Weekly Update

Sunday’s Schedule

8am: Doors open

8am–9am: Coffee & Conversation in our Dining Facility, Devotion begins - 9am

9am-10am: Sunday School (through March 29th)

10am: Sunday Morning Service in our sanctuary (In our gym)

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Prayer Guide

Highland,

As we pray today, we ask the Lord to fill our hearts and homes with His presence. In Proverbs 14, we learn that, when our hearts are submissive to the Lord, then our children find a refuge in His presence (Proverbs 14:26). Let’s approach the Lord, asking Him to teach our hearts to humbly revere Him, being grateful that, in His faithfulness, He fortifies us.

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Easter Season Testimonies

Highland, we will hold an Easter egg hunt Easter Sunday (April 5th), just after service. We also enter into our testimony season, Highland. Kimberly Klaus quarterbacks this effort to celebrate the work of the Lord in the life of our church. See her post below:

“The Lord delights when His people share His glory. He tells us in Scripture in many different ways to not hide God's work, but to share of His faithfulness among the congregation of believers (Psalm 40:9-10), tell what He has done for your soul (Psalm 66:16), be His witnesses (Acts 1:8), and to tell of what the Lord has done for you (Mark 5:19). Revelation 12:11 even says we overcome the enemy by the blood of Jesus and the word of our testimony. There is power in declaring what God has done for us!

Yet it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day business of life, or to get caught up in the latest news cycle, that we fix our minds on these worldly things and they become the fruit of our words. Pause and think about it..how many days may we share our worries or concerns with others but not share about the goodness of God?

As you spend time in prayer this week, ask the Lord to remind you of where He has been faithful, compassionate, kind or powerful in your life. Ask Him to remind you of His provision, His grace, His mercies, and His protection, which have manifested in specific ways for you- whether this week or over the course of your life. Take note of what comes to mind, and consider sharing it with someone else! You will be encouraged, that person will be encouraged, and the Lord will be glorified.

Easter Sunday is coming in a few weeks, and there may be no better time to celebrate the Lord's work in one another's lives than during this season of celebrating the Resurrection of our Savior. As a Highland community, we want to offer a chance for you to share how God has worked in your life by opening up some testimony time on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in sharing on Easter Sunday, or one of the few Sundays following, please contact Kimberly Klaus or Rob Strickland so we can get you scheduled!” — Kimberly Klaus

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getting to know Andrew Cowart

I was born in Columbus, Georgia, to parents who were church planters. I quite literally grew up in the church that was planted in our living room. As I grew up in that environment, I learned to love the things of the Kingdom of God. I was raised in a community that shared celebrations and hardships, lived by the Word of God, and cared for our neighbors.

Those values deeply shaped me, so that I continue to seek the things of the Kingdom today. My personal mission statement is to draw attention to the Kingdom of God in every heart, place, and circumstance entrusted to me. I am excited about the hearts, places, and circumstances that I will encounter at Highland, and the Kingdom of God being revealed here. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to live out this Kingdom mission among like-minded followers of Jesus. Thank you for welcoming me in!

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Men’s Bible Study Beginning April 8th

Men, let’s get together. Let’s spend some time studying God’s Word and doing life together. Starting April 8th, we will gather once a month at Highland. We will have a meal, spend time together, then study God’s Word together. We will begin at 6pm. Register below. Please note — no childcare will be provided. If you are reading this in our weekly email, see the original post to access the form to register.

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Sign Up For New Member Class

Our New Member Class to be held April 19th, 9am.

If you are reading this in our weekly email, see the original post to access the form to register.

Register by clicking button below.

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I love you, Highland — have a great week!

See you Sunday,

Rob

Weekly Update

The treats were so appreciated during accreditation — thank you!

Sunday Service Schedule Remains The Same This Sunday.

