The Messenger Newsletter

Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church

Advent/Christmas Season

November 26
Hanging of the Greens  6:00 p.m.

December 3:  First Sunday of Advent
Holy Communion  8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Worship
Lighting the Advent Wreath  8:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. Worship
Festival of Sound  6:00 p.m.

December 5
Advent Adventure Series:  Dinner 6:00 p.m., Taize Worship 6:30 p.m.
Programs for adults, youth & children   7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Lecture by Larry Thomas:   The Story of Christmas in the Bible

December 10:  Second Sunday of Advent
Lighting the Advent Wreath  8:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. Worship
Holy Communion  9:00 a.m. Worship
"Nutcracker by Candlelight" Annual Holiday Dinner  6:00 p.m.

December 12
Advent Adventure Series:   Dinner 6:00 p.m., Taize Worship 6:30 p.m.
Programs for adults, youth & children   7:00 - 8:00 p.m
Lecture by Larry Thomas:   The Folklore of Christmas

December 17:  Third Sunday of Advent
Lighting the Advent Wreath  8:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. Worship
"Midnight Miracle" presented by Pint Size Productions  4:00 p.m.

December 19
Advent Adventure Series:   Dinner 6:00 p.m., Taize Worship 6:30 p.m.
Programs for adults, youth & children 7:00 - 8:00 p.m
Lecture by Larry Thomas:   The Great Art of Christmas

December 24: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Lighting the Advent Wreath   8:30, 9:00, 11:00 a.m. Worship
Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols   7:00 p.m.

December 25:  Nativity of Jesus Christ/Christmas Day

Yes, time has seemed slow-moving but the Pastor Nominating Committee has made significant progress, and at this time, subject to the Session's approval of the Church Information Form on November 20th, we expect to be receiving Pastor Information Forms (PIF's) from prospective candidates in early December.

As these PIF's arrive, the PNC will review them and sort through them to find those persons whom we believe are the best candidates for the pastoral opening at LHPC.  We have been told that we should expect to receive a great many PIF's, as LHPC represents a very attractive opportunity to the pastoral candidates.  It's not really a surprise to us, I guess, but it's always nice to hear it!

I think I can speak for the PNC as a whole when I say that this process has really made us take a step back and view what we have at LHPC in another light:  Our strong emphasis and the quality and variety of worship services, the value we have placed on and in our music ministry (from pipe organ to praise band), the vast number of Christian education opportunities for all ages, the mission and outreach programs that are just too many to list, and more than anything, the level of energy, involvement and commitment of our members.  These are all things that voice an untold amount of information about who we are at LHPC.  Add to that, our beautiful new building-which has allowed us not only to bring the CDC under our roof but also has enabled us to provide a home base for Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack 435, two key hallmarks of a growing and developing church. I think you will agree, we do have something special going on at LHPC, and we are indeed very blessed.

We continue to ask for your support and prayers as we move to the next step in our pastoral search.  The months ahead will surely be exciting for us all!

     — Cinda Koch
         On behalf of the PNC

December 5th, 12th & 19th
6:00 p.m.: Dinner
6:30 p.m.: Taize Worship
7:00-8:00 p.m.: Programs

Join us for this great three- week series in advent as we await together the celebration of the birth of Jesus!  There will be something for everyone during this series.

The Rev. Larry Thomas will lead a lecture entitled, "The Road to Bethlehem" during which we will explore the diverse ways the Christmas story has been told in scriptures, folklore and great art.  Peyton Strouth will lead us in Taize Worship, a time to quiet our souls and pray with song and scripture.  After worship we will have programs for youth & children while the adults are participating in the lecture series.  Childcare for those under age 3 will be available.  Dinner will be provided by our hardworking Fellowship Committee.  Contact Meg Richardson at 214-348-2133 with questions.  Don't miss this great event!

Once in awhile the Federal Government takes an action which helps people with a real problem.  In this case, if you are 70-1/2 and are having to take more from your IRA than you would like, recent legislation has a solution to your problem.  The Pension Protection Act of 2006 has made it possible for owners of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to request distributions totaling up to $100,000 to be made directly to qualified public charities such as Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church.  Any such distribution counts toward the owner's required annual distribution without adding to taxable income.

