“God is not safe, and he will not be squeezed into some neat, respectable Sundaydiscussion.  God in a box—with a little package of hot sauce and a toy surprise. No.  To know God at all is to watch Him explode any box we put him in with His terror, majesty, and indescribable wonder.”   ~James MacDonald~

Join us as Troy Konemann leads the adults in this dynamic study.  The topics regarding the character of God will be His Holiness, Awesomeness, Sovereignty, and Works, and will be followed by our Worship of God and our Identity in God. The study will wrap up with a discussion about How to Stay Gripped by the Greatness of God.

About the Author:  James MacDonald is the founding pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.  His radio broadcast Walk in the Word can be heard daily on over 650 stations around the country, and Listen Up, his 1-minute feature, can be heard on nearly 1,100 stations.  He is the author of four books, including Seven Words to Change Your Family, Lord Change My Attitude, and I Really Want to Change…So Help Me God.

Two books are available for this study.  The hardback book is $16 and the paperback workbook is $14.   Money will be collected and materials distributed on Sunday, February 5 at the conclusion of the morning worship service.

PLEASE BE SURE TO REGISTER FOR THE CLASS AT THE WELCOME CENTER OR THE PRESCHOOL SIGN-IN AREA BY JANUARY 29.  *Childcare will be provided free of charge for ages five and under for children of class participants only.  “Operation Space” is offered for ages K-6th grad for children class participants only.  Please register your children on the appropriate sign-up sheet.

Contact Cindy Bullington at 439-2345 or 324-0475 for more information.

Beginning February 12, 2012 the Children’s Ministry will be starting a Focus Class that is “Out of This World”. In this galactic adventure like no other, kids learn how God reveals Himself through His world and His Word. Each day, we’ll learn more about our great Creator as we crisscross the cosmos, answering questions about space and the Bible.

The 5 weekly themes are:

1. The Uniqueness of the Bible
2. The Authority of the Bible
3. The Gospel
4. The Impact of the Bible
5. Learn, Love, Live the Bible

This fun adventure begins the minute kids walk through your doors, when they are transformed into cadets receiving BASIC Training at a space academy.

BASIC Training

• Book of Books:
  The Bible is uniquely God’s Word.
• Absolute Authority:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               As the Word of the Creator, the Bible should be the foundation for our thinking in every area.
• Salvation Story:
  The Bible tells us how we can spend eternity with our Creator. The cadets will learn how as they hear a clear presentation of the gospel.
• Incredible Impact:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      From science to music to changed lives, the Bible has had an incredible impact on our world.
• Cadet Challenge:
  Learn it! Love it! Live it! We need to read and study the Bible daily in order to learn more about our Creator and His commands.

It’s then off to rotate through four fun stations—Bible Briefing, Galactic Games,
Stellar Snacks, and Cosmic Crafts.

http://www.christianbook.com/operation-space

These classes are available to children whose parents are attending the Adult Focus Classes on Sunday Nights and are between the ages of Kindergarten – 6^th
Grade. Childcare will be provided for all children younger than this age group.

Lesson 1: I should listen and learn from God’s Word.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The Parable: The Sower Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23
Verse: I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm119:11

Lesson 2: A little bit can make a big difference.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          The Parable: Parable of the yeast Matthew13:33
Verse: But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Lesson 3: We should be a good influence in the world by showing Jesus’ love.                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Parable: Parable of the Salt Matthew 5:13
Verse: “Follow God’s examples, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to
God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Lesson 4: It’s not about me, it’s about Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              The Parable: Parable of the Wheat Seed John 12:24-25                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Verse:“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he dies, yet shall he live.” John 11:25

Lesson 5: Your actions and words will show what is inside you.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             The Parable: The Parable of a Tree and Its Fruit Luke 6:43-45
Verse: “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45b

Honor the LORD with your possessions,

Dear Church Family,

Our annual HARVEST DAY CELEBRATION is swiftly approaching on Sunday, November 13^th, beginning at 10:30 a.m. with dinner on the grounds to follow.  It is always a tremendous time of worship, fellowship, good food, and great people!

This year we are privileged to have a guest speaker with us, Mr. Chad Varga, a former professional basketball player who is in full-time ministry reaching students for Christ.  Chad is founder and president of InspireNow, and was named by Dr. John Maxwell as one of the six up and coming leaders in America.  You will be blessed!

For those of you who are new to The Church on the Hill, Harvest Day is a time not only to remember the goodness of God toward our church in the past, but also a day to reflect on His goodness to us presently.  One way we accomplish this is through the Harvest Day Offering, and our goal this year is a very attainable $30,000.  In spite of the economic hardships we have all experienced, God has been good to us and this is an ideal time to express our gratitude to Him.

