Our Plans for July 25th and 26th

Highland Fam,

We will resume both Chicken & Rice and our Tent Gathering this weekend.

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us.  Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

This Sunday, I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:

  • 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.  We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.

OTHER RELATED INFO

  • Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.

  • Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been cancelled for the month of July.

  • Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.

*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.

I love you,

Rob



Family Devotion: Biblical Unity

This week, we invite you to take a listen and/or look over the passages below for review and reflection. After you have had the chance to review the passages below, we have written some discussion questions that we hope will be used to further the thought and conversation regarding the need for unity within The Church.

OUR PASSAGES ON UNITY FROM LAST SUNDAY

“So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh — called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:11-14).

“Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even the Messiah did not please Himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me. For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice” (Romans 15:1-6).

This is our Communal Prayer, Offering Song and Sermon from our Tent Gathering entitled - “Unity.” This Communal Prayer and Sermon really capture our ( Rob & Carrie) hearts, as it relates to what it means to belong to the family of God.

DISCUSSION & REFLECTION FOR THIS SUNDAY

Read John 17:15-23

Discussion

John 17 was the dying request/prayer, from Christ, to His Father for The Church. Typically, whatever a person says right before they die is usually what is most pressing and most important in their heart and mind. It usually sums up the one thing they want others to know and remember.

What did Jesus ask His Father of behalf of the The Church in John 17?

One thing is clear from that passage, you cannot help but feel the passion and love that Christ has for The Church! He loves The Church and He designed it to have power that defies the very powers of hell (Matthew 16:18). In light of that, we should be striving to fulfill His desire and His design for The Church, which is unity.

As we discussed last week, unity cannot be replicated by the world because at the heart of unity is a submissive and unconditional love and that love can only come from God. While we cannot control the actions and decisions of those around us, we can certainly decide what we will be about as individuals and as families. The Church desperately needs individuals and families who are committed to unity more than they are committed to their own causes and opinions. The world desperately needs to see The Church being unified because that is the only way they will see AND believe in Jesus according to John 17.

How can you and your family, in a day and time when everyone around is making much of their opinion, make much of pursuing unity?

How can we, as families and individuals, serve to aid in the unity of the church and be repairers of the breach?

Read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Discussion

What ministry did Christ give to every believer?

Look up the meaning of the words reconciled and ambassador and discuss the meanings.

How are you and how is your family fulfilling the ministry that God has given you to be an ambassador for reconciliation?

“From now on we do not know anyone in a purely human way.” That means, as Christians, we cannot “size people up” by their appearance or their actions. We do not have the right to look at another person and sum them up as good or bad, righteous or evil, deserving of mercy or deserving of judgement. Our role is to see ourselves and every other person the same, as sinners who are in need of being reconciled to God.

How does understanding the ministry of reconciliation help us in our pursuit of unity?

End your time by praying and celebrating the fact that because Jesus prayed and asked the Father for The Church to be unified, unity is indeed achievable! It is NOT a far-reaching, unattainable dream. It is an achievable command given to us by Jesus. Ask Christ to accomplish His desires for unity through the life of Highland Community Church. Ask Him to then use Highland Community Church to be a witness to the unity and power that is meant to come from The Church.

Know that we love you and to continue to check our website for updates.

Rob & Carrie

No Tent Gathering This Sunday.

Highland Fam,

A person who rode our van and attended our Tent Gathering last Sunday called me Monday to tell me has tested positive for COVID. Thankfully, this person was masked during the van ride and during our tent gathering, which should greatly limit the amount of exposure. In light of that, this week we will be cleaning the van according to CDC guidelines and during that time the van will not be used to transport people. Because our van riders are so devoted to our church family, I would not want them to feel excluded. So to consider the best interest of everyone, we will cancel our Tent Gathering for this Sunday, July 19th. The church leader board will evaluate information to make decisions on when to reconvene. If you should have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

I love you.

Seeking the good of all,

Rob

Tent Gathering: Unity

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Highland Fam,

Below is our Communal Prayer, Offering Song and Sermon from our Tent Gathering entitled - “Unity.” Our passages can also be found below. Know that I love you and remain in your corner, through prayer and support.

Blessings & Love,

Rob

OUR PASSAGES ON UNITY

“So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh — called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:11-14).

“Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even the Messiah did not please Himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me. For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures. Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice” (Roman 15:1-6).

Our Plans for Sunday.

IMG_0008.jpeg

Highland Fam,

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Tent Gathering, tomorrow. As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:

  • 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.  We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.

OTHER RELATED INFO

  • Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.

  • Wednesday night studies, Pillow Party and prayer sessions have been cancelled for the month of July.

  • Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.

*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.

I love you,

Rob



Our Plans for Sunday.

Highland Fam,

I hope you are enjoying your fourth of July! Tomorrow, our Tent Gathering will be centered on sanctification. I look forward to gathering and making a corporate declaration of Jesus’ lordship and love.

Last week, our theme was baptism and we all took part in Tony Harrison’s baptism. The heavens rejoice over just one sinner who repents!

Tony Harrison’s Baptism

Tony Harrison’s Baptism

As we gather this Sunday for our Tent Gathering, I wanted to go over the schedule with you. This Sunday, our schedule is as follows:

  • 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am-11am: Tent Gathering Service. At 10am, bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

We are strongly encouraging social distancing and masks will be available for those who would feel most comfortable wearing one. If you have a mask, please bring one for yourself to use.  We ask that you stay home when you are sick. We also ask that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Also, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Finally, keeping your hands clean using sanitizer or by washing them with soap is vital. If you have a personal bottle of sanitizer, bring it and keep it on you for your personal use throughout gatherings.

OTHER RELATED INFO

  • Van route riding requirements: windows down, masks worn and no more than 10 on a van.

  • Wednesday night studies and prayer sessions have been cancelled for the month of July.

  • Children’s Ministries, Life Class & Breakfast will not resume until a later date.

*All proposed plans remain contingent upon medical information available to us throughout the foreseeable future. If you have questions, please feel free to contact us. I rejoice over you, Highland. I love forward to being with you Sunday.

We want to thank Katie Sturgeon, who has agreed to take photos of our Tent Gatherings. Photos she's taken have been added to our Church Photo Gallery. Click the link to see our photo gallery:

Thanks, Katie! Great job!

I love you,

Rob



Location & Mailing address

3408 5th Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31904

phone Number — (706)249-9424