October 2014

THE

HERALD

HIGHLIGHTS

IN THIS

ISSUE

Hillcrest

Baptist Church

2200 Iverson St.

Temple Hills, MD 20748

(301) 423-6288

www.hbcmd.org

From the Pastor’s Heart Page 2 Ministry Spotlight Page 11

Ministry News Page 3 Bible Quiz Page 12

Missions News Page 4 Mark Your Calendar Page 13

Hurlebaus Hall Page 6 Read Through the Bible Page 14

Church Humor Page 8 in One-Year

Poetry by Alfreda Page 9

As long as the earth exists, seedtime and harvest, cold and hot, summer and autumn, day and night will not cease.

Genesis 8:22

From the Pastor’s Heart

Greetings Church Family,

The Miracle

The Book of Acts chapter 3: 1-8, tells a story about a man who was

lame from his mother’s womb, who was unable to walk and was

dependent upon his care takers. One day he met two followers of

Jesus - Peter and John, who believed that there was power in the

name of Jesus.

When he was introduced to the Name of Jesus and upon trusting that Name, he was set free

from his disability. A miracle took place in the lame man’s life. He honored the Lord by

going to church. He entered walking, leaping and praising God.

We have witnessed a miracle take place at Hillcrest Baptist Church. The grandmothers of

Reginald Hardy, asked the church family to join them in praying for a miracle in his

life. Who knew that our obedience in prayer would result in a miracle unfolding before our

eyes? God intervened and vetoed the doctor’s diagnosis of no future hope.

When Reginald was in a comma and at the point of death, the church called on the Name of

Jesus. Several weeks and months went by without an immediate response from

God. Without wavering in faith, we consistently lifted Reginald’s name before God

believing that He would in due time honor the prayers of the Saints at HBC.

Good news! Reginald, walking without assistance, made a surprise visit to our weekly bible

study. On Sunday morning, he walked down the aisle with tears streaming down his face to

surrender his life to Christ. Oh Happy Day! We rejoice with his family and delight in the

joy of knowing God’s miracle working power is still alive.

Be reminded that God always hear his children when they pray. Our prayer time on

Wednesday is never wasted, but always end in hope for the hurting. I encourage you to

document your prayer request and make note of your date of deliverance. To God be the

glory for what He has done.

Oh Happy Day!!

Your Humble Servant in Christ,

Pastor W. Clyde Pearson

VISION MISSION

We exist to raise up mature believers to serve HIM! To EQUIP every member for Kingdom ministry.

Core Values

Equip … the saints / Experience … a big God / Evangelize … the lost / Edify … His people 2

Church Office Hours

Monday – Friday

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Sunday Worship

Sunday School

9:45 am – 10:45 am

Morning Service

11:00 am

Mid-Week Service (Wednesday)

Bible Study

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Prayer Service

6:30 pm -7:00 pm

ABC’s For Becoming A Christian

Admit to God you are a sinner. Repent and turn away from your sin. (Romans 3:23)

Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that God sent Him to save people from their sin. (Romans 10:9)

Commit your life to Jesus. Trust Him to be your Savior and Lord. (Romans 10:13)

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Nursery

Do you love caring for infants and toddlers?

Would caring for infants and toddlers a couple

hours each Sunday be perfect for your schedule?

You may be the one we are looking for. The

Nursery is looking for an Assistant Coordinator.

If you’re interested, please contact Valaria Carroll

at (301) 894-6267 for more information.

Church Ministries

If you would like to serve on one of the HBC

Ministries, please contact the church office for a

list of ministries in need of volunteers.

Children’s Church Need Volunteers

Our church is growing, and we are in need of help

with monitoring, teaching, and arts and crafts for

Children’s Church. If you would like to

volunteer, please contact Deacon Tony Williams.

MINISTRY NEWS

Wednesday’s from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (during the months of September – May)

A

B

C

On-Line Giving

Will you be missing Sunday services this holiday

season? Keep up with your financial commitment to

the church’s ministry with our on-line giving, even

when you are away! There is a link on the home page

of our website that you can use for safe and secure on-

line giving (www.hbcmd.org). For more information,

contact the church office.

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Let’s Talk About Church Planters and New Church Plants in the Windy City…Chicago

Submitted by Elaine Hall, Trustee for the North American Mission Board (NAMB)

For members of our Hillcrest Baptist Church Family who do not know about missions and

missionaries, please read on.

As a Trustee on the North American Mission Board (NAMB), I have traveled to several cities in

the Northeast and Midwest regions. One of the Board of Trustees’ meetings was held in the

Chicago, Illinois, also known as “Chicagoland”. While in Chicago the Trustees and their

spouses went on a vision tour of the city to meet church planters and visit the new church plants.

