The Highline econnection

Transcription

1 The Highline econnection May 2017 Touched by Jesus to Touch Other s Lives Experience God s T.O.U.C.H. Inside this issue: Women in Touch illuminate Youth Higher Ground Children Early Childhood 19 There is still time to sign up. Cinco de Mayo , also known as Friday, May 5th, The date night festivities go from 6-8:30. Elders 21 Staff 22 THE FOOD! The Hernandez family will prepare for us delicious, authentic Mexican food for you to enjoy: Carne or Pollo Asado, Mexican rice, black beans and all the trimmings for the Asado, and dessert, of course. For drinks we have fruit drinks and iced tea. Move over Azteca! THE ENTERTAINMENT! Pastor Tim will lead us in a good old fashioned Highline version of The Newlywed Game. We will have couples with different durations of marital bliss competing on the platform. AND we all get to play along at our tables with our spouses as well! THE WORD! So much for the food, and the entertainment! Pastor (Tim) Knight will then hand it off to Pastor (Mark) Knight. Pastor Mark will bring a message that will challenge us to deepen and strengthen our marriages. (continued on page 2)

2 Annual Congregational Meeting & Vote Page 2 The Annual Congregational Meeting will be May 7, 2017 after the 10:40 a.m. Worship Service. The Annual Congregational Vote will be the weekend of May 20 & 21. We will be voting on the officers of the congregation as well as the Annual Church Budget. A copy of the proposed budget is available at the Welcome Center. Elders (3 year term) Gregg Louvier Paul Smith Bret Thorson It Just Keeps Growing! There are over 1200 people that have downloaded and are using our HIGHLINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH APP!! We are so pleased that so many of you are benefiting from all the great features of the app. The top five features that are the most used right now are the calendar, sermon notes, check-in, Bible and listen. If you have yet to use these features, please check them out. For those of you with a QR reader on your phone, simply scan the QR code and it will take you directly to our app to download it. You can also click on this link If you would rather download from the App Store or the Google Play Store then type in Highline Christian Church in your search bar and you should see it. Please let us know if you have any questions or need help. There are so many things you can do through the app, so please explore it and use whatever you like. Date Night (continued from page 1) Our cover charge is $30 per couple: it covers the food (which will be fun), the couples talk (which will be fun), the fun (which will also be fun), and don t be surprised if we have a parting gift for everyone and a way to keep much of this night alive through the year! All in all, it should be a night to remember! Sign-up on the HUB or App starting April 1, 2017 by going to Forms Married Couples Date Night This is the last weekend to sign-up at the Atrium table during our weekend services.

3 Scholarships Available for Family Camp! Page 3 Registration is now open for Family Camp at Pleasant Valley Christian Camp July 23-28! It is a great week of fellowship, food, family, and fun. There are classes for all ages. They have a speaker and worship times. The afternoons leave time for you as a family to hang out and explore the woods, go swimming, and just enjoy being together. If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, please contact the church office or office@highlinechristian.org. Heading off to a Christian College Next Highline Christian Church awards scholarships to help students who are members of HCC and attending a Christian School. Applications are available on the HUB/APP HCC Scholarship Application The application deadline is May 26, Greater Highline/Tukwila Young Life Each summer, Young Life leaders in the Greater Highline/Tukwila area take area teenagers, mostly unchurched, to a Young Life camp where they spend a week being loved on, having ridiculous amounts of fun, and experiencing the good news of Jesus Christ every day. This summer, we hope to FILL 4 BUSES - taking 90 kids on four different camp trips (High School, Middle School, Teen Moms, 6th Grade). A week of camp does come at a price an average of $600 per spot. Most teens and their families in our area cannot afford the full cost of camp, even with fundraising opportunities. Here s what you can do to help us get them there: Take a cardboard bus home from church during our weekend services. Fill the bus with cash, change, or checks during the next few weeks. Pray for the GHT Young Life mission each time you put money in the bus. Bring the bus back to any service during the weekend of May and park it in the designated lot (the Young Life table in the Atrium).

