A Model Church

On Sunday, we looked together at the Thessalonian effect as we began reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Paul and his church planting missionary team gave thanks to God for the visible effects of the gospel in the lives of the new Christians. As Paul and Silas proclaimed the good news, the Holy Spirit worked to bring new life in Thessalonica, a city in Greece.   
 
Soon, everyone in the area was talking about the Thessalonian effect. Paul brought the gospel. The Holy Spirit opened eyes and people believed. The new believers imitated the faithful life of Paul, Silas and Jesus, and they became a model for others to follow. They were an everyday church in whom the visible effects of gospel conversion were seen daily. They also scattered to show and tell others the good news that Jesus was LORD. 
 
We called this the Thessalonian effect. 
 
May we respond to God’s grace as we follow Jesus and other faithful disciples, and may we purpose daily to be role models for others to see the Thessalonian effect in us.  
 
In chapter 2 of Thessalonians, we’ll consider the Tilting Act of Ministry.  

Resources of the Week

Senior Adult (55+) Luncheon | November 17                                                                            
The 55 + Seniors are having a luncheon at Luby's on Dessau and 183 on Sunday, November 17th, immediately after the morning service.
 
Re:Connecting Around the Gospel Marriage Workshop | Saturday, December 7 | 8:30 AM to 12 PM 
This workshop is for any married couple to attend together. The workshop will present biblical wisdom then provide time for couples to reflect, process and pray together. We are planning to provide childcare for ages 8 months through 2nd grade.  Click here to register.
 
Women's Ministry Annual Christmas Brunch | Saturday, December 14 from 10 AM to 12 PM
Ladies, please plan to join the women at our annual Christmas brunch! Aimee Barnes will be speaking. Click here to register.
 
Meaningful Membership Class | Sunday, January 12 | 1:15 PM to 4:30 PM in the Old Choir Room
If you’re interested in learning more about High Pointe or pursuing membership with High Pointe, please mark your calendars Membership Class. This class will cover three main questions: What is the church and why should I join, what does High Pointe believe, and what do we expect of church members at High Pointe. Click here to register.
 
Life Classes
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from August 25 to December 5:

• Growing in Prayer 
• Discipling: Principles and Practice 
• Student Ministry Life Class | Spiritual Disciplines: For children 6th–12th grades 
• Kids Life Class: For children K–5th grade 

 
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:  

• November 17 | 1 Thessalonians 2:1-17, Pastor Robert 
• November 24 | Begin Study of Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 1 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 8 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 15 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 22 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 
• December 29 | Luke’s Gospel, Pastor Juan 

 
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
 
 
Gospel Partner of the Month: The Gospel Coalition
 
TGC is a fellowship of evangelical churches in the Reformed tradition deeply committed to renewing our faith in the gospel of Christ and to reforming our ministry practices to conform fully to the Scriptures. We have become deeply concerned about some movements within traditional evangelicalism that seem to be diminishing the church’s life and leading us away from our historic beliefs and practices. On the one hand, we are troubled by the idolatry of personal consumerism and the politicization of faith; on the other hand, we are distressed by the unchallenged acceptance of theological and moral relativism. These movements have led to the easy abandonment of both biblical truth and the transformed living mandated by our historic faith. We not only hear of these influences, we see their effects. We have committed ourselves to invigorating churches with new hope and compelling joy based on the promises received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
 
Our desire is to serve the church we love by inviting all our brothers and sisters to join us in an effort to renew the contemporary church in the ancient gospel of Christ so that we truly speak and live for him in a way that clearly communicates to our age. As pastors, we intend to do this in our churches through the ordinary means of his grace: prayer, the ministry of the Word, baptism and the Lord’s Supper and the fellowship of the saints. We yearn to work with all who, in addition to embracing the confession and vision set out here, seek the lordship of Christ over the whole of life with unabashed hope in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform individuals, communities, and cultures.
 
You will find links to our Confessional Statement and our Theological Vision for Ministry — a vision rooted in the Scriptures and centered on the gospel.
 
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.