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.
“The Christian life is not primarily about believing the right things or even about being good. The Christian life is about being in a relationship with God that transforms us into more and more compassionate beings, into the likeness of Christ.”
—Marcus Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time
Announcements
In celebration of Mother’s Day, all children will be given a flower May 12 after worship to take home and plant in their garden. Flowers were donated by E. Miner and potted by S. LeCount.
The Polo Growing Project kicks off today with our annual plot sponsorship sign up chart found in the narthex (60 half acre plots are available for $25 each). We partner again this year with Polo and Dixon CoB, along with Faith Presbyterian in Tinley Park. $244,000 has been raised over the past 8 years to help small farmers in impoverished countries develop sustainable agriculture.
Blue Mugs! Fellowship Time can be awkward, especially for newcomers. Standing around wanting to chat with someone but don’t know anybody? Grab a blue mug off the table to say you’re new and you’d like to get acquainted with others (everybody else – look for those blue mugs and make a new friend!)
The Middler Sunday school class is having a bake sale fundraiser May 12 during fellowship time in the Fellowship Hall. This year, the children have chosen to support Children’s Disaster Services and Free the Children (an international program that battles poverty and slavery).
The last Common Meal for the season is May 22. Please come at 5:45 pm and enjoy a deliciously simple meal, followed by a special presentation from P. Lehman on her recent Cultural Connection trip to India.
The Manchester University A Cappella Choir will be singing for our worship service on Sunday, May 26. Housing is needed for around 30 students the evening of Saturday, May 25. Please contact D. Noffsinger or J. Nolen if you could host a student or two. We’ll also share in a potluck meal with the choir after worship on Sunday. Please bring a vegetable, salad or dessert, plus an extra dish to share with our guests; the church will provide the main dish. Our own C. Noffsinger, now a student at Manchester, will be singing in the choir!
Highland Highlights articles are due May 25 – please email your items to highlights_news@ yahoo.com or place them in the Highlights narthex mailbox.
Deacons for May are D. and P. Dulabaum.
NEXT SUNDAY, May 05, Sixth Sunday of Easter
- 9:30 am Worship
- Scripture: John 5: 1-18
- Sermon: “Learning and Unlearning”; Pastor Joel preaching
- 10:30 am Fellowship Time (downstairs)
- 11 am Sunday school for kids/adults
- 11:45 am Children’s Choir rehearsal (Primary Room)