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The Spire

A Publication of Hillcrest United Methodist Church

9100 Russell Avenue South, Bloomington, MN 55431

952-881-8601 occ@hillcrestmethodist.org

www.hillcrestmethodist.org

www.facebook.com/hillcrestmethodistchurch

March 2019

Lenten Study & Soup Supper Wednesdays

March 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10

Soup Meal: 5:30p

Lenten Study: 6:00p “He was not rich or educated, but was familiar with

hard work. He was quick-tempered and impetuous, but possessed a passion that would change the world.

He left everything to follow his teacher, yet struggled with doubt and fear.“

Join us in the Fellowship Hall as we explore Simon Peter over 5 weeks,

leading up to Easter Sunday.

Volunteers Needed: To Cook and Serve the Soup each Wednesday. There is a sign-up

sheet in the Coat Room on the literature rack. Please sign up for one (or MORE!)

Wednesdays to help serve our community! See Kaite with any questions.

Community Event! Bring your friends,

family and neighbors!

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People are the Church

Prayer Requests

The following persons have been raised in prayer during the month of February:

Marie Burton Becky & Nathan Cahn Elinor Colebank

Barb Ermisch Linda Fleming

The Family and Friends of Glen Ellingson, following his recent passing.

Janet & Lyle Gesche Glenyce Harrington Melissa Kuyper & Kids

Dawn Kreutz Maxine Mehlhoff Ronin Millette

Louis Waters Jim Whiting Barb & Jim Van Winkle

Ione Johnson, Ron Johnson, Stacy Johnson

Edith Ottinger Sonja, cousin of Luella Whiting in Sweden, following hospice

Mary Jo Miceli, friend of Linda Fleming who is undergoing cancer treatments

Those we Have Lost

Glen Ellingson (5/2/1926-2/11/2019)

Funeral Arrangements are Still Pending. Details will be shared through the Echo Call and

the Sunday EXTRA when they are confirmed.

Wow! What a surprise! Thanks so very much for the honor of being presented with the

UMW annual award. The tulips were so beautiful to look at during our bouts of extreme low

temperatures!! My sincere thanks to all the UMW members who do so many jobs around the

church silently, so they just get done. -Kay Young, 2019 Recipient of UMW

Excellence Award

It’s Easy to Submit a Request for Prayers!

Call: Elinor Colebank (952) 977-9114

(OR) Email Lynne Scherer: lmscherer@iphouse.com

(OR) Call the church office (952) 881-8601

(OR) Fill out a Prayer Request Card on Sunday

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From the Pastors’ Desks Would you be my Neighbor?

When Jesus was asked to sum everything up into one command, his response was we

are to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Most of us love this

simple idea, are able to talk about it, and fall short of the mark on execution. We have turned

this idea into a nice saying, put it on bumper stickers and on refrigerator magnets, posted it on

our Facebook page, sent out a tweet and then ignored our own advice. We haven’t really lived into the commandment and put it into practice.

Jesus said the most important thing we can do is to love God with all our heart, soul,

mind, and strength, AND to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus was really smart to reduce

everything important into one command. Jesus gave us a simple and powerful plan of action

to follow. When we begin to know our neighbors we can literally begin to change the world.

The Great Commandment should be at the center of our lives. When practiced and “lived out” in our communities we begin to feel great freedom, peace, and a depth of relationships. Jesus

commands us to be good neighbors so the communities we live and work in can become the

places that God intended them to be.

Building relationships is a process and doesn’t happen overnight. Yet, when we begin to build relationships with our neighbors we will more fully experience the life that Jesus

promises us. During the month of February, we explored the art of neighboring through a

sermon series. If you were unable to join us for a Sunday worship experience, you can check

out the messages on our web page.

A blank neighborhood map was included in each bulletin during our sermon series. You

were asked to spend a few minutes to see how much of it you might be able to complete.

What did the exercise reveal about your neighboring or lack thereof? Although each of our

maps may not show what we would like them to, it is important that we each “lean into” the blank spaces. As we move through winter, Jesus will provide many opportunities to get to

know our neighbors. I pray you take advantage of the opportunities Jesus provides for you.

Taken from “The Art of Neighboring, Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door” by Jay Pathak

and Dave Runyon.

Committee Meetings & Small Groups Membership, Evangelism, Missions & Outreach

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 10:00a in the Library

Staff/Parish Relations Committee

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 6:00p in the Library

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Trustees Committee

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 7:00p in the Gathering Room

Church Council

Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 8:00p in the Gathering Room

United Methodist Women Executive Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 9:45a in the Fireside Room

United Methodist Women Circle Day

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 11:00a in the Fellowship Hall

Finance Team

Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 7:00p in the Gathering Room

Book Club

Monday, March 11, 2019

1:00p in the Library

Based on an Athabascan Indian legend passed along for many

generations from mothers to daughters of the upper Yukon River

Valley in Alaska, this is the suspenseful, shocking, ultimately

inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by their tribe during

a brutal winter famine. Though these women have been known to

complain more than contribute, they now must either survive on

their own or die trying. In simple but vivid detail, Velma Wallis

depicts a landscape and way of life that are at once merciless and

starkly beautiful. In her old women, she has created two heroines of

steely determination whose story of betrayal, friendship, community,

and forgiveness "speaks straight to the heart with clarity, sweetness, and wisdom" (Ursula K.

