MARCH/april 2014 Issue No.6
Highlander Concert Series
Sunday Mornings Worship Services Communion Service Wynne Chapel 8:15 am
Friday, April 18, 12 pm | Good Friday Performance No reservations or tickets are necessary Child Care is available
hppc.org/highlanderconcerts
Sanctuary Services 9:30 & 11 am
Contemporary Service Gym (Hunt Bldg 3rd floor)
11:05 am
All Nations Service Bell Center
(Basement of Alexander Bldg)
11 am
Chinese-Mandarin Service H018 11 am *Child Care is provided 8 am–1:30 pm
The Core 4
Sunday Morning Communities Children & Youth hppc.org/sundaysforchildrenyouth
Adults hppc.org/classescommunities
Building Blocks for Life as a Disciple of Jesus Christ To learn more about the Core 4:
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
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hppc.org/core4
Page 11 | A special day in elementary Sunday School
Featured on the cover: Heather Sall and her daughter, Sierra, attended the JAM56 Mother
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pastor editorial by Rev. Joe Rightmyer
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LENTen season Lent Demystified by Charlie Dunn
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Children’s ministry Heavenly Helpers
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Photos Life at HPPC
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Global IMpact All Around the World
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HPPC CALendar Daily Events
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HPPC Calendar Recurring Events
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member spotlight Caroline Krause
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Grow in christ Death to Life by Laura Murray
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Photos Life at HPPC
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parish news
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urban missionS Greater Dallas Movement Day
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music Choir Serves at Amelia Earhart Learning Center
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parish news New Members
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Missionary Focus Jan and Scott Luley
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Outreach Modern Day Slavery
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Worship in spirit and in truth by Dr. Greg Hobbs
Daughter Retreat in February.
Periodicals Postage Pending at Dallas, TX
Connect Magazine is published bi-monthly by Highland Park Presbyterian Church 3821 University Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75205
Postmaster: Send address change to Connect Magazine 3821 University Blvd. Dallas, Texas 75205
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The Story Is Not In Vain The significance of Easter is both
personal and public. Sanctuaries are full on Easter Sunday in recognition of this momentous event that transforms individual lives and human history. Easter is the pinnacle of the Christian faith and has greatly impacted non-Christian traditions far more than most people may realize.
rev. joe rightmyer Interim Senior Pastor
Easter is the celebration of the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the opportunity for believers all around the world to say afresh what we believe; that Jesus “was crucified, dead, and buried, and on the third day rose again from the dead.” We might be tempted to say that everybody knows that. But we would be very wrong. As a church we celebrate the growing proof of our faith, but even church members in times past and present as well as outsiders have been found to question the event. Some early, first-century Christians in Corinth were having trouble believing the testimony of the apostles, so the Apostle Paul wrote a very insightful letter. In it he penned, “if Christ has not been raised, then...”
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead!
– 1 Corinthians 15:20
Can you fill in the blank? Paul’s letter is extensive in his explanation of all that is forfeited if the resurrection of Jesus is not true. He cites that we preachers are engaged in an exercise of vanity by preparing and delivering sermons every week. He says those who believe the message have a faith that is vain (empty). Furthermore, if Christ is not raised then we are misrepresenting God, misleading people with a false testimony about eternal life, guiding people into a false hope, and we all are to be pitied! However, Paul continues his writing with this bold proclamation: But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead! –1 Corinthians 15:20
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People witnessed his death and resurrection. The Holy Spirit was given on Pentecost as a gift from heaven confirming that Christ is risen. God’s Spirit bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. In resurrection power our lives are transformed. Calendars of believers and non-believers alike changed their dating to reflect time ‘before Christ’ and ‘after Christ.’ Thus, the Church celebrates! We spend the necessary time preparing for a proper observance, going through Lent in a spirit of repentance and renewal. We walk with Christ through His week of passion between Palm Sunday and Easter. We come to table with Him on Maundy Thursday as He reinterprets the Passover Feast in light of His body and blood. We mourn our sins that “caused His pain” on Good Friday. On Easter Sunday, in a grand and glorious fashion, we pull out all the stops on the church organ and we further supplement with brass instruments. We sing, “Christ the Lord is risen today” from the bottom of our hearts. We pack the church to overflowing. We commit to living our lives in the power of the resurrection to the glory of God as disciples of Jesus Christ! As a preacher, I am glad that telling the story is not in vain. By the testimony of the following pages of this issue of Connect, I know your witness to the Resurrection is also filled with meaning and hope. Why? Because “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”
(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) | AP
Uncovering the truth about
June 9–13 hppc.org/vbs
bonded labor. forced labor. sex trafficking.
Wednesday–Sunday March 19–23
A 9-Part Sermon Series | Ash Wednesday, March 5 – Easter Sunday, April 20 5
Lent Demystified Why These Five Lenten Days Draw Us Nearer to the Cross Presbyterians have not always celebrated Lent. In fact, not until the last century did Presbyterians
embrace the church liturgical calendar at all, including Christmas and Easter! While this may seem radical to us today, it is a position deeply rooted in our theological tradition. As the Reformers looked “back to the sources” of Scripture, they questioned the Roman Catholic worldview that would consecrate holy days, orders, and rituals when the God of the Bible consecrates all of life to His worship and service. As Martin Luther put it in his first thesis, “When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said ‘Repent,’ He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance,” not just a particular day or season. Charlie Dunn Pastoral Resident
Nevertheless, in recent years, Presbyterians have come to embrace the traditions of the liturgical calendar, including the Season of Lent. After all, rituals and traditions can be very beneficial. God may use them to form us as His people, so long as we understand and affirm the meaning embedded in their practice. When our beliefs and practices converge, the celebration of Lent and Easter can powerfully remind us of the redemption unleashed in Jesus’ cross and resurrection – a redemption that continues to break into our lives today.
Demystified: Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, which lasts forty-six calendar days until Easter. It is so named for the ashes, which are applied to the worshiper’s forehead in the shape of a cross. Throughout the Scriptures, ashes or dust symbolize mortality (Genesis 18:27), mourning (Esther 4:3), judgment (Lamentations 3:16) and repentance (John 3:6). Consider one example from the Book of Daniel:
Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession. –Daniel 9:3-4a When we receive the ashen cross on our forehead (the imposition), we internalize this threefold meaning: 1) we acknowledge that we are sinners deserving of judgment and death; 2) we renew our commitment to daily mourn our sin and turn to God in repentance; 3) we remember with gratitude and confidence that Jesus has conquered our sin and death on the cross. We engage in this ritual not to somehow pay for our sins or earn God’s forgiveness – Jesus has fully paid for our sins so that we are forgiven once and for all – but to tangibly remember that we are sinners in need of the sufficient salvation that God has provided in Jesus Christ. For in Christ, we are assured that though we should return to dust and be scattered as ashes, God will restore and resurrect us with bodies fit for an eternity with Him.
