Hilltopper
Hixson P r e s by t e r i a n C h u r c h
Hilltopper
Vol 46 Issue 4 April 2017
Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum
Church Has Left the Building A Congregational Mobilization fo Hixson Presbyterian to put God’s Love in Action for Our Community. Saturday April 8, 2017 starting at 8:00am
His ways are perfect, and His timing is always perfect! Hope for Little Feet brings you the fourth installment of our series highlighting adoption and orphan care among our congregation. Thomas and Cindy DeMoss share their story of adoption here in the US as well as international adoption. When I look back at nearly four years ago when we adopted Eli and Tabitha, or even seven years ago when we adopted Colin, I realize our journey started much earlier, nearly thirteen years ago. Shortly after Thomas and I married, God began showing each of us our need for a Savior. Thankfully, within the first two years of our marriage, God graciously took two rebels, changed their hearts, and adopted them into His family. Over the next few years, He shifted my whole world view and changed my beliefs and attitudes about marriage, family and career 180 degrees! We went from not wanting to have children, to wanting children but then struggling with unexplained infertility. Continued on page 2
OUR MISSION: to meet the physical needs of those who live around us as well as opening a door to share the Gospel. We will gather Saturday morning at 8:00am for breakfast, prayer and a brief commissioning. Then from 8:50am to 12:00pm we will “leave the building”, traveling to local organizations and join together in service work such as yard work, painting, minor repairs, etc. Please note: there will be a special unit for those unable to do physical activities that will remain at the church for two equally important service activities.
Continued on page 3
“After all, the best things in life don’t usually come easy.” The day after my last infertility test and still having no answers, I contacted Bethany for information on international adoption, because as I had told Thomas “Do you know how long it would take us to adopt a baby in the US? Years!!” Later that evening (it was a Thursday), I received a phone call from a friend who said “you won’t believe what I heard at work today!” She excitedly told me about a birthmother that was looking for an adoptive family for her baby. Since she had also struggled with infertility, I thought she was telling me about her news to adopt. I nearly dropped the phone when she asked if we would be interested and that the baby was due in 5 weeks! Needless to say, we were definitely interested. We met with the birthmother that Saturday, and on Monday, instead of going to our scheduled meeting at Bethany, we were meeting with the lawyer to draw up the paperwork. God surely had a good laugh proving me wrong about how long it would take us to adopt a baby in the States! We hadn’t even started the process yet, and in five short weeks, I stood in the delivery room and watched as our son come into the world!! That was seven years ago on April 2. The Lord had answered our prayers in a mighty and very surprising way!
adopt again, but honestly we were quite content to have been blessed with even one child. It wasn’t that we didn’t want to adopt again, but the thought of starting a lengthy process was daunting. That is, until the day we heard about a little orphanage in Uganda. As we learned about it through the Lusks and heard about the need there, it became very apparent that God was using this opportunity to open our eyes to the harsh realities and overwhelming needs in Uganda and around the world, as well as the many blessings we (as a family, and as Americans) have, and all that we were taking for granted. The Lord began a new work in our hearts and we felt called to adopt again. And once again, we found ourselves in another quick adoption process! Within six months, we were back home from Uganda with not just one, but two more DeMosses, Eli and Tabitha. During those six months, God blew us away time and time again as He took care of all the details (from financing to meeting seemingly impossible deadlines to driving through gridlock traffic to get our visas from the Embassy before they closed so that we could make our flights home). God had brought us full circle to when we had initially looked at international adoption.
