q
Highland Presbyterian Church 2380 Cloverdale Avenue Winston–Salem, NC 27103–2012
Volume 55, Issue 3 February 07, 2021
Phone 336–724–6303 Fax 336–724–6305 www.highlandpres.org
Love Is the Way
A Lenten Experience for All
During this year’s Lenten season, Highland members and friends are invited to join together to consider the way of love as we face poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, and the complexities of the pandemic. The Christian Education Committee is hosting a congre-gational book read designed to engage us in the messages of the book, Love Is the Way. Published just after the beginning of the pandemic, Bishop Michael Curry’s book, Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times, addresses the challenges that we face with Jesus’ core way of life: love.
(Continued on page 7)
Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday, February 7, 11:30 a.m.–
12:30
p.m.
As we all look forward to the ways we celebrate the Super Bowl with food and celebration, we must acknowledge that many of our neighbors don't have that same privilege. TheYouth of Highland along with youth all over the country are partnering together to col-lect our annual Souper Bowl of Caring offering of canned goods and financial donations to help those in need. This year Highland’s Youth have chosen to support the work of Moore School Food Pantry and City with Dwellings. Everything collected stays in our community.
Highland’s Youth and their leaders will be in the church parking lot with soup pots in hand to collect your offerings on Sunday, February 7 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. We hope to see you as we share together for sake of our hungry neighbors.
Worship Online
February 7
Fifth Sunday of Epiphany
Mark 1:29
–
39
Isaiah 40:21
–
31
Sermon: Randy Harris
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper (via Zoom)
February 14
Transfiguration Sunday
Psalm 50:1
–
6
Mark 9:2
–
9
Sermon: Randy Harris
Randy Harris, Pastor, Ext. 210, rharris@highlandpres.org
Debbie Layman, Associate Pastor, Ext. 212, dlayman@highlandpres.org
Courtney Stevens, Associate Pastor Ext. 218, cstevens@highlandpres.org
Heather Ferguson, Director of Christian Education, Ext. 204,
hferguson@highlandpres.org Creighton Holder, Director of Music, Ext. 202,
cholder@highlandpres.org
Joy Hamilton, Business Manager, Ext. 205, jhamilton@highlandpres.org Gidget Payne,
Administrative Assistant, Ext. 201, gpayne@highlandpres.org
Highland Worship Online
While we are physically apart, each week’s service will be posted early Sunday morn-ing. You can access that service in one of several ways:• Click the link in the Sunday morning email;
• Go to Highland’s website and find the “Highland Worship Online” page; • Subscribe to Highland’s YouTube
chan-nel where the worship videos are posted (Highland PCWS).
On our Worship Online page, there are links for the Bulletin, a virtual “Friendship Pad,” as well as a virtual “offering plate.”
Midweek Morning Prayer
Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m., via Zoom
Join us for a brief time of prayer and reflection on Wednesday mornings. Led by various staff members, this will be a brief time (15–30 minutes each week) to read and reflect briefly on scripture, and to lift up prayers for the world, for the church, for those in need, and for those concerns or joys shared by participants in this gathering. If you’d like to be part of this informal gathering, email Randy Harris.
Gathering (Virtually) at the Lord’s Table
Sharing Communion via Zoom on Sunday, February 7 at 11:00 a.m.
Members and friends of Highland are invited to gather (virtually, via Zoom) at the Lord’s Table on Sunday, February 7 at 11:00 a.m. Those who wish to be “present” will be encouraged to prepare elements at home that approximate the bread and juice we would ordinarily share in the Sanctuary. The commun-ion service will be offered in additcommun-ion to that Sunday’s “ordinary” (YouTube) service, which will also be available that day.
Listening to Black Voices
Book Group
Join us via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. on February 23 as we continue our ministry of reading and reflecting on the experience of our African American sisters and brothers, and consider what our faithful responses might entail. We will discuss Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad. Participants are encouraged (but not required) to read the book prior to the gathering. If you are interested, or would like to learn more, please contact Randy Har-ris.