Sunday School - 9am

Sunday Service - 10am

Highland,

Big week for Truth Spring Academy this week!  Our ACSI Accreditation Review is underway. Officials are observing and reporting on how well we hold to best practices. Some of you, who have children at Truth Spring Academy, have participated in the Parent Cohort – thank you!  I appreciate your willingness to contribute toward the development of Truth Spring Academy.  

To sum up the visit, the review is going really well!  We will not get an official report until May, but the Review Teams’ findings thus far have been favorable! A few of you have stopped by some much-appreciated treats throughout the week – so timely! Thank you for being so considerate of us!

If you were with us last Sunday, you had the opportunity to hear that we have hired Andrew Cowart to serve as Ministry Coordinator.  He has already proven to be such an asset to the daily life of our church!  If you have not met him, make a point to welcome him! To further clarify, he is part-time with Highland and part-time with Truth Spring.  His workload with Truth Spring will primarily fall within Truth Spring Trade School’s lane.  We all consider him to be such a welcomed addition to the team!

As we pray today, we pray through the first of our four Strands of Stewardship: Heart. Our hearts must harbor habits that align with the holiness of our Lord. Therefore, we must safeguard our hearts from entertaining evil in every way, Highland! Furthermore, as we pray, we are using Psalm 119 to guide us. Here’s the passage to which I am referring:

“You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes” (Psalm 119:65-68).

This is the language of a repentant heart, which we referred to Sunday, during our sermon.  To learn more, give our Prayer Guide a glance. I invite you to join us as we pray and fast today, during our lunch hour. Let’s ask that our hearts be home to the holiness of our Lord by way of ‘keeping with the fruits of repentance’, yielding to Jesus as Lord.

I love you, Highland,

Rob

Weekly Update

Kingdom Sports is such a gift from the Lord! Games happen this Saturday.

Sunday Service Schedule Remains The Same This Sunday.

Sunday School - 9am

Sunday Service - 10am

Highland,

It was so great to be back Sunday – how I missed you! The purpose of gathering for corporate worship is fully realized when one has had to be away. So, Sunday was a really hearty dose of good for me—to serve the Lord, as I am afforded the privilege to serve you. May the appetites of our hearts continue to be for the holiness of our Lord.

I appreciated the opportunity to begin journeying through Matthew 13. In this chapter, Jesus changes perspectives – He explains how the Kingdom of God relates to mankind eternally. As we tackle these texts, we will need to gain this perspective. Doing so will help us better understand the purpose of parables, which we covered last Sunday (Matthew 13:10-17). This Sunday, I hope to tackle the Parable of the Sower and Jesus’ interpretation of this parable.

As we seek the Lord for our streets today, let’s rally together in prayer! May He unify us for His Name! Together, let’s ask the Lord to draw those who roam in darkness to repentance! Oh, that as those who roam our streets turn to Him as Lord, may the veil from their eyes be lifted!

I love you, Highland,

Rob

Weekly Update

Sunday Service Schedule Remains The Same This Sunday.

Sunday School - 9am

Sunday Service - 10am

Highland,

My deepest thanks to those who led Sunday! Thank you for keeping a firm grip on the reins and picking up the reins for me! I was sick. Considering the well-being of everyone, I chose to stay home. Sickness paid us a visit at Highland. These germs need to vacate the premises!

I missed you, though! Being at Highland on Sundays stabilizes me. Remaining in steady communion with the Lord and each of you fortifies me. I am reminded that my life belongs to the Lord, serving His purposes - that it’s not about me. Though, in my absence, what delights my heart is hearing the great reports about Sunday!

Hopeful that the aches and chills would pass by Saturday, I did not make any alternate plans, allowing myself the chance to be away Sunday morning. Yet, come Saturday night, the chills returned — uhhh! I had to make plans to stay home. So, as much as I hated to do it, I had to call Justin Jordan Saturday evening.

I explained to him the situation, asking if he’d be willing to preach the next morning. On such short notice, he generously agreed. Not only did he agree, I received such wonderful feedback regarding his sermon from so many! To Justin, to all who jumped in – thank you! To all who’ve checked on me and prayed for me — I appreciate you!

