an you imagine living in the first century around Jerusalem in the time of Christ? If you were one of His followers you probably witnessed His death on the cross. If you were with the others that Sunday morning you may have seen the empty tomb. Perhaps you were there when He ascended and heard the promise of the angels that He would return the same way he left. If so you would have a lot to talk about with others and a lot to anticipate. The first Christians lived in the light of Jesus' return. For them it was not a big scary threat, but rather a source of joy and hope. They were able to endure suffering and persecution because they believed "it might be today".

Last Sunday at Hillside we looked at some of the many scriptures that are available to us on this important topic. The apostle Peter gives a very graphic look at the events accompanying the Lord's return. He also stresses the need to keep these facts in our thinking as we live our lives. Peter then builds from this backdrop to show how people aware of Christ's return should live. He stressed the need to be peaceful, pure people who are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Our Christian living would be more powerful and alive if we would not forget that all things are temporary and that the return of Our Savior isn't just some old fashioned kind of "church talk". The promise of the Lord coming for His Church is a basic and strong teaching of His Word. We should follow Peter's advice and be ready. "It indeed might be today".

Camp season is in full swing with one group having gone last week and the High School kids there this week. Others will follow and soon it will be time for Vacation Bible School. Summer is a great time for spiritual growth in the lives of our children if we get our priorities right. Christ In Youth will be attended by a large contingent of teens from Hillside later in the summer in Tennessee.

We are thrilled to have eight of our High School youth in the select group of singers from Ozark Christian College this year. During the last half of June this group will travel through several states bringing the positive message of the love of Christ to audiences in churches and civic centers. This is a special opportunity for us because the presentation in Marshfield will be held in the Carl and Glessie Young Auditorium June 29th at 10:30 am. The excellence of the program and the power of the message make this group well worth seeing. The college draws the participants in this group from a nation-wide pool of singers who have a heart for serving the Lord. You don't want to miss it.

The Hillside men will host their monthly Men's Breakfast this Saturday morning at 7:30 am. Any men or boys interested in good food and warm fellowship are invited to attend. After breakfast some of the men and youth will be going to Victory Mission in Springfield to help ready their new quarters for occupancy.