Worship this Sunday

Join us for worship this Sunday, May 12^th for an exciting day at Highland. Our summer intern, Erica Patton, will preach this Sunday with the focus on Acts 1 where Jesus leaves the disciples with his final words and then ascends to heaven. This comes right before the Pentecost story which we will hear next week. 

We will also celebrate our graduating high school seniors, Charlotte Tymon and Gavin Morris. We will have a special time during the service to congratulate them on this accomplishment and bless them as they go into the future.

Watch the service live on our Facebook page at 10:30 a.m.

Free Little Neighborhood Item of the Week

Our Free Little Neighborhood Item of the week is summer supplies.  The weather is getting warmer, and people will be outside more often.  Pick up sunscreen, bug spray, a hat or any other items that would be useful during the summertime. 

Summer Intern at Highland 

Our presbytery has a program where church members can go through training to be certified as a Commission Lay Pastor to serve in various contexts and situations. This summer, Highland will be the host church for Erica Patton as she goes through this training process. Erica is a member of First Presbyterian Church Lafollette and is excited to spend time with Highland learning and growing in God’s calling to her life. Read a bit about her below. 

Hi Everyone, I am Erica Patton a lifelong East Tennessee resident growing up in Lake City, now known as Rocky Top, TN. I have a twin sister, Erin, that lives in St. Louis, MO and an older sister, Christa, that lives in Las Vegas, NV.  My parents now live in Lebanon, TN and are retired elementary school principals.  I am a huge sports fan, especially basketball and football.  I am also a cat lady and play video games every chance I get.  Other hobbies include trying my hand at growing flowers which is going well so far. I work full time in an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Knoxville.  I look forward to spending the next few months getting to worship with you and getting to know each of you.  I am in the current commission lay pastor program with the presbytery and will be with you May through July.  Blessings to you all.

Pentecost Special Offering 

Sunday, May 19^th

A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

The 40% staying at Highland will go to the Maryville College MAST (Maryville Adventures in Studying Theology) Program which supports high school students in exploring their faith and leadership skills.

Gavin Morris, saxophone player extraordinaire, will graduate with an academic rank of Magna Cum Laude (With High Honors) from Heritage High School on Friday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage High School Stadium.  

(Alternate rain dates are Saturday, May 11 at 7:00 pm or Sunday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m.)  

Gavin has been admitted to The University of Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor's Honors Program with a Double Major in Saxophone Performance and Music Education with Licensure to Teach.  The Chancellor's Honors Program is for students with the highest academic merit and admission is by invitation only.  

Gavin has received academic and music scholarships and grants which give him a full ride and total about $131,000 over 4 years.  His College of Music and Pride of the Southland Band Scholarships required competitive auditions.  He will play alto saxophone in The Pride of the Southland Band.  

His future career plans include possible graduate school studies and teaching at either the public school or college level while continuing to perform saxophone.

Charlotte Grace Tymon is graduating with honors from Alcoa High School. She has attended the Alcoa school system since pre-k and has been a part of the Highland Church family since birth. Charlotte has always been physically active, beginning with ballet and jazz dance and soccer. 

She became a decorated high school athlete and holds the record for most goals scored in one season at AHS. This year was her 3rd year in a row being honored as part of the All-State first team. 

Her team also voted her captain and MVP for her senior season. She discovered track and field as a freshmen and quickly began leading the girls team in points and was a part of the first State Championship team for Alcoa High girls team in 2023. She won the sectionals pentathlon and was 3rd in 300m hurdles at State for which she is ranked in the top 25 in TN. 

She has endured many injuries in athletics and that has inspired her to pursue her education at Belmont University to study Exercise Science and Nutrition, with the hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist.

Will Kemp- May 6

Linda Furtsch- May 7

Amber McMahon-Weller- May 8

Leo Benz-Whittington- May 8

Cindy Benz- May 19

Kay Peace- May 20

David Kemp- May 27

Visit the new calendar page on the Highland website to stay up to date with what is happening in the life of the church.