Connecting us with one another, our community, and the world...
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“God’s ways are higher than our ways
not because he is less compassionate
than we are, but because he is
more compassionate
than we can ever imagine.”
Rachel Held Evans
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In worship this week:
February 4, 2018
Pastor: Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith
Music Director: Aubrey Nelson
Pianist: Bingyu Peng
Liturgist: Dudley Payton
Youth Liturgist: Kate Stewart
Ushers: Bill and Barb Pfeifer
Hospitality: Bill and Barb Pfeifer
Communion Servers: John and Louise Dye
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Flowers this Sunday are presented
to the glory of God.
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Ash Wednesday, February 13,
marks the beginning of Lent.
Lenten Devotional Study,
Jesus and the Prophets
, is available for pick-up on the Narthex table.
The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, PC(USA) pastor, board trustee for Union Presby-terian Seminary and director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness in Wash-ington, D.C., has assembled a collection of chal-lenging daily reflections, Scripture and prayers to help us on our Lenten journey.
Lenten Tuesday Bible Study,
Journey into Narnia
, begins February 20.
This study, taught by Rev. Janie, will be centered on the 2005 movie adaptation of C.S. Lewis’
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The class will meet in the Adult Sunday School Classroom at 10:30 a.m. each Tuesday during Lent. All are encouraged to attend.
Community Outreach –
do you know of some-one who would like to have contact with Highland (either electronically or by mail) or a visit from Rev. Janie? This is the perfect time to let Bob Buck, Chair of Evangelism, know as we look for ways to share this special season.
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This week in PCUSA Mission:
I
mmigration Conversations in the Church
Going Deeper and Further
Amaury Tañón-Santos
The immigration conversation is nowhere close to being done. The political discourse around immi-gration continues to affect communities and the church — in both its witness and its membership. It’s a conversation that should compel leaders (in-cluding sessions and mid councils) to continue dis-cerning the call of the church, especially when it comes to welcoming people who come to the United States in pursuit of a better life.
The conversation about immigration, however, is one that catches folks off guard because many be-lieve it is an issue that has nothing to do with them. However, my experience working with mid councils has shown me that it takes only a moment of self-awareness to see an individual’s or com-munity’s thread woven in the story of immi-gration. Two years ago, one of the pastors of a central New York presbytery and I had the opportunity to meet with the congressman of the area — a self-identified moderate Republican with a genuine interest in having a conversation on immigrants in his district. The congressman accepted our invitation to come to a roundtable discussion with pastors in the presbytery. About 20 leaders showed up, three of whom identified as immigrants — the host and myself, both Latin-American, and a community leader hailing from Africa. The rest of the group consisted of white leaders who did not identify themselves as immigrants. At least, not at first. It was only when asked how many considered themselves “cradle Presbyterians” and then encouraged to trace their Presbyterian pedigree that they realized they were not merely “white” but they were Scottish or Scots-Irish.
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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); Steve Dull (husband of Lynn Nichols Dull);
Dan Durway (former Pastor of Highland); Cecil and Judy Eubanks (former members); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); Hank and Helen McKinney (former members); 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
February 4 - 10:
none
Anniversaries
February:
none
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Monday, February 5:
12:00 p.m. AA
Tuesday, February 6:
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
12:00 p.m. AA
6:00 p.m. Lagniappe Ladies
7:30 p.m. AA
Wednesday, February 7:
12:00 p.m. AA
5:30 p.m. HPC choir practice
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA
Thursday, February 8:
12:00 p.m. AA
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA
Friday, February 9:
12:00 p.m. AA
Saturday, February 10:
Yard Crew – Jack Bagent & Bill Pfeifer
Sunday, February 11:
9:30 a.m. Worship
7:00 p.m. AA
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Upcoming Opportunities at HPC
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- Today – Called Congregational Meeting for the purpose of considering the sale of property to AT&T and, if approved, appointing Louise Dye to serve as representative of HPC in the execution of the sale.
- Today - Sunday Study – A Clash of Kingdoms. Learn how Paul commun-icated the Good News of Christ to Philippi, a Roman colony that worshiped false gods. The class will meet in the Adult Sunday School classroom following worship on the first and fourth Sundays each month.
- Youth collect donations for the “Souper Bowl of Caring” through today. Please place cash donations or non-perishable food items in the bin of your choice.
- Lagniappe Ladies - Tuesday, February 6, 6:00 p.m., dinner out at Adrian’s Restaurant (18143 Perkins Rd East, Ste D – across from Blue Bayou.) For more information contact Carol Behrmann.
- Sermon next Sunday (Feb. 11 – Transfiguration Sunday) - “God in a Box” based on Psalm 50:1-6 and Mark 9:2-9.
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Session News
The Session of Highland Presbyterian Church met for its regular stated meeting on Saturday, January 27, 2018. The following business was conducted:
- Session elected Louise Dye to serve as Clerk of Session for 2018.
- Session elected Dave Adams to serve as Treasurer for 2018.
- Session approved the following dates for Communion: February 4, March 4, March 29 (Maundy Thursday), April 1 (Easter), May 6, May 20 (Pentecost), June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2, December 24 (Christmas Eve), 2018 and January 6, 2019.
- Session approved the date of February 18, 2018 for the Stated Annual Meeting of the Congregation.
- Session received the Financial Report for Year-end 2017. Expenses of $127,073.98 exceeded adjusted* income of $109,533.17 by ($17,540.81.) *Income does not reflect advance giving of $16,000.
- Session elected Ruling Elder Connie Buck as Elder Commissioner to the February 20, 2018 Presbytery Meeting. Ruling Elder John Dye was elected as an alternate Elder Commissioner.
- Session approved Rev. McElwee-Smith’s requested Continuing Education courses for 2018.
- Session approved the motion from the Education Committee to provide the op-portunity for Highland’s Youth to attend a Montreat Youth Conference, July 6 – 15, 2018 and to engage in fundraising for that event.
- Session approved calling a Special Meeting of the Congregation on February 4, 2018 for the purpose of considering and voting on the sale of a 7’ x 7’ piece of property to AT&T and, if approved, appointing Louise Dye, Clerk of Session, as representative of Highland Presbyterian Church for the execution of the sale.
- Session approved forming an Ad Hoc Committee to review the wording of Highland’s current Mission Statement. Members of the Committee are Ruling Elders Dudley Payton and Barb Pfeifer, with input of Elders who previously served on Mission Statement committees.
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Reports of interest
Clerk of Session:
- Notes of thanks for donations were received from Amy King, teacher at Magnolia Woods Elementary School, Heifer International and St. John’s UMC Shepherd’s Market.
Pastor:
- Lenten preparations are well under way. Devotional materials are in and will be distributed to the Congregation beginning February 4.
- Lenten specific mid-week emails, blogs and Facebook posts will be generated to help involve members of Highland’s community.
- An audio version of each Sunday’s sermon will be made available on Highland’s website.
- Rev. Janie will be on vacation February 11 (evening) – 14, 2018.
Ad Hoc Property Committee:
- The Committee has received a formal proposal from AT&T for the purchases of a 7’ x 7’ piece of property (as described on a submitted plot) from Highland Pres-byterian Church for $3,000.
Ad Hoc Sign Committee:
- A new sign for Highland Presbyterian Church is in production and will be installed soon.
Retreat: Session Team Assignments -
- Congregational Focus Team: Christian Education/Congregational Care – Connie Buck and Louise Dye
- Community Focus Team: Evangelism – Bob Buck, and Mission – Barb Pfeifer
- Bedrock Team: Worship – Dudley Payton, Property – Mike Leonard, and Finance and Personnel – Mike Groves.
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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)
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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