A large chunk of the Strickland Family during Family Vacation (Not Pictured: Ron, Charlene, Amanda & Jones - they were at Sea World)
Highland Tribe,
Life has been much like a whirlwind lately! I cannot wait to get back and be with you all in service tomorrow. My mom said, too, that she is ready to be at Breakfast Club! It is one of her favorite places to be! Highland family, we love you all so much and rejoice over you.
We are returning from an exciting and restful vacation. We had such a good time! However, before we left to go on vacation, my dad learned that his brother, Tim Strickland, died in a car crash. As you may recall, he lost his other brother, Jim Strickland, last October. So, this came as a shock and a blow. John and dad discussed options, but dad decided he wanted to go on with the vacation and be with the family to best allow him to cope with the loss of his brother, as he handled details alongside us.
Our family is not perfect, but we certainly attempt to be there for one another, especially in difficult times. Life is such an ever-present mixture of happiness and sadness; it is the joy of the Gospel, alone, that sustains us throughout all of the tumultuous ups and downs of our days. That joy can be best realized in the presence of a steadfast and loving family. I am grateful for the Lord and His faithful, wise love, and for a family that clings to the rock, that is Jesus, through a devoted prayer-life and a steady love.
I cannot say enough about how much I appreciate our church family. They do so much - and even more while I am away. Thank you all! Tomorrow, I return to serve alongside my cherished church family and I will be preaching. We return to our series on Philippians. We hit the ground running in chapter 2 tomorrow. Here is our text:
“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
We will also continue on with our Book of Remembrance tomorrow, during Communal Prayer. Let’s continue to recount God’s faithfulness, in our families and church family.
Here is our assignment:
Individuals and/or Families will create their own personal book of remembrance. Each book will contain a list of events from your personal life, describing moments where God has shown Himself to be faithful.
At the end of each entry or story please write down the answer to the following question: Based on this event in my life, what do I know to be true about God (Exodus 33:13)?
Please make one of the entries in your book, the story of how you ended up at Highland Community Church and a description of your first Sunday being here.
***Make a copy and give to Rob and Carrie.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Men’s Small Group, this Wed, 6pm.
Soccer Camp coming up in July!
Membership Program: July 14th, 1pm. Sign up through website.
Thanks to all who helped with VBS!
Church Plant Service: Porter Memorial, Sunday nights, 5:30pm - info: www.porterchurch.org.
Highland, I love you. I cannot wait to be with you tomorrow.
Rob