Highlands Highlights

Transcription

1 HIGHLANDS ARP Highlands Highlights Special points of interest: Nov 6 11am puppet show, 6pm Christ McCoy Ordination & Reception Nov 10 7:30pm Deacons meeting Nov pm Soup Nite Nov 16 6:30pm shoe box packing, 7:30pm decorating church for advent Nov 17 7pm Session meeting Nov 20 11am family picnic Nov 24 7:30am thanksgiving service & pancake breakfast Nov pm Soup Nite Nov 30 youth game night Inside this issue: From the Pastor 2 MMO 3 Past & up coming events 4-10 Volume XII, Issue XI Memorial Service for Sam Coker Samuel Benjamin Coker SR. was born in Nigeria December 3, 1959 and passed away September 25, 2016 in Grayson Ga. He is survived by His wife Emilia, three son s Samuel Jr. Benjamin, and George, two grandchildren, Takia Coker 11 years old and Jace Coker 11 months old, 4 brothers, 3 sisters and numerous nieces and nephews. Sam worked briefly at a bank after his secondary education in Nigeria and then moved to the US to Atlanta GA where he graduated from Georgia State University. He then worked in the hospitality industry in the Atlanta area where he met his wife Emilia and they were married for more than 30 years. Sam was a man of strong faith, God fearing always smiling no matter what or how severe the situation was. The Coker Family in the US and abroad would like to express their sincere gratitude to the families, Highland ARP Presbyterian Church members, friends, community-wide and well-wishers for their support and prayer during this time of bereavement. May God bless you richly. Sam will be deeply missed! November Youth 11 Welcome New Members Soup Nite, Thanksgiving Breakfast Calendar Prayer corner Hansen and Lyna Nkefor joined Highlands on September 11, They come to Highlands by reaffirmation of faith. Their children, Mia and Nyla were also baptized on September 11, Hansen and Lyna's favorite hymn is "Amazing Grace" and his favorite passage is Psalm 23. Lyna's favorite is Psalm 91. Hansen is self employed, and enjoys soccer and traveling. Lyna is a nurse practitioner and she enjoys shopping and traveling. Welcome to the Highlands family.

2 From the Pastor If you have an encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (Phil. 2:1,2 NIV) Well, no one said anything so I wonder if you all noticed that I unknowingly wrote two consecutive articles on the fifth question for September and October which pointed to our proper stewardship of all the blessings God has given to us as His people. I will just have to accept that in God s Providence, He intended for me to do just that and perhaps was something we all needed to hear. Anyway, we re on to question number six this month which is: Do you accept that the doctrines and principles of the Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church are founded upon the Scriptures? In our above Scripture, the Apostle Paul s concern is that we work toward unity in every aspect of our Christian community. This unity is that which the Holy Spirit binds us together in love and reveals God s work of grace in us and shows the world around us just how wonderful is His love exhibited toward us, experienced in us, and expressed through us. When people from all walks of life, with different personalities, different passions, and different perspectives can get along and even work together for the common good, it makes a huge impact on the world around us. The way in which that unity is fostered is when we accept the basic truths of our faith and agree to abide by those truths as we continue to grow in our faith and serve the Lord in our various capacities. The sixth question for membership focuses on two distinct aspects calling them doctrines and principles which mainly focus on our Reformed Theology and Presbyterian Policy. The question is asking that you accept the Standards of the ARP which are expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms as well as our Form of Government as being derived from the very truths of Scripture and that you ll abide by those doctrines and principles for as long as you are members of an ARP church. You see, it s very good to have a set of documents that guide us in what Scripture teaches regarding theology and policy. One of the reasons we were united together as we recently concluded the call for an Associate Pastor, was because we were following procedures that were already established in our Form of Government. These documents help us to carry out the business of the church so that there will be less chance of discord in how something should be done. The same can be said of the biblical teaching that goes on at Highlands as we have theological documents, drawn from the truths of Scripture, to guide us in some of what God has revealed in His Word. If I, or any other teacher, were to teach something that contradicted biblical truth, those documents might be helpful in bringing about correction regarding truth. In fact, every officer of the church as well as all ARP Pastors are required to affirm they will uphold those Standards of the ARP. In the Book of Amos, chapter 3 and verse 3, the prophet asks: Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? It s a very enlightening question as it points to the necessity of being united in such a way that we can all continue to work together even in the midst of our differences. Even though we may not always agree on everything we can still worship and serve together because we have a common faith that s built upon God s Word and the Holy Spirit who unites us together in love. I would hope that you might make the time to read through the ARP Standards (which can be found at ( so that you can continue your growth in grace as a member of Highlands. Pastor Mark