This was my first visit to Chicago and I learned so much. For example, I learned the region is

famously known for “da Bears, da Bulls, and da Burbs.” I learned that Chicago is one of the

most ethnically diverse regions of the nation, but the city’s neighborhoods remain the most

segregated.

Chicago has 77 neighborhoods, each with its own unique identity. There is Little Italy, Little

Village, Greektown, Chinatown, North Side, South Side, Bronzeville, Highland Park,

Ravenwood, Uptown, Downtown, The Loop, and many more.

Surrounding the city are more than 200 towns and suburban communities that extends more

than 30 miles in all directions from Lake Michigan. There are 8.7 million people who live in the

10 Illinois counties in the metro area. Including the Wisconsin and Indiana counties,

Chicagoland is home to 10 million people, the third largest city after New York and Los

Angeles. In Chicago there are 2,000 people groups who spoke 200 different languages.

However, there are not many Christians. Only 1 in 10 people attend the area’s 2,924 evangelical

churches. Across Chicagoland, 308 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches in 10 counties

have about 17,000 people in attendance on any given Sunday. That’s about 55 people per SBC

church. Also, it is only one SBC church for every 32,000 people in the region.

Catholicism is the leading religion with 3.3 million members. Muslims are the second with over

300,000 and growing fast. While I was in Chicago, I saw several Muslims with their Korans

(Qurans) in their hands on the street corners trying to stop me and other people to share their

beliefs. There is a need for 184 new churches in the 10 Illinois counties of the Chicago

metropolitan area. Therefore, 21 of these church plants have already launched, meeting in

homes, community centers, and rented facilities, reaching neighborhoods and suburbs with

worship services, Bible studies, and ministries to meet the needs of body and soul.

Please meet Marcus Randle, a Chicagoan who had plans of escaping the crime of South Side

Chicago, but God had other plans for Marcus and his wife, Mattie like it says in Jeremiah 29:11,

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm

you, plans to give you hope and a future”.

MISSIONS NEWS

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MISSIONS NEWS (continued)

Please pray for Marcus and Mattie Randle and the work they are doing in Chicagoland at the

Resurrection House.

Thank you for allowing me to share with you about the NAMB Trustee meeting and Vision

Tour in Chicagoland.

Love and Blessings always,

Your sister in Christ, Elaine Hall

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Deacon Albert & Elsie Hurlebaus

Who was Albert and Elsie Hurlebaus and why is Hillcrest’s Fellowship Hall named after them? We

have to know where we came from to understand where we’ve been and how we got here. You see,

the Fellowship Hall was not always exclusively the Fellowship Hall. It was the original church

constituted and dedicated on November 29, 1953. It became the Fellowship Hall after the new church

was built and completed in 1970. The Fellowship Hall which was also known as the Dining Hall was

named after the Hurlebaus because of their dedication and the great work they did for the church and

the surrounding community.

Let’s take a step back in time and imagine what our sanctuary looked like before the beautiful

cathedral ceilings and the elegant red and white pulpit and pews. When you step through the double

doors into the Fellowship Hall from the hallway, straight ahead is what appears to be a stage. This

area was the pulpit. If you walk across it you hear a hollow sound because that’s where the baptismal

pool existed. Also, imagine, the food pantry as the room where people changed out of their wet

clothes after they were baptized. A very small office was located directly to the right after walking

through the double doors. The ladies and men’s bathrooms were adjacent to the office. The area that

is now the kitchen was originally used for Sunday school classes. A petition separated the bathrooms

and the Sunday school classes. Although, back then there was no kitchen, the space where Sunday

school was held was also used to serve food to the congregation, including guests on Sunday evenings

after the church service. These were known as “Sunday Socials.” This fellowship was very important

to the members of the church and to those invited to join. Years later, after the new church was built

around what is now the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen was installed and the Sunday Socials turned into

“Wednesday Dinners.” Today, the Fellowship Hall is used for all kinds of events, AWANA and

Sunday school classes and all other kinds of church socials.

In 2004 the Fellowship Hall was named after Albert and Elsie Hurlebaus. Deacon Albert and Mrs.

Elsie Hurlebaus “left a legacy of love, “agape love” that sought nothing in return.” That’s the way

they were described in a tribute written by Earl T. Tildon in 2004 for the dedication ceremony. The

Fellowship Hall was named after the Hurlebaus because they were faithful and dedicated members of

Hillcrest. Al and Elsie, as they were affectionately known, were committed to bringing souls to Jesus

and increasing the membership of Hillcrest Baptist Church. Even after the composition the

neighborhood changed, Al and Elsie visited homes in the community to eat, laugh, and invite folks to

church. Every Tuesday, they would go out to the surrounding homes to follow-up with people they

had previously invited and to visit those they hadn’t visited before. Making sure to keep a record of

each visit. That’s how many of the members in the neighborhood came to join the church.

