ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS The new school year is an exciting time of fresh starts. We want to celebrate that with a 'Blessing of the Backpacks' during Sunday services on August 9. Kids, bring your backpacks to church during first or second service, and we'll pray over them for God's guidance and blessings in the year ahead.
August 2015
812-385-2910
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Extravagant Generosity – Do you currently give of your resources to God through the church? Do you currently share of your blessings with others either directly or through a reputable ministry or social-service organization? Is your attitude toward giving “only when I can?” If you only give from your leftovers and there is no sacrifice, can it be considered extravagant or generous? How are we doing, church? How are you doing, Christian? James has some very blunt words to the church about living out our faith: What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? (James 2:14-20) St. Francis of Assisi was credited with saying, “Preach the Gospel always and everywhere, and if necessary, use words.” Don’t just sit in church…. Be the church, Hillside! Be the church! -- Pastor Chris
UPCOMING EVENTS AT HILLSIDE CHURCH August Back to School Bash at 4-H Center at Fairgrounds Stewards of Children Training Collecting & making items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes September
Day of Love—Working out in the Community Making & Selling Apple Pies during Golden Heritage Days Collecting & making items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes October 5K Run/Walk Fall Festival Collecting & making items for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes
Collecting items for Christmas Food Baskets November Fresh Grounded Faith Conference Community Thanksgiving Meal Collecting items for Christmas Food Basket Angel Tree items
THANK YOU
December During a time like this we realize how much our friends and relatives really mean to us. Your expression of sympathy will always be remembered. The Family of Pat Hedges
Collecting items for Christmas Food Basket Angel Tree items
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GETTING PRACTICAL | REV. CHRIS NEIKIRK Wow! August is upon us and school starts in just a few short days… summer is winding down and so is our Summer Sermon Series – Finding Us Faithful: The Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. Throughout the summer we have taken a “how-to” look at actions we need to take if we intend to continue thriving as a local church. I shared with you that I am very serious about Hillside embracing these practical behaviors because I believe that God is very serious about it! I thought it important that we review where we’ve been and each of us take a personal look at how we are doing… Intentional Faith Development – Have you made time in your daily schedule to spend time with God – prayer, Bible Study, devotional reading, etc.? Have you begun a family devotional time or prayer moment (even if it is just at meals)? Have you joined or started a small group or Sunday School? Passionate Worship – Are you actively participating in our worship services or are you simply a spectator? Do you pray for our Sunday worship services and the people God will bring to us? Are you considering what you bring to God through your worship rather than anticipating simply what you will receive? Radical Hospitality – Do you have a name tag and are you wearing it every Sunday? Have you been approached about participating in our Hospitality Team and did you say “yes?” Have you taken your hospitality outside of the church walls? Are you still sitting in the same seat each week perhaps making it difficult for visitors to find a convenient place to sit near the back? Risk-Taking Mission and Service – Have you taken your faith beyond our walls and served another individual? Have you signed up for our Day-of-Love in September? Have you gone out of your way to intentionally meet the need of another human being? Is God stirring in your heart to participate in an existing ministry or perhaps start a new one? (continued on page 19)
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UPCOMING SERMONS August 2
“Overflow”
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
August 9
“Treasure Chest”
Luke 12:22-34
August 16 “First, Do No Harm”
Galatians 5:13-15
August 23 “Next, Do Good”
3 John 1:11
August 30 “Always, Stay in Love with God”
Colossians 2:6-8
RECHARGE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS Do you ever question what it means to be a Christian? Are you looking to further understand your faith and your Christian walk? Beginning Sunday, August 9th, the Recharge Sunday School class will begin the 30-session study "Believe: Living the Story of the Bible to Become Like Jesus." Each week we'll watch a 10-minute video and explore scripture to unpack the essential beliefs, practices, and virtues that we need to know and live as Christ-followers. We hope you'll join us, regardless of your age, relationship status, or spiritual maturity, as we seek to better understand our God and live the life modeled by Jesus. The Recharge class meets from 9:45 a.m. 10:30 a.m. in the upstairs youth room. Contact Susan Carey (812385-2910 or
[email protected]) for more information and to reserve a participant's guide.
