I hope you were able to join us for either the Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services. What a great time of meeting together and celebrating the coming of our Savior! It's hard to believe another year and Christmas season has come and gone. I am blown away by all that God has done in 2011 at The Heights.

Think back over this past year ... to ENGAGE Sunday where we as a church accomplished over 45 projects in a two hour period on a rainy, overcast Sunday morning - and God smiled. Think about how much The Heights has continued to invest in the lives of those living in Uganda. Our church has given just under $100,000 towards the Clean Water Project during this past year - and God smiled. Think about our continued partnership in the Park Central area including Bukhair Elementary. Many families have been impacted by the generosity of The Heights through mentoring, apartment ministry, Bukhair events, and through our annual Three Trees event where our church gave over $65,000 - and God smiled.

Another great thing that happened here at The Heights this year was the addition of Cory Butler & Chase Hilbert to our Heights Staff. We have been extremely blessed by their passion and devotion for teaching youth to walk with Christ. If you haven't gotten a chance to know these guys, you will have an opportunity to this Sunday. Cory will be preaching out of James 2:14-17, and Chase will be leading us in worship. We will once again, worship together in one combined service at 10:30 a.m.

As we look forward to another year, I really want to give a challenge to us as a church family. We realize we can do a lot of good things here at The Heights, and we do. By the grace of God, the Lord has blessed us with a lot of thriving ministries. However, we know that ministry activities do not necessarily denote spiritual health.

Here at The Heights, we don't want to build up people who are just good at going to church and participating in Christian activities. We want to teach people to Live Intentionally for Christ...for a lifetime. This means our greatest hope for our church is that we are rooted in the foundation of Christ and in His Word. So this year we want to encourage every person, every family, to commit to a Bible reading plan for 2012. I will be reading through the 1-Year ESV Study Bible plan through youversion.com. If you have not heard of YouVersion, it's an online Bible app that tracks your progress on your computer and/or smart phone. You can take notes and share passages easily through Facebook and other social media. It's really easy to use...and it's free!

So I challenge you, please take some time to visit youversion.com, and join us as we begin reading together in 2012 on January 1.

God Bless,
Gary

Year End Giving - December 30

All contributions for the 2011 tax year must be received in the church office by 5 p.m., Friday, December 30, or postmarked by December 31, if mailed. For more information, contact Bill Ferrell at 972-238-7243, or email bferrell@theheights.org.

Office & Library Holiday Hours

The church building and offices will be closed January 2 for the Holiday. The Library will also be closed on January 1.

Core Virtue - January

This months Core Virtue for K-4th Graders is SELF CONTROL: choosing to do what you should do, not what you want to do. The memory verse is: "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19.

Celebrate Recovery - January 3

Celebrate Recovery focuses on strengthening our relationship with Christ as we address life's issues, hurts, habits and hang-ups. This Christ-focused, 12-step program provides support, fellowship, and spiritual growth. Meetings are safe and confidential. Join us any Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Ministry area downstairs (the Brick).

We will be welcoming DBU professor, John Pollard, to share his testimony at our first CR meeting for the year on January 3, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. John is the former pastor of Richland Baptist Church, which mentored us as we began our CR program. This would be a great time to visit or check out CR for the first time. For more information, contact Pam at pnicholson@theheights.org for childcare needs or questions, or visit www.theheights.org/cr.

Prepared for a Day or a Lifetime? - January 8

Engaged or nearly engaged couples are invited to join our 10-week Nearly Wed Seminar, Sunday, January 8, at 9:15 a.m., in Room 233. We will examine the keys to a successful and strong Christian marriage. Cost is $45 per couple. For more information or to register, contact Judy at jelkins@theheights.org or 972-238-7243.

Rev. Dennis Pethers - January 11

Reverend Dennis Pethers will be preaching in both worship services on Sunday, January 8. Dennis grew up in the East End of London and for the early part of his life knew nothing of church, Jesus, or the Christian faith. He discovered the truth about Jesus while reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis as he was sitting on a train. Since then, he has traveled all over the world telling people about Jesus and equipping churches and Christians to engage in effective evangelism. He will kick-off our new sermon series, If Not Us, Then Who?

Parenting Classes - January 11

Parenting Class, Value Packed Parenting - How to raise a rock solid kid in a pleasure driven world, is a 7 week class led by our Children's Minister, Robbie Sutton. Classes will meet each Wednesday beginning January 11, from 6:30 - 8 p.m., in Room 206/208. Reservations are required. Cost is $7 for materials. For more information or to register, contact Marley at mcosgrove@theheights.org. Deadline to register is Monday, January 9. Childcare will be provided.

Fine Arts Institute at The Heights - January 16

The Fine Arts Institute is now accepting registration for the Spring Semester. Lessons begin January 16. Private study is available in Voice, Piano, Drums, Guitar, and Bass Guitar. Classroom instruction is available in Dance. For more information or to register, visit www.theheights.org/resources/fine-arts.

Heights Singles Conference - January 21

The Heights Singles will be hosting a conference, "The Pursuit for Happily Ever After," featuring author and speaker, Laura Petherbridge, on Saturday, January 21. Early registration is $5, $15 at the door. Contact Mary Dettmer at dettmermary@gmail.com for more information.

7th-12 Grade Students: CHI ALPHA is coming February 3-5

Students, mark your calendars for CHI ALPHA, February 3-5, 2012. Register online at www.thsm.org to get the early registration price of $75. Also, we need more volunteers. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Tara at tvoiles@theheights.org or 972-238-7243.

Father/Daughter Sock Hop - February 10

A Father/Daughter Sock Hop for all girls ages 5-12 and their fathers will be Friday, February 10. Mark your calendars now, and more information will be available soon.

Conversational Spanish Classes - January 3 and February 14

Conversational Spanish Classes will be offered again this semester. An advanced class, led by Cele Rodriguez, will begin January 3, and a beginner class, led by Daniel Viamonte, will begin February 14. Classes will meet on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. For more information or to register, email: gratcliff@theheights.org.

Pine Cove for 6th Graders - March 30 - April 1

All 6th Graders mark your calendars for Pine Cove, March 30-April 1. Cost is $120. Registration begins January 1. Visit www.kidsattheheights.org for more information and to register.

The Heights Baptist Church - 201 West Renner Road - Richardson, Texas 75080 - 972.238.7243
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