9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall

Teaching: Matthew Penfield

Streaming: Facebook @HighlandsUMC
Watch past Online Sunday School Lessons

10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Streaming: Facebook, Youtube, or Vimeo

Preaching – The Reverend Mikah Hudson

Liturgist – Reggie Holder

Choirmaster and Organist – Richard Phillips

Verger – Brian Bellenger

Lay Reader – Dylan Higgs

Scripture:

Prelude:  Fantasy on EIN FESTE BURG (A Mighty Fortress Is Our God) - Michael Pretorius

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise (ST. DENO)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (FAITHFULNESS)

Psalter: Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10 | Anglican Chant: Robert Cooke

Anthem: God Be In My Head - Sir Henry Walford Davies

Voluntary: Postlude in C Major - Peter Christian Lutkin

To make a financial contribution to Highlands:

Britton Buckner, Mary Jean Box, Tim Brennan, Gayle Byrne, Cathy Caldwell, Jane Cooley, Jean & James Daniels, Susan Gaskin, Martha George, Patty Green, Sonny Holt, Pamela & Paul Huck, Joyce Jones, Judy Mills, Brook Morris, Keith Owens, Louis Poe, Christian Riley, Nancy Sawyer, Mary Carol Smith, Carol and Arthur Stephens, Abby Thompson, Stephen Thompson, Kathleen & Tommy Thompson; Lisa, sister of Angela Chramer; Leo Bolack, grandson of Jettye and Jon Davis; Denise Anchors, sister-in-law of Leigh Delashaw; Mark Carleton, brother of Lynn Hairston; Lee Windham, son of Joyce and Ebbie Jones; Mary Jane Meadows, sister of Margaret Moore; John Roberts, father of Valerie Nash; Neil Shelor, father of Jennifer Shelor; Judy Trench, mother of Bart Trench

As we navigate the ongoing pandemic, Highlands is looking forward to welcoming acolytes back to our worship this fall. To prepare, we are asking that all vaccinated youth who wish to become an acolyte or continue to serve as an acolyte attend a training session on Saturday, August 18 at 1:00 pm. This will serve as a refresher for current acolytes and full training for new ones. All students and adults must wear a mask for training, and we will practice social distancing for the duration of training. Our goal will be to train the acolytes as safely as possible. To RSVP for acolyte training, contact Mary Elizabeth Neal at maryelizabeth@highlandsumc.net no later than Friday, August 28.

Following acolyte training, all youth – 6th grade through 12th graders – are invited to a pool party at the home of Wade and Allison Lowery, beginning at 4:00 pm. This party is partly to welcome the rising 6th graders into the youth group and partly to give all youth some time to get to know our new Youth Director, Danny Jones, and our Seminarian in Residence, Leslie Norris. We will grill burgers and wrap up around 6:00 pm. Youth who attend acolyte training will be transported to the Lowery’s by shuttle bus (borrowed from Canterbury UMC), and all youth should be picked up at the Lowery’s home. All youth should bring a swim suit and towel, sunscreen, and a mask to wear when not swimming or eating. Social distancing will be observed throughout the event.

We have been pleased to be able to offer Atrium – Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based Sunday School – at Highlands for the past ten years. We resumed safe gatherings in the Atrium this spring and have continued through the summer in thanks particularly to a good cadre of volunteers who have assisted. As we prepare for the Fall, we intend to open our Level Three Atrium and could use some additional volunteers. We hope to limit volunteers to two sessions each between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Volunteers need be present from 10:15 until 11:30 am. A trained Catechist will be present each Sunday to give direction and help you find a comfortable task. Additionally, we will offer training sessions for anyone who would like to learn more about the Atrium on Tuesday, August 31 at Noon and Thursday, September 16 at Noon.  Contact: Lauri Soong  – laurisoong@hotmail.com or Reggie Holder – reggie@highlandsumc.net

Ten years ago this summer, five members of Highlands – Lauri Soong, Valerie Nash, Sonya Heath, Edna Rush and Reggie Holder – began intensive training in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with Anna Hurtle and Stephanie Diethelm. By September, a simple Level 1 Atrium for ages three to six was in place, with a bare minimum of lessons and materials. Each year since, our Catechists have studied in weekend and summer trainings to learn more about the work of the child. Members of Highlands quickly helped furnish our Atrium and a generous anonymous gift helped carpet the room and purchase materials. Over the last ten years, we’ve added Levels 2 and 3, trained additional Catechists, and encouraged a generation of children who have been a part of all three levels.