4 Page 4 Seniors Outing THURSDAY, May 4 is the date for the seniors to spend some time at the Museum of History & Industry in Downtown Seattle. Why on a Thursday? Free admission!!! We ll meet in the church parking lot at 9:15 a.m. to drive the van, and perhaps a few private vehicles. We ll grab lunch at one of the eateries in the area. Plan on a $3.00 donation for gas and parking. Please sign up at the Atrium table during our weekend service. Prevention Time REACH4LIFE Events Silent Auction May 6, 6:30-8:30 pm Sacajawea Middle School 1101 South Dash Pt. Rd, Federal Way. Dress casual, free admission & refreshments. Auction items include restaurant & retail gift cards, baskets, plants, bakery items, etc. Thandeka (Thandy) Mavundla, Program Director from South Africa, will give updates. Meet Thandy May 9, 7:00 pm Packards home nd Ct. S., Federal Way Jimmy Mac s Breakfast (across from Costco in Federal Way) May 13, 8-10 am. Cost is $10. (Thandy will attend.) Garage Sale June Setup on June 6-7, items and helpers needed. Watch preventiontime.org for location

5 Page 5 World Outreach News Featuring: Dan & Tawnny Serving with Jesus Film Project how we were planning to move to Thailand in the summer of However, almost a week after we sent that letter we received news that there had been some significant leadership changes in the JESUS Film ministry in Thailand and things were not stable enough for us to move at that time. So, we began waiting and praying again. Touching the World with Hope Dan and Tawny write... In September, 2014 we received an from a JESUS Film coworker in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The subject read simply, What do you think about Chiang Mai? Our coworker, Curt, was asking Tawnny and I what we would think about moving our family to Thailand to help with the work there. Our initial response was, Well, we don t think about Chiang Mai but we are willing to pray about it. And so we prayed. For nine months we prayed, fasted, sought wise counsel and then prayed some more. And, in the end, we believed the Lord s calling for our family was to sell nearly everything and move to northern Thailand in order to equip believers in some of the most unreached parts of the world with gospel tools in the heart languages of their people. Does all of this sound familiar? Well, that s because a year ago, almost to the day, we wrote about While we waited we had a baby (Tobias, born in April 2016) and over this past summer the administrative upheaval in Thailand settled down. Our co-workers in Chiang Mai reiterated their desire for our family to come and the great ministry opportunities in the area. So we prayed again, talked to a lot of wise people, prayed some more, and in the end, we believe we have seen the Lord confirm His call on our family to move to Chiang Mai, Thailand, this summer of Why Chiang Mai, Thailand? Thailand, though predominately Buddhist, has a long history of being open to missionaries and missions work. Chiang Mai in particular has become a missions base for nearly every major worldwide missions organization. Most of the countries surrounding Thailand are full of unreached, unengaged people groups with little to no gospel resources in their heart languages. By living in Chiang (continued on page 6)

6 Page 6 Jesus Film Project (continued from page 5) Mai, my (Dan s) travel time and expense will be greatly reduced, giving me greater access to train and equip the local believers with the JESUS Film tools they need. What will we be doing there? The JESUS Film office in Chiang Mai has asked our family to come so that I can travel to the many unreached countries surrounding Thailand and oversee the training and equipping of national believers on how they can build recording systems and dub the JESUS film into their local languages. Being based in Thailand, I will have easier access to be available to train and equip national workers on how they can translate, record and use the JESUS film in the heart languages of the people in their country. There is the option that I could do the recording. I was a JESUS film recording technician and trainer for five years before I began managing the JESUS Film Information Technology team. But my doing one recording yields just that, one recording. However, my training nationals on how they can do the recording multiplies my skills and time exponentially. These local believers can go into places where I could never go. They already know the language and the customs. My training them greatly expands the saturation of the gospel and the growth of the church, much more so than if I simply came in and did one recording at a time. This is really the crux of our family saying yes to such a big move. It is no small thing for us to sell our possessions, take our kids even farther away from family, and face a culture so very different from what we have all known. But as we have prayed and waited, Tawnny and I have both concluded that God has prepared me and by extension our family for this role during our time with the JESUS Film Project. The reason our co-worker Curt asked our family initially was because of, what he called, the unique skill set and experience of training, recording, and technological know-how that I have to be able to do this new job. We believe God is calling our family to Thailand because He wants us to be a part of making His name known in some of the hardest, least reached parts of the world. What a privilege! We look forward to sharing more in the months to come, so stay tuned. Our plan is for our family to attend a cross-cultural training that Cru offers in Colorado in June and July, and then leave for Chiang Mai at the beginning of August. As you can imagine, we are busy with the many details of making a move half-way around the world with four small kids, while still homeschooling, working, doing the daily tasks of life and parenting. We are grateful that your prayers go before us and a sovereign and loving God directs our steps. Prayer Requests Pray for our family as we prepare for our move with all the details of selling our house, applying for visas, transitioning out of my current role, etc. Pray for wisdom as we prepare our hearts for the transition. Pray for our kids to have peace and excitement even going into this unknown.

