Hillside Covenant Church

Join us this Sunday morning either in-person or online as we hear stories of how the one true God "intervened, interrupted and orchestrated beautiful events" in the lives of our fellow Hillsiders in recent days and weeks. Who knows, maybe you'll be one of the people to share? Looking forward to seeing you and sharing in a rich celebration our wonderful God and his wonderful works! Participate in w...

Join us this Sunday morning either in-person or online as we hear stories of how the one true God "intervened, interrupted and orchestrated beautiful events" in the lives of our fellow Hillsiders in recent days and weeks. Who knows, maybe you'll be one of the people to share? Looking forward to seeing you and sharing in a rich celebration our wonderful God and his wonderful works! Participate in w...

What's your favorite ride at Disney California Adventure? Mine used to be the Hollywood Tower of Terror. The ride still exists but has been given a Guardians of the Galaxy re-model. This week's message contains the story of a creepy "hotel" somewhat reminiscent of that classic ride from yesteryear. What does it have to do with the "Invisible City" "neighborhood" of spirituality? You'll have to joi...

What's your favorite ride at Disney California Adventure? Mine used to be the Hollywood Tower of Terror. The ride still exists but has been given a Guardians of the Galaxy re-model. This week's message contains the story of a creepy "hotel" somewhat reminiscent of that classic ride from yesteryear. What does it have to do with the "Invisible City" "neighborhood" of spirituality? You'll have to joi...

Our world, a post-postmodern world, bears considerable resemblance to the world into which the Christian faith was born and developed. What the Romans loved and why is very close to what we love...and why. Exploring the Christian notions of love...and suffering...can help to clarify and illumine what we ought to love, and how to live into this realization. Join with Hillside Covenant Church as Dav...

Our world, a post-postmodern world, bears considerable resemblance to the world into which the Christian faith was born and developed. What the Romans loved and why is very close to what we love...and why. Exploring the Christian notions of love...and suffering...can help to clarify and illumine what we ought to love, and how to live into this realization. Join with Hillside Covenant Church as Dav...

My favorite song, from my least favorite Taylor Swift record, is a beautiful one, about her ugly reaction, to a beautiful person. Got that? The song is called "Gorgeous" and in it Taylor places her finger on the mystery of beauty. As you've likely noticed, there's a lot of talk about beauty these days: what it is, who has it, and whether it's important. If you've ever asked these questions (or eve...

My favorite song, from my least favorite Taylor Swift record, is a beautiful one, about her ugly reaction, to a beautiful person. Got that? The song is called "Gorgeous" and in it Taylor places her finger on the mystery of beauty. As you've likely noticed, there's a lot of talk about beauty these days: what it is, who has it, and whether it's important. If you've ever asked these questions (or eve...

As we continue our series “The Invisible City” we are off to explore the section of the city called Power. We see the signposts of power all around us. Together, we are going to see how God’s Word illuminates what it means to have power. We’re going to dive into a scene with the Sons of Thunder from the Gospels. Find out how Jesus steers us towards an upside-down, counter-cultural definition of po...

As we continue our series “The Invisible City” we are off to explore the section of the city called Power. We see the signposts of power all around us. Together, we are going to see how God’s Word illuminates what it means to have power. We’re going to dive into a scene with the Sons of Thunder from the Gospels. Find out how Jesus steers us towards an upside-down, counter-cultural definition of po...

All human beings instinctively love and pull for freedom. There's a reason why the movie “Free Willy” and Pharrell Williams' catchy song "Freedom" were smash hits. At the same time, freedom is hard to manage, an idea that Jonathan Franzen explored in his celebrated novel Freedom. Fortunately, ancient Scripture accounts for freedom and provides guidance for how to find it and use it. Join us this S...

All human beings instinctively love and pull for freedom. There's a reason why the movie “Free Willy” and Pharrell Williams' catchy song "Freedom" were smash hits. At the same time, freedom is hard to manage, an idea that Jonathan Franzen explored in his celebrated novel Freedom. Fortunately, ancient Scripture accounts for freedom and provides guidance for how to find it and use it. Join us this S...

