Highlands Presbyterian Church

New Website Now Up and Running

2011-12-07T14:14:00.001-05:00

Brothers, Sisters, and Friends,

Our new website is up and running at www.highlandspca.com and this dear old blog will be left alone from here on out as archives. We hope you will update any links you have to this site, replacing it with our new and improved main site, and make yourselves at home over there!

Announcements for the Week of November 13, 2011

2011-11-15T13:46:00.001-05:00

This week we focus oninterceding for the persecuted church worldwide. Please plan to come thisWednesday evening at 7 pm for a time of focused prayer for specific situations.
You are also invited tofast this Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening as we seek the Father'sheart together concerning our brothers and sisters being persecuted around theworld.
Operation ChristmasChild is happening now! The Highlands Youth is collecting packed shoeboxes throughthis Friday, November 18. See DanHudson for details on this great ministry with Samaritan's Purse.
The annual Jesus'Birthday Party at Linda Summer's home is Saturday evening, December 3rd. Pleasecome, bringing any kids (and grown-up kids) you know for a great evening of fellowship,cookies, and the most fantastic Christmas decorations you've ever seen in onehome.

No Small Group this Sunday, November 6

2011-11-04T15:10:00.001-05:00

No Small Groups this Sunday, November 6. Because of the All-Highlands Retreat, we will not be meeting in Small Groups. Worship service this Sunday will be at Camp Vesper Point (see below).

This Week's Service moved from LaFayette to Soddy Daisy, TN

2011-11-04T09:54:00.001-05:00

Highlands Church will be having our Sunday worship services this week at Camp Vesper Point. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. and we'd love to see you out there!

Click here for directions to Camp Vesper Point and a map of the campus.

Harvest Party Directions

2011-10-24T17:01:00.002-05:00

6:00 pm this Saturday - We'd love to see you and your friends and family at the Harvest Party at Linda Summer's house. Hot dogs and marshmallows will be provided, but you are formally invited to enter your awesome chili recipes in our annual Chili Contest! Bring a crockpot - we'll have places to plug them in. Also, if your forte isn't the beans-and-meat type, we'd love for you to bring your favorite side dishes, desserts, or anything else to eat.

We'll have a bonfire, hayrides, storytelling time, and a great time hanging out together.

Directions...

From La Fayette:
Head out of La Fayette going east on Hwy 136. When you come to the T, turn left - you'll still be on 136, joining up with Hwy 151 N. Go 1.4 miles and then turn right, continuing to follow Hwy 136. Go 2.6 sharply winding miles over a little mountain, and then turn right on West Armuchee. Go 6.7 miles and Linda's house is on the right, with lots of cars in the front yard!

From I-75 headed South out of Chattanooga:
Take GA exit 348 toward Ringgold/LaFayette. Turn right onto GA-151 S. Go 14.9 miles and turn left onto GA-136 E. Go 2.6 sharply winding miles over a little mountain, and then turn right on West Armuchee. Go 6.7 miles and Linda's house is on the right, with lots of cars in the front yard!

The phone number is (706) 397-2956.

Christina Jones Hooker Memorial Service

2011-10-24T10:30:00.000-05:00

The celebration of the life of Christina Jones Hooker will be at 3 pm in the Highlands sanctuary with a pot-luck supper to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Dress is explicitly casual and flower arrangements are not encouraged. Please come to grieve, comfort, rejoice and worship with us and we turn by the Spirit to our only hope, Jesus Christ.

Q&A about the All-Highlands Retreat

2011-10-03T16:00:00.002-05:00

When is the Retreat?

Soon! Friday, November 4th, through Sunday, November 6th.

Where is the Retreat?

At Camp Vesper Point in Soddy Daisy, TN - just a little over an hour away from Highlands.

Wait - you said Sunday? Are we having church services there?

Yes! Since we want and expect everyone that can to attend the Retreat, we have our usual Sunday Morning worship service out at the camp. There will be no services held at our LaFayette campus on Sunday, Nov. 6th - but those who aren't able to make it to the rest of the retreat are warmly encouraged to join us on Sunday morning at Camp Vesper Point!

What will the Retreat be like?

Several sessions of praise & worship and spiritual teaching
Lots of time to play games, talk over coffee, and relax together with your brothers and sisters
A couple of fun surprise events

What are the accommodations like?

Everyone stays in family cabins with individual bunks to hold up to 10-12 people. Most cabins will have two to three families/couples sharing the cabin. There will also be a guys' cabin for some of our single men and a ladies' cabin for some of our single women (although singles may stay with a family if they'd like.) Cabin assignments will be posted the week of the retreat.
Each cabin has a full bathroom with a door, so sharing a cabin is a lot like staying over at someone's house - the bathroom does have to be shared with the others in your cabin!
The cabins are weatherized and have heat and are within easy walking distance of the main meeting building where we eat and have our group activities.

What do I need to bring?

Yourself and your family.
Your Bible.
Warm clothes and bedding to use on your bunks.
Personal toiletries, towels, etc.

How much is the Retreat?

Cost is on a sliding scale for family size and the price includes accommodations and all meals Friday evening through Sunday lunch.

All-HighlandsRetreat Cost Chart

$55- 1 person
$100– 2 people (married couple or parent/child)
$135– 3-person family
$170– 4-person family
$195– 5-person family

$25each additional family member after 5

Children4 and under are free.

A“family” must be blood or legally related and operating as one household (andmake one payment all together.) Sorry, roommates don’t count.

Adeposit of at least $10/person must be made to sign up and fullamount must be paid by October 16th. If paid after Oct. 16th, add $5/person toyour total.

Ifyou will need help coming up with the full amount, please call the churchduring office hours before October 16th.

Any more questions? Call the church office - (706) 638.8940. We hope to see you at the All-Highlands Retreat!

Phones are Back Up

2011-10-03T15:25:00.001-05:00

Our phone service is back to full operation and the voice mail system activated. Thank you all for your patience!

This Week's Quote - Augustine

2011-10-03T15:06:00.003-05:00

"Drunkenness is aflattering devil, a sweet poison, a pleasant sin, which whosoever hath hath nothimself; which whosoever doth commit, doth not commit sin, but he himself iswholly sin."

-Augustine of Hippo, 354-430

Announcements for the Week of October 2, 2011

2011-10-03T14:41:00.001-05:00

Youth - your service projecthas been rescheduled for Friday, October 7th. Meet at Highlands at 5:30 pm. SeeDan for details.
Mark your calendars andinvite your friends! The annual Harvest Party at Linda Summer's is October29th.
Ladies - you are invitedto a baby shower for Renee Barnett, October 14th, 7:30 pm at the Fenn residencein Chattanooga. See Libby Fenn or Miriam Barnett for details.

Office Phone Down

2011-09-28T14:53:00.002-05:00

Brothers and sisters,

Some of you may have noticed that our office response time to incoming phone messages has been drastically lengthened for the past couple of weeks and that it has been impossible to get a live person in the office via phone call. We want to apologize for any unreturned phone calls and assure you it is not because the volunteers filling in during Bekah's vacation were in any way negligent.

We switched telephone providers on September 9th and as of yesterday finally discovered that the switch was somehow bungled between the two providers and not completed. We are working to get this fixed sooner-than-possible but are told that it may not happen until sometime next week. We will let you know as soon as the line is functional, and in the meantime, the best way is to contact us by email at pcahighlands@gmail.com . It may or may not be possible for us to check phone messages even if you are able to leave one for us, so please do not assume that we have received your call until we announce that the system is back on.

Thank you for your patience!

Come See the Agape Puppets!

