Elders John Barton

Terry Brown

Neal Coates

Malcolm Coco

David Copeland

Ray Ferguson

Duwain Houston

Robert Marion

Charles Perkins

Don Pope

C. D. Pruett

Phil Vardiman

Gary Varner

Odies Wright

Chairman of the Elders

Dave Copeland dcopeland@sipcotx.com

Ministers

Nathan Burrow, Preacher nathan@hillcrestonline.com

Alan Clute, Involvement/Seniors aclute@hillcrestonline.com 691-4217

Cynthia Coates, Children cynthia@hillcrestonline.com

Jack Hardcastle, Family familyman@hillcrestonline.com

Justin Hatfield, University justinhat@gmail.com

Lance Parrish, Youth lance@hillcrestonline.com

Christmas Angels

Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels…

1 Timothy 3:16

My mother was a child longing to know God. The home she grew up in was

not a house of prayer. That didn’t stop her from seeking. The season of

Christmas each year was the most she ever heard the name of Jesus during

her childhood. In those days, the Bible could be read publicly and people

could talk about Jesus and no one called a lawyer. She listened to every

word. There are some who are born loving God even when life has made that

difficult. She loved him as only a child could. I can see her in my mind, this

little girl listening, praying, and searching for the God she loved and longed

for. She listened to a message that God loved the poor and lowly.

After all, Jesus was born among the animals. He did not care where someone

came from or what kind of clothes they wore. Every one hears about the an-

gels at Jesus birth, but not many know of these little angels who shine in dark

places. I don’t know how, but God blessed my mother to love and give light

amidst much darkness. That little angel grew up and shined so bright she be-

came a beacon pointing others to God. She still is.

Now, every Christmas, I can’t stop wondering if there are children like my

mother out there, little ones listening and longing as they hear about God’s

son. The music and the message about Jesus birth still give hope. They see

the twinkling lights, smiling faces, and are filled with joy. Can you see them?

You don’t have to look very far. Little girls and little boys don’t choose where

they are born or who their parents are. They want to know that they are

loved and they were created for a purpose. Christmas reminds us that there

is good news and hope for the world. The church reveals to the world that

Christ is here and living in hearts of faith. And he still loves the little children.

Nathan Burrow

Welcome Guests We are glad you are here! Please fill out a Welcome Visitor card and place in the col-lection plate. Go by our Information Area on the right side of the Worship Center for materials that will better acquaint you with Hillcrest. For your convenience, the staffed nursery for children 2 months to 24 months is avail-able. Check-in is in the foyer. The parents’ nursery & training area is available to par-ents and children. Enter at the back of the Worship Center.

Bible Classes for All Ages 2-24 mo. in Nursery

Young Adult Classes

Middle School .............................. Room 204 High School .................................. Room 200 University ....................................... Room 17

Adult Classes

Sonrise (all ages) (8:00) ................. Room 30 Y/O (all ages) ............................ Room 10/11 Welcome (all ages) ........................ Room 12 Families for Christ (all ages) .......... Room 14 Common Ground (all ages) ........... Room 16 H.O.P.E. (all ages) ........................... Room 21 Travelers (all ages) ......................... Room 30 Christ in Action (all ages) ............... Room 52 F.U.N. (all ages) ............................ Room 219 Generations (all ages) ........................Chapel

Worship Times

Morning Worship ................................ 9 a.m. Bible Classes ............................... 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship ............................... 6 p.m. Wednesday Bible Classes ................. 7 p.m.

Glorifying God December 2, 2018

Staffed nursery for children 2 months to 24 months through back double doors.Training area for children and parents at rear north-side of Worship Center.