Over the next several years, people would often ask if we planned to
The Lord taught us through infertility and both adoptions that
it’s not for us to question the ways of our Lord. His ways are perfect, and His timing is always perfect! He is the one who knows who our children are even before we do, where they are, who they will be born to, who they will become, because He knit them together in their mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13), and He knows every hair on their head (Matt. 10:30)! We firmly believe that God directed our steps (Proverbs 16:9) both times to the path (and child) He had chosen for us.…one who was born in the States, and two who were living halfway around the world. David Platt once said, “It is important to realize we adopt not because we are rescuers. No. We adopt because we are rescued.” That is exactly what we celebrate each year on October 12, our “Family Adoption Day.” It’s a special day of remembering what God has done and rejoicing in our adoptions, not just the children’s adoptions into our family, but also our (Thomas and I) adoptions into God’s family. These children are not only our neighbors, but they are also orphans, the least of these, the needy, the hurt, and the suffering, and God clearly shows us in scripture that we, as believers, are all called to take notice and help Contined on page 3
(see Matt. 25:35-40, James 1:27, Acts 20:35, to name a few). This doesn’t mean everyone is called to adopt, but all are called to help, and the need to take notice and help continues even after a child has found an adoptive family. The sad reality is that all adopted children have suffered some level of loss, grief, and trauma. It’s so easy sometimes to believe their problems are solved now that they are adopted, but our journeys don’t stop once the child is home. Many adopted children struggle with ongoing emotional, educational, developmental, and/or physical needs as well. So please remember any adoptive families you know, not just when they are in the process of bringing their children home, but long after. Pray for them often, because even in the best of situations, the daily struggles vary with the needs
of each child. I say this because I wish I had been more prepared for some of the struggles and spiritual battles we have encountered, or coming face to face with our own selfish hearts as we tried to blend our family together. It is an experience that takes you out of your comfort zone; it will stretch you, and at times, it will amaze you! After all, the best things in life don’t usually come easy. These days, we hear so many different adoption stories from all over, and I’m often reminded that adoption stories are not fairy tales, they are very real, beautiful stories of redemption and healing! It’s in the refiner’s fire, in the grit and determination to overcome our trials, in the surrendering of ourselves, that the Lord reveals His glory.
The Church has Left the Building ministry options Please choose following:
April Showers Bring May Flowers Beyond Our Walls by Loren Watson
our sanctification which follows our justification.
Events that happen cause other things to ensue. Spring is such a time when the world comes alive after a gloomy, cold winter. In the natural world, one thing leads to another. Receiving a good education results in getting a better job. Marriage leads to raising a family. Saving instead of spending helps to assure a better retirement life.
One thing belonging to Christ means is that we are honest in what we say and the vows we make. Every member of Hixson Presbyterian Church has taken a vow “to support the work and worship of the church to the best of your ability”. One of the central works of this congregation is our involvement in Global Outreach. Are we supporting this work of the church in keeping with our vows?
It is also true in the spiritual realm that certain actions result in predictable further behavior. When we are justified by God’s grace, we discover that, by that same grace, we are being sanctified, set apart by Christ to be his. Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus told his disciples “you shall be witnesses in Jerusalem (where they were)..and to the ends of the earth”. This is a part of
April showers do bring May flowers. True obedience to Christ brings us to diligent prayer and generous giving in support of our missionaries and mission agencies. It will also lead more members of the congregation to participate in missions trips as they arise. May the Lord bless us in these efforts.
from
the
1. Make Bracelets for Mission Trips (at Church) 2. Bethel - Window Cleaning and Clothes Sorting 3. Channels of Love - Clean Up and Spruce Up Outdoors 4. Widows Harvest Ministries - Spruce Up and Minor Home Repairs for one of their clients 5. National Memorial for Unborn - Spring Cleaning 6. Helping Families - Spring Cleaning 7. Choices on McCallie Ave Yard Work and Clean Up 8. Choices on Vance Rd - Office Clean and Spruce 9. Packing Children’s Materials for our move (at Church) • Be sure to wear appropriate clothing for your project • Bring tools where needed • Children may participate as well (sorry no nursery) • Breakfast will be provided starting at 8:00am Sign up on the Local Outreach page of the website or after church.
OK, I HEARD HPC HAS A GLOBAL OUTREACH COMMITTEE, BUT…. WHAT IS GLOBAL OUTREACH? “Fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission by proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples and ministering to the spiritual emotional, and physical needs of mankind.” WHY DO WE CARE? The Gospel is good news! The heart of our Father is to seek and save the lost. Just look at / ponder the work of Christ! He’s brought us into His family! We are His Body, so when we look at those around us, we see them with Jesus’ eyes, and minister to them tangibly and spiritually. His passions are ours! BET YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW…. WHAT HAS GOD RECENTLY BEEN BRINGING TO OUR ATTENTION? Two thirds of the world’s population live in the least-evangelized regions called the “10/40 Window”(highlighted below):
WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO? We want to provide encouragement and resources for our brothers and sisters in these regions who are committed to seeing the Lord transform hearts and communities. We want to do it in humility, letting the local church take leadership, avoiding paternalism. We want to avoid creating dependence so that the projects and programs can be carried on and reproduced by those we’re trying to help. HAVE WE STARTED YET? Glad you asked! YES, this year, thanks to your generosity, the HPC GOC approved
Fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission to school nor feed their families well. The church has stepped into that gap and lovingly provides nutrition, education and the message of the Gospel for children who have been abandoned or orphaned or who are from families unable to care for them due to poverty or physical handicap. 3) Refugee School Ministry: Church volunteers teach an ethnic minority group of refugees in schools in internment camps in Southeast Asia - a region where Christianity is misunderstood and resisted.
