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Thought for the Week:


“Our greatest fear should not be of failure …
but of succeeding at things in life
 that don’t really matter.”

Francis Chan

       
 In worship this week:
September 23, 2018
35th Anniversary Celebration

Pastor: Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith

Pianist: Bingyu Peng

Liturgists: Caitlin Thompson

Ushers: Dave and Peggy Adams

Communion Server: Louise Dye
Flowers this Sunday
are presented to the glory of God
and in honor of
Highland's 35 years of growth.

Focus on HPC:     
Gather Us In
A concert of Music and Scripture

Performing at this afternoon’s concert:

Brass Quintet:  Jena Vangjel, trumpet; Michael Hull, trumpet; Lauren McKinney Braud, horn; Austin Richardson, trombone; and Brian Gallion, tuba.  

Vocal Quartet:  Molly Toups, soprano; Aubrey Nelson, alto; Matthew Myers, tenor; and Stuart Dameron, bass.

Acoustic Oxygen:  James Corbin, flute; Shea Tully, oboe; Amanda Wampler, clarinet; Ann Mullis, bassoon; and Chris Germany, French horn.

Highland Presbyterian Church Choir:  Sherry Hutchinson, Rosemary John, Deanna Lewis Sklar, Brad Smith, Janie McElewee-Smith, and Doris M. (Skippy) Thompson.



This week in PCUSA Mission:            
    
Evangelism Sunday
Ray G. Jones, III, PC(USA)

Evangelism is good news. The ministry of evangelism was never meant to be a tool by which we reach people to simply fill our churches. Evangelism is a ministry which blesses others. In  A Light to the Nations , Michael Goheen writes, “Blessing is a biblical term with rich resonances, implying the reversal of sin’s curse and the restoration of creation’s fullness.” As God in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, is changing our lives, we are invited into God’s mission of changing and transforming our communities and world.

On previous Evangelism Sundays, we have stressed the importance of knowing our own stories of transformation and sharing our faith with people who do not know the hope of God in Christ. We have been encouraged to nurture relationships with friends who are not part of a church. We have examined the close relationship between evangelism and justice. This Evangelism Sunday we are encouraging churches to get out into your community to discern who your neighbors are and what God is already doing in your communities.

Unless we get out of our churches and into the community, we will never fully understand our communities and the people living in them. During a Neighborhood Exegesis in a presbytery, I was reminded of the importance of this activity. During the Bible study that morning, an elder from the host church would utter every chance he had that this exercise was a waste of time. He knew it was good to be in Scripture, but this activity of walking the community was a waste of time and energy. He said he already knew his community, and their problem was that people were simply going to other churches in the neighborhood. Just too many churches! . . . 
Immediate Church Family*:
Betty Bagent; Doris Baugh; Inez Geoghegan; Betty Lancaster; Preston Lancaster; Mary Perry; Bill Pfeifer; Deanna Lewis Sklar; Brad Smith.

Extended Church Family*:
Brandon Behrmann (Carol’s nephew); Austin Casey (Jack and Betty Bagent’s grandson); Woody and Susie Chew (friends of Deanna); Steve Dull (husband of Lynn Nichols Dull); Dan Durway (former Pastor of Highland); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); Julius Fuller (Inez Geoghe-gan’s brother); Carol Harrison (Rob Stewart’s Mother); Claudia Hill (Connie Leonard’s sister); Phillip Lanier (friend of Rosemary John); the Miller twins (friends of Brad Smith); Aleta Pick-holtz; Earl Rabe (friend of Rick Gurtner); Phillip Walker (nephew of the Pfeifers); Larry Wilcoxson (friend of the Leonards); Barbara Zeagler (friend of the Dyes.)

  * New names added to the prayer list this week are in italics.

Birthdays
September 23 - 30:  Ann Cutter (27)

 Anniversaries
none
Detail of the Prague Astronomical Clock in thePrague Old Town

This week at HPC:
Monday, September 24:
12:00 p.m. AA
    
Tuesday, September 25:
9:30 a.m. WW Quilters
10:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Class
12:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. AA

Wednesday, September 26:  
12:00 p.m. AA
5:30 p.m. HPC Choir practice
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA

Thursday, September 27:       
12:00 p.m. AA
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA

Friday, September 28:
12:00 p.m. AA

Saturday, September 29:
Yard Crew – Jack Bagent & Bill Pfeifer

Sunday, September 30: 
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
  • TODAY is the 35th Anniversary Celebration! Following worship, there will be a reception in the Great Hall. All are invited! At 4:00 pm we will come together again for “Gather Us In,” a concert of music and scripture. 

  • Lagniappe Ladies will meet for dinner at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, October 2, at Casa Maria, 7955 Bluebonnet. For more information contact Carol Behrmann.
      
  • A Special Meeting of the Congregation will be held Sunday, Oct. 7, following worship. The purpose of this meeting is to elect two Ruling Elders to the class of 2021 and 3 members of the Congregation to the 2019 Nominating Committee. For more information, contact Barb Pfeifer or Louise Dye.

  • Flu shots/Third Sunday Lunch – Sunday, October 21. Right now it might not feel like we’re moving into Fall, but let’s get prepared. Following worship, flu shots will be available (usually at no charge) from a registered Walgreens pharmacist. Lunch’s entree will be a pork loin with lots of treats. Check the bulletin board for other items to sign-up for. 
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

office hours for Rev. Janie are Mon. 10:30 am – 1:00 pm
and Thurs. 10:00 am – 1:30 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


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