Hillcrest Baptist Church Hurlebaus Hall

Deacon and Mrs. Hurlebaus consistently visited homes and always made everyone feel welcomed at

Hillcrest. Each of them would always give a kind smile and say “I’m so glad I saw you at church

Sunday.” They often started their conversations with “let’s talk about Jesus.” They were faithful and

didn’t put a deadline on the time they would spend bringing souls to Jesus. They would continue to

visit those who they did not convince to come and hear the word of God on their first visit and would

check on those who did visit, always encouraging them to keep coming to church. Taking names and

saving souls seemed to be their edict. Many times Elsie and Deacon Al were the only members who

went out to the community on occasions. Elsie said she liked to get up close and personal and always

took the time to get to know the people they visited.

Deacon Albert was one of the few men in the church at that time who was dedicated to helping with

the Sunday Socials and serving at the Wednesday dinners. He played a major role in getting the

appliances for the kitchen so that the church could feed its members as well as the community. Adults

paid 50 cents and 25 cents for their children for a hot meal before going off to their Wednesday night

church activities. That money was used to put in more equipment so that more people could be fed.

Deacon Albert did dishes and clean up duty in the kitchen right along with the women. Mrs.

Hurlebaus was the chairperson of the Loyalty Diner now known as the Fellowship Hall and head of

the Kitchen Committee. Additionally, Elsie, always taught the adult Sunday school classes and held

devotion every Sunday morning. She would bring pictures and things to make her point. She was a

wonderful Sunday school teacher and it made people want to be a part of Hillcrest’s membership. The

passion she had for teaching God’s word in Sunday school resulted in many people joining. Although

they didn’t have children of their own, all of the children in the church were theirs. They treated them

all with the same love and compassion.

The Hurlebaus’ were faithful and dedicated members and continued to attend service when they

could, even after they moved to an assisted living community. When they were not able to attend, the

Hillcrest family went to visit. From time to time the Deacons would drop by and pick up Deacon

Albert and bring him to church after Elsie passed away. Deacon Albert passed away about four years

after Elsie. He was the last of the original church charter members to pass away. Deacon Albert and

Elsie truly loved God and the members of Hillcrest. They left a donation $75,000 to the church in

their will for the beautification and upkeep of the Fellowship Hall.

Deacon Albert and Elsie Hurlebaus will be forever memorialized through the Fellowship Hall for their

love, dedication, commitment to God, faith, and the community.

Note: Special thanks to Mrs. Josie Williams for her amazing recollection of the history of our church

and her willingness to tell us these stories.

Hillcrest Baptist Church Hurlebaus Hall (Continued)

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DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST?

If you believe in your heart that Jesus Is Lord, the

Christ, the Savior, the Son of the Living God, and you

are willing to turn from sin to God, then receive Jesus

Christ now by faith and pray this prayer:

“Oh, God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me. I believe His shed blood paid the

price for my sin, and that His death, burial, and resurrection were all for me. I now receive Him as my personal Savior and Lord. Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and for the gifts of salvation and eternal

life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.” Take God at His Word and claim His gift of salvation.

Remember, it’s God who does the saving—not your

good works, not your family pedigree, and not your

church. Believe and you will be saved.

CHURCH HUMOR

Answers from July Bible Quiz

The Herald is currently published quarterly

and will prayerfully move to monthly issues at

a later time. If you would like to submit an

article or information to be included in the

newsletter, you may do so by emailing

hbhillcrestbaptistchurch@gmail.com

(subject line Attn: Newsletter) or by

submitting a hard copy to the church office.

Let us hear from you!

The next deadline is December 7, 2014.

Additionally, we look forward to receiving

feedback from our readers on how we can

make the newsletter an even better

publication.

We’re always looking for additional members

to join us. If you would like to be a part of the

newsletter committee, please reach out to

Deacon Chris Carroll or contact the church

office.

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1. (c) Brothers of Jesus (Matt. 13:55)

2. (b) Herod the tetrarch (Mark 6:20)

3. (b) Isaiah (John 1:23)

4. (b) Martha (John 11:24, 25)

5. (b) The Father (John 15:8)

6. (a) An ax and a winnowing fan (Matt 3:10, 12)

7. (b) A woman with a hemorrhage (Matt 9:20)

8. (b) Because of their unbelief (Matt 13:58)

9. (a) His death and resurrection (Matt 16:21)

10. (a) He refused to go to the party (Luke 15:28)

Hello Ladies

My, you look fine

I really mean it

Not just being kind

Those hats are fabulous

Some cocked to the side

Small, medium and large

Some very wide

They said to wear gloves

And I didn’t have any

Years and years ago

I would have had plenty

I telephoned my sister

And told her my plight

She said, “Girl don’t worry;

Problem solved by tonight”

To a thrift shop she went

And what do you know

She found the gloves I needed

That’s why I love her so

So here we all are

At this delightful High Tea

Sharing and enjoying fellowship

At HBC.

