HBC NEWS
 DECEMBER 2016
First Gift Offering
 
Just a reminder that during both services this Sunday we will be receiving our First Gift Offering. I sent a letter out 6 weeks ago to ask each member to pray about what financial Gift they would bring. I know this is a season where many are asking for donations, but I believe it would be amazing to give to God the First Gift. You will give and receive many gifts during the Holiday Season and it is truly a blessing to know that our church is a giving church, but I wanted to challenge us as a church to give a thanks and First Gift offering to The Lord. 

I have been asked, what are you expecting? I am not expecting a dollar amount. I am expecting those who desire to bring a First Gift to the Lord to respond in the way that God has laid a dollar amount on their heart. It has been suggested that an extra week's tithe could be given and that is a wonderful starting place, but does not have to be what each individual does. I pray that God will bless this offering as we consider the Christmas season and the way He has blessed us.
 
Bro. Michael

In This Issue
Christmas Eve Service
Saturday, December 24 at 5:00pm, No Childcare

Christmas Day
Sunday, December 25 - 10:45am Service Only
NO Sunday School, No Childcare

Office Closings
The office will be closed for the Christmas Holidays - December 26 & 27
and New Year's Holiday - January 2
 
End of Year Contributions
All 2016 contributions must be brought to the church office by 12 noon on December 30 or be postmarked no later than December 31. 

Poinsettias
If you purchased a poinsettia for the Worship Center in memory of or in honor of someone, please take it with you after the Morning Worship Service on Christmas Day. 
 
Christmas UNPlugged
Presented by The Hillcrest Worship Ministry
Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11
Worship Center at 7:00 pm
Childcare Provided.


December 4 - 11 Week of Prayer
International Missions (Lottie Moon Christmas Offering)

When you give to the Acts 1:8 Missions Offering, it is divided in the following ways:
30%  HBC Missions
20%  International Missions (Lottie Moon Christmas Offering)
20%  North American Missions (Annie Armstrong Easter Offering)
10%  Alabama Children's Home
10%  World Hunger
10%  State Missions (Myers-Mallory)

Missions Ministry

Men's Breakfast
Saturday, December 3, 7:30am, FH
Speaker: Calvin Malone

LifeGroup Christmas Parties
Friday, December 16, 5:30pm
Contact your LifeGroup leader for more information. Childcare Provided.

2017 Mission Trips
As you prayerfully consider being a part of a 2017 mission trip, please remember that it takes time to plan and coordinate these trips. TODAY is the day to signup.

"Get Trained" Classes
Real Life Discipleship - Sunday Mornings @ 9:15am, MR
Teachers: Travis Dunham & Phillip Curtis

Bible 101 - Wednesday Nights @ 5:45pm, MR
Teachers: Travis Dunham & Gary Bradshaw 

Student Ministry

Christmas Schedule
ENGAGE: Sunday Night Bible Study will wrap up the year on Dec. 4 and will resume in Jan. 2017.

ELEVATE: Dec. 14 will be our last meeting for 2016. We will resume on Jan.11, 2017.

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY: December 31, 9:30pm - 12:30am
Multipurpose Room -  Games, Food, Fun

TIS THE SEASON TO ROCK YOUR TACKY: Student Ministry Tacky Christmas Party
Wednesday, December 14, 6-7:30pm, SC
Wear your favorite tacky gear and bring a $10 gift for the unique gift swap.
GIRLS bring a salty or sweet snack (ex. chips or cookies)
BOYS bring a 2-liter drink or case of water.
We will provide the chicken tenders.

DISCIPLE NOW - January 13-15, 2017
"The Life" Romans 12:1-2
Cost is $40. Sign up at hillcreststudents.net or you may get a registration form in the office.
Children's Ministry
Changing hearts . . . Changing lives . . . One child at a time

December 4
  Baby Dedication: during the second worship service.

Christmas Party: 1st - 6th grades are invited to join us for a light dinner and Christmas crafts from 4:45pm until 7:15pm, during AWANA.

"The Lottie Moon Post Office": Located in the foyer of the Worship Center
If you have any Christmas cards to "mail" to our church family, we encourage you to use this and donate your shipping charges to "The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering".

The Sweetest Gift
Gifts for children from The Sweetest Gift program may be dropped off at the Student Center on December 14, 7pm until 8pm, and December 15-16 from 9am until 6pm.
Families will pick up their gifts on December 17. Thank you for blessing these children!

MOMS' Night Out
December 9, 6pm, FH
Bring something with your favorite scripture for a fun gift exchange. There is no cost for this meeting. Childcare is provided. Please RSVP to the Children's Ministry office by Dec. 7.

NO Children's Activities during Christmas break.
AWANA will end Dec. 4 and resume Jan. 8.
Children's Missions will end Dec. 14 and resume Jan. 11.
JAM (Jesus And Me) ends Dec. 13 and resume Jan. 10.

Legacy Adult Ministry

December 1: Legacy Adult Game Day and Mission Project, FH, 10am
Bring a covered dish and join us for a fun-filled time playing games, fellowshipping with each other, and enjoying a pot-luck lunch together. We will also help make sandwiches for the Christmas Open House at the Alabama Baptist Children's Home.

December 12: Legacy Adult Christmas Dinner, FH, 6pm
The Entertainers from Enterprise State Community College will present their wonderful Christmas program and Mike Kozlowski will perform a Christmas drama. Dinner will be catered by the Magnolia Room. Cost: $10/each. Please R.S.V.P. by December 5.

December 14: "Church @ Home", Caring for the Saints
at Home or in the Nursing Home, C100, 10:00am

January 28, 2017: Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival
Tickets are $15/ea. Deadline to order tickets is Friday, Jan. 6
 
NO Sunday Night Legacy Adult Worship in December

Family Night Supper
Wednesdays in December, 4:45pm, FH

December 7: Chicken, Butter Beans, Mac & Cheese
December 14: Chicken, Green Beans, Sweet Potato Casserole
December 21: NO Meal - Christmas Holidays
December 18: NO Meal - Christmas Holidays
January 4: NO Meal - New Year's Holiday