Worship Leader .............................................................. Odies Wright Hymn: #74 .................................................................. Praise the Lord Welcome ...................................................................... Justin Hatfield Hymn: #1018 ........................................................... Joy to the World Hymn: #264 ............................................... O Come Let Us Adore Him Hymn: .................................................................................. The River

Redemption is Near

Psalm 25:1-10 .................................................................... Don Hilton Luke 21:25-28 .................................................................... Don Hilton Prayer ............................................................................ John Ferguson

We Celebrate the Lord

Hymn #365 ................................................ Tell Me the Story of Jesus Communion Meditation ................................................ Cliff Barbarick Hymn: #180 ..................................................................... Jesus Is Lord

Offering

Prayer ............................................................................ Cliff Barbarick Hymn: ......................................................................... In Christ Alone

Luke - Tell Me the Story

Message ....................................................................... Nathan Burrow Hymn: ...................................................................... Surround Us Lord

Responses

Hillcrest News .................................................................. Sean McNeill Elder Blessing ................................................................. Phil Vardiman Hymn: #859 ............................. When All of God’s Singers Get Home

Connecting Lives to Christ

Age 2 ...... Room 100 Age 3 ...... Room 106 Age 4 ...... Room 110 Pre-K ....... Room 110 K .............. Room 118

Gr 1 ......... Room 121 Gr 2 ......... Room 117 Gr 3 ......... Room 120 Gr 4 ......... Room 213 Gr 5 ......... Room 209

Today’s Speakers 9 a.m. - Nathan Burrow 6 p.m. - Steve Powers

Congratulations to Jeremy Mills and Katelyn Harlow who were married recently.

Sympathy to Trenton and Tara Carothers on the loss of

their baby daughter, Amara Joy.

Light on the Hill Update - As of now, we have received $51,840 towards our goal of $55,000. Donations will continue to be accepted for the 2018 Light on the Hill special contribution through the end of the year. Thank you for your generosity.

Comfort & Hope Christmas Sacks - Dec. 7 Please help prepare sacks of goodies for our families who have lost loved ones this year. Homemade items need to be small loaves of bread (banana, apricot, etc.) brownies, cookies or other treats. Wrap them individually, if possible. Bring items to the church kitchen on Wed. night, Dec. 5, the church office on Dec. 6, or by 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 7. You may help assemble at 9 a.m. Friday morning and/or deliver the sacks that afternoon or night. Sacks will be ready for delivery by noon.

Breakfast with Santa - Sat., Dec. 8, 9-11 a.m., MPR This is a community outreach. A free pancake and sausage breakfast along with crafts for the kids and pictures made with Santa will be provided. No RSVP required. Be sure to bring a guest! Sign up using the needs list that is in your email inbox.

Celebration of Lives Lived - Sun., Dec. 9, 4 p.m., MPR This Milestone event is for the families of those who have lost loved ones during 2018. You will be contacted about providing us with pictures of your loved ones for a special video for the event. If you have not been contacted yet, please let us know here at the office.

Grand Old Songs - Chapel, Dec 9, 6 p.m. There will be a special song service on Sunday evening, December 9, in the chapel led by John Casada featuring "Grand Old Songs" from years past. Please bring your best singing voice and be blessed.

Worship and Class Schedule for Dec. 23 and 30 Worship will be at 9 a.m. followed by a fellowship time of coffee and donuts in the MPR in lieu of Bible class for those two Sundays. Some adult Bible classes may still choose to meet. Check with your class chairman. There will be an abbreviated chapel service at 6 p.m.

New Option for Giving - Simply text GIVE to 325-221-4447 and follow the prompts.

Tuesday Ladies Bible Class - Dec. 4 - Receive Faithful Brethren, 3 John. Teacher: Gail Brown. Salad luncheon following class.

Wednesday Nights - Community Involvement On the first two Wed. nights in Dec., we will highlight local agencies that you can get involved in and make a difference.

Dec. 5 - Disability Resources Incorporated, NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

Dec. 12 - Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters

Phil & Paula Sullivan are using the Bible to teach Lets Start Talking Nov. 26 - Dec. 15 at the Bible and English Study Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Phil Palmer is on a WBS Seminar trip, visiting several cities in Kenya including Nairobi, and the Kakuma Refugee Camp near the border with South Sudan, until Dec. 19.

Send the Light Applications - Short-term mission appli-cations for the 2019 year are available now. Applica-tions are due to the Missions Team by January 15, 2019. Contact Neal Coates for more information (coatesn@acu.edu).

Community Speakers Series - Dec. 5 - Join us to hear

from Disability Resources and NAMI.

Taylor Elementary is welcoming volunteers who can read to a child, read to a class, or work with a child on school work. If you are interested, please contact Cynthia Coates at 325-201-1124 or cynthia@hillcrestonline.com.

