The Messenger Newsletter

Hallelujah Sunday, April 17
After a year under construction and a yearlong fellowship dinner famine-except for a couple of picnic-type hot dog and hamburger bills of fare last summer- we finally did it again.  We had a real Presbyterian casserole-laden fellowship dinner.  And it was great!  That person was indeed wise who suggested the name “Hallelujah Sunday” for our first dinner in the new fellowship hall.

We finally had a proper venue in which to recognize members of the Session, Class of 2004;  they received plaques of appreciation.  And we recognized members of the Property Development Committee for their work since the committee’s creation in 2000.  They received handcrafted crosses made from wood salvaged during the sanctuary remodeling.  Also, Bill Miller received the “Fine Print Award” for guiding the church through contract negotiations with the architect, contractor and lending agencies.  And Ladell Ritchey and Hollis Jacobie received the “Plumb and True Award” for representing the church and oversight during construction.

The formal dedication service will follow at a later date.  In the meantime, Hallelujah Sunday was neat and memorable.

—Robert E Shelton

Come one!  Come all!  Let’s all find a class on Sunday Morning!

Christian Education is back in full swing at the church.  All the previous classes have resumed in the new education wing of the new building.  We have the three previously existing adult classes taught by John, Cris and Norma.  The church now offers a full selection of children’s and youth classes on Sunday morning.  In the children’s age group, we have classes for: Pre-kindergarten, K-Second grade, Third grade –Fifth grade, Sixth grade through High School.

I want to invite you to join us for learning more about our faith, our church and ourselves!

See you Sunday in class!!!

Chuck Ramsay, for the Christian Education Committee

A big THANK YOU to those of you who have supported the CDC through your financial contributions over the last year.  Contributions designated for the CDC for 2004 and 2005, total more than $21,000.  Once the neighborhood saw the playground equipment at our new facility, the CDC started receiving phone calls from parents seeking information on our program.  Latest combined enrollment figures for CDC and PDO (Parent’s Day Out) is 106 children.  At the end of February, we had a combined enrollment of 70 children for the CDC and PDO.  All involved are very excited by the new enrollment.

Through March 31, the CDC had a year-to-date loss of $19,761.42.  Even with an increase in fees and enrollment, it will be difficult to recover this loss.  We appreciate your continued financial support of the CDC through the rest of 2005.

Child Development
Center Recovery
Committee

Paul and Renee Kunde respond to the question:  How did you decide to make a significant gift to the building campaign?

“Describing our decision process to support the current building capital campaign has been challenging and difficult to express.

Stewardship has been described as being entrusted with something of value on behalf of someone else . As part of God’s family we are entrusted with the responsibility to continue Christ’s mission on earth and minister to our church family.

Perhaps “decision process” is not the appropriate phrase.  It suggests an analytical step-by-step procedure ending in a calculated result.  “An action from the heart” seems more appropriate.  As a member of our church once said, “It’s just the right thing to do.”

Renee & Paul

Do you have a stewardship/faith story to share?   If you do, please send your story to to J.B. Pendergrass.

Just to keep you up to date, the following are notes gleaned from the minutes of the stated session meetings of March 21, 2005 and April 18, 2005.

Property Committee announced the formation of a subcommittee established for the purpose of overseeing the interior décor of the new facilities.  It was further announced that the services of an interior decorator would be utilized to assure that the facility is decorated in a tasteful manner.

The session also formally adopted the new Building Use Policy presented by the Property Committee . Anyone wishing to use a room or rooms in the church will be ask to register that need through the church office.

Property Development announced that new shelving has been purchased and will be installed in the storage areas where needed.

Stewardship & Finance reminded session of the upcoming program which will address the importance of estate planning.

Note was taken of the deaths of Bob Johnson who died April 18, 2005, and Bessie Swearingen who died on January 12, 2005.

The names of six new members were recorded, to-wit:  Maxie Hardin, Thelma Waters, Andrew Dass, Chris Dass, Kyle Koch and Julia Halliburton.  In addition, former members, Diana Smith and Debbie Scroggins, have been reinstated.  Raylene Mattingly has transferred her membership to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Denton.

The CDC Committee reported that in the three and one-half weeks during which the CDC has been open in the new facility enrollment has grown from 70 to 101 children.  Three new staff persons have also been employed.

