Assembly date: May 18, 2008

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our guests this morning! We ask that you fill out one of the white Welcome to Highland cards found in the rack on the back of the seats. Place it in the collection tray as it is passed or hand it to one of our greeters at the Welcome Center in the Atrium. If you would like help in selecting an adult Bible class to attend this morning, class information is available at the Welcome Center.

Highland Church of Christ
425 Highland Avenue
Abilene, Texas 79605
(325) 673-5295

Our Purpose: The purpose of the Highland Church is to call all people to God. The God we call people to is most perfectly seen in Jesus Christ. Our task is to imitate Him. We commit ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit to be God’s living expression of Himself on earth.

Our Mission: The mission of the Highland Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who prayerfully join together in missions, ministry and worship.

Sunday: Worship: 9:00 a.m. Bible Classes: 10:30 a.m.
Lifeteams: 1st and 3rd Sunday Evenings
Wednesday: OASIS Classes: 7:00 p.m.

Assembly Order • May 18, 2008
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

718 - We Shall Assemble

Family Concerns ~ Mary Lee Mattis
Pastoral Prayer ~ Jim Reese
Blessed Be Your Name
Forever
Lord, Reign in Me
The Lord’s Prayer

HIS KIDS Worship for 3 - 5 Year-Old Preschool Children
He Is Wonderful

Hospitality Scripture Medley ~ Sarah Butcher, Ben Lang, Kirk Perkins

Message ~ Mike
448 - The Greatest Commands

Communion ~ Romans 5:1-8
Reading ~ Bradyn Boone
Prayer for the Bread ~ Natalie Fleet
Prayer for the Cup ~ Graham Sensing
Worthy Is the Lamb

Tithes and Offerings
Sanctuary

Introduction of Seniors ~ Sarah Campbell and Michael Mercer
Senior Huddle Leaders: Scott and Wendy Kilmer, Jim and Tracy Morrison, Zach and Kara Sheets Bryan and Tracy Shilcutt, Jerry and Robin Stansell
Blessing ~ Jim Morrison
Senior Responses ~ Holton Mattis, Zia Reeves Senior Memories

There’s a Stirring

Benediction ~ Mike

“In context, then, ministry cannot be about maintenance; it is about gathering, about embrace, about welcoming home all sorts of and conditions of people.” ~ Walter Brueggemann

“So you see that asking people into my life is not so different from asking them into my apartment. Like my apartment, my interior life is never going to be wholly respectable, cleaned up and gleaming. But that is where I live. In the certitude of God, I ought to be able to risk issuing the occasional invitation.” ~ Lauren Winner

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” ~ I Peter 4:10

LIFE WITH OTHERS
The faithful practice of hospitality must begin with what our society will tend to regard as of little consequence. Waiting for the earthshaking event or the cultural revolution can paralyze us. We are called to be faithful in the small things. Hospitality is a practice and discipline that asks us to do what in the world’s eyes might seem inconsequential but from the perspective of the gospel is a manifestation of God’s kingdom.

Hospitality is not simply individual acts of kindness. God desires not to have autonomous individuals loosely connected to each other, but a people, a body in the world, witnessing to the love and mighty deeds of God. God gathers us for a purpose much larger than our self-interest.

Christian hospitality is the task and calling of a people whose lives are marked by a story different from one that would have us believe we can be individuals apart from the body of Christ. The Christian life is a practice of the “little way,” a phrase made famous by St. Therese of Lisieux. God takes the little things we are capable of and transforms them. Through small and often ordinary acts of faith, hope, and love, God makes the church visible in the world.

In what ways can you express your daily reliance upon God’s bread and in what ordinary ways can you give this bread to others?

Pray for God to show you the small ways he can use you to extend his hospitality to others!

CONGRATULATIONS to the 2008 Graduating Seniors! Everyone is invited to the reception honoring our seniors in the Atrium this morning, immediately following classes.

Prayer Ministry: Everyone is invited to meet with the Highland Prayer Ministry from 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. each Monday in the Highland Prayer Room to lift up in prayer those who are struggling. If you would like to share a prayer need, please call the Prayer Request Line at 672-3151.

Celebrate Recovery is seeking someone to provide childcare on a weekly basis. This paid position is every Sunday night from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you are interested or would like your name placed on a substitute list, please call Jennifer Eller.

Freedom Fellowship is seeking a VBS Coordinator for the annual Vacation Bible School to be held late June or in July. If you are interested, please call Joe or Becky Almanza.

FaithWorks summer session will begin June 9. FaithWorks is seeking individuals and/or small groups to help provide complete, healthy lunches. If you can help, please call Becky Almanza.

Celebrate Recovery: A Christ-centered 12-step recovery program meets Sundays in Room 207 at 5:00 p.m. For more information, see the Highland Celebrate Recovery website at www.crhighland.wordpress.com.

SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
Celebrate Life is open to adults of all ages and focuses on life skills from a Christian perspective. Bruce Campbell, Patsy Watson and Terry St. Pierre lead this study in Room 103.

Many of our adult classes are participating in a four-week congregation-wide study on hospitality called Finding God in the Stranger. Please stop by the Welcome Center in the Atrium if you would like assistance in finding a class.

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES
Mark your calendars for these summer studies:

To Live is Christ is an eleven-week study by Beth Moore. Class begins Monday, June 2, and will meet in Room 207 from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Women of all ages are invited to this series that includes daily study and weekly discussion at table groups. Books are available at the first session. For more information or to register for childcare, contact Gay Lynn Michaud.

Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent begins Tuesday, June 10, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Room 111. This new seven-week video study by Beth Moore explores Psalms 120 - 134. For more information, please contact Jean Isom.