2011-09-16T09:15:00.000-05:00

The World Famous Agape Puppets will be at Highlands! Come see the Agape Puppets THIS SATURDAY, September 17 at 5:00 at Highlands. Children and adults alike will have a great time and there's even a free hot-dog meal after wards. Don't miss this chance to see the Agape Puppets, eat some free food, and hear exciting stories about Jesus! Bring your friends!

This Week's Quote - The Westminster Shorter Confession

2011-09-08T13:42:00.003-05:00

"The bodies of men, afterdeath, return to dust, and see corruption: but their souls, which neither dienor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gavethem: the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, arereceived into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in lightand glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies. And the souls ofthe wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utterdarkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Beside these two places,for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none."

- TheWestminster Confession of Faith, XXXII.1 (1647)

Announcements for the Week of September 4th, 2011

2011-09-08T13:41:00.001-05:00

The church office isclosed tomorrow, Sept. 5th, for Labor Day.
Next Sunday, September11th, we will pray during our morning service for our police force andfirefighters. If you serve in either of these capacities, we would love for youto attend services in uniform that day.
Everyone is invited tothe Agape Puppets show, Sept. 17th, 5:00 pm. It'll be a great time and we'lleven feed you afterwards!
Signups for theAll-Highlands Retreat will begin on Sept. 18th. You'll need a deposit of atleast $10/person to sign up.Stay tuned for details...
It's budget request time- Ministry leaders, we need your budget requests for 2012 by September 25(three weeks from today.) We don't know your needs unless we hear from you! Pleaseemail the church office.

Announcements for the Week of August 21st, 2001

2011-08-22T13:48:00.000-05:00

Ladies - don't miss theBible Study starting up this Wednesday morning, 10 am in the Fellowship Hall.Contact Sarah Rapier for details.
All women - you areinvited to meet at Rembrandt's in Chattanooga this Friday, August 26 at 6:30pmfor dinner out together. We would love to see you there for a fun time offellowship! For more information, please contact Mary Anne Bailey.
Next week, we celebrateThe Lord's Supper together. Please join us at 5:45 pm in the Fellowship Hall.Bring a main dish and a side or dessert to share.
In preparation for TheLord's Supper, you are invited to join with the Session in a day of prayer andfasting, this Thursday evening through Friday evening. We focus on prayer forour personal and corporate repentance and for the persecuted church around theworld.

Small Group Study Questions

2011-08-21T15:13:00.002-05:00

Small group discussion questions are found under the "Small Groups" tab. You are encouraged to use them for your private and home Bible Study as well. Grace and Peace!

Announcements for the Week of August 14, 2011

2011-08-17T16:33:00.004-05:00

Parents of youth -please stay after the morning worship service today for a lunch meeting withDan and Shanna in the youth room. Dan will be giving everyone an overview ofthe teaching and plans for the year.
There will be an Awanaplanning meeting on August 17th at 6:30 pm; the Awana program start date isstill TBA. We encourage everyone who values our children and Awana to come tothe planning meeting to see how you might be involved in this very importantministry!
Don't forget to markyour calendars for the All-Highlands Retreat, November 4-6. It'll be a greattime of fellowship, relaxation, and fun as we spend the whole weekend in timesof praise, discussion, and play together.
If you need ministryexpense reimbursement forms, facility reservation forms, or want to see budgetsummaries or other info from our congregational meetings, please check out theForms & Docs tab on our website - www.highlandspca.com . You can also viewthe church event calendar on the website.

Announcements for the Week of August 7th, 2011

2011-08-08T16:55:00.005-05:00

Youth - yourback-to-school pool party is this Wednesday, August 10th. Say goodbye to thedeparting graduates as you welcome in the new 6th graders. For moreinformation, contact Dan Hudson.
Parents of youth -please stay after the morning worship service next week for a lunch meetingwith Dan and Shanna in the youth room. Dan will be giving everyone an overviewof the teaching and plans for the year.
We apologize for lastweek's typo on the Awana start date. There will be an Awana planning meeting onAugust 17th at 6:30 pm; the Awana program start date is still TBA. We encourageeveryone who values our children and Awana to come to the planning meeting tosee how you might be involved in this very important ministry!
Don't forget to markyour calendars for the All-Highlands Retreat, November 4-6. It'll be a greattime of fellowship, relaxation, and fun as we spend the whole weekend in timesof praise, discussion, and play together.
Pastor Travis is onvacation this week. The church office will be open during its normal businesshours (1:00pm-5:00pm) Monday through Thursday but will be closed on Friday.

This Week's Quote - Alexander MacLaren

2011-08-02T15:10:00.004-05:00

“Theapostolic church thought more about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ thanabout death and heaven. The early Christians were looking, not for a cleft inthe ground called a grave but for a cleavage in the sky called Glory."

-Alexander MacLaren, 1826-1910

Announcements for the Week of July 31, 2011

2011-08-02T15:07:00.001-05:00

Our Awana and Youthprograms will begin again in a few weeks - stay tuned for the exact date.
Don't forget to markyour calendars for the All-Highlands Retreat, November 4-6. It'll be a greattime of fellowship, relaxation, and fun as we spend the whole weekend in timesof praise, discussion, and play together.

Announcements for the Week of July 24, 2011

2011-07-26T16:44:00.006-05:00

Youth - come waterskiingthis Saturday! Meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. and bring $3. For details, contactDan Hudson.
Next week, we observeThe Lord's Supper. We meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5:45 pm. Please bring amain dish and a dessert or side to share.
In preparation for TheLord's Supper, the Session invites you to a day of fasting and prayer for ourown repentance and for strength and protection for the persecuted churchworldwide. We usually fast from sundown on Wednesday through sundown onThursday.

This Week's Quote - Henry Smith

2011-07-26T16:43:00.002-05:00

“Thereis a place in hell where the covetous judge sitteth, the greedy lawyer, thegriping landlord, the careless bishops, the lusty youth, the wanton dames, thethief, the robbers of the commonwealth. They are punished in this life becausethey ever sin as long as they could, while mercy was offered unto them;therefore because they would not be washed, they shall be drowned.”

- Henry Smith,c. 1560-1591

How to Find the Small Group Questions...

2011-07-17T15:06:00.000-05:00

If you're having trouble finding the Study Questions in the new blog format, don't worry, it's easier than you think. Click on the "Small Groups" tab above. Then scroll down the center of the page until you come to the list of questions. Click on the appropriate week's date, and you will be looking at the study questions on Google Documents. That was easy ;^).

This Week's Quote - Mary Winslow

2011-07-13T13:10:00.001-05:00

“Isit not strange that we can for one moment lose sight ofheaven, and the increasing glory; and grovel in the dust to gather pebbles, forthe pleasure of throwing them afterwards away?”

- Mary Winslow,1774-1854

Announcements for the Week of July 10, 2011

2011-07-13T13:09:00.003-05:00

If you missed the Congregational Meeting this past Sunday, please be sure to read the insert in this coming Sunday's bulletin - it will have details about Sunday School promotion guidelines as well as some helpful information regarding the sound levels of the music we use in worship services.

If you have a babybottle with change for the North GA Crisis Pregnancy Center, please return itto the foyer this week. Thanks!

This Week's Quote - Thomas Adams

2011-07-06T15:09:00.004-05:00

“There is no otherfortification against the judgements of God but repentance. His forces beinvisible, invincible; not repelled with sword and target; neither portcullisnor fortress can keep them out; there is nothing in the world that canencounter them but repentance.”