If a person wishes to take advantage of this new provision, action must be considered soon.  The window for such distributions is only for the rest of 2006 and for the year 2007.  That means distributions up to $100,000 for each of these two years may be made.  To make this happen for your estate planning, do not take the distribution yourself because that would add to taxable income.  Instead, notify your IRA administrator to make the gift directly to the charity-hopefully LHPC!

(A Pint-Size Productions event)

On Sunday, December 17, at 4:00 p.m. the new children's theatre ministry formed jointly by the Music and Christian Education departments of our church will present, "Midnight Miracle" written by Gene Greir and Lowell Everson.  This is an exciting musical in which the shepherds encounter the miracle of the new born baby Jesus!  The story is based on the story of Christ's birth and a Polish Christmas legend!  This legend says that on Christmas night those people, usually children, who are pure of heart can talk to the animals!  The animals will tell those to whom they speak the story of the very first Christmas, which has been passed down through the ages from those animals that were present at the very first Christmas night.  Please mark your calendars for this event so that you and your family can come to this wonderful musical.

Deck the Halls!

On Sunday, November 26th, at 6:00 p.m. we will have our traditional Hanging of the Greens event.  This celebration is going to be a bit different this year.  The Rev. Thomas, Peyton Strouth and Meg Richardson have prepared a celebration that will be fun for the whole church family.  It will include special music by the Chancel Handbell Choir, as well as a chance to sing many of the advent hymns and carols.  There will also be crafts for everyone, hot cider and goodies, and decorating, too!

The Rev. Thomas is going to help us with readings about the origins of our decorations and their special meanings to us as Christians.  Please plan to attend this fun family event!

Make special plans to bring your family and friends to worship on Christmas Eve.  Morning services will be held on Sunday at 9:00 and at 11:00 a.m.  During the Sunday School hour the Christian Education Committee has a special event planned that will involve the whole Church that you won't want to miss.  Christmas Eve services will include our traditional Christmas Eve Lessons and Carols Service at 7:00 p.m.  The choir will be present for this service.

Sunday, December 3rd at 6:00 p.m.

The combined voices of the chancel choirs of Lake Highlands and Bethany Presbyterian Churches, under the direction of Peyton Strouth, Director of Music Ministries of Lake Highlands Presbyterian, will present Vivaldi's "Gloria" on Sunday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.  This choral performance will be accompanied by several members of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and John Burkwall, LHPC Organist.  A reception will follow.

This performance is a part of Lake Highland's Classical Series, Festival of Sound, and is open to the public with no admission charge.

LHPC Women's Circles have many special celebrations planned for their December meetings.  All LHPC Women are welcome to attend any of the gatherings.

On Monday, December 18, Circle 1 will share an evening meal at the home of Joni Kern, 3309 Larkin Lane, Rowlett, at 7:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, December 19, Circle 2 will gather at the home of Geri McCleskey, 9945 Aklin, at 10:00 a.m. for a luncheon.  Women are asked to bring a covered dish.

On Wednesday, December 20, Circle of Hope members will participate in the annual tea at the home of Jan Gifford, 10802 Hayfield, at 10:00 a.m.

The White Rock Circle will not hold a regular study meeting during December, but plans are being made to have a special Christmas "Get-to-gether."  The date has not been set, but information can be obtained by phoning Maxie Hardin at 214-503-9795, or Mary Alice Phillips at 214-221-6214.

For information concerning these activities, please phone the moderator, Helen Kelso, at 214-348-0668, or any of the hostesses.

What is this group that we keep hearing about?  The 20/30 Somethings is a fellowship group for friends of LHPC in their 20's and 30's.  We meet for dinner and activities every month or so and hosted our first church service project in October, the Fall Fun Fest.  Members of the group have a great time and welcome any young adult interested in joining.  If you are an LHPC 20 or 30 Something and not currently on the mailing list, contact Meg Richardson at the church office.

Registration forms for the 2007 Youth Winter Retreat are available now.  Deadline for registration is December 27th.  Please call the church office or Meg Richardson at 214-348-2133 for more information.

