News and Notes: April 20 2016

Good afternoon High Places!

A couple of friendly reminders for the week – First, this Sunday is “Big Food” Sunday and we’d love it if everyone could bring something and potentially stick around and fellowship afterward by having lunch together as a church family. Our theme for this month is “Secret Ingredient!” so if you have a recipe with a secret ingredient, bring it and let us have some fun trying to guess what it is!

Secondly, for those who signed up for NT Wright’s “Simply Jesus” study, we hope to meet this Sunday at 1:30PM at my house for a discussion over the first three sections. Plan for about one hour.

Other needs / requests:

  • Please keep our youth ministry and the many volunteers and leaders who give much in your prayers. We continue to feed about 50+ kids per week, so if you are ever out and about and see a good deal on non-perishables like drink mix, plates, cups, forks, bags of rice, big cans of veggies, or anything else grab some up and we will find a way to put them to good use! Our kitchen volunteers (both on Sunday and Wednesday) are putting in a lot of time and resources keeping us all fed, so anything you’d like to put in the mix won’t go to waste and will help a ton!!

  • If you currently support High Places with auto-depositing or online giving and are not using the new PushPay system available through our App, please see Mike or Marilyn. We are trying to go with the new system entirely so we can cut the cost of using two online donation systems. And no matter how you give, we want to say “Thank You” for supporting God’s work at High Places!

  • Speaking of the App, it is still up and ready for your use! Maybe you are reading this already through the App itself, awesome!! If you don’t already have it, just search for “High Places Community Church” in your App store. It’s free!

  • Don’t forget, Mother’s Day is May 8th – we will be honoring all moms on this Sunday, and prayerfully remembering moms who’ve gone before us, but left a great legacy of love. Mother’s Day is also traditionally when we do baby dedications, so if you have a newborn then please contact David (or reply here) to make plans now to be a part of this special service.

The Sacred Breath is moving at High Places, may it blow on the many seeds of ministry He is springing up at His church in Oak Ridge & in our hearts!

Much love,

David

News and Notes: Post Easter

Wow! What a wonderful Easter we had together at High Places this week!

The crowd (somewhere upwards of 170!), the music, the choir, the food -- and most importantly -- the SPIRIT of the day was fantastic. I want to pause and say a big THANK YOU to the scores of people who worked very hard to make this Easter successful.

Our food team, ambiance team, building and grounds team, cleaning team, hosting and greeting volunteers, music team, choir, children and youth ministries, and audio-visual crew all worked extremely hard and put in EXTRA-EFFORT to make everything come off without a hitch. #blessedbeyondbelief

I can't begin to express how much it means to me to see God's people at High Places take so much CARE in making our time together overflow with love, service to Him, and celebration. I am truly humbled by our support teams, volunteers, and staff commitment. Thank you! Thank you!

This Sunday we pick up IMMEDIATELY on the Easter story, right where we left off in John 20, with a look at the Holy Spirit and God's Breath. Has God ever "breathed on you?" How do we recognize when He does? What are we supposed to do with His breath?

Ironically, I will be sharing this message while battling a nasty lung infection -- keep me in your prayers!

SPECIAL INTEREST ANNOUNCEMENT -- This one requires a 48-hour response window. Those of us who signed up for NT Wright's "Simply Jesus" online course using the coupon code just before Easter have been given a 2nd Coupon Code to invite one friend to the course for only $10.

What this means is that if you A) Have Internet Access, and B) Have Interest in Learning about the Historical Jesus and His Mission, that some of us are willing to sign you up. Let me know by replying here if you would like to participate. There are 13 video lectures (all short) and some supplemental reading. We will debrief a few times together as a group at my house this month and next.

High Places SOFTBALL is back in FULL SWING and we would love to have you come support our men and women in green this Tuesday at 8:00PM at Jefferson field. It's a lot of FUN!

