Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas  Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Hillcrest Church Office
March 10, 2004


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Here is this week's WINNING WAYS . . . .



“Hearing Aids”
by Tom Goodman

Imagine you’re driving down the road and pass a sign with this warning:  “Don’t Go Into the Box Unless the Wayout is Clear.”  Would you know what it meant?  The sign would make perfect sense to an English driver.  In Britain those signs are posted to warn:  “Don’t Block the Intersection.”

Communication can be a tricky thing.  Let’s keep up that image of driving in England.  Say you stopped for directions and an Englishman replied:  “Take the dual carriageway to the first roundabout, keeping a sharp eye for the left-coming signs.  Take the wayout just beyond the first flyover after you pass the car park next to the petrol station.  Beware of the loose chippings and the crown strollers.  Follow the road diversion and make sure you by-pass the road-up.  If your motor car breaks down, you can use the lay-by or any of the verges to look under your bonnet.”

You would probably leave that conversation mumbling something to your wife about why you never stop for directions!  Again, the conversation makes perfect sense in the U.K.  A dual carriageway is a divided highway; a roundabout is a traffic circle; a wayout is an exit; a flyover is an overpass; a car park is a parking lot; a petrol station is a gas station; loose chippings are fallen rocks and crown strollers are slow-moving road hogs; a road diversion is a detour and road-up is a road under repair; a lay-by is a place to pull off the road, verges are road shoulders and a bonnet is the hood of your car.

Got it?

Sometimes we think we’re communicating just because words are being spoken.  Real communication involves more.  This Sunday morning we’ll continue our series called Getting Along by looking at the keys to good communication.  We’ll learn to speak so others will listen, and we’ll look at some quality “hearing aids” that we should wear when others speak to us.

In addition to our morning worship, don’t forget our evening service.  Last Sunday night was a powerful start to our new series, Experiencing the Passion of the Christ.  Last Sunday we asked the question, “Who Killed Jesus?”  This week we answer the question, “Who Was Jesus?”  Come join us for a study of the film everyone’s talking about.  Don’t forget about the e-card you can use to invite your friends to this study.  Go to www.HillcrestAustin.org/ecard.

Tom

Important Notes:

Upward Basketball.  Wow!  You should have seen the crowd at our Upward Awards Night this past Monday!  Our Upward Basketball program has grown so large it required two back-to-back meetings in our 700-seat auditorium to seat everyone.  Our thanks to all the organizers, coaches, referees, and parents for making this past season a success!
Discover Hillcrest.  This Sunday, March 14, 4:00-6:00 p.m.  For those who want to become members, and for those who just want to learn more about Hillcrest.  Topics include:
   •  The most important thing you need to know about Jesus
   •  What we teach about baptism
   •  Four fundamentals of spiritual growth, using the acronym “H.I.L.L.”
   •  How to “connect” with others in the church
   •  How to help us reach others for Christ and church involvement
   •  How to worship
Our Children’s Minister, B.J. Linam, teaches a “kid-friendly” version of this workshop in her office at the same time.  Preschool care for parents taking the class is also available by appointment.  Call 345-3771 for more information.
Missions Sunday.  Mark your calendars and plan to attend our Missions Sunday, March 21 with Jeff Lewis and Jim Herrington.  You will get more information about these speakers and other events in next week’s Winning Ways.
Mother’s Day Out 30th Anniversary.  On March 28, we will celebrate thirty years of Hillcrest’s “Mother’s Day Out” program.  Watch for more details in next week’s Winning Ways, or call Jodena Smith to find out more!
David Kemerling has announced his upcoming departure from our church staff.  If you need more information about David’s plans and the future of our singles ministry, go to www.HillcrestAustin.org/singles.



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