THIS SUNDAY

 Prayer Meeting at 8 a.m.

 Services at 9 & 11 a.m.

Grades K-4 Sunday School | Downstairs | Second Service 

February 2026

21 - Men's Bible Study at 7:30 a.m.

25 -Wednesday Prayer at 6:30 p.m.

25- Student Ministry | World View Movie 6:00-8:30 p.m.

28 - Men's Bible Study at 7:30 a.m.

Visit the website or app for all events.

A Message From Pastor Kevin Dibbley

Refugee Ministry Update - Urgent Prayer Request

Encouraging Karise from Afar

Benevolent Ministry Update

Caring Meals for Recovery

Waterbrooke APP | Prayer Wall

Women's Bible Study - Winter 2026

Missionary Spotlight - Karise Pagano: Italy

This Week's Fighter Verse

Next Steps & Ministries

Giving Options

This Sunday we’re stepping into Acts 21:17–26, a passage that beautifully shows Paul navigating the tension between gospel clarity and cultural difference. It raises an important question for every believer: How do we hold fast to the uniqueness of the gospel while celebrating the beauty of the diverse peoples Christ redeems?

Scripture gives us a breathtaking picture of this. In Revelation 21, John sees the nations bringing their glory into the New Jerusalem—their redeemed beauty, their distinct cultures, all gathered around the Lamb. And in Revelation 5, heaven erupts in praise because Jesus has ransomed people from every tribe, language, and nation and made them one kingdom.

That’s our future: a redeemed, diverse family joyfully united in worship. And that vision shapes how we live now. Christ didn’t come to create a single, uniform culture—He came to redeem people in all their God‑given distinctiveness.

This is exactly the challenge and the joy we see in Acts: holding out the gospel with clarity while honoring the cultures of those Christ is calling to Himself. In a world full of confusion and division, we need this vision more than ever.

I’m looking forward to exploring it with you and fixing our eyes on Jesus together this Sunday. Hope you can come and will invite others to worship our Savior and King together.

The Rasoolis, our Afghan refugee family, just received a summons to appear before Immigration authorities, date to be determined.  The parents and 2 oldest children must appear because the federal administration recently decided that all Afghan refugees, even those legally here with valid work authorization (like the Rasoolis) need to be re-vetted to determine if they should be allowed to stay in the US and get green cards.

An attorney at Arrive, our ministry partner, said that with Immigration constantly changing their processes and procedures, she does not know what to expect. She said “if the meeting goes well, they may be approved for their green card but if not, they all might be arrested on the spot.”  

Please pray:
• for hope and calm for the Rasoolis as they wait to go to the interview.  They are experiencing significant anxiety, especially since they were already traumatized by their time in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over.

• that the Rasoolis will experience divine calm during the interview and will be able to present their situation in a compelling way that ultimately results in green card approval.

• that the authorities at the meeting will abide by a recent Federal Court ruling that people with legal refugee status cannot be detained.

• for the Refugee Ministry team to shine God’s love to this wonderful family that we’ve come to care for so much.

Can you recall the last time you received an encouraging text or message or word just at the right moment during a hard or heavy time? It is often at those moments when we know the grace of Jesus in an even more meaningful way - the glimmer of light on a dark afternoon and the moment of comfort when we feel overwhelmed.

Karise is a member of our church family who is deeply loving and sharing Jesus with those in Italy. We get to joyfully partner with, pray for, and be deeply connected with her in friendship and relationship. So as this new year begins, please take a moment to sign up to send Karise a note of encouragement!

As a Missions Team, our goal is to our Waterbrooke church family send her a note of encouragement each week this year! Let’s see, 52 weeks in the year means 52 people volunteering to speak life to our sister. We can do that!

A note of encouragement can include an introduction of yourself, a written prayer over her, her life, and her ministry; a Scripture promise that has strengthened you or encouraged you lately; asking intentional questions to get to know her in a new way; and any specific ways she can be praying for you.

When you sign up, you will receive automated reminders before your selected date to help you prayerfully prepare and ask the Lord what He may have you share. 

