The Messenger Newsletter

We’re happy to report to you that the new building is finally beginning to take recognizable shape!  Meandering through the construction site on Sunday gave anyone who did so an opportunity to see what the new fellowship hall will be like and how big the new kitchen will be.  The shape of the new narthex, although not walled in as of last Sunday (8/8/04), is there to be seen and dreamed about.  The new education building, with its connecting corridor, is definitely visible.  And, the parking lot is poured.  Just imagine, if you will, how pretty it will be when finished with each of the small islands landscaped and planted with flowers and trees!!

Mycon has also told us of their intention to begin the “face lift” planned for the sanctuary—it should, in fact, be under way by the time you receive this edition of The Messenger.  The pews will be removed temporarily so that the work can be done more quickly, and for this short period of time, we will be sitting on folding chairs during worship services.  Included in the “face lift” will be new paint, new light fixtures and new floor covering.  Also, as an enhancement to the acoustics in the sanctuary, the glass “wall” is being removed.  When all of this is accomplished, we’ll be worshipping in an improved sanctuary, both visually and audibly.

How blessed we are!

–Progress is being made...

On July 25 we gathered on the slab floor of the new Education Building as a part of worship.  We sang, heard the dreams for our expanding campus of a child, a youth and an older adult;  we prayed and ate together.  During the Slab Event, those who wished wrote whatever they were feeling on the slab.  (Although these thoughts and prayers will be hidden by the floor covering, it is significant that they will always remain as a part of the building.)  The Slab Writings are printed on the blue insert in this month’s Messenger.

I want to ask you to do something very important.  Keep the enclosed insert where you can refer to it during your prayer and devotional time.  Each day use a different expression as a focus for your prayers for the church, our ministry and our future.

--Robert E Shelton

Soon school (church) bells will be ringing!  While the “formal” beginning of our Sunday School church year is delayed a bit due to the construction project, we will officially begin the new year in mid-October.  Please watch for updates in an upcoming issue of The Messenger.  Classes will be available for all children and adults.  And if you would like to teach a Sunday School class, please call Chuck Ramsay at 214/340-6173 or email him at mochuck@swbell.net.

In the meantime, mark your calendar for 10:45 a.m., Sunday, September 19, 2004 as Teacher Recognition and Appreciation Sunday as we take this opportunity especially to express our gratitude to all who make our Christian education experience so rewarding and meaningful!

Due to the renovations of our sanctuary the Chancel Choir will be rehearsing directly following the 10:45 Sunday Worship services.  This will begin on Sunday August 15th and continue until the sanctuary is available for use during the week.  We will practice from approximately noon until one.  So, I bet you are thinking, “What does this mean for me?” Well, this gives you a special opportunity.  What a great time for you to join the choir, because it would not even require that you come to church anymore than you already do.  Just that you stay about an hour longer.  If you have any questions, call or write to Peyton at 214.226.6073 or Peytenor@aol.com.

The CDC Recovery Team reported contributions to the CDC in the amount of $12,723 as of August 15, 2004.  In a recent routine meeting with the licensing agency’s representative, CDC director, Laura Taylor, was provided with a list of the things that must be done before licensing can inspect the new facility.  (The inspection is a routine one performed by the agency on any new facility, the classification into which our new building and new location fall.)

The Property Development Committee outlined the newest progress made by the construction crew which includes installation of walls (both outer and inner) and decking in preparation for shingling, completion of concrete work (except for one very small area awaiting city approval), demolition of the glass partition in the sanctuary in preparation for the work to be done in that area.

Stewardship & Finance Committee requested and received approval of session for Consecration Sunday to be held on October 24, with services to be followed by a luncheon.

Inquiry Team announced that representatives of the team continue to work with each of the program committees.

Note was made, for the record, of the death of Mary Elizabeth Adams.

Further note was made that Dave and Gina Motteram and family have transferred their membership to a church closer to their home in Rowlett.  Also, Larrilee Ferguson was received by affirmation of faith and the date of August 22 was set for her introduction to the congregation.  It was also announced that Marian Tobias Santangelo has expressed her desire to join LHPC;  she will be received by session on September 5 and introduced to the congregation on September 12, 2004.

The session received the recommendations of the Nominating Committee for the Class of 2007.  The names of these candidates will be presented to the congregation at a later date.

The Christian Education Committee announced that Teacher Recruitment and Appreciation Day will be held in mid-September and that Rally Day will not be held until after we have occupied the new facility.

Special emphasis was placed on ACT 2004 to be held on September 24 & 25, 2004, at Canyon Creek P.C.