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P rayer Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! –Psalm 139:23-24
Sc ri ptu re For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. –Romans 3:23-25a
Pa rt ic i pat e
Ash Wednesday Services | March 5 Wynne Chapel – 12 pm ◆ Lent Dinner & Discussion in Elliott Hall – 5:30 pm ◆ Sanctuary – 6:30 pm
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LENTen season
Demystified: Palm Sunday Contrary to popular perception, Jesus did not choose to
ride a donkey on Palm Sunday as a symbol of humility. In the Ancient Near East, the donkey, not the horse, was considered the more regal ride. We see this attested all throughout the Old Testament (e.g. Judges 10:4, 2 Samuel 16:2, 1 Kings 1:38) and in particular in Zechariah’s prophetic expectation of the coming king: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey. –Zechariah 9:9 So, when Jesus rode a donkey into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the message was clear. He was declaring that He was the long-awaited Messianic king, who would inaugurate God’s kingdom rule upon the earth. And the crowds picked up the message! In the custom of their day, they spread their cloaks before Jesus’ path, laid palm branches in the streets, (a symbol of triumph) and shouted, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38) Yet doesn’t Zechariah say that the Messiah would be “humble and mounted on a donkey?” If the donkey itself does not explain this humility, what does? For this, we need to look both backward and forward in the story. King David rode into Jerusalem on a donkey – having restored his kingship after his son Absalom’s revolt – triumphant and yet humbly afflicted over the death of his son (2 Samuel 13-20). Similar to King David, Jesus also rides into Jerusalem in both triumph and humble affliction. The means by which He announces His kingdom – the donkey – is not a symbol of humility. However, the means by which He would establish his kingdom – a cursed cross – is indeed. He would bear the punishment for our royal treason so that we might be welcomed into his royal reign.
And so on Palm Sunday, we lay down palm branches with the crowds and shout “Hosanna” to the king. Yet we have reason to shout all the louder! For this king was willing to take up his crown by first going through the humble affliction of the cross.
P rayer Lord Jesus we join the crowds in rejoicing that you have come to us as our king. And yet we rejoice all the louder, for we know the great cost of our redemption. May your cross fill us with gratitude as we wait with hope for the fullness of your kingdom.
Sc ri ptu re And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” –Mark 11:8-10
Pa rt ic i pat e
Palm Sunday Services | April 13 ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
Wynne Chapel – 8:15 am Sanctuary – 9:30 am and 11 am All Nations in Bell Center – 11 am 1105 Contemporary Service in Gym – 11:05 am All Church Picnic on the Front Lawn – 12 pm
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LENTen season
Demystified: Maundy Thursday The title for this holy day may initially seem somewhat
confusing. What is Maundy Thursday? Is it a summary way to celebrate the first four days of Holy Week in one fell swoop, i.e. The title sounds like Monday through Thursday? The Latin etymology is helpful here. Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning mandate or command. The day is then called Maundy Thursday because on the night of his betrayal and just before his death, Jesus gave his disciples a new command: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. –John 13:34-35 We may rightly ask then, what is so new about this command? Didn’t the Old Testament already instruct God’s people to love their neighbors as themselves (Leviticus 19:18)? Didn’t Jesus himself sum up all of the Old Testament law under the commands to love God and to love one’s neighbor? In what sense then is Jesus’ command really new? The novelty in Jesus’ Maundy Thursday command lies not in the exhortation itself but in the depth of love, which Jesus exhibited in the hours to come. During the meal, Jesus introduced two real-life examples of sacrificial love in that upper room. He washed his disciples’ feet, a unmistakable example of sacrificial, servant love. And then He introduced what we know now as The Lord’s Supper – a sacrament for us to do regularly to remember His ultimate sacrifice of His body and blood for our redemption. Shortly after that final meal, Jesus would be betrayed, mocked, scourged, falsely convicted, and crucified for your sin and mine. In this, Jesus demonstrated the extent of his love. “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good
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person one would dare even to die – but God shows his love for us in this that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8) Do you believe that Jesus loved you in this costly, selfsacrificial way? Do you marvel that he was willing to lay down his life in order that you might live with Him? Only to the extent to which we appreciate and experience Jesus’ love for us will we be empowered to carry out the new mandatum, which He has given.
P rayer Lord Jesus, you showed us what it means to love, as you stretched out your arms upon the cross for us. Empowered by that love, enable us in turn to stretch out our arms in love toward others.
Sc ri ptu re In this the love of God was manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. –1 John 4:9-11
Pa rt ic i pat e
Holy Week Daily Chapels April 14-17 ◆
Wynne Chapel 12 pm
Maundy Thursday Communion Service April 17 ◆
Sanctuary – 7 pm
LENTen season
Demystified: Good Friday Good Friday seems like the ultimate understatement
of a name. What a bland and neutral title for what is simultaneously the most horrific and yet holy day the world has ever known. It is a day that brings pardon through condemnation, blessing through cursing, and life through death. For the disciples who experienced this day, there was no paradox – only darkness. It seemed the greatest injustice that could ever be committed. Here was a man who in his whole life had cheated no one. He lied to no one. He insulted no one. He was never motivated by pride, or lust, or envy. He cast out demons. He welcomed little children. He loved the poor. He lifted up women. He poured his life into twelve men. He gave the blind sight. He let the lame walk. He gave new flesh to lepers. He brought the dead back to life. Truly, if anyone deserved honors and accolades and respect, it was Jesus! Yet instead, His disciple Judas betrayed Him. His closest friends fell asleep on Him. Peter denied Him. The false witnesses lied about Him. The religious leaders condemned Him. The soldiers mocked Him. The mob rejected Him. The Romans crucified Him and onlookers jeered Him. Has there ever been a man treated so much less than He deserved? He merited respect, but He received ridicule. He should have been reverenced but He was reviled. For Jesus’ disciples, this day was anything but “good.” The man in whom they had placed all of their hopes, the man whom they believed to be the Christ, was hanging dead upon a tree. As they laid Jesus in the darkness of the tomb, they had no sense of the Easter light before them. They did not know that from the death of Christ would come the death of death,
that out of the darkness would emerge resurrection light. They could not go around Good Friday – only through it. In the same way, we too must go through the darkness of Good Friday. For we, who have hearts darkened with sin, need to remember the holy horror that won our redemption. Jesus shrouded himself in the darkness of our sin and stood under the curse of God for us, in order that we might live in His resurrection blessing and light.
P rayer Our Lord Jesus, you were forsaken that we might be forgiven, scorned that we might be saved. Because you took upon yourself the darkness of our sin and death, we are liberated to live in your light and life. In view of your amazing grace, we may call this horrific day “good” indeed.
