The Messenger Newsletter

Beginning January 1, 2006, the Session consists of the following:

Deep appreciation to the retired Class of 2005:

Committee Chairs for 2006

Hurricane Relief Update
During the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, members of LHPC generously donated a total of $593.25, as well as hundreds of items including toys, clothing, personal items and food.  These funds were disbursed as follows:  $263.25 to Presbyterian Disaster Relief, $250.00 to Church World Service, and $80.00 (donations received from "Festival of Sound") to East Dallas Cluster of Presbyterian Churches' Hurricane Relief Mission Trip, which is scheduled for Spring 2006.  Once again, we want to thank you for opening your hearts to those in need.

—Missions Committee & Reach Out Task Force

Thanksgiving Feast

On Saturday, November 26th, over 200 LifeNet clients and their families enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal in our Fellowship Hall.  LifeNet, located in Lake Highlands, is a Community Behavioral Healthcare system that provides professional treatment and provides assistance to people with mental disabilities, many of whom are homeless.  They also provide such necessities as medications, counseling, life skills training, housing, vocational training and supportive employment.  On this day approximately fifty volunteers, including LifeNet staff, people from the community and several LHPC members and friends helped make the event a success and were able to share in making this a special day for all.

—Missy Rodgers, Missions Chairperson

White Rock Center of Hope Food Pantry

The White Rock Center of Hope's food pantry is in need of the following items Canned meat & tuna, Macaroni & cheese, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Canned fruit, Canned green beans.  Please bring your donations to the collection area located in Fellowship Hall.

—Thank You!

Some of you have expressed curiosity as to why the front door is locked during the weekday office hours even though the staff is on duty.  The answer is a very simple one:  for the sake of safety.  Unfortunately today's world is not always a nice one and there are times when very unsavory people would just walk in if the doors weren't locked.  Sometimes these persons simply need help or to use the restroom but there's no way of knowing when that person might have other ideas in mind.  Without the locked door the staff and, for that matter, the church's properties are in a very vulnerable position.

The disadvantage to you is that the locked door presents a quandary as to how you can gain entry unless, of course, you have a key.  When the secretary is in her office, she's always glad to open the door for you.  If she happens not to be there, you'll notice there's a doorbell to the right of the door that you are invited to ring (you may have to ring it more than once).  However, if the only staff members present at the time are in the back office section, two things may happen:  either the ring of the doorbell is not heard or the time it takes for that person to walk to the front may seem too long for you to wait.

The second way by which you may gain entry into the building is through the CDC where their staff will stop you unless they know you.  A telephone call from them will bring one of the church staff to their office, or to the double doors separating the Christian Education Building from the remainder of the church, to admit you into the church offices or wherever you need to be.  Conversely, if you should come into the church through the front door but need to get into the CDC, the double doors through which you must pass are locked and someone on church staff will need to take you in and let the CDC staff know that you are there.

The fact that this is sometimes an inconvenience is recognized by all but it's a definite safety risk for the staff, the church and the CDC if these safety precautions are not followed.  The hope is that you can better understand the predicament and can help us have a safe place for the staff and for the CDC.

One the unique (and wonderful) characteristics of the Presbyterian Church is its form of representative government at all levels, with provision for members to have a voice in many ways.  One of the most important committees in the local church is the Church Nominating Committee, which is required by the Book of Order to be representative of the congregation.

The Church Nominating Committee is charged each year with the responsibility of identifying members to be nominated for church officers, so it is very important that the Nominating Committee be composed of church members who know the congregation and are willing to serve in a thoughtful, prayerful and conscientious manner to select nominees to serve as elders on the session, after being duly elected.

The Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church Nominating Committee is required to be made up of three elders currently serving on the Session, a representative elected by LHP Women, a member elected by the Youth group, and two members elected by the congregation at the annual congregational meeting, none of whom can currently be serving as a church officer.  Now is the time for our members to give thoughtful consideration to this duty and responsibility for wise government by thinking ahead and being prepared.  If you plan to make a nomination, you must secure permission from the nominee that he or she will serve if elected.

When the annual congregational meeting is held, do plan to be present to exercise your rightful duty and privilege!

Because of the way the holidays fall this year, the office is under a considerable "time crunch" to get things accomplished and to have The Messenger in your hands in timely fashion. Thus, the "Session Notes" column is omitted but you will find a copy of the minutes posted on the bulletin board in the hall.

Merry Christmas!

