Welcome!
Our mission is to invite people into God’s larger story as we follow Christ together.
The WHPC Office & Campus Will Be Closed For Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 20
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.
Each person has a journey, and every story holds the power to inspire, connect, and remind us of God’s presence in our lives. From moments of joy and triumph to times of struggle and growth, Humans of WHPC will share the diverse and authentic experiences that reflect the heart of who we are as a church.
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!
SUNDAY MORNING
January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday
9 & 11 am | Worship Service in the Sanctuary
9:45 am | Study Hour for All Ages
11 am | ASL Interpreter
January 26
9 & 11 am | Worship Service in the Sanctuary
9:45 am | Study Hour for all Ages
11 am | ASL Interpreter
12 pm | All-Church Chili Cook-off and Bingo
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.
Sunday, January 26 | 12 pm | Dining Hall
Come get your picture taken for our online resource, REALM! During the All Church Chili Cook-Off, there will be a team of people to take your photo, which will be added to your REALM profile.
Sunday, January 26, 2025 | 12 - 2 pm | WHPC Gym and Dining Hall
Only register if you are bringing a crockpot of chili to be judged for the chili cook-off! Otherwise, just come, no need to register!
Get out your favorite chili recipe, and come join us for our second chili cookoff, lunch and Bingo.
There will be prizes for the following 3 categories:
Traditional Texas Red
Chili with Beans
Non-Traditional, i.e. Chicken, gluten-free, green chili, etc.
For questions contact Teresa Ward, teresaw@whpc.org
Friday, February 28 - Sunday March 2 | Camp Tejas
All high schoolers (current 9th to 12th graders) are invited to join us for our Annual Winter Retreat at Camp Tejas from Feb. 28 to Mar. 2. Get ready for a time of adventure, relaxation, and connection as a community with our new Student Ministry Director!
Please contact Pastor Stephen with any questions about the Winter Retreat and/or with any scholarship needs.
June 15-20, 2025
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 5-11 | Alaska
This summer, we’re thrilled to partner with Praying Pelicans Mission for an incredible journey to Alaska! Known for its breathtaking landscapes and welcoming communities, Alaska is a vast land with unique challenges. Home to around 730,000 people, half of whom live in cities like Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau, many Alaskans reside in remote areas only accessible by planes, boats, and ATVs. Despite its natural beauty and vibrant summer tourism, Alaska faces deep struggles, including poverty, homelessness, mental health issues, and addiction. On this mission trip, you’ll team up with local churches, nonprofits, and Christian camps to make a positive impact.
REGISTRATION FULL
OUR LATEST STUDIES & READINGS
Sundays, Beginning January 26 | 9:45 am | Parlor
Building on our theme for 2025 – Health and Wholeness, our adult bible study class will kick off a 6 week series, Stories of Hope and Healing. This pastor-led class takes a deep dive into stories of healing from our gospels and Hebrew Scripture. We will delve into the cultural and historical contexts of these stories and discern together how they continue to guide our lives and the life of the Church.
Grumpy Old Men - The Minor(?) Prophets with Pastor Kevin
Mondays, Beginning February 3 | 9:30 am | Room 200 & Zoom
Monday morning bible study resumes with a 12 week series on prophets you may not know. Even though the Minor Prophets are some of the least read books of Scripture, they are also some of the richest. These voices declare God’s glory by witnessing to God’s steadfast love and mercy. They demonstrate God’s holiness in God’s intense anger toward sin. They proclaim a humanity created to live in harmony and justice.
January 5, 12, & 19 | 9:45 am | Parlor
A class focusing on holistic well-being guided by experts.
In a world that is shattered, how do we stay rooted in Christ, work to heal our brokenness, and reach out in love to the hurting? Let’s begin 2025 with 31 days of prayer.
Our spiritual journey is not one to be taken alone. This four week study on Joseph’s life will help your small group grow closer together and deepen everyone’s understanding of the road-blocks and difficulties of the life of faith. The videos and study guide for each week can be found here.
Wednesdays | 10 am | Parlor
WWBS is for women of all ages who desire to keep their faith steady as well as enjoy and support one another. Join us for fellowship and Bible study.
Jan 8 - Feb 5: Praying Like Monks
Feb 12 – Mar 12: Women of the Bible
Mar 26 – May 7: What Did Jesus Do?
Contacts: Christy Engemoen (cengemoen@aol.com) or Mary Allaway (mballaway@aol.com).
September through June | Church & Off-Site
Be part of a Grow Group this Fall! These groups are for adults who want to connect, share and serve while growing in faith. Groups will meet twice a month and participate in an outreach project together.
Tuesdays | 7:00 am I Church Parlor
"40 Days In The Word" | Jan 7 - Feb 11
Join our Tuesday Morning Men’s Prayer Group at 7 am Tuesdays in the church Parlor. They are studying "40 Days in the Word” – a Bible study program by Pastor Rick Warren that helps participants learn and to apply the Bible to their lives.
For more info, contact Mike Ussery.
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.
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
February 13 | 6:30 PM CST in-person
The Many Daughters of Afong Moyby Jamie Ford HF
Seven women, Afong and the six generations of daughters who descend from her, are the main characters in this book, which chronicles their intertwined lives from the 1800s well into a future decades from now.
Feb 20 | 11:00 CST in-person/Noon Zoom
By Her Own Design: The Story of Ann Lowe, Society’s Best-Kept Secret
by Piper Hugule HF
Join us at 11:00 CST for lunch and a discussion of this incredible untold story of how Ann Lowe, a Black woman and granddaughter of slaves, rose above personal struggles and racial prejudice to design and create one of America's most famous wedding dresses of all time for Jackie Kennedy.
Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki HF
Margaret Fuller—America’s forgotten leading lady and the central figure of a movement that defined a nation. This is a story of an inspiring trailblazer, a woman who loved big and lived even bigger—a fierce adventurer who transcended the rigid roles ascribed to women, and changed history for millions, all on her own terms.
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
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.
Attending a mission trip to Belize with 25 WHPC students and other adult leaders was deeply spirit-filling and humbling at the same time. We served alongside the San Lazaro Pentecostal Church community in sharing God’s Goodness and Grace with children, youth, adults and those of all ages and stages homebound and in need. Getting to know the local children was amazing and we played every version of every game you can play with a soccer ball and shared hugs, laughter and fun in the sweltering heat and humidity while surrounded by Belize’s natural beauty!
I was honored to get to know some of our high schoolers and experience and validate how their time in relationship with the holy spirt at WHPC has given them these amazing gifts of loving and knowing a GOD who is Good, Steadfast and an ever-present friend to all. Their unique talents, gifts, strengths and even their struggles allowed them to connect with the 50 plus children in attendance at our Vacation Bible School throughout the week.
For me, the everlasting impact of this mission trip is a reminder that this community of Christians in San Lazaro know that there at 30 Americans over 1500 miles away, who will never forget them, prays for them and is reminded in big and small ways daily of their open hearts, generosity and kindness (and some of the best chicken we’ve ever had!!!) The tangible ways the people of San Lazaro showed and shared God’s love with us in those 6 days is more than we could have ever hoped to receive, and I think I speak for all of us there, our cups runneth over. Praise be the Lord!
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!
WHPC BLOG
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!
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!
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.
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 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! 🎨✨
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!
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!