Our GAG (Grove Action Group) has met and walked the building. They will be sharing a few things this Sunday about ways to plug in -- and no, you don't have to be a handyman or construction genius to play a part in shaping up our space! I think we will all be surprised by the "little" things that we can do that will make huge differences in the Grove. So stay tuned for that!

Lots and lots of happenings and goings on. Please pray for Jan Joyal who we all missed on Easter because she broke her foot! Prayers for quick healing and comfort to her. Prayers also to the many who are battling illnesses (like our prayer team leader Julie!) and who have experienced loss in recent weeks (like the Clark family in the loss of Karen's dad).

So excited for the coming weeks.... they are going to be GRAND!

Love you all,

David

 

High Places News & Notes: Here comes December!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We want to wish all the friends and family of High Places Community Church a holiday filled with grace and gratitude, giving thanks for all things as the Apostle Paul asks of our faith. Also, we want you to know that if you are alone this Thanksgiving, our doors are open to you as a faith family to share a meal and to deepen our friendships with each other. We will be serving dinner at the Grove between 3:00-7:00PM all day on Thanksgiving. Feel free to stop by and say hello!

“Feed the People 2014” is in Full Swing. The event would greatly benefit from additional side items if you have time to cook just a little extra this year. You may drop off a dish tonight (Wednesday, Nov. 26) between 6:00 and 8:00PM, or tomorrow anytime between 10:00AM and 3:00PM. Potatoes, corn, casseroles, green beans are among the items we need most. www.feedthepeople.us

This Sunday, Tired of Turkey is the “everything but turkey feast” that we have every year. Our kitchen team is asking the High Places faithful to bring either salad items or a dessert. Our lunch will follow a brief message that will launch us into our Christmas theme, “Born Again.”

Children and youth are welcome to sit with their families if they desire & I think they will very much enjoy the story of one brave runner named Kayla Montgomery, who was featured on ESPN last week, a courageous young athlete for whom the phrase “born to run” is a great irony.

Our December calendar:

  • For the next two Sundays, our 9:23-10:17 Group will be dedicated to writing and practicing our Christmas program. Children and youth are very much encouraged to attend!
  • Sunday morning, December 7 -- our message will be -- “There’s Coal in my Stocking!” We will look at the story of Jesus and the man born blind and see his answer as the disciples’ question why it happened.
  • Sunday afternoon, December 7 at 4:300PM our young marrieds will meet at the home of Daniel & Katie Fischer, 163 Cumberland View Drive.
  • Wednesday, December 10 -- we are invited to go Christmas Caroling with our teenagers.
  • Sunday morning, December 14 -- High Places will celebrate our annual Christmas program!
  • Wednesday, December 17 -- our youth will have their annual Christmas Party, 6:00PM at the Grove Theater.
  • Friday, December 19 --  our youth will have a special “Winter Games” outreach event. See Chad for details!
  • Sunday morning, December 21  --  we will wrap up our Christmas message, tell the story of Christ’s birth, and share communion together.
  • Sunday, December 28th -- No formal services at High Places.

I am certain that several impromptu Christmas gatherings will be scheduled in the coming days for our adults. Traditionally, these include Christmas parties for our varied age groups.

Any end of year donations should be coordinated with Marilyn to ensure they are recorded for this fiscal year. As we move into Christmas, please keep High Places and the families we serve on your Christmas list. Many needs exist and we sincerely ask for your support.

Much love to all,

David

“The two most important days in our lives are the day we are born, and the day we figure out why.” ~ Mark Twain

High Places News & Notes: Holiday Schedule

Good morning High Places!

With the leaves changing and the temperature dropping, we can definitely see that the fall season has fully settled in. Often, the months of November and December are good opportunities for churches to take personal inventory through the rest, recharge, and celebration of the season. It can be challenging because the holidays do bring stress, but coupled with the hurriedness of the season are moments of quiet.