Thomas Adams, 1583-1653

Announcements for the Week of July 3

2011-07-06T15:09:00.001-05:00

Our Congregational Meetingis next Sunday, July 10^th at 6:00 p.m. Members, please plan toattend. The discussion docket is posted on the Highlands website.
The Youth Group is inneed of an SUV with a trailer hitchJuly 10-15 and a covered trailer to go with it for the annual Gold Rushspiritual leadership camp trip. If you have either of these that you arewilling to loan, please call the church office and ask for Dan.

Adult Sunday School Beginning Soon

2011-06-27T16:06:00.001-05:00

Our adult Sunday School class will be starting back up again on July 17th. Aaron Ford will be leading the study, using the book Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard. Copies of the book will be available at the class and are $11 each (couples can share - it's not a workbook.) We hope to see you at 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall - not this Sunday, but the next!

This Week's Quote - Spurgeon

2011-06-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

“I believe that one reasonwhy the church of God at this present momenthas so little influence over the world is because the world has so muchinfluence over the church.”

C. H. Spurgeon

Announcements for the Week of June 26, 2011

2011-06-27T14:45:00.003-05:00

Youth – payment for GoldRush is due in full this Wednesday, June 29^th. Please get your finalinstallment in to Dan ASAP!
Our CongregationalMeeting has been re-rescheduled for Sunday, July 10^th at 6:00 p.m.Members, please plan to attend. The discussion docket is posted on the Highlands website.
Are you interested injoining Highlands Church? Our next 2-part NewMembers class takes place Tuesday, July 5^th, and Tuesday, July 12^th,from 6-9 pm each evening. You needto call the office this week if you are planning on attending, so that we canhave adequate materials for everyone. Thanks!
Everyone - join us after church next Sunday, July 3, in the Fellowship Hall for a Welcome Baby shower in honor of Adria & Gama's new baby, Natan. Lunch will be provided and the whole family is welcome to attend.

Docket for July 10 Congregational Meeting

2011-06-22T16:49:00.001-05:00

The congregational meeting has had a final reschedule and will be taking place on July 10th, 6 pm in the Sanctuary. Members are expected to attend; attenders and visitors are welcome.

On the docket:

2011 1st Quarter Financials and Treasurer's summary (Eric Self)
Changes to Children's Sunday School class division and promotions (Jenn Fagan)
Results of All-Highlands ministry vision survey (Steve Corbett)
Report on sound levels in the Sanctuary during Sunday morning worship (Travis Hutchinson)

We look forward to seeing you all there!

VBS update!

2011-06-22T16:40:00.000-05:00

Summer SeaQuest is in full swing and we are having lots offun! 58 children were present on Monday night and 68 were present on Tuesdaynight. We are praising the Lord for His work in the lives of these little ones.

Please continue to pray!

We have one final need with regards to VBS. By the end ofthe week on Friday all the teachers and volunteers are very tired from laboringso faithfully. We needpeople to come and help with clean up on Friday evening (starting at8:30pm) and/or Saturday(contact Steve and Mary Corbett for exact time). If we have plenty ofvolunteers on Friday night then the work should be completed quickly. If youhave not been able to help during the week with VBS this would be a perfectopportunity to be involved!

Thank you.

- Sarah Rapier, for the team

Children's Sunday School Info and Needs!

2011-06-21T14:06:00.002-05:00

Click the photo for an easy-to-read chart showing the sequence and scope of our Children's Sunday School curriculum.

Praise/PrayerRequests
Please join me in praising God for providing in the following ways for ourChildren's Sunday School program:
Preschool Class Teacher: Matt Anderson
K5-2nd Grade Class Co-teachers: Dan and Lisa Lewis
3rd-5th Grade Class Co-teachers: Barb Laman, Libby Fenn (Summer/Fall semester),and Joan Blakney

Please pray earnestly about how you can get involved in this ministry of ourchurch:
1) We need a helper or co-teacher for the preschool class in order for thesechildren to even have a Sunday school lesson on July 3rd. Ideally ahelper or co-teacher commits to the position for at least 1 year.

*Teacher's JobDescription a) plans and prepares in advance for individual and small groupBible-learning experiences. b) obtains teaching materials and suppliesprior to a session-Each teacher/co-teacher and helper is provided with ateacher manual that includes detailed lesson plans. Each class isprovided with each lesson's teaching and learning resources alreadyorganized to minimize time spent gathering these items.

*Helper'sJob Description a) plans and prepares in advance to become familiar with thelesson and activities b) provides support for the teacher by being thesecond person in the classroom and assisting with individual and smallgroup Bible learning experiences

2) We need at least one (2-3 would be evenbetter!) back-up person for each class so that if a teacher or helpercan't make it we don't have to either combine classes which would put kids in a5-6 year age range in the same class OR send children to sit in the adultSunday school class with their parents.

3) If you have children who are not involved in Sunday School, get theminvolved as a way to help you diligently teach your children the Wordof God.
“Hear, O Israel: The Lordour God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with allyour heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words thatI command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of themwhen you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you liedown, and when you rise." Deuteronomy 6:4-7
(diligence: constant and earnest effort to accomplishwhat is undertaken; persistent exertion of body or mind.)

Please join us for theSunday School Kickoff Brunch June 26th at 9am!

Contact Information:
Jenn Fagan, Children's Sunday School Coordinator(Call Highlands for Jenn's number/email)

This Week's Quote - Thomas Watson

2011-06-20T16:08:00.002-05:00

Godis but one, yet are there three distinct persons subsisting in one Godhead.This is a sacred mystery, which the light within man could never havediscovered. As the two natures in Christ, yet but one person, is a wonder; sothree persons, yet but one Godhead. Here is a great deep, the Father God, theSon God, the Holy Ghost God; yet not three Gods, but one God. The three personsin the blessed Trinity are distinguished, but not divided; three substances,but one essence. This is a divine riddle, where one makes three, and three makeone. Our narrow thoughts can no more comprehend the Trinity in Unity, than anut-shell will hold all the water in the sea.

- Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686)

Announcements for the Week of June 19, 2011

2011-06-20T16:06:00.001-05:00

Summer Seaquest VBS is thisweek! Bring as many kids as you can tomorrow evening. Registration is at 5:45 and VBS begins at 6:00.
Next Sunday we celebrateThe Lord’s Supper together, 5:45 pmin the Fellowship Hall. Please bring a main dish and a side or dessert toshare.
In preparation for TheLord’s Supper, the Session invites you to join in aday of prayer and fasting for the repentance of our congregation and insupplication for the persecuted church. This week, we suggest sundown onTuesday through sundown on Wednesday.
Our CongregationalMeeting has been rescheduled for Sunday, July 3^rd (evening; timeTBA). Members, please plan to attend. The discussion docket will be posted onthe Highlands website this week.
Are you interested injoining Highlands Church? Our next 2-part NewMembers class takes place Tuesday, July 5^th, and Tuesday, July 12^th,from 6-9 pm each evening.

Announcements for the Week of June 12, 2011

2011-06-13T16:25:00.004-05:00

Summer Seaquest VBS is comingnext week - June 20-24! Please check the food list in the foyer to see what youcould donate. We are still accepting any blue or white sheets, tarps ortablecloths, any paint you have stashed away, and anything nautical-looking tohelp transform our campus. Please see Sarah Baker or Mary Corbett forspecifics.
Are you interested injoining Highlands Church? Our next 2-part NewMembers class takes place Tuesday, July 5^th, and Tuesday, July 12^th,from 6-9 pm each evening. This classis for all ages and is a requirement before you can be interviewed by theSession for membership. It’s also a great class ifyou just want to know more about Highlands and what the church isall about! Please call the office to let us know if you want to attend.

