Connecting us with one another, our community, and the world...
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“For Jesus, peace seems to have meant
not the absence of struggle,
but the presence of love.”
Frederick Buechner
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In worship this week:
December 10, 2017
Pastor: Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith
Music Director: Aubrey Nelson
Pianist: Bingyu Peng
Liturgist: Dave Adams
Youth Liturgist: Mei Stewart
Ushers: Connie Buck & Mary Martin
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Flowers this Sunday are presented
to the Glory of God.
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Keep Silent
Our hymn of praise for the second Sunday in Advent is a beautiful musical arrangement of multiple, ancient Christian hymns,
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.
It is set to an English adaptation of a 17
th
century French melody that stirs and haunts the soul.
Singers are invited by the author to stand in awe at the wonders that God is accomplishing with the arrival of Emmanuel – God with us. It speaks not of who this child will be, but who he already is: God Almighty de-scended to earth that the world might be rid of the powers of evil. This prompts a response of both shouts of acclamation and also silence, because Christ’s arrival is too wonderful for words.
May we join with all the ancient characters as we sing: “Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.”
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This week in PCUSA Mission:
Camp and Conference Center
Offers Assistance in Puerto Rico.
Some Presbyterian leaders have said that they have found God in special places. For Puerto Rican Pres-byterian leaders, El Guacio is one of those holy places. El Guacio, a Presbyterian camp and conference center, was founded by missionaries as a medical dispensary for an impoverished rural community and as the site of a training program where participants have learned to farm and to craft exotic bamboo. It sits on over 80 acres. The camp was on track to revive its bamboo workshop, but Hurricane Maria destroyed the 13-acre crop.
Despite the setback, El Guacio has provided help and hope to victims of the hurricane. El Guacio is in San Sebastián, adjacent to Las Marías, a small town that lost its last supermarket in the storm. The town has been lacking food and water. Despite the destruction that Maria left, Wilmari Vargas, El Guacio’s director, has helped keep the site functional. She has opened the facility for people to access the only clean water available for miles of mountainous terrain.
In addition, an enthusiastic young agronomist, who descends from three generations of farmers in Puerto Rico, was recruited for the center. Center leaders are committed to establishing a CSA (community-sup-ported agriculture program) that will eventually serve as a food justice hub in the area, where access to fresh food is limited. Two farmers have volunteered to help get the CSA on track and to serve the long-term dietary needs of the community.
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Immediate Church Family*:
Betty Bagent
;
Carol Behrmann;
Doris Baugh; Inez Geoghegan; Betty Lancaster; Mary Perry; Deanna Lewis Sklar; Brad Smith; Caitlin Thompson.
Extended Church Family*
:
Brandon Behrmann (Carol’s nephew); Ron Brelsford (Rosemary John’s brother-in-law); Lettie Capers (friend of the Leonards); Austin Casey (Jack and Betty Bagent’s grandson); Wayne Cline (Sherry Hutchinson’s brother); Cecil and Judy Eubanks (former members); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); the Miller twins (friends of Brad Smith); Aleta Pickholtz; Earl Rabe (friend of Rick Gurtner); Joy Walker (niece of the Pfeifers);
Larry Wilcoxson (friend of the Leonards); Barbara Zeagler (friend of the Dyes).
*
New names or concerns added to the prayer list this week are in italics.
Birthdays
December 10 - 16:
Mei Stewart (10), Jack Bagent (11)
Anniversaries
December:
none
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Monday, December 11:
12:00 p.m. AA
Tuesday, December 12:
9:30 a.m. WW Quilters
10:15
a.m. Bible Study
12:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. AA
Wednesday, December 13:
12:00 p.m. AA
5:30 p.m. HPC choir practice
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA
Thursday, December 14:
12:00 p.m. AA
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA
Friday, December 15:
12:00 p.m. AA
Saturday, December 16:
Yard Crew –Mike Leonard & Brandon Lithgoe
Sunday, December 17:
3rd Sunday of Advent
9:30 a.m. Worship - Lessons and Carols
11:00 a.m. Christmas Brunch
7:00 p.m. AA
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Upcoming Opportunities at HPC
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- Happy Birthday and Anniversary to those born or married in the month of December!
- TODAY – Dedication of Gifts of Literacy. Books will be delivered to Magnolia Woods Elementary Tuesday, Dec. 12. To help deliver books or for more information, contact Connie Buck.
- Poinsettias If you would like to purchase a poinsettia in memory, honor, or gratitude of someone, please have your donation ($15.00) in Today or contact Dudley Payton.
- Tuesday Bible Study will meet at 10:15 a.m. this coming Tuesday, December 12.
- December 17 – Christmas Brunch. This year we will celebrate the season with a Third Sunday Christmas Brunch. Look on the bulletin board for a sign-up sheet.
- Sunday, December 24, Christmas Eve Schedule: 9:30 a.m. Worship Service – 4th Sunday of Advent, family-friendly carol sing. 5:30 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service with Communion.
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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
office hours for Rev. Janie are Mon. 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
and Thurs. 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
by appointment Mon. – Thurs. 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
cell (call or text): 314.283.7596
office: 766-5775 (please leave a message)
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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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