March 2013

FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR

So why all this emphasis the suffering and death of Jesus right before Easter? Why put everyone through all the betrayal, crucifixion, and death? Wouldn’t it be easier on all of us if we just journeyed with Jesus as usual on Sunday, celebrated Palm Sunday with a parade, and then shouted “He is Risen” on Easter. Sure Highland Church could enjoy one happy Sunday after the other, but that is not real life. We all have downs and ups, disasters and parties, grief and hopefulness. The only way to get from the bad times to the good is to work through it, to move through it. Yes, we get comfort and help from family, friends and our church family, but we have to move through the pain to reach a time of joy.

No one can give you faith. No one can strengthen your faith. Only by walking in the “valley of the shadow,” the valley of pain and suffering, can your faith grow and deepen. That is why Highland Church provides so many different ways for you to walk through the Holy Week experience.

Palm Sunday March 24thTo remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem,

there will be a parade to begin worship!

Labyrinth Available 9am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday and 9 am to noon on Friday Evenings Monday through Saturday, 6-7 pm

This may be totally new for you. A Labyrinth will be set up in the Social Hall. It looks like a maze, only this has one way in, and one way out. It was used by Christians in the Middle Ages as a way to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem without going to Jerusalem. Twenty-first century Christians use a labyrinth as a way to slow down and pray to God. Printed materials will be available to you when you come and center yourself before God as you pray the labyrinth. Come as often as you would like.

Sunday Morning

Schedule

8:30 am Worship9:45 am Sunday

School11 am Worship

(Sanctuary)11 am The Compass(in the Fellowship

HallCasual dress)

Office HoursMonday – Thursday8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Friday8:00 am – 1:00 pm

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Senior Pastor’s

Maundy Thursday March 28th

Meal 6 pm, worship 7 pm

You are cordially invited to a meal of lamb, bitter herbs, and unleavened bread in the Passover style that Jesus celebrated His whole life.The meal begins at 6 pm. Please let the church office know how many of your family to expect. This is not a fund raiser, but a donation of $10.00 per person is suggested to cover the cost of the meal.

At 7 pm, we will gather in the Sanctuary for a Maundy Thursday service of Word and Communion. Good Friday March 29th worship at 7 pm

We will gather to remember the day Jesus died on the cross. The service is called Tenebrae, or “Darkness”. Gather in the Social Hall.

Holy Saturday March 30th worship at 7 pmEaster Vigil begins at the foot of the large cross in the front yard. From there, we

will proceed into the sanctuary to hear God’s Word.

Easter Sunrise March 31st Worship at 6:45 am

We will greet the morning on the church lawn between the Sanctuary and the Social Hall. If the weather is rainy, we will move into the sanctuary. Following worship, we will enjoy a light continental breakfast in the social hall.

Easter Celebrations8:30 am classic worship in the sanctuary11 am classic worship in the sanctuary11 am Compass worship in the social hall.

There will be a wooden cross between the sanctuary and the social hall. Please bring flowers from your yard or a shop to remind all who pass by that we worship the Risen Christ!

May your faith be enriched and your soul blessed as you prepare for Easter!

Pastor Dorothy and Pastor Mike

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Greetings to my Brothers and Sisters in Christ,February was a great time for ministry at Highland UMC! Highland members deepened their marriage relationships and friendships with other members at a marriage enrichment retreat at Lake Gaston, twelve

individuals attended the Blackstone District Youth Retreat, and forty-two youth and volunteers had an incredibly fun time Wii Bowling. However, the great opportunities for ministry, mission, fun, and fellowship won’t end with the closing of February, because March is here. With Holy Week and Easter Sunday, trips to Swader’s and the bowling alley, and the formation of spring small group meetings, the month of March is shaping up to be an exciting time of worship, discipleship, and good old fashioned fun. Without further ado, here is what is coming up soon.

Small Group Updates:In 1729 Charles Wesley along with George Whitfield and other fellow students at Oxford began meeting with his brother John on a weekly basis to study faith, hold each other accountable in Holy action, and order their lives through their methods of right living. These students were branded “Methodists” by other students who mocked this small group’s new approach to faith. Small groups are at the very foundation of our denomination.

