After a month of not preaching—a month that allows a change of pace—I am back. Being back is a good thing; it is where I belong and feel at home.

This Sunday I intend to preach a message on Rabbit Trails. It touches a subject that is really important to all of us. Sunday is God's day. I hope you join us for worship of God; honoring God is vital. God can be honored in many different ways and at many different locations; but how much more fulfilling it is, as believers, to gather together in our house of worship (Hebrews 10:24-25). I pray I will see you this Sunday.

What's on My Mind?

In May Carol and I were in Chicago for a conference. One evening we ate dinner in the Hard Rock Cafe. The food is usually very good. The constant music being played in concert with the videos caused me to feel uncomfortable.

Shortly after we were in the auditorium of Moody Bible Institute. We found ourselves listening to over 1,000 men singing praises to God. My spirit was at home!

In July Carol and I were with a group of people celebrating the birthday of one person. Everyone was enjoying themselves eating, drinking, and talking. There was a lot of beer and constant music that the world enjoys. After we left, Carol played a CD of a men's quartet singing Christian music. Immediately our spirits were at ease and uplifted.
 

If you are a believer, is your appetite directed toward the verbal and musical messages of this world or of messages to praise God? The choice speaks volumes about your current relationship with the God who created and saved you. Beware of the kinds of appetites you develop.

What is Ahead?

There are at least two key activities coming soon. On the late afternoon of August 26, we will host an outreach event at Hannaford. You will not want to miss it.

On September 24 & 25, we host our annual Pastors' Conference. Pastors from Montana and other states are invited as well as our own congregation. It is always a great time.

Pastor Dick Crosby

What is on the horizon?

During the month of July, an opportunity is given to allow the church to hear other voices from the pulpit. Each person does a great job and brings a different perspective and delivery.

This Sunday, Mike Pouliot from BattleZone ministries, will be preaching. Mike is a native of Helena who now ministers out of California. You will thoroughly enjoy his message and ministry presentation.

What is on my agenda?

One project that is on my agenda for July is further progress on our outreach ministry. The task of effective follow-up and discipleship ministry is a sizeable assignment. I hope you will pray for me as I make progress in this area. The reaching of people for Christ is most urgent.

On Easter many people made the decision to accept Jesus as their Savior. A note of encouragement is that many of these people are attending church.

What is around the corner?

Pastor John and I are in the initial planning stages of presenting a series of messages on Last Things. This world is rapidly changing and moving toward what the Bible says will occur in the last days before Christ returns. Christians need to be aware of what is taking place, not for the satisfaction of curiosity, but for a deeper sense of the shortness of time on this earth.

Pastor Dick Crosby

What is on my heart?

From the perspective of many the future of America looks dire. The economy, terrorism, and a fluid morality that appears to be in decline are troublesome issues to me. However, there is one thing that we should fear even more; and I will share some of those thoughts this Sunday. With God's help I believe we can change course. The message is from Psalm 23 which I call Running on an Empty Tank Down the Wrong Road.

What is on the horizon?

• This coming Sunday is Graduation Sunday. We will honor those who have achieved various levels of academic success.
• Summer is nearly upon us, and many children's activities are scheduled at Hannaford. Check our website, www.hannaford.org, for details.
• It is a few months away, but the Fall Bible Conference is taking shape. This year the Network of Praise will co-sponsor the conference with us. It is hoped that this will expand our conference and in turn reach more pastors.

What is on my mind?

• A Purpose Plan was begun for our church some time back. On Easter Sunday we launched that plan and are currently developing it toward a more workable plan.
• Our next big step will be on August 26. The details will be shared in weeks to come. I have a heart to reach the lost of Helena, and together we can do that with the blessing of God.
• I am currently weighing other outreach opportunities. Pray for wisdom as I ponder these and other ideas to reach Helena. God may open a door or say, "Nice thought Dick, but not now."

Pastor Dick Crosby

I have been concerned about the nonbelievers in Helena and Hannaford's effort to reach them. A church needs to be proactive in trying to reach the lost. It needs to disciple, train, and prepare them to do the same. This is the great commission that we as believers have been given to reach, teach, and do it again repeatedly.

A plan of action designed to help our church achieve that goal has been developed. The pastors, elders, and deacons have read the plan and provided valuable input. However, I want a cross-section of people from the church to read through the plan and become involved in a study group to make it as inviting and Hannaford-friendly as possible.

