Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Highland

We will have our annual Christmas Eve service on Saturday, December 24^th at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. It will be a service of lessons and carols with communion and candlelight.

Christmas falls on a Sunday this year and we will have a short worship service on Sunday, December 25^th at 10:30 am. We will sing a few Christmas songs with scripture reading and a reflection.

Adult Sunday School Class: Christmas Carols and Hymns 

Next class, Sunday, December 11th

The Advent Hymns Sunday school class will meet Sunday, December 11^th for their final session. Join the class from 9:00-9:45 am in the parlor as they focus on a new hymn.

Also, join the Sunday school class for a Sing Along and wrap up after church on Sunday, December 11^th. Snacks will be provided, and they will sing through all the hymns that have been covered.

Presbyterian Women in the Presbytery of East Tennessee

(PWPET)

The November newsletter of the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of East Tennessee can be viewed at:

https://mailchi.mp/d219576f1452/november-newsletter-of-presbyterian-women-of-east-tennessee?e=e1348ae634

Highlights of the newsletter include:

Remembering and honoring our indigenous sisters and brothers during American Indian Heritage Month; news from Mission Haven; bicentennial celebration of Madisonville Presbyterian Church; Northside Presbyterian Church Giving Tree to aid Northside Neighborhood House; Powell Presbyterian PW members helping the homeless.

PWPET also has a page on our Presbytery’s website. See it here: https://www.presbyteryeasttn.org/shared-ministries/presbyterian-women-of-the-presbytery/

Happy Highlanders Christmas Party

Happy Highlanders will hold their Christmas Party Lunch on Tuesday, December 6, at the Maryville High School Culinary Building. The cost is $10 per person.

MENU HAS CHANGED- The menu for the lunch will now be a traditional Christmas themed dinner with ham and sides.

Please give your $ to Marie Erickson or Sandy Miller by December 1. After the lunch out we will come back to Highland fellowship hall for caroling and fun! 

Maryville College Christmas Concert

The Maryville College Christmas Concert will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, in the Clayton Center for the Arts' Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. The concert will include performances by the Orchestra at MC, the MC Concert Choir, the MC3 Band, Off Kilter, Lads & Lassies, Tartanband, and the MC Youth Choirs. 

Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for seniors and Maryville College faculty and staff; $5 for non-MC students; and free for MC students with ID. A printed ticket is required for admission.

For more information, call the Clayton Center box office at 865-981-8590 or visit the website at claytonartscenter.com. 

Also check out the story posted on the Maryville College website.

Christmas Joy Offering

Collected Sunday, December 18^th

The Christmas Joy Offering will be officially collected on Sunday, December 18th. The Offering distributes gifts equally to the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions and to Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The Assistance Program provides critical financial support to church workers and their families. Presbyterian-related schools and colleges provide education and leadership development while nurturing racial and ethnic heritage. You can give any time between now and December 18^th. Learn more about this offering at this link.

Malipo House Update

We are sad to share that the Malipo family is being forced to move as the house they have lived in for several years is being sold and their current landlord has given them until December 31st to vacate their house. We are working with the Malipos to find a new place to live and they hope to stay in the same area in Knoxville so their older children can continue at their High School. We are in contact with Family Promise of Knoxville as an emergency back up. We are aware of how often we have asked for financial help for this family, but if you are able to contribute any financial gift, we can help them with the deposit for their house. Outside of financial help, if you are able to help with moving or know of anyone who owns rental property in the Knoxville area, please let Pastor Matthew know.

Advent Devotional Study

Join us this Advent as we read through the devotional book Advent in Plain Sight. In this daily devotional for Advent, Jill J. Duffield draws readers’ attention to ten ordinary objects that appear in the biblical narratives of messianic prophesy and incarnation—objects we encounter in our own lives.

We will meet on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm on Zoom and Wednesdays at 10:00 am in the parlor. Books have arrived and can be purchased for $20. 

Read an excerpt here.

Please pray for our members, families, and friends.

We lift-up prayers for those among our community who are shut in. Be with them as they are separated in body from their loved ones.

Judith Gregory-  Judith had another successful surgery to help with her back. She is recovering well and appreciates all the prayers and love coming from Highland.

Lorene- One of our quilters, Lorene, has not been feeling well lately and the quilters are lifting her up in prayer.

Jussara Horton- Jussara’s surgery went well and doctors are confident in her recovery. Let us keep her in our prayers.

Margaret Remp- Margaret had a knee replacement surgery and we wish her prayers for a speedy recovery.

Sandy Miller’s Friend- Sandy lifted up her friend in prayer who was having surgery for her back and it went successfully. Prayers for a speedy recovery.

Shootings and Violence- Prayers for comfort and healing for the communities of the University of Virginia, University of Idaho, and the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado Springs in light of the recent shootings and violent attacks.

Bruce Watt- Bruce has been moved from Asbury to The Latern at Morning Point Knoxville (9647 Westland Dr. Knoxville, TN 37922. Room 308) and is receiving wonderful care.

Senators and leaders- Prayers for guidance as our national and local leaders debate gun legislation and many other laws that impact the day to day life of so many. 

Covid-19- All in the world who are suffering from Covid-19, especially for patients, the mourning survivors of those who have perished, and the heroic medical professionals who are fighting the battle for us.

Mental Illness- Prayers for those suffering from mental illness and those who help to treat them. 

Homelessness- Prayers for those who struggle to find a place to live. 

Ukraine- Prayers for the country of Ukraine and the unknown future that is coming upon them. May we all strive for peace and harmony throughout the world. Visit the PCUSA Mission page here to donate to the refugee fund of the mission agency.