Ever gotten lost while hiking? Although not as extreme, it results in the same kind of heart-stopping dread you experience when you look down after being momentarily distracted at the mall or the ballgame and discover that the four-year-old who was just with you is suddenly not. In this week's message kicking off "The Invisible City" series, I have a story about getting lost. I share it in service...

Ever gotten lost while hiking? Although not as extreme, it results in the same kind of heart-stopping dread you experience when you look down after being momentarily distracted at the mall or the ballgame and discover that the four-year-old who was just with you is suddenly not. In this week's message kicking off "The Invisible City" series, I have a story about getting lost. I share it in service...

The East Bay is a land of bridges: the Bay Bridge, the Carquinez, the Antioch, and of course, the Benicia-Martinez, which some wonderful Hillsiders cross daily or weekly to get to Hillside. This morning's message is about the big difference a new bridge can make to a region, or church's, "economy." Over the last couple of months the Hillside ministry staff has been doing some "bridge construction"...

The East Bay is a land of bridges: the Bay Bridge, the Carquinez, the Antioch, and of course, the Benicia-Martinez, which some wonderful Hillsiders cross daily or weekly to get to Hillside. This morning's message is about the big difference a new bridge can make to a region, or church's, "economy." Over the last couple of months the Hillside ministry staff has been doing some "bridge construction"...

How do we gain a true perspective on our life in Christ? We will look at the believer’s distinctly Christian perspective of life as the apostle Paul compares the supremacy of Jesus and the Gospel to the false teachers and false gospels of the day. And, we will consider how believers are to seek and set their minds on “the things above.” Join with Hillside Covenant Church as Becky Garner teaches fr...

How do we gain a true perspective on our life in Christ? We will look at the believer’s distinctly Christian perspective of life as the apostle Paul compares the supremacy of Jesus and the Gospel to the false teachers and false gospels of the day. And, we will consider how believers are to seek and set their minds on “the things above.” Join with Hillside Covenant Church as Becky Garner teaches fr...

We are surrounded by voices that seek to disqualify us. The good news is Jesus cuts through those voices and affirms us by making us alive with him. He calls us to participate in his reconciling work in the world. By spending time with the Colossians who faced disqualifying lies as well as with those who spoke the condemning words, we can name the lies in our lives and check ourselves so that we a...

We are surrounded by voices that seek to disqualify us. The good news is Jesus cuts through those voices and affirms us by making us alive with him. He calls us to participate in his reconciling work in the world. By spending time with the Colossians who faced disqualifying lies as well as with those who spoke the condemning words, we can name the lies in our lives and check ourselves so that we a...

Part of earning wings as a military pilot is passing SEAR training. SEAR stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape and it's no picnic. Even civilian contractors get a dose of SEAR training if there's any chance they might fall into the hands of hostile forces. SEAR training is for skilled personnel, not hacks. What the Apostle Paul says in Colossians 2:8-12 could similarly be understood...

Part of earning wings as a military pilot is passing SEAR training. SEAR stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape and it's no picnic. Even civilian contractors get a dose of SEAR training if there's any chance they might fall into the hands of hostile forces. SEAR training is for skilled personnel, not hacks. What the Apostle Paul says in Colossians 2:8-12 could similarly be understood...

We are in a fight to not take our faith for granted. There are plenty of buzzwords, soundbites, and temptations swirling around us, trying to convince us that we need some faith add-ons or just trying to pull us away from our faith altogether. The question is: How do we fight for a strong faith? The kind of faith that is set on focusing on the wonder of Jesus and following His way. Join us for “Hi...

We are in a fight to not take our faith for granted. There are plenty of buzzwords, soundbites, and temptations swirling around us, trying to convince us that we need some faith add-ons or just trying to pull us away from our faith altogether. The question is: How do we fight for a strong faith? The kind of faith that is set on focusing on the wonder of Jesus and following His way. Join us for “Hi...

Just before I got married my mom and I took a two-week trip to Italy. Before getting off the train in Florence, she said: "These old European cities are beautiful, but some Americans have to adjust to see that beauty. They have to look past the decay to appreciate the glory shining through." I took her advice and didn't let the decrepitude obscure my delight in those renaissance-era wonders. Altho...