On Sunday, September 12, we will celebrate our Atrium’s 10-year anniversary with an Open House at 9:30 am. All are invited to visit the Atrium to see how far we have come in the past decade and look forward to the next one. Breakfast will be provided and everyone is encouraged to stop by for a tour. Save the date and be sure to join us!

Dinner and Devos - Thursdays at 6:30 pm Beginning September 9
Highlands is starting a new college Bible study on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm, beginning on September 9 and open to college-age students from all local college and universities. Our first gathering will be at Surin West. You can support this emerging ministry in a variety of ways: Help us identify college students to invite, open your home to one of our weekly gatherings, make a donation with memo for “college ministry” to help cover meal costs for some our gatherings, and begin now to pray for the success of this new venture.
Contact: Rae Green – 205-200-4363 | Reggie Holder – 205-933-8751 ext. 213.

Anam Cara Study - Sundays at 4:00 pm Beginning September 12
Anam Cara - A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O’Donohue is a soul-stretching read, exploring such immutable human concerns as love, friendship, solitude, work, aging, and death through the timeless lens of ancient Celtic wisdom. Irish poet, philosopher, and scholar John O’Donohue guides us through the spiritual landscape and imagination using soulful Celtic teachings, stories, and blessings that span generations both ancient and contemporary. During this time of pandemic, social distancing, and mask protocols that are so rapidly changing people’s lives, many of us are longing for true connection. Reading Anam Cara and discussing it in a small group setting is a great way to go deeper in our spiritual journey and nurture community during these hard times. Join Reggie Holder Sunday afternoons at 4 pm, beginning September 12 in the Highlands Prayer Garden or Sanctuary as weather permits to read and reflect on short passages of Anam Cara.
Contact: Reggie Holder – 205-933-8751 ext. 213. or reggie@highlandsumc.net

Women’s Bible Study - Tuesdays at Noon Beginning September 12
Join Valerie Nash and Romona Shannon Tuesdays at Noon for a time of reflection, study, and community reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s An Altar in the World – A Geography of Faith. We will explore how to find God beyond the church walls by embracing the sacred as a natural part of everyday life. Together we will attempt to discover altars everywhere we go and in nearly everything we do, as we learn to live with purpose, pay attention, slow down, and revere the world we live in.  We will seek to find meaning in simple practices such as walking, working, and praying. PJ Ellis will provide lunch for the first meeting, and participants are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch to subsequent meetings. We hope that the group will encompass a diverse group of women – single and married, young and mature, new to the study of scripture and the life of the church, as well as long-time members – to support and mentor one another.
Contact: Valerie Nash – valerienash@gmail.com | Romona Shannon – roroshannon@gmail.com

Welcome to Danny Jones who has joined the Highlands staff as Director of Youth and Serving Ministries. Danny has a wealth of experience and accomplishment in both of these areas through his work with Urban Ministries and Alabama Arise, and as the North Alabama Conference Youth Coordinator. Christian formation for our youth pairs naturally with service and outreach, offering the opportunity to put their faith into action and fosters a lasting bond to their church and community. We look forward to all that Danny will bring to the ministries of Highlands. 

Office: E211 | 205-933-8751, ext. 211 | danny@highlandsumc.net

Highlands is pleased to introduce Leslie Norris this Sunday in worship. Leslie is joining our staff as Seminarian in Residence. Leslie grew up attending Bluff Park UMC and recently graduated from Millsaps College with honors. While in college, she interned with Galloway UMC in Jackson, Mississippi, offering support to their youth ministries. Leslie is a candidate for ordained ministry, beginning her seminary studies online with Perkins School of Theology. She will devote 10 hours a week to Highlands, providing additional support to our youth ministry and leading in worship.