Our prayer is that these remaining eight weeks of 2014 will be fruitful -- not in the sense of being more busy -- but instead in the sense of just being. Outside of the "Community Thanksgiving Dinner," the High Places holiday will unfold in a fairly low-key fashion. Here's a calendar:

Thursday, November 27 --  Thanksgiving Day. Our facility is hosting a Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Last year, we fed nearly 500 people in our city who were either alone or without the means to have a Thanksgiving. This year, we are working hard to reach even more. Learn more here:  http://feedthepeople.us/  Consider how you might plug-in, but in no way shortchange your personal family holiday to do so. There are many ways to help that can still keep your holiday open for family!

Sunday, November 30 -- Tired of Turkey celebration!

Sunday, December 14  -- High Places Christmas Program

Sunday, December 28  -- No formal gathering

Outside of our Christmas parties (children, youth, adult) that's the holiday schedule in a nutshell. It's pretty low-key and that is somewhat on purpose. Savor the holiday! And as you do, think on this quote from E.B. White:

"If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy... if only challenging, that would be no problem. But it is both. So, I arise in the morning torn between the desire to save the world and the desire to savor it. It makes it difficult to plan the day." 

As you meditate, consider the possiblity that savoring is saving. That in nearly every instance of salvation we see in Scripture, there is celebration.

Apologies for the lengthy, esoteric email.

This Sunday -- 9:23AM I am pleased to welcome Kathy Strunk of the Clinch River Raptor association. A long time lover of birds of prey, she will share with us the important work of rescuing hawks, owls, and more & teach us about the beauty of birds. She is bringing with her live rescue owls! This is a great one for both the young and the young at heart!

See you all there!

Much love,

David

October News & Notes!

4-3-2-1 ... Blast Off!

 

FOUR... Opportunities to Stretch and Grow!

#1 -- 9:23-10:17 Groups begin this Sunday, with an “Advanced Health Care” learning and planning opportunity. Why is it important? Consider the Psalms in a poem by King David (whole heart!):

“Teach me to number my days Lord, that I might gain a heart of wisdom.” -- Psalms 90:12

Understanding end of life decisions, concerns, needs, and especially emotional demands is critical to reducing stress and easing the burdens of death and dying -- for both the one suffering and all those committed to providing comfort and care. All in attendance will receive a Tennessee residents guide for advanced health care planning and choices to review with family members, as well as be encouraged to consider the role that our faith plays in the death and dying process.

#2 -- Discipleship I also begins this Sunday at 1:00PM, led by David Marcotte. The small group will meet in 4-6 week bursts to cover the fundamentals of our Christian faith. This is an excellent opportunity to gain REAL handles on the faith from a Scriptural perspective. It’s not too late to sign-up and the books cost less than $15 with the first two lessons available for “free viewing” on Amazon Prime.

#3 -- Slow Church, afternoon discussion starts Sunday afternoon / evening at the Radford / Holland home. The time will be announced Sunday morning, but will consist of an informal Q&A + discussion around the key concepts of developing a “Slow Church,” or cultivating process of church development.

#4 – Freedom! Our High Places ladies group continues to meet on Tuesday’s at the home of Laurel and David Richmond. Finding freedom in Christ is essential to experiencing the fullness of His plan and purpose in our lives – and it is a great way to build stronger relationships with fellow High Places ladies.

THREE... Great Weeks of Slow Church

Slow Church is a book that Martin turned some of us onto several months back. It’s a book so rich, we’ve had to read it SLOW to take it all in. We’ll be sharing insights from this book over the next three weeks (minimum) and following each message up with a discussion opportunity at the Radford / Holland home (described above).

TWO... Special Opportunities to Give

I mentioned the last Sunday in September that October is formally “Clergy Appreciation Month” & happens to be the month that I turn 45 years old (yikes!). That’s two chances to love on your pastor and I would be deeply honored if our church would prayerfully consider supporting two efforts that I am passionate about:

#1 Would you be willing to support me as I raise money for East Tennessee Children’s hospital? I will be playing in the “EXTRA LIFE” challenge for sick children on Saturday, October 25. The fundraiser is 24hrs of straight gaming to make a difference. My fundraising goal is $500 and I am only about 10% of the way there. All gifts go directly to helping children at East Tennessee Hospital. You can give at the following link:

David's EXTRA LIFE fundraising page

#2 Would you be willing to give to help make Thanksgiving special for hungry, lonely, or shut-in people this holiday? A group of several people are working feverishly to “Feed the People” once again this Thanksgiving. Last year, we fed over 500 people and this year we hope to do even more… but we need support. Our fundraising goal is $2,000 and with that, we believe we can feed almost 1,000 people if needed.

