Pastor's Pen

Dear HLPC family, The officers of HLPC met last night.  As is our custom, the Elders and Deacons met together and then separated into our respective meetings–all the while social distancing, I will add.  We all heard an encouraging report from…

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Dear HLPC family, In the earliest days of HLPC, the passage above was one…

Dear HLPC family, Yesterday I started teaching my class to seminary students in Medellin, Colombia.  There are about 40 students in this class. Things went pretty well, I think.  Teaching through zoom is hard and the added language barrier makes…

Dear HLPC family, Worship and ministry at our church remain a work in progress.  We are all doing the best that we can under unique circumstances that we pray soon change and never return.  We want to balance being appropriately…

Dear HLPC family, After a week away, it’s good to be “back in the saddle” (after a week in Wyoming, I had to use that phrase). Connie and I had a great time on our vacation to Yellowstone National Park. …

Dear HLPC family, Soon you will be receiving information about the need to nominate, train, and elect some new Deacons.  The information will detail the qualifications for the office and the process we will seek to follow. Hindsight being what…

Dear HLPC family, Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!  (Psalm 133:1).  That verse came to mind as I sat down to write today’s Pastor’s Pen.  Why is that?  Sadly, COVID-19 has been a tool…

Dear HLPC family, I think in the days ahead the fallout from the lockdowns and social distancing will become more and more apparent- as if it hasn’t already.  We are not meant to live in isolation.  Sadly, some who live…

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his…

Dear HLPC family, One of the things I’m trying to do a better job of is being thankful each day.  The Lord convicted me that I spend so much time asking for things and little time thanking Him and thus…

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.  Colossians 1:28 Dear HLPC family, If I would choose a “theme verse” for HLPC it would be Colossians 1:28 quoted above. …

Dear HLPC family, Upon recommendation of the In-Person Worship Task Force and with approval of the Session, we are planning, Lord willing, to continue to worship outside through June 21st rather than move indoors this Sunday.  Why are we doing…

Dear HLPC family, This Sunday please keep in mind our change in worship time so as to minimize any discomfort from the heat.  We are planning to begin worship at 9:30AM.  As you have been doing, please bring your own…

During the reign of Charles I in the 17th century a power struggle took place between the King and the Church.  Charles I was committed to “prelacy,” the rule of the earthly king over the church.  Many pastors and churches…

For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs;  Psalm 66:10-11 (ESV) Dear HLPC family, I realize that COVID-19 has…

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.Psalm 119:71 (ESV)Dear HLPC family,Psalm 119 has the distinction of being not only the longest Psalm but also the longest chapter in the Bible. It is…

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?   Psalm 22:1 Dear HLPC family, Jesus quoted from Psalm 22 from the cross.  It is perhaps…

For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. He it is who makes the clouds…

Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Psalm 47:1 Dear HLPC family, We all know that the Bible has a lot to say about joy.  It exhorts us to joy.  It tells us that…

Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.  (Psalm 25:16-18)…

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value…

A few things to highlight this week: This Sunday, during School of Discipleship at 9:15AM, we will have presentations from the Deacons and Elders of HLPC.  Kirby Moore, chairman of the Deacons, will go over our budget for 2020 and…

This past Sunday, we considered Genesis 18:16-33.  As we saw, Abraham provides us there with a good example of intercessory prayer.  In particular, Abraham shows us the place of building a case before the Lord.  He shows us the practice…

HLPC would like to begin something new to help further our stated desire that all in our ministry “may know Christ in all His fulness.”  That something new is worship training for kids ages 4-7.  What are the particulars?  Here…

Last year we took our inaugural group to the Carolina Mountain Mission.  This ministry, founded by Andy Pipher, has served the people of western North Carolina in and around the Canton area for several years. The ministry that takes place…

That may seem an odd title for the Pastor’s Pen this week but it captures 2 important news items.  The first is about our elder candidates and election and the second is about our upcoming Communicants Class. First, about Elder…