Adult Education

Missions and Faith Sharing

Community Services Ministry

Nursery: 2-24 Months (TEAM #1) Our nursery is located in the entry way behind the rear of the auditorium. The training room and nursing room are accessible through the door near the large windows in the rear of the auditorium.

Children’s Church: (Ages 2-4) The time for parents to escort their child to the children's wing for children's church will be specified in the bulletin. Parents walk their child to class after worship services.

Food Pantry Collection - A bin is at the children's area where nonperishable food can be donated to our local food pantry.

Winter Coats Needed - The Christian Service Center is in need of child sized coats. You may leave your donation on the desk in the children's wing.

Breakfast with Santa - Sat., Dec. 8, 9-11 a.m., in MPR This is a community outreach. A free pancake and sausage breakfast along with crafts for the kids and pictures made with Santa will be provided. No RSVP required. Be sure to bring a guest! Sign up using the needs list that is in your email inbox.

MAGI Boxes - Boxes with an attached needs list can be picked up in the auditorium and at the children’s desk. Bring your box and items to the gym Wednesday, December 19 to pack, decorate and tape. A short devotional will take place there before packing the boxes. More details will be emailed to parents.

Sunday AM Bible Class - Today After Worship All 6th-12th graders are invited to join us upstairs for Bible class immediately after worship. We’ll gather in the high school youth room for fellowship and announcements be-fore starting class.

Middle School Madness & High School Huddles - Tonight

6th-8th Grade: Hillcrest Gym; 4:30-6:00 p.m. 9th Grade: 1271 Estates Drive; 6:00-7:30 p.m. 10th & 11th Grade: 2434 Township Ct.; 5:45-7:15 p.m. 12th Grade: 750 Scott Place; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday Class - Wednesday Evening All 6th-8th graders are invited to join us for Wednesday evening youth class starting at 7:00 in the high school youth room. We’ll see you then!

HYG – Youth

Prayer Breakfast - Thursday Morning All 6th-8th grade students are invited to join us for Prayer Breakfast this Thursday morning at the north side Chick-fil-a on Hwy 351 from 7:00-7:45. Parents are also welcome to join us and are encouraged to help give students rides to school.

Upcoming Events Christmas Parties - Dec. 16 Christmas Devo @ ACU’s Chapel on the Hill - Dec. 19 Midnight Bash - Jan.4 Youth Ministry Luncheon/2019 Overview - Jan.13 Pine Springs Retreat - Jan. 18-20

Tonight: Split Life Group Night

Girls - 6 p.m. at Hillcrest - Painting with a Twist!

Guys - 6 p.m. at Harrison’s Home - Meet at 5:30 at Hillcrest to caravan! Burgers and games.

Wednesday: Share your Story at 7 p.m.

Thursday: 11 a.m. - Prayer Chapel at Jacob's Dream 4:30-6 p.m. REACH at Canterbury Crossing apartments.

Mark Your Calendars Dec. 2 - Guys/Girls split Life Group Dec. 9 - HillcrestU Party at NCCL at 6 p.m.

Meals Needed for Host Homes

As a way to help Hillcrest families who have become host homes for Safe Families, we want to provide meals occasionally. If you would like to help, please email Susan at susan.hardcastle@acu.edu.

Hillcrest - U

Family Ministry

Children’s Ministry

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Dec 7 ............................................. Comfort and Hope sacks

Dec 8 .................................................. Breakfast with Santa

Dec 9 ........................................... Celebration of Lives Lived

Dec 9 ................................................. Bible Class Fellowship

Dec 9 ............................................. Grand Old Songs/Chapel

Dec 19 ................................................. Packing MAGI boxes

Dec 19 ................................................. HYG Christmas Devo

Dec 23 & 30 .................. Worship at 9 a.m., Fellowship after Text-to-Give .......................................... 325-221-4447 Online Giving ........................ hillcrestonline.com/give

Sunday Morning A.M. Assembly ............ 736 Classes ........................ N/A Membership ............... 894

Sunday Evening Chapel........................... 35 Wednesday ................. 350 Oct. Offering ...... $106,433