News -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

From the Hillcrest Beacon ( August 18, 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

"Lost in Translation"

Mistranslations can be funny, but not always.

The Wall Street Journal reported on some signs at overseas businesses. The signs were translated into English for American tourists, but the signs lost their meanings in the translations.

Here's one from a Swiss restaurant...: "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for."
Then there's the posted notice in front of a Budapest zoo...: "Please do not feed the animals. If you have any suitable food, give it to the guard on duty."
One dental office boasted...: "Teeth are extracted by the latest Methodists."
In Copenhagen at least one airline was up front in how it handled luggage. Its sign read...: "We will take your bags and send them in all directions."
Or here's another from a Japanese hotel, which led to some misunderstandings, I imagine...: "You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid."
That's like the laundry in Rome that advertised...: "Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time."
Finally, there was the sign at a Paris hotel that advised...: "Please leave your values at the front desk."

Those signs are good for a chuckle. But it's tragic when things get lost in the translation between Christ's vision for his church and actually seeing the church in action.

That's why we've started a new sermon series called "The Church You've Always Longed For." We're looking at six challenges from the Gospel of Matthew, and if we rise to those challenges we can be a better church. Last week we began the series by looking at how to place divine truth ahead of human tradition. This week we continue our series with a lesson on how to let love overcome prejudice. You can prepare for the message by reading Matthew 15:21-39.

This series is for your seeking friends as well as for believers. Some seekers give up their examination of Jesus because a certain Christian or a particular church has disappointed them. But isn't that like rejecting Beethoven's genius because your kid's middle school orchestra performed his work so poorly?

Christ's vision for his church is an ideal worth realizing. To love Jesus means loving what he loves – and, according to Scripture, Jesus "loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25). Let's get together and figure out how to love the church as he did. Join us this Sunday at 9:30am or 10:45am.

Music / Administration

– Gene Chappell

What a fun time we had Sunday night! We couldn't have held many more people in the MPC, and I've heard over and over again about doing that kind of a program again. Lots of fun, and it provided a way for some of our musicians to participate in ways not normally open. The program was outstanding, but what is amazing to me is that we have so many others in choir that we didn't even get to use. We'll do it again sometime.

Our Kid's Music Theater will begin Sunday, September 7 at 5:30pm. If you have kids 4 years through 5^thgrade, please get them enrolled. They will be performing a musical called "Rock Solid" as a part of our Thanksgiving festivities on November 23. If you are in the 6^thgrade and want to participate, get in touch with Lynn and let her know.

Education

– Herb Ingram

Was your heart touched by the video testimony from Jim McGuire last Sunday? If not, have you had a cardiac check lately? When I think there are others living around our church hearing from God in His unique fashion, I can't help but get excited about our Connection Campaign. We have quite a few volunteers already (48), but we need many more. I am estimating 125 volunteers will be needed to fully staff every team every night. If you are interested, you can call or email the church office.

Prayer team leaders are:

Sunday - Lois Fullerton
Monday - Susie Miller
Tuesday - Pat Sessions
Wednesday - Sharron Ingram
Thursday - Jimmy Wray

Call team leaders are:

Sunday - Barbara Fowler
Monday - Tom Pugh
Tuesday - Lewis Aven
Wednesday - Paul Rusch
Thursday - Tim Raymund

Deep Thought: Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

College / Career

– Courtney Carlson

I wanted to take this time to thank everyone who helped throw our baby girl such a nice shower Sunday. I especially wanted to thank BJ, Jami, Leslie, Lynn, Anna, and Sharron for helping to organize and put this together for us. I also wanted to thank each and everyone who came and showered us with such sweet gifts and encouraging words. You all have been such a testimony of God's faithfulness and love through your generosity and kindness. Benji and I are so blessed to be here at Hillcrest and have such a supportive and loving church family. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

Finally, I wanted to remind all of our college and career students that THIS Saturday will be our Back-to-School Beach Party. We will meet up at the church at 11:00am and head to Lake Travis for some fun in the sun on the party barge. It will be a great time to say goodbye to summer and kick off the fall! Invite your friends, and come and join us!

Youth

– Jim Siegel

The new school year is upon us. One of my favorite events is the "Back-to-School Teacher Luncheon." Started several years before my arrival, the church provides a nice lunch for the teachers at Hill Elementary, Murchison Middle School, and Anderson High School. This luncheon gives us an opportunity to meet most of the teachers and administration, and most importantly gives us an opportunity to pray for them as they begin the new school year.

I want to thank all of the ladies that helped to make the luncheon a success including Sheila Eveslage and her crew, Joyce Koncak and her cook and prep crew, and all those that decorated, etc. Not only do I appreciate your efforts, but every teacher as well. Please join me in praying that God will give us the opportunities and abilities to minister to the students in each of these schools and see a great Kingdom harvest.

Signups continue for the Fall Retreat to be held at Highland Lakes on October 10-12. The cost is just $79 and includes a really cool t-shirt. There will be a van to take students on Saturday morning, so don't let Friday night activities keep you away for the whole event.

Awaiting the Shout,

Children

– BJ Linam

This Sunday we promote! It's an exciting time for all of our children as we begin a new year!

Preschool parents, watch for signs. Outside each classroom, the age that each child is right now will be posted! Birthdates and class rosters can be found beside each door. Our 4's and K's will continue to be combined as they move out of the preschool hallway and into Mr. Mike Plaster's room (C130).

Mrs. Melba and Ms. Debra Morgan are preparing a special place for our new 1^stgraders. They will meet in C137 at 9:30am each week. Their class will be creatively designed to meet the needs of our new readers. At 10:30am these kids will join grades 2 & 3 in the FLEX Room (C135). At 11:00am, Grades 1-5 will meet together for V2 (C136).

Grades 2-5 will begin their morning in the G-Force Room. At 10:00am they'll break into small groups. Andre and Henriette Shomba will meet with 2^nd and 3^rd graders in C134. Mike Miller and Gina Morgan will be leading our 4^th and 5^th graders in M151.