This Week's Quote - William Barclay

2011-06-06T12:51:00.002-05:00

“One of the highest of human duties is the duty of encouragement. …It is easy to laugh at men’s ideals; it is easy to pour cold water on their enthusiasm; it is easy to discourage others. The world is full of discouragers. We have a Christian duty to encourage one another. Many a time a word of praise or thanks or appreciation or cheer has kept a man on his feet. Blessed is the man who speaks such a word.”

William Barclay, 1907-1978

Announcements for the Week of June 5, 2011

2011-06-06T12:48:00.001-05:00

Summer Seaquest VBS is June 20-24, and we need your help getting ready now! We need blue or white sheets, tarps or tablecloths, any paint you have stashed away, and anything nautical-looking to help transform our campus. We ALSO need canned and dry food and meal supply donations. Please see Sarah Baker or Mary Corbett for specifics.
Our next Congregational Meeting will be immediately following the morning service next Sunday, June 12th. Members, please plan to attend; regular attenders and guests are welcome to remain for the meeting as well.
Are you interested in joining Highlands Church? Our next 2-part New Members class takes place Tuesday, July 5th, and Tuesday, July 12th, from 6-9 pm each evening. This class is for all ages and is a requirement before you can be interviewed by the Session for membership. It’s also a great class if you just want to know more about Highlands and what the church is all about! Please call the office to let us know if you want to attend.

Up and Running

2011-06-01T19:42:00.000-05:00

Friends,

The Highlands webpage has finally been restored to full functionality (including a link to the full church calendar, a search bar so you can find things in older posts, and much more!) If there is anything that doesn't work when you try it, please contact the church office and we'll see what we can do.

This Week's Quote - Chrysostom

2011-06-01T19:40:00.002-05:00

“Rightly does the grammarian say, ‘Who is ignorant of the city of the Ephesians?’...He does not say ‘Who does not know Artemis?’ but ‘Who does not know your city?’ which is what they were worshiping:...they were trying to make their faith a pretext for making money.”

- John Chrysostom, c. 349-407

Announcements for the Week of April 29, 2011

2011-06-01T19:17:00.004-05:00

Summer Seaquest VBS is June 20-24, and we need your help getting ready now! We need blue or white sheets, tarps or tablecloths, any paint you have stashed away, and anything nautical-looking to help transform our campus. We ALSO need canned and dry food and meal supply donations. Please see Sarah Baker or Mary Corbett for specifics.
Our next Congregational Meeting will be immediately following the morning service on Sunday, June 12th. Members, please plan to attend; regular attenders and guests are welcome to remain for the meeting as well.

The Annual Pastor's Bar-B-Que

2011-05-30T12:20:00.000-05:00

Come on out to Highlands at 3 pm for the annual Pastor's Bar-B-Q. Travis will be cooking up some excellent Texas-style brisket. Feel free to bring friends and family. If you can, bring some food or drinks to go with the bar-b-que. Just in case you were wonderin', there's no cost.

Start time: 3 pm
End time: 6 pm (or until the food runs out and everyone leaves)

Small Group Questions Have Moved!

2011-05-22T12:19:00.002-05:00

Click on the Small Groups tab above the blogroll for the small group resources.

Office Voice Mail Down and New Blog Options Up

2011-05-15T01:15:00.001-05:00

UPDATE: It looks like everything is more or less back to normal. Please contact the church office if there is a section of the website that is not working. Thanks!

Friends,

Our office voice mail has been down for a couple of days. Some of you may have been able to leave messages; we have not been able to retrieve any messages since Monday, May 9th. Our apologies! We have been working with Windstream to remedy the situation and expect voicemail to be restored sometime on Friday, May 13th. If you left a message that we have not responded to, we probably did not receive it and will not be able to receive it even when the system is back up and running, so you will need to contact us again.

Until then, please call us during office hours (1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., M-Th, and 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday.) If you need to leave a message outside those hours, email is the best way to contact us - pcahighlands@gmail.com. Thank you for your patience, and again, we apologize for the malfunction.

You may also notice that our blog has a new look! We now have links to important information and forms – such as facilities request forms, session dockets, and much more – in a new, tabbed format. The site should be pretty self-explanatory, but if you’re searching for something you can’t find, please shoot an email to pcahighlands@gmail.com .

...please note that the blog isn’t finished yet and there will be a few weeks of construction and editing yet to come.

Community Development Conference

2011-05-09T13:44:00.002-05:00

CCDA Regional Conference: Building Bridges: Fulfilling Your Call to Help Hungry and Hurting People.
Join us at Hope for the Inner City and Love Fellowship Church May 20 & 21.
Speakers include Brian Fikkert, Dr. John Perkins, Noel Castellanos, and others.
Friday 11:00am – 9:00pm | Saturday 8:00am – 5:30pm
1800 Roanoke Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37401
Registration is $45 online and $50 at the door. For more information, go to ccda.org.

This Week's Quote - Ambrose

2011-05-09T13:37:00.002-05:00

“The dust is to be shaken off your feet lest when the dryness of barren unbelief crumbles the sole of your mind it is stained as if by a dry and sandy soil. A preacher of the gospel must take on himself the bodily weaknesses of a faithful people, so to speak. He must lift up and remove from his own soles worthless actions as if they were dust.”

- Ambrose of Milan, 333-397

Announcements for the Week of May 8, 2011

2011-05-09T13:30:00.000-05:00

 Ladies – you are all warmly invited to our annual Daughters of the King Tea, this Saturday, May 14 at 2 pm in the Fellowship Hall.

 VBS is coming up in June, and we need your help now! We need anything fish/pirate/tropical looking to help transform our campus. We ALSO need canned and dry food and meal supply donations. Please see Sarah Baker or Mary Corbett for specifics.

 You are invited to Seersucker and Shrimp, a fund raiser dinner and silent auction by the TN Valley Presbytery on May 21st. Proceeds go toward ministries this summer with Widows’ Harvest and other local outreach opportunities in the Flintstone area. Tickets are $10. Please call (706) 820-2833 or see the post at www.highlandspca.com for more information.

No Small Groups Today!

2011-05-08T12:49:00.001-05:00

In observance of Mothers' Day, there will be no small groups meeting this evening. Go spend time with your mothers. We love you!

Community Development Conference

2011-05-06T11:00:00.000-05:00

CCDA Regional Conference: Building Bridges: Fulfilling Your Call to Help Hungry and Hurting People.

Join us at Hope for the Inner City and Love Fellowship Church May 20 & 21.
Speakers include Brian Fikkert, Dr. John Perkins, Noel Castellanos, and others.
Friday 11:00am – 9:00pm | Saturday 8:00am – 5:30pm
1800 Roanoke Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37401

Registration is $45 online and $50 at the door. For more information, go to ccda.org.

This Week's Quote - Ambrose

2011-05-03T16:27:00.002-05:00

“You must consider what this act represented and what was the reason for this outward show; it was that the young Jewish youths and maidens would be led away into exile and walk naked, ‘as my servant Isaiah walked,’ he says, ‘naked and barefoot.’ This might have been expressed in words, but God chose to enforce it by an example that the very sight might strike more terror, and what they shrank from in the body of the prophet they might utterly dread for themselves. Wherein lay the greater abhorrence: in the body of the prophet or in the sins of the disbelievers?”

- Ambrose, 333-397

Announcements for the Week of May 1, 2011

2011-05-03T16:26:00.002-05:00

 Ladies – you are all warmly invited to our annual Daughters of the King Tea, Saturday, May 14, 2 pm. Please call Lisa Lewis or the church office to sign up.