$4,980 for one-time projects that seek to strengthen the ministries of people in needy and sensitive regions of the 10/40 Window. In 2017 we’ll send these funds to Mission To The World to use for the following projects, which we think closely match the things on the heart of the Lord and His people here at HPC: 1) Cambodia Freedom Project: The local church will be equipped to engage the issues of injustice surrounding sex trafficking and bondage to sexual sin. They’ll be helped to embrace their calling as a disciple-making community bearing
witness to the justice, compassion and love of God. They’ll receive biblical teaching on the justice of God, the dignity of humanity and God’s good design for human sexuality; personal and corporate prayer; service and outreach events; compassionate care for survivors; and partnerships that bridge the gap between the church and anti-trafficking non-profits. 2) Children’s Charity House: Families in this region of Southeast Asia are faced with difficult economic challenges; they can neither afford to send their children
WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? As the Lord provides, we hope to do more of these types of projects in 2018. We hope that as a congregation we can learn more about God’s work, and about the needs and opportunities in this region. Let’s learn together and pray together, and see where God leads!
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” To HPC members and friends, What a blessing to be able to assist those in need as Christ taught us to do! HPC has always made the Good Samaritan Fund a priority for this reason. Thanks to all of you who are able to support this ministry.
1. Summit Counseling Center fees were paid for an HPC member. 2. A church family was helped with mortgage assistance. 3. Our pastors assisted local walkins with small immediate needs.
Good Samaritan Report for February 2017
In total, we were able to assist our friends and family with $1281.11 in February. Contributions for the month totaled $354.63. The balance of this fund is presently $4891.41. Any contributions are appreciated as we strive to make a difference for Christ in our community.
Bethel Food Drive More than 120 meals are prepared for the residents of Bethel Bible Village daily. If Hixson Presbyterian Church can provide some of their staple food items the houseparents can use their food funds to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, meats
and proteins. Lists of needed items and collection barrels will be in the foyer April 9-30 if you are able to help. Thanks!
Youth
What Are They Teaching Those Teenagers? One of the main goals of our Youth Ministry is to boldly teach the truth of the Bible. In our teaching, we always want students to hear the Good News of Jesus and understand that the Bible is authoritative. Youth Mission Trips are Right Around the Corner This time of year is exciting for me, because our Youth Mission Teams are preparing for our Mission Trips! This year, our High School Students are heading to Jamaica (June 3rd – 10th) and our Middle School Students will go to Radius Camp in Opelika, AL (July 17th – 21st). Mission Trips are exciting because I love to observe our students growing in Christ. This is more difficult to see throughout the year. The growth is usually steady and unobservable, much like our physical growth as children. But on a Mission Trip, we often see students’ faith stretched right before our eyes. The hope is that students who go on Mission Trips will return with either a new or renewed vision for God’s global Kingdom work and how they might be a part of it. This is why it’s so important that you participate in sending our students on these Mission Trips! Dinner Auction Fundraiser One way you can help send our students on either the Jamaica
or Alabama Mission Trips is by signing up to host a meal for the Dinner Auction. The Dinner Auction is a Silent Auction Fundraiser where people can “bid” on different meals. The highest bidders will “win” the meal. They get to enjoy a delightful dinner with HPC friends, and our students get the financial support they need to go on these trips. Anyone can participate…you don’t have to be a youth or a parent of a youth! It is a win/win for everyone! But for this to work, we need people to volunteer as hosts who will prepare these meals! If you are interested in hosting, please sign up online by visiting the signs ups page on our website. We will accept sign-ups for hosts up until April 21st. You can host the meal at your home, or wherever else you may choose, sometime between May 8th and August 12th. You can make whatever kind of meal you like...use your imagination! The actual Dinner Auction will be April 23, 30th, and May 7th. Here’s how it works: After the worship services and on Sunday evenings on those dates, we will have all the available dinners
listed on tables. Most will have a starting bid amount listed. You can then bid silently by writing in a dollar amount. Bidding wars are encouraged! Make sure to check back and see if your bid is still the highest! Some dinners will allow for multiple winning bidders. In that case, the highest separate bidders will win. (For example, let’s say the Smiths are hosting a dinner for 8 people. Your family only has 4, and you bid $50 - the highest bid. Another family of 4 bids $45 - the 2nd highest bid. Both bids will win and both families can go to the Smiths’ for dinner). After the worship service on May 7th, the dinner auction will be closed and the highest bidders at that time will win. You will then be notified of your winning bid the following week. Thank you for considering taking part in the dinner auction either as a host, a bidder, or both!
