My Whole Being Rejoices

In Joshua 24, we see Joshua gathered all of the tribes of Israel – really it’s a big family meeting! Joshua has led the charge to establish them in their Promised-land. He recounts all of the events that have led up to their safe arrival home.

He begins with Abraham. He points out that Terah, the father of Abraham, served other gods – but that the Lord called Abraham to establish His covenant with Him.

He then talks of Jacob’s 12 sons, which are the seeds for these current 12 tribes. Joshua talks about their enslavery in Egypt – yet the Lord’s covenant promises remain, hence the Lord has brought them to their Promised-land. They settle, as they are now victorious in the Lord. Then Joshua charges the family of Israel – Vs 14: “Now, therefore, fear the Lord; serving Him in sincerity and faithfulness.”

It reads like an encouraging speech to us - but Joshua is really laying out the matter and their choices in a very raw fashion. He charges them to get rid of their idols and foreign gods; he urges them to fear the Lord God and worship Him!

Without wavering in the presence of the crowd, Johsua asserts: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” - regardless of anyone elses’ choice.

Knowing that Joshua is an incredible leader, all the people echo his words – but he does not accept their words at face value. He continues to strip down their words to the heart-level.

““But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, but we will serve the LORD.” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD - to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey”.
”
— Joshua 24:19-24

Joshua’s simply saying: do not let your words testify against your heart. Do not let your lips speak a declaration of faithfulness while your heart remains distant.

Joshua clearly has a strong presence and influence, but he does not want his influence to persuade them; he wants them to love the Lord with all thier heart, soul, mind and strength. He pressed them so as to not get just lip-service, but to get an honest confession from their hearts.

Highland, we are charged by the Lord to guard our hearts, not our facades. Let us continue to bear the fruit of repentance from honest hearts, declaring our great need for Jesus! May we share in David’s declaration from one of my favorite Psalms:

“I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells, secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (Psalm 16:7-10).

When our ‘whole being rejoices’, our hearts are made glad in the good news that Jesus saves sinners. We experience freedom and a sense of belonging in the light of His presence. There is then no reason to create and spend our energy guarding a facade which does not protect, nor satisfy our hearts. Our hearts are then made whole in His holy counsel.

May the entirety of our beings rejoice in Him, Highland.

I love you,

Rob

Plans for October 15th & 16th

Weekend Schedule

Highland, let us gather for His name.

“Glorify Thy Name; glorify Thy Name; glorify Thy Name in all the earth!”

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Thank you to all who serve!

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame’ (Luke 14:21b)!

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

FIREHOUSE GATHERING, SUNDAY, 10AM AT THE FIREHOUSE

Firehouse Gathering, 10am, this Sunday at the Firehouse on 6th Ave!

Sunday Schedule

  • 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am-11am: This Sunday we gather at the Firehouse on 6th Ave.  Highland, we will gather in the firehouse this Sunday. We will start our morning with Coffee & Conversation at 9am, then hold our service at 10am. The chairs from our sanctuary will be set up and available.

    As we are still phasing into utilizing this space, please note that there are no bathrooms available in the firehouse. It is our plan to have working bathrooms in place by the following Sunday. I am sorry for any inconvenience.

    The playground is set up on the grounds and is scheduled to be fenced in by Sunday. Let us all be mindful that it is not possible to see the playground while inside the firehouse. Let us all work together to care for the children who are in attendance.

    Parking will be available along the street and in the grass-lot, next to the firehouse.

  • Childcare Available, Ages 0-4. Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

CHURCH CALENDAR

6th Avenue Banquet

The 6th Ave Banquet will be held Sunday, October 23rd, at 5:30pm. Highland, I look forward to all gathering together for a night of worship and prayer! Great is our Lord and worthy is He to be praised!

Click the button above to learn about upcoming events.

Plans for October 8th & 9th

Weekend Schedule

Highland, let us gather for His name.

“Glorify Thy Name; glorify Thy Name; glorify Thy Name in all the earth!”

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Thank you to all who serve!

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame’ (Luke 14:21b)!

