanting a connection, a fellowship, a community relationship, and to share the challenges and joys of becoming more like Jesus….this is it!

Giving God all the glory!!!!”

WP Stories: Community Groups

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I’ve been a member of West Park since 1990, but the last several years were hard times for me. I had strayed away from the Lord and West Park. When things started to improve in my life, I felt the Lord calling me back.

Since being back I have renewed old friendships and joined a community group. It was the best thing I’ve done in my life for years. The people in my group have helped me so much. I have learned so much about praying and my devotion time with the Lord. Also, I am now more open with people and am no longer uncomfortable in speaking up in our group discussions and praying.

Today, I am back where I need to be with the Lord Jesus in my life. My community group is the main reason.

Week 3: The Sanctity of Life

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ALL life is sacred, holy, and precious to God. During the month of January, the West Park Prayer Ministry Lead Team would like to encourage our church family to use this weekly prayer guide as we focus on life from the “womb to the tomb.” 

Set a time to do this together with your household whenever possible. One method would be to use the family devotions format. After a meal, or at the time you choose, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Have someone or several people read the passage(s).

Step 2. Discuss the passage(s) by asking:  What does it say about God and us?  What should we do in response to what we have read?

Step 3. Review what you have learned or have been reminded to think or do based on the passage(s). Take time to turn these back to God in prayer. Praise Him for what His word has shown you. Ask Him to keep His promises in situations in your life.

Step 4. Take time to sing a hymn, song of praise, or spiritual together.

Step 5. Take opportunities to encourage those in your community with what God is teaching you.

Prayer Guide

Week Three – Adulthood / Justice & Unity

Jan. 16 – Romans 2:9-11

May we treat all people as those made in the image of God. Help us as believers to regard everyone as being worthy of love regardless of their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic background/status.

Romans 12: 9-18

May our fellowship with the Father be reflected in our fellowship with my brothers, sisters, and others that I interact with daily. Otherwise, we are in opposition to the Father. Help us as believers to understand that we must attempt to reconcile our differences, as much as possible, when conflicts arise.

Jan. 17 – Micah 6:8 

God has called us to himself because of His unlimited grace; thank Him for unmerited favor. May I show the same grace, mercy and love to those around me.

Deuteronomy 6:20-25

We remember the blessings and the difficult times that God brought us through during our childhood and teenage years. These experiences made us who we are today. Let us share those things with our children so they can know the faithfulness of God. We know that a reverent fear of God will always be for our good. 

Jan. 18 – James 2:1-4

We are commanded in the Word to show no favoritism. Rich and poor come before God with equal standing and in need of the same mercy and grace. May God help us to be obedient in responding to those around us with equality.

1 Peter 3:8

Forgive us for being haughty in our actions toward others. We know that the only way those around us will come to know Jesus is by seeing us as sympathetic, tenderhearted and humble in all our ways. We do not have an excuse for mistreating anyone because God has made us reconcilers to those who do not yet know Jesus. 

Jan. 19 – Colossians 3:14,15 

May God help us to love as He loves so that we can live together in unity and harmony bringing God glory.

Ephesians 5:25

The Father has tasked the husband with an awesome responsibility to be a leader in the home and especially a lover of his helpmate. God has compared the relationship of the husband in the home with the wife to our relationship of Christ and the Church. Let husbands not take this role lightly, and ask God to help us to better understand the giving of ourselves for our wives. It is sometimes difficult to place our wives and others above ourselves.

Jan. 20 – 1 Corinthians 1:10

As believers in Christ may we have a testimony before the world that shows perfect unity.

James 3:17-18

May we understand that the fear of the Father is the beginning of wisdom. This fear is not a fear of terror but reverence. When we are at peace with the Father we can become a conduit of peace, gentleness, open to reason, mercy, good fruits, impartiality, and sincerity to those in our family, church, work, and daily encounters.

Jan. 21 – Deuteronomy 24:17

May believers ensure that the underprivileged and the marginalized always be treated with dignity and respect and never be deprived of justice. But for the blood of Jesus Christ none are worthy to stand before God. We were all slaves to sin, now redeemed by Jesus.

Psalms 139:1-4

We are aware that nothing is hidden from God, and He is aware of those things treasured in our hearts that are not pleasing to Him. Our thoughts sometimes lack the luster of the cross–redemption, grace, and mercy has faded into familiarity. God is fully aware of our thoughts even before our tongue expresses them. May God reveal those ungodly thoughts to us and give us the ability to abandon them and fill that space with pure thoughts in order to live a holy life that portrays Jesus.

Jan. 22 – Isaiah 40:31

We all know that patience is not a strong suit for most of us. God tells us to wait on Him in all our endeavors. Waiting is difficult for us! The world tells us that if we do not get it now, it will not be there for us in the future. When we wait on the Father our strength is renewed.

WP Stories: Community Groups

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“After about two years in the Sunday morning congregation at West Park, Zane and I joined the Young Adult Community Group in April of 2021. West Park is the first church that Zane and I have both enjoyed and felt comfortable in the worship services and our only hold up before joining the church as members was finding a community: a group of people we related to, could share our life with, and could rely on to listen to us and pray for us. We found that group! And not only have we found the community that we prayed for — the people we relate to — but we’ve also made friends who are different from us. We’ve gotten to know people who have been through circumstances we’ve never imagined. We’ve had the opportunity to pray for and love on our friends who have gone through hardship, and to be excited with friends who have had good news!

