Hello friends – 

Confronting fear - overcoming it in order to do what must be done – takes courage. This week, I am flying to Florida to see my son and I am a little fearful. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic I have spent very little time away from home and have limited my contact with others to the bare minimum. But, I am getting on a plane and travelling out of state because I must. I must see my son, I must take a break, I must be present for him and absent from my routine. I am not suggesting that this is the type of courage it takes to change the world, but it is requiring me to face my fear of not knowing if I am infected with the virus and sharing it with others or contracting it from someone else.

In our text this week, Matthew 14:22-33, the disciples have reasons to be afraid. Their safety is not guaranteed, neither is their place in community with others. But God does not leave beloveds to navigate hard things alone. Jesus comes to them and offers presence, guidance, and the things the heart needs for enduring such difficulties. And God does the same for us – will do the same thing for me as I travel – we can and we will endure. Maya Angelou once said, “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.” Have courage, friends – be courageous. You are not alone.
Worship will be ONLINE ONLY and LIVE and will be available at this link: https://youtu.be/Cx4baa-11Fc Once the live stream is finished the service will be available on the HPCC YouTube Channel for you to watch at your convenience. 
As always, I am praying for all of you and your well-being. Please reach out to me if you have questions or concerns or just want to catch up.
Shalom,
Heather
515-681-9369
heather.hpcc@gmail.com
Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity,
welfare and tranquility. 
These things I pray for you.  
FYI
  • The DMARC Mobile Food Pantry will be at HPCC on Thursday, August 13th and 27th from noon - 2 p.m. All are welcome to come and receive fresh and packaged food. Two volunteers are needed each day. Contact the church office if you can help.

  • We need sanitizing wipes to keep the building clean and safe. Contact the church office to make arrangements to drop off any you are able to donate.
Keep this a SECRET!

Bill Miklus' 90th Birthday Car Parade

Make a Birthday sign, wave, and honk your car horns in celebration as you drive by.


When: Saturday, Aug. 15th
Time: Be there at 12:30/12:45 Parade starts at 1:00 p.m.
Where: Bethany Reform Church (in church parking lot) - 720 NE 52nd, Des Moines

No Gifts - Cards can be mailed to home: 5356 NE 5th-Des Moines, IA 50313

Present: Polk County Sheriff Dept - Saylorville Fire Station - A Plane fly over
Reminders…
  • All worship services until further notice will be online only and can be found on the church YouTube channel.
  • Special events, youth group, Clothes Closet and Welcome Table are cancelled until further notice.  
  • The church elders have been calling folks to check and see how everyone is doing. When an elder calls you, be sure and let them know if there is anything you need. If you have not heard from an elder, send an email to joan.hpcc@gmail.com and make sure we have your current contact information.
  • The HPCC prayer list and critical prayer concerns are being shared via email. If you would like to receive these emails or have a concern to share, please contact Pastor Heather or Joan via email.
  • No one is in the building on a regular basis, so please use email to contact the church staff. 
  • Although we are not currently able to use the church facility as a group, the expenses to operate the facility and maintain staff continue. If you are able to support the church through your giving, contributions can be sent to the church office or through the Givelify app on your smartphone or tablet. You can also establish an automatic bill pay through your bank so your offering comes to the church every week even when you cannot.
Highland Park Christian Church
515.244.3182
joan.hpcc@gmail.com