Highland Community Church

Church Service Cancellation

In the event of deteriorating weather conditions or emergency situations, information regarding the cancellation of church services at Highland Community Church will be circulated through our email distribution list (the "FYI" messages). Please make sure that you check your email prior to coming to church on days where weather might interfere with travel. If you do not have email, please contact someone who will be checking their email. If the Sunday morning church service is to be cancelled, a notification will be sent by 8:30 am. Notifications for all other events will be sent at least two hours prior to the start of the service.

"trust" CD

'trust…inspirations from Taize’ and ‘rest……inspirations from Taize’ have been recorded through the support of Communitas by gemma (Cathy Hardy & Karin Dart) with a host of musical friends including many from Highland Community. These CD’s include Taize prayer/songs as well as original music by Cathy & Karin. The music from these CDs has been making inroads into birthing rooms, hospice rooms, physiotherapy rooms and private rooms of people all over the world. The feedback from many is that this music is healing and restorative for the soul.

Intercession and Petition in Our Prayer Experience

ALL Prayer, including intercession and petition, are grounded and flourish in the unconditional love of God from which grace and mercy flow into all creation.

1. Petition and intercessory prayer emerge from a posture of humility and a willingness to listen to God.
- Listening rather than informing opens us to the process of shedding our judgments, agendas, perceptions and ideas.
- In listening we become more aware and attentive to what God is already doing.

2. Petition and intercessory prayer are doors through which we participate in what God is doing in the world.
- It is expressing the little bit of love we may carry for the person or situation. We are joining the immensity of love that flows from the heart of God—a love that holds ALL.
- How is God already praying?

3. In petition and intercessory prayer we are offering the person or situation to our already present, caring God. These are too mysterious and complicated for me to carry as my responsibility. If it were up to me I would be mute.

4. In my experience, petition and intercessory prayer are practiced in a state of uncertainty, vacillating between a strong belief in God and doubt.

5. Petition and intercessory prayers are part of our journey in coming into line with the desire of God’s heart.
- purifying our longings, desires and motivations.
- embracing and welcoming our suffering in God’s grace and strength.

6. The crucibles of petition and intercession hold our true prayer, practiced most effectively in relationship with others and God.

7. Finally, petition and intercessory prayers are profoundly beautiful gifts that God receives as worship. As we pray, at some level, we are acknowledging God’s capabilities and asking for the faith to trust God’s heart of love.

These notes were prepared by Steve Imbach for a presentation by Steve Imbach and Brad Jersak at Highland Community Church’s Focus Series on prayer: “Does God?” ( May 16, 2010).

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Articles in Roots and Branches Magazine

Some time ago, Rob Martens wrote a number of articles about the Mennonite Brethren for "Roots and Branches magazine" (Andrew also wrote one article). This issue is now available online at http://www.mhsbc.com/news/pdf/RB16-3_2010_Oct.pdf. As a follow-up to HCC's Focus Series on "The Naked Anabaptist" this may be of interest to some Highlanders. All the back issues of Roots and Branches are available at http://www.mhsbc.com. The upcoming issue will be about Mennonite Spirituality, and so will likely also be of interest to Highlanders!

A Brief History of HCC

Highland Community Church was founded in September 1975 under the name Neighbourhood Bible Fellowship. The original organization of this new congregation was facilitated by representatives of several local Mennonite Brethren churches. The church initially met at Columbia Bible College until the current sanctuary was built in 1980, at which time the name was changed to Highland Community Church.

The impetus for the establishment of this new church included a desire for: worship renewal (vs tradition), spiritual growth (vs programs), identification with community (vs denominationalism), family involvement (vs age-specific activities), care groups (vs total reliance on clergy care), sharing responsibilities (vs multiple paid staff), and an emphasis on teaching (vs preaching).

Upon moving into the present building, the membership was committed to making the facility available to the surrounding community. Groups that have used the building include day-care services, a private school, community clubs such as Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, other church congregations, and many others.

Many people who have attended Highland over the years have seen themselves as marginalized, disenfranchised, and wounded--sometimes resulting from previous church involvements and leadership. The care and acceptance offered to these people resulted in their nurture and healing, following which some would then move on to other churches. This pattern reflects Highland's self-perception as a "hospital church", and is viewed as a special ministry God has given to Highland within the community.

Highland Community Church

About Us

Church Service Cancellation

Lectionary Readings

Upcoming Events at Highland

The "Living Room" at HCC

Library

Features from this Summer's Convention of Mennonite Brethren

Friends of Highland

"Love Shines" CD

"trust" CD

"rest" CD

Intercession and Petition in Our Prayer Experience

Followers

Blog Archive

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Articles in Roots and Branches Magazine

Friday, February 3, 2012

Steve Bell Concert

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Decorating the Tree

A Brief History of HCC

How to Find Us