 VBS is coming up in June, and we need your help now to gather items we’ll use to make this a fun, helpful, memorable time for the kids! The theme is Jonah; we need decorations that have anything to do with the sea, luaus, tropical islands, fish or pirate-y things. It’s time for serious silliness! Please call the office or contact Mary Corbett for more information.

 The Spaghetti Dinner hosted by our youth is this Friday, May 6th. You’ll be able to pick up your plate from 5:00-7:00 pm. Tickets are $5 and can be bought Wednesday from any youth group member. Proceeds go to Highlands’ upcoming trip to Gold Rush, the annual Christian training camp by and for youth.

 Note from the Pastor: please do not talk to our administrative staff about anything church-related on Sundays. Please allow them to worship with everyone else. If you have any church-related questions, please call the office on Monday or talk to Pastor Travis if your question is time-sensitive.

Office Closed Today

2011-05-02T11:23:00.000-05:00

Our office is closed today, Monday, May 2nd and will reopen tomorrow at 1:00 pm. Messages on the church answering machine will be checked today, so if you have any urgent needs, someone will get back to you.

This Week's Quote - Chrysostom

2011-04-19T14:19:00.002-05:00

“The word gift refers to all the blessings which come from almsgiving, both to those who receive and to those who give. Or it refers to the inexpressible gift which Christ bestowed liberally on the whole world by his incarnation.”

- John Chrysostom, c. 349-407

Announcements for the Week of April 17, 2011

2011-04-19T12:27:00.000-05:00

 Our traditional Good Friday service is this Friday, April 22, at 8:00 pm. We will be observing The Lord’s Supper together. There is no meal beforehand, and the service will last one hour.

 In preparation for The Lord’s Supper, the Session invites you to a day of prayer and fasting, Monday at sundown through Tuesday at sundown.

 If your last name begins with a D, an E, or an F, please bring a meal to freeze for our Mercy Ministry sometime during the month of April. Contact Joan Blakney at (423) 413.2805 if you have questions.

 Everyone is invited to an Easter Celebration at Linda Summer’s home on Easter Sunday. Bring friends – bring food – and bring your game face for the traditional cascarones hunt-and-smash.

 Youth – the deadline for your $50 deposit to sign up for Gold Rush is April 20th. After that date, there will be a $20 late fee.

 Are you, or a family member, graduating high school or college this spring? We want to know! Please call the office (706.638.8940) or send an email to pcahighlands@gmail.com.

Additional Resources on Generosity

2011-04-17T18:50:00.001-05:00

Pastor Travis has posted some additional information relating to his sermon on his blog. Check it out here.

This Week's Quote - Westminster Confession of Faith

2011-04-12T13:46:00.002-05:00

“Whosoever taketh an oath ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he is fully persuaded is the truth: neither may any man bind himself by oath to any thing but what is good and just, and what he believeth so to be, and what he is able and resolved to perform. (Yet it is a sin to refuse an oath touching any thing that is good and just, being imposed by lawful authority.)”

- Westminster Confession of Faith, XXII.iii

Announcements for the Week of April 10, 2011

2011-04-12T13:38:00.001-05:00

 If your last name begins with a D, an E, or an F, please bring a meal to freeze for our Mercy Ministry sometime during the month of April. Contact Joan Blakney or the church office if you have questions.

 Everyone is invited to Highlands’s Annual Easter Celebration at Linda Summer’s home on Easter Sunday. Bring friends – bring food – and bring your game face for the traditional cascarones hunt-and-smash.

 As you sort your winter clothing to put away for next year, consider donating your extra items to Voice of the Martyrs' Action Packs. These emergency relief packages provide a tangible way to reach out and love our fellow Christians worldwide who have come under attack for their faith. The donation bin is in the foyer. See Libby & Matthew Fenn for details.

 Youth – the deadline for your $50 deposit to sign up for Gold Rush is April 20th. After that date, there will be a $20 late fee.

Action Needed - Budget Cuts Put Persecuted Christians in Danger

2011-04-10T15:18:00.001-05:00

Read more at Pastor Travis's blog (as mentioned in his Sunday Sermon).

This Week's Quote - Polycarp

2011-04-04T13:31:00.002-05:00

“The presbyters must always be compassionate and merciful toward everyone, turning back the sheep which have gone astray, visiting the sick, not neglecting a widow or an orphan or a poor man but providing always for that which is honorable in the sight of God and of men.”

- Polycarp, 69-155

Announcements for the Week of April 3, 2011

2011-04-04T13:06:00.000-05:00

 Awana is cancelled this Wednesday, April 6th, for Spring Break and will resume next week, April 13th.

 If your last name begins with a D, an E, or an F, please bring a meal to freeze for our Mercy Ministry sometime during the month of April. Contact Joan Blakney at (423) 413.2805 if you have questions.

 Everyone is invited to Highlands’ Annual Easter Celebration at Linda Summer’s home on Easter Sunday. In preparation for the feast (and following confetti-egg attack), Linda could use some help with cleaning up her yard this Saturday, April 9th. Call Linda or the Highlands office (706.638.8940) to let her know when you can come help.

 As you sort your winter clothing to put away for next year, consider donating your extra items to Voice of the Martyrs' Action Packs. These emergency relief packages provide a tangible way
to reach out and love our fellow Christians worldwide who have come under attack for their faith. See Libby & Matthew Fenn for details.

Are You Spring Cleaning? Help Out the Global Church

2011-03-31T15:26:00.000-05:00

This year as you sort through winter clothing to put away for next
year, consider donating your extra items to Voice of the Martyrs'
Action Packs. These emergency relief packages provide a tangible way
to reach out and love our fellow Christians in Iraq, Pakistan and
Sudan who have come under attack for their faith. Items should be in
like-new condition. Except where noted, both child-sized and adult
sizes are needed.

blanket

jacket/windbreaker

sweater

gloves/mittens

knit hat (adult)

socks

flip-flops

sold color T-shirt

bed sheet (queen size, flat)

towel

packaged bar of soap

sponge

pad of paper

box/bag of pens

colored pencils

Donations may be dropped off at Highlands Presbyterian Church, or
given to Matt and Libby Fenn. We will be accepting donations until May
8th.

Youth Group CANCELLED Tonight

2011-03-30T15:41:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the last-minute notice, folks, but due to several sudden illnesses in the families of Youth Group leaders, there will be no Youth Group meeting tonight, Wednesday, March 30. Awana will meet as scheduled.

College Lunch This Sunday

2011-03-29T15:55:00.000-05:00

Friends,

Linda Summer invites all college students to her home this Sunday, April 3^rd, for lunch. (If you’ve never been out to Linda’s, you’ve been missing out!) If you're not a college student, but would like to come hang out with them, you are also welcome (please bring food to contribute to the meal.)

Directions from Highlands Church –

-Head east out of LaFayette on Hwy 136.
-About four miles out of town, turn left at the T to continue on 136. Go about 1.5 miles after that turn.
-Turn right to stay on Hwy 136 East.
-Go up and over the hill (about 2.5 miles); watch for Armuchee Road as you get to the bottom on the other side.
-Turn right on W Armuchee Road. Go 6.5 miles and Linda's house is on the right. (Look for cars in the yard.)

This Week's Quote - Chrysostom

2011-03-29T15:53:00.000-05:00

“This happened in the case of the manna, when those who gathered more and those who gathered less were found to have the same quantity. God did this in order to punish greed, and Paul recalls it both to alarm them by what happened then and to persuade them never to desire more than they already have or to be anxious because they have less.”

