Listening Sessions Update from Billy
Posted for Second Week
Friends!
In April, we started something new at Highland. We gathered the church to get feedback on our current state so we could plan for the future. We decided to host these "Listening Sessions" to document your feedback on the church's current state and identify opportunities for growth. We started each session with Scripture, shared ideas in small groups, and prayed for each other. That's a productive hour from 9-10 each week!
Many of you were part of this amazing group that not only encouraged me with your perspectives, but also inspired me to dream with you about the future opportunities for our church.The Lord has called you here to Highland, and I'm so grateful He did. Thank you for contributing to this effort!
I wanted to send a quick update to keep you in the loop on where we are in this process:
The church leadership (Pastor Rob and the Team Leader Board) is meeting on September 9 to begin strategic planning. We will meet over several Wednesday nights to finalize the plan.
We will use the Bible, our by-laws, and the results from the Listening Sessions to determine the strategic priorities.
We will send the plan to members and welcome your feedback.
The members will vote on the plan, and if approved, it will go into effect on January 1.
This is the first time we have done this, and it is very exciting. I ask you to pray for Highland as this plan unfolds. There were themes that emerged from the Listening Sessions that will require us all to roll up our sleeves a little more, and lean into the flourishing of our church body. It will take all of us for this to go well. Some ideas that came up won't make the cut. And that's okay! Our prayer is to focus on a few imperative things for the coming year, and most of all, to continue serving Christ unified with one another.
I'm grateful to each of you, and always available if you have any questions.
Billy
Sunday School, 9 a.m. — Really difficult to find a more suitable pic!
Sunday’s Schedule
8am: Doors open
8am–9am: Coffee & Conversation in our Dining Facility
9am-10am: Sunday School (see classes below)
9:15am: Coffee & Convo Devotion in our Dining Facility
10am: Sunday Morning Service in our Sanctuary (which is our gym).
Sunday School Classes & Their Location
To those leading and serving, thank you!
Classes run August 9th-October 4th and will begin at 9a.m.
Classroom 1: 0-2 year olds: Church Nursery
Classroom 2: 3 & 4 year olds
Classroom 3: Kindergarten-Second Grade Class
Classroom 4: Third-Fifth Grade Class
Classroom 5: Tweens & Teen Boys
Red-Brick Sanctuary: “Gospel in Life” — Co-ed Class
Classroom 7: Theology Class, led by Mike Hare
Classroom 8: Tweens & Teen Girls
Dining Facility: Life Class Devotion (Ongoing throughout the year)
Donny’s a little better
Donny is battling and showing signs of improvement! Though, he’s not out of the woods yet. Let’s continue to rally around him, Highland. To those who’ve spent time with him - thank you!
Chapter 19
Verses 19:13-30 this Sunday
continuing our series through MattheW
.Last Sunday, we set our sights on singleness. In our series through Matthew, we took a closer look at Matthew 19:10-12. In this text, Jesus alludes to a deep truth about those who are single and sold out, living for the Kingdom of God. Sermon is posted and available on our website.
Here’s a Brief Recap
“The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it” (Matthew 19:10-12).
Keller’s statement sheds light on understanding our deep longing for love and unity, whether married or single.
“The more we realize that the deep longing we feel as human beings can only be satisfied in the eternal kingdom, the more we realize, whether married or single, that the pressure is off.”
Married people – the pressure is off for you to be your spouse’s perfect fulfillment.
Single people – the pressure is off for you to find that special someone. – Tim Keller
Being single and serving the Household of God is not a second-rate life.
Being unified with Christ carries value in the eyes of the Lord, whether married or not.
A covenant is the giving of ourselves to another.
A single-person gives of themself for Christ.
Being single in Christ or being married in Christ serve as distinct Kingdom-callings.
Both convey unique aspects of the beauty of the heart of Christ.
Therefore, whichever position we currently find ourselves within, let us each radiate the glory of Christ.
Highland — thank you for being so hospitable and serving!
Prayer Guide
3rd Strand of Stewardship — Highland
Fostering Christ-exalting Life Together
Keller’s Nine Practices of Christian Community
AFFIRM ONE ANOTHER
Affirm one another’s strengths, abilities, and gifts. Recognize and encourage what God has given to others.
Affirm one another’s equal importance in Christ. Treat every believer as having equal dignity and significance in the body of Christ.
Affirm one another through visible affection. Express genuine love, kindness, attentiveness, and affection toward one another.
SHARE WITH ONE ANOTHER
Share one another’s space, goods, and time. Open our homes, possessions, schedules, and lives to one another.
Share one another’s needs and problems. Allow others to know our struggles and burdens, and enter into theirs.
Share one another’s beliefs, thinking, and spirituality. Learn together, discuss the faith together, pray together, and help one another grow spiritually.
SERVE ONE ANOTHER
Serve one another through accountability. Love one another enough to ask difficult questions, speak truth, and help each other pursue holiness.
Serve one another through forgiveness and reconciliation. Practice the gospel by forgiving offenses and actively restoring broken relationships.
Serve one another’s interests rather than our own. Put the needs and interests of others ahead of ourselves rather than using community primarily for our own benefit.
— Tim Keller, Gospel in Life
Highland Cafe’ is open next week. Tuesday—Thursday, 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m.
Highland Cafe’
The Highland Cafe’ is open. If you want to serve, please contact us. Doors will be open Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30a.m.—11:30a.m throughout the summer.
Next Session — October 14th
Men’s Bible Study
Men, let’s get together. Let’s spend some time studying God’s Word and doing life together. We will have a meal, spend time together, then study God’s Word together. We will begin at 6pm. Register below. Please note — no childcare will be provided. If you are reading this in our weekly email, see the original post to access the form to register.
I love you, Highland.
See you Sunday,
Rob