Assembly date: December 20, 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 • December 20, 2009
Worship Leader: Brad Carter

O Come, All Ye Faithful
Welcome and Greeting
O Come, Let Us Adore Him

Pastoral Prayer ~ Bob Nutt

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
HIS KIDS ~ A Nativity
Away in a Manger
What Child Is This?

Bringing Gifts of Love for Babies
Magnificat
Angels We Have Heard on High
Joy to the World
The Lord’s Prayer

Lighting of the Advent Wreath ~ The Reynolds Family
O Holy Night!

“Love”
Philippians 2:5-11 ~ Talmadge Trammell
“Love in the Midst of Hate” ~ Randy Harris
The Greatest Commands

Welcome to the Lord’s Table ~ Kevin and Jenny Wilkinson
Love Divine
Beautiful One

Family Concerns ~ Suzetta Nutt
Tithes and Offerings
More Than Anything

The First Noel
Benediction ~ Randy Harris

“The baby of prophecy, the King of kings, is born in a quiet town in an inconsequential region to unremarkable people and placed in a trough in a barn. Yet by the grace of God this spot becomes the center of the universe, the matrix of hope and redemption and salvation. The quiet, ordinary place becomes the beginning of the dramatic climax of the great Story. The birth of Jesus incarnates the promise that we are not alone and that we are loved beyond measure, recipients of a love that brings peace and stillness to our souls.” ~Adam McHugh

The Bible tells us that it is because God loved the world so much that Jesus came. The angel tells Joseph that the baby to be born will be called ‘Emmanuel’, ‘God with us.’ Because God loves us and came into the world to be with us, we must love and care for others. Jesus came to show us how to live that love.

“’...I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David
a Savior has been born to you.
He is the Messiah, the Lord.’”
Luke 2:10-11

“’Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’” ~Luke 2:14

“‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” Matthew 2:2

CELEBRATING HIS KINGDOM, 2009...
ANTICIPATING HIS KINGDOM, 2010...

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
Thank you to all those who participated to make The Christmas Store a great success this year. Numerous wonderful items were donated and many Abilene families were served. Thank you to the volunteers who helped prepare the store and who worked tirelessly helping the shoppers. Your love for Jesus is demonstrated by your service to others!

Freedom Fellowship will not meet this Wednesday, December 23.

FaithWorks Winter Session begins on January 11, 2010! Please consider helping by providing a complete lunch meal. Look for the FaithWorks table in the Atrium after January 3 to volunteer, or contact Becky Almanza. Dates available include January 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, through the first week in April.

Freedom Fellowship Praise and Prayer Service: Please join us for the next monthly service on Saturday, January 16, 2010. A potluck meal is from 6:00 - 6:30 p.m. followed by a time of worship from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. The main entree will be provided. Please bring side dishes to share with neighbors and friends. Freedom Fellowship is located at 941 Chestnut.

ADULT FAITH MINISTRY
SUNDAY MORNING UPDATE
Bible classes for all ages will resume meeting on Sunday, January 10, at 10:30 a.m.

WEEKDAY GROUPS
All weekday groups have concluded for the holidays.

Tuesday Ladies Bible Class will resume Tuesday morning, January 5. Meet for coffee and visiting at 9:00 a.m. and Bible study at 9:30 a.m. Women of all ages are invited to class in Room 112. Childcare is provided in Room 113 off the South Foyer.

Breaking Free: UPDATED EDITION will begin Monday, January 25, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 207. This new eleven-week video study by Beth Moore explores the transforming power of Christ through the Bible. For more information, see the flyers that are available in the foyers, or contact Gay Lynn Michaud at 673-5295.

CAMPUS MINISTRY
Our Sunday Morning Gathering will resume Sunday, January 10, 2010.

3D MINISTRY
Wilderness Trek 2010: All high school students who are interested in going on Wilderness Trek on July 24 - 31, 2010 may pick up applications at the Welcome Center TODAY. Your application and a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 is due January 24.

Reminder: There will be no high school or middle school huddles or classes on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings for the remainder of 2009 and the first Sunday in January, 2010. Please enjoy this time with your families!

HIS KIDS MINISTRY
HIS KIDS Worship: We will not meet for HIS KIDS Worship this morning, next Sunday, December 27, or Sunday, January 3. We will resume January 10, 2010.

Wednesday Night: Children’s classes will not meet on Wednesday evenings on December 23 or December 30. We will resume on Wednesday, January 6. Families, please enjoy this special time together!

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.

HOLIDAY SEASON SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 23:
No Activities at Highland

Sunday, December 27:
Worship - 10:00 a.m.; No Bible Classes

Wednesday, December 30:
No Activities at Highland

Sunday, January 3:
Worship - 10:00 a.m.; No Bible Classes;
Potluck Luncheon

Wednesday, January 6:
Resume Classes;
The Church @ Reflection - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 11:
Resume Worship - 9:00 a.m.;
Resume Bible Classes - 10:30 a.m.

DWELLING IN THE WORD
Sunday: Psalm 8, 84; Genesis 3:8-15; John 3:31-36
Monday: Psalm 61, 62; Zephaniah 3:7-17; Luke 1:1-25
Tuesday: Psalm 66, 67; I Samuel 2:1-10; Luke 1:26-38
Wednesday: Psalm 72; II Samuel 7:1-17; Luke 1:39-56
Thursday: Psalm 89; Isaiah 59:15-21; Matthew 1:18-25
Friday: Psalm 2, 85; Micah 4:1-5, 5:2-4; Luke 2:1-14
Saturday: Psalm 28, 30; II Chronicles 24:17-22; Luke 2:15-20