Mindful Leader

 

This is Acts 10 where Peter is surprised by what God is calling him to do, set aside almost everything he has previously known.  What is it that we have previously held as true and God has surprised us with what we need to do?  

This is Bell Choir Sunday and we provided a quick flavor of the bells.  The sermon is from Acts 8 and the preacher is Ms Marilyn White!  

 

Acts 3 -- Mario looks at Peter (and John) who focus on remembering Jesus as resurrected.  What does it mean indeed to live on this side of Easter?  Part of it of course is to remember "he is risen, he is risen indeed."  Mario relies on N. T. Wright for part of his settling down points.  Tom Wright has made a visit or three to Hilltop ... great source for helping us frame our conversations.  

I also like how he used Acts 3 to be a place to talk to 1 Corinthians and Paul.  I like illustrations from the scripture!   

"All of my eggs are in that basket!"  

 

Scripture is Acts 4: 23-33 and the focus is on how the early church was in unity.  I proffer that they were in unity in terms of mission, vision, and values.  The Resurrection is the engine that drove the growth in of the early Church.  

The focus here is on people, not buildings, or denominations.  This is an initial exploration of changing our belong, believe, become to something new and different.  Hospitality, helping, hope and healing.  There is a both an inward and outward focus simultaneously:  Caring for their people and carrying the story into the world.  

 

The Reverend Mario Alejandre returning to Hilltop to close out our Stewardship Campaign for 2017.  Mario is a Lutheran who sounds like a Methodist.  Gifted.  Truly.  

 

Joyful Ringers, Hallelujah Bells, Carillon Belles, and The Bells of Joyful Sound (special guests).  

This is a mixture of both the 9 and 10:30 services.  

 

Odd passage to our ears.  A Eunuch?  What's that about?  But in this case, Philip has just preached to Samaritans, outcasts, and now he is preaching/teaching to another outcast.  The message is as fresh today as it was in Philip's day.  Who is invited to God's table and the answer is -- Samaritans, Sexually Questionable Characters, and yes, you and me.  

 

This is the 9:00 version with the Sanctuary Singers, and I think based on microphone positioning, and smaller adult ensemble, the children are more obviously part of this.  Goose bump to me, I know how long this dream has been nurtured at Hilltop and what kind of potential fruitfulness exists with this ministry.  

 

Acts 6: 1-7.  Spiritual Gifts.  

This is the 9:00 Service at Hilltop.  I am indebted to David Watson and N. T. Wright for good quotes here.