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Thought for the Week:

“The more I study science,
the more I believe in God.”

Albert Einstein
        

In worship this week:
October 8, 2017


Pastor: Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith

Music Director: Aubrey Nelson

Pianist: Bingyu Peng

Liturgist: Mary Martin

Youth Liturgist: Kate Stewart

Ushers: Bill and Barb Pfeifer

Hospitality: Bill and Barb Pfeifer
Flowers for Sunday are presented
to the glory of God
by John and Louise Dye.

Focus on HPC:       
  Hunger - "Feed My Sheep"
                  
It’s such a simple command, “Feed my sheep.” But how do we respond? There are so many sheep out there. There seems there is little to go around.

During the months of October and November Highland will turn its mission focus to the issue of fighting hunger. For a long time we have supported Heifer, the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, and St. John’s UMC Shepherd’s Market. We would like to do a bit more.

Beginning October 15 Highland will be selling tickets for a raffle of two farm-themed quilts donated by the “Giving Quilt” quilters, a group of ladies housed here at our church. Tickets will cost $5.00 each and the drawing will be held at our Third Sunday Lunch, November 19. All the proceeds will be divided equally between Heifer International (an organization that fights hunger throughout the world) and St. John’s UMC Shepherd’s Market (an organization that fights hunger right here in our own neighborhood.)

On November 5 Highland’s Youth Group (and anyone else who would like to join them) will be participating in the BR Hunger Walk. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and the Holy Grill, a mission of the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge. More information on this par-ticular event will be coming soon.









This week in PCUSA Mission:                
         
Standing in a Long Line of Reformers
by Joseph D. Small, Church Relations Consultant

In late October 1517, an obscure Augustinian monk teaching at a minor German university offered a set of propositions, inviting an academic debate. Many Presbyterians can picture Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, but we are hard-pressed to say what the theses were about, and why they sparked a movement that both reformed and divided the church.  
         
Luther’s post was titled “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences.” It condemned the use of indulgences, a practice based on the assumption that guilt is forgiven by God but punishment for sin can be reduced through prayers, good works or alms (monetary donations) as directed by a priest. Luther’s attack on indulgences began by turning to the gospel: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, ‘Repent,’ he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance” (Thesis 1). The theses proceeded to deny that priests have power to forgive sins, and to attack the practice of selling certificates of forgiveness: “It is vain to trust in salvation by indulgence letters” (Thesis 52). Instead, “The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God” (Thesis 62).

Luther’s harsh critique of indulgences could not be dismissed as abstract theological quibbles, for it assaulted the ecclesiastical apparatus, denying the church’s power to grant remission of sins for the purchase of a piece of paper. 
Immediate Church Family*:
Betty Bagent; Doris Baugh; Inez Geoghegan; Betty Lancaster; Dudley Payton; Mary Perry; Deanna Lewis Sklar; Brad Smith.

Extended Church Family*:
Brandon Behrmann (Carol’s nephew); Ron Brelsford (Rosemary John’s brother-in-law); Kathy Burke (friend of the Pfeifers); 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); family of Denny Hill (Mike and Connie Leonard’s brother-in-law); Jonathan Kellebrew and family (the Pfeifer’s daughter’s nephew); family of Rosemary Maloy; the Miller twins in NICU in Nashville (friends of Brad Smith); Aleta Pickholtz; Earl Rabe (friend of Rick Gurtner); 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
October 8-14: Alan Cutter (11), Debbie Gurtner (11)

Anniversaries
October 14 – Michael and Barbara Aguillard
Detail of the Prague Astronomical Clock in thePrague Old Town

This week at HPC:
Monday, October 9
12:00 p.m. AA

Tuesday,October 10:
9:30 a.m. WW Quilters
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
12:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. AA

Wednesday, October 11:
12:00 p.m. AA
5:30 p.m. HPC Choir
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA

Thursday, October 12:
12:00 p.m. AA
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA

Friday, October 13:
12:00 p.m. AA

Saturday, October 14:
Caledonain Pipes & Drums practice
Yard Crew – Mike Leonard & Brandon Lithgoe

Sunday, October 15:
9:30 a.m. Worship
11:00 a.m. Third Sunday Lunch
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
  • Third Sunday Lunch – October 15. In celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, we will have a German inspired meal. Please check the sign-up sheet for sides needed.

  • Raffle ticket sales begin – October 15. Help us fight hunger one quilt at a time as we raffle two quilts donated by the “Giving Quilt” quilters – the quilting group meeting at Highland. Contact Louise Dye for more information.

  • Appreciation reception for Barbara Aguillard – October 29. Although not everyone has met her, Barbara has served as our Secretary and then Financial Administrator for many years. Her workload at her full-time job for the State of Louisiana has increased and she is unable to continue also working for Highland. Please plan to stay following worship and share our thanks.

  • Sermon next week (Oct. 15): “Golden Calves” based on Psalm 106: 1-6, 19-23 and Exodus 32: 1-14.




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 on study leave Tues., Oct. 10 – Thurs., Oct. 12

by appointment Mon., Oct. 9 - 9:00 am – 4:30 pm  
cell (call or text): 314.283.7596
office: 766-5775 (please leave a message)
blog: evenbefore.blog
Highland Presbyterian Church (USA)
10024 Highland Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.766.5775 • www.highlandpresbyterian.org