The Youth Director announced that plans for McCree Esprit are moving forward. Everyone will be encouraged to attend and take part in the event to be held October 3.  Proceeds from this event will go to White Rock Center of Hope.

The session elected one commissioner and two alternates for presbytery meetings being held in September, October and November.  While only the commissioners or the alternates can actively participate in these meetings, all members of the session were urged to attend.

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24 and 25
Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church
3901 North Star Rd (@Renner Rd) [New Location]
Richardson, TX

Course catalogs, with registration forms, are available at both LHPC campuses OR Register online at www.gracepresbytery.com.  Fee: $20 on or before Sept. 1; $25 after Sept 1 Childcare (infant—kindergarten) available if registered with a parent Grace Kids programming for children in grades 1 – 6 Do you think this is an event for teachers and church leaders only?

THINK AGAIN!
What about:  What to Tell Your Baptist Friends; Educating Sophie:  The Da Vinci Code;  Why Is It So Hard to Talk to My Teen?  AND MANY MORE.

PICK UP A COPY OF THE COURSE CATALOG AND REGISTER TODAY!

On Tuesday, September 14th, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. you are invited to hear Dr. Kenneth McIntosh, a missionary to China describe to us the growth and development of Christianity in China since the doors opened in 1981 and the persecution of Christians diminished greatly.  Ken and his wife, Iweeta, felt the call to the Mission Field in 1961.  They left a comfortable pastorate at the Lake Highlands United Methodist Church (which they founded in 1956) spending a year at Yale University to learn the Chinese language before reporting to Hong Kong for their first foreign mission assignment.

In addition to his 48 years as an ordained minister, Ken has managed to accumulate 26 years’ service in the U.S. Army and the Texas National Guard, both in the reserves and active duty.  Not only does he speak a very fluent Mandarin, but he also will demonstrate and tutor you in the art of eating with chopsticks (without spilling a drop!)  Don’t miss this one!

Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, care packages, and everything else.  It has been really cool.  I’m supposed to get R & R leave at the end of July, and will get to go home for two weeks.  This will be awesome, as I miss my wife and girls quite a bit.  God willing, and if things go well, I think our whole unit will be home by the end of March.  Let’s hope so.  Thanks again, Love, Clint.

Cynthia Alexander has also expressed her appreciation to the congregation for thinking of her brother, Clint, while stationed in Iraq.

September 12  Youth Fellowship
September 19  Youth Fellowship
September 25  ACT II
October 3  McCree Esprit
October 10  Broom Ball with Eastminster Youth Group
October 17  Youth Fellowship

Upcoming
"Whoo-hoo The New Buildong is Here"
Lock-In Grace Presbyterian Youth Advent Service

Youth News
Congratulations
Tierney T. has been cast in the Dallas Summer Musicals’ production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which is a story from the Old Testament.  Tierney will be in all performances August—September 12 at Fair Park Music Hall.Congratulations to Tierney!

Top 15 2004 Camp Memories
Ahh, The Joys of Summer Camp!
(Written from the Youth Director’s perspective)

15. Packing every T-shirt and pair of shorts you own and trying to squeeze them into a small, more manageable sized duffel bag only for it to end up being so heavy that you have to get someone to help you carry it.

14. Remembering to pack some sort of mattress cover to sleep on because one flat sheet on a plastic mattress makes for a sticky night’s sleep . . . so gross.

13. Trying to convince a group of teenagers that yes, it does make sense to bring your Bible with you to church camp.

12. Standing in the middle of whatever field or on a hill at camp trying to get a cell phone signal so I can direct our campers to the right highway to get them there. Note: Never listen to Brian’s “gut” feeling when it comes to directions !

11. Staying up until 2AM every night at camp to try to get projects and lessons ready for the next day.

10. The sound of your alarm clock going off at 6AM every morning so you can try to beat the kids to the shower and get to breakfast on time.

9. Constantly flipping breaker switches because the enormous amount of hair dryers and curling irons have tripped a breaker.

8. The smell of bug spray and sunscreen in the afternoon.

7. Walmart runs to pick up supplies you need for the next day’s projects because you left them all sitting in your office.

6. The terrifying, make- your-ears-bleed screams of 20 girls who just saw a bug crawl across the cabin floor at 1:00 in the morning.

5. Being thankful that I packed all those bug traps and spray . . . brilliant idea!

4. Laughter, Tears & Lots of HUGS!

3. Great Worship Leaders & Great Music

2. That we had 15 minutes of quiet time each evening when the sun has just set, the camp is totally silent and everyone has found his or her special spot to sit, reflect, and listen.

1. The joy of watching children and teenagers discover the awesomeness of God’s love for them and what they can accomplish with Him in their lives.

