The Messenger Newsletter

Beginning January 1, 2004 the Session consists of the following members:

Class of 2004
John Brown, Ralph Gifford, Bob Johnson, Cinda Koch, Bill Miller
Class of 2005
Hollis Jacobie, Chuck Ramsay, Ladell Ritchey, Herman Sawyer, Sammye Wood
Class of 2006
Cecil Dass, Jack Martin, Hilary Puckett, Dan Wadley, Ginger Williams

Deep appreciation to the retired Class of 2003:

Betty Davis, Richard Klein, Tammy Mackesey, Hollie McLauchlin, Sara Secor, Colleene Siegenfuss

2004 Committee Chairs

Nominating – John Brown
Personnel – Bill Miller
Property – Ralph Gifford
Property Development – Martin Vernon
Stewardship & Finance – J. B. Pendergrass
Child Development Center – Sammye Wood
Christian Education – Chuck Ramsay
Congregational Care – Martha Boyd
Fellowship – Cris Emrich
Missions – Missy Rodgers
Reach Out – Jan Gifford, Dan Wadley
Worship – Ginger Williams

Just to keep you up to date, the following are notes gleaned from the minutes of December 7 and 8 ....

• The Property Development Committee reported that it continues to have frequent meetings with representatives of the bank and the construction firm in its continual effort to eliminate the possibility of problems popping up after construction begins and to meet the requirements of the bank.
• The financial secretary reported that through December 7, 119 pledge cards amounting to just under $262,000 have been received. This amount is approximately $18,000.00 more than the pledges made for 2003 but still is not back up to the amount pledged in 2002.
• The clerk announced that three new members will be introduced to the congregation on Sunday, December 14, at the 10:45 a.m. services including Cynthia Alexander, and Clement and Genevieve Appiah-Ntifor.
• The clerk also announced the transfer of membership, at her request, of Peggy Martin.
• The following persons were re-elected to serve in their current positions of Treasurer - Bob Palmer, Financial Secretary - Tammy Mackesey, Clerk of Session - Sammye Wood and Assistant Clerk of Session - Martha Boyd.
• The names of committee chairs for the year 2004 were announced and will assume their new duties on January 1, 2004.
• A new training program was adopted which is designed to teach lay persons how to be caregivers, where needed, to people within the congregation who might from time to time need special attention. The program is entitled "Called to Care."
• The Appreciative Inquiry team announced that progress is being made in their efforts to further define what LHPC is all about and ways in which we can make use of our stronger points to encourage new people to join.
• Presbytery meeting dates for 2004 were announced. Please refer to page 2 for a listing of these dates.

Don't forget to check the bulletin board outside the pastor's office on Audelia Road for the latest minutes from the last Session meeting!

    Mission Statement:
        Jesus told us, "Go...and make disciples."

    Vision Statement:
        Serving God together by
          Reaching out, loving, caring and
            Inspiring spiritual and personal growth

Are you wondering why when we have both a mission statement and a vision statement we need anything else?

The answer is because that's just the beginning.  As we formed ourselves into a union church, it was (and will continue to be) important that we have these two statements.  But we need more than a foundation if we are to build a vital and active congregation! And so, we have Appreciative Inquiry.

Through the gathering of your stories we will be able to find a sense of direction.  What and where are our strong points?  What is it about us that attracts people to our congregation? What is it that we are best in doing? And so the Appreciative Inquiry team continues to meet with various ones of you to get your stories.

The stories already collected and the ones that will be collected in the future will become the "brick and mortar" or the soul of our congregation.  These are what the team calls "provocative propositions." So far LHPC's strengths are seen in such terms as "relationships," "community witness," "nurture for the young," "worship of God," and "how God sustains us."

Just watch as we move forward....

"Are We There Yet?"
"Not Quite, But We're Close!"
A few things are yet to be completed:

• Finalization of the building permit by the city (after they misplaced our paperwork).
• A few final changes to the construction documents in the name of cost effectiveness.

We will break ground soon, even if it's in the sleet!

On Tuesday, January 13, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. come hear Mr. Guadalupe Gonzales, special agent in charge of the Dallas office of the FBI.  He will tell us what the role of the FBI is in the war against terrorism, internationally and in North Texas.  Mr. Gonzalez, a former USMC Officer, is in charge of the Dallas office which covers North Texas from the New Mexico border, across the panhandle to the Oklahoma border, along the Red River to Texarkana, south along the Louisiana border about 60 miles, and then back west to Abilene and north to the New Mexico border.  Perhaps we can also get him to tell us a little about the recovery of the remains of the Space Shuttle after it blew up over Dallas.  Bring a friend, and your steak, knackwurst, or other main course for your evening meal.  Drink salad, bread and dessert provided.  See you there!

Giving Through Your Will
The federal tax law currently encourages charitable bequests by providing a charitable estate tax deduction for such requests.  Your bequest often reduces estate taxes as you continue to support mission beyond your lifetime.