As we pray today, we turn our attention to our 3rd Strand of Stewardship: Highland. Staying together, serving together and studying together continues to pave our way forward, Highland.

As we are currently within a season of study, let’s pray for our leaders! Ask the Lord to condition our hearts to remain disciplined-students of God’s Word, that we may impart His Word with integrity and resolve!

Know that I love you, Highland. I am celebrating the gift of health today. Have a great day!

Rob

Weekly Update

Highland Cafe’ — Tuesday-Friday, 8:30—11:30am. Let us know if you want to help Mondays.

open bibles; open hearts

Highland,

People attending the cafe are reading the Bible. Seeing hearts turn toward God’s Word through devotions being offered and people perusing through Scripture as they sip their coffee is mind-blowing! Thank you, Jo Ellen, for capturing this moment. To those who support the ministry, thank you! If you want to help, contact us.

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Psalm 119:15-16

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Sunday’s Service starts @ 10am — this kid’s got style!

Praying & Fasting As a Church

"Your habitat is where your habit is at." - Paul Boshears

Casey Lynch charged us, Highland, to let our hearts hold to the honor of the Lord. In so doing, our homes hold to His honor! May our heart’s habits be in agreement with our Lord’s holy nature.

As we pray for our homes today, may the Holy Spirit reside in all authority within our dwelling places. As I consider the home I steward for our children, this proverb always come to mind:

“In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,

and his children will have a refuge.”

Proverbs 14:26

In fearing the Lord, we seek, first, His honor! As the Lord proves faithful as our Protector and our Provider, we gain confidence in Him, as a loving, trustworthy Father! Our entrusting of Him throughout our lives writes our testimony of faithfulness before the very eyes of our children; hence, they learn to take refuge in Him, too! Let us create a habitat teeming with faithfulness unto the Lord, Highland.

Click button to access our Prayer Guide

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Service begins at 10am.

Sunday’s Schedule

8am: Doors open

8am–9am: Coffee & Conversation in our Dining Facility, Devotion begins - 9am

9am-10am: Sunday School (through March 29th)

10am: Sunday Morning Service in our sanctuary (In our gym)

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Sunday School — Sunday’s, 9am (through March 29th)

Sunday school classes offered

9am-10am: Sunday School (through March 29th)

Locations will be offered as you arrive. Come to the main entrance.

Sunday School this Sunday, 9am. To those who are leading, thank you! I appreciate your willingness to serve one another, affording others the chance to study God’s Word together. In doing so, we strengthen the fibers of Highland Community Church together. See classes below:

• Nursery: Donna Findley

• Pre-K: Jennifer Lynch & Megan Holbrook

• K5 - 2nd grade:

led by Julie Jordan and Kathy Jordan

• 3rd - 5th grade:

led by Rob Strickland

• 6th - 12th grade girls:

led by Cassia Roper

• 6th - 12th grade boys:

led by Jonny Spiece

• Women: led by Carrie Strickland

• Men: led by Robert Singleton

• Theology Program: led by Mike Hare

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Our Text for This Sunday: Matthew 13:1-17

Text for Sunday’s Sermon

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.

Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:

“‘‘You will indeed hear but never understand,

and you will indeed see but never perceive.”

For this people’s heart has grown dull,

and with their ears they can barely hear,

and their eyes they have closed,

lest they should see with their eyes

and hear with their ears

and understand with their heart

and turn, and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:1-17).

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audio page now updated

I have been delinquent with getting sermons edited and posted on Soundcloud, sorry! I have caught up, though. Sermons are available on our “audio page.”

Have a great week!

I love you, Highland!

See you Sunday,

Rob

Weekly Update

Kingdom Sports — Game’s started Saturday.