Sc ri ptu re And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, eloi, lema sabachtani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. –Mark 15:33-34, 37
Pa rt ic i pat e
Good Friday Service | April 18 ◆
Sanctuary – 12 pm
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LENTen season
Demystified: Easter Sunday It is one of the most powerful, soul stirring moments in
Tolkien’s epic saga. Upon his return from the dead, the Christ-figure Gandalf declares, “I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.” In this simple but profound phrase, Tolkien captures the meaning of Easter – that in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a transition of monumental proportions has occurred. What exactly is this staggering shift? As the Apostle Paul understands, most of the history of the world has been the black of night, an age of darkness. Ever since the fall of man into sin, humankind has lived in opposition to God in a world marked by sin, selfishness and injustice. But in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the trajectory of the world has been decisively redirected! The kingdom of God has arrived. For those who are in Christ there is forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to God, and new life in the Holy Spirit. Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 5, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. In Christ the future age of glory has literally broken into the present. You may ask, how can you say that in Jesus’ resurrection the decisive turning point of history has occurred, that the kingdom of God has come, when the age of darkness still persists, when there is still so much sin, and suffering and death in this world? A military analogy may help to answer this question. If you are familiar with WWII history, you know that on the day when the allies stormed the beaches of Normandy (“D-Day”) the most decisive battle of The War was won. The tide of The
War had turned, and victory for the Allies was imminent. Yet the battle for Europe continued to rage for over a year, until the Nazis surrendered and Victory Day (“V-Day”) was achieved. As Christians on this side of the Resurrection, we live between D-Day and V-Day. In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the decisive battle of history has taken place, the kingdom of God has definitively broken into our world. Jesus has once and for all defeated our greatest enemies of sin, Satan and death. Those who are in Christ can participate in this new life even now. And yet Easter also reminds us to direct our hopes to the future, to the day when Jesus Christ will come again to bring about the final end to the war and the final consummation of His kingdom. In that day, we will have transformed bodies, not just transformed hearts. We will reign with Christ in the fullness of His Kingdom on a new earth where there is life, abundance, and rest. Until then, we live in the hope of Easter, the turning of the tide!
P raye r Our heavenly Father, we celebrate that through Easter Sunday, the turning of the tide has truly come. As surely as the light of full day follows the breaking of the dawn, so too will the resurrection of all things – including us your people – follow the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And so we live in the hope of Easter, eagerly awaiting the day of your Kingdom fully come!
Sc ri ptu re But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead…Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. –1 Corinthians 15:20-21, 24
Pa rt ic i pat e
Easter Sunday Services | April 20 ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
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Sunrise Service – 6:30 am | Goar Park Sanctuary Services – 8, 9:30 and 11 am 1105 Contemporary Service – 11:05 am | Gym All Nations Service – 11 am | Elliott Hall Mandarin Chinese Service – 11 am | Wynne Chapel
Older generation fills the teaching gap for Parenting Now Sunday “There was a great buzz throughout the Alexander Building that morning,” observed Teresa Murray, director of Early Childhood. “These women and men were excited to be back in the classroom and the parents who faithfully teach Sunday school felt loved as they were given the opportunity to join fellow parents in Elliott Hall and be encouraged.”
CHILDREN & YOUTH
Heavenly Helpers in Children’s Ministry
“I am so thankful I said ‘yes’ to teach the Kindergarten class last Sunday!” said Laurie Connell. “I showed up and everything was organized! The real fun was seeing 5-year-olds running in the door, ready to hear about Jesus! What joy!” Jim Melson had a great time getting elbow deep in sand with a group of Kindergarten boys on Parenting Now Sunday.
What do you do when you have parents teaching Sunday school at the same time as a Parenting Now event? Call in your heavenly helpers! Kathy McCarron, director of Children & Youth Operations, wanted parents who teach their children’s classes to attend the January Parenting Now event to hear Rev. Dr. Jim Gribnitz speak on Bold Boundaries. So she emailed a group of church friends with grown children and invited them to teach Sunday School so parent volunteers could attend. After a flurry of responses, the result in a matter of hours was 17 enthusiastic volunteers ranging from parents of high school kids to grandparents signed on. Kathy noted, “What fun to see familiar faces back in Early Childhood classrooms. This is blessing all generations in action!”
Anne Blakeney got children to participate in the Bible lesson for the day by acting out the verses with enthusiasm.
Melissa Eakes shared, “Ben and I were grateful to the volunteers who stepped in to teach our class, so we could attend the Parenting Now event.” Like many others, the Eakes appreciated that the community at HPPC felt it was important for all parents to be able to attend. While they feel it’s important to teach and help fill the hearts and minds of children with God’s word and love, the fact that there was such an effort to find teachers for each classroom, so that their hearts and minds could be filled. What a blessing. Carrie and Kyle Green said, “We were grateful that we could trust our classroom to others and to see the kids interact with other adults.” For Carrie especially, “It was a treat because I knew the ladies (from Bible study) that took our class. To know my daughter got the chance to interact and learn from women that I personally admire was heartwarming.” Visit hppc.org/childrensvolunteer for numerous volunteer opportunities where you can bless all generations.
Carolyn Miller (left), Bonnie Mills (right) and Jim Miller (not pictured) enjoyed circle time with the Pre-K children.
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LIFE at HPPC High School girls celebrated the season.
Caitlyn Creekmore, Grayson Baird and Leah Jackson
Faithful volunteers got in the spirit for JAM56. Pam MacIntosh and Carey Ciolfi
M.A.S.H. Extreme Candy House decorating event
Sebastien Vongkaseum and Jack Clark
High Schoolers delivered poinsettias to church
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neighbors as a year-end service project. Sarah Stockum, Connor Cowman, Lexi Padden and Katie Stockum
º Celebrating Christmas at the All-Church Dinner.
Dawna Walsh (left) with Ed and Eleanora Asbury
Mary Ann Chapel shared a special moment with
an AELC student at the holiday concert event.
AELC children clamored for a book to take home after the holiday concert event in December.
Rev. Ben Wang led members of the Mandarin fellowship in prayer over Peggy and Daniel who returned to East Asia as missionaries in December.
Chancel Choir members Ann Smith, Ben Brown
and Bonnie Grisz sang carols at Amelia Earhart.
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GLOBAL impact
All Around the World HPPC-sponsored missionaries share the Gospel Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit.� (Matthew 28:19). As Christians, we are commanded to share the Gospel as we live out our daily lives where God has placed us. For some, God calls them to go throughout the country and the world to spread the Good News. HPPC currently supports 36 individuals and families, working in more than 20 countries with 20 agencies, as they fulfill this calling. We are grateful for a long history of supporting missionaries around the world. See who we are sending and where your gifts are bringing people to Christ every day across the globe. For more information on our missionaries, including how you can support them through prayer and financial giving, visit hppc.org/missionarysupport.
Teri & Andrew Adair
Judy Becker
The Antioch Partners Houston, TX
International Students, Inc. Dallas, TX
Linda & Al Bridges
Kimi Brown
Frontiers Serving Muslim groups
BEE World Colorado Springs, CO
Campus Crusade for Christ Honolulu, HI
Ruth & Tom
Cristal & Mike
Barbosa & Sinara
Sonia & Steve Dettweiler
Carol Douglass
Central Asia
East Asia
South Africa
Wycliffe Bible Translators Nigeria
International Students, Inc. Kansas City, KS
Kathy & Paul Eshleman
Pam & David
Faith & Greg Hurst
Lori & K.J. Kenfield
Michelle & Kevin Klay
East Asia
SIM* USA Bolivia
Wycliffe Bible Translators Dallas, TX
SIM* South Sudan
Campus Crusade for Christ Aliso Viejo, CA
* Society to International Missions (SIM) ** Campus Crusade for Christ International (CRU)
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Jan & Bob Blincoe
For their safety and protection, some missionaries cannot be fully named or pictured.
