Assembly date: September 6, 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 • September 6, 2009
Worship Leader: Jeremiah Gibson

We Shall Assemble
Welcome and Greeting

Family Concerns ~ Dickie Porche
Pastoral Prayer ~ Vince Swinney

Call to Worship: Ephesians 4:1-6 ~ Steve Hare
We Are the Body of Christ
Because We Believe
Salvation Belongs to Our God
The Lord’s Prayer

We Will Glorify
We Will Stand

Acts 15:22-29 ~ Jason Toy
Message ~ Randy Harris

Welcome to the Lord’s Table
Acts 15:30-34 ~ David and Stephanie Lang
Communion Medley

As we celebrate this time of communion, ushers will be available near the end of the serving time to assist those who have a need to remain at their seat. Please signal one of the ushers and you will be served.

Tithes and Offerings

We Will Stand

Pastoral Response and Benediction ~ David Lang

Speaking next Sunday, September 13, ~ Jerry Taylor

3d MINISTRY
New Orleans 2009
This summer the high school students in our Youth Group had the opportunity to take a week-long trip to New Orleans! While there, we were able to give aid to many who had been affected by hurricane Katrina. This included: painting houses, cleaning up a graveyard, helping in yard work, and even gutting a house that had been flooded. The trip was a blast and was a clear opportunity for God to work through his disciples in this world. In just 5 days, the teens were able to make an incredible impact in the lives of some of the those living in New Orleans, and this trip served as a great reminder that our world is full of all kinds of opportunities to show God's love. – Micah Reeves, 3d Ministry Senior

CONGREGATIONAL CARE MINISTRY
The Highland Prayer Ministry meets each Monday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Prayer Room. 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
FaithWorks of Abilene begins its fall session on Monday, September 14! We are requesting individuals or small groups to please consider helping by providing a complete healthy lunch. If you cannot provide a complete meal, please consider providing the main entrée, and FaithWorks will supplement with side dishes purchased from the Food Bank. Cash donations are also accepted. A FaithWorks table will be set up in the Atrium this morning. Compare your calendar with the dates that meals are needed, and consider the times that will be convenient for you! For more information on providing a FaithWorks meal, please contact Becky Almanza.

The Christmas Store: Families have begun to earn points for the annual Highland Christmas Store, which is a unique opportunity for families to earn points by participating in self-improvement programs. These points are turned into dollar amounts that families can then use to purchase Christmas gifts for their children. Volunteers are needed now to begin organizing, soliciting, and doing an inventory of gifts. If you would like to be a part of this wonderful ministry or if you are interested in working with families who may benefit from the Christmas Store, please contact Becky Almanza.

HIGHLAND COMMUNITY MINISTRY CALENDAR
Mondays:
Grace Interest Meeting: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at 910 Cypress. Childcare is available.
Freedom AA Meeting: 7:00 p.m. at 941 Chestnut. Childcare is not available.

Wednesdays:
Freedom Fellowship Meal: 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. at 941 Chestnut. Bible Classes for adults and children from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Thursdays:
Freedom Fellowship Discipleship Class: 6:00 p.m. at 941 Chestnut. No childcare is available.

3rd Saturday of each month:
Freedom Fellowship Praise and Prayer Service: Meal from 6:00 - 6: 30 p.m. and worship from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at 941 Chestnut. No childcare is available.

ADULT FAITH MINISTRY
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
Hispanic Realities: A new adult class begins today! This four-week class led by Patricia Hernandez will focus on understanding the changing diversity of our nation and the Abilene community, with implications for mission and evangelism. The class will meet in Room 206, across from the elevator.

Families of Faith meets in the Highland Living Room. Adults of all ages are invited to join them as they continue a series on Spiritual Disciplines, led by James McGee.

Fiftysomething.com in Room 110 begins a two-week series led by Kaye Hawkins on the book by Brian McLaren entitled, The Secret Message of Jesus.

WEEKDAY GROUPS
Tuesday Ladies Bible Class: Meet for visiting and coffee at 9:00 and Bible study at 9:30 in Room 112. Denecia Hubbard is teaching from the Letter to the Hebrews. Childcare is provided in Room 113, off the South Foyer. The At His Feet class will offer the Beth Moore series on Esther, beginning September 29.