HPC’s Trail Life Troop TN 1967 is now officially chartered!
HPC’s Trail Life Troop (TN1967) is now officially chartered! All interested parents and boys are invited to attend our registration event on Sunday, April 9, in the Fellowship Hall after church. The cost to register is $26. If you are unable to register on that date, contact Jim Swearingen (423-432-0400). The Troop Committee is proud to announce that Jerry Gillis has accepted the position of Trailmaster and will be running the middle school Navigator program. JD Bonner will be leading the elementary school Woodlands program. We are very grateful to have these men on our team. We are recruiting additional adults to assist these leaders. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bob Marlin (423-322-1549) or Jim Swearingen.
The first troop meeting will be Tuesday, May 2, from 6-7:30 pm at the new church pavilion. Trail Life TN1967 will meet on Tuesdays with an adventure activity sometime during the month. The first adventure activity will be May 20. The older boys (grades 4-8) will spend that night camping at the new church property learning basic camping skills: building a fire, cooking, compass orientation and first aid. The younger boys (K-3) will participate in the cookout, some games, and stay through the campfire activities.
On the threshold of moving into our new community, we praise God for this outreach opportunity to reach the next generation for Christ, and we thank the congregation for your ownership and support of this new ministry.
Tentative plans are underway for a Summer Camp Trip to Fall Creek Falls for middle schoolers the week of June 21-25 which will feature camping, hiking, canoeing, cooking, swimming, a ropes/obstacle course and special programs led by the park ranger. The younger boys will come up for the day on June 24.
Walk Worthy.
Your Trail Life TN1967 Troop Committee For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building… For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9,11
Ladies Scripture Prayer Walk Dear Ladies, It is that wonderful time of year to start up the Scripture Prayer Walk ministry. Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Please join us as we enter His presence and have His Spirit fill us and equip us. We will meet at the new HPC location near the pavillion from 8:30-9:30am on Tuesday mornings to walk and pray in groups of two or three. All ladies are welcome.
Volunteer recruitment happening
NOW!
VBS 2017 July 24th-28th Be sure to include HPC’s VBS in your plans this year! This will occur at a time that is key to our introduction into our new community. Even if you have never helped before consider making this year an exception. We really do have a role for everyone! Let us know of your interest by using this tear-off or on the VBS table in the foyer. Stop by the table to see the extensive list of the areas where we will need your help. I’m praying about how you can fill a need and be the front door of our church!
Please call (to confirm) Marcia Swearingen 423-432-5794 or Denise Jennings 423-531-2278.
Birthdays 1 - Lily Hamblen & Thomas DeMoss 2 - Darlene Johnson & Colin DeMoss 3 - Robby Ryder 4 - Jennifer Bennett 5 - Richard Isbell & Aline Mailloux 6 - Nathaniel Bennett 7 - Carol Hansen 9 – Sophie Ball 10 - Kinsey Entrekin & Jim Swearingen 12 - Virginia Garrison 13 - Nancy Yeager 14 - Zachary Mahoney Jr.& Dee Weese 15 - Melanie Frazey
16 - Eileen Broadwater, Kate Dishmon, Elizabeth Johnson, Thomas Mayberry II, Aiden Payne & Conner Sharp 19 - LaDasha Shelhamer 21 - AJ McAfee 23 - David Ryder 24 - Kurt Chambless 26 - Gini Herron, Faith Isbell & Bo Wheeler 27 - Meredith Bennett, Bonnie Hood, Karen Sizemore 28 - Teresa Ruiz 29 - Jessie Hamblen & Don Shelhamer 30 - Roxann Cimo & John Edward Napier
Anniversaries 2 - Nathan & Jill Wooten 4 - Richard & Sue Isbell 5 - Thomas & Cindy DeMoss 6 - Scott & Erin Meyer 8 - David & Elisa Loftin 10 - Stuart & Ruth Holladay 12 - Jerry & Alisa Gillis 15 - Jim & Janet Halabrin
18 - Tom & Mary Mayberry 24 - Derek & Jennifer Ball and Rick & Bonnie Hood 26 - Mike & Liz Weaver 27 - Art & Kathy Higley and Ray & Valerie Farris *Those in Italics are our missionaries.
