In 2006 Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church was awarded a Grace Presbytery Congregational Missions Initiative Grant to fund the continued expansion of our Spiritual Development Series.  In 2006 our programs included the Terrific Tuesdays series with fun activity classes, Bible studies and lectures and the Advent Adventures series which included Taize worship and a lecture series.  In 2007 we have already had the Celtic Spirituality series.

In March we will continue with spiritual development during Lent.  Programming will be offered on March 11th, 18th and 25th culminating with a Seder Feast on Palm Sunday, April 1st.  This series will be an exciting time for all ages and will include prayer stations, a lecture led by the Rev. Larry Thomas, Pint Size Productions programming for children, games and fun for youth, and ending with dinner for all each Sunday evening.

Looking forward, upcoming events include a study on the Prayer Labyrinth in June, and Family Focus in August which will include classes on parenting, grandparenting and relationship enrichment.  Also, Dialogue of Understanding this fall, will bring together people of all cultures and religions and will end with an International Food Festival for the whole neighborhood.

Don't miss out on these fantastic opportunities to share our faith and grow spiritually as a church.  These programs are offered to the whole community and inviting friends, neighbors and family is encouraged!

March 11, 18 & 25
4:00 p.m. - Prayer Stations Open, Childcare begins
5:00 p.m. - Lecture and Children/Youth programming
6:00 p.m. - Dinner in Fellowship Hall

April 1st - Seder Feast begins at 6:00 p.m.

Work by the PNC resumed in early January, as we are now beginning to receive Pastor Information Forms (PIF) in response to our pastoral vacancy posting.  While only having been posted over the holiday period, we have received (as of January 10th) over thirty-five submissions to review and consider, and we expect more to follow in the next four to six weeks.  The PNC will continue to meet every other week to review these PIFs, as well as any others we may receive.

Your thoughts and suggestions are most certainly welcomed by the PNC, if you are aware of a potential candidate we may want to consider.  Feel free to talk to any member of the PNC if you have a recommendation.

As always, we welcome and appreciate your prayers for Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church and our committee as we continue this search process.

     Cinda Koch,
     on behalf of the PNC,

It only seems like Christmas was yesterday, but the Lenten season will soon be here so we thought you might want to know what to expect this year so that you can mark you calendars!

We will begin the season with an Ash Wednesday service on February 21 at 7:00 p.m.  Throughout Lent we will have Lenten activities on many of the Sundays which are designed for the whole family.  (You can read more about this in the article about the Spiritual Development series on the first page of this newsletter.)  Moving forward to the end of Lent, Palm Sunday, April 1, will be very exciting with the 9:00 a.m.  Praise on High worship team presenting the music and story of Godspell, and, of course, the traditional Palm Processional and singing at the 11:00 a.m. service.  On April 5 at 7:00 p.m. our Holy Thursday service will feature the Chancel Choir leading us in worship via The Son Of God Mass, by James Whitborn.  These, of course, all lead to Easter on April 8, at which time we will have worship that celebrates the meaning of the Risen Christ.  Please watch the bulletin, the newsletter, and the web pages (www.lhpres.org) for more details on all of these events.

January 19, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

The Food Chain Committee prepares food for our LHPC families in the time of a family death.  Collene Ziegenfuss chairs this committee, which is made up of several rotating teams.

If you would like to be a part of the 2007 committee to prepare food in the time of need, please call Collene at 214-348-3513, or the church office at 214-348-2133.

Isn’t it great to drive by the church almost every night of the week and see the parking lot full of cars and people back and forth for meetings and events and kids running around?  It is very exciting to be able to offer so much for the church and the community.  To continue to be sure we have space for everything please remember that all meetings of any size need to be cleared and put on the church calendar.  This is to insure that rooms do not get double booked (which has happened a few times recently) and that we have space for everyone.

Between Boy Scout meetings, weekly rehearsals, weekly meetings, and community programs it’s hard to keep them all straight so all committee chairs must also remember to let us know when a room is needed.  Contact secretary@lhpres.org or Meg Richardson at the church office to be sure your meetings are on the calendar.  Contact Meg if you have any questions at 214-348-2133 or mgr1616@aol.com.

White Rock Center of Hope Special Offering
A donation of $2,500 was given to the White Rock Center of Hope for their expansion project in 2006.  Thank you to the many members of the congregation who participated through special offerings.  Your generous donations will help the Center provide a more suitable environment to assist those in our community who are in need.

Christmas Card Tree
Thanks to your gifts to the "Christmas Card Tree" (sponsored by the Circle of Joy and LHPW), Christmas was a lot brighter in 2006 for some very special children.  A total of $470 was collected and delivered to the various Children’s Homes sponsored by our two denominations.  The Children's Home in Waxahachie received a check for $150 to use for Christmas gifts for the children living at the home.  The home in Itasca was given $150 worth of Wal-Mart gift cards to be given to children that arrive at the home to buy items for their new rooms.  The 34 children of The Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home in Denton were each given a $5 gift card The Rave Theatre, to be used for movies and/or games.