GLOBAL impact
Dottie & Carlton Meredith
Laurie & Kevin
Belgium Theological Seminary Belgium
Middle East
Ethel & Frank Robbins
Dziu & Garrick Roegner
Peggy & Daniel
Wycliffe Bible Translators Dallas, TX
CRU** Spain
East Asia
Muriel & Tim Teusink
Catherine & Bruce Thomas
Martha & Don Wehmeyer
Joyce & Andrew Lee
Jan & Scott Luley
InterServe USA Central Asia
Campus Crusade for Christ Princeton, NJ
Laura & Craig Murray
George Otis
Church Ministries International Latin America and Dallas, TX
The Sentinel Group Seattle, WA
Linda & Ben Sparkman
Teresa & Bill Koops Millennium Relief and Development Services Houston, TX
Andy Smith Overseas Missionary Fellowship Phillipines
Campus Crusade for Christ Orlando, FL
SIM* Ethiopia
Suzanne & Jim Witty
Betsy Wrisley
Wendy & Richard
Judi & Bill Young
Roxana & Javier Zubieta
Care Corps International Colorado Springs, CO
Wycliffe Bible Translators Ithaca, NY
West Africa
Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship Serving Unreached People Groups
SIM*-Bolivia La Paz, Bolivia
Livada Orphan Care Dallas, TX & Romania
The Antioch Partners Mexico
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Upcoming Calendar Date
Event
Location
Time
Sunday, March 2
2014 VBS Kickoff
Wight Garden
9 am–12 pm
Prison Ministry Luncheon
Private Dining Room
12:15–1:30 pm
High School Senior Lunches
College House
12:30–1:30 pm
First Sunday Night of Prayer
Wynne Chapel
6–7 pm
Confirmation Class
Bell Center
6–7:30 pm
Monday, March 3
Treasure Keepers Monthly Bible Study
3909 Shenandoah St
9:30–11:15 am
Tuesday, March 4
HPPC Serves at Austin Street Shelter
2929 Hickory St
11 am–1 pm
Wednesday, March 5
Ash Wednesday Service
Wynne Chapel
12 pm
Middle School – First Wednesday Big Group
Bell Center
6–7:30 pm
Ash Wednesday Dinner and Discussion
Elliott Hall
5:30–6:30 pm
Ash Wednesday Service
Sanctuary
6:30–7:30 pm
HPPDS Open House
Alexander Bldg
6–7 pm
Smokey John’s BBQ Bible Study
1820 W Mockingbird Ln
7–9 pm
Telling Your Own Story
Private Dining Room
9:30–10:30 am
Hillier Hoedown
Elliott Hall
6–9 pm
Off Campus
4–6 pm
Women’s Ministry Monthly Bible Study Circles
Various Locations
Varies
Body & Soul Ministry – Breakfast to the Homeless
Off Campus
7:30–10:30 am
Young Adult Crawfish Boil
3917 University Blvd
4–7 pm
Thursday, March 6 Friday, March 7 Saturday, March 8
Haiti Mission Trip Departs All Nations Ladies Bible Study
Monday, March 10 Saturday, March 15
HPPDS & Hillier School Spring Break Begins
rd
Sunday, March 16
JAM56: 3 Sunday Breakdown
Off Campus
1–2:30 pm
Monday, March 17
Brown Bag & A Book
H018
12–1 pm
Management Council Meeting
H018
5–7 pm
Wednesday, March 19
Modern Day Slavery Exhibit Begins Through March 23
Elliott Hall
6 pm
Thursday, March 20
Smokey John’s BBQ Bible Study
1820 W Mockingbird Ln
7–9 pm
Saturday, March 22
Best Lemonade Stand Ever
McFarlin @ Shannon
10 am–2 pm
Sunday, March 23
Best Lemonade Stand Ever
McFarlin @ Shannon
10 am–2 pm
Congregational Meeting
Elliott Hall
12 pm
High School Senior Lunches
College House
12:30–1:30 pm
Monday, March 24
Session Meeting
H020
5:30–8 pm
Thursday, March 27
Hillier Open House
Alexander Bldg
6–7:30 pm
Saturday, March 29
JAM56 Outreach Day
Double D Ranch
9 am–3 pm
Sunday, March 30
Covenant Parenting
Wight Garden/Rm 104
9:30–10:30 am
Chorister & Canterbury Choir Lunch & Musical
Elliott Hall
12–2 pm
HPPC Serves at Austin Street Shelter
2929 Hickory St
11 am–1 pm
Tuesday, April 1
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MARCH
APRIL
Visit hppc.org/calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Date
Event
Location
Time
Wednesday, April 2
Middle School – First Wednesday Big Group
Bell Center
6–7:30 pm
Cruciform Life: Shaped by the Cross
Elliott Hall
5:30–7 pm
Thursday, April 3
Smokey John’s BBQ Bible Study
1820 W Mockingbird Ln
7–9 pm
Friday, April 4
Telling Your Own Story
Private Dining Room
9:30–10:30 am
Sunday, April 6
Come to the Table Workshop
Wynne Chapel
9:30–10:30 am
High School Senior Lunches
College House
12:30–1:30 pm
First Sunday Night of Prayer
Wynne Chapel
6–7 pm
Confirmation Class
Bell Center
6–7:30 pm
Monday, April 7
Women’s Ministry Monthly Bible Study Circles
Various Locations
12–1 pm
Saturday, April 12
All Nations Ladies Bible Study
Off Campus
4–6 pm
Sunday, April 13
All Church Picnic
Front Lawn
12–2 pm
Monday, April 14
Holy Week Chapel
Wynne Chapel
12–1 pm
Tuesday, April 15
Holy Week Chapel
Wynne Chapel
12–1 pm
Wednesday, April 16
Holy Week Chapel
Wynne Chapel
12–1 pm
Thursday, April 17
Holy Week Chapel
Wynne Chapel
12–1 pm
HPPDS Sanctuary Service
Sanctuary
11–11:45 am
Hillier Sanctuary Service
Sanctuary
2:30–3:30 pm
Maundy Thursday Service
Sanctuary
7 pm
Smokey John’s BBQ Bible Study
1820 W Mockingbird Ln
7–9 pm
Friday, April 18
Good Friday Service & Highlander Concert
Sanctuary
12–1 pm
Saturday, April 19
Body & Soul Ministry – Breakfast to the Homeless
Off Campus
7:30–10:30 am
All-Church Service Day – Stop Hunger Now
Elliott Hall
2–4 pm
Sunday, April 20
Easter Sunday
See Back Cover for Locations and Times
Monday, April 21
Church Offices and Schools Closed
Tuesday, April 22
Management Council Meeting
H018
5–7 pm
Wednesday, April 23
Gathering of Men Lunch
Elliott Hall
12–1 pm
Wednesday Night Series
Elliott Hall
5:30–7:30 pm
Friday, April 25
Parent’s Night Out
Alexander Bldg
6–9:30 pm
Sunday, April 27
4th Sunday All-Church Lunch
Elliott Hall
12–1 pm
Treasure Keeper’s Dinner
Off Campus
6–8 pm
Women’s Ministry Hands of Love
Elliott Hall
9–11 am
Men’s 2014 Golf Scramble
Stevens Park Golf Course 11:30 am–5 pm
Brown Bag and a Book
H018
12–1 pm
Session Meeting
H020
5:30–8 pm
Gathering of Men Lunch
Elliott Hall
12–1 pm
Wednesday Night Series
Elliott Hall
5:30–7:30 pm
Monday, April 28
Wednesday, April 30
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Recurring Events Date
Event
Location
Time
Sundays
Morning Prayer Time With a Pastor
H019
8:30–9 am
Nursery (2 months–2 years)
Alexander Bldg
8 am–1:30 pm
Marriage Prep** (begins Mar. 23–May 18)
Private Dining Room
9–10:30 am
Journey Into Membership** (begins April 27–June 8)
H017
9–10:30 am
Early Childhood Sunday School (2 yrs–Kindergarten)
