church cemetery to allow for more burials of your growing ... · we will resume our church-wide...

~ MINISTER’S MESSAGE ~

The Newsletter of Highland Presbyterian Church JANUARY 2017

www.highlandpresbyterianchurch.org Highlights • JANUARY 2017 • 1

“Thankful for a Shared Journey”

A year ago I was eagerly anticipating coming to Highland to serve as your Interim Pastor. I was excited and even anxious to step into a new church and as an “Interim” Pastor. At the close of a full year’s mutual journey I am truly thankful for the pleasure of serving with you in your transition to new Installed Pastoral Leadership. This past year was full of much excitement around Highland. You said goodbye and wished God’s blessings upon Jack and Lynn Carlson as Jack entered into retirement. You completed a beautiful renovation of the “Threads of Hope” Clothing Ministry and did much of the work yourself; you sent a group to South Dakota for Mission on the Pine Ridge Reservation in partnership with the Porcupine Presbyterian Church; you began offering “Healing Prayer” after worship and established a new Prayer Room; you are working your way through the Bible using “The Story;” you made a “Memorial Prayer Garden” in the corner of the church cemetery to allow for more burials of your growing congregation; the carillon is chiming the hour and playing hymns in the neighborhood again, and many more blessings were realized in the last year. On top of all of this lively activity and more, you have a Pastor Nominating Committee which is working diligently to provide for ongoing pastoral leadership. Your next pastor will be coming into a very positive atmosphere, among a congregation who loves one another. You are ready to go in new and bold directions. You are ready for renewed commitment to the gospel. You are ready! You can grow in various ways but you are healthy, and you are ready! Please continue to pray! Pray God’s Spirit and life into this new chapter of Highland Presbyterian Church’s history “about to be realized!” Thank you for being such a blessing to me and to Nancy as we enjoy this transitional time with you. P.S.—Thank you for the generous Christmas bonus and for the many other kindnesses during this holiday season!

Fondly,

Pastor Ray


HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

The Session

Rev. Raymond Meute, Jr. Moderator

Sarah DeBaugh Craig DeRan Rachel Ayres

Eugene Jones Marilyn Sams Pete McCallum

Claudia Scarborough Sam Tharpe, Jr. John Walkden

The Deacons

Koren Buehler Sandra Demczak Jean Bullen

Sharon Hunt Martha Durand Emily Hardy

Karen Jones Heidi Richardson Carole Walkden

The Trustees

Steve Hardy John Durand George Patrinicola Terry Hunt Marcia Jones Fred Ritzel

Brian Wood David Thompson Wilson Tharpe

Financial Officers

Financial Secretary Claudia Scarborough

Assistant Financial Secretary George Patrinicola

Memorial Fund Nancy R. Jones

Marcia Jones, Assistant

Treasurer Eugene Jones

Rachel Ayres, Assistant

Cemetery Treasurer Eugene Jones

Rachel Ayres, Assistant

Endowment Fund Claudia Scarborough

Music Ministry

Director of Music Kathy Zamostny

Organist Nancy R. Jones

Church Staff

Administrative Assistant Lea Ann Mainster

Cleaning Service Sherry Everett

Threads of Hope Coordinator Sherry Everett

Flower Committee Chair Rachel Ayres

HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 701 HIGHLAND ROAD

STREET, MARYLAND 21154

Phone: 410-452-9394

Please contact the church to be added or deleted from the mailing list, to offer suggestions for content, to submit articles, or to inquire about Highland Presbyterian Church.

Rev. Raymond Meute, Jr. Interim Pastor

Pastor’s Office Hours: Tues. - Thurs., 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Cell: 610-329-1812 [email protected]

Lea Ann Mainster Administrative Secretary Church Office Hours:

Tuesday - Friday 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Per Capita for 2017

$34.15

Email Address: [email protected]

Visit our NEW website at www.highlandpresbyterianchurch.org

Session Organization Rev. Ray Meute, Jr., Moderator

Clerk of Session Craig DeRan Christian Formation and Nurture Sarah DeBaugh Mission and Stewardship Claudia Scarborough, Gene Jones Worship Marilyn Sams, Sam Tharpe, Jr. Personnel and Nominating John Walkden Liaison to Trustees Eugene Jones


SESSION NOTES—DECEMBER

The Session took the following actions in its meeting this month of December:

Approved minutes, commission reports and financial reports.

