The Messenger Newsletter

Beginning January 1, 2007, the Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church Session consists of the following:
Class of 2007 Johnie Foster Geri McCleskey Steve Moore Meg Richardson Dale Talley	Class of 2008 Carol Greenman Bert Hager Hollie Higgins Bill Miller Missy Rodgers	Class of 2009 Cris Emrich Lin Johnson Paul Kunde Charles Matz Lisa Teschner

Deep appreciation to the retired Class of 2006:
Cecil Dass Dan Wadley	Jack Martin Ginger Williams	Hilary Puckett

Committee Chairs for 2007
Nominating Personnel Property Stewardship & Finance Child Development Center Communications Christian Education Congregational Care Fellowship Missions Worship Reach Out	Geri McCleskey Dale Talley Ralph Gifford J. B. Pendergrass Cecil Dass Ginger Williams Cris Emrich Paul Kunde Cris Emrich Missy Rodgers Dale Talley Jan Gifford & Geri McCleskey

LifeNet
Thank you to all of the volunteers who came for the LifeNet Thanks for Giving celebration on Saturday, November 25th.  The clients and staff of LifeNet enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal and were very grateful for all you did in helping make this a memorable event.

Love Loaf Offering
With the 2007 Love Loaf Offering, the members of LHPC were able to send a total of $415.00 to the children of the Republic of Georgia.  Thank you for your donations and remember to continue to bring in your 2 Cents a Meal change that benefits local mission work.

Christmas Card Tree
The Christmas Card Tree was a huge success again this year.  Your donations made the Christmas holiday season a more joyous time for the children of the Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home in Denton and the Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services serving homes in Waxahachie and Itasca.  A total of $450.00 was divided evenly between the three homes.

Casa De Vida
Casa de Vida is a once-a-week respite program for the caregiver of a loved one with early onset Alzheimer's or related dementia who is being cared for at home.  This program, offered to the community by NorthPark Presbyterian Church, offers the caregiver four hours a week to run errands, visit friends or just go home for a quiet time.  Meanwhile the loved one takes part in life enhancing activities such as music, art, and exercise in the caring environment of Casa de Vida.  Trained volunteers staff the ministry which meets on Tuesdays, beginning February 13, from 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of NorthPark Presbyterian Church.  Cost is $10/week.  If you are interested in being trained as a volunteer for this wonderful ministry or would like more information on registering a loved one for the program, contact Missy Rodgers, Mission Committee Chair at 214-902-9935.

“Brick by Brick”
This program commemorates 100 years of caring in Itasca.  You can be a part of the enduring legacy through the Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services "Brick by Brick" program.  Recognize a special person in your life, honor the memory of a loved one or solidify your commitment to caring for God's children with an engraved message on a brick path at the Itasca Campus.  Your contribution ($100 per brick) will help ensure this ministry can continue its mission of caring for years to come.  Contact Missy Rodgers, Missions Committee Chair, for more information at 214-902-9935 or missyro@earthlink.net.

CLIMB
CLIMB (Children's Lives Include Moments of Bravery) is a new support group being offered at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas for children and adolescents ages 6-17 years, who have a parent, grandparent or primary caregiver that has been diagnosed with cancer.  During the meeting, discussion and art are used to help children express their feelings.  The group meets once a week and is free of charge and open to everyone.  For more information, or to enroll a child, call 214-345-6959.

Men's Fellowship
All men of the church are invited to a Saturday morning breakfast at LHPC on January 6, 2007 in Fellowship Hall.  Bring your sons, fathers, friends and neighbors.  Breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m. with a menu of:  eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes.  There will be a brief devotional period after breakfast.

Don’t forget the second Sunday of each month is Send a Kid to Camp breakfast.  We start serving at 8:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.

Series to begin January 16th
Join us for dinner and activities on January 16, at 6:00 p.m. for the first in our Spiritual Development series for 2007.

In the last decade, Celtic spirituality has had a profound affect on the church and on the lifestyle of many Christians.  Many have come to see the Celtic Vision as an antidote to many of the deficiencies of modern life.  For three Tuesday evenings, Dr. Thomas will explore the Celtic Christian tradition, its development, personalities, spiritual wisdom, stories, and art.

Beginning Sunday, January 14th, at 9:45 a.m., Larry Thomas will lead a four week elective class on the Presbyterian tradition.  We will discuss the history, doctrine, church organization, worship, and the Reformed approach to mission.

All members are welcome, particularly those who are new or are not familiar with the Presbyterian way of being a Christian.