I value the views of all ages. The cultural ideas of the younger generations are often different than mine. Input from those in their mid-thirties or below is also very important. Please consider helping; your perspective will be valued.

If you would like to join this study group, please contact me for a copy of the plan.

Pastor Dick Crosby

A New Time, A New Series, and A New Pastor

Changes are occurring this week at Hannaford. One change is temporary, another about three months long, and one is long term. The temporary change is the TIME CHANGE. This coming Sunday is the annual Daylight Savings time change. Set your clocks AHEAD on Saturday night so that you will not be late for church. You won’t want to miss this Sunday!

The three month change is the length in which we expect a new message series on Moses to take. This is a very practical series that will help everyone. Moses is called by some the greatest man among mere men in the whole history of the world. This week you will hear a personal story from one of our men that will be encouraging.

The long term change is Worship Pastor, Ed Melendez. After several months of praying and searching, God brought an excellent worship leader to Hannaford. If you had the opportunity to be here in January when he visited, you know what I am talking about. We welcome Ed and look forward to his ministry at Hannaford.

Angie Luchau has filled in as Worship Coordinator for the last four months. She has done a great job as coordinator; we are thankful for her faithful service.

So set your clocks ahead, expect to be challenged, and worship with us in way that will encourage you.


Pastor Dick Crosby

Summer Children's Schedule

Come and join the fun!

While we are still waiting for all the snow to melt, we can look forward to the warm days of summer. Our summer activity dates have been set. The grades listed below are the grades students will be entering in the fall.

Vacation Bible School, June 13-17. Join us as we learn about Psalm 139.  Children age 4 to 6th grade.

Drama Camp, June 27-30. Students will prepare a musical that they will perform on Thursday evening for family and friends. Children 2nd grade and up.

Junior Camp, July 6-9. A great adventure at Mizpah as we learn about God in a spectacular setting. Students in 4th-7th grade.

Make sure to mark these dates on your calendar. We are also looking for volunteers to help in each event.

Pastor John Fenlason

Worship Pastor Candidate

Edward & Jessica Melendez

This Sunday, January 9, promises to be an exciting one for sure. Edward Melendez will be here from California to interview for the Worship Pastor position. Edward will lead the morning worship.

Searching for a staff position is difficult and time consuming. It becomes an exciting time when we narrow our search down to a single person and have an opportunity for the Hannaford family to meet him. Edward will be accompanied by his wife and two children.

Edward, in addition to his musical abilities, is very proficient in computer skills and has graphic design capabilities. He could be an excellent addition to our staff.

Please don't miss this occasion to meet Edward and experience worship under his leadership. I hope to see you Sunday.

Pastor Dick Crosby

Farewell

Church Family,

It is with mixed emotions I compose this letter, both heavy heartedness and joy and excitement for what the future may hold.

About three weeks ago I received a call from a very close friend and mentor to come and serve with him in ministry in Grants Pass, Oregon. After a visit to him in July of this year with the purpose of consulting on some audio/video for a building remodel (during which I led the church he pastors in worship), they created a worship pastor position. He expressed the desire for me to fill that role. Julia and I have been praying for weeks about this decision, and we have decided to accept the calling and move to Oregon to serve the Redwood Christian Church as their worship pastor. Our last Sunday with you at HSBC will be October 31st.

Please know that this was not an easy decision for us. We have made several good friends here, my ministry is thriving at Hannaford, and we were looking forward to many years of service to you and the Lord at Hannaford Street Bible Church. However when God calls (and this may be difficult to understand if you have never served in vocational ministry), you can either fight it as Moses did at first at the burning bush or accept it (no matter how difficult it may be), embrace it, and trust God that He knows what is best for us.

We are not running from anything or anyone here at HSBC. I have searched for many reasons to say no to God in this matter, but His calling is persistent. The non-spiritual side of me cringes at the thought of having to move AGAIN for the sixth time in four years, starting over in ministry, being even farther away from immediate family in Indiana, and leaving our dear friends in Helena. Every time I pray about it, I am getting a green light from the Holy Spirit; it has become evident that God is pursuing us in this calling.

Our time at HSBC will remain in our hearts as a blessing. Your generosity to our family, both as church and individually, has truly been an incredible blessing from God! We will treasure the friendships we made here for our lifetimes, forged in the fire of ministry! We pray God’s richest blessings on you and on HSBC. You are doing a wonderful work in Helena; we have been privileged to be a part of it.