University Students and Young Adults: Class meets Sunday mornings at 10:30 and will meet throughout the summer in Room 206, across the hall from the regular university classroom.

Seniors: Be sure to go to the High School Class this morning to share your words of wisdom with the underclassmen!

Senior Celebration: THIS WEDNESDAY, May 21, meet at the Stansell’s from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided.

Junior Huddle: THIS WEDNESDAY, May 21, is the end of the year Huddle Party! Meet at the Clack Middle School gym from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Girls bring snacks; boys bring drinks, and come dressed to play! This is our last huddle as juniors! Also mark your calendar for Friday, May 30, for our Junior Huddle Campout. Watch the mail for more details.

Sophomore Huddle Trip: THIS FRIDAY night, May 23, we will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a cookout and swim party at the Musgrave’s . Afterwards, the guys will crash at the Groves’s and the girls will crash at the Musgrave’s. Saturday morning, May 24, at 8:00 a.m. we will leave for Hurricane Harbor from the Groves’s. Bring money for lunch and dinner in the Metroplex. If you have questions, please call Jason and Amber Groves.

Attention ALL Impact, Fortress and Mexico Missionaries: Our last IATW fundraiser is providing childcare at Highland THIS SATURDAY, May 24, from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Also, REMEMBER to drop off a pie to the Youth Office by 5:00 p.m. THIS FRIDAY, May 23.

Huddle Leaders: We love you and want to show you our appreciation! Please join us NEXT SUNDAY, May 25, from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in the High School Living Room. Childcare will be provided.

Impact: All current 6th - 8th grade boys are invited to go on our Impact Mission Trip on June 14 - 17. Applications and a $25.00 non-refundable deposit are due TODAY!

Breakthrough 2008: All current 5th - 7th grade students are invited to our in-town Middle School Retreat this summer, June 6 - 8. Get ready to join the race as we face the Breakthrough Gladiators. Applications are available TODAY in the Middle School Classroom and at the Welcome Center. These will be due, along with the non-refundable $55.00, by NEXT SUNDAY, May 25.

Fortress: All current 6th - 8th grade girls are invited to go on the Fortress Mission Trip on July 7 - 10. Applications are available TODAY in the Welcome Center or in the Middle School Classroom. Applications are due, along with a $50.00 non-refundable deposit, by Sunday, July 1.

HIS KIDS Worship: All preschool children who are 3 - 5 years old are invited this morning to Room 113, off the South Foyer, for children’s worship.

Wednesday Night: 1st through 4th grade children currently meet in Room G in the Children’s Wing. 5th grade girls meet in Room E and 5th grade boys meet in Room F. Nursery, preschool, and kindergarten children meet in their regular classrooms.

Summer Camp: All elementary families should have received information in the mail regarding New Beginnings Camp for current kindergarten - 5th grade children. Contact Dava Lynn Sullivan (677-6232) if you have any questions.

5th Grade Parents: Join us today for D-6 Day, an equipping time for the 5th Grade Blessing. We will meet in Room 111 during Bible class time.

5th Grade Blessing: Parents mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 4, for the 5th Grade Blessing. We will meet in Room 100 for this special evening.

Parent Prayer Connect: Parents, pick up a prayer card located at the Children’s Information Desk to use as you pray this week for your child to have joy.

God Talk At Home: Family conversation starters that track with our elementary Wednesday night curriculum are available each week at the Children’s Information Desk in the North Foyer.

Childcare is available for all twos during worship. Younger Twos meet in Nursery E, off the South Foyer, and the Older Twos meet in the 2’s classroom, located downstairs in the North Children’s Wing.

Nursery care is provided each Sunday in the attended Nursery Suite off the South Foyer. Also, the Mom’s Nursery and Family Room are available for infants and toddlers accompanied by parents or grandparents.

His Kids Ministry and 3D Ministry Moms! 
Mom’s Night Out will be from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. this Tuesday, May 20. Mothers of newborns through 12th grade are invited! We will have pedicures, massages, crafts, dinner, and more! The cost for this special evening is $8.00. Please RSVP!

Into All the World Fundraising Opportunities

Arcelia, Mexico Team - Mexican Luncheon
The IATW Impact Arcelia, Mexico, Mission Team will host a Mexican Soup and Salad Lunch following classes TODAY. Tickets are $7.00 per adult and $3.50 for children, ages 3-10. Lunch includes all you can eat tortilla soup, salad, and dessert. Tickets may be purchased at the door.

All Teams - Movie and Silent Auction
Into All the World teams invite you for an evening of affordable entertainment on Saturday, May 24, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. We will host a classic movie in the Auditorium and offer pie and coffee in the Gym during intermission. We will show the 1944 Frank Capra film Arsenic and Old Lace, a classic comedy/thriller starring Cary Grant. The events of the evening will be offered on a donation basis, including childcare, which will be provided by the Highland Youth Mission Teams. During intermission, there will be a silent auction in the Atrium. There will also be displays by each of the participating Into All the World teams highlighting their mission trips, designed to provide information about the purpose of this fundraising.

Dwelling in the Word
Sunday: Psalm 111, 112, 113; Job 38:1-11, 42:1-5; Revelation 19:4-16
Monday: Psalm 4, 7; Proverbs 3:11-20; I John 3:18 - 4:6
Tuesday: Psalm 10, 11; Proverbs 4:1-27; I John 4:7-21
Wednesday: Psalm 12, 13, 14; Proverbs 6:1-19; I John 5:1-12
Thursday: Psalm 18:21-50; Proverbs 7:1-27; I John 5:13-21
Friday: Psalm 22; Proverbs 8:1-21; II John 1-13
Saturday: Psalm 110, 116, 117; Proverbs 8:22-36; III John 3:1-15