Blog
Blog
Hilltown Baptist Church
Hilltown Baptist Church
By Renee Nicolo
•
April 9, 2020
Why Do We Call Good Friday "Good"? There was no darker day than the day we killed our loving King. So how on Earth can we call the worst day “good”? I think the only way to be satisfied in answering that is to know our God as both supremely loving and utterly holy. Never do you see God’s love and holiness so perfectly displayed in one moment than on the cross. Jesus Became Your Sin 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus died for your sin, but more than that Jesus also became your sin. Some of us are angry people. Some of us are jealous. Some of us are perverted. Some of us are arrogant. Some of us are materialistic. Some of us are gossips. Most of us are all of these. Jesus became the worst of what we are. Think about that! Think of your worst sin. Jesus went to the cross for you and all of your sin -- for me and all my sin. That’s why it’s good news. That’s why it’s Good Friday. “He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). Take some time to meditate on these great truths, church family. And look forward to reflecting together -- online again -- on Friday, 7pm and celebrating together on Sunday at 10:30am. Grace and peace. Tim
By Renee Nicolo
•
March 20, 2020
You're such an encouragement to me, Hilltown! The Church outshines any other community in our world in moments like this. Your joy, faithfulness, and selfless care this past week has been wonderful. Here are some quick updates: 1. Last Sunday around 250+ of us (and others?) logged on to our YouTube livestream . We recognize it's not the ideal --- it's a temporary compromise --- but thank the Lord for the technology to connect! 2. Our church directory could not have come at a better time. A number of you are using that to pray, call, and encourage others. Keep that up! If you'd like a pdf copy, I'm happy to email you one. 3. We launched a new Facebook Group called Quarantine Like a Rock Star Parent to help parents share ideas, ask for prayer, be encouraged to make this once-in-a-lifetime season count. 4. Our small groups and others are connecting on Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, and other online platforms. 5. We continue to update our COVID-19 page ... where you can find the live stream on Sundays, access online giving, and now you're able to complete a form notifying us of any needs you may have or a willingness to meet the needs of the body. All updates during this time are available at hilltown.church/cv . Greg has been a great example of someone not given to panic. I asked him to share an encouragement, particularly for our husbands and dads as we seek to lead well in our homes this season. CHECK IT OUT HERE Love to you all, Hilltown. See you online again Sunday at 10:30am! Tim
By Renee Nicolo
•
March 12, 2020
Hilltown family, Our elders and leaders continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its potential impact on our church family and ministry programs. We have several health professionals in our church who are keeping us up to date with the latest from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), and we are following all the recommended actions the CDC gives for churches and community organizations. At this time, there are no known cases or connections to any Hilltowners, so we will continue to worship the Lord together, and all mid-week programs and Bible studies will go on as scheduled. Here are a few precautions we are taking to ensure the cleanliness of our facility and the health of our community. What we are Doing as Staff and Volunteers 1. Bob Hardin and our facility team have purchased more effective cleaning products. 2. We are disinfecting every surface (doors, tops of pews, counters, etc.). 3. Several moms are performing a deep-clean of our nurseries. What we Recommend for our Entire Church Family 1. If you know or suspect you are sick (fever, cold, or otherwise), stay home. 2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 3. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. 4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, especially with unwashed hands. 5. Sneeze and cough into your elbow rather than your hands. 6. And for all of us huggers … Just a nod or a wave will do. I have thanked the Lord often for the multi-generational make-up of our church. Times like this remind us to take extra action to honor and care for the youngest and oldest of our church family especially. If you are willing to volunteer to help clean over the coming weeks, please contact Bob Hardin at bob@hilltown.church . In the meantime, pray for the Lord’s mercy and for His Church to respond in faith and compassion rather than fear or inaction. Grace and peace. Tim
By Renee Nicolo
•
April 9, 2020
Why Do We Call Good Friday "Good"? There was no darker day than the day we killed our loving King. So how on Earth can we call the worst day “good”? I think the only way to be satisfied in answering that is to know our God as both supremely loving and utterly holy. Never do you see God’s love and holiness so perfectly displayed in one moment than on the cross. Jesus Became Your Sin 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus died for your sin, but more than that Jesus also became your sin. Some of us are angry people. Some of us are jealous. Some of us are perverted. Some of us are arrogant. Some of us are materialistic. Some of us are gossips. Most of us are all of these. Jesus became the worst of what we are. Think about that! Think of your worst sin. Jesus went to the cross for you and all of your sin -- for me and all my sin. That’s why it’s good news. That’s why it’s Good Friday. “He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). Take some time to meditate on these great truths, church family. And look forward to reflecting together -- online again -- on Friday, 7pm and celebrating together on Sunday at 10:30am. Grace and peace. Tim
By Renee Nicolo
•
March 20, 2020
You're such an encouragement to me, Hilltown! The Church outshines any other community in our world in moments like this. Your joy, faithfulness, and selfless care this past week has been wonderful. Here are some quick updates: 1. Last Sunday around 250+ of us (and others?) logged on to our YouTube livestream . We recognize it's not the ideal --- it's a temporary compromise --- but thank the Lord for the technology to connect! 2. Our church directory could not have come at a better time. A number of you are using that to pray, call, and encourage others. Keep that up! If you'd like a pdf copy, I'm happy to email you one. 3. We launched a new Facebook Group called Quarantine Like a Rock Star Parent to help parents share ideas, ask for prayer, be encouraged to make this once-in-a-lifetime season count. 4. Our small groups and others are connecting on Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, and other online platforms. 5. We continue to update our COVID-19 page ... where you can find the live stream on Sundays, access online giving, and now you're able to complete a form notifying us of any needs you may have or a willingness to meet the needs of the body. All updates during this time are available at hilltown.church/cv . Greg has been a great example of someone not given to panic. I asked him to share an encouragement, particularly for our husbands and dads as we seek to lead well in our homes this season. CHECK IT OUT HERE Love to you all, Hilltown. See you online again Sunday at 10:30am! Tim
By Renee Nicolo
•
March 12, 2020
Hilltown family, Our elders and leaders continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) and its potential impact on our church family and ministry programs. We have several health professionals in our church who are keeping us up to date with the latest from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), and we are following all the recommended actions the CDC gives for churches and community organizations. At this time, there are no known cases or connections to any Hilltowners, so we will continue to worship the Lord together, and all mid-week programs and Bible studies will go on as scheduled. Here are a few precautions we are taking to ensure the cleanliness of our facility and the health of our community. What we are Doing as Staff and Volunteers 1. Bob Hardin and our facility team have purchased more effective cleaning products. 2. We are disinfecting every surface (doors, tops of pews, counters, etc.). 3. Several moms are performing a deep-clean of our nurseries. What we Recommend for our Entire Church Family 1. If you know or suspect you are sick (fever, cold, or otherwise), stay home. 2. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 3. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. 4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, especially with unwashed hands. 5. Sneeze and cough into your elbow rather than your hands. 6. And for all of us huggers … Just a nod or a wave will do. I have thanked the Lord often for the multi-generational make-up of our church. Times like this remind us to take extra action to honor and care for the youngest and oldest of our church family especially. If you are willing to volunteer to help clean over the coming weeks, please contact Bob Hardin at bob@hilltown.church . In the meantime, pray for the Lord’s mercy and for His Church to respond in faith and compassion rather than fear or inaction. Grace and peace. Tim