3 Volume XII, Issue XI Page 3 Highlands MMO & Preschool November Be Thankful The students have been doing a great job learning this year, and they seem to be having fun at the same time! They have also done a great job with their manners, and saying, "Please, Thank You, and Excuse Me!" This month they will be encouraged to be thankful for God, for their families, for their toys, and really for everything! This month we will also be talking about the first Thanksgiving! We will be learning about Pilgrims and Indians! You are invited to join us for a Thanksgiving Parade on November 17 at 9:45 am!

4 Page 4 Newsletter Title Chili Cook Off & Pumpkin Decorating Friday evening Oct 28th families gathered for a Chili cook off and pumpkin decorating time of fun Winners of the Pumpkin Decorating

5 Volume XII, Issue XI Page 5 Thank you men of the church for your hard work in preparing THE BEST BBQ in town "The holidays are coming! If you have family or guests coming in, why not serve them Highlands delicious BBQ! See Stan to purchase a few pounds of BBQ or Brunswick Stew to feed your hungry crowd. Limited quantities are available, so purchase your order soon!"

6 Page 6 Newsletter Title A BIG THANK YOU to everyone that helped with our BBQ and Bake Sale On Saturday October 29th families gathered to enjoy some of the finest slow cooked Hickory Smoked BBQ around. The children and adults had a great time dressing up and playing games at the trunk or treat. It was great to see everyone having such a fun time.

7 Volume XII, Issue XI Page 7 Trunk or Treat Thank you to those that decorated their trunks, dressed in costumes and helped the children play games and face painting.

8 Page 8 Newsletter Title Fall Festival Folks having fun at the FALL FESTIVAL

9 Volume XII, Issue XI Page 9

10 Page 10 We will be participating in the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box drive again this year and we need your help! Highlands Highlights We will be participating in the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box drive again this year and we need your help! Last year we put together 10 boxes and we would love to do even more this year. Last year our shoe boxes went to the Philippines and Burkina Faso. If you would like to help us pack the shoeboxes, please join us on November 16 at 6:30 for our shoebox packing party! and picture books, etc. Here are some ideas of what would be great shoe box items: Non-liquid Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, etc. Wow items: Soccer ball with pump, Stuffed animal, Toys (puppets, trucks, etc.), Doll (baby, Barbie, etc.), Musical instrument, Outfit, Shoes, Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc. School Supplies: pens, pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring Crafts: Make your own items such as hair bows, finger puppets, and friendship bracelets. Decorating the Church for Advent Wednesday November 16th after our pot luck supper we will be decorating the Church for Advent. Please plan to join us.

11 Volume XII, Issue XI Page 11 Youth News October has been a fun month for the youth! We went on an adventure along with some families to Corndawgs Corn Maze in Monroe! We had a blast going through the corn maze, shooting giant apple cannons, and swimming in a pool of corn. Thanks to everyone who was able to come out and have fun! We also had a pumpkin carving contest at the Chili Cook off and it was awesome! Emma carved an amazing Cat pumpkin that took first prize, while Robert s monster came in 2 nd. Special mention goes to Caralee and Trinity s Trump vs. Hilary Pumpkins. A big thank you to the youth and families who were able to help with the Trunk or Treat during our Annual Barbecue! You guys did a great job interacting with all the visitors and making some spooky trunks. During Wednesday Night Youth Group we have continued our study of the gospel and developing a Christian worldview. During Sunday School we have progressed through the first chapter of John and are now looking at some of Jesus first miracles! November is always an exciting time with the upcoming events including: Operation Christmas Child (Packing Party Nov. 16) S mores and Hymns Family the Mccoys (Nov. 20) Thanksgiving Pancake Breakfast (Nov. 24) Game Night (Nov. 30) During Wednesday Night Youth Group we have continued our study of the gospel and developing a Christian worldview. During Sunday School we have progressed through the first chapter of John and are now looking at some of Jesus first miracles!