Please see Meg Richardson for more information concerning any of these events and programs.

Men's Fellowship and Men's Bible Study will be taking a break in December to make way for the Advent and Christmas events at the church.  Watch for upcoming events for 2007!

Sunday, December 10th at 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 10th (note date change from Saturday, December 9th) at 6:00 p.m. in LHPC Fellowship Hall.  Call 214-328-7957 for reservations by December 4th.

Spiritual Development can take many forms and is such a personal thing for each individual.  2007 brings a wonderful opportunity for Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church to explore various aspects of spiritual development.  Building on the very successful "Terrific Tuesdays" of this past summer, this series will extend throughout the year with various series and events.  Among these are included:

Exploring Celtic Spirituality.  This will be a month-long, weekly series led by the Rev. Dr. Larry Thomas. Through exploration of art, music and customs, this series will include youth and adults and will focus on:

• closeness between God and nature
• the four elements: fire, water, earth, air
• respect for the "old wisdom," storytelling
• human intimacy with God and the saints
• the Trinity
• importance of kinship and community
• dreams
• hospitality
• peace and justice.

Lenten Study.  This month-long lecture series will be led by the Rev. Dr. Larry Thomas with Prayer Stations and will conclude with a Seder Feast from a Christian Perspective.

Labyrinth Walk.  This event will include a teaching time to learn the basic history and purpose of the Labyrinth and will culminate with a walking of the Labyrinth.  The Labyrinth is a centuries-old, spiritual tool for meditation and prayer.  Walking the Labyrinth makes one available to God and thus to transformation and healing.  The Labyrinth has only one path so there are no tricks to it and no dead ends. The path winds throughout and becomes a mirror for where we are in our lives; it touches our sorrows and releases our joys.

Family Focus.  This multi-faceted series will include:

• Parenting Classes
• Marriage Enrichment
• Grandparent Training
• Culminating in a Family Fun Evening

Dialogue of Understanding.  This month-long series will include:

• Discussion of Islam
• Discussion of Judaism
• Discussion of Mormonism
• Panel discussion of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism
• Culminating in a World Communion Food Fest involving all participating groups with major promotion for community participation.

The thermometer has begun to slide, Fall is definitely in the air, and the stores have even begun to show hints of Christmas.  But they are not the only places because it's even beginning to look like Christmas in the CDC where the teachers and the boys and girls have begun decorating their rooms and doors for the holiday season.  This affords a wonderful chance for you to drop by to see how creative everyone is.

This past month has been an especially exciting one because several of the CDC parents have agreed to serve on the first ever Parent Advisory Council!  The Council will be serving as a sort of liaison between the parents and the CDC and the church.  Members of the Council include Lorna Brooks, Tonya Cole, Belinda Field, Paul Field, Karla Genter, Sara Hundley, Tracey McClure, Frank Miller and Malinda Miller.

And that's not all that is exciting in the Education wing.  Enrollments have been received for six new babies beginning in January.  This means that all the CDC rooms will be full.  In addition to that, we have a waiting list!

So, do come by for a visit...any week day between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.  All you have to do is check by the CDC office to let them know you're here.  See you soon?

The African Children's Choir, selected annually from thousands of orphans and disadvantaged children in Africa, delivers a powerful blend of singing, dancing, and storytelling to bridge cultural differences and spread hope and joy to audiences throughout the world.  The internationally acclaimed Choir has performed before numerous dignitaries and has appeared at some of the world's most prestigious halls including the London Palladium, The International Club of Berlin, and the Palais des Beuax-Arts in Brussels.  Don't miss this unforgettable moving experience!  The choir will perform at LHPC on Friday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m.  Please mark the date on you calendars and consider serving as a host family.  More details will become available as we get closer to the date.  For more information about the choir visit www.africanchildrenschoir.com

It is such a blessing to have so much going on at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church.  With all the activities and planning, sometimes it's easy to forget that each room in the church is used by several groups.  Please help make it easier for the next group by putting the room back the way you found it when you leave.  If your group needs to move furniture around for your activities, please be sure to put it all back so that it is ready for the next group to use.  Please be sure to check with the church office to be sure that the church calendar is clear before planning your activities.  Thank you!