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2015 2nd Annual Hillside Harvest Hustle 5K Run/Walk Our Mission is Caring for The Least, The Last, & The Lost Saturday, October 10, 2015 9:00 am 5K Run/Walk & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk Start time w/Kid's Dash Afterwards Hillside United Methodist Church, 828 W. Archer Rd., Princeton, IN 47670 812-385-2910- Church Office, 812-664-7582 or
[email protected] Kali Lance (Race Coordinator) www.hillsideprinceton.org or facebook.com/Hillside Harvest Hustle or Twitter: #HillsidePton
APPLE PIE TIME It is hard to believe that the Apple Pie season is soon approaching. We would like to start collecting the following ingredients and will need them by September 6. Please place them in the blue tub in the lobby. 112 - 4lb bags of sugar (not fine) 128 - 5lb bags of Gold Medal (not self-rising) 74 - 3lb cans of Crisco 5 lbs salt We will be asking for the rest of the ingredients in September’s newsletter. If you would like to make a monetary donation, please mark your check for “apple pies” and put in the offering plate or bring to the church office. We will start apple-peeling Wednesday, September 16. We are only working 1 week this year. The schedule will be put out mid August. We will keep posted the number of supplies we still need. Thanks for all your support.
Registration: Forms are available online on facebook (Hillside Harvest Hustle) & www.hillsideprinceton.org. Email request at
[email protected] Same day registration from 7am-8:45am (No Guarantee of shirt) 5K Run/Walk- 18yrs- Adults $25; Kids 10yrs-17yrs $15; Kids 0-9yrs $10. 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk- Flat $8 registration fee no matter of age We will have a FREE Kids Dash for children 0-9yrs old too. (Please indicate below if any kids will be participating) Shirts:
Will be provided for all participates for the 5K & 1 Mile only that register by September 18, 2015 .
Awards: 5K Run/Walk- Top Overall Male/Female Runner, Top Over Male/Female Walker. Top place for Male and Female; Runners and Walkers in the following category. 0-9yrs, 10-15yrs, 16-19yrs, 20-29 yrs, 30-39 yrs, 40-49 yrs, 50-59 yrs, 60yrs+ (specify by the timing system) *In the event of severe weather such as lightening, the race will be canceled. We will run in the rain Name______________________________________________________
Age On Race Day____________
Address____________________________________City_____________________State____ Zip________ Phone_________________Email_________________________________________ Circle Only 1 for each Section Shirt Size
CHURCH PANTRY & KITCHEN CABINETS
ADULT
S
M
L
YOUTH S
M
L
XL
XXL
Gender: M F 5K Race: Runner/Walker
OR
1 Mile
Fee Enclosed________________ # of Kids participating in Kid's Dash_________ (Please make checks payable to Hillside United Methodist Church & in the memo, please add 5K)
New shelving has been placed in the pantry. This will enable us to label the different areas for all of us to put things back where we got it from. This will be so there will be nothing left on the counters. Even coffee pots will have their own space! Please be considerate of the groups, such as 2nd Monday Meal, Preschool, Youth, etc., which will be clearly marked, by not using their supplies. It’s not good when they had things accounted for and when they go to use it, it’s not there. There will be a “General Church Use” for anyone to use.
