Welcome to Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, a place to deepen faith, proclaim peace, embrace community, welcome others, and serve our neighbor, in the compassionate spirit of Jesus!
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
—Matthew 5:9
Highland Avenue is part of the denomination of the Church of the Brethren, an historic peace church conscientiously opposed to all war and intentional about peacemaking and reconciliation. Please join us as we praise and worship God and strive to continue the work of Jesus. We welcome and affirm diversity and celebrate the unity that comes in Jesus Christ.
Weekly Meditation
“A revolution of hope makes radical demands of us. It requires us to learn new skills and habits and capacities: the skills of a new way of seeing, the habits of a new way of thinking, the capacities of a new way of living…It is not a new system of belief patched into an old way of life; it is a new way of life that changes everything.”
~Brian McLaren, Everything Must Change
Announcements
The 2¢ a Meal special offering for the Global Food Crisis Fund will be taken today. All are welcome to bring spare change up to the special jars during the offering.
Becoming a Welcoming Church. Our special adult education class resumes today with a discussion between Dave Gibble, David Doudt, and Leon Miller about 'Welcoming those who Hunger and Thirst.' On February 14, we will focus on welcoming gay & lesbian Christians.
"For the Bible Tells Me So." Join us for a special screening on February 14 at 1pm in the Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be provided. This critically acclaimed documentary traces the experiences of religious families with gay and lesbian members. All are welcome for this important film and discussion.
Report from Palestine. After Common Meal this week (Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 in the Fellowship Hall), Tana Durnbaugh will present an account of her recent travels to Israel and Palestine, offering perspective on the political situation and peacemaking possibilities. Child care is provided.
Following the service next Sunday, February 14, there will be a short Congregational Business Meeting in the sanctuary. The only item of business will be to discuss and act upon the proposed Pastor-in Residence Sabbatical for Pastor Joel during the fall semester at Bethany Seminary. We hope that all will be able to stay for this brief meeting. We will necessarily have to delay the start of Sunday School classes for approximately 15 minutes.
A meditative Ash Wednesday service will be held at 8:30 am on February 17 in the sanctuary. Lent devotionals are now available in the narthex.
Resource Room Reorganization. The Church Board has asked the Building and Properties Ministry Group to reevaluate and reorganize the usage of the "Resource Room" on the third floor. The process will take several weeks and those individuals or groups currently using this room are urged to get in touch with Jon Heggen to discuss potential changes.
Thank you so very much to all who gave money for Haiti Hygiene Kits, brought supplies, and donated finished kits. Special thanks go to the many children and adults who helped assemble - we packed 389 kits! Each one is deeply appreciated by people who have been affected by disaster. The kits have been loaded on the truck to go to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, MD. We continue to collect money to help defray the cost of processing and shipping kits to Haiti or other destinations in need. Thanks!
Next Sunday
Feb. 07 - 5th Sunday after Epiphany
9:30am: Worship/2 Cent a Meal offering
Scripture: 1 Cor. 9:20-27; 2 Tim. 2:3-6
Sermon: An Athletic Gospel
Pastor Audrey preaching
10:30am: Fellowship Time
10:50am: Sunday school for children & adults
11:45 am: Children's Choir (Primary Room)