Hilltopper
Vol 46 Issue 4 April 2017
Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum
Church Has Left the Building A Congregational Mobilization fo Hixson Presbyterian to put God’s Love in Action for Our Community. Saturday April 8, 2017 starting at 8:00am
His ways are perfect, and His timing is always perfect! Hope for Little Feet brings you the fourth installment of our series highlighting adoption and orphan care among our congregation. Thomas and Cindy DeMoss share their story of adoption here in the US as well as international adoption. When I look back at nearly four years ago when we adopted Eli and Tabitha, or even seven years ago when we adopted Colin, I realize our journey started much earlier, nearly thirteen years ago. Shortly after Thomas and I married, God began showing each of us our need for a Savior. Thankfully, within the first two years of our marriage, God graciously took two rebels, changed their hearts, and adopted them into His family. Over the next few years, He shifted my whole world view and changed my beliefs and attitudes about marriage, family and career 180 degrees! We went from not wanting to have children, to wanting children but then struggling with unexplained infertility. Continued on page 2
OUR MISSION: to meet the physical needs of those who live around us as well as opening a door to share the Gospel. We will gather Saturday morning at 8:00am for breakfast, prayer and a brief commissioning. Then from 8:50am to 12:00pm we will “leave the building”, traveling to local organizations and join together in service work such as yard work, painting, minor repairs, etc. Please note: there will be a special unit for those unable to do physical activities that will remain at the church for two equally important service activities.
Continued on page 3
“After all, the best things in life don’t usually come easy.” The day after my last infertility test and still having no answers, I contacted Bethany for information on international adoption, because as I had told Thomas “Do you know how long it would take us to adopt a baby in the US? Years!!” Later that evening (it was a Thursday), I received a phone call from a friend who said “you won’t believe what I heard at work today!” She excitedly told me about a birthmother that was looking for an adoptive family for her baby. Since she had also struggled with infertility, I thought she was telling me about her news to adopt. I nearly dropped the phone when she asked if we would be interested and that the baby was due in 5 weeks! Needless to say, we were definitely interested. We met with the birthmother that Saturday, and on Monday, instead of going to our scheduled meeting at Bethany, we were meeting with the lawyer to draw up the paperwork. God surely had a good laugh proving me wrong about how long it would take us to adopt a baby in the States! We hadn’t even started the process yet, and in five short weeks, I stood in the delivery room and watched as our son come into the world!! That was seven years ago on April 2. The Lord had answered our prayers in a mighty and very surprising way!
adopt again, but honestly we were quite content to have been blessed with even one child. It wasn’t that we didn’t want to adopt again, but the thought of starting a lengthy process was daunting. That is, until the day we heard about a little orphanage in Uganda. As we learned about it through the Lusks and heard about the need there, it became very apparent that God was using this opportunity to open our eyes to the harsh realities and overwhelming needs in Uganda and around the world, as well as the many blessings we (as a family, and as Americans) have, and all that we were taking for granted. The Lord began a new work in our hearts and we felt called to adopt again. And once again, we found ourselves in another quick adoption process! Within six months, we were back home from Uganda with not just one, but two more DeMosses, Eli and Tabitha. During those six months, God blew us away time and time again as He took care of all the details (from financing to meeting seemingly impossible deadlines to driving through gridlock traffic to get our visas from the Embassy before they closed so that we could make our flights home). God had brought us full circle to when we had initially looked at international adoption.
Over the next several years, people would often ask if we planned to
The Lord taught us through infertility and both adoptions that
it’s not for us to question the ways of our Lord. His ways are perfect, and His timing is always perfect! He is the one who knows who our children are even before we do, where they are, who they will be born to, who they will become, because He knit them together in their mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13), and He knows every hair on their head (Matt. 10:30)! We firmly believe that God directed our steps (Proverbs 16:9) both times to the path (and child) He had chosen for us.…one who was born in the States, and two who were living halfway around the world. David Platt once said, “It is important to realize we adopt not because we are rescuers. No. We adopt because we are rescued.” That is exactly what we celebrate each year on October 12, our “Family Adoption Day.” It’s a special day of remembering what God has done and rejoicing in our adoptions, not just the children’s adoptions into our family, but also our (Thomas and I) adoptions into God’s family. These children are not only our neighbors, but they are also orphans, the least of these, the needy, the hurt, and the suffering, and God clearly shows us in scripture that we, as believers, are all called to take notice and help Contined on page 3
(see Matt. 25:35-40, James 1:27, Acts 20:35, to name a few). This doesn’t mean everyone is called to adopt, but all are called to help, and the need to take notice and help continues even after a child has found an adoptive family. The sad reality is that all adopted children have suffered some level of loss, grief, and trauma. It’s so easy sometimes to believe their problems are solved now that they are adopted, but our journeys don’t stop once the child is home. Many adopted children struggle with ongoing emotional, educational, developmental, and/or physical needs as well. So please remember any adoptive families you know, not just when they are in the process of bringing their children home, but long after. Pray for them often, because even in the best of situations, the daily struggles vary with the needs
of each child. I say this because I wish I had been more prepared for some of the struggles and spiritual battles we have encountered, or coming face to face with our own selfish hearts as we tried to blend our family together. It is an experience that takes you out of your comfort zone; it will stretch you, and at times, it will amaze you! After all, the best things in life don’t usually come easy. These days, we hear so many different adoption stories from all over, and I’m often reminded that adoption stories are not fairy tales, they are very real, beautiful stories of redemption and healing! It’s in the refiner’s fire, in the grit and determination to overcome our trials, in the surrendering of ourselves, that the Lord reveals His glory.