Waiver Waiver of liability: In consideration of your accepting this entry, I, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive & release any and all claims for damages, actions, & causes of actions against Hillside United Methodist Church, it's members, All Princeton School Systems, & The City of Princeton for any and all injuries suffered by me in said event. I attest & verify that I am physically fit & have sufficiently trained for the competition of this run/walk. Signature__________________________________________________Date________________________ Parent signature if participant is under 18 yrs Please mail payment & completed form to: Hillside United Methodist Church 828 W. Archer Rd. Princeton, IN 47670
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HARVEST HUSTLE 5k RUN/WALK
STEWARDS OF CHILDREN TRAINING
Our 2nd Annual Hillside Harvest Hustle 5K Run/Walk is gearing up! This year, we have changed the time to 9am on 10/10/2015 & added a 1 mile Fun Run or Walk. Like all events, I am looking for a few volunteers to run the registration table, hand out water at the half way mark for our 5K participants, & help with the timing system. As a thank you for those volunteers, you will receive a free race t-shirt. I am also looking for people to bring in bananas on race day. Registration forms are available in several locations: in the lobby of the church, on the race's Facebook page, & online at www.runsignup.com. Last year, we were able to donate $500 to our Flour & Oil Fund which helped people within our church & community. Thank You to those who made that possible!! If you are interested in volunteering or participating, please contact me, Kali Lance by email
[email protected] or 812-664-7582. Thanks again!!!
Any individual who volunteers in our nursery, children's, and youth programs is asked to attend Stewards of Children Training on Wednesday, August 26th from 6 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. at Hillside UMC. This critical training presented by the Lampion Center will train volunteers to prevent, recognize, and respond responsibly to child abuse. Your participation in the training is a piece of our Safe Sanctuaries policy ensuring that all Hillside children are valued and protected. There is a $10 fee to cover training materials; if you are unable to pay this fee or would like more information, contact Director of Family Ministries Susan Carey (812-385-2910 or
[email protected]).
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD SHOEBOX MINISTRY STARTING EARLY The actual project won’t begin until Sept. 13 but since it is still summer we are putting the request out for children/youth flip-flops for the shoeboxes. You may drop off your donations in the basket under the bulletin boards in the lobby. Thanks to all who have already donated!!
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WEDNESDAY NIGHTS STARTING SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
GIBSON COUNTY OUT OF DARKNESS WALK
Family Builder’s Welcome Back Meal Family Builder’s Wednesday night meal will begin September 2 starting at 5p.m. This will be a kick off for the fall programs and is going to be a carry-in. We will provide the drinks, table service and ice cream and trimmings. There will be no charge.
Don’t miss the BBQ dinner on August 8 to benefit the Gibson County of the Darkness Walk for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at the Gibson County Fair Grounds Activity Building.
The following Wednesday, September 9 will be our first meal. We begin cooking the meal early afternoon and enjoy having help with set up and clean up. Please contact the office or see Terri or Jeannie if you would like to help. We will have a sign-up for dessert donations. If you sign-up and bring a dessert, your meal will be on us that night. Wednesdays please see the sign-up sheet located on the dessert table or you can call the office at 812-385-2910 or see Jeannie or Terri. We will serve ice cream and cookies when there isn’t any dessert brought in. The cost will be $3.50 per person and free for preschool children. We also have tickets for 10 meals to purchase for $30. Terri, Joyce, Carrie, Aaron and Jeannie are looking forward to be back in the kitchen. We enjoy seeing our friends every week. Please come and join the fellowship and fun. Each week there will be salad and trimmings. We also serve sweet and non-sweet tea, fruit drink, plus dessert. Menu rotation has not been confirmed yet but we will have it in the September newsletter. We have tallied the survey sheets and mostly the same meals have been requested by the majority of the responders.
