PRESBYTERIAN MESSENGER (PM)                                                                                                                                                                

UPCOMING EVENTS. . .

Every Sunday 10:00 AM Worship

Communion served 1st Sunday of Month

Choir Practice 8:30-9:30AM

Knitting Group 2nd Sunday of Month in

Sanctuary 12-1:30PM

Every Tuesday – Bible Study 7-8:30PM

Every Wednesday – Bible Study with

Rev. Lou Kilgore 10-11:30AM

Bell Choir Practice 7PM

Mon-Fri 5/15-19 Rev. Kilgore Away

Homiletics Conference

Fri 5/19 Chris Buckley Vacation Day

Thu 5/25 Session 7PM Personnel 10AM

Fri 5/26 HMPC Book Group 1-3PM

Mon 5/29 Memorial Day-Office is Closed

No Bible Study This Week

Rev. Lou is away at the Homiletics Conference so Tuesday Evening 7PM and Wednesday Morning 10AM Bible Study is cancelled for this week. We hope to see you next week!

Ḟaithworks

Towards the end of his life Jesus tried to prepare the disciples and let them know that things were going to change. One day, Jesus spoke with the disciples about what it means to be his friends. “If you want to be my friend,” Jesus said, “you will show love to others like I do.” Jesus explained that he would not be alive forever, that he will died and will raise from the dead on the third day. And then he promised to send his spirit who would remain with them forever. Jesus wanted them to know that although they would no longer experience his physical presence and support, they neither would be alone. The disciples trusted Jesus’ words. They knew Jesus would keep his promise. And then, whenever they prayed, they sensed with their whole selves that the Spirit of Jesus was with them, helping them to show Jesus’ love in the world. Children and young teens will find comfort in this message that they will not be left alone as they grow, search, discover, and face life’s challenges. As they expand their horizons and focus on connecting with peers and search for new people to love and care for outside of the family group, they will step into a somewhat unknown place. They will still need the protective love, guidance, and support offered by their parents, siblings, and extended family. They will need to be reassure that the significant people in their lives will continue to support them. The words Jesus speaks to his disciples in our focus scripture, John 14:15–21, show the strong ties and intimacy between them. Our time together can help our youth to learn about how to connect everyday with the presence of God and learn that no matter what happens God’s Spirit is always there to comfort, encourage, and advocate. We will explore possibilities to grow our relationship with God in Jesus and to come to a better understanding of the constant presence of the Advocate promised by Jesus, the Holy Spirit. All children and youth are welcome to join us for Bible story time and activities on the 2^nd floor after the time of conversation with the pastor. Childcare for children under 5 years old is provided on the 2^nd floor of the church house as well.

Mission At The Eastward Update(MATE) July 1-8

So far I have word from 12 mission team candidates for this year’s trip. If you are planning to go on this trip please send me an email today, so that we can finalize our reservations.  If you know of someone who told you that they want to go, forward this message to them and ask them to reply to revlouie@aol.com.   A fifty dollar deposit is requested to reserve your spot.

All adults attending this year’s trip must have completed a background check as required by the personnel committee of the church. This cannot be done at the last minute.  Please send me your email address and I will send the instructions on how to sign the agreement for the check.  Anyone 13 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The next event on our calendar is the cake auction on Mother’s Day. Make a cake and help to reduce the costs for everyone.  The cakes are received before church on May 14 and the auction is held during the refreshment time.  Bring your friends.    Decorate a cake for your favorite team and show your support of the mission team.

On June 25^th there will a commissioning service for all team members.  This will be held in the High Mountain Church 10AM service.  All participants should make every effort to attend in order to show you thanks for the $350.00 per person support that comes from the church. Please mark your calendars now for this date.  Following the service there will be a meeting for orientation and training for all team members.  Parents are encouraged to stay even of you are no going on the trip.

We leave from the church here in Franklin Lakes on Saturday July 1^st and we return on July 8^th.  We do not work on July 4^th; we join in the celebration of the Farmington community.   The cost per person is $350.00 (if that creates a hardship for you please notify me as we have some scholarship money for youth).  We are also asking every team member to sell shares in the trip.  We will be giving everyone some stock shares to sell after the cake auction.

If you know someone who is hoping to go on this trip but does not receive the church’s newsletter, please copy and paste this announcement to them in an email.

Blessings on your preparations,

Pastor Lou and Laura, your trip leaders

Summer Mission Trip to Maine Saturday July 1^st to Saturday July 8th.  Register now.

July 1^st – July 8^th High Mountain Church is once again sponsoring a mission trip.  The trip is under the leadership of Pastor Lou Kilgore.   Laura Peterson and Chris Buckley will be assisting in leadership and co-ordination as we prepare for another year of ministry in Maine. The purpose of the trip is to assist residents of northern Appalachia who are trying to stay in their homes but cannot afford to address many of the bricks and mortar problems that come with independent living.  The families we work with are facing severe challenges of a variety of sorts and we commit to making their homes safer, warmer, and drier.  We build, repair, dig, whatever is needed.  We will be working with a group there call Mission at the Eastward.  It is a Presbyterian mission agency.

There are two aspects of this trip:

1. There is one group that actually takes 8 days of their summer and uses their hands and feet to do the work and build relationships of support with the families. Last year there were 25 who attended. This group is mostly teenagers and young adults and the other adults who help to provide support and encouragement to the youth. This is an intergenerational experience with a priority of the development of the youth.  Adults who attend have the added challenge of relating and engaging in positive ways with teenagers as well as the work they are given to do and taking direction from program directors. The minimum age is 13 for all participants.    If you want to register send an email now to Pastor Lou, revlouie@aol.com or to Chris Buckley, office administrator, chrisbuckley@highmountainpres.org. A fifty dollar deposit is your reservation and it is nonrefundable.  This trip is open to those who are not from our church but space is limited.  Register now.

Adults (please take special notice) you are welcome at any age with the understanding that the week is challenging physically and emotionally and personally. Not everyone is prepared to travel and spend a week with teenagers in a tightly organized schedule under the direction of the trip leaders.  If you are interested in learning more please send an email to pastor Lou at revlouie@aol.com and let him know that you are interested in going. We have only participants, no chaperones and no tourists.  Background checks will be required for all adults.

The cost for the week is $350.00 and that includes most of the meals and lodging at the University of Farmington for the week and the building materials and tools needed to do the work and transportation to Maine. If you are planning to go please let us know now as there are many steps to being ready.  A fifty dollar donation is your reservation for the trip and this is nonrefundable.  Please spread the word.  Priority will be given to church families and members, but this is an open trip.

2. There is another group that supports the trip in prayers and financially. This work begins now with praying for those who are making decisions and getting their plans in order to go. There are fund raising events like a cake auction on Mother’s day at High Mountain Church. Some will make the cakes and some will buy them and together we raise support for this work.  We will offer stock shares which can be purchased in various amounts to support the effort.  The actual cost of the trip is $700 per person and we try to raise $350 in donations in order to make it so everyone can afford to go. We have already raised $1,500 dollars.

Please watch for more news and information. Time will go by very quickly so let’s begin the conversation now if you are thinking about being part of this year’s trip.

Pastor Lou, Mission trip Director.

Book Club at HMPC

The Book Club meets on the 4th Friday of the month and anyone is invited to come and discuss the books.

May 26 – When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

May 26 – Alternative Book: The Two Family House by Linda Cohen Laigman

Prayers & Announcements

Announcements for the Sunday Worship service should be emailed to the church office. If you would like the community to pray with you please call the office at

201-891-0511.

HMPC Sunday Servers: Second Quarter 2017