Arranged for Communion to be held at the January 1 worship service.

Approved Communion schedule for 2017.

Approved the Christmas Joy Offering as a special offering to be collected at the Christmas Eve service.

Heard reports from PNC, and Columbarium and Prayer Garden Committee.

Reviewed and approved the Budget for 2017. The Budget will be discussed at Highland’s Annual Congregational meeting, which the Session has called for January 29, 2017.

Scheduled Ordination and Installation of officers for the January 8, 2017 service.

Renewed Rev. Meute’s Interim Minister Contract for a three-month period through April 30, 2017.

Approved vacation for Rev. Meute for December 27 through 29.

Per Capita

The Per Capita Assessment for 2017 is $34.15. This is a per member contribution that supports the ministry of the connectional nature of our church. Highland Presbyterian, and each church within all of the Presbyteries across the nation, pays this amount to their respective Presbytery who then forwards it on to their respective Synod and to the General Assembly. Here is how it financially is divided among these three areas: Baltimore Presbytery--$25.85; Synod of the Mid-Atlantic--$.80; and General Assembly--$7.50. We ask that you use the first envelope (marked for this purpose) in your offering envelope box to make this contribution as individuals over your pledged offerings. If members pay their per capita separate from their pledged giving - doing so will leave more in the general fund to support the ministries and missions of HPC! What a great way to start off the new year!

Annual Congregational Meeting and Luncheon ~

Sunday, January 29, 2017 immediately following Worship

Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important meeting!!

Your attendance and input are very valuable for the on-going life of our congregation!! A luncheon will be provided for those in attendance!

~The Session


It’s that time of year again for ANNUAL REPORTS!!

With the Annual Congregational Meeting scheduled for January 29th, it is very important for ALL Leaders of the church to submit a r epor t r ecapping information about 2016 activities, possible agendas for 2017, etc. These reports are due to the office via email by the deadline of Friday, January 13th. While this deadline is fast approaching, it is necessary to receive the reports by that time so that I can get the Annual Report document printed and ready for distribution to the congregation on Sunday, January 22nd. If you have any questions about writing up your report, please contact the office for assistance! Thank you so much in advance for your cooperation ~ communication is one of the most important keys to a healthy, growing relationship of any kind!!

Yours in Christ, Lea Ann

Highland Church Family~

We will resume our church-wide study of

THE STORY

on Sunday, January 15th!!

We will pick back up with

Chapter 14


The Body of Christ serving others . . .

WOW!! A very big Thank You to all who helped in anyway with our

Christmas celebration on December 10th. It was a huge success as 152 people enjoyed selecting clothing and Christmas gifts for their families. There was a wonderful array of jewelry, dishes, household items, toys, hats, scarves, gloves, underwear and personal hygiene items to choose from - all donated by our church family and members of the community. Girl Scout Troop #5275 was a great help as they cheerfully wrapped the gift selections for our patrons and have also begun helping with the Friday Work Day each month!! The Deacons supplied a light breakfast and snacks for our patrons to enjoy after making their selections - and they continue to serve a light dinner to all of the volunteers each of the Friday Work Days as well!! So a very special thank you to EVERYONE who worked from Wednesday thru Saturday to make this event possible!! Our patrons were truly thankful for this opportunity to make Christmas special for their families. As we give to others, we are the ones that are really blessed!!

As we begin this new year 2017 . . . Volunteers are needed for our Work Day : Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 ~ 2:00 - 6:00 PM

to sort and hang clothing. A light meal will be served on Friday evening

for all our volunteers!

Volunteers are also needed on

Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 ~ 9:00 - 11:00 AM

when Threads of Hope is open to the community.

Email Sherry Everett ([email protected]) or just drop in!

We always need jeans for both men & women and men’s work clothes: jeans, flannel shirts, work boots, and heavy socks.

