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Thought for the Week:

“Reformation, like education,
 is a journey, not a destination.”

Mary Harris Jones
             
        

In worship this week:
October 15, 2017

Pastor: Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith

Music Director: Aubrey Nelson

Pianist: Bingyu Peng

Liturgist: Dudley Payton

Youth Liturgist: Haleigh Thompson

Ushers: Mike and Connie Leonard
Flowers this Sunday are presented
to the Glory of God
by Mike and Connie Leonard.
Focus on HPC:       
Reformation Creeds

As we move closer to the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation, we are going to continue to affirm our faith using words from the “Reformation Creeds” – those confessions within our tradition that were written during that period.

Last Sunday, our creed came from the Heidelberg Catechism and was written by the second generation of reformers there in the sixteenth century. In those days, in Germany there was a heated debate happening between the followers of Luther and the followers of Zwingli and Calvin about theology. Elector Frederick III took advice from one of his advisors, Philip Melanchthon (one of Luther’s students,) to create a “fixed position” in important matters of faith. Frederick promptly turned to two Reformed scholars (students of Zwingli and Calvin,) Olevianus and Ursinus, to nail down these key points in a new catechism. It was adopted in 1563.

This Sunday our creed comes from the Second Helvetic Confession. It was written during the sixteenth century by one person, Heinrich Bullinger. He was a student of Ulrich Zwingli, one of John Calvin’s predecessors in Switzerland (“Helvetic” is the Latin word for Swiss). In the midst of heated debates between Lutheran and Reformed Protestants, he decided to publish it in 1566 in order that it might bring some healing between the two sides.


















This week in PCUSA Mission:                
         
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Makes Long-term commitment to victims of
Hurricane Harvey
        
Weeks after Hurricane Harvey pounded the Houston area, many emergency response teams were packing up and preparing to leave the area. But Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) was setting its sights on the long haul. In downtown Houston, the Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus, director of PDA; Sara Lisherness, director of Compassion, Peace and Justice, and Jim Kirk, PDA’s national associate for disaster response, joined Valerie Young from the Synod of the Sun for several meetings with pastors, ruling elders and leaders from the Presbytery of New Covenant. “We are having conversations with churches about becoming long-term host sites for volunteers,” Kirk said. “There will be a lot of work for people to do in the coming weeks and months. In addition to funds, the communities need thousands of cleanup kits.”

The team spoke with 50 young people taking part in the Presbyterian Youth Connection Council, which touches 29 congregations in the Houston area. The youth came to pray, worship and plan for recovery work. “What you do after a disaster response erases the differences in race and faiths,” Kraus told the group. “We are all a part of the same human family. Disaster can help transcend those differences.”
   
Immediate Church Family*:
Betty Bagent; Doris Baugh; Inez Geoghegan; Betty Lancaster; Mary Perry; Deanna Lewis Sklar; Brad Smith; Caitlyn Thompson .
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); the Miller twins in NICU in Nashville (friends of Brad Smith); Aleta Pickholtz; Earl Rabe (friend of Rick Gurtner); Sammy Salvato and family (friends of the Leonards); 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 15-21: Janie McElwee-Smith (20)

Anniversaries
October 29 – Hans and Rosmarie Dunner
Detail of the Prague Astronomical Clock in thePrague Old Town

This week at HPC:
Monday, October 16: 
12:00 p.m. AA

Tuesday, October 17     
10:30 a.m. Bible Study
12:00 p.m. AA    
7:30 p.m. AA

Wednesday, October 18:
12:00 p.m. AA
5:30 pm HPC choir practice
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA

Thursday, October 19:
12:00 p.m. AA
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA

Friday, October 20:
12:00 p.m. AA

Saturday, October 21:
Yard Crew – Jack Bagent & Bob Buck

Sunday, October 22: 
9:30 a.m. Worship
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 – TODAY. In celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, we will have a German inspired meal. All are welcome to join in.