2004 was a great year for summer camps. LHPC had 12 youth and adults participate in this year’s camping programs including one adult and one youth at Triennium.  The themes were good, the programming was great, all of the youth were wonderful and everyone had a fabulous time!  Thank you to LHPC for supporting and encouraging those of us who are involved with camp each summer.  A special thank you to Men’s Fellowship who scholarships half the cost of camps for each youth in our church, making it easier for youth who might not have gotten a chance to go without you.  We are all looking forward to next summer and planning for next year’s camps has already begun.

Nell Enright Ralph & Jan Gifford Eloise Hawthorne Ralph & Jan Gifford Mary-Margaret Humprey Bob & Ione Humphrey Mary Lee Kelly Ralph & Jan Gifford Ann Marshall Horizon Class J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Frances McKenzie Mrs. Charles R. Brunner Bill & Grace Cooper Ralph & Jan Gifford Otto & Betty Koch Rich & Tammy Mackesey Helen Pappas Bill & Gerri Pigg Doris A. Powers Eula Watterson Carl Nicholson J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass Jack Sudderth Charles Smith Ralph & Jan Gifford Leonard A. Warren Bob & Ione Humphrey Betty J. Anderson CDC Recovery Gifts June/July Bill & Martha Boyd Bill & Grace Cooper Cal & Johnie Foster Marian Grubbs Mac Hubbard Bill & Irene Keil Jim & Cinda Koch Al & Dolores Iliya Eloise Love Rich & Tammy Mackesey Bob & Louise McCall Steve Moore Conor Puckett Mason Puckett Howard & Glenn Eva Riggs Herman & Pattye Sawyer Bob E. & Ann Shelton Bob & Peggy Signall Dale Talley Kim & Lisa Titus Marion Watson Collene Ziegenfuss

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

The church expresses Christian sympathy to Deborah Marshall-Brown and family upon the death of her mother, Ann Marshall.

As a grand finale to the CDC summer camp program the older children (5-12 year olds) made a trip south of Dallas to Camp El Har for a fun filled adventure in the great outdoors. One of these adventures included a ride in a covered wagon where a gruff, sober looking cowboy said very little to the children but what he did say struck home. As they rode along there was a bountiful crop of sunflowers on either side of the wagon trail. The cowboy remarked to the children, “See those sunflowers? They’re facing the sun and as the sun moves so the sunflowers will change the direction they face. That’s how you and I should follow God, always with our faces toward Him and always following him as we go along.”

McCree Esprit on Sunday, October 3rd
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the
corner of Audelia & McCree

Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, along with several others in the area including St. James Episcopal, Lake Highlands Church and Northlake Baptist to name a few, will be joining efforts to sponsor MCree Esprit 2004.  This event is a neighborhood block party for the whole area.  We hope to give all the churches the opportunity to get to know each other and people in the neighborhood to get to know all the churches around them.  Please put this date on your calendar.  There will be food, carnival games, bounce houses, and live music!  LHPC will be responsible for a booth about our church and the ministries we offer, Cake Walk, Stuffed Animal Adoption and popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cone machines.  Altitude will also be playing at this event.  We want a big show from the LHPC congregation!!!

Ways for YOU to be involved:
Donate new or used (in good condition) stuffed animals.
BAke cakes, cupcakes, cookies, etc. for the cake walk.
Volunteer to help run a booth.  COME AND PARTICIPATE!
Questions?  Call Meg Richardson, Missy Rodgers or Cinda Koch

Located in the parking lot of St. James Episcopal!

The CDC and MDO would like to thank all of you for helping us to continue serving the children and families of our community. We are having a fun summer so far and have a few more happy children than we did last year at this time.

For adults 55+
September 17th - 11:00 a.m.

Young at Heart will meet on September 17th, at 11:00 a.m. at the home of Betty Davis.  Please bring a sack lunch.  This will be an opportunity to talk and have fun.

ACT 2004
21st Century Discipleship: Reaching, Nurturing, Sending September 24-25, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Keynote Speaker: Dr. Thomas Long.  These seminars and workshops are a great opportunity to learn about new things to bring back to the church or just to grow spiritually.  Check out information at www.gracepresbytery.com.  Or pick up a brochure available at the ARC or church office.  For more information contact Meg Richardson at the church office.

ACT II 2004
“If You’re Hungry Why Wait?”, September 25 5PM-8PM, Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Featuring: Jonathan Oglesbee- Keynote, Steve Price- “Dr. Energizer”, Rob Alexander- Music Leader.  An event for Jr. High/Sr. High youth and sponsors.  Come for fantastic worship, food, fun and fabulous music!