As the spring session of small groups draws near, it is our desire to offer meaningful small group choices as a way for Highland United Methodist Church to find new levels of faith development and community formation. We would like to offer the following topical small group studies, and ask that members of the Highland Community step forward to be group facilitators. Please read the topic description and decide if you are interested in helping facilitate or participate in the group study.

I Am Second Small Group I am second is meant to inspire people of all kinds to live for God and others. Actors. Athletes. Musicians. Business leaders. Drug addicts. Your next-door neighbor. People like you. The authentic stories in the I Am Second DVD study provides insight into dealing with the typical struggles of everyday living. These are stories that give hope to the lonely and the hurting, help from destructive lifestyles, and inspiration to the unfulfilled. This six-week small group session will talk about how when we try to “go it alone” in life, we usually end up going nowhere, and what we can do to put ourselves second and God first.

Leaders – Looking for a volunteerMeeting Times – TBDStart Date – First Week of AprilGroup Size – Limited to the first 12 registrationsLength – 6 WeeksMeeting Location – Looking for host homeFor Registration – Sign up on bulletin board outside of Sanctuary or in Compass Space

When God’s People Pray: The Transforming Power of PrayerPrayer can change lives and circumstances like nothing else can. What are the keys that unlock its power, that turn prayer from a mere activity into a vital and intimate link with God? In this DVD, Jim Cymbala, pastor of Brooklyn Tabernacle, shows you truths about prayer that God has used to turn his own church from a tiny, struggling inner-city congregation into a vital, thriving community of believers who pray with passion, focus, and faith. Featuring teachings by Jim Cymbala and video interviews of ordinary people who have received extraordinary answers to their prayers, these six sessions will help you pray with new confidence. Sessions include: 1. God's Heart for Us 2. The Amazing Power of Prayer 3. Obedience in Prayer 4. The Word of God and Prayer 5. Why Prayer Matters 6. Creating a Prayer Ministry in Your Church. Continued Page 4Highland United Methodist Church Page 4

Associate Pastor’s - Continued

Leaders – Bryan MallaryMeeting Times – TBD

Start Date – First Week of AprilGroup Size – Limited to the first 12 registrationsMeeting Location – Looking for a host home

For Registration – Contact Brian Mallary at mazmallary@comcast.net or 804-796-9636

What Do other Faiths Believe?Synopsis – A discussion of the major religions of the world, using Paul Strobel’s book “What Do Other Faiths Believe”. We will explore Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other faiths to explore how the beliefs and practices of these religions are similar to and different from basic Christian beliefs. The foundations of our faith will strengthened by understanding what other religions believe about sin, forgiveness, salvation, life after death, and ethics, and exploring what we believe about the same issues.

Leaders – Looking for volunteersMeeting Times – TBDStart Date – First Week of AprilGroup Size – Limited to the first 12 registrationsMeeting Location – Looking for host homeFor Registration – Sing up on Bulletin Board outside of Sanctuary or Compass Space

Day Time Bible StudySynopsis – We would like to offer a Bible study during the day as an opportunity for Highland members who may not be comfortable driving at night. This study will focus on issues and topics chosen by group participants with the purpose of growing deeper in their faith.

Leaders – Pastor Dorothy O’QuinnMeeting Times – TBDStart Date – First Week of AprilGroup Size – OpenMeeting Location – Highland UMCFor Registration – Sing up on Bulletin Board outside of Sanctuary or Compass Space

If you have been involved with small groups in the past, I hope you will continue to be a part of the small group offerings at Highland. If you haven’t been involved with a small group, I invite you to choose a group you may be interested in from the list above and either sign up on the bulletin boards outside of the Sanctuary or in the Compass Space or contact the group’s leader to register.

Youth Events:Youth Day Trip to Swader’s Sports Park:This trip is a fellowship event to provide an opportunity for youth to get out and have fun together as a community. This is also an opportunity for youth to invite friends to come and be a part of the HUMC youth group.

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Associate Pastor - Continued

- Event Date - March 10

- Time – Leave After Church and return at 4:00pm.- Cost – Various depending on activity, best deal is $25 for run of park, this includes 3 rides/attractions and $10 for the arcade.- Point of Contact for questions – Pastor Mike at pastormtolbert@gmail.com or Hannah Carper at gogreenearth@yahoo.com.