Alexander Bldg
9:30 & 11 am
Elementary Sunday Morning (1 –4 Grade)
Alexander Bldg
9:30 am
JAM56 Sunday Morning (5th–6th Grade)
JAM56 Room
9:30 am
Youth Sunday Morning Communities
Bell Center
9:30 am
Adult Sunday Morning Communities
Locations Online
9:30 am
Children’s Choirs (Kindergarten–6 Grade)*
Alexander Bldg
4:45–5:45 pm
Genesis Youth Choir Rehearsal*
Choral Hall
4:45–6 pm
The Den Bible Study (College Ministry) at College House
3833 McFarlin Blvd
6–7:30 pm
Monday Night Bible Study
H019
6:30–8 pm
Troop 82 Boy Scouts Meeting
Bell Center
7:30–9 pm
Yoga
H019
8:30–9:30 am
A Mother’s Heart Bible Study
H018
9:30–11:15 am
Beth Moore’s Bible Study
Bell Center
11:30 am–1 pm
Highland Ringers Rehearsal
H017
6:30–7:30 pm
Co-Ed Community Bible Study (CBS)
Elliott Hall
6:45–8:15 pm
Families Anonymous Meeting
H019
7–8 pm
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
H018
7–8 pm
Troop 80 Boy Scouts Meeting
Bell Center
7–9 pm
LITE: Old Testament: History of Redemption (Feb. 11–April 22)**
Alexander Hall
7:30–9 pm
Women in the Word Bible Study
H018
9:45–11:30 am
Young Adult Women’s Bible Study
Parlor
10:30–11:45 am
M.A.S.H. – Bible Study (1 –4 Grade)
Alexander Hall & Gym
6–7:30 pm
JAM56 Wednesday Night Bible Study
Gym & JAM56 Room
6–7:30 pm
DivorceCare Meeting
Private Dining Room
6–7:30 pm
Middle School Life Together Groups
Various Locations
7–8:30 pm
High School Life Together Groups
Various Locations and Days
7–8:30 pm
Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Choral Hall
7–9:30 pm
Frank Hundley Men’s Bible Study
H019
7:30–8:30 am
Early Birds Bible Study
Bridesmaids’ Room
7:30–8:30 am
st
th
th
Mondays Tuesdays
Wednesdays
st
Thursdays
th
*Check hppc.org/calendar for rehearsal schedules ** Advance registration required
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Recurring Events
continued
Date
Event
Location
Time
Thursdays, cont.
Precept Bible Study
H018
9–10:30 am
Elliott Handbell Ensemble Rehearsal
H017
6:30–8 pm
Chorale Rehearsal
Choral Hall
7–9 pm
Women’s Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
H019
7–8 pm
Men’s Breakfast at Flying Fish
Off Campus
7–8 am
Friday Fellowship
Elliott Hall
9 am–1 pm
Zumba Gold
H020
9:30–10:30 am
Bridge 101 Instruction
Elliott Hall
12:45–4:30 pm
All Nations Youth Bible Study
Off Campus
7:30–9 pm
All Nations Worship Team Rehearsal
Bell Center
10 am–12:30 pm
Chinese Ministry Weekly Bible Study
H020
6:45–8:30 pm
Fridays
Saturdays
*Check hppc.org/calendar for rehearsal schedules ** Advance registration required
Events, dates and times are subject to change and reflect information received when sent to press. Visit hppc.org/calendar for most up-to-date information.
Elijah! Children’s Choir Performs
Best Lem nade Stand
God’s Faithful Prophet
Don’t miss the Canterbury and Chorister Choirs’ annual musical performance!
LUNCH + MUSICAL Sunday, March 30 | 12–2 pm | Elliott Hall Help our 3rd and 4th Graders raise money for Streetscape Ministries in Galveston!
RSVP for lunch to gay.munselle@hppc.org
Saturday and Sunday, March 22–23 10 am–2 pm At McFarlin and Shannon
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member spotlight
Member Spotlight Caroline Krause | A New Addition to YA Ministry New Young Adults Ministry Associate, Caroline Krause (in the checked blazer above), comes home from missions work in Ireland to share her love of Jesus Christ and a commitment to live out a life of faith.
How long have you been involved at HPPC? My parents were married at HPPC and since then, our family has been attending HPPC. I was baptized here, confirmed here and was a part of choir from when I was very little to my teenage years. I loved coming to Sunday school and JAM56 as a kid and have lots of great memories of church lock-ins in the Gym and youth group in the Bell Center before it was called the Bell Center.
What did you do prior to coming on staff at HPPC? The last few years I have been living abroad in Northern Ireland working with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) as a missionary. Those years there were an amazing time to learn about ministry, practice living what you were teaching, and to see how other parts of the world live. I was a part of Reconciliation Ministry on macro and micro levels. We especially worked with people from conflict and post-
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conflict nations helping to walk through reconciliation on those two levels. While based in Northern Ireland I was able to travel to 10 different nations bringing the total number of places I’ve been to nineteen! I can’t wait to go to more. While in Northern Ireland, I was privileged to work closely with the local community. We helped heal wounds between two different people groups who had recently entered into a peace time after 30 plus years of civil conflict. I also worked with my peers and youth to help mold and disciple the next generation. After nearly 3 years I felt it was time to come home and see how I could take what I had learned and apply it to life in Dallas.
What is your position at HPPC? I am the Young Adult Ministry Associate. I’m working with 20-somethings on Sunday morning and the Thursday night Bible study crew. It’s and a lot of fun!
What do you see God doing in Young Adults Ministry (YA)? I see God stirring in the hearts of the YAs and seeing them beginning to want to take more ownership and leadership of what we are doing here at HPPC. I’m excited to see how we can make the YA ministry more holistic to their lives. I also think there is an opportunity for the YA community to dream big and then to pursue those dreams so that we create the kind of community God is calling us to be.
What do you like to do when you are not hard at work in the YA Ministry? I love movies, taking walks, drinking tea, sporting events and going on weekend adventures. If you’re a YA, feel free to get in touch and lets go have fun while we live out our faith! Connect with Caroline by emailing her at caroline.krause@hppc.org.
How Lent reminds us of the path to true life What will God bring to life
this Lenten season?
