Baptisms at Iglesia De Cristo Fri, Jun 26th

Iglesia de Cristo, the Latino congregation that meets in Waterview's building, recently had two baptisms. One of those baptisms was a man named David. David is the son of Ruben and Blanca Davila. Ruben (the congregation's preacher) baptized his son on Monday of this past week. The congregation continues its progress in the Latino community of Richardson and Plano. Both children and adults from the church joined us at VBS last week.

VBS Wrap Up Fri, Jun 26th

VBS is always a big treat at Waterview. It brings in many visitors and involves the highest number of members for any even the year. This year's VBS was just as successful as past years. Each night had more children and over 225 children were registered. One wrinkle that was different was the leadership. This year, the deacons over children's education, Leland Mills and Bobby Place, served as the coordinators. Leland and Bobby did a tremendous job of making VBS successful. It always takes many meetings and long hours and both men handled the task admirably. We thank all the volunteers who taught, helped, and prepared food.

VBS Starts Tonight! Sun, Jun 21st

Tonight begins our annual VBS program. VBS brings in children and families in ways nothing else can. It is also one of the few events that involve scores of Waterview members.

VBS opens tonight with an opening ceremony at 6:30 in the auditorium. (Please note: NO EVENING CLASSES OR WORSHIP SERVICES WILL BE HELD THIS EVENING!)

Children will enjoy their classes, crafts, and skits while adults will have sessions in the chapel. Teachers of those classes are Jim Stigers, Robert Taylor, and Chuck Davis.

Wednesday night's program is our Family Fun Night that opens with a 15 minute assembly in the auditorium.

This week, we are encouraging children to bring non-perishable foods. The benevolence house has furnished a list of staple items used. Those items are:

• Dried Beans (bags)
• Rice (Bags)
• Canned Tuna
• Canned Chicken
• Canned Tomatoes
• Canned Soup
• Canned Green Beans
• Canned Corn
• Spaghetti
• Peanut Butter
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Toilet Paper

If you know a family with children, invite them to come with you. Their children will love it!

A Note to Our Guests about Our Singing Thu, Jun 18th

You will notice that we sing without instrumental accompaniment in our worship. Singing acapella is not accidental with us. We do it mainly because the church we read about in the New Testament sang without instruments. However, we also do it because we feel that being able to hear the unadorned vocal tones and words of the songs lifts us higher in our worship.

Red River Encampment Thu, Jun 18th

The Red River Encampment begins next weekend. Robert Oglesby will be speaking for the Monday morning lecture and teaching three classes on Leadership during the week. A number of families from Waterview will be there due to Myron's encouragement each year. If you are interested in attending, please see Myron Bruce.

Renovation Debt Renegotiated to Save Money Thu, Jun 18th

Stewardship means wisely using the funds the Lord has entrusted to us. On our renovation project, we borrowed around 2 million dollars. With the recent downturn in the economy the opportunity presented itself to renegotiate the loan rate. The elders wanted to make you aware of that change. In order to get the best rates, we have changed banks to VisionBank of Richardson. The new rate on the loan will save about $200,000 over the life of the loan. By continuing our current monthly payment, we will pay off our debt three years early. But the good news continues. Our capital campaign is in its last four months and weekly contributions continue to be made. Almost 87% of all pledges (which represent $1,516,234) have been paid. The elders continue to thank the Waterview members for their generosity and faithfulness in giving. We thank Mike Shearer of the finance ministry for his diligence to keep Waterview's finances strong.

Waterview Members Working Meals on Wheels Thu, Jun 18th

Recently, the Visiting Nursing Association celebrated its 70th anniversary. While that may not be significant to most, for several Waterview members it highlights an important but unseen work. Lea Cummings coordinates a group of Waterview members who work with Meals on Wheels. Twenty-one Waterview members (both men and women) take time to take meals to those who are shut-in or unable to cook for themselves due to infirmity or age. When Pat Schneider moved from the area, VNA presented her a special commendation for her work. The recipients of the meals get more than just food. They get to experience the heart and warmth of the love of the Waterview family. We appreciate Lea for so much coordination work. Through her and her team, the lives of people are touched in a special way. If you would like to join the team, see Lea Cummings.

Benevolence House News Thu, Jun 11th

The Benevolence House is now closed for the summer and will re-open in early September. The staff asks for donations of 4 lb. bags of sugar, 5 lb. bags of flour, and 5 lb. bags of corn meal over the summer. Thanks for your support of this important ministry.

A Convenient Time to Die? Thu, Jun 11th

Are you aware of "estate taxes?"

In case you aren't, it's the tax the government charges you for dying. Some have called it the ultimate tax; that is, a death tax.

It has been embedded in our tax system for some time now. The philosophy seems to be that it is the government's way of penalizing those who have done really well financially. So if you have profited too much in life, they want to even things out in death.

How bad is this tax? Well, pretty bad, because it is about 50%. And we thought income taxes were bad. They don't hold a candle to this tax.

That's the bad news, but the good news is that the government grants you an exemption for a certain amount of your estate. This means you do not start paying estate tax until you have exceeded this amount.

2009 - The exempted amount is $3,500,000 per person.

2010 - By law the estate tax goes to zero for this year. This simply means that if you're "lucky" enough to die in 2010, your estate will pay no taxes!

2011 - Now the bad news. The old estate tax comes roaring back in 2011 and your exemption drops from three and one half million back to l million dollars.

The Bible does not name a convenient time to die. It does say, "It is appointed unto man once to die" (Hebrews 9:27). No one but God knows when that will be.