New Book for Poverty Book Study
4th Mondays, Beginning in February
Our Poverty Book Study will use the book Always with Us? What Jesus Really Said about the Poor by Presbyterian minister the Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. This book is a scriptural exploration of the meaning of poverty and calls for
Christians to partner with the poor to end poverty once and for all. We will gather via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. on the fourth Mondays of the month. Contact Debbie Layman for more information or to sign up.
Mental Health Resources
from Congregational Care
As we near one year living with a global pandemic and caring in new and different ways for our neighbors near and far, we know we need to continue caring for ourselves as well. The Congregational Care Com-mittee has compiled resources to help us do that on our website, high-landpres.org. Visit the “Ways We Care for Our Congregation” page to check out the latest additions including an awe-inspiring video of the
moon, a series on what we have lost, and small things to do when depressed. You and your loved ones are worth the time to check this page out!
Women’s Thursday Morning Study
We will begin a new study during the season of Lent using another wonder-ful resource from Amy-Jill Levine. Entering the Passion of Jesus is a six-week study using a brief video and study book. Levine sets narrative in historical context and analyzes the risks and motives of the story’s characters. If you would like to join this study, please contact Heather Ferguson.
News and Notes
In Our Prayers: Gay Culler, Forsyth; Mary Berryhill, Hospice at Home; John Fish, Home; Richard Sink, Home; Janice McBride, Home; Betty Burgess, Home-stead Hills; Mary Butler, Home; Mary Pace, Home; Luke Whitler, Home; Ruth Banbury, Carriage Club; Buddy Robinson, Trinity Elms.
In Memoriam:
Tom Salley, father of Matt Salley, January 30
Congratulations to Amy Harrelson on the birth of her son, Ryder Penn Harrelson on January 30.
Thank you to all of my Highland church friends for your care during my cancer scare. I am fortunately in remission! Dur-ing this difficult time, my church family made me feel loved like I have never felt in my whole life. Many thanks for all your kindness! ~ Jene Krall
Bless You! ~ Our prayers for one another. Each week we invite you to pray for members of our Highland family. We will pray not because anything is wrong, but because we care about each other.
FORTHEWEEKOF FEBRUARY 7, please pray for Miles Abernethy; Mike and Lola Culler; Beverly Edwards; Susan, Maddie and Daniel Havens; George and Marie Hodge; Joe and Harriet Mitchener; Garry and Penny Russ; Nancy Wolfe.
FORTHEWEEKOF FEBRUARY 14, please pray for Melanie Adams; Jonathan Black; Bob and Myra Hannah; Alice Michalove; Emma, John, Whitten, and Henrietta Parker; Jane Suitt; Scott, Cheryl, Rebecca and Samantha Walker; Sharon Wilmoth and Piper Millsaps. (The
Lord bless you and keep you. Numbers 6:24)
Virtual Fling Fellowship This Season
First and Third Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.
We hope you will join us for a mid-week fellowship time on Wednesday evenings, the first and third Wednesdays of each month. While we cannot gather for a meal in person, we look forward to checking in via Zoom from 6:00–6:30 p.m. Feel free to eat during the gatherings or not. Our upcoming gatherings are February 3 and 17, and March 3 and 17. We hope to see you there!
Faith & Film
Monday, February 8, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Join us for this monthly gathering for adults as we reflect on the visual parables of movies. Our movie for January is The King’s Speech. If you are interested in taking part, please email Randy Harris to receive additional details. The King’s Speech is available to rent at Amazon.com, and is also on Amazon Prime.
Meet Highland’s New Members
Joined January 31
Jamie Call Blankenship –Transferred from Forrest Hills Presbyterian, High Point, married to (retired) Reverend Joe Blankenship.
Heather Ferguson –Transferred from Grace Covenant Presbyterian, Asheville
Marty and Steve Moore –Transferred from Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian, Jacksonville, Florida.
Kelly Parish –Reaffirmation of Faith, married to Ben Parish, son is Nick Parish.