Laura murray Pastoral Resident
Easter Sunday requires Good Friday. For resurrection to occur, death must come first. The Christian is continually called to die to sin and Lent is an opportunity to practice dying. It is an opportunity to choose to surrender, and in our surrender, discover what we are attached to more than Christ.
For example, I may choose to give up chocolate for Lent. Why? The practice of putting to death the compulsion to eat chocolate leads me to realize the extent to which I turn to forms of self-comfort in overwhelming days rather than to God.
of you. This could be trying to seek identity and affirmation from others. Trying to control your future and circumstances. Taking advantage of those around you or manipulating situations for your benefit. Speaking angrily and hurtfully to others or depending too heavily on yourself.
Grow in christ
Death to Life
As you attend to what God has shown you, trust Him and wait. Wait in hope, for God is faithful, sovereign and good.
There may also be those of you... who are already weary in waiting. You long for resurrection and feel so beat down that it is hard to imagine anything else that needs to be put to death! You need hope, you need assurance and you need resurrection. This Lenten season, look to the cross and see Jesus. Consider his sacrificial death. Believe that He sees and knows your sacrifices. Trust that He is with you. Reach out to others and ask for them to hope for you and praise God when Easter Sunday comes!
For some of you... Lent will be a time of focused discipline. For example: Give up your favorite food or drink. Give up watching television or listening to the radio or music in the car. Give up justifying your behavior when you have hurt someone. Limit your options (i.e. only eat at home, limit your wardrobe selection to five outfit options, only use one media outlet, share one car as a family, limit your spending to the basics – grocery, fuel, bills). As you give up, pray God shows you the core of your attachments. Your favorite food or drink might be a comfort during anxious times. Watching television may be a way of avoiding reality. Noise might be a distraction from attending to what God desires. You use justification as a means of affirmation. Limiting options might reveal your love for things, possessions, control or comfort. As God shows you your sin, allow Him to put it to death and as He puts it to death, look to see how He will bring new life.
Others of you... are already living Lent. God has been at work putting particular attachments and sin to death and you know it. It has been painful as sometimes the work of re-creation can be. God is doing something new in you and you have been waiting for resurrection. During Lent, choose to press into God and let go of what He has already asked
Death and resurrection are not only Easter affairs. The death and resurrection of Christ is the greatest death and resurrection for in it the power of death is shattered. As we choose to die to sin this Lent may we be attentive to the work of God, particularly to resurrection. When Easter passes may we remember that each day we live on Earth we are called to die to sin and in dying, find life.
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LIFE at HPPC Rev. Dr. Marshall Zieman shared meaningful words with those who came to say farewell.
The line stretched outside of Elliott Hall as members waited to speak with the Ziemans.
Amy Campbell gave a big hug to Becky as she wished the Ziemans well at their reception on Jan. 26.
JAM56 Mother Daughter Retreat at Pine Cove Bonding at the JAM56 Mother Daughter Retreat
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Morgan Moore, Anna Claire Nichol and Cate Rhodes
LIFE at HPPC The Elllis family carried a clan flag in worship
on Kirkin’ O’ Th’ Tartan Sunday, Jan. 26. Brooks and Christie Ellis, Ford and Caroline
Poline Muthiaga posed with members of the North
Texas Caledonian Pipes and Drums.
❾ The Becker Family at Kirkin’ O’ Th’ Tartan service. Karen Konker got The Little Way of Ruthie Leming signed by the author, Rod Dreher at the Carolyn Brown Literary Event on Jan. 15.
Director of College Ministry Jonathan Hicks on the High School/College New Year's Ski Trip.
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Parish News Births
Sacrament of Baptism
Waverly Ford Frederick Daughter of Michaele and Kirk Frederick Born Nov. 21, 2013
Brita Marie Roegner Daughter of Kristina and Darren Roegner Born April 19, 2013 Baptized Dec. 15, 2013
Yardley Castle Frederick Daughter of Michaele and Kirk Frederick Born Nov. 21, 2013 Nicholas Taylor Womble Son of Marissa and Don Womble, Jr. Born Dec. 2, 2013 Zachary Ryan Womble Son of Marissa and Don Womble, Jr. Born Dec. 2, 2013 Zane David Blauser Son of Anne and Brent Blauser Born Dec. 3, 2013 Kyle Robert Melson Son of Jennifer and Jed Melson Born Dec. 3, 2013 Kelly Kingsley Hunt Son of Michelle and Carter Hunt Born Dec. 5, 2013 Georgina Grace Becker Daughter of Alexia Milner and Brandon Becker Born Dec. 12, 2013 Heavin Anne Curtis Daughter of Maggie and Rhett Curtis Born Jan. 20, 2013
Julia Rose Raynor Daughter of Liza Beasley and Martin Brett Raynor Born Aug. 26, 2013 Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 Yingyu Ding Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 Yanjun Hao Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 Priscilla Hao Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 Dan Ouyang Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 Yue Yin Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 Guangquan Zhao Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 Wen Zhou Baptized Dec. 22, 2013 John Turner Nobles Son of Amanda and Ross Nobles Born Aug. 19, 2013 Baptized Jan. 19, 2014 Joseph Walker Nobles Son of Amanda and Ross Nobles Born Aug. 19, 2013 Baptized Jan. 19, 2014
Dr. Xiaoxia Qi Baptized Feb. 16, 2014
Weddings Kristin Juarez and Joel Fletcher Daughter of Jennifer and Roberto Juarez Son of Bitsy and Dwight Fletcher Married Dec. 14, 2013 Martha O’Kelly and Bill Robinson Daughter of the late Carol O’Kelly and Cynthia and Nick O’Kelly Son of Penny and Bill Robinson Married Jan. 4, 2014 Brittny Groce and Hunt Allred Daughter of Barbie and Jody Groce Son of Libby and Al Allred Married Jan. 11, 2014 Georgia Gottsacker and Justin Gandino Daughter of Nancy and Steve Gottsacker Son of Maureen and Mark Gandino Married Jan. 18, 2014
Entered the Church
Triumphant
Clarence Holcomb, passed away on Nov. 7, 2013. John R. Ball, passed away on Nov. 8, 2013. Sympathy to his daughter, Lacy Ball, and family.
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Information printed in Parish News is provided from HPPC’s Congregational Care list. If you want to share news of births, baptisms, marriages or deaths, please contact Elaine Curtis in Congregational Care at 214-525-4230 or elaine.curtis@hppc.org or online at hppc.org/parishnews.
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Entered the Church Triumphant, cont.
Dr. George Race, passed away on Dec. 17, 2013.
Rebecca Lynn Blocker, passed away on Nov. 10, 2013. Sympathy to her aunt, Jo Ann Norton, and family; and her cousin, Steve Norton, and family.
Robert Mullins, passed away on Dec. 20, 2013. Sympathy to his wife, Florence Mullins, and family.
