Dear HLPC family,
Thank you so much for your prayers for travel safety and for the opportunity to speak at a Pastor’s Conference in Mexico City during Thanksgiving Week (on Thanksgiving Day I had tostados instead of turkey). It was a great joy and privilege to represent Seminario Reformado Latinoamericano (SRL) that week. Connie and I enjoyed traveling with Noe and Mimi Acosta and drove to Orlando in order to fly with them and take advantage of cheaper flights. Noe translated for me in the three messages I gave. I spoke on “God’s Mission” from Genesis 12, on “Expository Preaching” which included a sample sermon from Romans 8:28-30, and lastly on “Church Health” from Acts 2:42-47. These trips always leave me very encouraged. Our Mexican brothers were extremely gracious and appreciative of our presence there. I truly believe that God has given SRL a great opportunity to strengthen the National Presbyterian Church of Mexico which has over 5,000 churches.
I’m so glad we were able to arrange an earlier flight back so as to return and worship with our HLPC family Sunday morning. Let me express appreciation to those who helped decorate our church for the Christmas season! Special thanks go to the “Murphy sisters,” Christina Hall and Mary Ross Bankson—not to mention their husbands, Shane and Matthew. Also, Holly Kirkpatrick and several youth were a great help! The church looks great!
I mentioned in a recent Pastor’s Pen that we would soon announce our next Office Administrator. Olivia Hood will soon be serving in that roll! While she finishes the school year teaching at Westfield, my wife, Connie, will serve as a “temp” until May. We look forward to Olivia serving HLPC in this way and remain very grateful for Kristin Epperson’s hard work and faithful service these past few years.
Lastly- please keep in mind our special Christmas services and invite your friends and family:
December 15th– 6:30PM Bell and voice choir Christmas concert with reception following.
December 24th– 5:30PM Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Your Pastor,
Paul