Connecting us with one another, our community, and the world...
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“Life is a journey. When we stop,
things don’t go right.”
Unknown
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In worship this week:
April 7, 2019
Lent V
Pastor: Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith
Pianist: Ana Paula Simões
Liturgist: Todd Stewart
Ushers: John and Louise Dye
Hospitality: Anne McKnight
Communion Servers: Jack and Betty Bagent
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Flowers this Sunday are presented
to the glory of God.
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Ruling Elder Training
The Presbytery of South Louisiana is planning a training session for Ruling Elders led by Rev. Judy Roeling on how to administer communion and moderate Session. This training will enable Ruling Elders to serve in the place of a Teaching Elder or Commissioned Ruling Elder if the need arises. In Highland’s case the need has arisen. With Rev. Janie’s departure in May and approaching summer months, Highland could find itself in this position.
Any ordained Ruling Elder may take this training. You do not currently have to be serving on Session, only have a desire to serve the church body as a whole. The date has not been set but should be the latter part of April or early May. The training will be done at the Presbytery Office on Old Hammond Hwy. and last about 3-4 hours.
If this is a way you feel you can minister to the congregation of Highland, please speak to Jack Bagent or Louise Dye. We are all blessed to be a blessing.
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This week in PCUSA Mission:
It’s All About Faithfully Showing Up
Like so many seminary students, I daydreamed about my future ministry while sitting in classes. By the time I graduated, I’d imagined my calling many times before actually experiencing my calling. I visualized cool programs, vibrant music and lively Bible discussions. I thought there would be children, youth groups and church retreats. Obviously, God thought differently.
My first call was to an aging congregation in a small town. There was no choir and no youth group. Worship and fellowship were the center of the life of the church. There was no “cool” factor at all. Five years later, I’m still there, showing up each week to share Jesus’ story.
I confess that from the pulpit I sometimes push for more — challenging the congregation to follow Jesus more fully by doing more mission, more prayer, more visiting and more giving. Simply showing up for worship doesn’t always seem like enough, but it is something.
For me, the showing up for the worship part has been easy. Showing up at the hospital or funeral home isn’t easy, but it has been a gift for me as I’ve watched people cling to and question faith. While I’ve witnessed the daily challenges that health issues cause, I didn’t fully understand the life-changing impact they have.
That changed the day I learned that I have cancer. The Sunday after my diagnosis, it was all that I could do to show up for work. As the people filed into the sanctuary, I told them my news on the way in since I wanted to keep the worship focused on Jesus. As I stepped into the pulpit and looked out at the congregation, everything looked different. The line “I was blind but now I see,” from the hymn “Amazing Grace,” planted itself in my brain. One week earlier, I had dismissed simply showing up for worship as an enjoyable weekly habit. Now I saw it as an act of faith. As I looked at the congregation that day, I could see that whatever I was going through, I was not alone. The faces in the room were people who know the fear, pain and uncertainty of medical tests and surgery. They, too, were people who had gotten bad news from the doctor. And yet, they are people who show up with the
best intentions on Sunday morning because they love Jesus and they love each other.
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Immediate Church Family*:
Betty Bagent; Inez Geoghegan; Mike Groves; Betty Lancaster; family of Mary Perry; Deanna Lewis Sklar; Brad Smith.
Extended Church Family*:
Barbara Behrmann (Carol's mother); Brandon Behrmann (Carol’s nephew); Austin Casey (Jack and Betty Bagent’s grandson); Steve Dull (husband of Lynn Nichols Dull); Dan Durway (former Pastor of Highland); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); Julius Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s brother); Randy Geoghegan (Inez’s son); Carol Harrison (Rob Stewart’s Mother); Claudia Hill (Connie Leonard’s sister); Phillip Lanier (friend of Rosemary John); Aleta Pickholtz; Barbara Smith (Brad Smith's mother); Larry Wilcoxson(friend of the Leonards).
*
New names added to the prayer list this week are in italics.
Birthdays
April 7 - 13:
Doris Baugh (12)
Anniversaries
April
- none
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Monday, April 8:
12:00 p.m. AA
Tuesday, April 9:
9:30 a.m. WW Quilters
10:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Study Class
12:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. AA
Wednesday, April 10:
12:00 p.m. AA
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA
Thursday, April 11:
12:00 p.m. AA
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA
Friday, April 12:
12:00 p.m. AA
Saturday, April 13:
Yard Crew – John Dye & Mike Groves
Sunday, April 14: Palm Sunday
9:30 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Session Meeting
7:00 p.m. AA
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Upcoming Opportunities at HPC
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- Easter Lilies will be available to decorate the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. If you would like to purchase and dedicate one or more lilies, please fill out an Easter Lily form found on the Narthex table. Return the form with a check, for $15 per lily, made payable to “Highland Presbyterian Church” no later than April 17, 2019.
- The Tuesday Morning Study Class concludes its Lenten Study, The Path to the Cross, Tuesday, April 9. The class meets on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m.
- A Maundy Thursday Congregational Meal and Worship Service, will be held at 5:30 pm, Thursday, April 18. There is a place at the table for all. Please make plans to participate in this special time of worship.
- The Church of the Way invites the congregation of Highland Presbyterian to celebrate its 101 years of ministry and mission and the retirement of Rev. Ted Roeling on Saturday, May 4, 2:00 – 4:00 pm, at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, 9340 Florida Blvd.
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Highland Presbyterian Church
is a vibrant tree in God's grace-filled orchard. Deeply rooted in God's life-giving presence here on earth, this tree extends its branches to support one another in faith and reach into the world around it to produce fruit. Whether you are seeking God's presence through questions or service, discussion or fellowship, there is a home for you at Highland.
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Connecting with Our Pastor
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Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith
cell (call or text): 314.283.7596
office: 766-5775 (please leave a message)
blog: http://evenbefore.blog
blog: http://highlandtree.blog
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Highland Presbyterian Church (USA)
10024 Highland Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.766.5775 • www.highlandpresbyterian.org
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