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (ESV) Isaiah 53:4             This weekend I am going to Birmingham in order to speak at a funeral of a…

          Ok, the “new year, new you” is truly not a serious title.  We all wish it were that easy.  We all wish the change in calendar could equal a real change in our habits or circumstances.  In reality, going…

By Paul Bankson Some thanks are in order: Thank you to our HLPC Choir for the marvelous music this past Sunday night that helped fix our attention on the incarnation of our Lord Jesus!  Thank you for the hours of…

by Paul Bankson             December is a crazy month for most of us.  So many things to do, to plan, and to attend.  I hope you are able to fit these events here at HLPC into your Christmas plans: This…

Paul Bankson [This Pastor’s Pen is one I intentionally repeat every year.]             This season is one of extremes.  As a child, we associate it with the greatest day of the year.  Our birthday would be the close second.  Christmas…

Paul Bankson             Thank you very much for praying for Connie and me as we were in Cali, Colombia last week, November 7-16.  I was there to teach and to preach with Seminario Reformado Latinoamericano (SRL) or the Reformed Seminary…

            Sometimes in this space I like to reflect on some passage of Scripture or to highlight something in the life of HLPC.  Other times I just share something personal with you. This is one of those times to get…

Paul Bankson “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the LORD: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out…

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens…

            This past Sunday we touched on the doctrine of effectual calling as we considered Jesus’ parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14.  What led us to this doctrine was verse 14 in particular which reads, “For many are…

            Thank you for praying for the HLPC team that went to North Carolina last week, June 14-20, with the Carolina Mountain Mission.  14 of our church family went to minister to the people of Haywood County- particularly serving some…

            The PCA General Assembly met in Dallas, Texas June 25-28.  I wrote about the nature of the Assembly for the Pastor’s Pen that came out while Connie and I were there in attendance.  I was grateful to go and…

And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.  (ESV) Acts 10:24             Acts 10 records for us Peter’s proclamation of the gospel to the Gentiles.  This follows…

            Today at 1:30PM CST, the PCA General Assembly will be called to order in Dallas, Texas.  Connie and I are here for this gathering.  It is scheduled to last until noon on Friday and we are to return Friday…

            As I write this, we have finished two days of VBS and are into our third here at HLPC.  Over 115 kids have been a part of “The Incredible Race.”   This curriculum focuses on the gospel message and how…

Connie and I spent Memorial Day weekend with the Grad and Career group from First Presbyterian Church of Macon as I was invited to speak for their retreat at Panama City Beach, FL.  I was encouraged to be asked to…

            One of the benefits of being a Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) Campus Minister years ago was receiving training for that ministry ministry.  Mark Lowery and James “Bebo” Elkin laid the foundations for the philosophy of ministry for the PCA’s…

            This Thursday, May 2nd  is designated as the National Day of Prayer.  We have already planned to meet for prayer TONIGHT, May 1st, at 6:3oPM here at HLPC.  We will give special attention to praying for our country, among…

Greetings from Twin Lakes             This week I’m attending a conference for pastors held at Twin Lakes Conference Center which is just south of Jackson, MS.  Kevin Deyoung is the main speaker.  These few days provide a great opportunity for…

Make the Most of the Week!             We look forward to a great week here at HLPC.  I hope you’ll make every effort to come to our worship services and be encouraged to invite friends and bring family.  While we…

And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more…

=             I was recently reading in Luke’s gospel of the story of Jesus casting out the demon possessed man who lived in the country of the Gerasenes.  This story is found in Luke 8:26-39 (it’s also found in Matthew…

            I am amazed at how many businesses now crave our responses to surveys.  Grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, you name it- all want to know how we liked our stay or what services we found beneficial.  They offer incentives to…

            This past Sunday after our AWOL gathering I reviewed our purpose and desires as a church.  We’ve come to call that “getting re-blued” – borrowing from an Air Force expression that describes recommitting yourself to an Air Force way…