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47

In the Young Adult Community Group alone, we’ve seen this verse ring true. We are blessed with visitors and new members nearly every week. One of the biggest blessings in Zane’s and my life is the chance to work for the Heavenly Kingdom and watch it group with this group of people we call friends and family.

If you haven’t found your community within the church family, I encourage to reach out to the church office. That’s what I did! Through the “Contact Us” page on the church website, I explained who we are, what stage of life we’re in, and what we were looking for, and I was pointed in the right direction!”

Advent 2021 Prayer Guide

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Family devotions and personal worship are great spiritual disciplines to embrace in this Advent season and continue year-round.

1. Gather with those in your home to set apart a daily time together (15 minutes or more is fine…right after a meal is ideal).

2. Have someone read the passage for that day.

3. Discuss what it means in light of Jesus. What does it say about Him or His coming?

4. Pray in response to the passage. Thank God for fulfilled prophecies, answered prayers, renewed hopes, etc. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep your hearts focused on His Word.

5. Sing a hymn or carol of the season.

Week 1 – The Prophets (Hope)

Nov. 28 – Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Nov. 29 – Psalms 122

Nov. 30 – Isaiah 2:2-5

Dec. 1 – Romans 13:11-14

Dec. 2 – Micah 5:1-5

Dec. 3 – Genesis 3:1-15

Dec. 4 – Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:22-23

Hymns: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, Silent Night, The First Noel

Week 2 – The Bethlehem, The Way (Faith)

Dec. 5 – Isaiah 40:3-5

Dec. 6 – Psalms 72:18

Dec. 7 – Isaiah 11:1-10

Dec. 8 – Luke 1:26-38

Dec. 9 – Isaiah 8:11-15, Romans 9:32-33

Dec. 10 – I Peter. 2:6-8, Matthew 21:42

Dec. 11 – Isaiah 53

Hymns: O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Do You Hear What I Hear

Week 3 – The Shepherds (Joy)

Dec. 12 – Matthew 2:10-11

Dec. 13 – Psalms 146:5-10

Dec. 14 – Isaiah 35:1-10

Dec. 15 – Luke 2:8-14

Dec. 16 – I John. 1:1-4

Dec. 17 – Revelation 1:4-8

Dec. 18 – Zechariah 9:9

Hymns: Joy to the World, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Rise Up Shepherd and Follow

Week 4 – The Angels (Peace)

Dec. 19 – John 3:16-19

Dec. 20 – Psalms 24:1-10

Dec. 21 – Isaiah 7:10-14

Dec. 22 – Luke 2:8-20

Dec. 23 – 1 John 4:10

Dec. 24 – Galatians 4:4-5

Hymns: Away in a Manger, O little Town of Bethlehem

Christmas Day – The Christ (Love) – John 1:14; Psalms 96; Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 2:1-40; Titus 2:11-14

Hymns: O Come, All Ye Faithful, Go Tell It On the Mountain

Week 2: The Sanctity of Life

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ALL life is sacred, holy, and precious to God. During the month of January, the West Park Prayer Ministry Lead Team would like to encourage our church family to use this weekly prayer guide as we focus on life from the “womb to the tomb.” 

Set a time to do this together with your household whenever possible. One method would be to use the family devotions format. After a meal, or at the time you choose, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Have someone or several people read the passage(s).

Step 2. Discuss the passage(s) by asking:  What does it say about God and us?  What should we do in response to what we have read?

Step 3. Review what you have learned or have been reminded to think or do based on the passage(s). Take time to turn these back to God in prayer. Praise Him for what His word has shown you. Ask Him to keep His promises in situations in your life.

Step 4. Take time to sing a hymn, song of praise, or spiritual together.

Step 5. Take opportunities to encourage those in your community with what God is teaching you.

Prayer Guide

Week Two – Children & Teens

Jan. 9 – I Timothy 4:12

For all believers, regardless of age, obedience to the word is required to please God. May we submit to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide our words, actions and testimony at the point of salvation so that young and old alike can impact the world for Christ.

Jan. 10 – Deuteronomy 6:7-9

Parents are to teach children by their words and by their actions, their talk and walk. God’s statutes are to be taught at church and at home; not just at morning devotion, but throughout the day. God’s word affects our lifestyle and the daily activities of our households.

Jan. 11 – 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Teaching God’s word to our children imparts wisdom and discernment so that they, at salvation, can grow in spiritual maturity.

Jan. 12 – Matt 19:13-15

As we pray, we teach our children how to pray, and even more so the importance of prayer. May we set aside business and daily take time to pray with our children. May our homes be houses of prayer.

Jan. 13 – Deuteronomy 4:9

May we diligently and with discernment, share our faith walk with our children and grandchildren, in our mountaintops and our valleys.

Jan. 14 – John 3:16

Because of His great love for us, God spared not his innocent Son, though Jesus asked if it were possible. May we love our children and by using godly discernment, let them suffer consequences of sinful actions. They will grow in their faith through trials by depending on Jesus.

Jan. 15 – Prov 1:8-9

May the things parents teach their children be grounded in God’s word, and so impact their inner person that their outer person—behavior–reflects one who is favored by God.