Assembly date: March 29, 2009

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our guests this morning! We ask that you fill out one of the white Communication 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.

Assembly Order • March 29, 2009
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

To Canaan’s Land
There Is a Habitation

Family Concerns ~ Mary Lee Mattis
Pastoral Prayer ~ Bob Nutt

Shout Hallelujah!

Message I ~ Mike

What Can Wash Away My Sins?
There Is a Fountain Filled With Blood
There’s a Fountain Free

Message II ~ Mike

Let Us Be You
Make Me a Servant
Humble Yourselves in the Sight of the Lord

Welcome to the Table
Thoughts and Prayers ~ Andy and Lisa Adkins
All Who Are Thirsty

Tithes and Offerings
A Missional Response to John 13:1-17

We Are the Body of Christ

Benediction

Whenever, though, they turn to face God as Moses did, God removes the veil and there they are - face-to-face! They suddenly recognize that God is a living, personal presence, not a piece of chiseled stone. And when God is personally present, a living Spirit, that old, constricting legislation is recognized as obsolete. We're free of it! All of us! Nothing between us and God, our faces shining with the brightness of his face. And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him. ~ II Corinthians 3:17 (The Message)

Faith in action is love, and love in action is service.  By transforming that faith into living acts of love, we put ourselves in contact with God Himself, with Jesus our Lord. ~ Mother Teresa

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP
“’Where the spirit of the Lord is; there is freedom.’ The freedom of the Lord is at Freedom Fellowship. I love the people. We like the singing, lessons, the baptisms, and the praise.” ~ David and Jeannette

“Holy. I like to come to Freedom. Good food too! Really like it so much. Holy.” ~ Roy

“Freedom church means come as you are. What you see on the outside isn’t the real person, and God works on us in the heart!” ~ Nina

“I like Freedom Fellowship because of all the wonderful people praying for one another and lifting one another up. Kind words, gentle thoughts, and the quiet times.” ~ Jack

“Freedom church means walking the faith journey with others who have struggled with sin and the temptations of the world. Together we walk and encourage each other.”

“I like the wonderful fellowship and singing. Everyone is really friendly, considerate and they feed us. I really like the fellowship at the end of the month. I love worshiping God in a friendly environment.” ~ Tina

“We are all one. One body, rich, poor, clean, unclean, any color, or any race, young, old, saved, and soon to be saved. There is love here. There is family here. The Spirit is here.”

“I have been lost for so long, wandering through life not knowing joy and happiness. But a friend said, ‘Let’s go eat chicken.’ Not knowing what was about to happen, I gave my life to the glory of God.” ~ Ricky

CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRY
The Highland Prayer Ministry meets each Monday from 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. in the Prayer Room, located on the north side of the building, next to the Playground. If you would like to leave a prayer request, call the Prayer Ministry Request Line at 672-3151. If you would like to have a loved one’s name placed on the Highland Connection prayer list, please contact Beth Reeves at 673-5295.

COMMUNITY MINISTRY
The Highland Neighborhood Picnic will be held Saturday, April 18 at the West Parking Lot by the Gym. Our Highland neighbors and friends will be invited to enjoy grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and all the fixin’s. Volunteers are needed to help grill burgers, bake brownies, set up, serve, and clean up. Volunteer forms will be available soon!

UPCOMING EVENTS
April 17: FaithWorks Graduation
April 18: Highland Neighborhood Picnic
April 26: Community Ministries Special Contribution
May 16: Freedom Praise and Prayer Service

ADULT FAITH MINISTRY
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
The Front Porch is a small class community for building spiritual friendships and inviting people into the way of Jesus. Class meets in Room 104. The current study series is The Relationship Principles of Jesus.

Abundant Journey in Room 201 is a class community that welcomes adults of all ages and walks of life. The class continues a series on 2000+ Years of Church History in Four Weeks, led by guest teacher, Dr. Royce Money.

Becoming A Woman of Grace in Room 204 invites women of all ages and walks of life to join them as Susan Clark facilitates a new study from the book by John Eldridge titled, Walking with God. Copies of the book are available in class.

Families Built on the Rock is a class for young couples and families in Room 115, across from the Nursery. The class continues a five-week series on Applying Spiritual Disciplines. Steve Hare will lead the class today on “Savoring Scripture.”

Fiftysomething.com meets in Room 110 is continuing a study called A Journey to Revelation, led by Walt Pfeifer.