Also, please remember that these giving opportunities are most beneficial when they supplement (not supplant) regular giving to our ministries.

ONE... Amazing Service Opportunity! 

Regarding the Community Thanksgiving Meal, you are each invited to participate as volunteers if you’re looking for a chance to give-back in person this Thanksgiving. Although this is not a formally sponsored High Places Church event, we are serving as the event’s hosts at the Grove Theater. Many of us were deeply impacted last year by the level of need and we felt the love of Christ working through us as we served. It is a great opportunity to give back and express thanks for a loving God who gives us so much.

WOW! What a great fall season we have taking shape here at High Places. As with anything however, a full calendar means absolutely nothing without full hearts. Our prayers together are that God might fill us up with His Spirit as we work and move in this community, and amongst our church family to deepen, grow, give, and serve.

“For in Him we live, move, and have our being...” (Acts 17:28)

Much love,

David

Mother's Day News & Notes

Good morning High Places,

Wow, what a week! It has been absolutely gorgeous & I hope each and every one of you have found time to soak it up. I managed to squeeze in a little fishing and my soul was refreshed by the deep blue skies and the sounds of birds singing. If you're up to it, drop me a note because I would love to hear of any experience you might have had during what must be the best week we've seen in East Tennessee in a long, long time.

The rain is moving in today, but should be mostly out by Mother's Day, which is this Sunday. Bring mom if you can & if you are unable, I've been asking for ...

Everyone who's lost a mom or has a mom unable to attend to please bring something that reminds you of mom! It could be a pin or a broach, a garden spade, a dustpan, or her favorite flavor of hot tea.... anything! Any special item with a memory you have attached to mom, bring it! There will be time in our meeting to share that with your neighbor in mom's honor.

We will also have baby dedications this Sunday and I know of two potential already. If you or a loved one have plans to participate in our baby dedication, please let me know as soon as you can.

I mentioned in last week's News and Notes that I was pushing back our "Gym to Gem" theme for about month to address another topic. That begins on May 18 and will last for three Sundays. I am putting in a great deal of extra time and effort into these three messages because I believe they are critical to where God has led us up to this point in 2014.

I read a cool quote from Reba McEntire last month that said: "To succeed in life you need three things: a wish-bone, a backbone, and a funny bone." It struck me as strange, but profound truth. We need to be free to wish and dream, have the courage and commitment to work those dreams to God's good, and we need to maximize opportunities for celebrating the joy of a dream realized. A life lived this way is all about Matthew 6:33 -- "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all things will be added to you." A church living this way is too.

These three "bones" are essential to our church body at this very important juncture. Our challenges will be very specific and matched to our corresponding needs. And we going to have GREAT FUN with this as we go. Here's the plan:

Sunday, May 18 -- The Wish-Bone: Dreaming the Dream.  "Where there is no vision, the people perish." ~ Proverbs 29:18

Sunday, May 25 -- The Backbone: Working the Dream. Let us not become weary in doing good, for the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Gal. 6:9

Sunday, June 1  -- The Funny Bone: Living the Dream.  "God loves a cheerful giver."        ~ 2 Corinthians 9:7

Sunday, June 1st we have Clark Center Park reserved for our gathering, similar to last year but hopefully without all the rain. Look for singing, feasting, horseshoes, and volleyball. It's going to be a blast!

Finally, we humbly ask you as the core church to please offer many prayers for our church and its pastors & leaders, especially as we move through the month of May. Challenges abound, but His grace is sufficient.

Much love,

 

David