Assembly date: June 22, 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 22, 2008
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

490 - It Is Well with My Soul
He Is Wonderful

Family Concerns ~ Michael Mercer
Pastoral Prayer ~ Terry Pope

Call to Worship ~ Mike Cope
162 - All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
144 - O Worship the King
In Christ Alone
The Lord’s Prayer

Welcome to the Lord’s Table
Into All the World Kenai, Alaska Team
364 - Come, Share the Lord

Tithes and Offerings
480 - Blessed Assurance

HIS KIDS Worship for 3 - 5 Year-Old Preschool Children
559 - The Joy of the Lord

Acts 19:1-22 ~ Cheryl Cunningham

Message: “First Love” ~ Mike
145 - All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

Benediction ~ Ephesians 3:20-21

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” ~I Timothy 4:4-5

“Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ. He entered the world on a high note of jubilation: ‘I bring you good news of a great joy,’ cried the angel, ‘which shall come to all the people’ (Luke 2:10). He left the world bequeathing His joy to his disciples: ‘These things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11).’” ~Richard Foster

“The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness.” ~Sheldon Vanauke

THE CHURCH AT PLAY!
Could it be that the Church in general has abandoned the legitimacy of and need for play in its theology and practice? And in its neglect, has only confirmed why Christians have been stereotyped by the culture at large as being uptight and repressed?

Very little is said in the Bible about the concept of play or fun. Yet as children there is very little else to care about except having fun. Curiosity makes learning exciting. Playing together often takes up the bulk of their energies and enthusiasm. They fight at times, but the fights are quickly forgotten and they come back to play together again. Jesus said that unless we become like little children, we cannot receive the Kingdom of God (Mark 10:15). Could he have had play partly in mind? How can that which forms so much of a child's life not be part of what God means when he says we should become like children? If we are to receive the Kingdom as a child does, wouldn't that include its joy and fun? After all, it states that "the joy of the Lord" is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy speaks of gratitude for our life.

Robert K. Johnston, in his book The Church at Play, investigates the biblical model for play, drawing heavily from the Old Testament -- especially from Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon, as well as the recurring themes of festival, dance, Sabbath, and hospitality. He concludes “The evidence for ‘play’ in the Bible is extensive. Yet we have for the most part failed to recognize it or act upon it because our work-dominated culture has biased our interpretation... As Christians we have failed to let Scripture speak authoritatively to us about our need to play.”

Play may be just what today's world needs to see us do!

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.

Thank you to all who helped with the Freedom Fellowship Vacation Bible School. A special thank you to Zach Snyder, Mary Gauldin, Paula Bendel, and all who organized and taught the children's Bible classes. Special thanks also to Rod Pringle and his band for the wonderful music; to Lee Fletcher for bringing us God's word; to Rachel Ritchie for her interpretation of the woman who wiped Jesus feet; and to Marla Purlee, Debbie Taylor, Becky Almanza, and the Brock family for helping with the meals. Also, we rejoice with Michael Wawee and Marla Purlee who were baptized during VBS.

July 6 and 13 are the dates for the Highland family to restock the shelves at the Christian Ministries of Abilene food pantry. The shelves are getting bare! There is always an increase during the summer in the number of clients requesting assistance, because their children who receive free breakfast and lunch during the school year are now at home. This year the rising cost of fuel has also added to the increase. On July 6 and 13 CMA Shopping Lists will be available and you will be given the opportunity to check the items that you would like to help purchase in bulk. Attach a check or cash to the list, and deliver it to the attendants at the CMA table in the Atrium. Thank you for your generous outpouring of love for the hungry in our community.

FaithWorks is seeking individuals or small groups to help provide complete, healthy lunches. If you cannot provide a complete meal, consider making a cash donation or providing the meat entree, and FaithWorks will supplement with side dishes. If you would like to help, please call Becky Almanza. Current available dates include: July 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 17, 21, 22, 24, 29, 30, 31; August 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 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
Let’s Talk About Jesus is a small, welcoming class for sharing the journey of faith through testimony and prayer in Room 103 , led by Gary and Maria White. Highland neighbors and friends are especially invited.

Abundant Journey is a class for couples of all ages in Room 201. Slade and Dava Lynn Sullivan begin the summer series on The Search for God.

The Early Bird Class meets in Room 114, off the South Foyer. Mike Cope begins a series on the book of Hebrews.

Faithseekers is a large multigenerational class in Room 112. The class continues a series on sharing faith stories, with the Alaska IATW team sharing this morning.

Living in the Promise is a multigenerational class which meets in Room 205. Tim Coburn continues a series on Difficult Passages in the Bible.

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES
To Live is Christ is an eleven-week study by Beth Moore meeting on Mondays from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Room 110. It is not too late to join this group for the summer! Participant’s guides are available in class, or contact the Adult Faith Ministry office at 673-5295.

Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent continues on Tuesdays, 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 on Sunday morning at 10:30 in Room 206. This summer the study is a video series titled The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MONDAY! Attention middle school youth! Get excited for this week! We are going on a photo scavenger hunt, followed by ice cream! Meet at the Middle School Classroom at 2:30 TOMORROW! Your parents should pick you up at Highland at 5:00.

Middle School Boys Jiu-Jitsu Night: All middle school boys are invited to Kenneth’s house from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. THIS TUESDAY, June 24. Come for fun, laughs, and to learn how Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts may relate to living a Christian life of strength, character, and discipline.

High School Girls Night Out: Meet at Candy Gilbert's house at 7:00 p.m. THIS TUESDAY! This week we will make prayer journals and spend some quality time together.

Middle School Boys will meet for class THIS WEDNESDAY, June 25, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. in Room 204. Middle School Girls will join Sylvia for class in Room 203.

High School Students: Join us THIS WEDNESDAY night for classes led by Kenneth Dinkins, Candy Gilbert, Rebekah Zeller, and Sarah Campbell. Meet in the High School Living Room from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

High School Guys Cookout: All high school guys are invited to Kenneth’s house from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. THIS FRIDAY, June 27. Come for food and fellowship as we address some of life’s hard questions. Bring your own meat for grilling! Drinks and side dishes will be provided.

Fortress Missionaries and Sponsors: We will have a training session NEXT SUNDAY, June 29, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Campbell’s home. Join us as we get ready for our trip. Please let us know if you will not be able to attend this meeting at 673-5295.

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: This Wednesday, June 25, all children entering 1st through 5th grade and their parents will meet in the Auditorium for the final flipt Family Experience! Nursery and preschool children will meet in their regular classrooms.

5th Grade: Make plans now to attend a swim party on Tuesday, July 1! Watch your mail for details.

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 be comforted by God.

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.

The Church at Play!   Summer Wednesdays at Highland - 6:00 p.m.
Summer is the season of rest and recreation! School is out. Vacations are in full swing. We hope you will join us as we celebrate this season by relaxing and playing together. Join us Wednesday evenings, July 2 through August 13!

Dwelling in the Word
Sunday: Psalm 19, 46; Numbers 14:26-45; Acts 15:1-2
Monday: Psalm 89:19-52; Numbers 16:1-19; Romans 3:21-31
Tuesday: Psalm 94, 95; Numbers 16:20-35; Romans 4:1-12
Wednesday: Psalm 119:121-144; Numbers 16:36-50; Romans 4:13-25
Thursday: Psalm 105:23-45; Numbers 17:1-11; Romans 5:1-11
Friday: Psalm 107:1-32; Numbers 20:1-13; Romans 5:12-21
Saturday: Psalm 33; Numbers 20:14-29; Romans 6:1-11