Church Phone No.: (856)456-3364 Church Fax No.: (856)456-3812 District Website: www.chogeast.org National Website: www.chog.

org

Highland Park Church of God

Gods People on Gods Mission!

Pastor Bill e-mail: revwddilksjr@juno.com Office e-mail: highlandparkcog@yahoo.com Web Site: www.highlandparkcog.org

November 2011

Sun

Mon

Tue
1 (I Kings 16) 9:00 AM Mens Bible Study

Wed
2 (I Kings 17) 6:30 AM Wednesday Morning Prayer 6:30 PM FWAIC and Play Pract. 9 (II Kings 2) 6:30 AM Wednesday Morning Prayer
6:30 PM Share the Word and Play Practice

Thu
3
(I Kings 18)

Fri
4
(I Kings 19)

Sat
5
(I Kings20) 10:00 AM DVPA Meeting

Regular Sunday Schedule:

9:30 AM Sunday School for All Ages 11:00 AM Morning Worship 5:30 PM Choir Practice

Noon Retirees Luncheon 7:00-9:00 PM Basketball at MEC Gym 10

(II Kings 3)

6 (I Kings 21) 11:00 AM Communion Daylight Saving Time Ends 13 (II Kings 6) Play Practice After Church 7:00 PM Trustees Meeting

(I Kings 22)

8 (II Kings 1) 7:00 PM Board of CE Meeting

11

(II Kings 4)

12

(II Kings 5) 7:45 AM Ladies Lancaster Trip 9:00 AM Mens Fellowship Breakfast Church Workday Following

14

(II Kings 7)

15 (II Kings 8) 9:00 AM Mens Bible Study

16 (II Kings 9) 6:30 AM Wednesday Morning Prayer 6:30 PM FWAIC and Play Pract. 23
(II Kings 16)

17

(II Kings 10)

18 (II Kings 11) 19 (II Kings 12) 7:00-9:00 PM Basketball at MEC Gym 10:00 AM2:00 PM Shop Til You Drop at the Church 25
(II Kings 18)

20 (II Kings 13) 21 Play Pract After Ch. 7:00 PM Council Mtg. Harvest In-Gathering Ends 27 (II Kings 20) Play Practice After Church Advent Begins 28

(II Kings 14)

22

(II Kings 15)

24

(II Kings 17)

26

(II Kings 19)

7:00 PM Community Thanksgiving Service at First Baptist Church

(II Kings 21)

Thanksgiving

Hanging of the Greens

29

(II Kings 22)

30 (II Kings 23) 6:30 AM Wednesday Morning Prayer 6:30 PM FWAIC and Play Pract.

Monthly calendars are subject to change. Please feel free to contact the church office to confirm events.

November 2011

Dear Church Family and Friends, In the film Shenandoah, James Stewart plays a Virginia farmer during the Civil War. Hes a recent widower. And on her deathbed, his wife made him promise to raise their seven children as good Christians. He tries his best to honor her request. The movie begins with an unforgettable scene, with the family seated at the dinner table. Jimmy Stewart feels compelled to honor his wifes wishes, so he begrudgingly prays this prayer: Lord, we cleared this land. We plowed it, sowed it, and harvested it. We cooked the harvest. It wouldnt be here and we wouldnt be eatin it if we hadnt done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel. But we thank you just the same for this food were about to eat. Amen. That is NOT a prayer of thanksgiving!! One of the essential components of a thanksgiving is that we must somehow bring to mind the things that God has blessed our lives with. Our recognition of Gods gracious gifts creates within our hearts and souls a sense of gratitude for Gods provision and blessings upon our lives. It is precisely when we feel discouraged and dejected that we must make a deliberate effort to think about what we DO HAVE and not about what we HAVE NOT to aid us in this effort. When Cindy asked me about my favorite hymn for Pastors Appreciation Sunday the hymn that came to mind was Count Your Blessings. The words of the song are profound and the formula it sets forward gives a life-altering message to the listener. As we look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving Day this month, let us make the time to heed the songwriters wise advice. Doing so will lift our spirits and better enable us to give thanks with a grateful heart.