Le Guin). Taken from Amazon.com Review

M&M Event

Tuesday, March 12th – 12:00p

Cost: $10.00 per person

Menu: Pizza, Salad, Cookies and Ice Cream

Program: The Edina Singing Seniors will be

here singing yesteryear’s hits! Image taken from their website: www.edinasingingseniors.com

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2019 Lent & Easter Schedule

Ash Wednesday Service

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

6:30p at Peace in Richfield, MN

Joint Worship between Hillcrest UMC, Peace and Portland UMC. Please note, there will be NO meal served prior to this service. Soup Dinner & Lenten Study

Wednesdays: March 13, 20, 27, April 3 & 10, 2019

Soup Meal: 5:30p in the Fellowship Hall at Hillcrest UMC

Lenten Study: 6:00p in the Fellowship Hall at Hillcrest UMC

Maundy Thursday Service

Thursday, April 18, 2019

7:00p at Portland Avenue UMC in Bloomington, MN

Tenebrae Service

Friday, April 19, 2019

7:00p at Hillcrest United Methodist Church

Easter Sunday Service

Sunday, April 21, 2019

9:30a at Hillcrest UMC

Easter Basket Hunt for the kids following worship! More information about Maundy Thursday, Tenebrae & Easter Worship will be in the April 2019 Spire!

Mission News

February Update

A Special Thank you to everyone who contributed financially to support Hillcrest

Community School. Principal Calvin Keasling visited Hillcrest UMC on Sunday, February 10th

and gave an introduction to what makes Hillcrest School so amazing. So far, we have collected

$475 to be used at Hillcrest Community School. Principal Calvin, and his staff, will let us know

where the money is needed most (supplies, special programs, etc.) and we will present them

with the gift at that time. Reminder: Hillcrest Community School is still in need of dedicated

lunch servers through the end of the year. Pastor Jill, Pastor Jerry, and Kaite make regular

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appearances and would LOVE to bring you with to show you the ropes! Let one of us know

when you’d like to tag along. (Please note: There are stools available for use at the school to

sit as you need to.)

March Mission Moments

During the month of March, we will be collecting

donations for The Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge. From

their website: “Since 1983, MN Adult & Teen Challenge has

been restoring hope to people struggling with drug and alcohol

addiction. In addition to our effective and affordable

residential Licensed Treatment, faith-based Long-Term

Recovery and convenient Outpatient program, we have extensive prevention and

transitional/aftercare services.” Donations they receive are divided as follows: 12% used for

Management & General, 3% used for fundraising, 85% used for Program Services.

Financial News Volunteer Ministry Opportunity

We have a volunteer ministry opportunity available to assist Lyman Demaray, our

Church Treasurer, with accounts payable. We anticipate the duties will be completed in

approximately 3 hours per week, with flexible hours. If you can balance your own check book,

you can do this work!

The position includes:

· Becoming familiar with the Parish Soft accounting system for Ledger and

Choir Here:

Sunday, March 10, 2019

During Worship

March Communion Offering will go toward

the MN Adult & Teen Challenge Programs.

Pasta Meal to Follow Concert

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Payables

· Receiving requests for payment from church vendors and members

· Reviewing payment request for accuracy and authorizing approval

· Assuring that appropriate payments are made

If you have an interest in learning more about this ministry opportunity please reach out to

Lyman directly.

2019 Budget

At the 2018 Annual Church Meeting on Sunday, February 3, the proposed operating budget for 2019 was approved by those in attendance with the understanding that our estimated budget revenue was $14, 781 short of the estimated budget expenses. In order to reduce this projected shortfall, and assure funds are budgeted for new programs (such as the Children/Youth Coordinator position), we are asking for help from our members and supporters by making a special donation or additional pledge to Hillcrest. Please prayerfully consider how you can help, and then: call the church to add to your pledge, email treasurer@hillcrestmethodist.org, or use the enclosed envelope for a one time special gift. Your help is appreciated! Without YOU, Hillcrest could not have had such an amazing 2018! Lets make 2019 just as amazing!

How High Can You Count?

We’re looking for a few more volunteers to be a Sunday counter. Interested? See Kay Young for more information. Requirements are the knowledge of a 10-key adding machine and legible writing.

Hillcrest Child Care News

Snow, snow, oh glorious snow. . . the kids love it! Unlike many adults, when they wake

up and see the white flakes falling from the sky they are filled with joy and excitement. They

are enthusiastically waiting to be able to go outside and frolic in it. They cannot wait to drop to

the ground and make snow angels, or slide down the hill. It is fun to watch them play. It

reminds me of my childhood playing outside in this wonderful winter wonderland known as

Minnesota. Last month we welcomed an new infant (Kolby) and a new staff member (Lady) to

our Hillcrest Family. You can find both Kolby and Lady in our infant room. We always love

seeing our community grow.

