Assembly date: October 4, 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 • October 11, 2009
Worship Leader: Val Durrington

O Worship the King
Welcome and Greeting
Ancient of Days

Family Concerns ~ Michael Mercer
Pastoral Prayer ~ Gary White

Call to Worship ~ I Peter 2:2-6
You Are Worthy of My Praise
Unto Thee, O Lord
We Will Worship You / You Are God Alone
The Lord’s Prayer

Welcome to the Lord’s Table
Thoughts and Prayers ~ Lee Fletcher
How Deep the Father’s Love

Tithes and Offerings
Anywhere With Jesus

HIS KIDS Worship for 3 - 5 Year-Old Preschool Children
You Never Let Go

Open My Eyes, that I May See
Isaiah 50:4-11 (NRSV) ~ Kacey Higgins
“Listening in the Dark” ~ Brady Bryce
Open the Eyes of My Heart

A Time of Prayer for God’s Work at Highland

Christian Homes Offering
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
There’s a Stirring
Benediction ~ Brady

Speaking next Sunday, October 18, ~ Wade Hodges

GRACE FELLOWSHIP
For several months, a small group has been meeting at Grace Fellowship at 910 Cypress with one goal…
to be the Light of Christ by loving God and by providing spiritual nourishment as well as Christian service to family, friends, and the community of Abilene.

Please join us in our ongoing daily prayers for Grace as we…
1. Share the good news of the kingdom of God and make disciples of Jesus. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:19-20
2. Provide a place in the neighborhood for worship and integrate believers into the body of Christ. "Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.’" ~ Matthew 22:37-38
3. Create a Christian environment and presence in the Grace Fellowship neighborhood. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’" ~ Matthew 25:35-40
4. Train, equip, and release Highland members to be missional in the Abilene community. "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." ~ Romans 8:29-30

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. 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
Christmas Store Toy/Gift Drive 2009 will be Sunday, November 1! The Christmas Store is seeking donations of toys or gifts for all ages. Gift suggestions include toys for ages birth-13 years, bikes for all ages, bike helmets, electronics, games, bath products, small tools, watches, and adult gifts for men or women. Gently used items for all ages and cash donations will also be accepted. For more information or to make arrangements for pickup or delivery, contact Becky at 673-5295. Reminder: Please be sure to include the price tags on all gifts.

Freedom Fellowship Praise and Prayer Service: Please join us at 941 Chestnut on Saturday, October 17. 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.

Freedom Fellowship Garage Sale: Plan to come for the garage sale on Saturday, October 24, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 941 Chestnut. Hot Dogs, chips, and drinks will also be available for $1.00 each. All proceeds will benefit Freedom Fellowship neighbors and friends. Neighbors will be at Freedom on Friday, October 23, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. to receive donations for the garage sale. For larger items, call Joe to make arrangements for pick-up.

COMMUNITY MINISTRY: MARK YOUR CALENDAR
November 1: Christmas Store Toy and Gift Drive
November 21: Freedom Fellowship Praise and Prayer
November 22: Thanksgiving Offering Sack Sunday
December 6: Christmas Blessing

ADULT FAITH MINISTRY
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
Let’s Talk About Jesus in Room 102 is a small welcoming class for sharing the journey of faith through Bible study and prayer, led by Gary and Maria White. Highland neighbors and friends are especially invited.

Families Built on the Rock is a class for young couples and families in Room 115, across from the Nursery. The class begins a new series on Christian Financial Principles, led by Jim Trietsch.

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

WEEKDAY GROUPS
Tuesday Ladies Bible Class: Meet for visiting and coffee at 9:00 a.m. and Bible study at 9:30 a.m. Extended childcare is provided this week until 1:30 p.m. in Room 113, off the South Foyer. Please bring a lunch for your child. There are two class options: The At His Feet class continues the Beth Moore study on the book of Esther in Room 207. Books are available in class or at the Reception Desk during office hours. The General Class continues a series on “Living Faith”, led by Ann Lewis in Room 111.

Christians in Recovery: This support group, led by Andrea Gette, meets on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 103.

One in a Million, a new video study by Priscilla Shirer, continues on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 207.