The Christian Education Committee reported in March that plans are underway to hold a children’s church service for children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Missions Committee announced that plans are in the making to hold Yoga classes at LHPC for those interested.  Dates and times will be announced when available.

A committee was appointed to make plans for Dedication Sunday sometime later in the year.

Although it is not possible to post the minutes at this time, they are available for reading in the church offices at any time.

Dear LHPC Friends:

You did it;  you really, really did it!

O-o-o-h!  I can hardly believe how super nice our new home for CDC is!  Gosh!  The rooms are so big and new and pretty and wonderful!  We’ve only been here a little over two weeks and did you know our CDC family has already grown?  We now have 101 children with four more enrolled for August!  Dr. Bob says that’’s a 28% increase (whatever that means)!  Anyway it sounds great, grand and wonderful.  We also have three new teachers in with a whole new group of children—they don’t get to come out and play, though, because they’re just little bitty babies.  Misses Mary, Meme stays in and plays with them.  The summer camp program will start in June and I can hardly wait to see what Miss Laura will have lined up for us to do!  Well, I gotta go!  Please come see us some day.  We’d love the chance personally to say thanks for sharing this grand new place with us!

Love, Jenny

The yard crews are working and doing a great job, although there is a lot of work to be done smoothing out the rough areas of the lawn.

A new cleaning service, Commercial Cleaning Services, Inc., has been hired because our size and needs have increased with our new facility.

Members of the newly appointed Property Approval Committee are: Hollis Jacobie, Zoe Jacobie, Tammy Mackesey and Ralph Gifford. The committee has recommended that an interior designer be hired to assist in the decoration of the new building facility.

     Ralph Gifford, Chairman

Congratulations to Shannon and Tod Sellhein on the birth of Noah Wayne on February 7, 2005.  Proud Grandparents are Tony and Joy Valderas

Circle l will meet Monday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Eloise Love, 9412 Buxhill.  For more information call Joni Kern at 972-412-1059.

Circle 2 will meet Tuesday, March 22, at 9:30 a.m.  Meeting place to be announced.  Hostess: Lucy Zaccone.  Please call Velma Smith at 214-328-8949 or Harriet Dingman at 214-348-2317 for information.

Circle of Hope will meet Wednesday, March 23, at 9:30 a.m.  The meeting place is to be announced.  Refreshments: Linda Swanson.  For information call Sara Secor at 214-348-7628.

Circle of Joy will meet Tuesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. at the home of Kathy Eversole, 10119 Kirkhaven Drive.  For more information call Meg Richardson at 214-763-1359 or Rebeka Stephens at 214-673-4759.

Other Opportunities
Women’s board meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 9, at 10:00 a.m. at the home of Geri McCleskey, 9945 Acklin.

For the women’s mission work Doris Bruner is accepting regular-sized packages of baby diapers and receiving blankets to complete the fifty baby layettes to be given to Parkland Hospital.  Please get the diapers or blankets to Doris by March 16.

Brazos de Cristo/Las Amigas will meet on March 10th at 10:00 a.m. at El Divino Salvador Church for the annual luncheon.  Luncheon price is $6.00. R.S.V.P. to Hilda Flores at 214-328-1694 or Nelda Walker at 214-824-7685.

Men’s Fellowship will meet Tuesday, March 8th, at 7:00 p.m.  Guest speaker TBA.
Bring your own meat to grill for fun, food & fellowship.

May Activities
May 1st: Open House 3:00—6:00
May 15th: Crosswave 5:00—7:00br>

Summer activities schedule is coming soon!

Summer Camp Dates:
CPYC: July 10-15

Senior High, Junior High & Junior Camps: July 23-28

See Meg for more information and registration.

Thank You,
     The Dass family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the church family for all the prayers, cards and flowers for Hilda Dass.  And, a special thank you to all of those who visited her in the hospital.  It really meant a lot to her and us.

     Cecil Dass

Dear LHPC:
     Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.  A Thank you from each of us.  For food, flowers, and everything else.  Drake thought the cookies were for him as he enjoyed them so much.  The support was wonderful.  The family of Bob Bruner acknowledges with grateful appreciation your kind expression of sympathy.