November 26, 2005

Dear friends,

In my view hardly anything in life is more important than Christian love and genuine friendship.  I have never felt the expression of both more than I did when the church honored me and Fran at the reception on November 13th.  It was very moving and meaningful personally.  My gratitude and appreciation are very deep.

Moreover, the event itself was a microcosm of the more than two and half years I was privileged to serve as part of the ministerial staff at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church.  I am also deeply grateful for those years, and the way I was received and allowed to serve.  I will always feel blessed by the congregation of LHPC.

Thank you very much for all you do and all you are as a session and a congregation.

Grace and peace,

—Robert M.

Unless you happen to be one of the ones who come early for Sunday School or just to visit, you may not realize there's always fresh, hot coffee available before and after church services in Fellowship Hall.  So, please come and join us for friendship and coffee (or tea).

We'll be looking for you!

The cover is pictures of the belfry that frames the window in the sanctuary and of the walkway and doors to welcome you to Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church.  The next picture begins the theme "What We Believe and What We Do."

The Dedication Day plaque on the north wall of the narthex tells "What We Believe" and has the seal with the key described in the last paragraph of the dedication commentary.  "What We Do" - Our Church Staff is an integral part of what we do and who we are, followed by the page "We Worship," beginning and ending with the open doors of the sanctuary and the Praise on High worship.  Page 4, "We Study," begins with the open door to the library and depicts our members gathered to study.  The theme of the next page is "We Nurture" and shows some of the areas where we reach out to touch people with God's love.  The door here has a key on the board which reads, "Key to Unlock Door."  And the last, "We Fellowship," where we gather in fellowship-grateful for our legacy, together in our purpose and confident of our future.  "Who We Are" leads to the pictorial directory of the members of Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church.

We chose the binder format for this directory so that we can add information and updates as needed.  Early in 2006 we will have pages listing the Session, Committee Chairs and "Who to Contact About. . . ". Our heartfelt thanks to the members of the directory committee, the Church staff and the congregation who worked hard and worked willingly to bring this together.  The Dedication Day Committee also deserves recognition for their inspiration.

The new church picture directories are available at the church office, limited to one per family.  If you should find errors, please notify the office.  Thanks again to Robbie Meusel and her large "crew" who worked hard to produce it.

The Church office would like to thank Congregational Care Committee for assisting in the monthly newsletter duties. The following persons have helped get The Messenger to you:  Martha Boyd, George Meusel, Robbie Meusel, Emily Turner, Ladell Ritchey, Jackie Ritchey, Betty Davis, Young at Heart

Women's Circles are especially interested and excited about this year's studies.  Please join us to become involved in these studies.

Do you know when and why different colors are used during the church year?  How are Lectionary Readings chosen? What is the nature of time?  "With Christ as the center of time, all times and seasons of our lives become centered in Christ."  To gain more insight into this study about the seasons of the church year, please come to:

Circle l will meet at the home of Martha Boyd, 9746 Chiswell on Monday, January 16, at 7:30 p.m.  For information, phone Lorene Pinnell at 214-348-0401.

Circle 2 will meet at the home of Robbie Meusel, 8804 Westglen Drive, Tuesday, January 17, at 9:30 a.m.  For information, phone Lucy Zaccone at 972-437-6635.

Circle of Hope is learning about different women in the Bible.  The January lesson will be "For Such A Time As This-Reaching Out To Serve."  To learn about this bible woman, come to Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, January 18, at 9:45 a.m.  Betty Davis and Sara Secor will serve as hostesses.  For information, phone Sara Secor at 214-348-7628.

Circle of Joy is beginning a new study in January.  Watch for announcements of place and times.  For more information, phone Missy Rodgers at 214-902-9935.

Other Opportunities
The Women's Board Meeting will be Wednesday, January 11, at 10:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

The members of Young at Heart will meet on Nov. 30 or Dec. 1 to help wrap presents for the Meals on Wheels’ clients.  They will also be going on Friday, Dec. 2, to the monthly lunch at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church to hear the Reverend Fran Shelton present a Christmas message.  For more information, please contact Jan Gifford at 214-348-8595.

Dear LHPC Friends,
A note of thanks to all of you for the prayers, cards, food, flowers and your visits while I was hospitalized and also at home. Along with your help and God's help, my doctors have given me a good report that I am fully recovered. For this, I am very thankful. God bless you all.

