A couple of people have made mention that our website does not look properly on their computer so I thought I would take an opportunity to tell you about Firefox. Firefox is an internet browser like Internet Explorer only much, much better. If you're using Internet Explorer (no matter what update), you're really missing out. Firefox will make the websites you visit look their best, and it also offers many more tools to make your web surfing experience more pleasant.

So please, please, do yourself a favor and follow these simple steps:

1. Download Firefox for free here.

2. When you open Firefox for the first time, check the box that will make it your "default" browser.

3. Take that Internet Explorer icon on your desktop and drag it to the trash!


Believe me... you'll thank me for this!

If you're using an Apple computer to view this site, you can now download our HCC Blog Widget. You can read complete entries with pictures from the widget or choose to just read the first few lines before linking to the website. Download by clicking the widget above.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.—Only let us live up to what we have already obtained.

-Phil 3:12-14:16

I am not a process person but a “ I want it all now” type of guy.  However, over the past few months, it seems that the Father has been teaching me more about process instead of perfection.  It is so easy to view Christianity as an event—the “Well I did it” type of faith instead of a day by day deepening and discovery of our Heavenly Father.

After years of experiencing “event” Christianity, I am one that can testify to the emptiness and exhaustion that is exposed as a result of wanting it all now!  As I get down into the scriptures and spend more time with the Father, I sense him saying, “one day at a time!”  Be faithful in that which has been entrusted to you.  It is apparent in Paul’s words above to the church at Philippi that he believed in process Christianity—one step at a time—He reminds us to not get discouraged in the journey of Faith but to look ahead and walk with anticipation.

What new discovery will you make this week as you walk with the Father?

Depth of mercy can there be
Mercy still reserved for me?
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

I have long withstood His grace;
Long provoked Him to His face;
Would not hearken to His calls;
Grieved Him by a thousand falls.

Now incline me to repent;
Let me now my sins lament;
Now my foul revolt deplore,
Weep, believe, and sin no more.

There for me the Saviour stands,
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands;
God is love! I know, I feel;
Jesus weeps, and loves me still.

-Charles Wesley

I have the uncanny ability to lose things from time to time. I don't understand it, they just disappear.  With three kids in the house, they have become the targets of my accusations for, "Who took my........?"  Eventually an all out search begins.  Here lately I have been misplacing the remote control.  It is amazing how something used so much can be misplaced so often.  In the midst of the pursuit for the missing object, it is amazing the extent we will go to search for that which is missing or has been misplaced. Maybe you can relate.  

While away for a couple of days this week, I asked the Lord to teach me a lesson.  A lesson that would sink deep and allow me to sense God's presence as well as hear His voice.  He did!  It wasn't because I read a new book of how-to's or because I heard a new sermon series.  I heard the Father speak because I sought Him out.  I pursued Him.  I put everything else aside and stopped to listen for that quiet voice.  It was amazing how sensitive I became to my surrounding and observant to confirmation through the scriptures.  It was during that time of refreshment that I heard His voice clearly and I sensed the warmth of His presence.  My only comment at the end of the day was "Thank you Father for walking with me today!"

God's word teaches us the value of the pursuit and promises that if we seek Him, we WILL find Him.  I learned this past week that in the journey of pursuit, the Father will encourage you along the path to assure you of His presence.  However, the assurance comes when HE is ready to reveal Himself and not a second sooner.  Father, thank you for walking and talking to me so personally this past Wednesday.  I am refreshed and encouraged, and my faith has been enlarged.

-Pastor Sidney

Well, now that the Christmas season and New Year is behind us, it is time to get back to a regular daily schedule. We started off this morning as usual rushing around to get out of the door and to try to get everyone to the place they needed to be.  It was a challenge but we did it (barely).  As I write tonight, I was reminded that for many, the New Year starts with new commitments and great expectations of the year to come.  How about you?  Any New Year's resolutions?  What about great expectations?

Regardless if we like it or not, last year is over and done.  We cannot go back and change the past, only look ahead to tomorrow.  It is hard sometimes to turn away from the past, but we must and look ahead with anticipation of tomorrow. I pray that one of our decisions for 2008 is to spend more quality time with the Father Himself.  Don't wait, but decide today when that quality time will be.  There are several good daily devotionals out there, but one that I use is called Prime Time for God, and you can sign up for it here.   

The Psalmist told us, "Blessed is the man,,,,,,,who delights in the law of the Lord and who thinks about it day and night"--the Psalmist goes on to say that if we do it, "we will be like a tree planted by streams of water that will produce fruit in season and whose leaf will not wither and whatever he does prospers"(paraphrased)  Well, that is not just a pretty good word, that is God's word and it carries weight. I want to be planted by the streams of water and for my roots to go deep.  Here we come 2008!


Pastor Sidney

The year is gone, beyond recall,
With all its hopes and fears.
With all its bright and gladdening smiles,
With all its mourners' tears;

Thy thankful people praise thee, Lord,
For countless gifts received;
And pray for grace to keep the faith
Which saints of old believed.

To thee we come, O gracious Lord,
The newborn year to bless;
Defend our land from pestilence;
Give peace and plenteousness;

Forgive this nation's many sins;
The growth of vice restrain;
And help us all with sin to strive,
And crowns of life to gain.

From evil deeds that stain the past
We now desire to flee;
And pray that future years may all
Be spent, good Lord, for thee.

O Father, let thy watchful eye
Still look on us in love,
That we may praise thee, year by year,
With angel-hosts above.

By F. Pott.