May God bless you and all to whom you minster this blessed Easter!  We are tremendously privileged to be able to celebrate this time in freedom - please do not take it for granted!

I noted last month that we at Heritage embarked on a 50-day adventure of meditation and celebration during the Lenten season.  Our staff and others committed to provide daily devotional thoughts which have been both challenging and encouraging.  After Easter, they will no longer appear on the front page of our web site, but they will remain available for a time.  You can find them at www.heritagehillchurch.net - select the ministry tab at the top and then the link to 'Lenten Devotionals'.

The 27th General Assembly and Conventions of the Church of the Nazarene are just around the corner.  Have you made your plans to attend?  For our elected representatives, please go online and plan your schedule of workshops that you are going to take advantage of.   From the denominational home page (www.nazarene.org) select the 'Our Organization' tab at the top of the page, then Sunday School Ministries on the left side.  Once on the General SDMI page, select the link to the General Convention (2009 SDMI General Convention).  After that page comes up, the categories across the top will take you to the various pages on which you will find links to the workshops.  There are approximately 100 workshops from which to choose.  Have a GREAT time!  

Churches have received preliminary information about the 2009 Children's Camp.  Several packets were not picked up at our District Ladies Retreat and were mailed on April 9th.  If you do not receive yours by April 17th, please contact either Jackie Zeckser (jzeckser@alltel.net) or D'Anne Means (pastordanne@heritagehillchurch.net) in order to get that mailing.  Camp location and dates have changed for next year (Camp Maranatha and the first week in August)...you should all have it on your calendars by now!

MAX for your teenagers and church sponsors is April 16th through the 18th on the campus of MidAmerica Nazarene University.  Scott Spratlen, our District NYI President has been receiving a ton of mail here at the church, so it looks like y'all are planning to go!  Our prayers go with your teens and sponsors as they compete and fellowship with one another.  And, of course, Nazarene night at Worlds of Fun is always a great time!

Have you visited The Discipleship Place on the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministry International (SDMI) site lately?  There is a whole new look and resources continue to be added for your use.  Information regarding the denominational CLT study based on the book, Listening Inside Out, is now posted.  You will find a facilitator's guide, a powerpoint resource, and electronic versions of session handouts available for your use with the class.  Check it out and take advantage of the great work of our general church staff.

 NEWS FLASH!!!   Under the Lay Minister track, Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World is now online making five of the six modules available to every lay member in the church.  Get cracking on these studies!

From Patti and me, God bless you, your families, and your ministry for Him.  It is a tremendous privilege to serve alongside you.

brother dave