“Celebrating and Sustaining Our Victory”
by Tom Goodman
November 17, 2004

It’s time to celebrate what we’ve experienced through our Purpose-Driven Life campaign!  This Sunday, November 21, we’ll celebrate with baptisms, the Lord’s Supper, and stories.  Our “Celebration Sunday” Team is organizing a breakfast for your HOST group at 9:30 in the gym, and the 10:45 worship service will include baptisms, the Lord’s Supper, and presentation of new members.

You can help us make this Sunday a real day of celebration by doing the following:

First, give me your comments and stories!  I want to read off a bunch of your comments and stories this Sunday!  I already have a stack of letters that were turned in Sunday, and reading them have left me laughing, convicted, and touched.  Tell me how the campaign has impacted you.  Someone told me on Sunday that she was having a hard time putting it all into words.  I know, but work on it anyway because your words will inspire others!  Take 10 minutes right now and drop me a line at tom@hbcaustin.org.

Second, tell me you’re ready to join!  We had 22 people go through our three levels of “Discover Hillcrest” last Sunday!  If you’ve already taken this class but you haven’t followed up with baptism or membership, now’s the time to cross that line!  Contact me at tom@hbcaustin.org or 345-3771 and tell me you want to be presented as a new member on Celebration Sunday, November 21.

Third, attend!  Show up this Sunday for breakfast at 9:30 with your HOST group in the gym, and then stay for the 10:45 worship service.  In my message I will reinforce the lessons we’ve learned and give you some help at sustaining the new commitments you’ve made.

Did you know that you are more responsible than you were 40 days ago?  You know more.  You know what life is all about.  And God says you can't go back to the old way of living.  Ephesians 5 says, “Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning of life but as those who do.”

Philippians 3:16 says, “Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it!”  This week, come and get the inspiration to run on the right track!

—Tom

P.S.  If you aren’t reading the newsletter columns from the rest of the Ministry Staff, you’re missing out on some important and inspiring stuff!  Go to www.hillcrestaustin.org and take a look!


Important Notes:

Post-PDL Sunday School.  Thank you for your willingness to gather in HOST groups instead of your familiar Sunday School classes during our Purpose-Driven Life Campaign.  As the Campaign wraps up, what’s the plan for our Sunday School hour?  For now, as of December 5, all pre "40 Days" departments/classes will resume.  For a special lesson for one week only, November 28, Senior Adults will be in regular classes/department; Adult 5 will be in regular classes/department; Singles 2 and Community Class will meet as departments; everyone else will be watching a 20-minute video lesson and meeting in their "40 Days" HOST discussion group for one last week.  Adult 2, 3 and 4 will see the video in department areas.  Adult 1, Singles 1 and Life University will view the video in the Auditorium.