March 17, 2020
Dear family and friends of Highland,
To quote from our Lenten devotional for this past Sunday: “Lost. Confused. Disoriented. Afraid. Alone.
Even with our smartphone giving us turn-by-turn directions, the parable of the lost sheep still resonates.
All of us, at some point or another, know the anxiety of being vulnerable and directionless.” But remember the teaching of Jesus when he said in Matthew 18,
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“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
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And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.” While we may not be wandering away from God, we still feel that we are wandering through new, confusing territory. Let us remember that God is with us still no matter where we find ourselves.
For the safety of those meeting for worship, it is now time to suspend our regular worship services at Highland Presbyterian Church beginning Sunday, March 22. We. will monitor the situation and let you know when the time is safe for us to begin meeting again. But we are still a church that loves and supports our family and friends. In the coming weeks we will do the following to sustain the spiritual well-being of Highland:
- Rev. Jeff Day will continue to provide pastoral care for our members by phone. If you would like to communicate with Rev. Day his phone number is (225) 246-2920, and his email is day_w@bellsouth.net. Please, don’t be surprised if he calls you first.
- We will continue to send out our weekly email newsletter, Connections. We will provide suggestions for accessing worship services via the computer, tv or radio along with our current prayer list (with updates) and access to the weekly Lenten devotionals. If you have a favorite worship platform on the computer, tv, or radio, please share that with us and we will pass it on. New territory does allow us the opportunity to explore.
- We are just a phone call or email away. If you have needs that we can help with, whether it’s picking up a prescription or a few items at the store, please contact Louise Dye (225) 767-3091, louisedla@aol.com or Connie Buck (225) 769-2756, cgbuck@cox.net. We are a family that is here to look out for one another.
And what can you do to help?
- Remember your pledge commitment. Whether we are physically in church or not, God loves a cheerful giver and we depend on that giving to sustain the ministry and mission of Highland.
- Remember our denomination’s One Great Hour of Sharing Offering. Normally we would receive this offering at Easter, but it is doubtful that we will be able to meet by that time. The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering helps to improve the lives of people in challenging situations through three impactful programs: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Presbyterian Hunger Program and Self-development of People. https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/offering/oghs/
- One other need that has come to our attention and people have asked about is the impact the closing of L.S.U. has had on our pianist, Albina, and her husband, Eduard. They have found it extremely difficult due to the abrupt cancelation of many functions for which they received stipends. If you would like to contribute to help them offset some of these financial losses, we will collect your donations and give them as a lump sum from the “Family of Highland.”
Donations for any and all of these needs can be made in the form of a check made out to Highland Presbyterian Church. Please indicate clearly on your check (or a note attached to your check) how much goes to which need and simply mail the check to the church – Highland Presbyterian Church, 10024 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. We will check the mailbox regularly. If you would like to set up online payments, you can contact Dave Adams (225) 763-6740 and he will help you.
Some of our members have also taken advantage of this “downtime” to volunteer their time doing odd jobs around the church. Just like at your home, it seems like there is always something that needs doing either on the grounds or in the buildings. If you have some time to give, please contact John Dye (225) 767-3091 and he will happily coordinate your efforts.
What goes without saying is the importance of prayer for times such as these. This closing prayer also comes from our Lenten Devotional:
“You, God, bless us, with your power to not only be present but to transform our most painful circumstances. Being blessed does not render us immune from suffering.
Being blessed offers a sliver of light through the cracks, a lifeline in tumultuous waters, the assurance that we are more than our circumstances and immeasurably valued by none other than the Most High God. Amen.”
May the peace of God enfold you,
The Session of Highland Presbyterian Church:
Connie Buck, John Dye, Louise Dye, Mike Groves,
Dudley Payton, and Barb Pfeifer