If you have any questions or just want to talk, please feel free to e-mail me (jonwimp@gmail.com) or give us a call (202-6034).

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Jonathan Wimp

Opportunities and Challenges

The fall always generates new schedules largely because of school for the kids. Vacations are generally over, and the routine begins for all of us. This is usually the time when people get back into the routine of church. That also means the church begins many of its programs, such as AWANA, MOPS, and new Bible studies.

To help generate a renewed schedule in church, this Sunday is National Back to Church Sunday. We ask everyone to make every effort to be in church this Sunday, September 12, and bring a friend. This is a great opportunity.

The immediate challenge is one of a financial nature. We sent a notice to everyone asking for an extra financial gift by this coming Sunday. The spring and summer have been taxing on the church budget. Giving has been down to the point of putting some of our ministries in jeopardy.

We need your prayers and gifts concerning this matter. This is your church; we are frugal in the use of church finances. But in these desperate times in our world, the church needs to be stronger than ever in proclaiming the message of Jesus.

Please take advantage of the opportunities and help shoulder the challenges here at Hannaford Street.

Dick Crosby, Senior Pastor

I hope that everyone in America would understand that this nation was established primarily for religious freedom. We have been blessed for over 250 years to be able to worship without government interference. That liberty is celebrated on the fourth day of July each year.

This year that date falls on a Sunday. We will celebrate our freedom in a variety of ways.

• Morning begins at 9:00 a.m. with a full breakfast. People whose last names begin with A-M are asked to bring a fruit dish; N-Z are asked to bring a breakfast meat dish. In addition, pancakes will be served.
• Some patriotic venues will be presented to remember our
  great country.
• ONLY ONE service will be held this Sunday! Both first and second services will meet at 10:00 a.m.
• Scott Yebba will bring a message that promises to challenge.
• It should be a packed house with excitement and
  great preaching.

I look forward to seeing you this Sunday as we celebrate our religious freedom. If you are unable to attend on Sunday, please plan to come Thursday evening at 6:30.
 
Dick Crosby

Getting Caught in the Current

We live in a fluid world, although the word change outside of politics is not a theme used readily for advertising. Many people fear change, yet our culture is constantly changing.

We are exposed to many new products and recreational adventures because of an unquenchable human appetite for happiness. It is a satisfaction that is never met by change of scenery, partners, increased income, or any other external alteration.

Real satisfaction and peace in a world of shifting values without Christ is a hopeless journey. This is a truth that Christians understand, yet fewer are actually endorsing in their lifestyles. We get caught up in the vortex of human pursuit for happiness which we think is only found in the next new thing.

This Sunday I will touch on this troubling issue. The current habits of Christians are to convince themselves that they maintain a strong relationship with God on a flex schedule. Lord, I will read your Word when I have time, I will attend church when it fits my schedule, and I will serve others when convenient. We discount the seriousness of God concerning our spiritual relationship with Him.

I am deeply concerned over Christians buying into the general disrespect for God. My dear people, don’t believe that you can make it through life easily with a part-time relationship with your Savior.

Pastor Dick Crosby

Church

What would happen if there was no church? What would happen if the church ceased to exist?

If you are not sure how to answer these two questions, you need to come to church as we explore this matter. We place the church right behind the Pillar of the Bible and the Pillar of God, not because we need to sustain a job, but because it is so important to believers. Jesus started the church; He must have had a good reason for its existence.

In order for you to be able to defend your belief in the church, come and learn the truth about it. The church is more important than many Christians realize.

Do Your Friend a Favor

Invite a friend to come to church with you this week. Easter is a day that many people think is important, and many are open to coming to church. You will both enjoy the service and some things that are planned here at Hannaford. It will be well worth your time. In fact you will do a disservice to your friend IF you don’t extend an invitation to come with you to church. April 4 should be the best day our church has experienced in a long time!

In addition to our annual breakfast served between 9:30am to 10:30am, there will be some very special music. For the first time in a very long time a 25-30 member choir will be singing.

Easter is a time of the year in which people give serious thought to the meaning of true Christianity. I will preach a message that revolves around this question, What keeps you alive? You might be surprised; it’s not something you hear very often. So do your friend a favor, ask him/her to come to church with you this Sunday.