The Church has Left the Building ministry options Please choose following:
April Showers Bring May Flowers Beyond Our Walls by Loren Watson
our sanctification which follows our justification.
Events that happen cause other things to ensue. Spring is such a time when the world comes alive after a gloomy, cold winter. In the natural world, one thing leads to another. Receiving a good education results in getting a better job. Marriage leads to raising a family. Saving instead of spending helps to assure a better retirement life.
One thing belonging to Christ means is that we are honest in what we say and the vows we make. Every member of Hixson Presbyterian Church has taken a vow “to support the work and worship of the church to the best of your ability”. One of the central works of this congregation is our involvement in Global Outreach. Are we supporting this work of the church in keeping with our vows?
It is also true in the spiritual realm that certain actions result in predictable further behavior. When we are justified by God’s grace, we discover that, by that same grace, we are being sanctified, set apart by Christ to be his. Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus told his disciples “you shall be witnesses in Jerusalem (where they were)..and to the ends of the earth”. This is a part of
April showers do bring May flowers. True obedience to Christ brings us to diligent prayer and generous giving in support of our missionaries and mission agencies. It will also lead more members of the congregation to participate in missions trips as they arise. May the Lord bless us in these efforts.
from
the
1. Make Bracelets for Mission Trips (at Church) 2. Bethel - Window Cleaning and Clothes Sorting 3. Channels of Love - Clean Up and Spruce Up Outdoors 4. Widows Harvest Ministries - Spruce Up and Minor Home Repairs for one of their clients 5. National Memorial for Unborn - Spring Cleaning 6. Helping Families - Spring Cleaning 7. Choices on McCallie Ave Yard Work and Clean Up 8. Choices on Vance Rd - Office Clean and Spruce 9. Packing Children’s Materials for our move (at Church) • Be sure to wear appropriate clothing for your project • Bring tools where needed • Children may participate as well (sorry no nursery) • Breakfast will be provided starting at 8:00am Sign up on the Local Outreach page of the website or after church.
OK, I HEARD HPC HAS A GLOBAL OUTREACH COMMITTEE, BUT…. WHAT IS GLOBAL OUTREACH? “Fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission by proclaiming the Gospel, making disciples and ministering to the spiritual emotional, and physical needs of mankind.” WHY DO WE CARE? The Gospel is good news! The heart of our Father is to seek and save the lost. Just look at / ponder the work of Christ! He’s brought us into His family! We are His Body, so when we look at those around us, we see them with Jesus’ eyes, and minister to them tangibly and spiritually. His passions are ours! BET YOU’D LIKE TO KNOW…. WHAT HAS GOD RECENTLY BEEN BRINGING TO OUR ATTENTION? Two thirds of the world’s population live in the least-evangelized regions called the “10/40 Window”(highlighted below):
WHAT DO WE WANT TO DO? We want to provide encouragement and resources for our brothers and sisters in these regions who are committed to seeing the Lord transform hearts and communities. We want to do it in humility, letting the local church take leadership, avoiding paternalism. We want to avoid creating dependence so that the projects and programs can be carried on and reproduced by those we’re trying to help. HAVE WE STARTED YET? Glad you asked! YES, this year, thanks to your generosity, the HPC GOC approved
Fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission to school nor feed their families well. The church has stepped into that gap and lovingly provides nutrition, education and the message of the Gospel for children who have been abandoned or orphaned or who are from families unable to care for them due to poverty or physical handicap. 3) Refugee School Ministry: Church volunteers teach an ethnic minority group of refugees in schools in internment camps in Southeast Asia - a region where Christianity is misunderstood and resisted.