Thanks to the volunteers who make hundreds of sandwiches for the homeless.  Eddie Pinnell has a great group of workers who gather once a month to make sandwiches.  Ladell Ritchey makes it all possible with his grocery store runs.  Those persons involved in Sandwich Ministry are:  Betty J. Anderson, Martha Boyd, Hollis & Zoe Jacobie, Ladell Ritchey, Eddie Pinnell, Lorene Pinnell, Sharon Pinnell, Sara Secor, Emily Turner, Pat West, Kay Wyne

Visit the "Christmas Card Tree" located in the Fellowship Hall and place your donations of $5 (or more) in the cards hanging from the tree.  The gifts will be sent with the cards to the children of the Presbyterian Children's Homes & Services in Waxahachie/Itasca and the Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home in Denton.

     Sponsored by LHPW and the Circle of Joy

To LHPC:

Thanks to all who called or sent cards.  I appreciate hearing from you.  I am improving, but very slowly.

     Love,

     Eula Watterson

Dear Friends at LHPC:

Just to let you know how much I appreciate your prayers and good wishes for a quick recovery from my recent surgery.  I'm doing all the prescribed exercises and hopefully should be back very soon.  It means so much to know everyone is so caring and awaiting my return.

     Many, many thanks.

     Lucy Zaccone

Dear LHPC friends:

We want to thank everyone for their prayers, calls and get well cards for Roland.  His unexpected surgery went well and he is recuperating nicely.  All our love in Christ.

     Thank you,

     Roland & Dottie Mackey

Memorials Leon Scroggins Debbie Scroggins Special Gifts Music Ministry/POH Anonymous Ralph & Jan Gifford Billie Hill Eloise Love Steve Moore J. B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Debbie Scroggins Linda Swanson White Rock Center of Hope Ralph & Jan Gifford LHPC Women J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Jim & Danna Pool LifeNet Jack & Barbara Sudderth Women's Fund Debbie Scroggins Sanctuary Sound System Steve Moore Building Fund 50 Gifts, Totaling $5,700.00

The best thing about the future is that it comes only on day at a time. Please bring your empty ink jet cartridges and old cell phones to the church for recycling.  Collection boxes can be found in the work room in the church office.  All proceeds will support the youth fund.

Congratulations to Dan and Cindy Wadley on the arrival of their Great Grandson,
Aaron Michael Crain, born October 10, 2006.

Altrusa International, Inc of Richardson, Texas recently announced the names of the women who were nominated to receive an award as an Outstanding Woman of Today for 2006.  These recipients were nominated because of their accomplishments in the workplace.  Among the nominees in the category of Education was Judy Regan, our CDC Director.

The criteria upon which the nominations are based includes a display of exceptional determination, innovation, and vision, contribution to the mission of their organization, and accomplishment in their work.  These women are known to show a spirit of community service and leadership development.  For more information on Altrusa, please check their web page at http://www.altrusarichardson.com/.

The Church expresses Christian Sympathy to the Jacobie Family, upon the death of Hollis' father, Roy E. Jacobie.  Memorial services were held on Monday, October 23rd at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.

The Church expresses Christian Sympathy to the Iliya Families upon the death of Nimeh Iliya, brother of Al and Fawzi.  Nimeh passed away on October 19th, in Beirut, Lebanon.

The following persons visited LHPC worship services during the month of October:

Andrea Brazel, Mary Longdon, Frank Duckett, Dottie & Roland Mackey, Ciocan Family, Greg Harrison, Margaret O. Frindell, Dan & Rachel Davies, Dennis Cumbie, Jim Williams, Bill & Kathy Williams, Mary Ann Puckett, Bob Volker, Zachary Wallace, Johnathan Wallace, Mary Ann Mitchell, Marlene Camille, Debby Lacy, Lian & Suzanne Mulvaney, Linda Prosser, Richard Thompson, Elaine Brockhouse, Marion Brockette, Betty Creer, Jimmy Kerlin