     Doris, Charles, Glen & Jean, R. L. & Drake Bruner
     I would like to thank all you wonderful people who sent cards, flowers, phone calls and prayers during my recent illness. They meant so very much to me. God Bless!

     Kathryn Forrest

Thank You,
     We would like to express our appreciation to all our LHPC friends for your caring concern at the time of our sister, Diane’s death.

     Your many prayers over the long months of her illness and subsequent death meant so much to us. And the calls and cards and warm hugs make us even more grateful for our church friends.

     Don & Joni Kern

Dear LHPC:
     It is with heartfelt warmth and love to my church family for their support and love shown to me and my son during our recent tragedy.  Words are not adequate say thank you for the reassuring cards, flowers, food, memorials and aide.  The Lord has truly blessed us in showing us your love and caring.  May God bless you.

     Dorothy Drews

Dear LHPC:
     Kyle & I just want to say thank you for the beautiful personalized Bible.  The one I’ve had is from Junior High, and it’s been falling apart for a while now so it came in good timing.  Thank you even more for a lifetime of supporting and loving me as my church family.

     Very Sincerely,

          Julie Leutz & Kyle McCleery

Memorial Gifts Bob Bruner Kyle & Karen Adams Doris Bruner Charles Bruner Glen & Jean Bruner R.L. & Drake Bruner Bill & Grace Cooper Joe & Carol Elder Marian Grubbs Bert & Nancy Hager Horizons Sunday School Class Dick & Ruth Howard Mac Hubbard Bob & Ione Humphrey L.V. & Pat Massengale Steve Moore Glen & Geri McCleskey R.W. & Joanne Page J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Carl & Lois Potter Jack & Barbara Sudderth Linda Swanson Pat West John & Kay Wyne Lora Beth Dobkins Leslie Carter Ross Farnsworth Gene & Pat Heckel Bob & Ione Humphrey O.C. & Patricia Mulkey Ruth Stover Marilyn Thomas John & Marian Watson Tom Drews Martha Boyd Doris Bruner Mr. & Mrs. Robert G. Craig Harriet Dingman Hollie & Patricia Irvin Anne P. Johnson J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Jack & Tess Sleeper Claire Lankford Mark Lankford CDC Recovery Gifts February & March 2005 Mac Hubbard Conor Puckett Mason Puckett Pete & Hilary Puckett Howard & Glenn Eva Riggs Paul & Jill Schreiber Ann Shelton Sammye Wood Praise on High Worship Gifts February & March 2005 Ralph & Jan Gifford Hollis & Zoe Jacobie Eloise Love Jim & Cinda Koch Rich & Tammy Mackesey Glen & Geri McCleskey Steve Moore Lorene Pinnell The Puckett Family Howard & Glenn Eva Riggs Virginia Salter Jill Schreiber Mary Simpson Linda Swanson Dale Talley Marilyn Thomas Collene Ziegenfuss Honorary Gifts February & March 2005 Doris Bruner Bert &Nancy Hager Bert & Nancy Hager L.V. & Pat Massengale Jack & Barbara Sudderth Doris Bruner Charles Bruner Glen & Jean Bruner R.L. & Drake Bruner Maxine Hardin Josephine Basel

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

The Church expresses Christian sympathy to the family of Thomas Drews.  Services were held on February 26, 2005 at Eastgate Funeral Home.

The Church expresses Christian sympathy to the family of Bob Johnson.  Memorial services were held at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church on April 26, 2005.

The following persons visited Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church worship services during the months of February & March:

Trudi Swedlund, Sue Lee, Marlone Camille, Charles Bruner, Paul & Jill Schreiber, Margie Warren, Nadine Maxwell, Doug Van Wey, Dr. Eleanor & Rev. Ed Cherryholmes, Roland & Dorothy Mackey, Nic Santangelo, Dixie Edwards, Roy & Vivian Sayler, Louis Bodnar, Irene & Bill Keil, Leslie Durham, Raymond Maciel, Robert & Bonnie, Thiebaud, Butch Sandefer, Patti Williamson, Cathy Bullard, Anita Ohanau, Douglas Drews, Pete, Brandt & Emma Swanson, Jeff Higgins, Sharon Morrow, Cindy Wood, Lauren Barry, Jo & Mike Basel, Hannah, Tara & Ellyn Puckett, Rachel & Lindsay Glass, Marc, Mary, Braden & Garrett Roux, Ellen Shelton-Richey, Amy Greenman, Evalyn James, Dan & Vicky Higgins, Lenoir Wareing, Michael Lane, Leslie Koller, Mario, Susan & Elissa Barone, Bob Hill, Mike Hickley, Kaye & Jennie Morgan, Kevin Wood Family, Ted & Pat Skierski, Laurie Wolters

A Seminar Conducted by Lynne Candler, Attorney — Sunday, May 15th after 11:00 a.m. worship in the Fellowship Hall.  A light lunch and baby sitting will be provided.  The entire congregation and friends of LHPC are urged to attend!

