From Sunday’s Service
“I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased (Psalm 138:1–3).” *Part of Psalm 138, which we read in its entirety, together.
Reflecting upon our Sunday Service
Highland, the holy-nature of God continues to grab hold of my heart and attention. I just continue to acknowledge and become more aware of the fact that all that there really is in this world that is ‘right and good’ is His holy-nature, and I respond in awe and honor to His holy name. All that makes me rest and happy is found in His holiness (I think that’s true for all of humankind). Hence, I am understanding more and more the statement David makes in this Psalm, as he bows toward His holy temple – his strength of soul is increased!
I want this for us, Highland. I pray this over us, Highland; that our strength of soul might be increased by being in awe of His holiness! I am studying this for us, Highland. I am currently reading: “Holy in Christ”, by Andrew Murray. I mention this only to invite you to see what I am studying and how the Lord is stirring in my heart, Highland. The book is so refreshing and helpful to me! Here is just one quote from my notes, which I appreciate:
"Holiness is not something we do or attain: it is the communication of the Divine life, the inbreathing of the Divine nature, the power of the Divine Presence resting on us." – Andrew Murray
May we continue, Highland, to bow our sinful hearts in worship of our Holy God — that we may be at “home” (at rest) in His holiness.
Summer Session Bible Study starts August 6th. Register below or through this week’s post.
A Summer Session Bible Study, Sundays, at 9am.
Joseph Davis has agreed to teach a Bible Study for us in August. He will teach a three week study centered around the holiness of God! This class is important to the life of our church, Highland. I want to challenge you to attend!
The phrase that has been resonating through my heart since 2020 for us is that we would be a people marked by the holiness of God! I continually pray through this for us and study God’s holiness! It is so helpful to have such a strong teacher like Joseph take us through this matter!
The class dates will be: August, 6th, 13th & 20th. Please register below to come. This study is open to all, but please note that there will not be childcare available for this class.
Throughout the Week
Mondays @ M2540, 6:30pm
Mondays @ M2540 is an opportunity to love our neighbor in honor of the name of our Lord! Join our team each Monday at M2540 to help out – 6:30pm –7:30pm.
Prayer Gathering, Wednesdays, 9am
Ms. Patti continues to foster the prayer life of our church! Join this team each Wednesday, at the Firehouse, to seek the face of our Lord! 9am–10am.
Throughout the Weekend
Chicken & Rice, Saturdays, 10am
Each Saturday, we have a team go out and love our neighbors! Chicken & Rice happens at 10am, just in front of the cafe’! All are welcome to come and serve! Just talked to Sandra! Exciting to know that this team is growing! Both people from the church and from the community are taking part in serving.
Sunday Mornings at 9am
Coffee & Conversation allow us the chance to enjoy one another, along with a tasty cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich! We worship together, then Jo Ellen closes out our time with a Biblically-rich devotion. All are welcome.
Robert leads our Men’s Bible Study each Sunday morning, 9am, in the education-building of our church. It’s a practical walk through Scripture and great discussion. All men are welcome to attend.
Sunday Mornings at 10am
Our 10am Firehouse Gathering (what we call our church service) is open to all who want to exalt the name of Jesus. Billy will lead us in corporate worship and I (Rob) will be preaching through Colossians 3:11-14:
“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (ESV).
The emphasis throughout this series is how we, personally, make this move in a way that places the magnificence of Jesus on display. Though we will have a much greater capacity in our new facility, we want to turn our attention in this season of heart-prep to going deeper, not doing more. The roadway to ‘going deeper’ is paved with our ever-resting submission into the holiness of Christ Jesus, Highland. This roadway leads us to the place where, as Paul notes in 2nd Thessalonians 1, we have a faith that is deepening in our relationship with Christ and a love that is growing for one another. Oh, Highland, that Jesus would be able to place his majesty on display, both in us personally and publicly.
I love you, Highland.
Looking forward to seeing you Sunday,
Rob