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

The African Children’s Choir is comprised of children ages seven to eleven.  Each child in the Choir, has lost one or both parents to poverty or disease.  They perform throughout the world bringing hope and joy to everyone they meet while shining the spotlight on the plight of children in Africa.  There are currently three Choirs on tour;  a Canadian tour with children from Uganda, a United States tour with children also from Uganda and a United Kingdom tour with children from Komazi, South Africa, a region that is being devasted by AIDS.

The Choir members are ambassadors for all children in Africa who have become orphans because of the AIDS pandemic.  They are their voice to the rest of the world.  Each year, a new Choir is selected and the children from the previous year’s Choir return to their homelands to attend school.  Their education is completely funded by The African Children's Choir.  Some of these young adults continue in university programs, where they train to become doctors, engineers or other professional leaders in Africa.  Others receive vocational and technical training, developing the skills they need to lead productive, fulfilling lives.  Many of the children, now young adults from previous Choirs, are working with The African Children’s Choir and other relief organizations throughout Africa reflecting our full-circle vision. Since its inception, the African Children’s Choir has helped to establish numerous schools and provide educational scholarships in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan and South Africa.  The Choir has been instrumental in financing tuition for thousands of children who would otherwise have no access to an education.  ‘We recognized early on that education is the key to long-term change and advancement in Africa,” says Choir Founder Ray Barnett.  “It’s the children who will become the leaders of tomorrow and can make the difference.  We can change Africa, one child at a time”.

On January 19, 2007, Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church will be hosting the choir for a concert at 7:00 p.m.  We need many volunteers to help!

There are opportunities where we need to consider helping:  hosting the children in your home, setting up equipment when they arrive, running errands for the choir, getting any supplies they may need while here, assisting in product set up and sales, as well as many others.  Please see Peyton Strouth if you have any questions and are interested in helping.

This information was taken from:  http//www.africanchildrenschoir.com

The next time you walk down the hall toward the Christian Education wing won’t you take a moment to pause by the last bulletin board on the left and write your name on the 2007 Flower Calendar?  There are over forty opportunities for you to help simply by writing your name in one of the blanks indicating your willingness to pay for the flowers to be placed in the sanctuary for a Sunday worship.  The cost?  Why it’s still only $31.50.  Questions?  Call the church office.  Please let one of your ways of helping be this.  Thanks!

Both Judy Regan, Director of the CDC, and the CDC Committee wish to take this opportunity to say thanks!

We say thanks to the members of the Parent Advisory Council who have stepped out with support and action to back their faith in the CDC as being a truly good childcare facility.

We say thanks to the staff for carrying on like the true professionals they are in spite of the ups and downs of this past year.

We say thanks to the church for their love and support, especially their demonstration of this through the lovely and delicious monthly treats. It’s been a good year and we are grateful

What a way to end the 2006 Women's year!  The Corner Market was very successful and the Women's Christmas party was delightful.  Many thanks to Cinda Koch for heading up the Corner Market.  The Women's mission projects will be well funded from the proceeds.  The Women would like to give special appreciation to Louise McCall for donating so many lovely linens for sale at the Women's table. More thanks are extended to the Circle of Joy for hosting the Christmas party to start the Christmas season on a high note.  After delicious appetizers and sweets the women were treated to a gift exchange with the trading of gifts.

Upcoming Events

Women's Board Meeting, January 10, at 9:45 a.m.

Circle 1 will meet at the home of Mac Hubbard, Monday, January 15, at 7:30 p.m.  Contact Renee Kunde at 214-341-7452 for more information.

Circle 2 will meet at the home of Aida Iliya on Tuesday, January 16, at 9:30 a.m.  Contact Colleen Ziegenfuss at 214-348-3513 for more information.

Circle of Hope will meet in Fellowship Hall with Sara Secor and Johnie Foster serving as hostesses on Wednesday, January 17, at 9:45 a.m.  Phone Linda Swanson for information at 214-327-5113.

Circle of Joy will meet Monday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m.  Contact Missy Rodgers for information at 214-902-9935.

White Rock Circle will meet at the WhiteRock Court on Wednesday, January 28, at 10:00 a.m.  For information, phone Maxie Hardin at 214-503-9795 or Mary Alice Phillips at 214-221-6214.

The Annual LHPC Women and Men's Fellowship Dinner on Tuesday, February 6th, at 7:00 p.m.

A new group is being formed!  Beginning January 7, 2007, a Knitting Club (to be officially named at a later date) will meet in Fellowship Hall from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m.

This group is open to all members, friends and persons in the Lake Highlands community who would like to share knitting knowledge, ideas, patterns, or learn to knit.  Beginners are welcome, as well as the experienced knitters.