‘stir up one another to love and good works’

Highland,

How grateful I am for each of you! Seeing us come together in the name of the Lord to serve one another means so much to me! As we have discussed in our service the last two weeks, Scripture directs us (Hebrews 10) to stir up good works in love. I hold to the fact that no one brings to life this directive more so than Highland, hence my overflowing gratitude for each of you!

Check out this snapshot of the life of our church from Kingdom Sports (see pic above)! Opening wide our doors with a welcome from Jesus Christ, this picture captures us sharing Jesus with participating families. Please consider coming, supporting these children! You are invited to be a spectator or you can volunteer (see Kingdom Sports' info here).

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Fletcher Sturgeon during our Firehouse Gatherings.

Praying & Fasting As a Church

“Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. Receive instruction from His mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.”

— Job:21-22

Let’s ask the Lord to align our hearts’ desires to His holy name. In Christ, we are set free from sin; let’s boldly proclaim that freedom, celebrating our Deliverer – Jesus! May He, thereby, grant us the desires of our hearts, Highland, as we delight in Him!

Click button to access our Prayer Guide

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Service begins at 10am.

Sunday’s Schedule

8am: Doors open

8am–9am: Coffee & Conversation in our Dining Facility, Devotion begins - 9am

9am-10am: Sunday School (through March 29th)

10am: Sunday Morning Service in our sanctuary (In our gym)

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Sunday school classes offered

9am-10am: Sunday School (through March 29th)

Locations will be offered as you arrive. Come to the main entrance.

Sunday School this Sunday, 9am. To those who are leading, thank you! I appreciate your willingness to serve one another, affording others the chance to study God’s Word together. In doing so, we strengthen the fibers of Highland Community Church together. See classes below:

• Nursery: Donna Findley

• Pre-K: Jennifer Lynch & Megan Holbrook

• K5 - 2nd grade:

led by Julie Jordan and Kathy Jordan

• 3rd - 5th grade:

led by Rob Strickland

• 6th - 12th grade girls:

led by Cassia Roper

• 6th - 12th grade boys:

led by Jonny Spiece

• Women: led by Carrie Strickland

• Men: led by Robert Singleton

• Theology Program: led by Mike Hare

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Our Text for This Sunday: Matthew 12:33-50

Text for Sunday’s Sermon

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

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audio page now updated

I have been delinquent with getting sermons edited and posted on Soundcloud, sorry! I have caught up, though. Sermons are available on our “audio page.”

Have a great week!

I love you, Highland!

See you Sunday,

Rob

Weekly Update

Highland Cafe’, Tuesday-Friday, 8:30am-11:30am.

Praying & Fasting as a church

Highland,

Seven days a week, the Word of God is being proclaimed throughout the life of our church! Starting with Sunday services, then through Bible courses at Truth Spring. Plus, we have Kingdom Sports happening each Saturday (games start this Saturday) where Jesus is presented to our families each game.

Furthermore, we have the Word of God offered in our cafe. Our cafe, in the words of Brenda Steele, is a place where heaven and earth intersect. May there be an abounding harvest of hearts repenting, declaring Jesus to be Lord, as His Word is conveyed!

As we fast and pray for North Highland today, let me begin by thanking each of you! This Kingdom-Work would not be possible without you! Your generosity, your resolve, your willingness to place the interest of others above your own – all to love our neighbors in honor of our Lord. Thank you, Highland, for being the light of the world to North Highland.

Click button to access our Prayer Guide

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Service begins at 10am.

Sunday’s Schedule

8am: Doors open

8am–9am: Coffee & Conversation in our Dining Facility, Devotion begins - 9am

9am-10am: Sunday School (through March 29th)

10am: Sunday Morning Service in our sanctuary (In our gym)

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Sunday school classes offered

9am-10am: Sunday School (through March 29th)

Locations will be offered as you arrive. Come to the main entrance.

