Connecting us with one another, our community, and the world...
Thought for the Week:
“Compassion asks us to go where
it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish.   Compassion means full immersion  in the condition
of being human.”

                                     Henri Nouwen                                       

              

In worship this week:
July 23, 2017

Pastor:  Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith

Pianist:  Cibele Perusso

Liturgist:  Jack Bagent

Ushers:  Mike and Connie Leonard

Hospitality:  Jack and Betty Bagent



Flowers this Sunday are presented
to the Glory of God
by Mike and Connie Leonard.


Focus on HPC:           
           
    Commissioning

           This Sunday we will “Commission” our youth and their leaders as they prepare to go forth on a mission trip.  What does this mean and why do we do it? 
          Our Book of Order states, “In the life of the Christian community God calls people to particular acts of discipleship to use their personal gifts for service in the Church and the world.  These specific acts may be strengthened and confirmed by formal recognition in worship.”   As the body of Christ, we want them to feel our strength and know that we recognize that they go as representatives not just of Highland Presbyterian Church, but of  Christ’s church universal.  We convey all this in the act of  commissioning.
           As we send our youth off for this experience of discipleship through service, we go with them in blessings and prayers; not only on Sunday, but throughout the week that they are gone.  Please keep them in your prayers as they are the disciples that Highland  Presbyterian Church sends out to serve God and God’s people.   






    This week in PCUSA Mission:                             
                     
    Retired Teacher Finds New Career                         

                When I retired from teaching in an inner-city high school in Fresno, California, I thought I was done with the local school district.  Twenty-one years as a teacher was enough for me. My retirement plan was to move to San Francisco and get a job with a  nonprofit. But I could not get a job. I returned to Fresno and was at loose ends. What did I want to do with the rest of my life? More importantly, what did God want me to do with the rest of my life?
                At lunch at a local church, I sat with a man who was a chaplain in a neighboring school district. I was intrigued by what he did and wondered if my local district had such a program. The chaplain worked at a school, offering care and comfort to students and staff, and he also worked with first-graders to build resiliency. He said he thought I would be very good at this, but I laughed. I loved the concept of social-emotional education and believed someone should be doing it, but not me.
                Then I saw a notice about the Fresno Police Department Chaplaincy working with the Fresno Unified School District, the district where I had taught for 21 years. Again, I thought it was a good idea — for someone else. Then another notice caught my attention, only this time I saw the words “school chaplain.” My interest was piqued.  I read that there were chaplains in Fresno schools and a need for more. I could hear God prompting me to send in the application.    r ead more at . . . 
     https://www.presbyterianmission.org/yearbook
    /July-27-2017/
    Immediate Church Family*:
    Doris Baugh; Inez Geoghegan; Betty Lancaster; Dudley Payton; Mary Perry; Deanna Lewis Sklar; Brad Smith; Lucien Smith.

    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); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); Jonathan Kellebrew (the Pfeifer’s daughter’s nephew); Rhonda Matthews (friend of the Lancasters); Aleta Pickholtz; Earl Rabe (friend of Rick Gurtner); Neomi Robinson (Mary Perry’s helper); 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 
    July 23-29:  Jacob John(23), Shaylon Taylor(25), Brandi Thompson (28), Rickie Taylor (28), Rick Gurtner (29)

    Anniversaries
    no anniversaries in July

    Detail of the Prague Astronomical Clock in thePrague Old Town

    This week at HPC:
    Monday, July 24: 
         12:00 p.m. AA
    Tuesday, July 25:
         9:30 a.m. WW Quilters      
         10:30 a.m. Bible Study
         12:00 p.m. AA     
         7:30 p.m. AA
    Wednesday, July 26:
         12:00 p.m. AA
          7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA
    Thursday, July 27:
          12:00 p.m. AA
          8:00 p.m. Men’s AA
    Friday, July 28:
          12:00 p.m. AA
    Saturday, July 29:
           Yard Crew – John Dye & Mike Groves
           12:00 noon - Participants of the Youth Mission
                Trip meet at HPC (depart at 12:30 p.m.)
    Sunday, July 23: 
           9:30 a.m. Worship
           11:00 a.m. Sunday Study
            7:00 p.m. AA

    coming soon brand new product release next up promotion and announce road sign or announcement billboard
    Upcoming Opportunities at HPC


    • Sunday Study Class will meet today,
      July 23.  “Don’t Forget Us,” will be the final lesson of Walk as Jesus Walked.  All are encouraged to attend.

    • Office hours for Rev. Janie next week will be on Monday and Thursday due to an Interfaith Federation Board retreat on Wednesday, July 26.

    • Rev. Dr. Michael Elmore will be preaching Sunday, July 30, while Rev. Janie is on the Youth Mission Trip.

        About HPC
        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.
        Connecting with Our Pastor
        Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith
        (Rev. Janie will be out of the office July 29 - August 5)
        office hours for Rev. Janie are Mon. & Wed. 9:30 am – 12:30  pm
        available by appointment Mon. – Thurs. 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
        cell (call or text): 314.283.7596
        office: 766-5775 (please leave a message)
        email: revjaniehpc@gmail.com

        Highland Presbyterian Church (USA)
        10024 Highland Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.766.5775 • www.highlandpresbyterian.org