12 Page 12 Highlands Highlights Soup Nite November Soup Nite s are on the 14th and 28th Just to fill you in on this month's Soup Nites...AWESOME! Jane and I have been going to the Atlanta Food Bank early on the mornings of our 2nd week's meal, our 1st serving. This way, we can get more of the fresh produce given out on the "free" floor, and be able to serve it right at that meal. Can I tell you that God has provided just what we needed for that meal each and every time we go. It all started with bread sticks for our meal last month. Bread sticks!!! Can you believe it! Jane prayed for bread sticks and there they were. This helped us tremendously because we didn't have to buy rolls. So this month, we prayed for salad. No way! There were salad fixins!! We just smiled. Thank you Lord. We had Chili Cheese Fries on October 10th and we got free box containers to use for them. In fact, we got hundreds of them. They are really cookie boxes, but we can utilize most anything. This meal was a big hit. The Robinson family stayed and ate in with us. Of course, it was the salad that made it. :) On Monday's meal, we made a hearty vegetable soup.it was very tasty and we used most of our pantry items to make it. We had one gentleman stay and eat in because he was cold and wanted soup to warm him up. He told us his story of coming to know the Lord. Wow! It was a pretty powerful example of faith. On both of these nights, we have gone over to the Food CoOp and delivered some ready made up boxes/ containers of food. With the road construction on Grayson Parkway and the CoOp running behind due to lack of volunteers, it has been hard for people to come over to Highlands before 7. Somehow, it all works out. We are gearing up for the holidays. On Sunday, please come over to the table with the pumpkin bread mixes and take one to make at home. We will give these out at our November 14th Soup Nite. If you could prepare them according to the instructions, then freeze it and bring it back to church by the 13th, we can pass them out to our guests. Lea Whittle will head up our 1st serving in November. Jane and I will be out of town. Please help her with whatever she needs. Our meal will be Taco Soup. It is always a good one for us. The 2nd meal is on November 28th and I will be out of town. Please help Jane and our volunteers! We can really use kitchen help. Our meal that night is Chicken Tomato Soup. Our Soup Nite is holding a raffle and bake sale at the BBQ on Saturday the 29th. All donations will go to enhance what we do and to help the ministry reach more people. Once again, we want to thank you for your prayers and willingness to help out. If you have friends that want to join us and see what blessings come...please invite them. In Christ, Carrie Bell Family 2015 Thanksgiving Breakfast proaching his family thought it would be appropriate to have the breakfast on Thanksgiving morning as a memorial for Ernest. The tradition has continued now for more than 80 years. The Bell family join us every year at 7:30AM to be a part of the Thanks- This breakfast has been a tradition of Highlands since 1932 started by Ernest Bell to raise money for the Youth. This was during the depression when money was tight. Ernest had arranged for the pancake mix, sausage and syrup when he suddenly died at the age of 42. With Thanksgiving apgiving service and sing in the choir. The men of the church help the youth by cooking and the youth eagerly serve up the piping hot pancakes and sausage. Please plan to join us at 7:30AM Thanksgiving Morning.