**Cold winter weather is here - Coats, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Boots and Blankets are needed as well!!**

A very special Thank You to our mystery angel

who continues to make regular monetary donations to further the outreach of this ministry.

Threads of Hope Prayer Corner

To also help meet the spiritual needs of

our patrons, Threads of Hope has added a Prayer Corner and Prayer Board

which have both been well received. Our faithful volunteer, Beate, has done a

wonderful job encouraging people and

spreading God’s word.


A

Nondenominational Prayer Group meets on the First & Third Fridays

of each month at the Highland Activity Center

the next meeting is Friday, January 20th 9:30 - 10:30 AM

All are Welcome ~ please join us!

DIVINE THOUGHTS FOR 2017 When you read this message, all of us will have just embarked on yet another new year, one that feels to many, to be more uncertain than previous years. But, in truth, for so many of us, there are more important changes that have been taking place and/or will happen this coming year, in their personal lives which will require decisions not meant to be made alone. This is partly why God's Son, Jesus Christ, has created the Church, a mega fellowship of believers, who believe first in Him as their Savior, and in His Father, and the Holy Spirit, for we serve a triune God. Though the Spirit is also our Helper, partly through the spiritual gifts He gives to us, we are also part of God's divine network of caretakers on earth. It is our God's steadfast LOVE for all of us, that binds as together, as one, with the purposes clearly laid out in the books of His Holy guidebook, the Bible. In fact, in the book of Matthew, in chapter 6, we are fed The Lord's Prayer, told to do good to please God, not to lay up for yourselves earthly treasures, not to worry about anything, and in verse 33, to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Just this one chapter of God's Word, alone, is so filled with meat, not mere milk, that its nourishment, if fully taken into us, and lived out, can enable us to overcome so many tests of this world, that we can live out this earthly life abundantly, in our each of our spirits, souls, bodies and minds. In fact, I leave you with this key verse in 3 John 2, to meditate upon, since so many of our concerns, as we begin a new year, connect with our health & that of our loved ones and our church family. "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." This one passage connects the state of our soul, which is mainly our WILL, with the state of our health. So, when we try to keep our will aligned with God's will, which is what He desires us to think and do, it would seem that our health will be affected positively. So, let's join together in prayer for one another, asking God to give each of us the needed strength to stay in His will, and as the year(s) go along, see if we note improvement in our church family's health. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen. In Jesus, Carolyn Patrinicola Highland Prayer Ministry


. . . in serving others, we serve Christ!

PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVINGS AND INTERCESSIONS

Family of Alyssa Bowen (friends of Dave & Marilyn T.)

Bob Burk (friend of Carolyn Patrinicola)

Ed Christman

Bill & Elaine Derickson

Kathy, Jeff & Matthew East (friend of Carole Walkden)

Yvonne Fonner (sister of Valerie Matta)

Jean F. Galbreath

Robert L. “Roy” Houck (friend of Wilson Tharpe)

Gene Jones

Betty Ann Keese (cousin of Donald Jones)

Hill & Larsen Families

Roger Mainster (father-in-law of Lea Ann Mainster)

Dorothy Maynard (cousin of Gene Jones)

Joy Merryman

Clay Miller (friend of the Matta Family)

Jim Nix (brother of Dave Taylor)

Ruth Noble (mother of Nancy Meute)

Lorna Ramos (friend of Claudia Scarborough)

Barbara K. Richardson

Heide Schammel (friend of Claudia Scarborough)

Steve Steiner (nephew of Lorri Norris)

Susan Thompson (sister of Dave Thompson)

Art Wood (father of Brian Wood)

Michael (neighbor of Pamela Tarbert)

ASSISTED LIVING/NURSING

Helen Watkins

OUR DEPLOYED MILITARY

Russell Heilman, Navy - Japan

The Maryland National Guard

TIME OF TRANSITION

Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) Steve Hardy, Amy Hill, Guy Matta,

