Summertime Mission

Next weekend is Memorial Day; the unofficial beginning of the summer season. Here it comes, heat and humidity, fireflies and flip-flops, cook-outs and coconut oil, baseball and barbeque, swimming and homemade ice cream and vacations and more.  It’s always such a great time of year.

And it can be a great time of year for our disciple-making mission, too.  We’ll not be stopping ministry or taking a three-month break.  Ministry may look different or have a different pace, but there are still far-from-God people to reach and love, still disciples to help take the next step in their journey with Jesus, still needs in our community to meet with Jesus’ love.  We’ll still gather for worship each Lord’s Day and for prayer on Wednesday nights.  Sunday School classes will be meeting each week.  There will be camps and VBS and an ice cream fellowship and some surprises along the way.

We’re going to have a lot of fun together…and our mission will continue. So, let me encourage you to be faithful…

… to both attend and participate. Take your vacation and enjoy those relaxed times with your family, but make a commitment to be here a lot more Sundays than you are away.

… to your ministry responsibilities—outreach, training, fellowship, care & etc will still be necessary.  We’ll need you.

…in your praying.  There is no coasting or spiritual warfare-free seasons; we still have an enemy and are still dependent on the Lord for every single moment of our ministry and life together.

…with your consistent financial stewardship. Our financial needs will continue, and we will enter a new financial year.  When you go on vacation or are away, leave your tithe or make it up when you get back.

Then, let me also encourage you to take advantage of the unique opportunities the Lord will provide this summer to connect lost people with the gospel or deepen connections within our faith-family. I’d love to see…

….all of our Sunday School classes have at least one fellowship event away from the church facility that includes members and your friends not connected with any church.

…numbers of families inviting far-from-God friends into their homes (or at least on their back deck!) to develop authentic friendships that may lead to the sharing of the gospel.

…fresh investment and energy into ministry to children, students, and young families with children.

Last Sunday was a great day; three baptisms, welcoming 23 new members, a public profession of faith and commissioning short-term missionaries.  What would happen if we faithfully walked through the next three months?  We could end the summer with baptisms of new believers, a bunch of new members, a strong financial standing and fresh connection with what God is starting to do among us for the sake of His fame and for the good of all people.  Lord, may it be!

Let’s lean into the summer with the Lord’s help.  It’s going to be good!  So glad to live this season with you!

Pastor David

It’s All Good

God and Your Troubles will be our message series for Sunday mornings this summer.  By following the life of Joseph from Genesis 37-50, we’ll consider the sometimes puzzling intersection between belief in a strong, kind God and our experience of life as painful or even unfair.

Vacation Bible School

July 12th—16th    6:30PM-9:00PM

It will soon be VBS time.  We will need lots of workers, so now is the time to think about how you will be a part of this ministry.  See Bro. Joe for more info and to sign up to help.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2010 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES…

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Highland’s new church year begins July 1st 2010.  On this date numerous volunteers will begin their terms of service on committees and service teams, and as teachers and leaders within our church programs.  The Nominating Committee wishes to express sincere appreciation to all those who so readily volunteered to participate in the ministries of the church.  We are praying God’s richest blessing on you as you commit to your individual avenues of ministry.   We still have a few more volunteer ministry positions to fill so anyone who would like to utilize their gifts within our church family may contact a Nominating committee member to discuss possible places of service.

RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE June 21st, 2-6 PM

Highland will be the host site for a Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, June 21.  In the weeks ahead there will be a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall for those who are willing to give blood.  The Red Cross needs to collect 15 units in order for the drive to be a success.  If you want additional information you may contact Claudine.

GOOD TIMERS NEWS June 1 & July 6, 11 AM

Highland’s Good Timers enjoy lunch together on the first Tuesday of each month.  June 1^st we plan to eat lunch at the new IHOP in Louisville and in July 6^th we will be eating at Hometown buffet.  Anyone available during the day is welcome to join us for these lunch outings.  If you plan to join us it would be helpful if you contacted Martha so we can know how many to anticipate

MEN’S MINISTRY BREAKFAST

Saturday, June 12th and July 10th at 8 AM

Deacons Please Note

Our next meeting is June 6th at 4:30PM.  The following month we will meet July 11th.

Business Meeting June 9th  & July 21st 7PM

Highland’s monthly Business meeting will be conducted on Wednesday, June 9th. Due to the change of date for our Vacation Bible School (as a result of the extended school year), our July    Business meeting will be moved back one week to July 21st.

ADULT CHOIR NEWS

Adult Choir will take a brief break from our Wednesday night rehearsals beginning June 30th through July 14th.  During this 3 week break we will still be sitting a choir for morning worship.  Adult choir will resume Wednesday night rehearsals on July 21st at 6 PM, at which time we will begin our preparation for our annual Christmas presentation.

HOMEBOUND MEALS

Delivery scheduled for Monday, June 7th and Monday, July 5th.

WISDOM SEEKERS TRAVELING THIS FALL

WASHINGTON, WILLIAMSBURG and MONTICELLO

Oct. 4 - 9, 2010 Tour #1101004-10

6 Days:  Monday - Saturday

CLIFTON MILLS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

November 27-28 | Tour #2101107 | 2 Days

Come and experience the beauty of this old-fashioned Christmas as we discover the charming small towns, quaint villages and rural suburbs of Green County, Ohio. This delightful little tour also includes the amazing “Clifton Mill Christmas Lights,” one of the most impressive Christmas light displays in the nation, with over three million lights in a breathtaking natural setting.  And of course shopping if you so desire!  It is time to reserve seats for these trips, no deposit required yet.  If you are interested in either or both please see, email or call Twila.

These trips are not just for the Wisdom Seekers Class. We invite anyone and everyone to join us!

COUNTY FAIR

Remember what it was like to be child in summer when the Fair came to town.  The extended Senior Adult Ministry (SAM IM) here at Highland will have their first event in July.  All Senior Adult’s are invited and bring a friend and/or someone that is un-churched.

     Invitation to all Senior Adults

     Come to the “County Fair”

     July 23rd      5 to 7 pm

     Fellowship Hall

If you have questions please contact Twila, Libby, Roy, Martha.  Also if you plan to attend please let one of us know by July14th; so we can have enough food and fun for all.