7 Page 7 Baptism why not? F or the past several months Lowell Hall has been writing an article on what it means to become a Christian. He s written about hearing, believing, repenting, and confessing. Next month he ll write a final piece on living the Christian life. Between then and now, I asked Lowell for permission to write the article on baptism because I wanted to write it from the perspective of this pastor s passion. So my question to you is simple: If you have never been baptized, why not? You might ask a question back: Why should I? Fair enough. Let me answer giving four reasons in this article. Baptism is the best and most Biblical portrayal of the Gospel. The English word baptism is a transliterated word (not a translated word). That is, it sounds, in English, like the word sounds in Greek. It means to dip, plunge, or immerse. When you are baptized, you are showing with your whole body what Jesus did for you through the Gospel. If you don t believe me, read it for yourself in Romans 6:1-6. You show death (holding your breath), burial (surrounded by water), and resurrection (coming up out of the water to take a new, fresh breath of life). With your body, you are showing the world what Jesus did for you! So why not? Baptism is what Jesus told us to do. When Jesus gave the Great Commission before ascending back to heaven, he gave us our marching orders: Go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It s not a suggestion or a good idea, if you want to---it s what the Lord told us to do! So why not? (continued on page 8)

8 Page 8 Baptism (continued from page 7) Baptism demonstrates the faith that justifies. I like how Pastor John Piper puts it: Faith unites us to Christ; baptism symbolizes the union. An analogy would be saying, With this ring I thee wed. When we say that, we don t mean that the ring or the putting on of the ring on the finger is what makes us married. No, it shows the covenant and symbolizes the covenant, but the covenant-making vows make the marriage. So why not? Baptism is the Biblical response to faith. On the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when the people truly believed the message of Jesus they asked Peter what they were to do. He said: Repent and be baptized! Andrew Wilson put it like this: However, much some people might object to it, claiming that it sounds too traditional or magical or ceremonial, baptism is the one thing that ALL BELIEVERS in the New Testament do in response to the Gospel. Read the book of Acts. All over the place, we see people coming to faith in Jesus and then getting baptized! That s the Biblical way people responded with their bodies, when the reality of the Good News of God s love in Christ, penetrated their souls by faith. So, why not?...baptism is the one thing that ALL BELIEVERS in the New Testament do in response to the Gospel. If you have never been baptized, I would love the honor of meeting with you to look at the scriptures and then see this image of the Gospel beautifully pictured in your life. Just let me know, we can sit down over a cup of coffee, look at the Word and make plans for your baptism soon. After all, why not? Your brother, Pastor Tim

