As we enter into this season of Thanksgiving, I would to take this opportunity to say thank you to our church family. It is a rare find to be in a church that fully supports our preschoolers and children. VBS and the Fall Festival are two of the largest community outreach events that Hillcrest hosts each year. We are able to share the gospel to hundreds of children and their families through these two events alone. This would not be possible without the faithful support our church family. Your prayers, donations, and service are immeasurable. Thank you for doing your part in serving the body of Christ and making a kingdom difference in the lives of His children.
With a thankful heart, Keri Meek
VOLUNTEERS: There is absolutely no way that a local church could function without volunteers. Volunteers are everywhere in the life of the church (Pre-school Ministries, Children’s Ministries, Student Ministries, Adult Ministries, Kitchen Staff, Greeters, Ushers, Deacons, Trustees, Bible Fellowship leadership, Musicians, Choir, Soloist, Praise Teams, Media, Office Staff, Hostess, Ministry Teams, Recreation, Missions, Men’s & Women’s Ministry, Building and Grounds, Construction, Special Projects, Transportation, and many other areas.) Needless to say, we would be a very ineffective, small, boring, chaotic church without volunteers.
In writing to the church at Corinth about the believer using his spiritual gift(s), the Apostle Paul states: Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant… (1Cor. 12:1a) Then he moves on to inform them, and us, of the things that he did not want them to be “ignorant.”
The Maxwell Leadership Bible gives 10 great insights into the believer and the local church (he refers to as “team”) and their gift(s):
1) The team possesses a variety of gifts or positions, but pursues the same goal and God (v. 4-6).
2) Everyone has a contribution to make which benefits the team (v. 7).
3) God is the source of each gift, so He deserves the glory (v. 8-10).
4) God chooses who has what gifts, so we must not compete or compare (v. 11).
5) Team members are to function like the organs and muscles in a body (v. 12-4).
6) No team member is less important than another; all are necessary (v. 15-21).
7) Sometimes, the players who seem less important are actually more important (v. 22-24).
8) God’s goal is team harmony and mutual care (v. 25-26).
9) Although members are equally important, they are meant to be diverse (v. 27, 28).
10) We should not compete with each other, but complete each other (v. 29-31).
(John C. Maxwell, The Maxwell Leadership Bible (Nelson), pg. 1403)
These 10 insights ought to challenge each of us to seek to know the gift(s) that God has given to us and seek to find a place to use our gift(s) in ministering, complimenting and completing the mission of the body of Hillcrest for the glory of God.
Should you be one who has yet to find a place of service and would desire to serve there are many needs (Greeters—parking lots, doors, information center and parlor; our recent construction on the West side of the campus; office staff; and many other areas).
To the few hundred of you that are already volunteering and using your gift(s), I would like to say thank you. We could never be what we are without you being in your place(s) of service. To those of you that have yet to use the gift(s) that God has given you, I would like to say that we need you and we will never be all that we can be without you.
On November 2, 2002 Donnie came to Hillcrest as our Minister of Worship. In March 2009, he took on the duties of Executive Pastor/Worship and Administration. Donnie and his wife Sheryl have served tirelessly during their time at Hillcrest, and have truly lived the example of Loving and serving God and loving and serving others. Please take the time this week to let Donnie and Sheryl know how much you appreciate them and what a blessing they are to Hillcrest Baptist Church!
Joshua 7:1-5 & 10-13
Pastor Mike Simmons
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) provides gift shoe boxes to millions of needy children and families throughout the world. We are excited to partner with Samaritan’s Purse in this worldwide mission.
8 MILLION CHILDREN: Received your shoe boxes last year.
OVER 130 COUNTRIES: Have received shoe boxes since 1993.
WITH ONE MISSION: To demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
GET INVOLVED: Boxes and instructions for packing will be available in the foyer and in the children’s area beginning October 16. Filled boxes are due back at Hillcrest between November 1-13.
Please join us on October 9 (both AM services) for a special church-wide membership survey. You’ll have the opportunity to give feedback on essential questions about Hillcrest that will help to give an accurate look where we are at in our ministry to our members and the community.
We want to thank everyone who has been praying for us. The last six weeks since we have been gone from Hillcrest have been a whirlwind, both for our family and for the rest of us at Remedy. The Lord has been very gracious to us in helping us all begin to figure out this new rhythm of life.
We started our weekly Sunday gathering on Sept. 11, and it was an exciting day for us all. It’s fun, nerve-racking, humbling, and fulfilling all at the same time to be part of this fresh work. We are learning a lot and finding out what it means to be the church of Acts in many ways.
As we move toward our launch date in January, please pray for us, that we would listen intently to the voice of the Lord and follow with courageous obedience. Our task right now is to do missionary work in Waxahachie and the surrounding areas, and we want to be faithful to it. If you are interested in being part of the work, either by praying, giving, serving, or joining our team in Waxahachie, please contact me at aaron@remedy-church.com Thank you for your support and encouragement!
Aaron Clayton
on behalf of Remedy Church
THANK YOU just seems to be inadequate in attempting to express my appreciation for the cards, gifts, the Sunday evening service (or roast!!!) and reception in honor of our 20 years at Hillcrest. The efforts and expressions by each of you individually and collectively have been humbling and encouraging. There is no doubt that the Hillcrest family knows how to celebrate. The words expressed by Keri Meek, and many of our children, Tommy Foster, Jaime Salazar and the ever eloquent, but roasting by Dr. Steven Smith were unbelievable, and to top it off some of our students just had to do a “blast of the past”.
Of course one of the great hits of the night was the Mariachi Band. In fact many have informed me that they want to have these gifted musicians return for a whole service in the future. Should they return I will have my camera ready because I am certain that some of our more reserved members were doing the “Baptist boogie” when they played. Even though it is feeble at best, because of your incredible acts of kindness, THANK YOU for being such a loving, gracious and wonderful church family.
0 comment(s)