The sad saga of Terry Schiavo has brought home to each of us the acute need for every adult to have proper legal documents in place to protect us and our families in life and in death. What documents are needed? How do I secure them?  Come to the seminar on May 15th.  This is attorney Lynne Candler’s speciality.  You will find her very knowledgeable and easy to understand.  If you have any questions, please call J.B. Pendergrass at 214-348-3843 or the Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church office at 214-348-2133.

A few weeks ago a request was made of you, via the bulletin, to inform the office of your email address.  Have you given us yours?  The reason for our need is simple.  From time to time we’d like to be able to contact as many of our members at the same time as possible.  Email is a vehicle for doing this.  Won’t you help by confirming your email address with the office or by sending us your new address if you’ve never recorded it with the office?  Your help on this project will be appreciated!

Congratulations to Travis Greenman and Amy Evans who were married on March 8, 2005 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church hosted it’s first Blood Drive in our new Fellowship Hall on April 10th.  Fifteen donors participated, with thirteen successful blood donations.  The next Blood Drive will be held in July at Highlands Christian Church.  If you have any questions concerning Carter Blood Care, please see Pat Massengale or Martha Boyd.

Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church hosted it’s first Blood Drive in our new Fellowship Hall on April 10th.  Fifteen donors participated, with thirteen successful blood donations.  The next Blood Drive will be held in July at Highlands Christian Church.  If you have any questions concerning Carter Blood Care, please see Pat Massengale or Martha Boyd.

Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church welcomes Fawzi & Aida Iliya by reaffirmation of faith on March 27th, 2005.

Also receiving membership are Maxie Harden and Thelma Waters.  Maxie transferred membership from Mabank Presbyterian Church, and Thelma from Jefferson Cumberland Presbyterian Church on March 13, 2005.

On Sunday, March 27th, Andrew Dass, Christopher Dass, Julia Halliburton and Kyle Koch were received by confirmation.  Mentors Bert Hager and Meg Richardson presented the Confirmands to the congregation.

The Church welcomes Debbie Scroggins and Diana Smith with the reinstatement of their memberships.

Saturday June 11, 2005 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
@ The Hockaday School Fields (11600 Welch Rd.)
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY – ADMISSION IS FREE !!

Come watch amazing demonstrations of kites of all types and sizes and see the launch of the world’s largest kite – a 9000sq. ft. American flag.

“Sponsor a child . . . be a hero”  For a charitable gift of just $25, you will have the opportunity to provide an underprivileged child with his/her own kite to fly, along with a picnic lunch.  Your gift will give the most worthy children in Dallas the chance to take flight and rise above their extraordinary challenges, not to mention putting a big smile on their faces!  If you are interested in sponsoring a child, contact Missy Rodgers (Missions Comm. Chair) at 214-902-9935, Missy Rodgers, or visit www.lifenettexas.org for more details.

Co-ed Softball Tournament will be held in August.  If you are interested in joining the team, please email Cecil Dass at cecil.dass@worldtravel.com

On Saturday, March 19th, Ted Emrich was honored at half time of the Mavericks game.  A plaque was presented to Ted, and he was award a college scholarship.  The plaque read, “In recognition of outstanding achievement in sports broadcast journalism, the Mavericks Organization honors Ted Emrich with the Mark Holtz Memorial Sports Broadcast Journalism Scholarship.” It was singed by Mark Followill, Bob Ortegel and Matt Pinto, Mavericks’ sportscasters.

Congratulations to Chris Jacobie on being a recipient of The Lake Highlands Women’s League Scholarship.  Chris will graduate from Lake Highlands High School in May and plans to attend The University of Texas in Austin.