Connecting Our Community with Christ

We stand as a mighty tree in our community: Strong and rooted, Soaring and reaching, Vibrant and fruitful, Sheltering and comforting.

In worship this Sunday December 6, 2020 Advent II Minister: Rev. Jeff Day Liturgist: Sharyn Lithgoe  Musicians: Albina Khaliapova and Eduard Teregulov Usher: Sherry Hutchinson

If you would like to participate with Highland Presbyterian Church remotely, we will stream this Sunday's service (9:30 a.m.) on our facebook page, www.facebook.com/HPCBR

Immediate Church Family*:  Inez Geoghegan; Bill and Billy Lewis; Skippy Thompson. Extended Church Family*: Brandon Behrmann (Carol’s nephew); Austin Casey (Jack and Betty Bagent’s grandson); Forrest Day (Jeff Day's son); Mary Lane Day (Jeff Day’s sister); Rachel Eastman (Jack and Betty Bagent's grand-daughter); Eva Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s niece); Julius Fuller (Inez Geoghegan’s brother); Randy Geoghegan (Inez’s son); Carol Harrison (Rob Stewart’s Mother); Carol Laborde (Connie Leonard's sister); Joyce Lehman (Barb Pfeifer's cousin); Marilyn Lewis (Bill and Billy Lewis’ daughter-in-law); Aleta Pickholtz; Maddie Richey (friend of the Leonards); Larry Wilcoxson (friend of the Leonards). *New names added to the prayer list this week are in italics. Birthdays December 6 - 12: Mei Stewart (10), Jack Bagent (11) Anniversaries December: none Pledge Cards You should have received a letter about the financial health of Highland Presbyterian Church and your part in this mission. This letter contained a pledge card. As the Session looks to finalize a budget for 2021, it is very important that we receive the information that this pledge card contains. If you haven't already, please plan to either mail or bring in your pledge card to Highland Presbyterian Church, 10024 Highland Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Treasurer Dave Adams. ANNOUNCEMENTS Poinsettias  Each year Highland decorates its Sanctuary with poinsettias dedicated in memory, honor, or gratitude for those in our lives. If you would like to donate funds to purchase a poinsettia, there will be a form available in the bulletin on Sunday, Nov. 29. If you are unable to attend, you can mail a check for $10.00 per poinsettia with a note containing the name/s of who and how (in memory of, in honor of, or in gratitude for) the poinsettias should be dedicated. If you would prefer to pay online, REALM is available. Please make sure you also email Connie Buck with your dedication wishes. Poinsettias will adorn the Sanctuary beginning Sunday, December 13. Please make sure your donation and infor-mation is received no later than December 9. *********************  Decorating the Christmas Tree This Sunday we will have ornaments available for those attending to pick-up and put on the Christmas tree in the Sanctuary. If possible, please plan to arrive a bit early to allow everyone ample time to do this. The ornaments will also be available after the service; however, we will not be decorating the tree during the worship service as in past years. ********************* Sunday Worship Rev. Day continues our journey through the season of Advent. "Advent's Yes" is the title for his sermon that will focus on Luke 1:26-38 and 2 Samuel 7:1-17. ********************* The Shepherd's Market Food Pantry As the holidays draw near, the Mission Committee will be delivering all the food donations in the grocery basket to St. John's Shepherd's Market on Tuesday, December 8. This would be a great Sunday to plan to bring in any holiday non-perishable food items you might have to donate.

This week at HPC: Monday, December 7: 12:00 p.m. AA      Tuesday, December 8: Wednesday, December 9: 12:00 p.m. AA 7:00 p.m. Ladies’ AA Thursday, December 10: 8:00 p.m. Men’s AA Friday, December 11: 12:00 p.m. AA Saturday, December 12: Sunday, December 13: Advent III 9:30 a.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. AA

Session News Elder-elect for the Class of 2023 Bill Pfeifer was examined and approved for installation during Sunday Worship January 10, 2021.  Session approved the 2021 Budget as presented by Treasurer Dave Adams. Expenses of $84,500 are projected for the year. Income projections will be added in January. Session approved the Facility Use Request of Irving Doucet AA for the use of the Great Hall Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. All Covid-19 mitigation guidelines will be observed. Committee Reports Pastor’s Report Members of the congregation will be asked to do the readings for the December 20 Lessons and Carols service. Opportunities for the addition of Interpretive Dance and the inclusion of music composers will be explored for coming worship services. Christian Education & Congregational Care Homebound members continue to be contacted by mail, email or phone on a regular basis. Telephone calls to homebound and/or members who miss two consecutive Sundays are made as needed. The Congregational Care committee has distributed an Advent Devotional, Joy to the World, to everyone in the congregation. Evangelism/Membership The average attendance in October was 19 persons. The average attendance in November was 20 persons. There were 6 repeat visitors during that time. Notes of welcome were sent to all and information about Highland was sent to those who requested it.  Finance For the month of October, expenses of $8,414.92 exceeded income of $4,919.10 by ($3,414.92).  Stewardship letters were mailed to each family in the congregation. November 22 was recognized as Commitment Sunday. Committee Reports (continued)   Missions The Peace and Global Witness Offering totaled $250.00. It will be disbursed with $187.50 (75%) going to the PC (USA) and $62.50 (25%) going to the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge. A special offering for Heifer International was received on November 15. Donations totaled $575.00. A Gift of Literacy, 2 books for each 1st Grader at Magnolia Woods Elementary, and gift cards for the teachers will be delivered to the school on December 4. The Christmas Joy Offering will be received December 20, 2020. The congregation will be notified that items collected for St. John’s UMC Shepherd’s Pantry will be delivered on December 8. Property A refurbished 2016 Cub Cadet mower has been purchased to replace the mower previously used by HPC. Heating options for the Great Hall are being considered. Fruit has been harvested from the orchard and given to the congregation, AA, and St. John’s Methodist UMC Shepherd’s Market. Worship Committee November 1 – Communion Sunday, November 29 – First Sunday of Advent Rev. Jeff Day gave the following sermons : Oct. 18 – Where Courage Prevails Oct. 25 – The Mercy of Judgement Nov. 1 – Assured Prayer Nov. 8 – Mission Happens Nov. 15 – God’s Overabundance in Christ  Nov. 22 – Always Fresh Nov. 29 – Advent Joy Special thanks to Carol Behrmann for providing Advent decora-tions. Advent devotionals were handed out preceding worship on Nov. 29. Communion will be celebrated, and the Christmas tree decorated on December 6. A minute for Mission concerning the Christmas Joy Offering will be included in the December 13 worship service. Poinsettias will adorn the Sanctuary beginning December 13. A service of Lessons and Carols is being planned for December 20. Robert Lowry will serve as Pulpit Supply on December 27.

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 Highland Presbyterian Church office: 766-5775 (please leave a message) email: hpchurch@bellsouth.net emergency: Elder Louise Dye (H) 767-3091, (C) 337-6390 Elder Connie Buck (H) 769-2756, (C) 975-2862

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