Youth to Visit Pamplin Park: The youth will travel to Pamplin Park to be exposed the history that surrounds them in their own back yard. This trip help youth understand that what you do today echoes in the future, and there is a cost to the freedom they enjoy.

- Event Date - April 6- Time – leave church at 10am and return at 2pm- Cost - $12 per student - Point of Contact for questions. – Pastor Mike at pastormtolbert@gmail.com or Hannah Carper at gogreenearth@yahoo.com.

Youth Mission Trip to New York for Hurricane Sandy Relief:Hurricane Sandy struck the Atlantic Gulf Coast October 29, 2012. Sandy is considered the second costliest storm in US history. Winds and tidal surges had a direct hit on New York City and the New Jersey coasts. The effects of Sandy were compounded by another storm that approached New England from the west. The convergence of these two powerful storms gave the name “Superstorm Sandy.” As time passes the call to action fades, and many residents still face tremendous suffering, devastation, and hopelessness. Our youth will come to the aid of those living in New York and New Jersey’s impact zone, bringing hope to the residents who are still there. We will repair broken spirits and help families move beyond the destruction of their homes by doing a wide variety of repairs–clean out, drywall, mudding, sanding, debris removal, roof repair, fence mending, etc, and we will also have the opportunity to serve in local soup kitchens, food pantries, feed the homeless and visit the elderly.

-Event Date – July 15-20 -Cost - $324 per youth-Point of Contact for questions. – Pastor Mike at pastormtolbert@gmail.com or Hannah Carper at gogreenearth@yahoo.com.

In the Love of Christ,Pastor Mike

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Back by popular demand, or at least we want to think so!! The Faithfinders are sponsoring another

Spaghetti Diner

This wonderful meal will be available on Saturday March 23 from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. As always the costs are reasonable at $9 for adults and $6 for children. Tickets are available in advance, because we think we sell more that way, but as always you can also get them at the door. To-Go Meals will also be available. The proceeds will go to class missions; however, we are committing 25% of the proceeds to purchase Bibles and other religious materials for the table in the Fellowship Hall. These materials are available to anyone at no cost. It has been a big addition to the Wednesday Night Feeding mission. We look forward to see you all on March 23.

From our Recreation CommitteeWe are hosting a bowling out, Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Colonial Heights Bowling Alley from 1 – 4 pm. The cost is $6.00 for 2 games and shoes are free. Those interested sign up at the Sunday School desk by March 10th.

Golf TournamentHighland has invited the James River District to join us for a golf tournament to be held on April 20, 2013 at 1:00 at Jordan Point Country Club. It is captain’s choice format. The cost is $28 per person. There will be mulligans available at cost of $2 for one and $5 for 3, max per player is 3. Please call me or email me if you are interested by Friday March 22, 2013. My committee will let the players know who will make up their foursome.

Thanks, Gary Rose Highland Recreation Committee Chairman 804-520-1635GaryWRose47@yahoo.com

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The Easter Project

Due to our Senior Pastor allergy to lilies the Worship Committee will be substituting hydrangeas for theFlower in the Sanctuary for Easter Sunday. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Easter Project

Donor __________________________________________________________________________

I will purchase ______ Hydrangeas at the cost of $20.00 per plant

I will help The Hydrangea Project with my gift of $ ____________separate from the plant order

In memory of __________________________________________________________________

In honor of ____________________________________________________________________

Questions? Please call Louise Frenier 526-6813 or Bryan Carper 520-7159

Last day to order flowers is March 17 th ! Easter Project contributions graciously accepted any time.

WEDNESDAY LENTEN WORSHIPAT 12 PM

March 6 – Speaker:Arlick Brockwell, Lay ServantLunch: Dalton McNeer

March 13 – Speaker: The Rev. Delano DouglasLunch: Morning Star Class

March 20 – Speaker:Dorothy Crowder, Lay ServantLunch: Covered dish

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Diet and Heart Disease      It has been known for some time that people who follow a "Mediterranean Diet" have lower

rates of heart disease. The "Mediterranean Diet" consists of high intakes of olive oil, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and  moderate intake of fish and poultry, and low intake of red processed meats, dairy foods and sweets. Also low intake of red wine, if so inclined. A recent study from Spain showed that people who followed the "Mediterranean Diet" had 30% less chance to have a "Heart Event". "Quality of Life" was reported good. There are many references on Google for the "Mediterranean Diet"

Health and Welfare Committee

In MemoriamBurrell Conrad “Connie” Hack

2/14/13Ethel Bruce Branton 2/24/13

SympathyWe express our condolences to the Russell “Rusty” Mack family. He was the step son to Lori Pierson Mack; and step great grandson to Cecile and George Pierson.May God comfort you during this time of bereavement.