9 Reformed Reflections By Brad Krantz 500 Years of Reformation We are fast approaching the 500-Year anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses upon the church door of Wittenberg on October 31, 1517! This was the event that has been said to have been the spark that ignited the fire of the Reformation. With this, history was unalterably impacted like almost nothing before or since. However, like many of us, this likely has been relegated to the dustbin of church history. But, what is it s legacy? Do we still care and, more importantly, does it even matter? To commemorate this anniversary and remind ourselves, I plan on doing a short series covering three aspects of it: this first one on, the Reformation and it s legacy for us, then one on Martin Luther and then John Calvin. Matthew Barrett, in his essay The Crux of Genuine Reform notes, the Reformation was primarily, a theological movement caused by doctrinal concerns. 1 Though political, social, and economic factors were important, we must recognize that the reformation was essentially a religious event; its deepest concerns, theological. 2 Our own church has it s heritage in the Cane Ridge revivals of Kentucky in the early 19 th Century and the associated teachings of Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell. Though they distanced themselves from certain Calvinist doctrines, the Reformations impact still Page 9 manifests itself evidenced on the back of our bulletins and the What We Believe statement. As Barrett continues, What distinguishes the Reformation, however, is that its deepest theological concern was the Gospel itself. In other words, the Reformation was a renewed emphasis on right doctrine, and the doctrine that stood center stage was a proper understanding of the grace of God in the Gospel of his Son, Christ Jesus. 3 Without question, the two doctrines that continue to divide Protestantism and Catholicism (Rome) are the Authority of Scripture and Justification by faith. These, in my estimation, are the crux of the Reformers contention for the Gospel, with justification by faith being, perhaps the question of questions for this period. But, how do these play out for us today, in the second decade of the twenty-first century? To answer that, I thought I d put these questions to our own, Dr. Tim Knight for his perspective. What, if anything, do you see as the legacy of the Reformation? First and foremost, the Reformation showed us that the people of God don t have to blindly 1Reformation Theology/Barrett, The Crux of Genuine Reform/Crossway, 2017, pg 44 2Ibid, pg 45 3Ibid (continued on page 10)

10 Reformed Reflections (continued from page 9) Page 10 accept the declarations and practices of the church when they clearly are corrupted and unbiblical. The practice of indulgences and salvation by works theology had to be challenged for the church to survive. The Reformation did that and we should all give thanks! Without the hammer of Luther on the door of the Wittenberg Church on October 31, 1517, the church would have likely continued to slip into corruption and irrelevance. The need to stop that slip is just as required today. How do you see it playing out in our own church heritage? At Highline? That is a very important question. The Restoration Movement, of which Highline Christian Church is a part, defines itself by its name. It is the Restoration Movement. What does that mean? The intent was in some ways similar to the goals of the Reformation Movement. The desire was to strip off the denominational baggage that had been added to the church and get back to (i.e. restore ) the church of the New Testament. Like the reformers of the 16 th century, the Restoration Movement sought to see the Bible alone (sola scriptura) as the authority for life and practice in the church. Highline stands in the heritage of congregations that desire to keep the main things the main things the authority of the Bible, the Virgin Birth, the sinless life of Jesus, the atoning work of the Cross, the indwelling Holy Spirit and the coming of Jesus in glory. There are areas of disagreement within the body but on the essentials we must be united for the sake of the Gospel. What about Justification by Faith? This is the greatest gift of the Reformation. It takes us back to Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation was planned, initiated, bought, and paid for by Jesus. It is the gift of God, not by works, so that we can t boast as Paul later writes. May we rejoice in the gift of faith given to us by God for the purpose of giving him glory. What about Scripture Alone? Restoration slogans like: No creed but Christ, no Book but the Bible and where scriptures speak, we speak; where scripture is silent, we are silent and in essentials, unity; in opinions liberty; and in all things love show the intent of looking to the Bible as God s Word, not to the magisterium of the church or tradition. The tension comes in what we mean by scripture alone. If we mean there is no higher (continued on page 11)