Katie Vasquez –Transferred from Davidson College Presbyterian, Davidson, married to Frank Vasquez
Christian Education Opportunities for Adults
To register for any of the Sunday morning or evening classes, please email Heather Ferguson. You can also click the blue title links to register.
Sunday Morning
The Present Word Class
(A.M.)
The Present Word is an adult Bible study that uses the Uniform Series which is a way to study the Bible over a six-year period. The Winter Quarter reminds us that we are commanded by God to love one another as God loves us.
Time: 9:30–10:30 a.m.,
Leaders: A Variety of Members
Lectionary Café
(A.M.)
The Lectionary Café is a warm, welcoming gathering of folks seeking to engage more deeply the scripture focus for each Sun-day's worship service. An informal and lively discussion that seeks to draw the connections between God’s intentions for our daily lives and our practices for a more faithful life together.
Time: 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Facilitators: Mike Culler and Others
Graceful Nurture: Godly Play for Adults
Sundays, 9:30
–
10:30 a.m., through February 14
Facilitators: Heather Ferguson and Mary Anna Davis
Click here to register for this class or contact Heather Ferguson, hferguson@ highlandpres.org.
America’s Unholy Ghost
s:
The Racist Roots of Our Faith and
Politics
Sundays, 9:30
–
10:30 a.m., through February 14
Facilitators: Members of Highland’s HEART Force
Click here to register for this class or contact Heather Ferguson, hferguson@ highlandpres.org..
Highland’s Family Faith Formation
Sunday Afternoon Gatherings,
4:30
–
5:30
p.m.
After completing the first of three modules in our class in Compassion, the families gathering for Sunday afternoon faith formation will take a six week pause from that series for a Lenten focus called Where Your Heart Is. The inspiration for these gatherings comes from Jesus’ teaching about storing treasures in his Sermon on the Mount. We will explore the many treasures we have in our lives. Some are physical treas-ures we can touch, hold, store, and give. Some treastreas-ures are invisible, yet still greatly matter and guide our lives.
By exploring Gospel passages about treasures and matters of the heart, families are invit-ed to wonder more deeply about what kinds of treasure matter, why we store treasures, and the power these treasures have in our lives.
We will pick up where we left off in the Compassion series the Sunday after Easter.
Contact Heather Ferguson for more information, and to join us this Lenten opportunity for families.
We encourage all Highland members and friends to read Love Is the Way and participate in the variety of opportunities we are planning for reflection and conversation. We will have a Sunday morning discussion group during the Christian Education hour (9:30–
10:30 a.m.). Highland’s Christian Education Committee has books at a discounted rate ($10/copy). If you would like to order your copy through the committee, please reserve your copy HERE or contact Heather Ferguson.
We will be exploring the theme of love through Sunday worship, a Sunday morning class (9:30–10:30 a.m.) as well as other group discus-sion gatherings through the week on Zoom, as well as daily reflective devotions.
Please join us for this congregational experience in “holding on to hope in troubling times” through the power of love.
You can pick up your copy of Love Is the Way on Sunday February 14, 12:00–1:00 p.m. in Highland’s parking lot. Checks ($10) can be made to HPC with a memo: Lenten Book. (Continued from page 1)
Youth News…
Young Adults
Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. in Backyards
Our Young Adults welcome all in their 20s and 30s to join for a weekly time of fellowship as we take turns gathering in backyards at a safer distance. We meet weekly with an eye on the weather forecast to keep us in the habit of meeting. Reach out to Courtney Stevens for this week’s location.
Meals for March
Together we are looking to provide meals for the shelter in March as part of Highland’s support of the City With Dwellings ministry. Join in as we provide lunch in March!
Souper Bowl of Caring
Sunday, February 7
Our youth team has been hard at work planning this year’s Souper Bowl offering event. We need many hands to participate to make this year a success from set up, to collecting donations, to counting and reporting our offering. Sign up links are found in the weekly e411 youth emails.