For your heirs, a "lucky" time for you to die would be sometime during the year 2010.

Since we have no guarantee when we might die, it would be best to ignore the estate tax timing and concentrate on being spiritually ready to die at any time.

Summer Series Features Local Ministry Thu, Jun 11th

For a couple of weeks this summer, our series will feature speakers from local ministries that involve Waterview members. This week's speaker is Larry Foster. Larry serves as the development director for Lifeline Chaplaincy. Lifeline provides an essential service of hospital visitation and counseling to those who are facing catastrophic illnesses. Waterview has several members involved as volunteer chaplains. We look forward to hearing from Larry and Lifeline this week.

Where are the Youth? Thu, Jun 11th

Summer is when youth ministry becomes mobile. Our teens move in and out as they attend growing events and teach in special series. This week, our junior high and high school teens are attending Uplift at Harding University. Uplift is a life-changing event which results in the baptism of many of our teens.

What is "Prep"? Thu, Jun 11th

Some things are so regular that many who are new don't know they happen. One of those regular, on-going sessions is the Wednesday night "PREP Class." Over 40 years ago, Robert Oglesby was pioneering small group discussion in the church. He had to have a "laboratory" to learn and teach new group leaders. That class was the "PREP Class." The PREP class continues to meet in S102 each Wednesday night during the class period beginning at 7:20 p.m. It features a group discussion over the coming Sunday's passage. It is designed to help group leaders experience what will happen in their groups but also provides a time for Robert to teach the principles of effectively leading a small group. If you want a challenge or if you are a Sunday teacher who wants a leg-up on preparation, come to the PREP class. It is open to all who choose to attend.

Summer Series Continues this Week Thu, Jun 4th

Summer is heating up and our annual summer series continues. This week's speaker is home-grown. Few congregations ever produce preachers. But Waterview has along tradition of giving back to our fellowship talented and faithful gospel preachers. This week Jacob Hawk brings us "If a Loss in Altitude Occurs . . ." Jacob is the son of Danny and Karen Hawk and a recent graduate of Harding University. He will begin his work as the preacher at the Llano Church of Christ this summer. We look forward to hearing Jacob this Wednesday night.

Cynthia Thomas Retires Thu, Jun 4th

This week marks Cynthia Thomas's last week in the Waterview office. Cynthia has served Waterview for 24 years (with a brief interlude in Houston). Her work has supported many areas of Wateview, including youth ministry, keeping all the data straight (a monumental task in itself), and preparation for special days such as Baby Day. We appreciate the years of faithful service Cynthia has provided the Waterview family and wish her our best in her retirement.

Countdown to VBS Thu, Jun 4th

Only two weeks until Vacation Bible School. This year's VBS, Superheroes of the Bible, will be June 21-24 at 6:30 p.m. Preparations are in high gear. What do you need to know as VBS approaches? Sign up your child. Please go by the table in the preschool hallway (or go to Waterview's website) and register your child. If your child is not pre-registered by June 14, we will still love to have them at VBS, but cannot guarantee that they will receive a T-shirt. Sign up to help. We still need help in several areas. Sign up on the bulletin board in the foyer. We need all teachers, workers, and helpers to sign up with your T-shirt size by June 14. This year we are asking all teachers and helpers to pay $5 (due when you pick up your shirt) to help offset the cost of the T-shirts. Help with decorations. There is a bulletin board in the foyer with a list of items we need to borrow for VBS. We also still need large (water heater, refrigerator size) cardboard boxes. Please bring cardboard boxes to room N141 at the far end of the north wing. Bring Snack Items. We are also collecting ingredients for the children's snacks. Items needed are: Kellogg's Rice Krispies, Jet-Puffed Marshmallows, semi-sweet chocolate chips, sugar, apple juice, bags of bagel chips, and unsalted butter. We could also use cakes, pies, and cookies for the teachers and helpers. Please leave these items in the north kitchen. The time to get ready is now. Help make this another wonderful VBS.

New Classes Start Today Thu, Jun 4th

Two new evening classes for adults begin this afternoon at 5 p.m. In the chapel, John Orr will start an eight-week series on Spiritual Patriots. The study will focus on Jude's call to arms as the truth of the gospel was facing dilution from a changing world. In S101 is our special series designed to help our friends and family members facing cancer. Dr. Jerry Barker, a cancer specialist and Waterview elder, will hold a series of meetings designed to give answers to one of the scariest situations people face. Everyone knows someone with cancer, whether friend or family member. This would be an excellent time to invite them you to come to Waterview. Not only will it give them solid information to handle a difficult disease, but also present the opportunity to build a bridge to even deeper spiritual needs. CALL A FRIEND AND BRING THEM WITH YOU TONIGHT!

VBS Sun, Jun 21st

Each year, Waterview's Vacation Bible School is a big production that draws crowds. This year's VBS, Superheroes of the Bible, will be no exception. VBS will be June 21-24 at 6:30 p.m.

Register online, or please go by the table in the preschool hallway to register your child. This will help us know the numbers to expect and to order the correct number and sizes of T-shirts.

In addition, we always need helpers in various areas. A bulletin board is in the foyer with a list of open positions. Please see where you can fit and sign up to help. We need all teachers, workers, and helpers to sign up with your T-shirt size by May 31. This year we are asking all teachers and helpers to pay $5 to help offset the cost of the T-shirts. If we do not have your size by May 31 we cannot guarantee that you will get a shirt. We also need large (water heater, refrigerator size) cardboard boxes. If you can help, please bring your donation to room N141 at the far end of the north wing. We look forward to a fun time at VBS this year!