Lou Dunklin, passed away on Nov. 13, 2013. Sympathy to his parents, Elsie and Louis Dunklin, and family. Judson Wood, passed away on Nov. 15, 2013. Sympathy to his brother, Ralph Wood, and family. Vesta Jane Hamilton, passed away on Nov. 21, 2013. Sympathy to her granddaughter, Mollye Noack, and family. James Whitehurst Young, passed away on Nov. 29, 2013. Sympathy to his daughter, Kathryn Warren, and family. Ruth Browning, passed away on Dec. 6, 2013. Sympathy to her daughter, Loretta Browning, and family. Malinda McInnis, passed away on Dec. 9, 2013. Sympathy to her brother, Clyde McCall, Jr., and family. Roy LeGrand Taylor, Jr., passed away on Dec. 9, 2013. Sympathy to his brother, John Taylor, and family. William Candler, passed away on Dec. 13, 2013. Sympathy to his uncle, Dr. Don McKay, and family; his aunt, Mary Donna Noack, and family.
A.W. Patterson, passed away on Dec. 20, 2013. William Wachira Mamo, passed away on Dec. 21, 2013. Sympathy to his sister-in-law, Irene Mamo, and family. Paula Palley, passed away on Dec. 27, 2013. Sympathy to her sister, Beth McClung, and family; and her niece, Robbie McClung, and family. Henry Mbaya, passed away on Dec. 30, 2013. Sympathy to his son, Fred Mbaya. Michael Schmidt, passed away on Jan. 2, 2014. Sympathy to his former wife, Wendy Schmidt, and family. Helen Langston Keith, passed away on Jan. 4, 2014. Sympathy to her daughter, Cheryl Sanders, and family.
Viola Rooth, passed away on Jan. 5, 2014. Sympathy to her daughter, Linda Bass, and family. Judith Huntress Cloughen, passed away on Jan. 10, 2014. Sympathy to her sister, Pam Huntress, and family. Don Crawford II, passed away on Jan. 13, 2014. Sympathy to his uncle, J. Douglas Crawford, and family. James “Jim” Williams, passed away on Jan. 15, 2014. Sympathy to his daughter, Cynthia Beecherl, and family; and his daughter Jane Bass, and family. Helen Abel, passed away on Jan. 19, 2014. Marguerite Edwards Kniffen, passed away on Jan. 20, 2014. Sympathy to her daughter, Anne Kniffen, and family. Vito “Jack” Ludivico, passed away on Jan. 21, 2014. Sympathy to his nephew, Dr. J. Paul Sanders, and family. Sally Bernays, passed away on Jan. 24, 2014.
Beth Nyawira, passed away on Jan. 8, 2014. Sympathy to her granddaughter, Beth Mwema, and family; her grandsons Mark Mwema and Matthew Mwema; and her daughter-inlaw, Agnes Muthoni, and family. Mary Josephine Vaughn Rauscher, passed away on Jan. 5, 2014. Sympathy to her son, Jack Vaughn, and family.
* Only immediate family members that are surviving church members can be listed.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4 To schedule a baptism, contact Janie Taylor at 214-354-2609 or janie.taylor@hppc.org. Because of our large congregation, we can only list weddings of members or children and grandchildren of HPPC members. Deaths of members or their immediate family will be listed. Births and baptisms include members and their children.
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parish news
Membership Class
Fall 2013 | Session II
Katherine Bodner
Josh Dragseth
Sarah Dragseth
Jim Heitzenreder
Charity Kamau
Jason Kinya
Cynthia Lock
Jon Lock
Alex Lu
Jennifer Marvel
Randy Marvel
Dante Mushisho
Steve Walker
Darcy Zarubiak
Rocio Zarubiak
Wendy Zhou
Members Not Pictured: Brad Davey and Heather Davey
Next membership class begins Sunday, April 27 and ends Sunday, June 8 HPPC.ORG/MEMBERSHIP
26
The call was for not just any
movement, but a Gospel movement for the city of Dallas on Jan. 23 at the Greater Dallas Movement Day (GDMD). The first-year gathering drew more than 1,400 people representing the faith community and the marketplace from all parts of Greater Dallas. HPPC sent 60 staff and lay people who stood together with 124 other local churches to begin the process of forming strategies and collaborating in addressing the greatest spiritual, social and humanitarian issues of the city. GDMD shared the following sobering Dallas statistics: • 97% of children are fatherlessness in South Dallas; • 85% of 18-year-olds are not ready for college; • Dallas has the most refugees in the nation of any city; • Sharp declines in spiritual interest among young people. Dr. Mac Pier, Founder and CEO of The New York City Leadership Center, cast the same vision for Dallas as he did for New York City and that is to identify like-minded leaders who desire to design, mobilize and invest in a strategy that will impact Dallas. Specifically, GDMD leadership envisions
the development of an educational initiative emerging from GDMD to mobilize churches to engage the great educational divide. Dr. Tim Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and well-known author, exhorted those gathered during his keynote speech to be like the Acts church and be the movement of God’s spirit in the community. Dr. Albert Reyes, CEO of Buckner Photo: Edmonson Photography International, also shared this wisdom: “We need to live for the city, not above it, not against it or even just in it.”
urban missions
Greater Dallas Movement Day
GDMD’s leadership called for a unified vision for the city of Dallas born out of a true Acts church-like conversion – one without worry and of joyful fearlessness. Grant Skeldon, director of Initiative, a young adult Christian network, said, “Unity is not everyone doing the same thing, but rather everyone doing different things moving in this same direction toward a common goal.” For more on how to impact our city to the glory of God, contact Duffy Johnson at duffy.johnson@hppc.org.
Chancel Choir Serves at Amelia Earhart Each year the children of West Dallas’ Amelia Earhart
Learning Center and their families look forward to the holiday concert. The children dress in their holiday best and sang numerous carols. This year, HPPC’s Chancel Choir President Peter Tiggelaar wanted to get his group involved in a hands-on way along with sponsoring the food and drinks for the evening. “Our members really stepped up with great enthusiasm by bringing a multitude of desserts, serving food and singing Christmas carols while families enjoyed this special time.” The cafeteria was packed as Chancel Choir singers shared their selections. Much to the kids’ delight, a table filled with books gave them the opportunity to take the gift of reading home with them that night. To learn more about AELC, visit hppc.org/adoptaschool.
Above: The cafeteria was packed with parents and children. Below: Two children thrilled to receive donated books.
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missionary focus
Photo courtesy of : Princeton University, Office of Communications
Missionary Focus Jan and Scott Luley | Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) For 30 years, Scott and Jan Luley have been involved in many ways at HPPC. In 1991, the Luleys moved to Princeton University to launch a chapter of Faculty Commons, CRU’s national ministry to college professors. Scott Luley found that professors who spend most of their time dealing with academic issues and pursuits were heartened that someone like him had come along to chat with them about family and other personal topics. Although elite universities are becoming increasing secularized, the interaction naturally led to spiritual issues and then to Bible studies, prayer groups, lunches and especially one-on-one discipleship with a growing number of professors. About eight years ago, graduate students and college staff members were included in their program. This not only increased its numbers, but added depth and perspective.
Jan and Scott Luley
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“Better Together” is the slogan that Faculty Commons has been employing, Luley says. And that a strong bond between current faculty and future faculty has been growing ever since. Often Christian professors speak to graduate student groups through Faculty Commons and simply offer perspectives on living as a Christian in academia.