Gratefully yours,

Pastor Bill

Gems of Wisdom from Our Seniors

Everything God allows to happen is a stepping stone on your way to where He wants you to be. ~~ Darlene Brown~~

Daylight Saving Time Ends November 6! Dont forget to Fall BACK one hour!

Well, what a blessing we received through the goodness of our Lord and all of you. We are sending $1,502.00 to the Children of Promise Emergency Fund to help children with more serious medical needs. It was announced in church that the total raised by the Kid's Club was $1402. However, someone else handed me a check for $100 after the service. PTL!! To be quite honest, I stepped out in faith but, with much trepidation, when I asked for someone or perhaps a group to come forward to match the winning team's monies or to ask if someone would step forward and give $100 to the winning team. I could just hear the thoughts from the congregation as I spoke: "Is she out of her mind? Does she know how bad the economy is?" However, once again, I came to realize that we truly serve a mighty God and just how He blesses when we are obedient to His calling. Not only did seven people come forward with checks for $100, but that also more than matched what the winning team brought in. Please understand, it does not matter how much you gave, but the condition of your heart when you gave it. And I believe that is one of the reasons God honored this endeavor. I believe that in addition to prayers, that the money given was given from the wonderful hearts that all of you have. And on behalf of the children I humbly thank you. I also want to thank Ann Kelm for organizing a luncheon for us and thank you to all of you that donated such delicious food. Thank you to Amy and Chad Graham and Lisa Kraft for setting up the yard for me and helping with the games and keeping scores. And a big thank you to our parents and grandparents that came and cheered the kids on and especially to our kids that so willingly participated. Everyone had a really wonderful time. I will be sending the money with a prayer that God will help it to multiply and that many, many children will be helped and healed in the name of Jesus. Sincerely, Gloria Ritchie

Faith With An Impact Wednesdays!

November 2 Singspiration November 9 Share the Word November 16 Card Games November 237:00 PM Community Thanksgiving Service at the First Baptist Church (No meal this night.) Nov. 30 Advent Adventure FWAI Wednesdays begin with a light meal at 6:30 PM unless otherwise noted. Each Wednesday night in November there will be practice for the Christmas program for those involved.

Special Thanks . . .
Dear Pastor Bill and Friends at Highland Park Church of God, I appreciate all the cards and phone calls as I recover from my fall. Also, I appreciate all the messages from the loss of my beloved Inky. They have truly helped me. God bless you! Love, Edna Martin Dear Pastor and Congregation, Thank you for your recent donation to Jim Hughes Ministries. Your financial gift is a blessing to us. We cherish your love, support, and prayers. Many of you responded generously to the recent loss of our engine in the ministry van. Were happy to report that we have gotten the work done and the van is back on the road. Thank you for your part in expanding the Kingdom. We couldnt continue without you! Thanks to you and your congregation for the wonderful, timely gifts to our ministry. It was a blessing. Wendy and I pray for you and the Highland Park Church of God often. Please continue to pray for us as we begin to move into our busy fall season. In Calvarys love, Rev. Jim and Wendy Hughes

Kid's Club and Christmas Musical Participants

For the month of November, it was decided that on our Faith With an Impact evenings that we normally have each Wednesday, we would be having rehearsals for the Christmas Musical for those who are involved. So, beginning on Wednesday, November 2nd and continuing through November 30th (with the exception of Thanksgiving eve) there will be play practice beginning at 7:00. Feel free to come at 6:30 for a free, light supper before we begin. We will also have scheduled activities on Wednesday evenings for the adults. Please see the previous page for details. There will also be practices every Sunday right after church beginning on Sunday November 13 through December 4. Dress rehearsal is scheduled for Saturday, December 10th. at 10:00. We will present the musical on Sunday, December 11, during the morning worship service. This musical is open to children, youth, and young adults. It is hoped that ALL that fall within that age bracket will come on out and take part. You are much needed in order for this musical to do well, and everyone's prayers are coveted. If you have any questions please see Mrs. Ritchie or Dr. Zank.

