Jesus is..., the next part of our journey through the book of John, starts Sunday, December 1 | We'll worship, light the first Advent candle, receive communion, and hear a message from Nate Powell from John 8:42-59 about how Jesus is...Sent by God. Join us each Sunday during Advent at 9 or 10:45 AM or watch live here to discover more about who Jesus is.

See below or here for what's next at Hillcrest.

Service of Reflection and Remembrance | Thursday, December 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 PM in the Chapel. We invite you to this holiday service to reflect on losses and remember loved ones as we gather for encouragement in Scripture and healing through solitude and community. We'll have live music and have an opportunity to light a candle for your loved ones. Sign up here...

Nativity Festivity is Sunday, December 8 | Join us for a fun-filled, multigenerational start to Advent. Cozy up around fire pits as we hear the Christmas story, roast s’mores, and sing some of our favorite carols. Meet outside on the hill from 5 to 6:30 PM. Bundle up and bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. All ages are welcome and so are friends and neighbors! Sign up here...

Join us on Sunday, December 8 for a Congregational meeting for about 10 minutes after each service. The purpose of the meeting is for members to affirm new leaders and new members.

Christmas-themed Hymn Sing is Wednesday, December 11 | Join us in the sanctuary from 6:30 to 8 PM as we sing seasonal favorites as part of our preparation for celebrating Jesus' birth. Everyone is welcome.

Join us at 3 or 5 PM for a Christmas message, songs, and a celebration around who Jesus is. Kids birth through fifth grade and students 6th through 12th grade are all part of these family-friendly services. No kid or student programs available. Invites in the lobby for family, friends and neighbors.

Serve at one of our Christmas Eve services. Sign up here to help with greeting, candles, coffee, donuts,

tech, security, or wherever needed.

Selfies for the taking! Stop by our Christmas scene just outside the sanctuary from December 1 through 24 to take a selfie of you and/or your family.

On Christmas Eve, we invite you to grab a box of donuts as you leave and deliver to select locations where people have to work that evening.

During Advent, we're conspiring to make a lasting impact by giving to those who serve the persecuted church in four regions of the world. On Sundays, we'll hear about ministries who serve in areas where people are hostile toward the gospel, marginalized by their communities, deprived of fundamental rights, and pressured to renounce their faith. Despite these hardships, our ministry partners stand resilient, fueled by faith, hope, and love. Will you stand with them?

*In Mali, a school seeks to expand its Christ-centered education by building a new school nearby, offering hope in a predominantly Muslim context that is hostile towards the Gospel.

*In Europe, a ministry extends its reach in Turkey and Iraq by distributing Bibles, supporting persecuted Christians, and rebuilding communities decimated by violence.

*In Iraq, a ministry equips church leaders and impacts thousands of young people through school outreach and spiritual development programs in regions decimated by ISIS.

*In China, a school empowers special-needs youth and addresses mental health challenges, offering both practical skills and Godly mentorship.

Together, these projects embody our commitment to support the persecuted church by bringing light to the margins. Our goal from December 1 to 24 is to raise $60,000 to provide essential resources and support that will empower our ministry partners on the front lines of the persecuted church. Ready to give now? See here and select Advent Conspiracy from the giving type menu.

One service at 9 AM ONLY for all ages on Sunday, December 29 | Join us as we close out the year with one combined service in the sanctuary. We’ll worship all together—kids, students, and adults! No programs for kids or students that day.

Brunch Potluck on Sunday, January 5 between services from 10 to 10:45 AM in Fellowship Hall. Hillcrest provides baked French toast, scrambled eggs and drinks. A-M bring a savory breakfast dish; N-Z bring a sweet breakfast dish. All ages welcome.

GriefShare 13-week session | Wednesdays, January 8 to April 9, 2025 from 6 to 8 PM in Room 205. GriefShare is a nondenominational, biblical support group that focuses on helping people who are dealing with a loved one’s death. Sign up here...

Thank you for your faithful, joyful and hopeful giving to what God is doing through the ministries of Hillcrest. To remain on budget for 2024-2025, we need to receive $360,000 in December, one of our strongest giving months. We are excited to see how God will help us end 2024 fully funded and begin the 2025 ministry year with a healthy start. Please prayerfully consider catching up on your intended giving or giving above normal as God leads you. See here for ways to give or contact Meg Luchies in our Business Office at mluchies@hillcrestcov.org or 913-901-2303 for more information.

A BIG round of applause to everyone who helped deck the Hillcrest halls on Tuesday. We had a great group who pitched in all around the building to transform our spaces for Advent. Now we are ready to welcome friends, family, neighbors, and newcomers all season long. Thank you!