Sunday School this Sunday, 9am. To those who are leading, thank you! I appreciate your willingness to serve one another, affording others the chance to study God’s Word together. In doing so, we strengthen the fibers of Highland Community Church together. See classes below:

• Nursery: Donna Findley

• Pre-K: Jennifer Lynch & Megan Holbrook

• K5 - 2nd grade:

led by Julie Jordan and Kathy Jordan

• 3rd - 5th grade:

led by Rob Strickland

• 6th - 12th grade girls:

led by Cassia Roper

• 6th - 12th grade boys:

led by Jonny Spiece

• Women: led by Carrie Strickland

• Men: led by Robert Singleton

• Co-Ed: led by Mike Hare

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Our Text for This Sunday: Matthew 12:15-32

“Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

‘Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,

my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

He will not quarrel or cry aloud,

nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;

a bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not quench,

until he brings justice to victory;

and in his name the Gentiles will hope.’

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

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I love you, Highland!

See you Sunday,

Rob

Night of Worship - Tonight!

This evening at 6:30pm.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Highland this evening!

Rob

Weekly Update

Highland was blanketed in snow Sunday!

Highland,

Our campus was a winter wonderland Sunday Morning! During Coffee & Conversation, every adult became childlike, enjoying the snow in such fun ways!

All the kids that showed up to play in the snow ended up with frigid fingers! We invited them in to enjoy some hot chocolate! It was a day I will cherish.

To those of you who braved the snow, it was great having you at Service! To those who took a “snow day”, I hope you enjoyed every memory made!

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Praying & Fasting as a church

We are praying as a church. During our service each Sunday, our Prayer Guide is handed out. We are using our church’s Four Strands of Stewardship as our guide. These strands of life that come together to make up the life of our church are: 1. Heart, 2. Home, 3. Highland & 4. North Highland.

As we fast and pray today, we seek the Lord for Highland. Let’s open our hearts, asking the Lord to make us fruitful, according to His holy nature. Oh, Highland, He has done great things in our midst – let us rejoice in His abundant goodness, longing to be holy as He is holy!

To guide us through our lunch-hour fast, consider reading this passage: Ephesians 3:14-4:3. In many ways, we have seen the Lord bring to life this passage in the life of Highland Community Church!

Click button to access our Prayer Guide

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Service begins at 10am.

Sunday’s Schedule

8am: Doors open

8am–9am: Coffee & Conversation in our Dining Facility, Devotion begins - 9am

9am-10am: Sunday School

10am: Sunday Morning Service in our sanctuary (In our gym)

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Sunday school classes offered

Locations will be offered as you arrive Sunday morning. Come to the main entrance.

We begin our Sunday School Session this Sunday, 9am. To those who are leading, thank you! I appreciate your willingness to serve one another, affording others the chance to study God’s Word together. In doing so, we strengthen the fibers of Highland Community Church together. See classes below:

• Nursery: Donna Findley

• Pre-K: Jennifer Lynch & Megan Holbrook

• K5 - 2nd grade:

led by Julie Jordan and Kathy Jordan

• 3rd - 5th grade:

led by Rob Strickland

• 6th - 12th grade girls:

led by Cassia Roper

• 6th - 12th grade boys:

led by Jonny Spiece

• Women: led by Carrie Strickland

• Men: led by Robert Singleton

• Co-Ed: led by Mike Hare

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A few Housekeeping Matters

• If you are interested in helping or supporting Kingdom Sports, please contact Stephen Wright. Click here to connect with him.

• Tuesday, January 27th, we are hosting a night of worship led by MercyMed. All are welcome to attend. It will be held here, in our sanctuary, 6:30pm.

So grateful for you, Highland,

Rob

Plan for Services.

Highland,

As Megan and I discussed this current snowfall, she described it as ‘magical’ — she’s so right! Sipping coffee, watching snow flurries fall through the window — it’s like traveling to another land! So cool!

We will plan to hold Services this morning. The only change is that we will be unable to run the van route. Given that road conditions are safe where you live, we look forward to seeing you at Service. Everyone be safe! Make the most of our glimpse at a winter wonderland.

Grateful for you, Highland.

I love you,

Rob