Pete McCallum, Sam Tharpe, Jr., Carole Walkden, and Brian Wood

Session Leadership

Presbytery Support

MINISTRIES

Church - Prayer Garden & Columbarium,

THE STORY-Church & Sunday School Study

Worship & Communion Assistants

Local - Habitat for Humanity

Missions - David & Elaine Lloyd & Camp

Donegal

Presbytery of Baltimore - West Virginia

Advocacy & First Pres. Church of Bel Air

COMMUNITY & WORLD CONCERNS

President Elect - Transition Team wisdom U.S. Peace & Citizen Unity (2 Cor. 7:14)

Police & First Responders Syria / Refugees

Porcupine Indian Reservation Land/Staff Zika challenges

Local Drug Abuse Crisis

News about making a Prayer Request at Highland!! You can now submit a prayer request on our new website. Complete a simple form that will be emailed to Carolyn Patrinicola & the church office. Go to the website & just click on PRAYER REQUEST in the top right corner!


Flowers to the Glory of God and . . . Do you have a special occasion to celebrate coming up, someone you wish to honor, or a loved one you want to remember? There are many Sunday’s available to provide flowers for Worship to do just that!! Or maybe you would like to beautify the sanctuary just to the Glory of God on a Sunday morning - please see the Flower Sign-up Chart in the Narthex to sign up or contact Rachel Ayres to help.

To my Highland Church family~ Thank you to all of the prayer warriors of Highland Presbyterian Church. Thank you for holding my sister-in-law, Debbie in your prayers during her fight against breast cancer. Your prayers gave her strength and courage and I, too, appreciated your prayers lifting up all of her family after her passing as well. Your support has been so comforting to us all. With a thankful heart, Lorri Norris and family

Thank You Highland Family!!

Pastor Ray, Nancy, Kathy, Sherry & Lea Ann

wish to thank all of our Highland Church family for your Christmas wishes and gifts ~

and offer our own wish to all for a very happy, joyous, healthy, peaceful, Spirit-filled New Year!

We are looking forward to serving our Lord together with you in these coming days!!!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 New Year’s Day Worship - 10:00 AM Communion

Al-Anon Mtg - 7:00 PM

Praise Team Reh- 6:30 PM Chancel Choir Reh - 7:15 PM

Interdenominational Prayer Gr. - 9:30 AM

Epiphany

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Worship - 10:00 AM No Sunday School

Hart Heritage 10:30 AM Trustee Mtg 6:30 PM Deacon Mtg 7:00 PM Al-Anon Mtg - 7:00 PM


Threads of Hope Work Day -- 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM Girl Scouts Mtg - 5:00 - 7:00 PM **DEADLINE for Annual Reports!!

Threads of Hope 9:00 - 11:00 AM Higher Ground - 10:00 AM

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Worship 10:00 AM THE STORY STUDY S.S. (Pre-K - 5th gr.) - during worship S.S. for 6th gr. - Adult 11:15 AM Children’s Choir - 11:15 AM

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Day

Session Mtg 7:00 PM Al-Anon Mtg - 7:00 PM


**Deadline for FEBRUARY Highlights **

Susquehanna Parish Mtg. - 7:00 PM - here at Highland

Interdenominational Prayer Gr. - 9:30 AM Lunch & Learn Program

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Worship 10:00 AM THE STORY STUDY S.S. (Pre-K - 5th gr.) - during worship S.S. for 6th gr. - Adult 11:15 AM Children’s Choir - 11:15 AM

Al-Anon Mtg - 7:00 PM


29 30 31 Worship 10:00 AM THE STORY STUDY S.S. (Pre-K - 5th gr.) - during worship Annual Congregational Meeting and Lunch - 11:15 AM

Al- Anon Mtg. 7:00 PM

www. highlandpresbyterianchurch.org Highlights • JANUARY 2017 • 11

2 Sherry Fullerton Spencer Herculson 5 David Thompson Mary Jane DeBaugh Lily Claire DeBaugh 16 Marcia Jones Marcy Sparks

17 David Crowl Marilyn Thompson 19 Ruth Ann Barrett 20 Wilson Tharpe John Walkden 22 Scott Poteet

Highland Presbyterian Church

701 Highland Road

Street, MD 21154

Highlights Newsletter

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