For more information, please call the church office at 214-348-2133 or Maureen Ramsay at 214-340-6173.

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!

"People with a Serving Heart"

As 2006 is drawing to a close, the people of Young at Heart have been busy.

Thirty-two members and visitors of Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church shared a lunch of homemade beef stew and cornbread in Fellowship Hall.  We then assembled twenty large bags filled with kitchen supplies for those clients of LifeNet who are moving into apartments.  The items were purchased by the LHPC Women’s group and LifeNet recognized them with a certificate of appreciation for their contribution.

On Wednesday, November 29th, eighteen members traveled to Spring Valley Methodist Church to wrap Christmas gifts for clients of the Visiting Nurses Association, Meals on Wheels and Hospice.  We took gifts with us from the members of Young at Heart.

On Friday, December 1st, eight of our members joined the Emeritus Ministry of Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church for lunch and a Christmas message.  In December of 2004, we were invited to join them for any of their activities and several members of LHPC have attended the First Friday Luncheons on a monthly basis.  Please call Jan Gifford at 214-348-8595 by January 2nd if you would like to go with us to Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church on Friday, January 5, 2007.  The programs are always good and lunch is delicious at $8.00 per person.

Young at Heart will hold its regular meeting on Friday, January 19, at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Bring a sack lunch; we will be discussing plans for 2007.

Dear LHPC,

I was really surprised! All of the baby gifts were beautiful.  Everything will come in handy.  Now we just have to wait to use everything until she gets here!

     Thank you,
     and God bless you.

     Anna Guerrero and Family

Thanks to,

Peyton Strouth, John Burkwall and the choir for blessing us with their musical talents during the Advent Season.

Thanks for your help

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
     Paul Kunde
     George Meusel
     Robbie Meusel
     Emily Turner
     Ladell Ritchey

Thank you to everyone who provided poinsettias in the sanctuary during Advent.
They are wonderful!

Joyce Adams, Martha & Bill Boyd, Ed & Rita Boyer, Bill & Grace Cooper, Ron & Amy Chester, David & Hilda Dass, Harriet Dingman, Roger & Cris Emrich, Pauline Ellis, Cal & Johnie Foster, Ralph & Jan Gifford, Gene & LaJoyce Golmon, Bob & Ione Humphrey, Bert & Nancy Hager, Jeff & Hollie Higgins, Fawzi & Aida Ilyia, Al & Dolores Ilyia, Lin Johnson, Helen Kelso, Pamela Leutz, Rich & Tammy Mackesey, Jack & Billie Martin, George & Robbie Meusel, L.V. & Pat Massengale, Roland & Dottie Mackey, Glen & Geri McCleskey, Bard Odum, J. B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass, Pete & Hilary Puckett, Chuck & Maureen Ramsay, Lillie Richardson, Bill & Gail Richardson, Jack & Barbara Sudderth, Mary Simpson, Velma Smith, Nic & Marion Santangelo, Jere & Emily Turner, Dale Talley, Tony & Joy Valderas, Zane Wilson, Larry & Gladys Williams, Sammye Wood, Ted & Jeannie Wooldridge, John & Kay Wyne, and Colleen Ziegenfuss.

Praise on High poinsettias were provided by Andy & Betty Anderson, Ralph & Jan Gifford, Paul & Cari Logan, Cheryl Patterson & Chuck & Maureen Ramsay.

A special Thank You to Mary Lou Pendergrass & Greg Fairchild for ordering the poinsettias and keeping them fresh looking all through the season!

Memorials Mark Ansley Al & Dolores Iliy Special Gifts Music Ministry/POH Anonymous Al & Dolores Iliya Ralph & Jan Gifford Billie Hill Justin & Amy Jeter Steve Moore J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Jack & Barbara Sudderth Linda Swanson Choir Carol Greenman Sound System Steve Moore White Rock Center of Hope Bill & Grace Cooper Jack & Barbara Sudderth Youth Fund Anonymous Bill & Gail Richardson Building Fund 51 Gifts, Totaling $3,920.00

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.

Lauren and Phillip Chester were baptized at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, December 10, 2007.  Proud parents are Amy and Ron Chester.

The church expresses Christian Sympathy to the Faircloth Family, upon the death of Jay's brother, R. W. Faircloth.  Memorial services were held on December 15th, in Wylie, Texas.

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

Marion Brockette, Joyce Adams, Betsy Longdon, Brian, Nicole & Winston Fairchild, Betty Youngman, Leah Gillis, Bob Volker, Ciocan Family, Ed Gibson, Amanda Martin, Clifford Goldsmith, Deborah Lacy