Pastor Dick Crosby

Sunday's New Pillar of Faith—God

We are beginning another pillar this Sunday in the Pillars of Faith. Our new subject is God! This week I will teach from a verse that only has ten words; it is a verse that you may know quite well. However, I think God has given me some insights into this verse about Him that you may have never noticed.

I am excited about the message and believe you will have something to take home which will be beneficial in your Christian walk. If you couple this with your personal Bible study, I think you will begin to experience a newer relationship with God.

Our Christian walk should always be about Life Change. Don’t miss this week; it is hard to imagine anything that would be more important than to worship with us and be encouraged by this message.

Pastor Dick Crosby

Internet Safety Workshop

Teens and their parents are invited to a workshop on the topic of Internet Safety taking place on Wednesday, March 24, at HSBC (830 N. Hannaford, Helena). The workshop is scheduled during youth group, 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Kevin Damuth will be teaching this workshop. He works for the FBI investigating internet crime and gives presentations on internet safety in schools. Since most, if not all students, use the internet on a daily basis, we believe this workshop will give them practical help in using e-mail, myspace, facebook, and other internet sources in a safe way. Parents will also gain helpful information about internet safety.

Pastor Gezer

Easter is coming on April 4th this year, and we are excited to remember Christ’s death, His burial, and celebrate His resurrection! This year Worship Ministry is forming a worship choir called Harmony to participate in the Easter services, and we need you! The name “Harmony” comes from Psalm 133... “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!” This is a multi-generational choir, and all are welcome. If you are 14 or 114, this opportunity to serve in worship is for you! Our first rehearsal will be Sunday, March 14th, from 4:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. in the Worship Center. Please call Jonathan at the church office (449-2273) or e-mail (jonathanw@hannaford.org) for more information or to confirm your attendance at rehearsal. (If you will need childcare, please let us know.)
Jonathan Wimp

Life Change, Week 2

We hope to see you Sunday for week 2 in our Pillars of the Faith series. Ray Fuller will be teaching on how the Bible came together? Sermon Central is now up and running on our website, www.hannaford.org. Listed below are links available from Sermon Central.

• Weekly Online Questionnaire
• Weekly Sermon Notes and Small Group Study Guide

• Life Change Blog (answers to weekly sermon questions)
• Facebook Page: Life Change At Hannaford Street Bible Church
• Weekly Sermon Podcasts

Life Change

You are invited to come Sunday for the first message in our Pillars of the Faith series. It will focus on the Bible, Where Did the Bible Come From, Anyway?. Books, notebooks, family bags, and notes will be available this Sunday to further enhance your study outside of Sunday morning.

Questions asked on Sunday, January 31, 2010, have been answered on http://lifechangeathsbc.blogspot.com/. A weekly online questionnaire will be available through our website, http://www.hannaford.org/.  In addition, weekly messages are available at our Media Center, http://www.hannaford.org/messages.php.

Food for Thought and Health

Trust is a small word to spell, but a huge word to put into action. It means to put your faith in the ability of a person, a thing, or an organization to act on your behalf.

Some people's motto is "Trust no one, question everything." Caution can be a commendable attribute that can prevent accidents, mistakes, and traps. The Bible says to walk circumspectly in Ephesians 5:15. That means to take one step at a time, looking where you are going, to be careful.

We trust all sorts of things don't we? Without question we trust a chair to keep us from falling to the floor. We trust the food we eat to be safe; few people have food tasters. Many people trust the government to protect them and, in many cases, to provide for them. We all exercise trust in a variety of things or people.

What about God? Do we trust Him? We do for salvation because there is nothing we can do but trust Him to provide eternal life. But what about obedience to giving? God said, "Test me and see if I will not provide when you give." Mal. 3:10-11.

Nearly every January many Christians fail to trust God, but instead put off giving to God to pay Christmas bills. God did not put conditions on the trust me or test me in Malachi 3 when it came to the finances He allows us to have. It is not trust when we only give to God when extra money is available. In this case we don't really need to trust Him.

We rob ourselves of so many blessings when we fail to trust God in this area. We say this, not to increase church income, but to challenge your faith in one of the most difficult areas of one's life--money.

Food for thought and health!

Pastor Dick Crosby

Exciting Testimony on January 24

One of our church family, Fred Habel, will share his testimony concerning his remarkable recovery from a health issue in which God did some amazing miracles. You will not want to miss this. Bring a visitor to hear about this miraculous way God worked.

Pastor Dick Crosby