Bare Pantry Fare
Remember to bring your donations, the first Sunday of each month, for the White Rock Center of Hope.  Items needed include: peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits, meats, vegetables, and macaroni & cheese.

The Visiting Nurses Association
The Visiting Nurses Association Monthly Bereavement Luncheons are held on the last Thursday of each month from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Avenue.  Mark your calendar for these dates: February 22, “The Healing of Tears,” and March 29, “Different Kinds of Losses.”

Young at Heart
Young at Heart will meet on Friday, February 16th, at 11:00 a.m. for the annual Valentine's Day Luncheon.

While women’s circles and organizations in many church denominations over the United States are diminishing, Lake Highlands Presbyterian Women has added a fifth circle.  The new White Rock Women’s Circle which was organized in the fall, has been successful with Maxie Hardin and Mary Alice Phillips as Co-Chairmen.  At the Christmas meeting, eleven women were in attendance.  The meetings are open to any woman from the Whiterock Court or from LHPC.  Norma Moore has graciously helped by giving the lesson.  The Circle meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m.  In February the meeting will be held on the 28th in the chapel at White Rock Court, 9215 White Rock Trail.  For more information, phone Maxie Harden at 214-503-9795 or Mary Alice Phillips at 214-2221-6214.

Upcoming Events

Circle 1 will meet at the home of Gladys Williams, 9605 Livenshire, on Monday, February 19th, at 7:30 p.m.  Gladys’ phone number is 214-348-4179.

Circle 2 will meet at the home of Sue Sullivan, 9842 Robin Hill Lane, on Tuesday, February 20th at 9:30 a.m.  Sue can be reached at 214-348-7629.

Circle of Hope will meet at the church on Wednesday, February 21st, at 9:45 a.m. with Virginia Salter and Emily Turner as hostesses.  For information, phone Linda Swanson at 214-327-5113.

Circle of Joy will meet on Monday, February 12th, at 7:00 p.m.  For information, phone Missy Rodgers at 214-907-9935.

Lake Highlands Presbyterian Women's Board Meeting will be held February 14th, at 9:45 a.m. in the Library at LHPC.

LHPC Men in 2007
The Lake Highlands Presbyterian Men’s Group has decided to change things up a bit for the new year.  There will be a Send-a-Kid to Camp breakfast on the second Sunday in February.  Featured items on the menu will be pancakes, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy.

Each Wednesday morning at 6:00 a.m. the men will meet for a bible study at the Divine Coffee Shop located at the northeast corner shopping center at Ferndale and Northwest Highway.

The New Men's Fellowship monthly meeting will be the first Saturday of each month, at 8:00 a.m., also at the Divine Coffee Shop.  A short devotional will be held at each meeting.  All men from LHPC and their sons are invited to participate.

Upcoming Youth Events
At Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church

Feb. 4, 4:00 p.m.:  Youth Fellowship
Feb. 18, 4:00 p.m.:  Youth Fellowship

March 4, 4:00 p.m.:  Youth Fellowship
March 11, 4:00 p.m.:  Games & Fun
March 18, 3:30 p.m.:  Broomball with Eastminster Presbyterian Church Youth Group
                                          (meet at LHPC at 3:30 p.m. to carpool)
March 25, 4:00 p.m.:  Games & Fun

Annual Valentine’s Potluck Luncheon
Friday, February 16th — 11:00 a.m.
Fellowship Hall

Call Jan Gifford if you are interested in attending the First Friday Lunch at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church on February 2nd.

The New Year has begun and with it, as with every year, a sense of renewal and great beginnings with new aspirations and goals.

The Christian Education Committee invites you to also re-dedicate to learn more and experience new relationships by attending one of the courses available on Sundays.

Presently there are children's and youth classes as well as three adult courses.  Christian Education brochures are available on the brochure rack in the Narthex.  These provide a list of classes and books they are currently studying.  Come visit and see if something fits your fancy.  If not, tell us what your desires would be.  We are also in constant renewal and would like input with new ideas.  It is important for you to tell us what you would like to study, the kinds of classes you would be interested in and also what days work for your needs, i.e. weeknights, mornings, Saturdays, etc.

Christian Education is:

• Sharing diverse thoughts and thinking
• Seeking to understand more and better - living better by what we seek to understand
• Examining our doubts and re-affirming our faith
• Connecting with one another, developing deeper friendships
• Embracing knowledge

Come, walk in, enjoy, we are waiting for you.

Send your questions, comments, suggestions to cris.emrich@alconemarketing.comcris.emrich@alconemarketing.com

Recently an incident occurred involving a CDC parent that could happen to any of us!  In this particular case, the mother had gone into the CDC one morning to deliver her child.  In her rush she left her purse in her unlocked automobile.  During the few minutes she was signing her child in, someone took her purse from the car.  The thief not only got her cash but also her credit cards and other important items.  No one saw anything or if they did, they didn’t realize what was going on.  The thief has not yet been caught but did manage to spend a huge amount using one of the credit cards in nearby grocery stores.