All of our programs are currently full. Our next opening will be in our infant program at

the end of July. If you know of someone looking for care at that time, please send them our

way.

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Stay warm & think spring!

Bonnie Beyer, Director of Hillcrest Child Care Center

PH: 952-881-5330 Email: bonnie@hillcrestchildcare.com

Children’s Sunday School

February was filled with fun! We enjoyed talking about “Team Hillcrest” on Super Bowl Sunday. We hope you liked our display in the Fellowship Hall—that was just a few of the

reasons we think Hillcrest is SUPER! The following weeks our lessons were focused around

love. What is love? How does God show us His love? And how can we share God’s love with others? We had some wonderful discussion. The children enjoyed making valentines for the

members of our Hillcrest Family that are unable to join us on Sunday as frequently as they

once could. We also want to thank those persons who took a heart, and our praying for one or

more of the children at Hillcrest. Praying is a great way to show love for another person.

March is going to be an exciting month. First of all we are hoping to be in our NEW

SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOM! The kids and I are very EXCITED and APPRECIATIVE to those who

made this happen. THANK YOU to Blaine Massee for giving us a fresh new look by painting our

walls. THANK YOU to Judy & Ron Krei, Lynne Scherer, and Kathy Roberts for creating a

beautiful environment for us to learn and love in each Sunday. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

THANK YOU!

Lent begins in March, as well. During this preparatory time before Easter, I will be

teaching the children about helping others, charity, acts of kindness, humility, obedience and

sacrifice. During this time we will be doing a service project. We will be collecting boxes of

breakfast cereal. We want to help the children in our community have the opportunity to

begin their day with breakfast. Please look for the collection area in the coat room starting

March 3rd. If you want to make their school teachers happy, keep in mind cereal with lower

amounts of sugar are best for the children (Kix Cereal, Cheerios, Cripix, Life, Chex Cereal are a

few that come to mind). We hope that you consider donating to our Cereal Drive. Also if you

would rather give a cash donation, we would be happy to do the shopping for you!

We have a wonderful group of children that come on a regular basis. We have been

enjoying learning, singing and praying together! The GOOD NEWS is we have room for

more! Please invite your grandchildren, neighbors’ children and friends ’children to come and join in the awesomeness of God’s kids at Hillcrest. See you Sunday! `

-Bonnie Beyer

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For Fun Church Hymns

The Dentist’s Hymn…. “Crown Him with Many Crowns”

The Weatherman’s Hymn… “There Shall Be Showers of Blessing”

The Contractor’s Hymn… “The Church’s One Foundation”

The Tailor’s Hymn… “Holy, Holy, Holy”

The Golfer’s Hymn … “There is a Green Hill Far Away”

The Politician’s Hymn … “Standing on the Promises”

The Optometrist’s Hymn … “Open My Eyes That I Might See”

The IRS Agent’s Hymn … “I Surrender All”

The Electrician’s Hymn … “Send the Light”

The Shopper’s Hymn … “Sweet By and By”

The Realtor’s Hymn … “I’ve got a mansion just over the Hilltop”

The Pilot’s Hymn … “I’ll Fly Away”

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2018 Annual Meeting

Held Sunday,

February 3, 2019

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Hillcrest United Methodist Church

9100 Russell Ave S

Bloomington, MN 55431

E-mail: occ@hillcrestmethodist.org

hillcrestmethodist.org

Phone: (952) 881-8601 Fax: (952) 888-2961

www.hillcrestmethodist.org

www.facebook.com/hillcrestmethodistchurch

MISSION STATEMENT

“Living the Ultimate Challenge — To Make a Difference in God's World”

How We Share

Our Gifts

You will find our members

out in the community

serving meals at Loaves and

Fishes...

There will be knitters

working on prayer shawls

or preemie hats while

volunteering in the church

office…

Others will be making

blankets for a battered

women's shelter.

We will be found making

sandwiches for homeless

shelters in the church

kitchen, making t-shirts into

diapers...or simply caring

for our neighbors in

countless little ways.

People need care…

we try to provide that care

in the name of Jesus.

Share your gifts—Join

us!

Every Sunday: Worship, 9:30a Fellowship, 10:30a

Communion First Sunday of Every Month

Hillcrest UMC Staff:

Pastor Jill Meents Certified Lay Minister Jerry Jensen

Communications Coordinator: Kaite Knack

Director of Music: Nancy Miller

Organist/Pianist: Loryce Sivertson

Child Care Center Director: Bonnie Beyer

Child Care Staff: Jasmine Tapia Garcia, Bishara Haji, Samira Hashi, Pam

LaMotte, Christine Merchant, Savannah Reineccius, Jessica Ronnei,

Jennifer Contreras Sanchez , Becky Seaman, Jean Scott, Carla Sorensen

and Kristin Zumberge

Church Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday, 9:00a-3:00p & Friday, 9:00a-12:00p

Church Office: 952-881-8601

Child Care Center Hours:

Monday—Friday, 6:30a-6:00p

Child Care Center: 952-881-5330