Assembly date: June 1, 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 in Room 207: 7:00 p.m.

Assembly Order • June 1, 2008
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

490 - It Is Well with My Soul

Family Concerns ~ Michael Mercer
Pastoral Prayer ~ Rex Nutt

Baptism of Lauren Hudspeth, daughter of Brian Hudspeth

Baptism of Kendra Newton, daughter of Gordon and Tommie Newton

Psalm 67 ~ Congregation
43 - All Things Praise Thee
Your Name
Great in Power
74 - Praise the Lord
66 - Doxology
The Lord’s Prayer

Message ~ Mike
Shout to the Lord

Communion
Thoughts and Prayers ~ Scott and Rachel Perkins
Shine On Us

Tithes and Offerings
Hope of the Nations

Introduction and Blessing of Heather Alkire
David and Mitzi Adams, and David Mickey

The Greatest Commands ~ Portuguese
Psalm 67:1-2

710 - The Lord Bless You and Keep You

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” ~ Ephesians 4:3

“Thus the Eucharist does not simply motivate Christians to practice hospitality; rather, it is our participation in God’s hospitality, as through this celebration we are enabled to become Eucharistic, extending God’s offering and gift to the world.” ~ Elizabeth Newman

“The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?” ~ I Corinthians 10:17

FINDING OUR WAY
Christian hospitality is the art of sharing with others the gracious welcome that we ourselves have received from God. Hospitality is a necessary practice for the unity of the body of Christ. It seems we often think of church as a group of like-minded individuals so if we come to a different mind from others in our congregation, then we assume our only alternative is to leave. Our unity, however, comes not through common political agendas, common economic status or through tolerance of everyone’s opinion. Rather faithful unity comes through the transforming power of the Cross.

This power transforms us into one body. Perhaps nowhere is this more dramatically enacted than at the Lord’s Table each Sunday. For it is here where we become one, Christ’s body, as together we eat and drink this holy meal. The meal challenges us because as we become one, we also recognize the divisions within the body. May we always remember this body and blood were a gift to us.

Only as we see and accept our brokenness can we allow the Spirit to touch, heal and transform us. As we are healed and transformed the way of the Christ life can be more openly lived and shared. Jesus prayed his disciples would be one: “As you, Father, are in me, and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). Our way is defined by God’s triune hospitality; until we receive it and learn to live it, our ability to give hospitality to the world is hampered.

May we all grow to be people of the Way!

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.

DATES TO REMEMBER
June 14: Freedom Fellowship Vacation Bible School and Praise and Prayer Service
July 6, 13: Summer Food Pantry Restocking for Christian Ministries of Abilene
July 19: Freedom Fellowship Praise and Prayer Service

Vacation Bible School: Freedom Fellowship will host a one-night VBS in conjunction with the monthly Praise and Prayer Service, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. Teachers and assistants are needed for the class sessions (Bible, arts and crafts, snacks, and games). If you can help, please contact Zach Snyder at zgs04a@acu.edu or Becky Almanza at 673-5295

New Ministry Opportunity: There will be a brown bag lunch meeting this Tuesday, June 3, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Highland Room 110 for anyone interested in showing hospitality to The Vineyard apartment complex, formerly called the Colonial Apartments. For more information, please contact Joe Almanza at 673-5295 or jalmanza@highlandchurch.org.

FaithWorks summer session will begin June 9. FaithWorks is seeking individuals and/or small groups to help provide complete, healthy lunches. If you cannot provide a meal, consider making a cash donation or providing the main entree (meat), and FaithWorks will supplement with side dishes. If you would like to help, please call Becky Almanza. Currently the available dates include: June 16, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30; July 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31; and August 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, and 28.

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 Jesus is a small class community for those who are getting to know Jesus and the family of believers at Highland. This class meets in Room 106, located next to the Welcome Center in the Atrium.

Abundant Journey is a class for couples of all ages in Room 201. The class begins a series on The Righteousness of God, led by Phil Smith.

The Early Bird Class in Room 114, off the South Foyer, will be led today by Joe Almanza.

