George Strait Comes to Hillcrest

Ok, not really, but this Sunday Hillcrest kicks off our "Faith in Rock n Roll Country Style Series" where each week in April we'll look at a country music classic and connect it to our faith. Looking forward to George Strait's "Love without end, Amen" and the connection to our Easter celebration of the resurrected Christ!

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

True word, Tom Petty, true words. We've got an exciting project in the mix at Hillcrest and right now we're in the waiting process. Waiting on architects and city planners. Waiting on foundations and banks who like to give to charitable causes for the good of the community. And this isn't the complaining kind of waiting, either, but rather the good kind of waiting, the kind of waiting where we've done what we've needed to do, and now we wait on others to do what they need to do. Doesn't make it easier though.

Candidating with the Furniture Mission

I'm always appreciative of the opportunity to serve with the Furniure Mission, as we did last night. Sioux Falls elects a new mayor next month, and I couldn't help but think that the various candidates ought to take a tour with the Furniture Mission, as you learn so much about our city and it diverse citizens. Our first stop we prayed with a family who's brother is in jail and with the second family we prayed that they might find work. The opportunities are always good.

Thanking Partners

We invited several of Hillcrest's ministry partners to our volunteer appreciation event. And while none could make it (presumably because I invited them too late), I think it is important. It is true that Hillcrest provides schools and non-profits with many volunteers, but these agencies also provide Hillcrest with meaningful opportunities to serve in the local community.

One of our partners sent us this: "I think this is so neat that Hillcrest provides an appreciation event for volunteers especially when they go outside the church to spend their time. Please pass along my appreciation . . ."

Thank You

This Sunday Hillcrest had its 4th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event. Personally, I think it is one of the more fun events we do as we recognize all of our hardworking volunteers who work passionately and tirelessly behind the scenes making a difference for the kingdom. This year's event was hosted by Heath and the gang at the 41st St Pizza Ranch and they did such a great job, especially considering the 150 or so of us filled their banquet rooms and spilled over into their main seating areas.

It's pretty informal- we pick up our volunteer's and their families' meals, hang out a bit, give away tons of gift cards, and say thank you a lot! We also provided childcare back at our facility so parents could even enjoy a bit of a night out.

Before the event, each of our elders and pastors sign thank you cards for the people who serve in their ministry areas. I'm sure I signed over 200 thank you cards (apologies to those who happened to receive one from me as you will probably have to ask my wife to translate my handwriting for you!), and yet I believe I probably don't say thank you enough. When I consider it takes 40 or so volunteers to pull of a Sunday morning, another 40 or so to pull of a Wednesday night, and still more for youth ministry, small groups and bible studies, meals for the sick and volunteers for our facility, I am acutely aware of just how interdependent we are on one another, and how we are all ministers, all in this mission together.

Thank you.

Things to come

We went on a planning retreat as a staff last week where we mapped out Hillcrest's sermon series until the end of the year. Some takeaways:

• Galatians is a tough book- our summer series covers the whole book of Galatians, and it's a meaty book. Looking forward to it.
• Can't wait for our September series based off of this hilarious sitcom
• In another fall series we'll look at predestination vs. free will. Oh yeah.
• Finally, it was good to have Adam and Jesse with us to plan for a day

Planning Retreat

Hillcrest's staff goes on a planning retreat this week. We'll plan the next year's worth of sermons and series, so if you have any ideas or topics you'd like to see taught, leave a comment or drop us an email.