Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas  Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
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Hillcrest Church Office
January 7, 2004

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


“Moving Movies”
by Tom Goodman

Excitement is building for this Friday’s event, “Finding God in The Lord of the Rings.”  I’ve put the finishing touches on the workbook for those who attend, and the clips from the first two films are being edited into the slide show.  We’ve put ads in the Statesman and we’ve created an “e-card” for people to send to their friends.

Only two things remain to be done, and both of them are in your hands.

The first is to invite those you know.  This event is a perfect opportunity for you to build bridges to those you know.  Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, called his work “fundamentally Christian.”  Now that Peter Jackson has taken the 20th Century’s most popular book and turned it into a blockbuster film, we have a chance to introduce people to the spiritual dimensions of this great work.

Many of you have already alerted your friends to this event.  You’ve talked about this at work . . . you’ve sent an e-card from our website . . . you’ve forwarded the past edition of Winning Ways, “The Gospel According to Frodo.”  By the time most of you receive this newsletter, we’ll be two days away from this event.  So, make time to talk with those you know!  (If you haven’t sent an e-card, you can do so at www.HillcrestAustin.org/ecard).

There’s another thing that remains to be done, and it’s in your hands, too.  I’m speaking about prayer.  This event is just one part of our job of “fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, The Messsage).  And, as Paul says in verses 3 and 4 of that passage, spiritual work is done by spiritual “weapons.”

So, pray for this event. Pray for me as I make final preparations to lead it.  Pray for the invitations that are being extended to unchurched persons this week.  Pray for our members who will interact with those who attend.  Pray for unchurched persons who attend.  “Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know”  (1 Timothy 2:1, The Messaage).

Thanks for your many, many comments expressing excitement about this event.  I’ve had a lot of fun putting it together and promoting it.

See you Friday!
Tom

“DISCOVER HILLCREST” This Sunday, January 11, 4-6 p.m. Pastor’s Office.  This class is 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.


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