All of this is warn you, don’t leave your purse in the car while you “run in!”  This, of course, is a good rule any where you park your car.

Check It Out!

Be sure to check out the newly formed Knitting Group, every Sunday afternoon from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. at the church.  Everyone is welcome to come join in the fun.

Dear members of the Church,

Thank you for your help and support in the loss of my mother, Rosemary Smith.  She greatly missed all of you and especially the hugs on Sunday mornings.  Thank you and may God bless each and everyone of you.

It gave me great comfort to know so many of you were at the service.

     God bless,

     Sharon Boyd

Dear members of LHPC:

My son, Stephen Steiner, left the hospital for home after 23 days!  After open heart surgery a mitral valve repair, he developed a severe infection behind his left lung.  Our family appreciates your continued prayers for his long, recovery.

     Sincerely,

     Nelda Walker

Dear LHPC Family,

We are so grateful for all the calls, cards and prayers during mother's illness and at her death.  Many of you knew her and realize the loss we feel.  It’s very comforting to be part of a warm, caring church.

     Love,

     Don & Joni Kern

Dear LHPC,

Just a note to say thank you so much.  Your kind words of encouragement at the end of the semester were much appreciated.  It is wonderful to have such a family like you are.

     Sincerely,

     Ted Emrich

Dear friends,

Jay and I want to thank you for the many phone calls and cards we received from you with the death of Hay’s brother, and also the cards concerning my ligament problem with my knee.  Good friends are a precious gift from God and we really do appreciate each of you.

     Love,

     Jay & June Faircloth

Dear Folks,

B. J. and I want to thank you for your overwhelmingly generous gift.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness and liberality in thinking of us over the holidays.  We both have enjoyed immensely our time at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church.  Your welcoming spirit and warm hospitality have made our ministry here very rewarding.  We look forward to continuing our journey together in 2007.

     Thanks again,

     Larry and B. J.

Dear Judy and LH Presbyterian CDC teachers, Thanks from the bottom of our hearts for the loving care you give to the children.  My granddaughter, Harper S., came into the 18 month class at the end of July.  She has been so happy and so have we.  (Miss Tammy and Miss Erica have been just great!) Your educational program is excellent even at this early age.  We love seeing the letters she colors daily and enjoy displaying the art work that she does on our refrigerators. Harper's language skills have really developed rapidly, and she is learning to share and get along with others. Thanks again for providing her with the daily structure that all children crave along with a loving accepting environment.  We hope you have a wonderful holiday and relax for a while with your families. Sincerely, Patti Brooks (Harper's Nana) This letter was received from Patti Brooks, who is the grandmother of Harper S.  Keep up the great work CDC staff!

Memorial Giftss B. F. & Katherine Buchanan Jack & Barbara Sudderth Tom & Wilma Hull Jack & Barbara Sudderth Jennie Johnston J. B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Morris & Elaine Ming Jack & Barbara Sudderth Mildred Odum Lorene Pinnell Nelle O'Neal The Puckett Family Leon G. Scroggins, II Beverly F. Scroggins Rosemary Smith Marsha Herrera Rosemary McGee J. B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Honorary Gifts Peyton Strouth Vic Parish Building Fund 50 Gifts Totaling $6,486 Choir The Puckett Family CDC The Puckett Family Sound System The Puckett Family Music Ministry/POH Anonymous Greg Fairchild Ralph & Jan Gifford Billie Hill Marsha Herrera Rosemary McGee Vic Parish J. B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Lorene Pinnell Beverly Scroggins Jack & Barbara Sudderth Dale Talley White Rock Center of Hope Jim & Cinda Koch Dorothy Mackey Eddie Pinnell Jim & Danna Pool

Give with the Lord. 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. Those who want to learn listen; those who know it all interrupt.

Congratulations Adria Webb for making the dean’s list at UTD for the 2006 fall semester.  Adria is majoring in Science, and she is the granddaughter of Eula Watterson.

The Church expresses Christian Sympathy to the Kern Family upon the death of Joni's mother, Jennie Johnston.  Services were held in Eskridge, Kansas.

The Church expresses Christian Sympathy to the family of Rosemary Smith, who passed away on December 22nd.  Funeral services were held at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church on December 27, with the Rev. John Purcell officiating.

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

Bob & Mary Ellen Volker, Danny & Carol Martin, Greg Harrison, Annde Odum Stoops, Betsy Longdon, Ciocan Family, Pierce & Julie Noble, Don & Kathy Durham, Marion Brockette, Butch Sandefer, Julie Leutz, Dottie & Roland Mackey, Anne Ntungwen, Sue McComb, Kristie Smith, Cathy Bullard, Dan & Vicky Higgins, Craig & Cheryl Lampe, Wayne Frindell, Chris & Judy Ramsay, Frank Duckett, Rich & Jackie Mackesey, Rich & Bradley Paterik, Deborah Lacy