  • Raffle ticket sales begin TODAY. Help us fight hunger one quilt at a time as we raffle two quilts donated by the “Giving Quilt” quilters – the quilting group who meet at Highland. Information and tickets will be available following worship.

  • Appreciation reception for Barbara Aguillard – October 29. Although not everyone has met her, Barbara has served as our Office Manager and then Financial Administrator for many years. Sadly she must end her service to Highland at the end of October. Please plan to stay follow-ing worship on Oct. 29 and share our thanks.

  • Guest Preacher next week (Oct. 22) will be Rev. Steve Wallace. His sermon is titled “The Truth Meets Taxes” and comes from Matthew 22:15-22.


Session News

The Session of Highland Presbyterian Church met for its regular stated meeting on Sunday, October 8, 2017. The following business was conducted:

  • Session approved allocating $250.00 (from Other Benevolences) for an annual contri-bution to Together Baton Rouge to support their mission.

  • Session approved allocating $250.00 (from Other Benevolences) for an annual contri-bution to the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge to support their mission.

  • Session approved transferring $1,386.03 from the Jerry (Bill) Perry Memorial Fund to the Youth Ministry account for pre-viously agreed upon donation to the Youth Mission Trip 2017.

  • Session approved job descriptions for Music Director, Pianist and Office Administrator.

  • Session approved allowing the Youth (and adults) who participate in the Baton Rouge Hunger Walk to be held on November 5, 2017 to collect donations from the Congregation and family/friends to sponsor their participation in the walk. The allowed fundraising period will be October 15 – November 5, 2017. All proceeds will be used as their entrance fee to participate and will therefore go to the Holy Grill and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, beneficiaries of the walk.




Reports of interest

Pastor’s Report:
  • Many Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge events have been held and attended during the past few weeks.
  • Outreach was conducted through posting audio sermons and “Thoughts for the Week” on Facebook, and mid-week event reminders sent out via Constant Contact email.
  • Special services will be held on the following Sundays: Reformation Sunday, October 29; All Saints’ Sunday, November 5; and Dedication Sunday, November 12, 2017.

Christian Educ. and Congregational Care:
  • Our Youth have been invited to attend a Lock-in October 20-21, at the First Presbyterian Church of Hammond sponsored by the Presbytery of South La.

Evangelism and Membership
  • Worship attendance remains stable at an average of 34 persons per Sunday. An average of 7 visitors and/or family has attended each Sunday. Kudos to our youth for their regular attendance and their inclusion of their friends in HPC worship.
  • WE ARE Highland invitation cards are being distributed monthly. Members are encouraged to share these cards with others.

Finance and Personnel:
  • In September expenses of $8,436.49 exceeded income of $7,613.00 by $823.49.
  •  A written financial report on the Youth Mission Trip 2017 was provided by Rev. McElwee-Smith. Income and expenses both fell within budget expectations.

 Missions:
  • As a mission event, the Youth will help plant the fall garden on October 15.
  • A raffle of two quilts donated by the “Giving Quilt” quilters will be held Nov. 19 during our Third Sunday Lunch. Tickets ($5.00 donation) will be sold Oct. 15 – Nov. 19. All proceeds will go equally to Heifer International and St. Johns UMC Shepherd’s Market.

Worship and Music:
  • On Sunday, Sept. 17, the Youth Group conducted the service, which included reflection on their mission trip to Florida in July/Aug.
  • On Sunday, Sept. 24, Lucien and Arthur Smith (sons of Brad Smith and Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith) were baptized by Rev. Melanie A. Smith.
  • On Sunday, Oct. 1, World Communion Sunday was celebrated. The choir, under the direction of Aubrey Nelson, sang a Nigerian children’s song for the Anthem.
  • Bingyu Peng is now our pianist.

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 vacation October 16-23

cell (call or text): 314.283.7596
office: 766-5775 (please leave a message)
Highland Presbyterian Church (USA)
10024 Highland Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70810 • 225.766.5775 • www.highlandpresbyterian.org