- John Chrysostom, c. 395

Announcements for the Week of March 27, 2011

2011-03-29T15:42:00.000-05:00

 The Christian Community Development Association regional conference is this May 20-21 in Chattanooga. The theme is Building Bridges...Fulfilling Your Call to Help Hungry, Hurting People. Volunteers get in free –
interested? Contact Heather at h.prettyman@gmail.com.

 LaFayette small group – you have a new blog site to keep updated on meeting times, locations, announcements and other details. Please see www.lafayettesmallgroup.blogspot.com .

 Everyone is invited to Highlands’ Annual Easter Celebration at Linda Summer’s home on Easter Sunday. In preparation for the feast (and following confetti-egg attack), Linda could use some help with cleaning up her yard on Saturday, April 9th.

Helping the Hungry and the Hurting

2011-03-21T12:53:00.000-05:00

The CCDA Chattanooga Regional Conference will provide opportunities for inspiration, encouragement, and training to help you in your community ministry efforts and new relationships with people who are involved in similar types of ministry. Join us in Chattanooga on May 20 & 21, 2011 for Building Bridges: Fulfilling Your Call to Help Hungry and Hurting People. Speakers include John M. Perkins and Noel Castellanos. Workshop topics include community praxis, development, and nonprofit management. Registration is $45 online or $50 at the door. This includes meals on Friday and Saturday. Volunteers pay no registration fee. To volunteer at this event, contact Heather Prettyman at h.prettyman@gmail.com.

http://www.ccda.org/chattanooga-regional-conference

This Week's Quote - Chrysostom

2011-03-21T12:44:00.000-05:00

“The secret of the Macedonians’ zeal was that first, they gave themselves to the Lord. Everything else flowed from that. As a result, when they showed mercy they were not filled with pride but rather displayed great humility and heavenly wisdom.”

- John Chrysostom, 347-407

Announcements for the Week of March 20, 2011

2011-03-21T12:43:00.000-05:00

 Next Sunday, we celebrate The Lord’s Supper together. We meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5:45 pm; please bring a main dish and a side or dessert.

 In preparation for The Lord’s Supper, Highlands’ leadership invites you to join in a day of fasting and prayer this week. We suggest sundown on Thursday to sundown on Friday. The Fellowship Hall will be open from 5-7pm on Thursday – feel free to come for all or part of the time to join others in beginning the time with focused prayer.

 Women – you are invited to an evening of hearing about God’s faithfulness, Saturday, March 26th, 6:30 pm at Naomi Self’s home. Please bring a snack or dessert. Sign up today – there’s a sheet in the foyer.

 Intercessors, you work hard (you pray hard). You are invited to a lunch in appreciation of you at Los Guerreros in LaFayette on Saturday, March 26th at 11 am. Please RSVP to De De Cochran.

 Everyone – you are invited to a baby shower for Missy Lee, March 27, in the Fellowship Hall after the morning church service.

This Week's Quote - Calvin

2011-03-14T13:04:00.002-05:00

“This deadly plague reigns everywhere throughout the world. Men are grown mad with an insatiable desire of gain. Christ charges them with folly, in collecting wealth with great care, and then giving up their happiness to moths and to rust, or exposing it as a prey to thieves. What is more unreasonable than to place their property, where it may perish of itself, or be carried off by men? Covetous men, indeed, take no thought of this. They lock up their riches in well-secured chests, but cannot prevent them from being exposed to thieves or to moths They are blind and destitute of sound judgment, who give themselves so much toil and uneasiness in amassing wealth, which is liable to putrefaction, or robbery, or a thousand other accidents: particularly, when God allows us a place in heaven for laying up a treasure, and kindly invites us to enjoy riches which never perish.”

- John Calvin, 1555

Announcements for the Week of March 13, 2011

2011-03-14T13:03:00.000-05:00

 A note about color in worship – the season of Lent is marked with dark purple, which represents Christ’s royalty and our solemnity in repentance.

 All (even men!) are invited to a wedding shower/dinner for Sadie Corbett and Zach McElrath on March 19th, 5 pm at the ancestral McElrath home on Lookout Mountain. See Zach for directions.

 The Christian Community Development Association regional conference is this May 20-21 in Chattanooga! The theme is Building Bridges...Fulfilling Your Call to Help Hungry, Hurting People. Volunteers get in free –
interested? Contact Heather at h.prettyman@gmail.com.

 Women – you are invited to an evening of hearing about God’s faithfulness, Saturday, March 26th, 6:30 pm at Naomi Self’s home. Please bring a snack or dessert. More details coming soon.

 Intercessors, you work hard (you pray hard). You are invited to a lunch in appreciation of you at Los Guerreros in LaFayette on Saturday, March 26th at 11 am. Please RSVP to De De.

 Everyone – mark your calendars for a baby shower for Missy Lee, March 27 after the morning church service. More details to come.

Highlands Church Office Closed 3/3/2011

2011-03-02T17:24:00.000-05:00

The Highlands Office will be closed Thursday, March 3rd and will reopen on Friday, March 4th.

Ladies - Retreat Directions

2011-02-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

Women of Highlands -

Here are the directions to the Bighams', who are graciously hosting our retreat again this year.

_________________________________

These directions are from the Jackson Realty at the corner of Hwy 27 and the bypass. Feel free to use Google maps to search from your location to E. Broomtown Road, but pay careful attention to the last few notes in these directions, as Google maps won’t be so specific.

-Head southwest on N. Main Street toward W. McCarter Road 16 ft.
-Turn LEFT at Lyle Jones Parkway 3.2 mi.
-Continue onto GA-A S/S Main St/US 27 S 1.8 mi.
-Turn RIGHT at Shattuck Industrial Boulevard .9 mi.
-Turn LEFT at Foster Mill Drive 1.7 mi.
-Turn LEFT at E. Broomtown Road 4.4 mi.
-Approximately 4 miles after turning onto E. Broomtown you will come to a point where the road appears to make a 90 degree turn to the right. There is a white Florida looking house with a white fence on your left. You want to go STRAIGHT onto the “dead end” road, which is actually still E. Broomtown Road.
-Continue approximately .3 miles further on E. Broomtown Road.
-Turn LEFT into the Blue Mountain Airpark, and follow the road around the airstrip past TWO houses on your LEFT. Next you will see a small stage, a firepit, and some chairs on your LEFT. TURN LEFT IMMEDIATELY (there should be a white arrow). The road almost immediately splits…bear to the LEFT. Follow by the lake and barn and the road will end in front of Alisa’s house.

This Week's Quote - The WCF

2011-02-14T16:04:00.002-05:00

“At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up, with the self-same bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to their souls forever.

“The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just, by His Spirit, unto honour; and be made conformable to His own glorious body.”

- The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter xxxii.2-3

Announcements for the Week of February 13, 2011

2011-02-14T16:00:00.000-05:00

If your last name begins with a B, you are requested to bring a freezable family-sized meal to Highlands during February for our Mercy Ministry. When there is a need to help our body by supplying meals in emergency situations, we want to have a well-stocked freezer, rather than calling for help last-minute. For more information, please see Joan Blakney.

The Flamingo Relocation program has started again...our Youth Group is touring a flock of flamingos around the area, searching for a good home. For a donation, you can suggest a friendly yard (another Highlands family) to host the flamingos. All proceeds go toward the annual trip to Gold Rush, an excellent, spiritually-focused summer conference by and for youth. Please call Dan Hudson at 706.638.8940.

Ladies – please mark your calendars for our annual retreat – February 25th-26th at Alisa Bigham’s home. More details to come.