$4,980 for one-time projects that seek to strengthen the ministries of people in needy and sensitive regions of the 10/40 Window. In 2017 we’ll send these funds to Mission To The World to use for the following projects, which we think closely match the things on the heart of the Lord and His people here at HPC: 1) Cambodia Freedom Project: The local church will be equipped to engage the issues of injustice surrounding sex trafficking and bondage to sexual sin. They’ll be helped to embrace their calling as a disciple-making community bearing
witness to the justice, compassion and love of God. They’ll receive biblical teaching on the justice of God, the dignity of humanity and God’s good design for human sexuality; personal and corporate prayer; service and outreach events; compassionate care for survivors; and partnerships that bridge the gap between the church and anti-trafficking non-profits. 2) Children’s Charity House: Families in this region of Southeast Asia are faced with difficult economic challenges; they can neither afford to send their children
WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE? As the Lord provides, we hope to do more of these types of projects in 2018. We hope that as a congregation we can learn more about God’s work, and about the needs and opportunities in this region. Let’s learn together and pray together, and see where God leads!
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” To HPC members and friends, What a blessing to be able to assist those in need as Christ taught us to do! HPC has always made the Good Samaritan Fund a priority for this reason. Thanks to all of you who are able to support this ministry.
1. Summit Counseling Center fees were paid for an HPC member. 2. A church family was helped with mortgage assistance. 3. Our pastors assisted local walkins with small immediate needs.
Good Samaritan Report for February 2017
In total, we were able to assist our friends and family with $1281.11 in February. Contributions for the month totaled $354.63. The balance of this fund is presently $4891.41. Any contributions are appreciated as we strive to make a difference for Christ in our community.
Bethel Food Drive More than 120 meals are prepared for the residents of Bethel Bible Village daily. If Hixson Presbyterian Church can provide some of their staple food items the houseparents can use their food funds to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables, milk and dairy products, meats
and proteins. Lists of needed items and collection barrels will be in the foyer April 9-30 if you are able to help. Thanks!
Youth
What Are They Teaching Those Teenagers? One of the main goals of our Youth Ministry is to boldly teach the truth of the Bible. In our teaching, we always want students to hear the Good News of Jesus and understand that the Bible is authoritative. Youth Mission Trips are Right Around the Corner This time of year is exciting for me, because our Youth Mission Teams are preparing for our Mission Trips! This year, our High School Students are heading to Jamaica (June 3rd – 10th) and our Middle School Students will go to Radius Camp in Opelika, AL (July 17th – 21st). Mission Trips are exciting because I love to observe our students growing in Christ. This is more difficult to see throughout the year. The growth is usually steady and unobservable, much like our physical growth as children. But on a Mission Trip, we often see students’ faith stretched right before our eyes. The hope is that students who go on Mission Trips will return with either a new or renewed vision for God’s global Kingdom work and how they might be a part of it. This is why it’s so important that you participate in sending our students on these Mission Trips! Dinner Auction Fundraiser One way you can help send our students on either the Jamaica
or Alabama Mission Trips is by signing up to host a meal for the Dinner Auction. The Dinner Auction is a Silent Auction Fundraiser where people can “bid” on different meals. The highest bidders will “win” the meal. They get to enjoy a delightful dinner with HPC friends, and our students get the financial support they need to go on these trips. Anyone can participate…you don’t have to be a youth or a parent of a youth! It is a win/win for everyone! But for this to work, we need people to volunteer as hosts who will prepare these meals! If you are interested in hosting, please sign up online by visiting the signs ups page on our website. We will accept sign-ups for hosts up until April 21st. You can host the meal at your home, or wherever else you may choose, sometime between May 8th and August 12th. You can make whatever kind of meal you like...use your imagination! The actual Dinner Auction will be April 23, 30th, and May 7th. Here’s how it works: After the worship services and on Sunday evenings on those dates, we will have all the available dinners
listed on tables. Most will have a starting bid amount listed. You can then bid silently by writing in a dollar amount. Bidding wars are encouraged! Make sure to check back and see if your bid is still the highest! Some dinners will allow for multiple winning bidders. In that case, the highest separate bidders will win. (For example, let’s say the Smiths are hosting a dinner for 8 people. Your family only has 4, and you bid $50 - the highest bid. Another family of 4 bids $45 - the 2nd highest bid. Both bids will win and both families can go to the Smiths’ for dinner). After the worship service on May 7th, the dinner auction will be closed and the highest bidders at that time will win. You will then be notified of your winning bid the following week. Thank you for considering taking part in the dinner auction either as a host, a bidder, or both!