WEEKDAY GROUPS
Tuesday Ladies’ Bible Class meets at 9:00 a.m. for coffee and at 9:30 a.m. for Bible study. The General Class in Room 111 continues a series entitled The Gift of Psalms, led by Susan Wray. The At His Feet Class in Room 110 continues Opening the Windows of Blessings, a textual study of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, led by Becky Hendrix.

Esther: It’s Tough Being A Woman continues Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. in Room 207.

Twelve-Step Support Group, led by Bill Nash, meets on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in Room 103. This group is for adults challenged by any and all addictions. For more information, pease contact Bill.

CAMPUS MINISTRY
Our Sunday morning gathering meets weekly at 10:30 a.m. in Room 207. Our spring theme is ENGAGE! Don’t Embrace! Don’t Escape! We are exploring how to engage culture in redemptive ways.

Small Groups: Join in one of our small groups as we share our lives in conversation and prayer. For information on locations and times for the groups, please contact Katherine Lewis or Becca Frei.

3D MINISTRY
Come As You Are: All High School students are invited to “Come as You Are” TODAY, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. There are several options to choose from that will hopefully give you an opportunity to connect with God. “Soaking” will meet in the High School Living Room. “Creative Connection” will meet in the Middle School Living Room. “Are You Hungry?” will NOT meet today because Dava Lynn and Sarah will be returning to Abilene following the Family Retreat.

The Junior/Senior Mission Trip will be going to Memphis, Tennessee July 21 - 27. Your application and a non-refundable $50.00 deposit will be due NEXT SUNDAY, April 5.

HIS KIDS MINISTRY
HIS KIDS Worship will not meet this morning due to the Highland Family Retreat.

Wednesday Night: All 1st through 5th grade children continue to meet in Room 112, which is located across from the Highland offices. Nursery, preschool, and kindergarten children meet in their regular classrooms.

Facebook: If you are on Facebook you now have the opportunity to join the newly created HIS KIDS Ministry group! The name is "Highland His Kids Ministry", and we will use this convenient way to send updates and reminders for our children's ministry activities.

Summer Camp: All elementary children are invited to attend New Beginnings Christian Camp this summer. The camp is for current kindergarten through 5th grade children. Brochures are available at the Children's Information Desk in the North Foyer. Contact Dava Lynn Sullivan if you have any questions.

God Talk At Home: Family conversation starters are available each week at the Children's Information Desk.

For Twos Only: Childcare is available for all two year-olds during worship. Younger Twos meet in Nursery E, off the South Foyer, and the Older Twos meet in the 2’s classroom, 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.

All who have the small wooden crosses at home please remember to bring them to the Atrium next week, Palm Sunday, April 5. They will be used for an Easter Sunday display.

Destination Marriage: Preparing to Go the Distance
A preparation for marriage course is meeting each Wednesday through April 29, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in Room 100. Contact Stormy or Kacey Higgins for more information. The course will qualify for a discount on the Texas marriage license.

Thank You
We would like to thank the following people for their kindness and acts of service in helping us with the Journey Home Prayer Room: Kelly and Jeremy Sites, Roger Jensen, Jim and Rae Gravley, Judy Ingram, David and Brenda Freeman, Jim Etheredge, Tim Farnsworth, and Summer at Greenbelt Gardens. We would also like to thank Dickie Porche and the Highland Elders for allowing us this opportunity to help others in need.
Sincerely, Clark and Marci Moody

Children of Abilene Need You!
Christian Homes and Family Services is working to stop the revolving door of foster care, through their foster-to-adopt program. If you would like information about fostering or adopting children who have been neglected or abused, please join us Tuesday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. If you would like to attend, contact Buffy Ramos at Christian Homes.

Christian Service Center
We have an immediate need for paper sacks with handles. If you could bring some in during our regular hours, we would appreciate it very much!
Christian Service Center
901 Mesquite Street
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m - 4:00 p.m.

Dwelling in the Word
Sunday: Psalm 145; Jeremiah 23:16-32; I Corinthians 9:19-27
Monday: Psalm 35; Jeremiah 24:1-10; Romans 9:19-33
Tuesday: Psalm 124, 125, 126, 127; Jeremiah 25:8-17; Romans 10:1-13
Wednesday: Psalm 128, 129, 130; Jeremiah 25:30-38; Romans 10:14-21
Thursday: Psalm 140, 142; Jeremiah 26:1-16; Romans 11:1-12
Friday: Psalm 141, 143; Jeremiah 29:1, 4-13; Romans 11:13-24
Saturday: Psalm 42, 43; Jeremiah 31:27-34; Romans 11:25-36