Even though this year has been financially challenging for this church body, I am confident that we will rise up to the occasion and surpass this goal.  Meditate on the Scriptures at the top of this letter, let God speak to your heart, and then give out of love to and gratitude for Christ.

There will be no Sunday School or evening activities on this day, but plenty of other things going on to keep us occupied.  Bring your Bible, some friends, some food, some finances, and a heart filled with Jesus on this day, and let’s expect great things from our great God.

In Christ Alone,

Pastor Tim

The Power of A Simple Gift

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14, NKJV

National Collection Week – November 14-21, 2011

Church On the Hill deadline is Wednesday, November 02

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through simple, gift-filled shoe boxes and evangelistic materials that tell the Good News of God’s love.  Here are some ways you can make a difference:

PRAY. Pray that God will touch the heart of every child who receives a shoe box gift, and that He will bring many children and families to faith in Christ.

PACK A GIFT. A shoe box filled with small toys and other gifts can open hurting hearts to God’s love.  Instructional brochures are available in the church office. Please contact Audra Emrich to get details on how to pack a box and what age child to pack one for. Please do not pack candy that melts.

INCLUDE $7 DONATION. Remember to give $7 or more per box to cover shipping and other project costs.

VOLUNTEER. Make an eternal impact on the lives of children through volunteer opportunities.  Please see Audra Emrich on how you can help.

Pack your shoe box with love, send it with prayer, and share the good news of Jesus Christ with a hurting child.  That’s the power of a simple gift.

Praise the LORD that He is our covenant-keeping King who is sure to fulfill His promises!

Divine Promises

Glorious Jehovah, my Covenant God,

All thy promises in Christ Jesus are

yea and amen, and all shall be fulfilled.

Thou hast spoken them, and they shall be done,

commanded, and they shall come to pass.

Yet I have often doubted thee,

have lived at times as if there were no God.

Lord, forgive me that death in life,

when I have found something apart from thee,

when I have been content with ephemeral things.

But through thy grace I have repented;

Thou hast given me to read my pardon

in the wounds of Jesus,

and my soul doth trust in him, my God incarnate,

the ground of my life, the spring of my hope.

Teach me to be resigned to thy will,

to delight in thy law,

to have no will but thine,

to believe that everything thou doest is

for my good.

Help me to leave my concerns in thy hands,

for thou hast power over evil,

and bringest from it an infinite progression

of good,

until thy purposes are fulfilled.

Bless me with Abraham’s faith

that staggers not at promises through unbelief.

May I not instruct thee in my troubles,

but glorify thee in my trials;

Grant me a distinct advance in the divine life;

May I reach a higher platform,

leave the mists of doubt and fear in the valley,

and climb to hill-tops of eternal security in Christ

by simply believing he cannot lie,

or turn from his purpose.

Give me the confidence I ought to have in him

who is worthy to be praised,

and who is blessed for evermore.

The depths and riches that lie deep within the first few verses of 1 Peter leave one wondering where to begin! Surely this is too much to fully exegete for a web post, so for now I would like to focus on one particular word in this passage. The subject here is God the Father. Peter is saying, may He, God the Father, be blessed for sovereignly ordaining this eternal plan of redemption and causing His elect (us hopeless wretches with no claim for salvation save Christ, his perfect obedience and sacrifice-we are now wretches full of hope!) to be born again through the resurrection of His Son! The passage goes on to say that we have an inheritance stored for us in heaven. The word I’d like to look at is rendered “reserved” here in the NKJV. This is a legitimate translation but it lacks the full weight of the original Greek. If we take a look at the many ways in which this word can be translated we can get a more comprehensive understanding of what Peter is trying to say about the security of the inheritance that belongs to those who belong to Christ. In the Greek lexicon this word is τηρέω (tereo). Strong’s Concordance gives definitions of this word as to guard, to keep the eye upon, to attend to carefully, to take care of, to keep, to observe, to reserve, etc. How reassuring it is to know that the inheritance that is laid up for us in heaven is being guarded by heavenly hosts and that the God of the universe is keeping His eye upon it. It is being carefully attended to by the One who never sleeps nor slumbers (Ps.121)! No enemy can ever get behind that holy garrison that stands ready to defend. I can feel the excitement welling up deep inside my soul at the thought of this pure, imperishable, unfading inheritance that was secured for me through Christ resting behind the host of heaven as they stand at guard!