The appropriate provision in your will for making a gift depends on the type of gift.  The following bequests might serve as a guide to assist you:

• Unrestricted bequests allow you to designate a specific sum or percentage of your estate or to designate a piece of property for the general use of your charitable beneficiaries.
• Gifts for a specific purpose can be included in your will naming a charitable beneficiary and choosing a specific amount or a percentage of your estate and the purpose for which it is to be used.
• Memorial gifts can be designated in your will with a specified amount or a percentage to establish a permanent fund.  The income from this fund can be designated for a specific charitable purpose or left unrestricted.
• Residuary gifts provide a way to make a gift once family and heirs are properly provided for in your will.  You indicate that the residue of your estate is left to the charities of your choice.
• Final contingent beneficiaries provide an opportunity to name several beneficiaries as recipients of shares of your estate, while designating your charity of choice as the final beneficiary if your named beneficiaries do not survive you.

Friday, January 16
11:00 a.m.

Game day at the church.  Play bingo or bring a game of your choice.  Come enjoy good fellowship and lunch.  Bring your own lunch and a prize if you play bingo.

Circle 1: Monday, January 19, at 7:00 p.m. at Rosemary Smith's.  Contact Joni Kern for more information at 972-412-1059.

Circle 2: Tuesday, January 20, at 9:30 a.m. at Glenn Eva Riggs'.  Contact June Faircloth at 214-348-3949 for more information.

Circle of Joy: Tuesday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. at Kathy Eversole's.  Contact Lisa Halliburton at 214-343-0344 for more information.

Circle of Hope: Wednesday, January 21, at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Contact Sara Secor for more information at 214-348-7628.

Mission Project Workshop: Wednesday, January 28, at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  We will be working on community projects.

January 4: Youth Fellowship
January 11: Youth Fellowship
January 17-18: Winter Retreat to Camp Gilmont
January 23: Youth Fellowship

Congratulations to Kara Kearney for making All District Band.  Kara is a 7th grader at Lake Highlands Junior High.  Way to go, Kara!

We want to know about all of our LHPC children/youth's achievements.  Be sure to let Meg know when you have news to share with the congregation.

Dear Church Family:
     What lovely surprises all of you presented us on the Sunday before Thanksgiving! It's wonderful to be serving and to be a part of this church.  Each of us will thoroughly enjoy using our gift certificate for a dinner at Chili's.

     THANK YOU!!
     Your staff,

     Robert E. Shelton, Robert M. Shelton, Kay Wyne, Ladell Ritchey, Meg Richardson, Bob Palmer, and Sammye Wood

Dear Church Family & Friends:
     Thank you for making our 50th Wedding Anniversary a happy day with friends and familiy.  We consider Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church to be both friends and family.

     J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass

In Memory of Tom & Wilma Hull

Jack & Barbara Sudderth

In Honor of Bob & Doris Bruner

Jack & Barbara Sudderth

The church expresses Christian sympathy to Eloise Love upon the death of her sister, Helen Matlock who passed away on December 12th.  Graveside services were on December 15th in Venus, Texas.

The church expresses Christian sympathy to the family of former member Bobbie Lee Hays.  Services were November 21st in Dallas.

LHPC welcomes the following new members: Cynthia Alexander, and Clement and Genevieve Appiah-Ntifor.

Shawn, Cyndi, & Grace Giles, Ray & Vivian Sayler, Dave Berkowitz, Shannon Giles, B.J. Rhoads, Mary Ann Mitchell, Sara Van Beek, Laura Taylor, Faye & Patti Williamson, Chuck & Sally Turner, Muendo Kalui, Ruth & Louie Wyne, Bill & Irene Keil, Pat West, Jeff Higgins, Sarah Jones, Nadine Maxwell, Marguerite Martin, Roland & Dorothy Mackey, Jackson Allen Harbour, Jeff, Connie & Kim Donahue, Bob & Kathy Hull, Sara Van Beek, David & Monica Beaty, Peggy Coker, Ken Martin, Marion & Nic Sartayelo, Dusty Rhoads, Nancy & Lauren Barry, Melinda Hunt, Forrest Wilson, Jim & Diane Shelton, Raymond Maciel, Suzie Bradley, Mike & Patrice Dugue, Taylor Casteel, Casey Fobe, Bill Johnston, Wayne, Margaret & Holly Frindell, Scott, Lori Beth, & Jacob Harrison, Greg, Corina, Jennifer, & Kimberly Ciocan

Jer. 31:7-14; Ps. 147:12-20; Eph. 1:3-14 ; John 1(1-9) 10-18

Isa. 43:1-7; Ps.29; Acts 8:14-17; Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

Isa. 62:1-5; Ps. 36:5-10; 1 Cor.12:1-11; John 2:1-11

Neh. 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Ps. 19; 1 Cor. 12:12-31a; Luke 4:14-21

The following meeting dates have been announced by the two presbyteries-Red River Presbytery of CPC and Grace Presbytery of PC(USA).  Anyone who wishes to attend is welcome; commissioners and/or alternates are elected by session.  If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please contact John Brown, Class of 2004.

Red River Presbytery

April 24, 2004 - Clinton, OK
October 23, 2004 - TBA, TX

Grace Presbytery

February 28, 2004 - 1st P.C., Dallas, TX
June 3, 2004 - Convention Center, Athens, TX;
September 8, 2004 - Convention Center, Killeen, TX;
November 12 & 13, 2004 - Highland Park P.C., Dallas, TX

January 3rd, at 7:00 p.m.
St. James Episcopal Church
Everyone is welcome!

Congratulations to Melanie Lacy for graduating from Texas Woman's University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education.