Connecting us with one another, our community, and the world...
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“Faith is what makes life bearable,
with all its tragedies and ambiguities
and sudden, startling joys.”
Madeleine L’Engle
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In worship this week:
January 27
Pastor: Rev. Janie McElwee-Smith
Pianist: Bingyu Peng
Liturgist: Doris M. (Skippy) Thompson
Ushers: Todd and Mei Stewart
Hospitality: Congregational Care Committee
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The flowers this Sunday are presented
by Mike and Tillie Groves
in celebration of Kate Stewart's birthday.
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Focus on HPC -
The Shepherd's Market
The Shepherd’s Market of St. John’s United Methodist Church, whom we regularly support with donations, is a client-choice food pantry serving the hungry and needy in south Baton Rouge. Perhaps you didn’t know that this is a relatively unique setup. At a client-choice food pantry the people seeking food assistance are allowed to choose for themselves what products they receive. This model is a critical part of a community’s efforts to end hunger – not only does it make it easy for the pantry to use supplies from the food bank and others, but having the opportunity to choose their own food gives the people being served a sense of dignity and control, limits waste (since they tend not to take food they won’t use), and allows them to tailor the help they receive to be the best possible fit for their own unique situation.
The Shepherd’s Market has been operating for six years and currently serves approximately 35 families per day (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday). Their focus area includes zip codes 70808, 70809, 70810 and 70820, but can serve any family in need.
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This week in PCUSA Mission:
Synod of Blantyre Partners with Congregation in New Orleans
to Help Families in Malawi
Nelson Mandela once wrote, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” People in Mangochi, Malawi, know this is true, as they have watched their community be transformed by the Muliko Literacy Project.
Established by Chancy and Miriam Gondwe in 2014, the Muliko Literacy Project seeks to improve the 47 percent literacy rate of the predominantly Muslim community of Mangochi. The Gondwes are community development professionals and committed Church of Central Africa Presbyterian members. Chancy received training from Literacy and Evangelism International in Tulsa. God gave the Gondwes a clear vision for literacy work in Mangochi, where they have used literacy as a tool for evangelism, spiritual growth and sustainable development for the people of Malawi. The project trains volunteer teachers who want to start literacy programs. Muliko also tutors children after school, conducts child evangelism through an after-school Good News Club and operates a preschool that generates income.
When the people of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (SCAPC) in New Orleans heard about the literacy project, they wanted to support it. They approached me (Debbie Braaksma, Presbyterian World Mission, Africa Area Coordinator, Presbyterian Mission Agency) with a unique challenge. SCAPC requested that donations go through World Mission, which works with partner churches and ecumenical organizations. Since the Muliko Literacy Project was not a World Mission partner, I suggested that Muliko inquire about affiliating with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Blantyre Synod (with which it had ties). If the synod agreed, World Mission would be happy to send support received for the literacy project through the synod. As PC(USA) regional liaison for east central Africa, Nancy Collins assisted the congregation and the synod in working out the details
of such an affiliation.
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Immediate Church Family*:
Betty Bagent; Inez Geoghegan; Betty Lancaster; Mary Perry; Deanna Lewis Sklar; Brad Smith.
Extended Church Family*:
Brandon Behrmann (Carol’s nephew); Austin Casey (Jack and Betty Bagent’s grandson); Steve Dull (husband of Lynn Nichols Dull);
Dan Durway (former Pastor of Highland); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); Julius Fuller (Inez
Geoghegan’s brother); Randy Geoghegan (Inez’s son); 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 Pickholtz; Family of Joy Walker (niece 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
Jan. 27 - Feb. 2:
Barb Pfeifer and Kate Stewart (Jan. 27)
Anniversaries
January
- none
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Monday, January 28:
12:00 p.m. AA
Tuesday, January 29:
10:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Study
12:00 p.m. AA
7:30 p.m. AA
Wednesday, January 30:
12:00 p.m. AA
7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA
Thursday, January 31:
12:00 p.m. AA
8:00 p.m. Men’s AA
Friday, February 1:
12:00 p.m. AA
Saturday, February 2:
Yard Crew – Jack Bagent & Bill Pfeifer
Sunday, February 3:
9:30 a.m. Worship/Communion
7:00 p.m. AA
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Upcoming Opportunities at HPC
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- Souper Bowl of Caring - February 3. The teams have been decided, so it’s time to bring non-perishable food items and cast your vote. The tubs are out in the fellowship area. Who will our winner be?
- The Tuesday Morning Study Class continues its DVD study, Prayer, by Phillip Yancey on Tuesday, January 29, 10:30 a.m., in the Adult Sunday School classroom. Come learn about Prayer, the intersection where we meet God. For more information contact Louise Dye or Connie Buck.
- Lagniappe Ladies will meet for dinner at Carrabba’s Italian Grill (7275 Corporate Blvd.), Tuesday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet is available for those interested in attending.
- The Sermon next Sunday (Feb. 3) will be “Transfixed” from Psalm 71:1-6 and Luke 4:14-21.
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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
There are no office hours for Rev. Janie this week.
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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