News -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

From the Hillcrest Beacon ( October 6, 2008 )...

Weekly Updates from the Church Staff:
From the Pastor
Music/Administration
Education
College/Career
Youth
Children

Information:
Attendance/Giving
Deacon/Yokefellow on Call
Van Driver
Greeters

From the Pastor

– Tom Goodman

"A Spiritual Pedicure"

Together @ 10
Watch the promotional video on our home page.

Every March, Montpelier hosts a very unusual contest. Challengers arrive in the Vermont town to compete in the International Rotten Sneaker Contest.

Sponsored by the Odor-Eaters company, contestant's athletic shoes are judged in such categories as frayed laces, floppy soles, tattered body, and, of course, stench. This year's winner was fifteen-year-old Benjamin Russell, who took home the grand prize with a pair of two year-old sneakers that nearly caused the judges to pass out.

I guess you could say that, among all the contestants, he "out-ranked" them all.

Sad to say, but a lot of us in here would be hot contenders for that prize, because our feet aren't very beautiful. At least, not the way the Bible defines beautiful feet.

Isaiah 52:7 says, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news." According to that passage, it's not what your feet look like or smell like that make them beautiful. Instead, it's what your feet are doing that make them beautiful. Feet that bring good news are beautiful feet. In ancient days, there was no way to phone, fax, e-mail, or text. Messages were taken by runner.

In his imagination, Isaiah sees a messenger speeding across the hills toward Jerusalem, shouting the news that God was on his way to reign from Zion. That was good news in Isaiah's day. When Isaiah 52 was first recorded, Jerusalem was in ruins, the temple was destroyed, and the leading citizens had been marched into exile. Into that gloom came this message of hope: "I see a messenger who does not walk with plodding steps bringing bad news. No, but his feet are beautiful – they skip, they dance, they race excitedly across the hills carrying a messenger with the good news of salvation!"

According to Isaiah 52, then, those who share the glory of God with others have beautiful feet.

This Sunday, we're offering a spiritual pedicure for anyone who wants his or her feet to be a bit more beautiful for God. Come this Sunday to learn how to be more effective at communicating God's Good News to your friends. We meet at 9:30am and 10:45am for one more Sunday!

Music / Administration

– Gene Chappell

Are you a consumer or a family member? We all function in both of these roles everyday, but when it comes to church, which are you?

Think of the differences of the two roles. One is an involved participant and the other is one who expects and, in some cases, demands, whatever goods and services they are expecting. Consumers can be highly critical and, if their expectations are not met in a fashion pleasing to them, easily take their business elsewhere.

Contrast that to a family member who is a part of something, can be depended upon for whatever the needs may be, and are there because of being a family member, not because all of the circumstances are always pleasing.

Isn't it interesting the Bible refers to God's children and is full of references to us being family members? That is what people are seeking, being a part of a family.

Education

– Herb Ingram

Connection Campaign Report-through Sunday, October 5:

Completed Conversations:

1268 Households

Agreed to come October 19:

25 Households (2%)

Interested in HBC:

66 Households (5.5%)

Gave Prayer Request:

249 Households (20%)

We aren't quite halfway through, so these results will probably more than double.

New Seminars begin this Sunday at 5:30pm.

Go see the movie "Fireproof," and then attend the seminar "Fireproof your Marriage" with Tom and Diane Goodman. These six weeks will be a great boost to any marriage.

If you have completed "The Disciple's Cross," then you are ready for "The Disciple's Personality." Learn the secrets to living an abundant life in Christ. Join Paul Rusch for this outstanding study.

Deep Thought: There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.

College / Career

– Courtney Carlson

Over the last four weeks, Benji has been leading our college students through a Bible study that focuses on the different feasts celebrated in the Old Testament. The purpose of the study is to gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish faith and their relationship with God. In doing this, Benji and the students have discovered some of the amazing connections between the Old and New Testament, and they have expanded their application of scripture.

So many traditions and activities we practice today in modern New Testament Christianity originated with the Jews, during a time when God was in constant communion with the nation of Israel. Do you know why we observe the Lord's Supper and where it started? Have you ever laid a groundwork for some of the confusing language in Hebrews? Is it possible that God gave the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai at the exact same period of the year, 1400 years apart?

Exploring these issues this semester has challenged our students and helped us better understand scripture as a whole.

Youth

– Jim Siegel

The "IRONMAN" Fall Retreat is this weekend. We will be leaving the church Friday at 5:30 pm sharp! Since we are staying at Highland Lakes, students will need to bring a Bible, pen or pencil, bed linens (twin) and pillow, and other toiletries (soap, deodorant, etc.). Please do not bring any electronic games, ipods, walkmans, portable DVD players, etc. We will be back Sunday morning in time for services.

The last full weekend of the month (Oct. 24-25) is our annual "Labor of Love" arts & crafts show. This event is the only fund raiser that we do as a church for our student ministry. By now you should have already received, completed, and returned your requested hours sheet. If you have not, please see Debbie Wuthnow, Debbie Marett, Dee Simpson, or myself as soon as possible.

Over the years, the students have been able to raise adequate funds to pay for the majority of our events throughout the year, so don't miss this opportunity… and I know you don't want to miss out on enchiladas or chocolate cake!

Awaiting the Shout,

Children

– Karen Raulie

October is shaping up to be quite an outreach month for Hillcrest. We are right in the middle of our Connection Campaign, the Labor of Love Arts and Crafts Show is right around the corner, and then we end the month with our annual Pumpkin Party. I know how busy it will be, but let's purpose now to finish the month strong!

Mark your calendars now to be part of the annual Pumpkin Party. It will be held on Friday, October 31, from 6:00-7:30pm. We'll have games, food, prizes, and fun.

Don't have any young kids at home? That's okay. We still need you as popcorn poppers, hot dog cookers, cotton candy makers, cake and goodie bakers, game hosts, greeters, and more. Dust off your costumes and plan to join in.

Helper sign-ups will be in this week's church bulletin, but you don't have to wait until then. Call me (345-3771) or email me and tell me where you'd like to plug in. We'll also need lots of candy donations. Those can be dropped by the church office anytime.

Looking forward to your calls and emails!

Karen