One in a Million, a new video study by Priscilla Shirer, begins on Monday, September 14, at 7:00 in Room 207. This seven week study explores the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the promised land. Books will be available at the first session. For more information, please contact Gay Lynn at the Adult Faith Ministry office, 673-5295.

An Introductory Spanish class taught by Lee Fletcher continues this Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in Room 208. For information about the class, please contact Lee.

MOPS begins next Monday, September 14! The Highland MOPS group meets two Mondays a month from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Room 207. MOPS is hosting a Kiddos Night Out this Friday, September 11, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Highland. The cost is $10.00 per child. Flyers are available in the foyers.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
A Small Group Interest Meeting is next Sunday, September 13, from 6:00 - 7:00 in Room 110. This is an informal time to meet and get to know other people who want to grow more like Jesus in a small group community. Pizza, tea, and salad will be provided. Childcare for all ages is in Room 113, off the South Foyer.

CAMPUS MINISTRY
Our Sunday Morning Gathering meets at 10:30 a.m. upstairs in Room 207 as we explore the book of Exodus. Join us as we grow in love for one another and for those in our community.

3D MINISTRY
The Junior Huddle plans to return from their trip to Bandina, Texas, TOMORROW, September 7, by 5:00 p.m.

High School Class Planning Team is meeting THIS WEDNESDAY, September 9, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. in the High School Living Room.

Parents of New 6th Grade Students are invited to the second class of a 3-week series THIS WEDNESDAY, September 9, in Room 206. We will use these classes to share more in depth about the youth ministry, youth culture, spiritual formation, and parenthood. We will be joined this week by Houston Heflin, former youth minister and new ACU professor. We are excited about this time of sharing together.

Middle School Muddle: Plan to come NEXT SUNDAY, September 13, to the home of Brady and Brooke Nichols. We will play G-nip G-nop, backwards ping pong, followed by ice cream sundaes! Please bring $1.00 for your sundae. We hope to see you there!

High School Huddles meet each WEDNESDAY, from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:
Freshman Huddle in the Middle School Living Room
Sophomore Huddle in the High School Living Room
Junior Huddle at the Cunningham’s home
Senior Huddle at the Groves’ home.

HIS KIDS MINISTRY
HIS KIDS Worship: HIS KIDS Worship for pre-school children, ages 3 - 5, will not meet this morning. Volunteers are needed for this very special ministry. For more information, please contact Suzetta Nutt at 673-5295.

Wednesday Night: Bible classes continue meeting this Wednesday, September 2. Kindergarten through 5th grade will meet upstairs in the Children’s Wing. Nursery and preschool children will continue meeting in their regular classrooms.

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.

The Highland offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of Labor Day.

Join the Church @ Study this Wednesday, September 9, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Adults and university students meet in Room 207.

HIGHLAND 101
Highland 101 is scheduled to meet next Sunday, September 13, during Sunday morning Bible class, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m., in Room 111. Gina Lewis and Dickie Porche invite you to come and receive information about becoming a part of the Highland Family! This one-time class allows us to exchange information, share a bit of Highland history, and get to know one another. If you have questions or have definitely decided you would like to be a part of this faith family, please make plans to join us!

Pantry Plea
We currently have need for donations of paper grocery sacks and twist ties. Barbara Tucker will be happy to receive your donations in the Library Class that meets in Room 105 on Sunday mornings.

Dwelling in the Word
Sunday: Psalm 44, 45; I Kings 8:22-40; Mark 15:40 - 16:20
Monday: Psalm 41, 42; I Kings 13:1-10; Philippians 1:1-11
Tuesday: Psalm 47, 48; I Kings 16:23-34; Philippians 1:22-30
Wednesday: Psalm 49, 53; I Kings 17:1-24 ; Philippians 2:1-11
Thursday: Psalm 50; I Kings 18:1-19; Philippians 2:12-30
Friday: Psalm 51; I Kings 18:20-40; Philippians 3:1-16
Saturday: Psalm 55; I Kings 18:41 - 19:8; Philippians 3:17 - 4:7