Sunday, February 14
Nailed It
Valentine
’
s Day Challenge by Zoom
Middle School
2:00
–
2:45
p.m.
Senior High
3:00
–
3:45
p.m.
Sign up to participate in this delicious challenge! Just like the TV show, we will provide a box of supplies and a picture for you to recreate your cupcake masterpiece. Sign up right away for kit pick up or delivery through this link.
Thank You for Your Generosity
Because of your generosity, The Shepherd’s Center was able to provide a record 125 holiday gift bags to older adults who participate in our Saturday Night Fellowship Program. Thank you for your donations of colored pencils, puzzle books, and more!, and for your part in bringing joy to so many during the holiday season of 2020 which was different from all others!
Lunch & Learn:
Reading Biblical Literature
Thursdays from
12:00
–
1:00
p.m. via Zoom
Join us at midday on Thursdays as we explore our new topic, Reading Biblical Literature. This study of scripture explores major themes, with
presenta-tions provided by Dr. Craig Koester, a New Testament pro-fessor at Luther Seminary. Each week features a video, fol-lowed by group discussion, as we seek to learn and grow to-gether. Randy Harris and Curtis Patterson facilitate the class. If you would like to take part, please contact Randy Harris.
Monday Music at Highland
First Monday of Each Month, February–May, 7:00 p.m.
Join us for a virtual concert every first Monday at 7:00 p.m.This series will focus on women in sacred music and will fea-ture works by composers Margaret Sandresky, Gwyneth Walk-er, Florence Price, and many others. The YouTube link can be found on the church website under Highland Worship Online. Contact Creighton Holder for more information.
Seven Last Words Study
Wednesdays, February
17
–March 31, 7 p.m. via Zoom
Join us as we explore musical settings of the seven lastsay-ings of Christ from the cross. Each of these “words” comes from the final expressions of Jesus and teaches us more deep-ly about abandonment, love, forgiveness, and triumph. We will discover ancient and new musical works and focus on a new word each week. If you would like to participate, con-tact Creighton Holder.
February 7
Online Worship Service,
Available on Highland’s Website
9:30 a.m. Adult Faith Formation 11:00 a.m. Communion
11:30 a.m. Souper Bowl of Caring (Parking Lot) 4:30 p.m. Family Faith Formation
Monday February 8
9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting
5:45 p.m. Stewardship Committee 7:00 p.m. Faith & Film
Tuesday February 9
9:00 a.m. Salem Presbytery 6:00 p.m. Diaconate Meeting 7:00 p.m. Session Meeting
Wednesday February 10
7:00 a.m. Men’s Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Midweek Morning Prayer 7:00 p.m. HEART Force Committee
Thursday February 11
10:00 a.m. Women’s Bible Study
11:30 a.m. Caring Friends 12:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn 8:00 p.m. Young Adult Study Group
Sunday February 14
Online Worship Service,
Available on Highland’s Website
9:30 a.m. Adult Faith Formation
10:30 a.m. Session Reception of Confirmation Class 12:00 p.m. Lenten Book Drive-Through Event 2:00 p.m. Middle School Youth Fellowship 3:00 p.m. High School Youth Fellowship 4:30 p.m. Family Faith Formation
Monday February 15
9:30 a.m. Staff Meeting 7:00 p.m. Fellowship Committee
Tuesday February 16
12:00 p.m. Moore Food Pantry, Curbside
Wednesday February 17
8:00 a.m. Midweek Morning Prayer 6:00 p.m. Fling Virtual Fellowship
6:30 p.m. Youth & Young Adults Committee 7:00 p.m. Seven Last Words Study
Thursday February 18
12:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn 6:00 p.m. Finance Committee
7:00 p.m. Community Service Committee 8:00 p.m. Young Adult Study Group
Calendar
Please note that Highland’s Worship Service Online opens at 8:00 a.m. each Sunday and remains open for viewing on our website and on YouTube. All other calendar events and meetings are scheduled via Zoom at the time listed. Please continue to check your email for updates about events and for hyperlinks that allow you access to them.