11 Page 11 Reformed Reflections (continued from page 9) authority than God s Word, I completely agree. Neither church tradition, nor creeds, nor councils, nor feelings and/or experiences can rival the absolute authority of Scripture. But if Scripture alone means those other things are not important or don t matter, then I d have to disagree. Even in Scripture, God used a wide variety of ways to get mankind s attention dreams, other people, a donkey, experiences, a still small voice, and more. While those things must ALWAYS be measured against the plum line of the Bible, they nevertheless are still used by God today to draw people into a closer walk with him in daily life in the Kingdom of God. Dr. Michael Horton has said, But the real reformation of our day is going to happen, as it always has, in churches. Do you agree with this? The church is the people of God. Reforming the church will come from God, through His Spirit, to His people. The push of society can be a good or bad influence on the reformation of the church today. If culture causes us to cave to the pressures of conformity to the world, then it will be disastrous. We see this happening in some quarters of the kingdom today. In a desperate attempt to be loved by the world the church has given up truth regarding sexuality, heaven and hell, and more. But our commission isn t to BE loved BY the world but to LOVE THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD by modeling grace and TRUTH. to the saint (Jude 3) in ways that engage culture with the good news, then new life will be breathed into BOTH society and the church. Does or should the Reformation still matter, if so how? A phrase that has been forgotten or misused is reformed and always reforming. Its first appearance was in a 1674 devotional by Jodocus van Lodenstein, who was an important figure in Dutch Reformed pietism. Some argue that the reforming spoken about is passive, that is, God does the reforming and we just sit back and wait for it to happen. That s a cop-out of the first order, in my book. The original reformers did no such thing. They were VERY ACTIVE, speaking about how the church had retreated from her original mandate and slid wildly into secularism and hypocrisy. The need for that kind of reformation is still needed and will always be needed as long as imperfect humans have anything to do with the church. Let the Reformation continue! Soli Deo Gloria! Up Next: Martin Luther and his 95 Theses If, however, the culture causes us to contend for the faith that was once and for all delivered

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13 Women in Touch Lives will be changed when we are REAL! O n Saturday April 8th the ladies of Women In Touch celebrated Spring with the monthly brunch. This month there were many new-comers of all ages and much time was spent connecting though conversation as we enjoyed a variety of breakfast foods. It was refreshing to see multigenerational conversations and connections around the tables-a beautiful picture of how Jesus brings us together. Similarly, the speaker, Page 13 Mariah McCleary, from Young Life and Young Lives (the teen-mother ministry) encouraged us all that the work we do with the teen moms is invaluable to our community. Building relationships in the day-to-day ups and downs of life by being intentional with our time, words, and possessions really makes a difference in the lives of the teen moms and children of Burien. Mariah used her own story of being called to Young Lives to encourage us that Jesus calls and equips us for the people he's placed (continued on next page)

14 Page 14 Women in Touch Lives will be changed when we are REAL! (continued from previous page around us. Just like each woman had to choose to get up on a Saturday morning and be intentional with her time and culinary gifts--we as members of the body have the same opportunity-to use our gifts, our possessions, and our time in the unique ways that Jesus calls us. Women in Touch continues to be a gift to our church and our community. Want to get involved? Contact Shannon Martinson, YL leader for this area at shannon9891@hotmail.com. Ladies, you re invited to our last brunch of the season. Come celebrate the women in our lives at the WIT Mother, Daughter, Mentor Brunch Date : Saturday, May 13th Time: 10:30 am to 12 noon. Location: Atrium, North building Bring your best girlfriend, daughter or mentor, and come enjoy some wonderful fellowship and great food. We supply the coffee and beverages, main dishes (homemade crepes and more). You supply a side dish to share, fresh fruit, scones, muffins, croissants, salad, etc. Childcare Provided, RSVP on the HUB or sign up in the Atrium during the weekend services. See you there! A Unique Present for a Mom (from newsletternewsletter.com) In Spring 2013, a young man named Aba Atlas wanted to do something special for his birthday, so he gave his mom a present and made a video about the gift and its beloved recipient. (Locate it on YouTube by searching for iprojectatlas, Dear Mother. ) For years, Aba s mother had worked long hours outside the home and then cared for her kids each evening. She d bought a house so her children would always have a place to call home, yet the mortgage caused her great stress. Working at a $30,000/year position, Aba saved enough money to pay off his mom s mortgage and, on his birthday, presented her with a check. According to a caption in the video, her response was Wow x I want to celebrate my life by celebrating the woman who gave me life, Aba says.

