News -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

From the Hillcrest Beacon ( July 21, 2008 )...

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

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

From the Pastor

– Tom Goodman

"The Privileged Planet"

It seems that someone went to a lot of trouble to get the universe ready for us.

On Wednesday, July 30, come learn more about that fascinating subject with the one-hour documentary called "The Privileged Planet."

Scientists have identified more than a hundred parameters required for life to develop, and more are being discovered.

If any of these constants, values, and relationships in nature had been even slightly different, you and I would not be around to comment on them. "The Privileged Planet" will introduce you to a few of these parameters.

I believe a careful study of the natural world can start rather than stifle a search for God. The Apostle Paul warned that humanity has ignored the evidence for God available in the natural world, though it has been "clearly seen, being understood from what has been made." (Romans 1:18-20) A decision to quit ignoring this evidence can launch your spiritual search.

That's where "The Privileged Planet" comes in. Produced by the Discovery Institute and narrated by John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Lord of the Rings), this one-hour documentary will open your eyes to the evidence for a universe designed for human life.

Thankfully, there is a growing body of credentialed scientists speaking in the language of their various fields to show from the natural world that there is evidence for God. Most of us, however, come to the same conclusion in more intuitive ways.

For example, a medical doctor once told his story of how his agnosticism broke down while he held his newborn daughter. Such moments are reverent, as any parent will admit. The baby lay sleeping in her physician-father's arms, and he was admiring the little wonder. Her tiny ear caught his attention, and he marveled at its intricacy – the way it was curved to catch sounds and direct them to the protected eardrum. He knew that inside there were microscopic hairs that would interpret the sounds to the brain. The moment overwhelmed him, and the realization broke in: "There must be an intelligent power behind the universe." At that point, he had not drawn any conclusions about Christ (that came later); but he quit suppressing the truth about the existence of God.

Maybe "The Privileged Planet" will have that effect on you. Bring a friend to this special screening in the Hillcrest auditorium at 6:30pm, July 30.

Education

– Herb Ingram

"I never feel more alive and engaged as a follower of Christ than when I am connecting to a non-believer in a meaningful way."

Is that your experience as well? You know that feeling when you hit the sweet spot on the golf club, or catch the ball just right on the bat, or just know the ball is going in the hoop when you release a shot in basketball, or get just the right mix of flavors in cooking, or...

Well, you get the point, I'm sure. It's the moment you live for. You are "in the zone." When we connect with our community, when we pray for the needs of people living around our church, when we invite them to join us as we find and follow Christ together, we are "in the zone" as Christians. Are you ready to "hit one out of the park" in the prayer room or the telephone room during the Connection Campaign? I know I want to feel the rush again!

Get ready, September is coming!!

Deep Thought: Does a hearse with a corpse qualify for the carpool lane?

Music / Administration

– Gene Chappell

We had an excellent experience on our trip to Vermont. Our group of 14 was a really good, diverse group: four singles, two seniors, and four 2nd-Half couples. All but three of the group were in one of our choirs, and the those three could be recruited, so we put together some songs and actually had a pretty good balance of parts!

This was the first trip I have taken that wasn't "project" driven, such as doing a VBS or building project. There were four goals on this trip, and I think all were accomplished:

to be of help to the people/ministries were were working with;
to expose some of our people who had never been on a trip like this to the work being accomplished by our mission giving;
to increase awareness and the burden for involvement on a personal level; and
to find new areas of involvement for future Hillcrest mission work. More on that later.

SonShine Singers, don't forget. We sing ...

in Lockhart on Sunday, July 27.
in Georgetown on Thursday, July 31 (where Mayme Johnson is living).

College / Career

– Courtney Carlson

One of my favorite childhood memories of growing up at my home church was going to our annual church-wide picnic and game day. Every summer we would join hundreds of other families at a local park for food, games and lots of fun.

On Sunday, August 10, from 4:00-8:00pm, you will have the opportunity to join hundreds of your church family at our first annual "Summer Sunday Fun Day." We are encouraging everyone to come and be a part of the festivities. We'll have a variety of games from volleyball and softball, to games for the whole family like egg toss and potato sack races, and, of course, games in the MPC like cards and dominoes! In order for this to be a successful church-wide event we need YOU to get involved. I hope that you'll make plans to be there NOW… you don't want to miss out on all the FUN!

If you would like to help out with this event, please contact us here at the church office!

Youth

– Jim Siegel

The "Uncivil War" is underway. Each night our students are competing against the students from Milwood Baptist Church. The themed nights are "Marvelous Monday," "Totally Tubular Tuesday," "Wild & Wacky Wednesday," "Thumpin' Thursday," and "Fabulous Friday."

The war is open to all students who have graduated from 6-12^th grade this past May. Come and join us as we try to "bring it home"… and WEAR RED!! We meet each night in the MPC from 6:30-8:30pm, and light refreshments are served.

This weekend we began signup for the "Liberate" Student Evangelism Conference to be held in Arlington on Friday and Saturday, August 1-2. The cost is $69 and includes meals and overnight accommodations. There will be several familiar speakers and musicians throughout the weekend. This is a great way for you to get focused on sharing your faith with your friends as you return to school.

There will be a Parentline meeting this Sunday, July 27 at 5:30pm in the Summit. Please plan to attend to hear about the upcoming Fall Events.

Awaiting the Shout,

Children

– BJ Linam

The Preschool Play Day is almost here!! It's this Saturday, July 26 from 9:30am-12:30pm. This event is especially designed for ages 2-6 and their families!! Come dabble in the Art Studio, play at the Beach, or build in the Construction Zone! Don't forget to check out the Library and the Music Studio. Take some time to shop at the Grocery Store and the Dress Shop. Enjoy cooking and eating at the Diner and the Bakery. There is no cost for this event, but an RSVP via email or phone (345-3771) would be appreciated so we can be prepared!

Thank you, dear ones, for allowing Dale and me to go on the Vermont Mission Trip. We had a great time! What a blessing to serve and travel with such an incredible group of people! Just so you'll know, I did get my "kid fix." I had the privilege of carrying a sleeping child off of the plane while her mom carried her sibling, and the rest of our team helped with her stuff. I also enjoyed teaching the children at Barre Baptist Fellowship on Sunday morning.