ART AND SPIRITUALITY AT COLLINGSWOOD MANOR The Collingswood Manor is starting a new program to help residents connect with God in ways Bible study alone cannot. The program will be called Art and Spirituality: Finding the God of Creation Through Creative Activities. The Manor needs volunteers to share their creative gifts and help residents explore creative outlets. If you might be interested in this opportunity to serve, please contact Rev. Rich Leaver, chaplain at Collingswood Manor at 856/854-4331 Ext. 305 Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Harvest Ingathering: Our Annual Harvest In-gathering food drive for the Helping Hand Club of Gloucester City has begun! Our goal is two items per person per Sunday through November 20. All non-perishable items will be accepted. Cash donations may be put in the offering plate designated to Helping Hand. Thank you for helping to feed many needy families in Gloucester City! Christmas Open Houses: If you would like to open your home and invite the church family for a Christmas Open House, please call Sandy as soon as possible to get it on the church calendar. This is such a wonderful time to fellowship together as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior! Scrip Sales: Scrip sales have begun and will continue through November 27th. Order forms and a list of available gift cards can be found on the table in the Narthex. If you have any questions, please see Cindy. Thank you in advance for your continued support of our youth and young adults. Scrip gives you the opportunity to purchase gift cards for their face value. Then, the youth and young adults are given a portion of the sales! What a great way to do your Christmas shopping without fighting the traffic! Attention Men: The Mens Fellowship Breakfast for the month of November has been moved to the SECOND Saturday of the month at 9:00 AM. This change is for November only. The church work day (for both men and women) has been moved to November 12 as well. Community Thanksgiving Service: We hope to start a new Thanksgiving tradition! Our Community Thanksgiving Service this year will be held on Thanksgiving Eve at 7:00 PM at the First Baptist Church. Everyone is invited to participate! Christs Birthday Observance: Each year Christian Women Connection (formerly Women of the Church of God) prays, plans, and serves the church through the Christs Birthday Observance. And each year is a new adventure to see how God will work in our midst, continuing to bring prayer and financial support to this ministry we call the Church of God. Thanks to everyone at the Highland Park Church of God, ministries around the world will be touched by the tangible ministry of the church through prayer and financial support. Your gift of $1,571.44 (2010 CBO) will support sharing the story of Christs birth through ministries like: Global missions and compassionate ministries telling Gods story around the world, offering relief and bringing hope to the unsaved, Congregational Ministrieschildren, youth and adults, Collegiate Ministrieseducating young people for a life of service and ministerial students for a life of leadership in the church, Womens Ministriesdeveloping programming to support women as they participate in the lives of their families, churches, global missions, and sisters around the world, And ministries yet to be imagined! The Christs Birthday Observance is a time when we remember the story that unites us all. It is the time when we remember the very first time we heard the story, when we commit again to live out the story in our lives and relationships, and when we tell the story again. We pray that throughout the next year your church will continue to see transformation and life-change because of your strong commitment to sharing the story with others. God bless you for sacrificing, Arnetta McNease Bailey, Executive Director Christian Women Connection

*Needed*
Our young adults will be collecting clothing and other household items to help those less fortunate than us. A & E Clothing Corp. will sort and ship these items to the immediate needs of the Marian Center Charity Organization with shelters throughout New Jersey and will then send items over seas. They will also donate .13 cents a pound to our organization just for collecting the items! This is a win/win situation, so please donate! Items should be placed in bags and taken to the youth house by November 13. Donations Include: Wearable clothing, shoes, handbags, belts scarves, ties, hats, bedding, curtains, tablecloths, towels and stuffed animals. If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Kumpel or the church office at 456-3364. If you plan to drop off clothes throughout the week, please contact Sandy so that the door will be open.

Shop-til-You-Drop!
Where: Highland Park Church of God 111 Baynes Avenue Gloucester City, NJ 08030 When: Saturday, November 19, 2011 10:00am-2:00pm What: Shopping/Food/Fellowship!
Start your holiday shopping early! (Corner of Baynes and Market Streets)

A variety of vendors will offer cash and carry items, homemade soups to go, items to order, gift card sales, homemade treats, hair feathers by Angie, and door prizes!

Please contact the church office if you have any questions. 856-4563364. All proceeds benefit youth and young adult ministries at the Highland Park Church of God.