Jan is also a full-time staff member of CRU and works with many female professors and graduate students and is often asked: “How can I balance family demands and my work?” The connections and deep sharing among professors, students, and staffers goes a long way toward addressing and dealing with the stressors at what is arguably America’s most academically rigorous institution of higher learning. Scott and Jan are motivated to minister to professors because they influence – directly or indirectly – everyone else in our society. Yet, there are so few in the body of Christ who are called to minister to professors relative to other groups. Pray that Scott and Jan’s relationship with Jesus would be personal, intimate and fruitful for the Great Commission – locally at Princeton University and around the world. Pray that their follow-up from their recent campus-wide outreach would be effective as they trust the Holy Spirit to open the hearts and mind of those who attended. And that their two sons, Brian and Blake, would see Jesus in all His glory and be motivated to walk with Him closely all the days of their lives.
More people are bought and sold today than any other time in history She is controlled completely by one person. He is a victim of violence or is threatened with violence to maintain control over him. He gets paid nothing for days, weeks and years of hard labor. She is used for prostitution. They cannot walk away. These are the victims of modern slavery. Currently, 27 million people are estimated to be modern day slaves. This number includes not just those overseas but here in the U.S., in Texas, and right here in Dallas. There are more people being bought and sold as slaves today than any other time in history and the majority of these are women and children. Today it is called Human Trafficking. Human trafficking has a face. Marina’s experience is just one of thousands. Director of World Missions Judi Wheeler met this mother and her beautiful children on a recent trip to Moldova and asked her to share her story. I just wanted to make enough money to take care of my children. With my husband out of work and limited job opportunities in Moldova, I was happy to learn of a domestic job in Russia – not that far from my country but a more prosperous area. My husband would care for our two children while I was gone for a few months. As a small group of women began our journey there were mixed emotions of sadness at leaving our families but pride and excitement that we would now be able to provide for them. We were given water during this drive and the next thing I knew I was in a basement with strangers and found my heart gripped with fear.
Learn to do good; seek justice; correct oppression, bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. – Isaiah 1:17 For the next three years I was held captive in that room. The things that happened cannot be spoken of. I discovered that I was pregnant and that this was my purpose in being there. The new life I was carrying already had a purpose. The baby was to be used for organs to be sold on the black market. Piece by piece this child would be sold until nothing was left. A new horror gripped my heart.
After giving birth, I quickly became pregnant again. As I was trying to care for my new infant until she was old enough to have her organs harvested, there was a rescue by the Russian police. I was able to return to my home village with my one-year-old and infant daughter. I thought the nightmare would end, but I found that my husband believed I had abandoned him and therefore left our two children with my mother and disappeared. My mother hated my children born out of this terror and me as well. She and many neighbors placed shame on the children and me. I truly did not know how I would survive.
Human trafficking
Modern Day Slavery
I found kindness and compassion from a local church. I also found a loving God and Savior in Jesus Christ. I know that God is good and will care for my family. He gave me two more children that are blessings. I still have fear due to recent phone calls from men telling me that the children have been paid for and therefore belong to them. I don’t understand the cruelty of man. But everyday I cling to the goodness of God and the kindness of believers. The stories of modern day slavery are heartbreaking, but there is hope. The more we shine the light onto this very dark issue, the more hope the victims have. Through partnerships with agencies like International Justice Mission there is transformation of cities like Cebu where the exploitation of minors has been reduced by 79% by prosecuting perpetrators and educating local law enforcement.
how you can fight to end human trafficking Start at HPPC's Justice page: hppc.org/justice. There, you will learn how to: ◆
Educate yourself and others.
◆
Understand and advocate for those who cannot defend themselves.
◆
Take action in this community and the world.
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The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few
June 7–14 Cost: $1,900
July 10–20 Cost: $3,200
July 11–21 Cost: $2,000
Aug. 2–Aug. 11 and Aug. 3–14 Cost: $3,500
Join us in commissioning our class of 2014 Seniors! Sunday, May 4 1105 Contemporary Service | Elliott Hall hppc.org/highschool Register at hppc.org/missiontrips
JAM56
Galveston, TX Mission Trip Grades: Completed 5th–6th Dates: June 23–28 Youth Price: $400 | Parent price: $200
Middle School
Charleston, SC Mission Trip Grades: Completed 7th–8th Dates: June 15–22 or July 13–20 Price: $850
High School Washington, DC Mission Trip Grades: Completed 9th–12th Dates: June 22–29 Price: $1,300
Genesis Youth Choir Atlanta, GA Mission Trip
Register at hppc.org/GO 30
Grades: Completed 7th–12th Dates: June 14–19 Price: $775 Must be an active choir member
Dr. Greg Hobbs, Director of Music There’s just something about
singing sad songs that helps us find joy. Have you ever noticed how some of the great songs you fell in love with as a teen are about pain, brokenness, or loss; yet those songs make you happy the moment you hear them pop up on the radio? In Scripture, Jeremiah’s songs of lament reveal a deep, unbreakable commitment to loving God and walking in His presence. Walking through his book of the Bible is a journey through sadness to ultimate joy.
Without the tears, how can we fully experience the shouts of joy? The 126th Psalm proclaims that: Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. As we worship in this season of Lent, we have the opportunity to sow seeds. Throughout our church-wide study of Jesus’ earthly ministry as described in Luke, we have the weekly discipline of going out weeping as we anticipate the horrible end of Jesus’ earthly life. Through Lent we see examples of Jesus’ wonderful teaching, only to anticipate the ultimate rejection of Him as the Son of God by the authorities. This inherent knowledge in our worship is sad and painful. It is a profoundly grim foreshadowing that can only be mirrored by our inherent joyful knowledge of Jesus’ ultimate resurrection.
Songs of lament, like When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, What Wondrous Love is This, Were You There When They Crucified My Lord, Ah Holy Jesus, In the Cross of Christ I Glory, O Sacred Head Now Wounded, and many others serve to open a portal in our souls that allow us to sow our garden of life with tears. You need to sing in church during these 40 days of Lent. You need to sing; don’t just sit back and listen. Your body, breath, and mind need to express the lament found in Lenten songs so that you can discover the tears. For, without the tears, how can we fully experience the shouts of joy?
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3821 UNIVERSITY BLVD. DALLAS, TEXAS 75205 214-526-7457 | HPPC.ORG
Holy Week
at hppc
|
april
13–20
Please join us for Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter
◆ p alm sunday all church picnic
Sunday, April 13, 12–2 pm Front Lawn
◆h oly
week chapel
Monday–Thursday, April 14–17, 12–1 pm Wynne Chapel
◆ maundy
thursday service and communion
Thursday, April 17, 7 pm Sanctuary
◆ good
friday service
Highlander Concert – Wondrous Cross Friday, April 18, 12 pm Sanctuary
◆ e aster sunday worship services Sunday, April 20
6:30 am Sunrise Service | Goar Park
8, 9:30 & 11 am | Sanctuary 11 am All Nations | Elliott Hall 11 am Mandarin Service | Wynne Chapel 1105 am Contemporary Service | Gym