Live Southern Gospel and Christian Music will be performed by Jeffery Bryant and Rick Osborne and more! Dinner will be served from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. with music from 6:00 to ? Dinner includes pulled pork, cheesy hash browns, baked beans & drink. All for a reasonable price: $15 for adults, $10 for children under 10 and Under 5 is free. Anyone that would like to donate a dessert for the dessert sale or volunteer to help, we would greatly appreciate it! We are also accepting donations for a Brown Bag Auction. Contact Davarna Rainbolt 812-779-6986 or
[email protected] Would you like to lead a team or be part of a team for Hillside to remember those lost to suicide and to support those who struggle with mental illness? Leading a team would entail coordinating team members and initiating a fund raiser for the walk. Please join us in the lobby after 1st service at 9:45 on Sunday Aug 16th for more information about The Gibson Co Out of the Darkness Walk and being part of a Hillside team. Gibson County Out of the Darkness Walk will be held on Sept. 26. Registration begins at 1:30 at the PCHS track. The walk begins at 2:30 with a 5K around the school campus. Enjoy live music by the Scott Mason Band . Pre-Register at: www.outofthedarkness.org
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WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAMS
Join us for the next sermon series
Starting Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 6:00 p.m. Little Friends Club (4 & 5 years old in Preschool/PreK) Friends Club (K-2) & (3-5th) Connections Women’s Group Fresh Grounded Faith Study Confirmation Class (6-10th grades) Compassion-What’s at Stake? Jarmon Perkins leading offsite of Hillside 6:30 p.m. Choir Practice NEWS FOR THE PRESCHOOL | CHASTITY BRASWELL Summer is almost over for our children and that means back to school. Hillside Preschool and PreK classes start Monday, August 17. There is a buzz of excitement as the staff is starting to make plans for a year of fun and learning. We are looking forward to seeing the returning children again and meeting the new children and their families. We want to wish the Hillside Pre-K Graduating class of 2015 good luck in Kindergarten, we will miss you. We still have some openings for the 2015/2016 school year. If you are interested or know someone who is looking for a quality preschool program, information can be picked up in the church office or give us a call at 812-385-2910 or
[email protected]. We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and we are looking forward to the coming of fall and the start of a new school year.
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HILLSIDE’S LITTLE LAMBS MINISTRY | JENNY WHITE I have looked around noticing Hillside Church has changed in the past year and it is exciting! God is using primarily families for continual growth in our church. With a few expectant mothers and more new people attending, the need for nursery care and the role of our nursery team is expanding. The nursery is a vital ministry of a growing church and I would like for us to identify it as Hillside’s Little Lambs Ministry. Care is available for children infant through 3 years of age during our Sunday morning worship services and Sunday school time, and during our Family Builder’s Wednesday night from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. With this growth that is happening in Hillside’s Little Lambs Ministry, there will also be a toddler classroom in the fall for children 2 and 3 years of age.
CONNECTIONS WOMEN’S PRAYER GROUP We will begin a DVD presentation beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015. Are you compelled to tell your side of the story? Do you fight thoughts of suspicion or distrust? Are you constantly rehearsing past hurts? Have you lost hope because of what someone did to you? Are you ensnared by bitterness, seized by anger, held captive by resentment because someone has offended you? In this presentation, John Bevere shows us how to escape Satan's grip, avoid a victim mentality, practice forgiveness, experience reconciliation, and remain free in Christ. This 12 week DVD study is quite possibly the most important confrontation with truth you’ll encounter in your lifetime. It exposes the stronghold – offenseused to get believers out of the will of God. The issue of offense is often the most difficult obstacle an individual must face and overcome. Jesus said, “It is impossible that no offenses should come” (Luke 17:1). Your choice is not in whether or not you get offended but in how you choose to respond. This message will empower you to stay free from offense, enabling you to have an unhindered relationship with God. No need to sign up…everyone welcome! If you have questions, call Debbie Hubbard @ 779-8422. The study will be held in Room 6. From 6pm-7:30pm.
For more information on the changes occurring in this ministry for all current volunteers and for those interested in volunteering, please attend a luncheon on August 23, 2015 after second service. Contact Jenny White at
[email protected] or at 812-604-3649 for questions.
LITTLE FRIENDS CLUB | JENNY WHITE Little Friends Club is a program for children 4 and 5 years of age that are in preschool or pre-K. It is a time for fun while learning a bible story with music, craft, games, and snack. This program is a part of our Family Builder’s Wednesday night. For more information, please contact Jenny White at
[email protected] or at 812-6043649.