SMALL GROUPS MINISTRY
Information about the Small Group Ministry and how to find a small group is available at the Welcome Center in the Atrium and North and South Foyers. There are currently several small group opportunities for spiritual growth and building friendships, including newly forming and existing groups that meet on Sunday evening. For more information, please call Mary Lee Mattis at 673-5295 or e-mail adultfaith@highlandchurch.org.

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
HUNGRY? Are you hungry for the Word? All high school students are invited to join Dava Lynn Sullivan and Sarah Campbell TODAY, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. We will dive into the Word and some yummy dessert. We hope to see you there!

20/20 is our NEW monthly middle school worship time. Our first one is TODAY from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School Classroom. We will have a praise band and Michael Mercer will be speaking. Come and find out what 20/20 is all about.

Fields of Faith: All Huddles and Wednesday night middle school classes will meet at Fields of Faith THIS WEDNESDAY, October 14. We will kick the evening off with a 3D Ministry Tailgate Party in the South Parking Lot at Shotwell Stadium from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Grilled hotdogs, drinks, and dessert will be provided. Be there BY 6:30 p.m. to enter the gates with the youth group. Students will be dismissed from the event at 9:00 p.m. and can be picked up at Shotwell. Most Importantly … BRING A FRIEND!

Donate for Your Donut: High school and middle school students are encouraged to come to class NEXT SUNDAY, October 18, with money to donate toward your donuts. All money collected will go to support the Missions Special.

Seniors are invited to lunch with Michael and Sarah NEXT SUNDAY, October 18, following class. Meet in the High School Living Room after class and bring money for lunch.

Middle School Muddle: NEXT SUNDAY, October 18, come to the Highland building from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Everyone should bring one large bag of individually wrapped candy. We are going to have a Reverse Trick or Treat for our Highland neighbors!

West Texas Girls Conference: All 6th - 12th grade girls are invited to the WTGC 2009. The theme is THRIVE! We will spend the weekend learning that there is more to life than going through the motions and just surviving. It will be November 14 - 15 at ACU. The early-bird fee is $25.00 if you register by Wednesday, October 14. You will not want to miss this amazing opportunity, so pick up your application TODAY!

HIS KIDS MINISTRY
Musical Update: After much thought, discussion, and prayer, we have come to the decision not to have a Christmas musical this year. We are very thankful for those volunteers who offered to be part of a musical team, but we were unable to find a choral director who could lead the entire team of helpers and children. The musical has been an important part of our Highland family tradition, and although we will miss sharing the experience this year, we are looking forward to making new memories during the holiday season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

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

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 @ PRAYER
this Wednesday, October 14, from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Adults and university students meet in Room 207.

TRUNK AND TREAT
Attention Highland Families! Mark your calendars for our annual Trunk & Treat on Sunday, October 25, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the North parking lot. We also need your help! You can donate candy for the event by dropping bags of individually wrapped candy in the orange buckets in the foyers. We are also in need of trunks, so if you are interested, please call the youth office at 673-5295 for more details.

HIGHLAND FAMILY RETREAT
All members of the Highland Family are invited to make plans to attend the Fall Highland Family Retreat at the HEB Encampment in Leakey, Texas, on November 6 - 8. The cost is $20.00 per person. Registration will begin NEXT SUNDAY, October 18, in the Atrium.

HIGHLAND 101
Highland 101 is meeting today during 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! If you are already part of the Highland Family, and you know others who would like to know more about Highland, please encourage them to join us.

DWELLING IN THE WORD
Sunday: Psalm 118; II Kings 20:1-21; Acts 12:1-17
Monday: Psalm 120, 121, 122, 123; II Kings 21:1-18; I Corinthians 10:14 - 11:1
Tuesday: Psalm 124, 125, 126, 127; II Kings 22:1-13; I Corinthians 11:2, 17-22
Wednesday: Psalm 128, 129, 130; II Kings 22:14 - 23:3; I Corinthians 11:23-34
Thursday: Psalm 131, 132, 133; II Kings 23:4-25; I Corinthians 12:1-11
Friday: Psalm 134, 135; II Kings 23:36 - 24:17; I Corinthians 12:12-26
Saturday: Psalm 140, 141, 142, 143; Jeremiah 35:1-19; I Corinthians 12:27 - 13:3