HPC’s Trail Life Troop TN 1967 is now officially chartered!
HPC’s Trail Life Troop (TN1967) is now officially chartered! All interested parents and boys are invited to attend our registration event on Sunday, April 9, in the Fellowship Hall after church. The cost to register is $26. If you are unable to register on that date, contact Jim Swearingen (423-432-0400). The Troop Committee is proud to announce that Jerry Gillis has accepted the position of Trailmaster and will be running the middle school Navigator program. JD Bonner will be leading the elementary school Woodlands program. We are very grateful to have these men on our team. We are recruiting additional adults to assist these leaders. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bob Marlin (423-322-1549) or Jim Swearingen.
The first troop meeting will be Tuesday, May 2, from 6-7:30 pm at the new church pavilion. Trail Life TN1967 will meet on Tuesdays with an adventure activity sometime during the month. The first adventure activity will be May 20. The older boys (grades 4-8) will spend that night camping at the new church property learning basic camping skills: building a fire, cooking, compass orientation and first aid. The younger boys (K-3) will participate in the cookout, some games, and stay through the campfire activities.
On the threshold of moving into our new community, we praise God for this outreach opportunity to reach the next generation for Christ, and we thank the congregation for your ownership and support of this new ministry.
Tentative plans are underway for a Summer Camp Trip to Fall Creek Falls for middle schoolers the week of June 21-25 which will feature camping, hiking, canoeing, cooking, swimming, a ropes/obstacle course and special programs led by the park ranger. The younger boys will come up for the day on June 24.
Walk Worthy.
Your Trail Life TN1967 Troop Committee For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building… For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:9,11
Ladies Scripture Prayer Walk Dear Ladies, It is that wonderful time of year to start up the Scripture Prayer Walk ministry. Psalm 46:10-11 says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Please join us as we enter His presence and have His Spirit fill us and equip us. We will meet at the new HPC location near the pavillion from 8:30-9:30am on Tuesday mornings to walk and pray in groups of two or three. All ladies are welcome.
Volunteer recruitment happening
NOW!
VBS 2017 July 24th-28th Be sure to include HPC’s VBS in your plans this year! This will occur at a time that is key to our introduction into our new community. Even if you have never helped before consider making this year an exception. We really do have a role for everyone! Let us know of your interest by using this tear-off or on the VBS table in the foyer. Stop by the table to see the extensive list of the areas where we will need your help. I’m praying about how you can fill a need and be the front door of our church!
Please call (to confirm) Marcia Swearingen 423-432-5794 or Denise Jennings 423-531-2278.
Birthdays 1 - Lily Hamblen & Thomas DeMoss 2 - Darlene Johnson & Colin DeMoss 3 - Robby Ryder 4 - Jennifer Bennett 5 - Richard Isbell & Aline Mailloux 6 - Nathaniel Bennett 7 - Carol Hansen 9 – Sophie Ball 10 - Kinsey Entrekin & Jim Swearingen 12 - Virginia Garrison 13 - Nancy Yeager 14 - Zachary Mahoney Jr.& Dee Weese 15 - Melanie Frazey
16 - Eileen Broadwater, Kate Dishmon, Elizabeth Johnson, Thomas Mayberry II, Aiden Payne & Conner Sharp 19 - LaDasha Shelhamer 21 - AJ McAfee 23 - David Ryder 24 - Kurt Chambless 26 - Gini Herron, Faith Isbell & Bo Wheeler 27 - Meredith Bennett, Bonnie Hood, Karen Sizemore 28 - Teresa Ruiz 29 - Jessie Hamblen & Don Shelhamer 30 - Roxann Cimo & John Edward Napier
Anniversaries 2 - Nathan & Jill Wooten 4 - Richard & Sue Isbell 5 - Thomas & Cindy DeMoss 6 - Scott & Erin Meyer 8 - David & Elisa Loftin 10 - Stuart & Ruth Holladay 12 - Jerry & Alisa Gillis 15 - Jim & Janet Halabrin
18 - Tom & Mary Mayberry 24 - Derek & Jennifer Ball and Rick & Bonnie Hood 26 - Mike & Liz Weaver 27 - Art & Kathy Higley and Ray & Valerie Farris *Those in Italics are our missionaries.
