Hello everyone.
We haven't been using this blog all that much yet because we have been hoping that our web design service would be providing a way to blog inside of our site, but apparently that service is still not available.
So, we will be posting a bit more on this blog...
I (Mike) am writing this today as a RECAP of our amazing BBQ meeting last Sunday. The information that we shared was not only important, but super exciting.
We started the meeting telling stories of how we got to be where we are. We told stories of the amazing ways that God has blessed us and is continuing to bless us to bring us to be where we are today.
It was really a celebration, and what we were celebrating was that even though we have only had 6 services...
Over 30 people have committed their lives to Christ. About a Dozen people have already signed up for our Baptism Service on Sept 26. Prayers have been answered, lives are being changed. We have grown in number each week, and we haven't even officially started having services yet!
Not only are we at a great place, and have tons of great stories to tell, we have some exciting vision for the Fall.
We discussed the fact that even though we share MANY Core Values with other churches, we also have some core values that make us unique. Some of those values are our emphasis on reaching out to others, serving the community, being non-judgmental, being open and honest, remaining relevant, and having fun (among many others.) These values cause us to have a UNIQUE vision for what we will do in our community here in Marysville.
As we talk about our Vision and what is coming for the Fall, there are 4 Main Elements that Emerge.
Hillside's 4 Elements
Ask, Live, Grow and Give
Let's look at each one of them...
Ask
Hillside will be a place where people can feel free to Ask any question. We will value any and every question and find ways to respond to them. This doesn't mean that there will always be an easy answer, but we value questions. We believe that everyone who is looking into growing in faith has some big questions that they are asking, questions not only about How to Grow? But also questions and doubts that are obstacles. Many people want to ask questions about how scripture fits into what they have been taught in school science classes. Many people want to ask how we can know and trust that the Bible is true. There are many questions and Hillside is going to value them.
The Hillside staff will always be open to conversations about faith, and we will always be excited and willing to respond to questions. We will also host a few different ways to have questions responded to. Hillside is going to host an Ask Questions website, where we will respond to questions about faith and life issues. This website will be a great place to ASK. We also will host meetings that we call: “Meet Hillside.” These meetings will be a place where people new to Hillside can come and ask any question about our church.
Live
Of course, the purpose of our Church is to lead people into a growing relationship with Christ. This means Life. It means that our lives will take on a new purpose and a new meaning, it also means that we will have Life eternally in heaven. (John 3:16, Romans 6:23)
During our services Hillside will offer a variety of ways to start this life transforming relationship with Christ, and many ways to grow in this relationship. Hillside will often offer Baptism services where people can outwardly show the choices that they are making for their faith. These services will be a celebration. (Romans 10:9)
Grow
Hillside will be committed to leading people toward growth in their faith. Growth can happen in a variety of ways, in groups, individually and by serving and giving to others. In November Hillside will begin our “Grow Groups” these will be groups that anyone can sign up for and meet with other people to grow in faith together. These groups will places of growing relationships and growing faith. In our first “semester” of groups, the groups will meet for five weeks. After the Holiday season people will be encouraged to sign up for a new group or sign up with the people that they were in a group with during the Fall.
Hillside will also encourage individual Growth. Of course, you individually will find the best ways for you to grow, but we will offer many resources. Many of our Sunday message series will also have a daily devotion blog that you can read daily. Also at each service, we will provide a “Depth Charge.” Because I will normally teach out of one scripture or one story for a message, we want you to have access to other scriptures and resources, books and websites that will all be recommended in a weekly Depth Charge.
Give
Of course whenever we give of our time, talents and finances we grow. Our fourth element is Give. Hillside will be a place where you can find opportunities to identify and use your God given gifts and talents. Pastor Kim is the best connector of people and identifier of gifts that I have ever known. She plans on hosting a class called NEXT. During this class, you can identify and learn about your gifts and talents and we as a church will find a way to partner with you and equip and empower you to use those gifts.
Important Dates and Information
Sept 12 is our first week of weekly services. We'd love to have you invite your friends and family and make it a priority to be a this service.
Sept 26 is our first Baptism Service. Please let us know if you would like to be included in Baptism.
Oct 10 This is our public Grand Opening!!! Invite EVERYONE!!!
As always, let us know if you have any questions!
Grace and Peace!
Mike