Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Coming Soon!
"Hillcrest Happenings" Will Replace "Winning Ways"

We're excited about some new ways to communicate with the Hillcrest Family.

First, we'll soon have a new look for the Beacon, our Hillcrest newsletter. A full-color newsletter will come to your home six times a year with important information about Hillcrest events. There will be a 2-month calendar inserted in the newsletter. Plan on posting the calendar in a prominent spot. This will enable you to keep up with what's happening, and it will prompt you to pray about our ministries!

Second, we'll send out a weekly newsletter via email. It's called "Hillcrest Happenings." It will still feature a devotional thought from me just like Winning Ways, but it will also include the latest news about our church family. This will replace the Winning Ways email newsletter. If you've been receiving Winning Ways you'll automatically be subscribed to Hillcrest Happenings.

Watch for these changes in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or concerns, contact me.

Getting Ready for Easter Weekend
by Tom Goodman
March 16, 2016

Good Friday and Easter Sunday are on the last weekend of March this year. How should you prepare for it -- and why?

Let's start with the "why" question first. Is there something "holier" about Easter than the rest of the year? Of course not. Unlike liturgical churches, we don't follow the "church year" but the "church week." Since the Lord's resurrection was on the first day of the week, we gather every first day of the week to remember his sacrifice and his victory over death. In that sense, every Sunday is Easter Sunday.

So why would churches like ours make a big deal about one particular Sunday in the springtime? Because it's a great time to invite nonbelievers to consider the Christian message and to invite uninvolved believers to get connected to a church family. Our culture has slipped from the Christian consensus it once had, but there's still a heightened awareness of the Christian story at Eastertime. Shouldn't we use this opportunity our culture provides? I'll use any opening I'm given to remind people about the meaning of the cross and the hope of the resurrection.

If you agree, then how should you prepare for Easter Weekend?

Good Friday, March 25. On Good Friday, your Hillcrest Family will gather with four other churches at Anderson High School's Fine Arts Center for a community worship service. Imagine the combined musical talents of five churches, led by our own worship pastor, Michael Slaughter! Imagine the reflections on the Word brought by five pastors in five-minute segments! This service is especially designed for guests, so invite a friend. It runs an hour and fifteen minutes. Choose either the 5:00 p.m. service or the 7:00 p.m. service. Communion will be observed. The Fine Arts Center is located on the northeast (Cima Serena) side of the campus. If you're unfamiliar with the Anderson campus, arrive early!

Easter Sunday, March 27. On Easter Sunday, celebrate Christ's resurrection with us at Hillcrest at 10:00 a.m., followed by our small-group ministry at 11:00 a.m. You can serve our visitors in three ways: (1) Arrive early, (2) park away from the building, and (3) once you're in the auditorium, move forward and to the left before you choose your seat.

Use the rest of this week to pray for someone you should invite to these events, and then use next week to invite them! For more information, including a map to Anderson High School, go to hillcrest.church/easter2016.

--Tom

Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here.

Check out my weblog here.

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrest.church

LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here.

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hillcrestaustin.info to tell us of any changes you would like to make.

Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
Manage Your Subscription -- Subscribe/Unsubscribe	Contact Us About Your Subscription
Coming Soon! "Hillcrest Happenings" Will Replace "Winning Ways" We're excited about some new ways to communicate with the Hillcrest Family. First, we'll soon have a new look for the Beacon, our Hillcrest newsletter. A full-color newsletter will come to your home six times a year with important information about Hillcrest events. There will be a 2-month calendar inserted in the newsletter. Plan on posting the calendar in a prominent spot. This will enable you to keep up with what's happening, and it will prompt you to pray about our ministries! Second, we'll send out a weekly newsletter via email. It's called "Hillcrest Happenings." It will still feature a devotional thought from me just like Winning Ways, but it will also include the latest news about our church family. This will replace the Winning Ways email newsletter. If you've been receiving Winning Ways you'll automatically be subscribed to Hillcrest Happenings. Watch for these changes in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or concerns, contact me. Getting Ready for Easter Weekend by Tom Goodman March 16, 2016 Good Friday and Easter Sunday are on the last weekend of March this year. How should you prepare for it -- and why? Let's start with the "why" question first. Is there something "holier" about Easter than the rest of the year? Of course not. Unlike liturgical churches, we don't follow the "church year" but the "church week." Since the Lord's resurrection was on the first day of the week, we gather every first day of the week to remember his sacrifice and his victory over death. In that sense, every Sunday is Easter Sunday. So why would churches like ours make a big deal about one particular Sunday in the springtime? Because it's a great time to invite nonbelievers to consider the Christian message and to invite uninvolved believers to get connected to a church family. Our culture has slipped from the Christian consensus it once had, but there's still a heightened awareness of the Christian story at Eastertime. Shouldn't we use this opportunity our culture provides? I'll use any opening I'm given to remind people about the meaning of the cross and the hope of the resurrection. If you agree, then how should you prepare for Easter Weekend? Good Friday, March 25. On Good Friday, your Hillcrest Family will gather with four other churches at Anderson High School's Fine Arts Center for a community worship service. Imagine the combined musical talents of five churches, led by our own worship pastor, Michael Slaughter! Imagine the reflections on the Word brought by five pastors in five-minute segments! This service is especially designed for guests, so invite a friend. It runs an hour and fifteen minutes. Choose either the 5:00 p.m. service or the 7:00 p.m. service. Communion will be observed. The Fine Arts Center is located on the northeast (Cima Serena) side of the campus. If you're unfamiliar with the Anderson campus, arrive early! Easter Sunday, March 27. On Easter Sunday, celebrate Christ's resurrection with us at Hillcrest at 10:00 a.m., followed by our small-group ministry at 11:00 a.m. You can serve our visitors in three ways: (1) Arrive early, (2) park away from the building, and (3) once you're in the auditorium, move forward and to the left before you choose your seat. Use the rest of this week to pray for someone you should invite to these events, and then use next week to invite them! For more information, including a map to Anderson High School, go to hillcrest.church/easter2016. --Tom Beacon Articles Available Online: The staff newsletters that appear each week in the Beacon are also available on our website. You can find them here. Check out my weblog here. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrest.church LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hillcrestaustin.info to tell us of any changes you would like to make.