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

TENT GATHERING, SUNDAY, 10AM AT THE FIREHOUSE

Tent Gathering, 10am, this Sunday at the Firehouse on 6th Ave!

Sunday Schedule

  • 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am-11am: Tent Gathering this Sunday at the Firehouse on 6th Ave.  Highland, we will gather in the firehouse this Sunday. We will start our morning with Coffee & Conversation at 9am, then hold our service at 10am. The chairs from our sanctuary will be set up and available.

    As we are still phasing into utilizing this space, please note that there are no bathrooms available in the firehouse. It is our plan to have working bathrooms in place by the following Sunday. I am sorry for any inconvenience.

    The playground is set up on the grounds and is scheduled to be fenced in by Sunday. Let us all be mindful that it is not possible to see the playground while inside the firehouse. Let us all work together to care for the children who are in attendance.

    Parking will be available along the street and in the grass-lot, next to the firehouse.

  • Childcare Available, Ages 0-4. Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

CHURCH CALENDAR

6th Avenue Banquet

The 6th Ave Banquet will be held Sunday, October 23rd, at 5:30pm. Highland, I look forward to all gathering together for a night of worship and prayer! Great is our Lord and worthy is He to be praised!

Click the button above to learn about upcoming events.

Plans for October 1st & 2nd

Weekend Schedule

Highland, let us gather.

This church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus Christ.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame’ (Luke 14:21b)!

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

KIDS’ SUNDAY (SERVICE IN SANCTUARY)

***PLEASE BRING YOUR CAMPING CHAIR TO USE INSIDE. WE ARE SHORT ON SEATS.***

Sunday’s Plans

  • 9am: Coffee & Conversation

    As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am: Service in Our Sanctuary

    Each first Sunday of the month for children ages 5 and up, we hold Kids Sunday. As you arrive for our 10am Service with children 5 and up, please take them to the back field so that they can receive a name-tag and be assigned to their group. During the service, children will either be in the classrooms off the deck for a Bible lesson or a craft, or outside for a game. Furthermore, if you’re interested in helping with Kids’ Sundays, please talk to Julie Jordan, Katie Sturgeon or Carol Wright. As soon as service concludes, please make arrangements to pick up your children from the playground.

  • Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

    Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Click the button above to learn about upcoming events.

Groundbreaking Ceremony

“Your decrees are very trustworthy;

holiness befits your house,

O LORD, forevermore.”

Psalm 93:5

Highland,

Let us enter this season in praise of our Lord!

We have our Member Gathering tonight, 6pm. It will be a time of worship and prayer. Children will also be involved with us, as we will have a simpler gathering tonight. Less talking and more worship. We will enter this new chapter honoring our Lord, celebrating His trustworthiness and holiness.

Tomorrow is our groundbreaking ceremony. It will be held underneath our tent, at 10:30am. Parking will be available at Webb Construction and there will be a shuttle available for you. I would plan to arrive early. All are welcome!

I look forward to seeing you.

All glory to Him,

Rob

Plans for September 24th & 25th

Weekend Schedule

Highland, let us gather.

This church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus Christ.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Thank you to all who serve!

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame’ (Luke 14:21b)!

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

TENT GATHERING, SUNDAY, 10AM

Tent Gathering, 10am, this Sunday. David Klaus preaches this Sunday.

SERMON TITLE

“Stewarding Hope”

This Sunday, David Klaus will be weaving into our series on stewardship. He will be preaching through how to steward hope. As you know, Highland, David maintains such a strong grip on Scripture and he will do such a great job directing us on how we steward such a vital part of our lives: hope.

Sunday Schedule

  • 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am-11am: Tent Gathering this Sunday, 10am. Bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

    • If the weather interferes with this plan, then we will hold Coffee & Conversation at 9am underneath the pavilion and we will move our service into our sanctuary at 10am. If the service is indoors due to the weather, it will be condensed so that we can conclude in an hour’s time.

  • Childcare Available, Ages 0-4. Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Click the button above to learn about upcoming events.

Plans for September 17th & 18th

Weekend Schedule

Highland, let us gather.