Passages is a small class for mid-life singles and couples that meets in Room 108, across from the elevator. Bryan and Diana Swedlund are leading a study from the book, Sinai Summit.

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES
Summer Studies - Beginning in June:

To Live is Christ is an eleven-week study by Beth Moore. Class begins Monday, June 2, and will meet in Room 110 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 at 673-5295.

Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent begins Tuesday, June 10, and will meet 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.

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 TODAY, along with a $50.00 non-refundable deposit.

Junior Lunch: Meet in the High School Living Room after class TODAY from 11:30 - 1:00 p.m. Bring money for lunch at a fast food restaurant. We will begin planning Crossover 2008 and you will not want to miss it!

Attention Mexico Missionaries and Sponsors: The first training session as a team will be TODAY from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Campbell’s. The final meeting is THIS WEDNESDAY, June 4, from 8:15 - 9:00 p.m. in the High School Classroom when we will collect your paperwork! IMPORTANT: Remember to bring your passport, notarized permission slips, and final balance. A notary will be present at the meeting if you have not yet had the opportunity.

Impact Missionaries and Sponsors: The final Impact meeting is THIS WEDNESDAY, June 4, from 8:10 - 9:00 p.m. in the Middle School Classroom. The remaining balance for the trip ($150.00) will be due at this meeting, with no exceptions.

Meet the Interns: THIS WEDNESDAY, June 4, all high school and middle school students are invited to meet the summer interns. There will be a combined class from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the High School Classroom. You will not want to miss this opportunity to meet Kenneth and Sylvia!

Breakthrough Gladiators Get Ready! We begin the race THIS FRIDAY, June 6, at 6:30 p.m. Meet in the Highland Atrium for registration. Remember to pack clothes for two days, toiletries, your Bible, a sleeping bag and pillow, your towel and swimsuit, and closed-toe shoes. Parents should plan to pick you up Sunday, June 8, in the Middle School Classroom after class, around 11:30.

HIS KIDS Worship will not meet this morning. Children’s worship for preschool children will resume next Sunday, June 8, in Room 113.

5th Grade Blessing: 5th grade students and parents, plan to meet in Room 100 at 7:00 p.m. THIS WEDNESDAY, June 4, for this special event.

Wednesday Night: 1st through 4th grade meet this week in Room G in the Children’s Wing. Nursery, preschool, and kindergarten children meet in their regular classrooms.

Promotions: Get ready! Promotions will occur next Sunday, June 8! All elementary students will promote to their new grade. Nursery and preschool children who are currently scheduled for promotion will receive a postcard notifying parents of this change.

Nursery Workers Needed! If you are interested in working in the nursery, please contact Shelli Bridges at the Children’s Ministry office at 673-5295. There are paid and volunteer positions available.

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

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

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.

There will be a garage sale benefiting Breakfast on Beech Street and Abilene Hope Haven this Thursday through Saturday, June 5-7. Donations are requested. Please deliver your donations to 801 South Treadaway before Thursday, or call Sheri at 677-4673 for pickup of larger items.

Into All the World: Fundraising Opportunity
Itu, Brazil - Used Printer Cartridges
We need your old printer cartridges! We can exchange them for coupons worth $3.00 each, to be used to purchase supplies for the Itu Youth Camp. Please bring your cartridges to the box at the Welcome Center in the Atrium no later than Sunday, June 15. With your help, we can bring down the cost of camp supplies!! Obrigado!

Dwelling in the Word
Sunday: Psalm 103; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; Acts 8:26-40
Monday: Psalm 44; Ecclesiastes 2:1-15; Galatians 1:1-17
Tuesday: Psalm 47, 48; Ecclesiastes 2:16-26; Galatians 1:18 - 2:10
Wednesday: Psalm 49, 53; Ecclesiastes 3:1-15; Galatians 2:11-21
Thursday: Psalm 8, 84; Ecclesiastes 3:16 - 4:3; Galatians 3:1-14
Friday: Psalm 51; Ecclesiastes 5:1-7; Galatians 3:15-22
Saturday: Psalm 138, 139:1-23; Ecclesiastes 5:8-20; Galatians 3:23 - 4:11