O Christian, rest today knowing that our God is faithful to fulfill His promises towards us because of Jesus Christ our Lord. There is no greater reassurance than the words of our Lord Himself:

27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-30

How beautiful it is to know that the LORD hears our pleas and accepts our prayers! The Sovereign of the universe is concerned with our most insignificant pleas. Why? Because we’re His children; we are His beloved sons and daughters whom He went to the shameful, yet gloriously triumphant cross for. Our prayers aren’t accepted because we’re good little boys and girls. They are accepted because they filter through the nail-scarred hands of the spotless Lamb-Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. You see, we cannot approach the eternal, holy, bright-shining throne of God but through the blood of Christ. The veil is only torn for those wearing that pure robe of Christ and His righteousness. The Lord does not hear the prayers of the wicked-He turns a deaf ear towards them. They cannot approach the Lord of glory in their sins without their pleas and prayers being sprinkled by the blood of the Lamb of God.

For those of us in Christ, let us approach the throne of God with our pleas in confidence-not arrogance based on our own righteousness (for we have none!). We are naked and empty handed before Him in and of ourselves. He has heard our pleas and accepts our prayers because of the purifying blood of Christ. How humbling it is to know that the pure, holy, all powerful only God of the universe is concerned with my pleas.

CHURCH COOKOUT, FAMILY FUN NIGHT & NEW MEMBER FELLOWSHIP
SUNDAY, JULY 24 FROM 5:00 PM UNTIL 8:00 PM
AT THE CHURCH ON THE HILL’S FELLOWSHIP HALL

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN OUR CHURCH FAMILY FOR:
*FOOD, FUN & FELLOWSHIP
*HAMBURGERS, HOT DOGS & ALL THE FIXIN’S
*GAMES FOR ALL AGES
*WELCOMING OUR NEW MEMBERS
*MAYBE EVEN A BALL GAME OR SOME STRUMMIN’ & SANGIN’

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU:
*SIGN UP AT THE GUEST SERVICES DESK BY JULY 20.
*BRING A MINIMUM OF ONE TWELVE PACK OF CANNED SOFT DRINKS
  TO THE KITCHEN AREA BY JULY 20.
*BRING TWO COOKOUT FRIENDLY DISHES PER FAMILY…MEAT & BREAD WILL BE FURNISHED.
*BRING YOUR LAWN CHAIR, OUTSIDE TOYS AND BOARD GAMES.
(WE WILL BE PLAYING INSIDE AND OUTSIDE)
*BRING SOME VISITORS WITH YOU…USE THIS EVENT AS AN OUTREACH FOR OUR CHURCH.

Immediately after the Shema in verses 4 & 5, the LORD via Moses speaking of the Law of the LORD says:

7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

The two pair of opposite verbs (sit/walk, lie down/rise) suggests that this teaching should be happening any and every time, place, and activity. This same verse is repeated later in Deuteronomy 11:19.

Earlier in the book we see Moses commanding Israel to “teach them to your children and your grandchildren” (4:9b) and again in verse 10, “and that they may teach their children”. Even near the end of the book after Moses recited his song to the people of Israel he felt it important to add a few quick words:

And he said to them: “Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law. (Deut. 32:46)

Of all the things Moses could have added to the end of his song he chose to remind Israel to “command your children” in the ways of the LORD and “to be careful to observe” all of the law. Keep in mind this is right before his death. Other than his blessing on the people in chapter 33, these are his parting words.

This is by no means an exhaustive survey of our responsibility as believers to teach our children the ways of the Lord (for extra study look at Gen. 18:19, Psalm 78:4-6), but I believe the point has been made clearly. It is our responsibility to raise our children in the paths of the LORD. It is not the responsibility of the schools, the media or our extended family. Can these other institutions contribute? Well, at least some of them can (probably not media!) and should. But ultimately this responsibility lies on the shoulders of believers (as parents and as the Church).

You see, the LORD made a covenant with his people and this covenant extends for generations. The covenant is not restricted to only the living which is clearly seen in Deut. 5:2-3:

2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive.

The point is made even more clearly at the renewal of the covenant on the plains of Moab later in Deut. 29:14:

14 “I make this covenant and this oath, not with you alone, 15 but with him who stands here with us today before the LORD our God, as well as with him (or whoever) who is not here with us today.

The covenant is also for our children, even those who are yet to be born, and it is our responsibility to teach our children the ways of the LORD.

I write this on the heels of Father’s Day. Men, love your wives and teach your children. Women, support your husbands and teach your children. Open your Bibles. Pray for your children. Have family devotions. Live out your faith in front of your children. Be Christians!

We can blame media and a million other things for the lack of zeal for the LORD in the younger generations, but sadly, that is not what has caused this current state in much of the younger generations. We have forgotten this commandment which was stressed over and over again by Moses to all following generations of believers.

“Teach your children”