13 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1MMO Happy Birthday Zack Sinclair 2MMO 6:15 Choir Practice 6:30 Youth 7:00 Dinner 7:30 Bible Study 3MMO 7AM Men's Prayer Breakfast 4 Happy Birthday Rick Harris 5 6 Happy Birthday Carrie Macaluso 9:00 SS 10:00 Worship 11:00 Puppet Show 6pm Chris McCoy Ordination & reception 13 9:00 SS 10:00 Worship 11:00 Bell practice 7MMO 8MMO 9MMO 6:30 Youth 7:00 Dinner 7:30 Bible Study 14MMO 15MMO 4-7pm Soup Nite 16MMO 6:15 Choir Practice 6:30 Youth Christmas Shoe Box packing 7:00 Dinner 7:30 Decorating Church for Advent 10MMO 7AM Men's Prayer Breakfast 7:30pm Deacon meeting 17 9:45am MMO Thanksgiving parade 7AM Men's Prayer Breakfast 7:00pm session meeting Happy Birthday Ralph Merck, Lori Martin 20 9:00 SS 10:00 Worship 11:00 Bell practice Family Picnic in the park 21MMO Happy Birthday Brianna Sinclair 22MMO Happy Birthday Helen Walker 23 6:30 Youth 7:00 Dinner 7:30 Bible Study 24 7:30am Thanksgiving Service 8am Pancake Breakfast :00 SS 10:00 Worship 1st Sunday of Advent lighting of the candles 11:00 Bell practice 28MMO Soup Nite 4-7pm 29MMO 30MMO Happy Birthday Michelle McCoy, Stan Whitaker 6:15 Choir Practice 6:30 Youth 7:00 Dinner 7:30 Bible Study Youth game night Prayer Corner Please be in prayer: Mary Ash fell and is in quite a bit of back pain. Please keep her in your prayers for a quick and full recovery. Bobby Barham continued healing after triple bypass surgery. Continued prayers for the Coker family. Annetta Harper recovering from surgery. Doris McInnish recovering from surgery. Pat Roberts has been placed on hospice and is not expected to recover from the cancer she has been battling. She is in good spirits but struggling with the pain it is causing

14 Worship Times And Activities Sunday: 9:00 AM Sunday School for all Ages 9:30 AM Choir Practice 10:00 AM Worship 11:00 Bell Practice Important Phone Numbers (770) Phone (770) Fax Wednesday: Thursday: 6:15 PM Choir practice 6:30 PM Youth 7:00 PM Dinner 7:30 PM Bible Study 7AM Men's Prayer Breakfast at Main Street Restaurant on Hwy 78 in Snellville Pastor: Mark Hornby Youth Pastor: Chris McCoy Music Director: Bonnie Hornby Secretary : Alexia Cundey Saturday: 9:00 AM Fellowship Breakfast (Periodically) 9:45 AM Highlands Men of the church & WOC meeting Highlands Highlights November, 2016 Newsletter Candle Lighters: Nov 6 Nate Edmondson Nov 13 John Mark Avitabile Nov 20 Nate Edmondson Nov 27 John Mark Avitabile CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Warmly Welcoming our Members & Visitors each week: Nov 6 Frank Sexton, Stan Whitaker, Ricky Summers, Sal Macaluso Nov13 Bob Statham, Rob Kuykendall, John Avitabile, Earl Thomas Nov 20 Robert Whittle, Bill Houston, Lee Hunt, George O Farrell Nov 27 Paul McInnish, Glenn Martin, Charles Roberts, John West Prayer corner continued for family and friends Carole Sexton asked for prayer for her daughter in law Raven going through radiation treatments for throat cancer. Also her coworker Cindy that is recovering from heart valve surgery. Also for her son Jonathan who will have a repeat CT Scan on Nov 29th. Jan Wingfield asked for prayer for former member Margaret Sims great granddaughter Chelsea that is at Grady hospital following being badly burned in a car accident. Praise the adoption went through for Kaity Wright s friend Kristi and family. Debi Broadnax neighbor and good friend of Bill and Kaity Wright had triple bypass surgery. Gene Peerbolt a friend of Kaity and Bill Wright kidney cancer turmor is not responding to treatment and the tumor has spread.