15 Page 15 Update Letter May 2017 The sun is shining, flowers are blooming and graduation is just around the corner! It always amazes me how fast time seems to go by. But I am also amazed at how much God has blessed us in this time. Our prayer is that as a family you will seek to grow closer to God and each other each and every day! Blessings, Pastor Steve, Nicole, Jayden, Riley & Adilynn News Updates Bouldering Event: Join us Saturday May 20th 2:30-6:00pm for an epic day of indoor Rock-climbing at the Seattle Bouldering Project. This is a iy JH & HS event an cost $10. Also please bring money for dinner. We have limited spots available so please make sure to turn in your parent release form and payment to reserve a spot. Please talk to Pastor Steve for more info. YESM 2017 Training #5: Sunday May 7 th : 12:00 2:30 pm (Team Lunch at 12pm) July

16 Page 16 Parent Partners We value you as our parent partners so if you have any questions or comments about the youth program or would like to join the illuminate Youth Leadership Team, please contact Pastor Steve! Prayer & Praise Partners We appreciate your prayers for: Barnabas Ministry YESM Students & Leaders Leadership team When We Meet Upcoming Events Junior High (7-8 Grade) Sunday Morning Up-Word 10:40-12:00pm Wednesday Night Youth Group 6:00-7:45pm High School (9-12 Grade) Sunday Morning Up-Word 10:40-12:00pm May 7 th YESM Training #5 / 12-2:30pm May 20 th Bouldering Event / 2:30-6:00pm Look for more events on the HUB and Facebook Page! #illuminatehcc - facebook.com/illuminatehcc Wednesday Night Youth Group 6:00-7:45pm *Sixth grade students have the option to move up to iy. Please talk to Pastor Steve for more info Sunday Morning Up-Word: May 2017 Junior High Anything but Ordinary (Pastor Steve & Marques Teaching) High School Todays Issues (Tiffiney Cowan Teaching) Wednesday Night Youth Group: May 2017 Junior High Talk Sheets (Mary, Marques & Jordan Teaching) High School Doing Life (Pastor Steve Teaching) *Parents if you would like to receive an ed handout of our teaching material please contact Pastor Steve

17 Higher Ground Children s Ministry May is VBS Registration Month Page 17 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

18 Higher Ground Children s Ministry May Remember Verse Page 18 Past Remember Verses Psalm 90:2 Philippians 1:6 Exodus 14:14 Isaiah 9:6 Isaiah 40:29 Psalm 31:19 Hebrews 4:16 Psalm 145:8 Upcoming Events PROMOTION SUNDAY JUNE 4 6:00-7:30 p.m. (Please have children in their Sunday School rooms by 5:30) PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN VBS June :15-11:45 a.m. For Potty-trained 3 year olds Kindergarten students Registration opens in May SUMMIT SEEKERS OVERNIGHTER MAY Our last event of the year for students 4th-6th grade. Prepare for a great night of fun and games as we also celebrate the 6th graders who will be moving on to the Youth Ministry. Permission forms available at check-in counters, on the HUB, and on the App.

19 Page 19 Preschool Park Birth through Kindergarten Preschool Vacation Bible School June 26-30, :15-11:45 a.m. This is a special event for kids age 3 through going into Kindergarten. (Children must be fully potty trained) The children will have a special Big God Story, snacks, games, crafts, and a memory verse time. VBS cost is $5 and spots are limited! Please register on the Highline App or on the HUB to secure Staff info: your child s spot! If you would like to serve at VBS, please call or Katie. Staff applications are due soon! If you have any questions please call or Katie Taylor katie@highlinechristian.org

20 Page 20 Worship Service Times Saturdays 6:00 P.M. Sundays 9:00 A.M. & 10:40 A.M. Sunday School 9:00 for all ages; 10:40 Adult Studies & Base Camp Contact Us At: Phone: Website: highlinechristian.org Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday Welcome to Highline! Transfer Mary Lathan Gaylene Wiseman Tom & Rhonda Duncan Sheila Roution Patti Raczon Baptism Hailey Bandy Sammy Iverson Next enewsletter Deadline: May 21 We would like to offer sympathy to the family of Delbert Kelly who went home to be with the Lord on April 18, Please keep Delbert s family in your prayers during this difficult time.

21 Page 21 Our Elders Konrad Lindblom Dave Rogge Gregg Louvier Elder Chair Tim Crawford Sal Dena Chuck Hansen Dr. Tim Knight Jim Kemp

22 Church Staff Page 22 Bret Thorson Children s & Family Pastor bret@highlinechristian.org Liesl Behm Worship Director liesl@highlinechristian.org