     Eloise Love

Memorial Gifts Tom & Wilma Hull Jack & Barbara Sudderth CDC Gifts Anonymous Mac Hubbard Praise On High Gifts Anonymous Hollis & Zoë Jacobie Steve Moore Lorene Pinnell Linda Swanson

The best thing about the future is that it comes only on day at a time.

The following persons visited worship service during the month of November:
Anna Wynne, Ciocan Family, Tate & April Gorman, Leigh & Larry Lyon, Doug VanWey, Chuck & Sally Turner, Rachel Glass, Dorothy & Roland Mackey, Charles, Lisa, Myles & John Matz, Leslie Durham, Tina & Tony Hageman, Mary Motley, Clement Ogumbiyi, Allison & Jon Meyers, Berg Family, Raymond Maciel, Jacquie Welsh, Ellen Smith, Anne Odum Stoops, Blake Bumbard, Irene Keil, Linda Garrett, Greg Harrison, Rich & Jackie Mackesey, Wendy Molloy, Barbara Core, Tricia Percella, Cindy Horn, Butch Sandefer

Thank you to everyone who provided poinsettias in the sanctuary during Advent.  A special thank you to Jan Gifford & Mary Lou Pendergrass for providing our lovely new Poinsettia Christmas Tree stands for the church.  They are wonderful!

Karen Adams (In memory of Oscar & Frances Riefler), Andy & Betty Anderson, Bill & Martha Boyd, Ed & Rita Boyer, Doris Bruner, Bill & Grace Cooper, David & Hilda Dass, Harriet Dingman, Dorothy Drews, Roger & Cris Emrich, Kathryn Forrest, Cal & Johnie Foster, Ralph & Jan Gifford, Chuck & JoMarie Goldsberry, Gene & LaJoyce Golmon, Marian Grubbs, Bert & Nancy Hager, Don & Betty Heaton, Bob & Ione Humphrey, Al & Delores Iliya, Lin Johnson, Jim & Cinda Koch, Paul & Cari Logan, Eloise Love, Rich & Tammy Mackesey, Jack & Billie Martin, Roland & Dorothy Mackey, L. V. & Pat Massengale, Glen & Geri McCleskey, George & Robbie Meusel, J. B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass, The Puckett Family, Chuck & Maureen Ramsay, Herman & Pattye Sawyer, Sara Secor, Velma Smith, Jack & Barbara Sudderth, Dale Talley, Tom, Lisa & Tommy Teschner, The Titus Family, Tony & Joy Valderas, Doug VanWey, Ginger Williams, Larry & Gladys Williams, Paul & Jane Young & Collene Ziegenfuss

A special Thank You to Mary Lou Pendergrass for ordering the poinsettias!

Recipes from an evening of good food and fellowship

Cris Emrich would like to share with you several recipes from the Angels by Candlelight Dinner on December 3rd.  The recipes are from the Kitchen of Jan Gifford.

Scalloped Potatoes
2 LB bag frozen hash browns (grated style)
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/3 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper

Mix together and top with grated cheese in a greased 9" x 13" baking dish.  Bake 1 ½ hours at 350&#deg;.

Brisket in Wine
Sprinkle Lipton's dry onion soup over a trimmed brisket.  Pour red wine over and around meat.  Cover tightly with foil.  Bake at 275&#deg; for 6-8 hours, according to size of brisket.

Swiss Chicken
Fill a 9" x 13" dish with boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4-5 large). Place thin slices of swiss cheese over the chicken breasts.  Mix 1 can of cream of mushroom soup with ¼ cup of white wine, and pour over chicken.  Cover top with Pepperidge Farms seasoned stuffing.  (Stuffing should be the crumbled style, not cubed.)  Drizzle ½ - 1 stick of melted butter over the stuffing.  Bake 55 minutes at 350&#deg;.

A special thanks goes to the Fellowship Committee for providing such a lovely evening of good food and fellowship.

Dorothy Appiah-Ntifor has been chosen for the lead role in the musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  The musical will take place at Lake Highlands High School this spring.  Look for more information on this production in next month's Messenger.  Congratulations, Dorothy!

Thanks to Peyton and the choir for blessing us with their musical talents during the Advent Season.

Lisa Fairchild Titus will be playing the lead role of Mary Haines in The Women at Contemporary Theatre of Dallas.  Written by Clare Booth Luce, it is set in 1936 in New York City, complete with 1930's high society fashions.  It opens on January 13, 2006 and runs through February 12th, 2006.  For ticket information, please call Contemporary Theatre of Dallas at 214-828-0094 or order tickets here.