This church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus Christ.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

Thank you to all who serve!

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame’ (Luke 14:21b)!

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

TENT GATHERING, SUNDAY, 10AM

Tent Gathering, 10am, this Sunday.

SERMON TITLE & TEXT

Four Strands of Stewardship: home

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b).

Sunday Schedule

  • 9am-10am: Coffee and Conversation. As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am-11am: Tent Gathering this Sunday, 10am. Bring your camping chairs or blankets to make for yourself a place outside, underneath our tent. We will gather to worship as we set our eyes upon Jesus. Highland, I ask that we would be in prayer for the name of Jesus to be exalted in our corporate gathering; that those who wander, or are deceived throughout our streets, would hear that Jesus saves, and repent! We will conclude and dismiss following this service. So, breakfast will be offered but not lunch.

    • If the weather interferes with this plan, then we will hold Coffee & Conversation at 9am underneath the pavilion and we will move our service into our sanctuary at 10am. If the service is indoors due to the weather, it will be condensed so that we can conclude in an hour’s time.

  • Childcare Available, Ages 0-4. Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Click the button above to learn about upcoming events.

Plans for September 10th & 11th

Weekend Schedule

Highland, let us gather.

This church opens wide her doors with a welcome from Jesus Christ.

CHICKEN & RICE THIS SATURDAY

‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame’ (Luke 14:21b)!

Each Saturday from 10:30am-1:00pm, we serve our streets a meal of Chicken & Rice, along with the Gospel. Volunteers are welcome to join us. Chicken & Rice Ministries is our flagship work. It serves as the invitation to all in our streets to come and know Christ. If you would like to come and serve, please contact us.

KIDS’ SUNDAY (SERVICE IN SANCTUARY)

Sunday’s Plans

  • 9am: Coffee & Conversation

    As you arrive, grab a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Enjoy having conversation with one another and the chance to be together. Also, if you’re willing, some will be setting up for the 10 am service. We welcome your help, if you’re able.

  • 10am: Service in Our Sanctuary

    Each first Sunday of the month for children ages 5 and up, we hold Kids Sunday. As you arrive for our 10am Service with children 5 and up, please take them to the playground so that they can receive a name-tag and be assigned to their group. During the service, children will either be in the classrooms off the deck for a Bible lesson or a craft, or outside for a game. Furthermore, if you’re interested in helping with Kids Sundays, please talk to Julie Jordan, Katie Sturgeon or Carol Wright. On these first Sundays, while COVID concerns are low, we will hold our 10am Service in our Sanctuary. As soon as service concludes, please make arrangements to pick up your children from the playground.

  • Childcare Available, Ages 0-4

    Childcare will be offered during our Tent Gatherings for children, ages 0-4. Childcare will be held in the Truth Spring Trade School Daycare, located at 3303 5th Ave. It is the white house with white picket fence and 2 blue doors. We have a terrific team of volunteers comprised of people who attend Highland. Thank you, all, for caring for our children. Donna Findley is our Coordinator. She’s doing a great job! Thank you, Donna! Volunteers will be ready to receive 0-4 year-old aged-children by 9:50am.

CHURCH CALENDAR

Click the button above to learn about upcoming events.

The Four Strands of Stewardship

An Excerpt from Our Current Series

Like strands come together to make one rope, so these four strands comprise our stewardship:

The Four Strands of Stewardship

  1. Our hearts

  2. Our home

  3. Our church

  4. Our community

Last week, we discussed the first strand: our hearts.

“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.””
— Proverbs 4:20-23

As sinners, as we submit our hearts to the good news of Jesus, then our hearts’ greatest treasure becomes His holiness and his honor, reaping the priceless fruits of His Spirit. If we are unwilling to carefully steward our own heart, then we will not be able to be entrusted to steward the care of others. However, if we are stewarding well our hearts (guarding our hearts) treasuring the holiness of our beloved God, then we can be entrusted by the Lord to steward well our households, out territories, our duties - and the cultivation of our faith is vast and healthy — all for His glory.