Assembly date: September 13, 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 13, 2009
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

Heavenly Sunlight
Welcome and Greeting

Family Concerns ~ Suzetta Nutt
Pastoral Prayer ~ Dee Lott

Blessing of David Nicholas Peterson,
son of Nick and Lauren Peterson

Call to Worship ~ John 1:1-9
Here I Am to Worship
John 1:10-14
How Great Is Your Love
Highest Place
The Lord’s Prayer

HIS KIDS Worship for 3 - 5 Year-Old Preschool Children
Forever

I John 1:1-10 ~ Olivia Hodges
Message ~ Jerry Taylor
Shine, Jesus, Shine

Welcome to the Lord’s Table
John 17:20-23 ~ Darell and Annette Martin
Come, Share the Lord

Tithes and Offerings
Summit Invitation ~ Brady Bryce
Because We Believe

Benediction ~ John 1:14

Speaking next Sunday, September 20, ~ Josh Ross

3d MINISTRY
Junior Senior Mission Trip: Memphis 2009
This summer, the juniors and seniors at Highland were blessed to be able to go to Memphis, Tennessee, for a week. While we were there, we spent time with inner-city kids as counselors at Crowley’s Ridge Youth Camp. It was so much fun to see the joy on their faces as we swam, zip-lined, rode horses, fished, and had Bible classes. Also while we were in Memphis, we were privileged to take part in a Poverty Plunge where we stepped out of our comfort zones to experience life as a poor person. The weekend opened all of our eyes and made us aware of how God knows no difference between rich and poor. It was obvious God was with us as we had shelter, found food, and interacted with people. Overall, our week overflowed with blessings from the joy of the inner-city kids and the love God showed on the streets of Memphis. ~ McKinley Musgrave, 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 tomorrow! 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 a main entrée or cash donations. For more information, please contact Becky Almanza.

The Highland Boys and Girls Club needs volunteers to assist during arts and crafts time on Thursday afternoons. If you would like to help, please contact Polly Jones or Joe Almanza.

Freedom Fellowship: Please join us for the Freedom Fellowship Praise and Prayer Service at 941 Chestnut on Saturday, September 19. The meal is from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. followed by the worship service from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. The main entrée will be provided. Please bring side dishes to share with neighbors and friends.

The Christmas Store: Families are now earning points by serving others and by participating in self-improvement programs. These points will then be turned into dollar amounts to use to purchase Christmas gifts for their children through The Christmas Store! Volunteers are needed now to begin organizing, soliciting, and making an inventory of donated items. 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 NA 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: The focus of this four-week class led by Patricia Hernandez is on understanding the changing diversity of our nation and the Abilene community, with implications for mission and evangelism. The class meets in Room 206, across from the elevator.

Abundant Journey is a class community that welcomes adults of all ages in Room 201. Jim Clark continues a three-week series on Prayer.

The Early Bird Class meets in Room 114, off the South Foyer. Edsel Hughes leads a study from the book of I Peter.

Faithseekers is a large multigenerational class meeting in Room 112, led by David Lang and Charles Mattis. The class begins a study series on the book of Exodus.

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.

Christians in Recovery: This support group, led by Andrea Gette, meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 103. This group is for adults challenged by any and all addictions.

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.

MOPS Begins Tomorrow! The Highland MOPS group meets two Mondays a month from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. in Room 207.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
A Small Group Interest Meeting in Room 110 is TODAY from 6:00 - 7:00. This is an informal time to 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.

A Potluck Meal is being hosted today by two of the Highland small groups in Room 110 following Bible class for all hungry university students! Come and meet new faces and share a meal together!

3D MINISTRY
Middle School Muddle: TODAY from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. all 6th through 8th grade students are invited 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!

Middle School Dream Team will meet THIS WEDNESDAY, September 16, from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. in the Middle School Living Room to finish planning the Middle School calendar for the year. Bring your dinner, and we will see you there!

The High School Class Planning Team will meet THIS WEDNESDAY, September 16, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the High School Living Room.

Parents of New 6th Grade Students are invited to the final class of a 3-week series THIS WEDNESDAY, September 16, in Room 206. We will use this time to share more in depth about the youth ministry, youth culture, spiritual formation, and parenthood. We will be joined this week by David Lang, Highland Elder, former youth minister, and veteran parent. We are excited about this time of sharing together!

HIS KIDS MINISTRY
HIS KIDS Worship: Pre-school children, ages 3 - 5, will meet this morning in Room 113, just off the South Foyer.

Wednesday Night: Bible classes for kindergarten through 5th grade meet upstairs in the Children’s Wing. Nursery and preschool children meet in their regular classrooms.

Musical Update: Many of you are eager to get the Christmas Musical practice started! We are still working to bring together our leadership team. Watch for more details soon!

Father/Son Bowling Night: All boys, ages 3 years through 5th grade, and their dads are invited to Primetime this Friday, September 18. Come from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for pizza and bowling! The cost is $5.00 per person. Please RSVP by Tuesday at 673-5295.

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. The Mom’s Nursery and Family Room are available for infants and toddlers accompanied by parents or grandparents.

Join the Church @ Study this Wednesday, September 16, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Adults and university students meet in Room 207.

THANK YOU
Thanks to everyone who supported the Flaming family through the t-shirt project and the Light the Night walk! What a wonderful picture of unity to see all the yellow shirts walking around ACU! The amount raised to help with out-of-pocket expenses for the Flaming family exceeded all expectations!

INTO ALL THE WORLD 2011
A planning team is being formed to guide Highland's mission effort IATW 2011. In 2005 and 2008, over 400 members participated in short term mission trips through this ministry. If you are interested in being part of the planning team, please contact Randy Halstead.

Highland 101
Highland 101 will meet this morning 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!

DWELLING IN THE WORD
Sunday: Psalm 8, 84; I Kings 19:8-21; Acts 5:34-42
Monday: Psalm 64, 65; I Kings 21:1-16; I Corinthians 1:1-19
Tuesday: Psalm 61, 62; I Kings 21:17-29; I Corinthians 1:20-31
Wednesday: Psalm 72; I Kings 22:1-28 ; I Corinthians 2:1-13
Thursday: Psalm 70, 71; I Kings 22:29-45; I Corinthians 2:14 - 3:15
Friday: Psalm 73, 74; II Kings 1:2-17; I Corinthians 3:16-23
Saturday: Psalm 75, 76; II Kings 2:1-18; I Corinthians 4:1-7