High Tea

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Poetry by Alfreda

So Long Lil!

Long-time member Lillian Bethea has pulled up stakes and moved to Charlotte, NC, where

she will be near her daughter. Lil and her husband, the late Deacon Bill Bethea, were baptized

at Hillcrest in 1980. Over the years, Lil was very active in the Sanctuary Choir, the Women’s

Ministry and in other areas of church life. We said goodbye to Lil on August 16th in the HBC

tradition of food, fun and fellowship. We will miss her!

A special THANKS to everyone who volunteered for

this years church picnic and health fair. A great time

was had by all.

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HBC Ministry Spotlight

Sunday School

Sunday School Director & Assistant Director

Larry Jackson & Fred Appiah

This quarter we spotlight the Sunday School Ministry. Here at Hillcrest, Sunday school is not just for children.

We have classes for adults as well. Sunday school allows everyone that attends to connect with the lesson no

matter where you are on your walk with the Lord and that you are able to understand issues better and where we

stand on those issues as Christians. The Sunday School Ministry is chaired by Larry Jackson and Fred Appaih.

You can find Larry and Fred on any Sunday morning ushering members and guest to different classrooms and

answering questions.

We caught up with Larry and Fred to see what’s going on in Sunday school and to give a little history about the

ministry here at Hillcrest.

How long has Sunday school been in existence at Hillcrest? Sunday School has been at Hillcrest for 59 years.

How long have you been the Sunday school Director? Fred and I have served as Director and Assistant

Director, respectively for 6 years.

Why is Sunday school an important part of your church’s ministry? First, Sunday School is the arm that

reaches all ages for Christ. It provides a basic study of the scriptures at a level of understanding for that age group.

It is the training ground for young Christians to develop their skill and talents for the Lord.

How important is a solid curriculum to your Sunday School? The foundation of any successful Sunday School

is its curriculum. The curriculum resources a church chooses for its Sunday School greatly influences the direction

of the church. No other curriculum used in church reaches as many people. If a church chooses a strong,

biblically-based curriculum, that’s the way the church will go. If the church chooses a broader curriculum, the

church will go in a different direction. Therefore, Sunday School curriculum is a major factor in the direction of

the a church. Here at Hillcrest, we use printed curriculum resources that provides structure for effective teaching

the Bible to people.

How many classes do we have? We have a total of 10 that includes children as well as adults.

Why is Sunday school important for people? Sunday School provides an environment of fellowship and a sense

of belonging for each class member. It allows it’s members to dialogue and share their thoughts and needs with

others in similar life situations.

Any closing thoughts on the subject of Sunday School? Churches do not grow by addition, they grow by

nutrition. Sunday School is the reaching arm of the church that provides the spiritual nourishment. 11

Bible Quiz

1. Which prophet predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem?

2. How long did Jeremiah say the Jews would serve the king of Babylon?

3. To what city did God send Jonah to preach against its wickedness?

4. When Jesus began His Galilean ministry, He taught in the synagogue and

healed extensively in a city on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee.

What was this city which became the home base of Jesus’ travels?

5. Who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil and dried them with her hair?

6. Christ is the vine; the believers are the branches. Who is the vinedresser?

7. What miracle did Jesus perform on His way across the Sea of Galilee to

Capernaum after He had fed the five thousand?

8. In the Lord’s Prayer, what is God asked to give?

9. In the Sermon on the Mount, what did Jesus say that His disciples should

seek first?

10. Who did Jesus tell the disciples would teach them all things and help

them remember all things that He had taught them, since He would not

be in the world?

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Trunk or Treat October 31st

Thanksgiving Day (church closed) November 27th

Women’s Christmas Fellowship December 20th

Christmas Cantata December 21st

Christmas Day (church closed) December 25th

Watch Night Service December 31st

The book-at-a-time Bible reading plan provides two readings for each day. The first reading alternates

between Old and New Testament books, giving you three or four chapters a day. The Gospels are spread

throughout the year. The second reading takes you through a chapter or so of the wisdom literature and

Isaiah. Combined, these readings will take you through the entire Bible in one year.

To prevent the frustration of falling behind and to provide some reflection time, each month consists of

only 25 readings. You’ll have several days each month to meditate more deeply on something that was

significant to you in the past week, to catch up on missed readings, or to revisit favorite passages.

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