New MembersWe warmly welcome to our church family Matt and Janel Reynolds, who joined by letter of transfer February 3, 2013. They have two children Holden and Zoe, WELCOME!!

Also, we welcome John Christensen, who transferred his membership from LuthernChurch of Holy Comforter, February 17th.

We are grateful and hope you will find spiritual fulfillment at Highland. Blessings to each of you.

Upper Room Devotional Books are available in the Sunday School area located in the Upper Room Rack. Cost: .70c Regular print $1.00 Large print

Mothers and Others Spring Luncheon For Highland women, their daughters,

friends and family Saturday, April 20, 2013    12:00 Noon

Highland United Methodist Church Proceeds benefit

Colonial Heights Food Pantry & Highland UMC Missions

Sponsored by Agape CircleTickets are $12 - See an Agape Circle

Member for tickets

Financial Up-DateJanuary 27 –

February17, 20132010 Budget $354,250.00Amount needed each month 29,520.83Amount received (1/27 – 2/17) 27,208.50 Amount needed Year-to-date7 weeks @$6,812.50 per week budgeted 47,687.50 Amount collected year-to-date (/27 – 2/17) 47,646.00 Rainy Day Fund (1/27 – 2/17) 2,360.50

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Listed are our Shut-in’s –Give them a call, send a note let them know you care and they are in your prayers (Those with asterisk would enjoy visits).

Betty Bands 2Virginia & Fred Barker *John Brockwell *Evelyn Dail 4Mary Ferguson 6Barbara Kellam *Clyde Long 1Edythe Martin 2Peggy Picardat *Nancy PriceLillian Ross *Betty Story 6Clarence Wells (Son’s home in Deltaville)Ann Webb *Martha Woolfolk *Joyce Westfall 5Jesse Avery (Health South, Richmond)

Legend - 1 Colonial Heights Health Care Center 831 E. Ellerslie Avenue, Colonial Heights, VA 23834 2 Dunlop House – 235 Dunlop Farms Colonial Heights, VA 23834 4 Brighter Living – 5301 Plaza Drive, Hopewell, VA 23860 5 Dinwiddie Nursing and Rehabilitation Home – 46 Diamond Drive, Petersburg, VA 23860 6 Tyler’s Retreat at Ironbridge – (New Nursing Home – Rt. 10) 12001 Ironbridge Road, Chester, VA 23831 7 Golden Living Center – 287 South Blvd., Petersburg, VA 23803

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March Birthdays

01. Ruby Waltman Elizabeth Vaughan02. Edward A. Perkins, III Brandi Sharp Jeremiah Sovocool05. Charles Jenkins06. Cory Mitchell Elizabeth Ann Roark Kimberly White07. Nicole Bennett Paul Bouganim Carrie Broaddus Gary Everts Lisa Hammonds Abigail Henderson LeAnn White08. Payne O’Quinn Dave Slaybaugh09. William Walker10. Hayden Greene Grace Hackney Courtney Daniel-Newman Joan Ivey11. Wesley Brower, Jr Robert Dobrick, Sr Darlene Richey12. Claudia Laube13. Rev. Dorothy McNeer O’Quinn14. Michelle M. Brookshire

15. Michael White16. John L. Hack19. James Potts21. Michael Eyler Nicole Lynne Hamlin Love Williams Dorothy Ivey22. Ellen Crigger Catherine Mayes Alexis Ward-Robinson Jacob White23. Donald Colbert Harrison Jose24. Martha Buissett Blake Romer Tracy Schutt Lauri Ward-Henderson25. Jacqueline Krutainis26. Julie Ann Harrison-Smith Pamela Sheffield29. Audrey Jarrett Barbara Lewis Ashleigh Tuck31. Chad McAlister Jennifer Maitland Emily Walker