Children's Ministry is Not a Game

The Bible reminds us that “children are a heritage from the Lord” and that “the fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3). Jesus thanked the Father that He had hidden the truth “from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; . . . for such was your gracious will” (Matthew 11:25-26). When the disciples asked Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus called a child to Himself and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4).

Children’s ministry is not a game. What I mean is that it’s not a time of entertainment while the “grown-ups” get fed spiritually. Children’s ministry is not a means to reach the parents, though we hope God will use children to reach their parents if they’re not believers. Children’s ministry is vital ministry of the local church to help parents establish their children on the foundation of the gospel and to help us reach spiritual orphans in our community – those children with unbelieving parents.

But to accomplish these tasks, we need YOUR help! We are in special need in the nursery. By God’s grace, our nursery was overflowing this past Sunday morning! Unfortunately, due to a lack of volunteers, our nursery filled to capacity, and we had to stop receiving children after 10:30 am. Will YOU help us? HOW?

1. PRAY

•  Pray for our children: that the Lord would give them new hearts and that they would run hard after Christ all the days of their lives.
• Pray for our parents: that the Lord would grant them grace to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
• Pray for our volunteers: that the Lord would sustain and encourage them in this important work.

2. SERVE

• If you have been a member of High Pointe for at least six months and have undergone our children’s ministry training and background check, we need your help immediately
• Even if you’ve not been a member for six months, let me encourage you to go through our training and background check. This screening process takes time, so by beginning the process now, you will be ready at your six months of membership to help us.

We need YOUR help! Would you be willing to serve the Lord by serving the children and parents of High Pointe? To learn more about how to serve, please contact Erin Wyman (erin@highpointeaustin.org).

High Pointe Cuba Vision Trip Interest Meeting | This Sunday after the Service 
High Pointe plans to send a group of members to Cuba to observe the gospel work we’re involved with there and to encourage our brothers and sisters in Cuba. The dates for the trip are March 14-19, 2024. If you’d like to learn about the trip, meet with us after the service at noon this Sunday in the new members’ classroom on the first floor across from the fellowship hall.
 
High Pointe Weekender | February 22-25
It’s time for our annual weekend for pastors and church leaders. Each year we host pastors from around the nation for a weekend. The purpose of the weekender is to talk about how to lead a church toward health. This year, we will have over 70 pastors and church leaders join us.
Would you join us in praying for the weekender? Pray that the Lord would allow us to serve the brothers and to encourage them. Pray for the safe travel of all those who will join us. And praise the Lord that he allows High Pointe to be an encouragement to pastors and churches across the United States.
 
Members Meeting | Sunday, February 25 | 5:00 PM
One of the expectations we have of each other at High Pointe is to gather for our members’ meeting. It’s not just a time of doing “business.” It’s our family meeting. It’s the time when we hear about the work the Lord is doing among us and through us. It’s when we introduce those who are coming into the church and let the church know of those who are joining another church. It’s when we inform the church of our stewardship together. And it’s when we celebrate the Lord’s grace toward us. Join us!

Life Classes | Sundays at 9:00 AM
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. This session, we are offering the following classes
from January 28 to March 10:

• A Survey of the NT from Acts to Revelation (Livingston Room) | This class will

• Panorama General del NT: Hechos – Judas (East Training Room) | Una clase para

• Kids Life Class (Overflow Room/Old Mission Room) | We also offer childcare and a

• Membership class (Old Library) | Our Meaningful Membership Class is offered on

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.

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 a preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:

• February 18 | Romans 16:1-16 | The Joy of Gospel Relationships, Pastor Juan
• February 25 | Romans 16:17-27 | Be Wise as to What is Good and Innocent as to What is Evil, Pastor Juan
• March 3 | Matthew 28:18-20 | Our Mission, Pastor Juan
• March 10 | Guest Preacher: Adam Tyson
• March 17 | Pastor Davey Davis (High Pointe Cuba Mission Trip)
• March 24 | Palm Sunday, Pastor Juan
• March 31 | Easter Sunday, Pastor Juan
• April 7 | Begin Study of Judges, Pastor Juan

Resources of the Week

• Your Kids are Not Projects or Burdens, They are Gifts
• Serve in Children’s Ministry. It’s Bigger than You Think
• Brothers, Serve in the Nursery
• Song of the Month: Psalm 84 (O Lord of Hosts)

Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.

Love,