As a United Methodist Church,
We Join with Christians in
Spreading the Gospel of God's Unconditional Love and
Support
Around the World.
|
We believe that people matter to God.
We believe that God wants you to enjoy life. We believe
that following Christ is the best offer in the world.
We believe that all people are welcome in
God's eyes and in God's loving embrace. Our church is
made up of individuals from many backgrounds, but united under
the common tie of God's love. We care for each other
because we are a family united in Christ and blessed by God.
Jesus reached out to people of all ages and
backgrounds. Here at Hillcrest United Methodist Church, we
want to do the same. That's why we have different ministries
geared to various life stages and needs. We have a place for
everyone to fellowship together and minister to others.
We want you to be a part of the blessings of
God in the life of our church. Join us at Hillcrest United
Methodist Church so the blessings may flow both ways!
HILLCREST'S HISTORY
Hillcrest United Methodist Church
organized in 1922. Its
In 1951, two and one-half acres of land was acquired at
92nd and Bryant Avenue South, with the intention that a new
church be built there. A parsonage was built, but before the
church was started it became apparent that the needs had
already outgrown the plans.
When Rev. Fred Smith became pastor in 1953, it was
necessary to hold Sunday School classes in a nearby roller
rink. Ten acres of land was purchased at 91st and Russell
Avenue South, the church at 94th and Lyndale was sold, and
building began on the new site. At this time, the name was
changed to Hillcrest Methodist Church.
UNITED METHODIST HISTORY
The main founder of the Methodist is John
Wesley, who was born 300 years ago and became the driving
force behind the Methodist movement. The fact that this
movement is now worldwide would surely have amazed Wesley, who
simply saw himself as a servant of the Lord.
Susan Wesley, mother to Charles and John, is
today known as the Mother of Methodism. While her husband was
absent in London in 1711 attending Convocation, Mrs. Wesley
adopted the practice of reading in her family and instructing
them. One servant brought his parents and they brought others.
They came till the congregations amounted to forty, and
increased till they were over two hundred. Mr. Wesley wrote to
his wife that she should get some one else to read the
sermons. She replied that there was not a man there who could
read a sermon without spoiling it.
Charles
Wesley, John's brother, is often called the poet
of the Methodist movement. He composed almost 7000 hymns, many
of which are still sung in Protestant churches. Among the most
widely known are "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" and
"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing".
OUR SOCIAL CREED
We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in Jesus
Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in the Holy
Spirit, through whom we acknowledge God’s gifts, and we
repent of our sin in misusing these gifts to idolatrous ends.
We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork and
dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and
faithful use by humankind.
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the blessings
of community, sexuality, marriage, and the family.
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women, children,
youth, young adults, the aging, and people with disabilities;
to improvement of the quality of life; and to the rights and
dignity of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities.
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the
glory of God and the good of themselves and others and in the
protection of their welfare in so doing; in the rights to
property as a trust from God, collective bargaining, and
responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic
and social distress.
We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the world, to the
rule of justice and law among nations, and to individual
freedom for all people of the world.
We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s Word
in human affairs and gladly accept our commission to manifest
the life of the gospel in the world. Amen.