To receive the reminders, please be sure you're email and text number are current. If you're not signed up to receive texts, please text START to 87447.

Do it with a friend, do it as a family, do it with us! Thank you for taking time to speak life and encourage Karise! Let’s “love one another with brotherly affection as we outdo one another in showing honor” (Rom 12:10).

Emails can be sent to info@redenti.org. For more information about Karise’s ministry, please visit https://redenti.org/. You can read about her current prayers and praises in her Missionary Spotlight below.

We have a long history at Waterbrooke of coming alongside others who are hurting, whether it be spiritually, emotionally or financially.  For those with financial needs those with resources generously contribute to our benevolent fund so that we can help others.

We review each request on a case-by-case basis to ensure we are wisely stewarding the funds we have been entrusted with.

In the past few months, we contributed towards the cost of a large car repair bill for someone who could not afford the entire payment. We also helped one of our congregation members obtain a pair of special glasses that were very expensive.  

If you'd like to support our brothers and sisters in need, and you're able to make an extra gift for that purpose, you can contribute to the Benevolent Fund by selecting that option online or by writing "Benevolent" on a check.

If you need assistance for any financial needs, please contact the church office.

We’re organizing meals for members of our church family, Lynette and Larry Dux. Larry is recovering from surgery, and they would appreciate your help. Providing a meal is a practical way to show care and support during a time of healing.

If you’re able to sign up to bring a meal, please add your name to the schedule. On the sign up, there are also some dietary restrictions and helpful tips from Lynette.

Thank you for helping us serve one another with love.

Have you ever wished you could quickly and easily send out a prayer request and know that lots of people in church will be praying to support you?  Did you ever wish there was an easy way to learn about the prayer needs of others?  

Well, you can, with the Waterbrooke church app!  On the main page, choose PRAYER.  If you'd like to share a request, choose "ADD" and fill out the information.  Immediately, your request will be shared with everyone on the app.  If you'd like to pray for the request on the prayer wall, choose PRAYER, then click on any prayers listed on the page for details of how you can lift your brothers and sisters in Christ!

If you don't yet have the app, use the QR code above or click here to get it!  

You are invited to join the Women of Waterbrooke this February as we dive into the book of Hebrews!  This rich book will lift our eyes to Jesus, our great High priest, our “sure and steadfast anchor of the soul”. 

*Note: This study is available on Amazon and Crossway. 

I am Karise Pagano, an Italian-American missionary serving in Italy since 2013 and collaborating with local ministries since 2007. Sent by Waterbrooke through Entrusted Word Ministries, my mission is to make disciples by living among the Italian people, building relationships, sharing the Gospel, and mentoring sisters in Christ. Italy’s beauty and history contrast with its deep spiritual need, as many are trapped in superstition and false religious teachings. Effective outreach requires long-term relational investment to exemplify the life-transforming power of Christ.

My ministry includes supporting Alba Safe House and Recovery Program, which provides housing, recovery, and training for women and children escaping human trafficking. I also serve The Masterpiece Project Worship Music Ministry, which creates Gospel-centered worship music in Italian. Additionally, I assist local ministries with consulting, administration, event planning, and translation, all while striving to share Christ and disciple others in their faith.

To sustain this work, I rely on financial partnerships with fellow believers. If you feel led to join my ministry team through a recurring gift, you can do so at https://www.entrustedword.org/pagano. Together, we can bring the hope of the Gospel to the people of Italy.

Praise the Lord with me:

•  As He provided ALL of the funds necessary for the citizenship documents.

•  My book on grief has been translated, printed, and already gifted to several recipients. Please continue to pray that God would use my words and story to point to Him! 

Please pray:

•  For God to provide financial partners to meet my deficit of $500/month.

•  For the ministries I serve and my dear friends who lead them.

•  For the Italian Citizenship Process to be successful, as we await a second hearing at the end of February.

•  That I would trust fully in the Lord for His provision of all I need to serve Him for as long as He desires in Italy.