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A NOTE FROM MUSIC DIRECTOR | SANDY NIXON
YOU’RE INVITED – PIZZA WITH THE PASTOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, NOON TIL 2:00 PM
We’d like to thank everyone who helped with music at 8:30 service in July: Dan Robbins, Pam Robison, New Beginnings Lakeside group, and Rhonda Bozikis for special music; pianists Nelda Chestnut, Ruth Dyer, Mike Watkins, and Sandy and Steve Nixon; and Dolli Neikirk, Dan Robbins and Pam Robison for leading hymns. We greatly appreciate everyone’s help!
In August, you can expect to hear music from a variety of sources, including Betty Farris, Jim Key, a quartet and our women’s ensemble (Sister Act, anyone??).
It’s hard to believe that summer break is nearly over, but the choir will be returning to 8:30 service in September. We will begin practicing again in late August on Wednesday evenings. We’d love to have new members join us. You do not need to know how to read music—we will help you. All you need is a love of music and singing and a willingness to give of your time for rehearsals on Wednesdays and for singing in worship on Sunday mornings. Please talk to any choir member or feel free to call Sandy Nixon for more information. Sing to the Lord a new song, for great is the Lord and most worthy of praise! (from Psalm 96)
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Do you have questions about your faith that you are having trouble answering? Do you know what you believe and why you believe it? Do you know what is meant by the word Gospel and why it should be good news to you? Have you been baptized? Should you? Should you have your children baptized? Have you officially joined Hillside Church? Should you? How is Hillside Church organized? Who’s in charge? How is it funded? Where does the money go? What does it mean to be a United Methodist Church? Is it different from other churches? Do I even want to be considered a United Methodist? What do other churches believe?
If you have questions like these, whether you are a member or not, you need to attend Pizza with the Pastor from noon until 2 pm on Sunday, August 16! If you have been attending Hillside for more than a few weeks, then you need to attend… and we’ll feed you lunch! Please RSVP to the church office by August 12 so that we can order an appropriate number of pizzas and arrange childcare if needed.
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LOOKING FORWARD TO FALL
DIRECTOR OF FAMILY MINISTRIES | SUSAN CAREY
Listen to the Sunday announcements, follow the Hillside Facebook page, and check next month's newsletter for updates on the following: Confirmation Class for youth in 6th through 10th grade will begin Wednesday, September 9 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and will continue through Wednesday, October 21. More information will be sent out soon! Ladies, don't miss out on fantastic bible studies leading up to the November Fresh Grounded Faith Event. Lisa St. Clair will offer Jennifer Rothschild's 7-week Missing Pieces study beginning Wednesday, September 9, followed by Ann Voskamp's 5-week One Thousand Gifts study. More information will follow soon. Financial Peace University is back beginning in September! Dates and times are yet to be determined, but feel free to contact Susan Carey or Pastor Chris for more information or to reserve a spot.
Did you know...that last year an average of 70 children from preschool through 5th grade attended our Wednesday night activities? Did you know...that last year an average of 25 6th through 12th graders participated in our Sunday night activities? Did you know...that on any given Sunday, 30 - 35 children attend Children's Church? Did you know...that our second service nursery nurtures as many as 7 infants and toddlers on any given Sunday, with the potential for more who currently stay in the sanctuary with their parents? Did you know...that more than 20 youth will undergo confirmation this fall? Did you know...that 90 kids attended our vacation bible school in June to hear the story of Daniel and follow his example to trust in God? Did you know...that children and youth are important to God, and He places the responsibility of their discipleship on our shoulders? Did you know...that you don't have to be an expert in child development to love on and disciple kids? Did you know...that I have a vision for discipling kids at Hillside UMC from the time they are rocked in the nursery through the time they leave for college, and even beyond that? Did you know...that the nursery is where babies and toddlers learn that God loves them and their world; that Children's Church and Friends Club are where children learn that they can trust God and should make choices based on His word; that youth group is where teens learn that God wants a relationship with them through Jesus Christ? Did you know...that you can be a part of leading a generation to authentically know their Creator? What are you waiting for? Susan J Carey
[email protected]
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