Valentine's Day Banquet this Friday

2011-02-10T16:12:00.000-05:00

For anyone who has already signed up with Cameron and Sarah for the Valentine's Banquet (this is not a drop-in event, so if you didn't sign up, so sorry you missed it this time!) -

The event begins at 6:30 pm. Please enter the Sanctuary doors and proceed to the Fellowship Hall. Children may be dropped off in the nursery downstairs.

You may pay for your dinner by dropping your $10 check in the mail to Cameron and Sarah (call the church office for their address.)

We are looking forward to seeing you!

No Awana Tonight

2011-02-09T15:44:00.000-05:00

Awana is canceled tonight because of the weather forecast. Stay warm and stay safe, everyone!

This Week's Quote - George Downame

2011-02-07T14:02:00.000-05:00

We must understand that faith does not justify and save us by itself...but as an instrument, whereby we lay hold of and apply to ourselves Christ with His righteousness and merits, by which only we appear just before God. A small and weak hand, if it be able to reach up the meat to the mouth, as well performs its duty for the nourishment of the body as one of greater strength, because it is not the strength of the hand but the goodness of the meat which nourishes the body.

- George Downame (1560-1634)

Announcements for the Week of February 6, 2011

2011-02-07T13:51:00.000-05:00

We are having another Burn Day this Saturday morning, February 12th and could really use your help! We need at least one chainsaw. Sign up sheets in the foyer, time slot.

If your last name begins with a B, you are requested to bring a freezable family-sized meal to Highlands during February for our Mercy Ministry. When there is a need to help our body by supplying meals in emergency situations, we want to have a well-stocked freezer, rather than calling for help last-minute. For more information, please see Joan Blakney.

The Flamingo Relocation program has started again...our Youth Group is touring a flock of flamingos around the area, searching for a good home. For a donation, you can suggest a friendly yard (another Highlands family) to host the flamingos. All proceeds go toward the annual trip to Gold Rush, an excellent, spiritually-focused summer conference by and for youth. Please call Dan Hudson at 706.638.8940.

Ladies – please mark your calendars for our annual retreat – February 25th-26th at Alisa Bigham’s home. More details to come.

Announcements for the Week of January 30th, 2011

2011-02-02T13:41:00.000-05:00

College students – you are specially invited to a lunch at Linda Summer’s home next Sunday, February 6th. Make plans to bring your roommates and friends!

Couples – you are invited to a special Valentines’ Dinner on February 11th. See Cameron and Sarah Gaul in the foyer for details.

We are having another Burn Day on Saturday morning, February 12th and could really use your help! Even if you just have an hour to invest in helping to make our campus tidier and safer, we’d be glad to see you there (especially if you can bring a chainsaw.) Details will be announced.

Ladies – please mark your calendars for our annual retreat – February 25th-26th at Alisa Bigham’s home. More details to come.

Did you know that Highlands has an active e-mail system to keep you in the loop on prayer requests, announcements, and other pertinent information? We’d love to add you to the list! Send an e-mail to pcahighlands@gmail.com or call the church office.

This Week's Quote - Ambrose

2011-01-24T15:43:00.000-05:00

“He teaches that the foundation of the virtues is obedience of heavenly instructions, whereby this house of ours cannot be shaken by the flow of desires, by the assault of spiritual wickedness, by the rain of the world or the dark arguments of heretics.”

- Ambrose, c. 333-397

Announcements for the Week of January 23, 2011

2011-01-24T15:39:00.000-05:00

Next Sunday we will celebrate The Lord’s Supper. We meet in the Fellowship Hall at 5:45 pm – please bring a main dish and a side or dessert to share.

In preparation for The Lord’s Supper, you are invited to join in a day of prayer and fasting sundown Thursday through sundown Friday. You are also invited to gather to pray together to start off this time of focused repentance and intercession. The Fellowship Hall will be open from 5-7 pm on Thursday, January 27th for corporate prayer. If you would like to help set up the room beforehand, please contact Mary Anne Bailey.

The Jones family invites everyone to their farm next Sunday after the morning service for a hamburger lunch. Feel free to spend all or part of the afternoon there in fellowship and fun between church services.

College students – you are specially invited to a lunch at Linda Summer’s home on February 6th. Make plans to bring your roommates and friends!

Couples – you are invited to a special Valentines’ Dinner on February 11th. See Cameron and Sarah Gaul for details.

Ladies – please mark your calendars for our annual retreat – February 25th-26th at Alisa Bigham’s home. More details to come.

This Week's Quote - Cyril of Alexandria

2011-01-17T15:16:00.000-05:00

“It is not possible for those enveloped in the darkness of ignorance to guide those who are afflicted in the same way into the knowledge of the truth. Should they attempt it, they will both roll into the ditch of carelessness.”

- Cyril of Alexandria, c. 375-444

Announcements for the Week of January 16, 2010

2011-01-17T15:01:00.000-05:00

The Women’s Bible Study is starting up again on this week. Meet Wednesday mornings at 10:00 in the Fellowship Hall. Call Sarah Rapier at 706.639.4979 for more information. Child care will be provided.

The Highlands Women’s Appreciation Breakfast is this Saturday, January 22. Meet in the Fellowship Hall at 9:30 for a time to honor and enjoy each other. Please bring a breakfast treat to share.

Each month, in preparation for The Lord’s Supper, we invite you to join in a day of prayer and fasting. This month, you are invited to gather and pray together to start off this time of focused repentance and intercession. The Fellowship Hall will be open from 5-7 pm on Thursday, January 27th for corporate prayer. If you would like to help set up the room beforehand, please contact Mary Anne Bailey.

Ladies – please mark your calendars for our annual retreat – February 25th-26th at Alisa Bigham’s home. More details to come.

Burn Day Still On for This Saturday!

2011-01-13T17:31:00.000-05:00

Everyone - don't let the snow scare you off - we are still having the woods clearing/brush burning day this Saturday, January 15. Please bring your chainsaws...or just your willing, warmly-clothed selves...at 9:00 AM to help move woodsy trash to the bonfire. Snacks will be provided!

Highlands Closed for Inclement Weather

2011-01-11T16:35:00.000-05:00

Highlands Church is closed today, Tuesday, January 11 and Wednesday, January 12. Awana, Youth Group, and all other Wednesday night activities are canceled. Stay safe and stay warm!

This Week's Quote - Gregory of Nyssa

2011-01-04T16:06:00.002-05:00

“The Christian who has advanced by means of good discipline and the gift of the Spirit to the measure of the age of reason experiences glory and pleasure and enjoyment that is greater than any human pleasure. These come to one after grace is given to him, after being hated because of Christ, being driven, and enduring every insult and shame in behalf of his faith in God. For such a person, whose entire life centers on the resurrection and future blessing, every insult and scourging and persecution and the other sufferings leading up to the cross are all pleasure and refreshment and surety of heavenly treasures.”

- Gregory of Nyssa, c. 335-394

Announcements for the Week of January 2, 2011

2011-01-04T16:05:00.000-05:00

Awana, Youth Group and the Prayer Canopy are starting again this Wednesday, January 5th. See you then!

The Women’s Bible Study is starting up again on January 12th. Meet Wednesday mornings at 10:00 at Sarah Rapier’s house. Call the church office for more information or directions. Child care will be provided.

Women of Highlands – mark your calendars for an Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, January 22. Details coming soon.

A note about color in worship: the colors for the church season of Christmas are gold and white, which represent Christ’s kingship and his holiness.

Lord's Supper is On!

