Updated on October 2, 2026.

It’s a big weekend at Highland.

On Sunday morning, we look forward to our annual celebration of World Communion Sunday which will include receiving our World Communion Offering, formerly the Peacemaking Offering; this year our portion will go to support the ministry of Action4Equity in our community. (We’ll also commission Heather Ferguson for her sabbatical, and receive our monthly 5-Cents-a-Meal and Pasta Sauce offerings).

On Sunday afternoon and evening, we are excited to welcome David LaMotte for our Fall Forum at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, followed by Dinner at 5:30 p.m.and a Concert at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please see below for additional details about these opportunities!

During worship, we will begin a series of sermons gathered around the theme Grateful, Anyway. Gratitude for God’s gifts of love, life, and grace is at the heart of the Christian life! But there are many realities at work in our lives that can challenge that gratitude. This Sunday, we will consider nostalgia as one such potential challenge.

Please see below, and our new (in every way!) October issue of Highlights, for details about these special events, other upcoming events (both special and “ordinary”), and more.

Sunday Worship in-person or Online
Scripture: Matthew 15:1-11; Exodus 16:1-3, 17:1-7
Sermon: Grateful, Anyway: Overcoming the Challenge of Nostalgia, Randy Harris
World Communion
Special Peacemaking Offering
5-Cents-a-Meal Collection and Pasta Sauce

Click here for the bulletin and video link for the livestream service, which will be available Sunday beginning at 9:45 a.m.

🕰️ Sunday Schedule
9:30 a.m. Christian Education for All Ages
11:00 a.m. Worship, Sanctuary & Livestream
4:00 p.m. Fall Forum with David LaMotte, Sanctuary
5:30 p.m. Forum Dinner, Fellowship Hall
6:30 p.m. David LaMotte Concert, Fellowship Hall

Highland & Our Community
Fall Forum, October 4, featuring David LaMotte: We hope all of you will join us in the Sanctuary at 4:00 p.m. for a wonderful forum led by author and musician David LaMotte. At 5:30, all are invited for a meal together in the Fellowship Hall. At 6:30, David will give a concert featuring his own music. All are invited and encouraged to invite family, friends, and neighbors to this special afternoon. Reservations are required for dinner but not for the Forum or Concert. Click Here to Sign Up!

⛪ Churchwide
Blessing of the Animals, next Sunday, October 11, 4:00 p.m., Gathering Garden Playground: Bring your furry, feathered, scaly, or otherwise beloved companions for our annual Blessing of the Animals! We’ll gather for a joyful time of thanksgiving for the animals who share our lives and remind us of the goodness and wonder of God’s creation. All pets are welcome just be sure they are safely leashed, crated, or otherwise secured. If your animal would be happier at home, you’re also welcome to bring a photo for a blessing. Come celebrate the creatures we love and the God who made them all!

CROP Walk, October 18: Save the date for the annual CROP Walk that will begin at 2:00 p.m. All are encouraged to sign up to walk if you are able or by donate to our Highland team and cheer us on from the sidelines. Watch for more information soon.

Pre-Worship/Prelude Participants: Each Sunday we would love to have members of all ages volunteer to fill our Prelude Roles. We need 4 volunteers each week. One to light candles on the Retable, one to place the Bible at the Lectern, one to pour water in the Baptismal Font and one to set the Communion Table. If you or your family would like to participate, please Sign Up Here.

Call for Advent Writers and Artists This Advent, Highland’s beloved devotional booklet will explore “Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes,” discovering the distinctive ways Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John invite us to encounter Jesus. Highlanders and friends of all ages are invited to contribute a reflection, prayer, story, poem, or piece of artwork inspired by this year’s theme. Interested in sharing your voice or creativity? Contact Courtney Stevens for more information. All devotions and artwork are due November 8.

🌎 Service
Moore School Food Pantry: Highland, alongside Temple Emmanuel, supports Moore Elementary School by providing a food pantry for students of Moore School and their families. For the month of October, we are asking for donations of rice (family sized bags or boxes).

The Earth Care Committee is collecting used sneakers for the GotSneakers recycling program. This organization has developed this recycling program that helps to keep sneakers out of landfills and helps organizations raise funds. Please check your closets (and under your bed) for any unused sneakers that you wish to donate. You can place them in the box in the Gallery Hallway. To learn more about this program, please visit their website www.gotsneakers.com. Thank you!

🛝Children
Faith Formation for Children and Youth Classes for children, 3 years old through 4th Grade, are located on the third floor of the Education Building. Middle School (including 5th Grade) and Senior High Youth classes are located in the Activity Building. Classes begin at 9:30. Parents can pick children up at 10:45 in the Children’s Choir room on the third floor of the Education Building.

Join us in the PrayGround! Sunday morning during worship.
Up in the balcony is where you will find the PrayGround, a place for children of all ages to worship while enjoying quiet and engaging activities such as puzzles, storybook, and coloring sheets. All are welcome!

Nursery for Children (0-5 years) – Highland has a safe and engaging Nursery for our youngest children (ages 0-5 years) on the first floor of the Education Building. We have a professional child care provider along with several volunteer Highland members who have all been trained with our Child and Youth Protection Policy. Age appropriate toys, books and activities keep your child engaged as parents and grandparents attend the worship service. If you need help locating the Nursery, please ask a Greeter. 

😎 Youth
Sunday Morning Classes Begin 9:30 a.m. Middle School and Senior High youth meet in separate Sunday School classes each week. This year, Middlers are exploring key themes and stories throughout the New Testament, while Senior High youth engage relevant, topical conversations about faith and life.

Middle School Service Retreat, October 23-25 Sign up today for a weekend away to serve together in Charlotte through Cross Missions.

☀️ Young Adults
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. Young Adults in their 20s and 30s gather weekly for connection and conversation. This week, October 1, we gather at Southern Drift to share together in a service activity responding from our conversations last week about David LaMotte’s TEDx talk.

Adults
Sunday Morning Church School Offerings, 9:30 a.m.
The Present Word Class; Room 124
Lectionary Café; Salem Room
Parents’ Coffee and Conversation, Room 126
You Are Changing the World, Whether You Like it or Not, Ardmore Room
Little Steps: Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development can Help You Grow Your Child’s Faith, Highland’s Chapel

💗Giving to HPC is Easy!
Give Online: To give from your computer or smartphone, Click Here.
Text-to-Give: Text the word highland to 73256 and follow the instructions.
Mail a Check: Address to Highland Presbyterian Church, Attn. Business Manager, 2380 Cloverdale Avenue, Winston Salem, NC 27103.

For Education, Youth, Children, and Family Updates, please see the News & Events page.