Assembly date: July 5, 2009

We extend a warm welcome to all of our members and guests today! If you are visiting, we invite you to fill out one of the white Communication Cards located in the rack on the back of the seats, and 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 a Bible class to attend this morning, information for youth and adult classes is available at the Welcome Center. Information for children’s classes is available at the HIS KIDS desk in the North Foyer, just outside the Auditorium.

Assembly Order • July 5, 2009
Worship Leader: Charles Mattis

Come, Thou Almighty King
Welcome
O Worship the King

Family Concerns ~ Gina Lewis

Call to Worship: Psalm 117 ~ Charles Mattis
Praise the Lord
Forever
Great Are You Lord
The Lord’s Prayer

Celebrating with Our Family in Itu, Brazil
Conversation… Blessing… Prayer

Before the Throne of God Above
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross
Worthy Is the Lamb

Welcome to the Lord’s Table ~ Bryan and Becky Gibbs
The Bread Has Been Broken
Come, Share the Lord

Tithes and Offerings
Pastoral Prayer ~ Steve Hare

Impact Mission Trip Report ~ Grant and Andrew Boone
New Orleans Mission Trip Report ~ Garrett East,
Elizabeth Folwell and Micah Reeves

Forever
Benediction ~ Psalm 117

Shout Hallelujah!

Numbers 6:24-26 (Today’s New International Version)
Numeros 6:24-26 (Nova Versao Internacional)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
O Senhor te abencoe e te guarde;

25 The Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you;
o Senhor faca resplandecer o seu rosto sobre ti e te conceda graca;

26 The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
o Senhor volte para ti o seu rosto e te de paz.

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. ~1 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 Vanauken

The Church @ Play
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, would that not 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.

Could it be that the Church in general has neglected our need for play in our 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?

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!

CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRY
The Highland Prayer Ministry meets each Monday from 12:00 noon to 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, please 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 Children's Ministry of Freedom Fellowship is in need of volunteers to assist in teaching on Wednesday nights from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. If you would like to help serve in this area, please contact Maria White.

Mark your calendars for Sunday mornings, July 19 and 26, as the dates for the Highland family to restock the shelves at the Christian Ministries of Abilene food pantry. During the summer there is always an increase in the number of individuals requesting assistance when their school-aged children who receive free breakfast and lunch at school are now home. Please take a shopping list, check the items you would like to help purchase, attach a check or cash, and deliver them to the attendants at the Christian Ministries table in the Atrium, or to any staff member. Thank you for your generous outpouring for the hungry of our community!

Praise and Prayer Service: Please join us at Freedom Fellowship at 941 Chestnut on Saturday, July 18. The potluck meal is from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. and worship begins at 7:00 p.m. The main entree is provided. Please bring side dishes including vegetables, salads, breads, or desserts, to share with friends and neighbors. For more information, please contact Joe Almanza at 673-5295.

ADULT FAITH MINISTRY
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
Make sure you and your family take part in two special Sundays for the Highland family! Classes will not meet this morning or next Sunday so that everyone can meet together.

TODAY – Potluck Lunch in the Gym
July 12 – Reception for the Cope Family

Bible classes will resume on July 19.

WEEKDAY GROUPS
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David continues this Monday, July 6, in Room 207, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. For more information contact Gay Lynn at 673-5295.

Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman continues on Tuesdays from 9:45 - 11:45 a.m. in Room 111. Childcare is provided in Room 113, off the South Foyer. For more information, please contact Jean Isom.

CAMPUS MINISTRY
Our Sunday Morning Gathering will not meet this morning. We will gather in the Gym this morning to
take part in the all-church potluck celebration.

3D MINISTRY
Wednesday Nights: 3D Ministry is participating in the Church @ Play. Come enjoy the fun and fellowship!

Crossover 2009: All new 9th through 12th grade students are invited to Crossover 2009 on August 7 - 9. The theme for the retreat is Heroes and we will be challenged to “be real”. The cost for the weekend is a non-refundable $65.00. Scholarships will be available upon request. Applications are available TODAY in the Welcome Center!

All Youth and Parents: Be sure to watch your mail for information regarding the upcoming middle school and high school activities!

HIS KIDS MINISTRY
HIS KIDS Worship: HIS KIDS Worship for pre-school children has postponed resuming until Sunday, July 19. They will not meet this morning or next Sunday, July 12.

Wednesday Night: All children will join their families as we enjoy the Church @ Play activities this Wednesday, July 8. There will be no classes or nursery care.

Splash Party: Children entering kindergarten and their families are invited to join us from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, for a swim party at the Gilbert home. Bring a lunch and your swim gear!

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.

Next Sunday July 12, Mike Cope will preach his last sermon in his official capacity as Highland's Preaching Minister. We all love Mike and Diane and their family, and we are looking forward to a very special day of celebration and love honoring the Copes for Mike's 18 years of service at Highland. A special reception is planned in the Atrium and Gym next Sunday immediately following the Worship Service. There will be no adult, youth, or children’s Bible classes.
Please pray for Mike and his family as we prayerfully release Mike to his new work with Heartbeat Ministries.

Wednesday, July 8
Join us for the Church @ Play this Wednesday!
Domino Night
Join us this Wednesday at 6:00 in the Highland Gym. Bring your own brown bag supper and one extra to share. Drinks and dessert will be provided. The National Game of Texas, 42, will be featured in the Gym and a Domino Rally for all ages will be set up in the Atrium.
Come enjoy the fun and fellowship!

Check out the New Look in the South Foyer!
We want to continue painting in Room 114 and Room 115 and need volunteers. The rooms need to be ready for class on Sunday, July 19. If you are available to help please e-mail Gina Lewis at gina@highlandchurch.org.

Operation Blue Jeans 2009!
Christian Service Center
901 Mesquite Street
We are offering a new pair of jeans and a week’s supply of socks and underwear to low-income children in Abilene.
Each child is also offered an age-appropriate children’s Bible.
A limited number of backpacks will also be available.
School supplies will be given away through the school counselors.
Please refer families to the Service Center for these items.
To make an appointment call 673-7531.
Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon and 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.We will also be open on Saturday, July 11, and August 1, from 9:00 a.m. -- 12:00 noon
Volunteers are also needed to help children receive their new clothes!
-- Jim Clark, Director

DWELLING IN THE WORD
Sunday: Psalm 146, 147;
I Samuel 14:36-45; Matthew 22:1-14

Monday: Psalm 1, 2, 3;
I Samuel 15:1-3, 7-23; Luke 23:44-56a

Tuesday: Psalm 5, 6;
I Samuel 15:24-35; Luke 23:56b - 24:11

Wednesday: Psalm 12, 13, 14;
I Samuel 16:1-13; Luke 24:12-35

Thursday: Psalm 18;
I Samuel 16:14 - 17:11; Luke 24:36-53

Friday: Psalm 16, 17;
I Samuel 17:17-30; Mark 1:1-13

Saturday: Psalm 20, 21;
I Samuel 17:31-49; Mark 1:14-28