2010-12-26T14:45:00.002-05:00

We've had very little precipitation today and cars have been driving on the roads, so most places will be pretty clear. If you can make it SAFELY we'd love to see you at the Lord's Supper this evening at 5:45 pm. Bring some of your favorite Christmas food to share at the meal and remember, no nuts! This will be a regular Lord's Supper service. See you there!

Weather Update

2010-12-26T07:23:00.002-05:00

Due to inclement weather, Highlands will be open for a truncated worship service this morning. There will be a prayer meeting and a time of teaching with Pavel Chiva. There will be no Sunday School and music is still in question, but the doors will be open for those who can travel safely. A determination on the Lord's Supper will made by 3 pm today. Check back on the website for more details.

Inclement Weather Announcement

2010-12-25T20:39:00.001-05:00

Announcement re: Sunday worship service (morning)

Brothers and Sisters,

Highlands WILL be having worship tomorrow. The roads will likely be dangerous so please be careful and do not take unnecessary risks, especially if you live far or have some of the more challenging roads to navigate. If you have responsibilities tomorrow, please know that it is more important that you be safe than make it to worship tomorrow.

Grace and Peace to you,

Pastor Travis

Special Services This Week - Christmas Eve and Lord's Supper

2010-12-23T13:50:00.001-05:00

This Friday, December 24th, you are specially invited to join us in the sanctuary at Highlands for a candlelight service. It's geared toward the little ones - in fact, you're welcome to bring your kids in their pajamas - but will have meaning for everyone. The service begins at 8 pm and will last less than an hour.

This Sunday, December 26th, we will be having our monthly Lord's Supper together. Please come at 5:45pm to the Fellowship Hall and bring a main dish and a side or dessert to share as we eat together before moving into a time of worship and observance of the Lord's Supper.

There will be no Sunday School this Sunday, December 26th. Our worship service is at 10 a.m. as usual.

This Week's Quote - Apringius of Beja

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There will be [in that city] nothing accursed, that is, no temptation will approach, no profane sin shall be recorded through the rashness of the envious one. Rather, in its midst will be the rule of the divine power and of the Lamb. All will serve him with the exaltation of that city’s happiness. They shall rejoice in the vision of his face and in the sweetness of his presence, and they shall bear his name engraved in the sign of his cross on their foreheads.

- Apringius of Beja, c. 550

Announcements for the Week of December 19, 2010

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Youth – there is a Progressive Dinner on Dec. 20th. Be at the church at 5:30 and bring $3 per person for dinner. Don’t forget to bring a white elephant gift!

There will be no Awana, Youth Group or Prayer Canopy on December 22 or 29. Our Wednesday night activities will resume on January 5th, 2011.

There are no small groups meeting in December.

The church office will be closed Friday, December 24th and Monday, December 27th.

You are invited to Highlands’ candlelight service, 8 pm on Christmas Eve. Parents, feel free to bring your children in their pajamas.

Make plans to join us for the annual New Year’s Eve game night in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll get started around 7 pm and go until midnight.

The church office has limited copies of Justin Borger’s book on giving. This book would make a great Christmas gift as it explores the true meaning of Christmas – God’s gracious act of giving to us and our faith-filled response.

Day of Prayer - Sayed Mossa

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Because Friday is Christmas Eve, we are having our monthly day of fasting on Tuesday, December 21. We'll begin fasting at sundown on Monday and fast until sundown on Tuesday. Please be in prayer for Sayed Mossa, the Afghan Christian who has been imprisoned for converting to Christianity. Pray also that our petition to General David Petraeus would be effective and result in Sayed's release, as well as the release of other religious prisoners in Afghanistan. You can view the petition here.

This Week's Quote - Augustine

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We pray that God’s will may be accomplished in sinners also, even as it is accomplished in the saints and the just. This can be taken in two ways. First, we are to pray even for our enemies. For what else shall we call those in spite of whose will the Christian and Catholic name still spreads? According to this understanding the petition, “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” is intended to convey the following meaning: As the righteous do your will, let sinners do it also, so they may be converted.

- Augustine, 354-430

Announcements for the Week of December 12, 2010

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Youth – there is a Progressive Dinner on Dec. 20th. See Dan for details.

LaFayette small group – your Christmas party is Dec. 19th, 6-8 pm at the Rapiers’. Please bring food to share.

Free Christmas trees! The Jones family invites you to walk their woods and cut your own Eastern Red Cedar. Come December 18 anytime after lunch. For directions (or to set up another time) call Steve at (423) 645-7885.

There will be no Awana, Youth Group or Prayer Canopy on December 22 or 29. Our Wednesday night activities will resume on January 5th, 2011.

There are no small groups meeting in December.

You are invited to Highlands’ candlelight service, 8 pm on Christmas Eve. Parents, feel free to bring your children in their pajamas.

The church office has limited copies of Justin Borger’s book on giving. This book would make a great Christmas gift as it explores the true meaning of Christmas – God’s gracious act of giving to us and our faith-filled response.

New winter office hours - the Highlands Church office is now open 1-5 pm Mondays - Thursdays, and 8am-12pm on Fridays.

This Week's Quote - Chrysostom

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“Have you noted the measure of obedience? Pay attention to love’s high standard. If you take the premise that your wife should submit to you, as the church submits to Christ, then you should also take the same kind of careful, sacrificial though for her that Christ takes for the church. Even if you must offer your own life for her, you must not refuse. Even if you must undergo countless struggles on her behalf and have all kinds of things to endure and suffer, you must not refuse. Even if you suffer all this, you have still done not as much as Christ has for the church. For you are already married when you act this way, whereas Christ is acting for one who has rejected and hated him. So just as he, when she was rejecting, hating, spurning and nagging him, brought her to trust him by his great solicitude, not by threatening, lording it over her or intimidating her or anything like that, so must you also act toward your wife. Even if you see her looking down on you, nagging and despising you, you will be able to win her over with your great love and affection for her.”

- John Chrysostom, 347-407

Announcements for the Week of December 5, 2010

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Friday, December 10th, the Junior and Senior High youth will take a trip to work at the Operation Christmas Child packing center. See Dan for details.

There will be no Awana, Youth Group or Prayer Canopy on December 22 or 29. Our normal Wednesday night activities will resume on January 5th, 2011.

There are no small groups meeting in December.

You are invited to Highlands’ candlelight service on Christmas Eve. Parents, feel free to bring your children in their pajamas.

Make plans to join us for the annual New Year’s Eve game night in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll get started around 7 pm and go until midnight, or when Travis loses at Monopoly, whichever is last.

In Celebration of Christ's Birth

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We're celebrating Jesus' birthday this Saturday with stories, cookies, music and fellowship out at Linda's house. Please bring as many friends as you can - and bring cookies! Come any time after 6 pm - the party will go for several hours.

Directions -

-Head east out of LaFayette on Hwy 136.
-About four miles out of town, turn left at the T to continue on 136. Go about 1.5 miles after that turn.
-Turn right to stay on Hwy 136 East.
-Go up and over the hill (about 2.5 miles); watch for Armuchee Road as you get to the bottom on the other side.
-Turn right on W Armuchee Road. Go 6.5 miles and Linda's house is on the right. Look for cars in the yard!

Announcements for the Week of November 28, 2010

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Friday, December 3rd – Middle School and High School Girls’ Sleepover at the Hudsons. Please bring $3 to help cover your dinner and breakfast.

Join us this Saturday, December 4th for Jesus’ Birthday Party at Linda Summer’s house. Bring your kids, bring your friends, and bring cookies!

Ladies – You’re invited to gather for breakfast, followed by Christmas shopping, at the East Ridge Cracker Barrel, 9 a.m. on Saturday, December 4th.