Assembly date: July 6, 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: Church at Play, 6:00 p.m.

Assembly Order - July 6, 2008
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

528 - I Know that My Redeemer Lives
My God Reigns

Family Concerns ~ Suzetta Nutt
Pastoral Prayer ~ Joey Cope

Psalm 23 ~ Congregation
134 - The Lord’s My Shepherd
390 - Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
You Never Let Go
Blessed Be Your Name
The Lord’s Prayer

Welcome to the Lord’s Table
Joe, Becky and Lucas Almanza
We Are the Body of Christ

Tithes and Offerings
You Have Been Good

Acts 20:13-38 ~ Grant Boone
Message: “First Love” 3 ~ Mike Cope
Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Benediction ~ Acts 20:32

REACHING OUT IN MEXICO
This year I got to go to Mexico for my third time. I always look forward to this trip. Each year the trip is a little different; God works in different ways. This year I saw God work in building relationships with all the people on the trip. We worked side by side with people we really did not know. Over the week the bonds of friendship grew and the barriers which separate people had dissolved. God was at work even in our Mexican bus drivers. On the last day of work the bus drivers, who normally sat in the bus all day, helped us with building a wall. They were not asked to help, but were out there working as hard as any of us.

God also worked through the lunch ladies. Lunch on the site was the best part of the trip. A couple of women and two brothers worked all morning to prepare our lunch — and there was plenty of it; enough to fill all 35 of us and still have leftovers. The food was not only authentic Mexican food, but it was also a gift of love. They slaved over an oven in the heat of the day to fix our lunch. Sometimes while they worked they would sing songs. A few of the songs I recognized as hymns. It was a blessing to listen to hymns I knew, in a different language. I will always remember the lunch workers and the bright smiles they had as they served us.
Guest Author: Ayrea Towell, Senior, Highland Youth Group

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, call the Prayer Request Line at 672-3151.

TODAY and next Sunday, July 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! Today and next Sunday, CMA Shopping Lists are available for you 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.

The Apartment Hospitality Ministry would like to invite you to join us at the courtyard of the Clay Stone Apartments on Tuesday, July 8, at 11:45 a.m. for a brown bag lunch with the neighborhood children. Please bring a dozen kid-friendly sandwiches and a package of cookies to share. Drinks will be provided. Bring lawn chairs and blankets and join us for food, fun and fellowship. If you would like to donate sandwiches or cookies, please call Becky or Joe Almanza

Freedom Fellowship Praise and Prayer Service: You are invited to join us Saturday, July 19, at 6:00 p.m. for the monthly Praise and Prayer Service at Freedom Fellowship at 941 Chestnut. The main entree will be provided. Please bring side dishes (salads, vegetables, breads and desserts) to share with neighbors and friends.

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. Current available dates include: July 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 21, 22, 24, 30, 31; August 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, and 28. If you would like to 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

All adults and their families are invited to stay after worship today for a potluck lunch in the Highland Gym. Adult Bible classes will resume next Sunday, July 13.

The 39ers Bible Class will not meet this evening. Class will resume next Sunday, July 13.

WEEKDAY BIBLE STUDIES
To Live is Christ continues this Monday with Session 5. The class meets from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Room 110.

Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent continues this Tuesday with Session 4. The class meets from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in
Room 111.

DVD sessions for these two studies may be checked out on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact Gay Lynn Michaud in the Adult Faith Ministry office at 673-5295 during office hours.

University Students and Young Adults: Class will not meet this morning in order to participate in the potluck luncheon at 11:45. Class will resume next Sunday morning at 10:30 in Room 206. This summer the study is a video series titled The Organic God by Margaret Feinberg.

There are no youth classes THIS MORNING. We will join everyone in the Gym for the all-church potluck!

Soaking: THIS AFTERNOON all high school students are invited to the High School Living Room from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. We will spend time with the Lord, soaking in His presence.

Fortress Missionaries and Sponsors: Meet at Highland TOMORROW, July 7, at 8:00 a.m. to load and leave for Fort Worth. We plan to return THIS THURSDAY, July 10, at approximately 7:00 p.m.

MIDDLE SCHOOL MONDAY! Hey middle school students! Come to Highland for movie fun with Kenneth! Plan to meet in the Middle School Classroom at 2:00 p.m. TOMORROW, July 7. Plenty of snacks and drinks will be provided! We hope you will come out to have fun!

High School Girls Night Out: We will NOT meet together this week. Watch your mail for more details about our next get together on Tuesday, July 29!

Middle School Boys Jiu-Jitsu Night: All middle school boys are invited to
Jiu-Jitsu night THIS TUESDAY, July 8. Meet Kenneth at Highland in the High School Classroom from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. This will be part two of learning about martial arts and Christ, with a more intense look into both. You will not want to miss it!

There will be no Wednesday youth classes this summer, through August 13, so that we can all participate in the Church @ Play! We will see you there!

High School Event After Church @ Play: Following the Church @ Play activities, all high school boys and girls are invited to play basketball in the Gym THIS WEDNESDAY, July 9, from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m.

July Youth Calendars are available either at the Welcome Center or in the youth rooms, or now on the youth website www.3d-ministry.com.

HIS KIDS Worship: HIS KIDS Worship will NOT meet this morning. We will resume next Sunday, July 13.

Nursery care WILL be provided during worship today. Please pick up your child immediately following the worship assembly.

Wednesday Night: There will be no children’s classes or nursery this summer, through August 13. Please join us for the Church @ Play!

CIA: 4th and 5th grade children, come join us from 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, in the Highland Gym to help set up for Church @ Play. Afterwards transportation will be provided to go swimming. Remember to bring your suit, towel, and sunscreen!

Kindergarten: You are invited to the swim party on Thursday, July 10, from 12:00 noon - 2:30 p.m. at the Sullivan’s. Call the Children's Ministry office for more details at 673-5295.

1st Grade: Mark your calendars for a swim party on Thursday, July 17, at the Nichols’s house. Watch your mail for more details!

Parent Prayer Connect: Parents, pick up a prayer card located at the Children’s Information Desk to use to pray for your child to have a desire for God’s will.

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.

For Two’s Only: Childcare is available for all 2’s 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.

We have a newly-designed website!  Go to www.highlandchurch.org to check it out!  As time goes on, we will be displaying pictures of Highland members participating and serving in various ministry events. If you prefer not to have your picture on the Highland website, contact Dickie Porche at dporche@highlandchurch.org, or call him at the Highland office at 673-5295.

The Church @ Play Potluck Lunch:  Today there are no adult, youth, or children’s classes. Go to the Gym for a potluck lunch at 11:45 a.m. Meat and drinks are provided. This is going to be a lot of fun. We invite you to join us!

Dwelling in the Word
Sunday: Psalm 111, 112, 113; Numbers 27:12-23; Acts 19:11-20
Monday: Psalm 4, 7; Numbers 32:1-6, 16-27; Romans 8:26-30
Tuesday: Psalm 10, 11; Numbers 35:1-3, 9-15, 30-34; Romans 8:31-39
Wednesday: Psalm 12,13, 14; Deuteronomy 1:1-18; Romans 9:1-18 Thursday: Psalm 18:21-50; Deuteronomy 3:18-28; Romans 9:19-33
Friday: Psalm 22; Deuteronomy 31:7-13, 24 - 32:4; Romans 10:1-13
Saturday: Psalm 110, 116, 117; Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Romans 10:14-21