Text Box: It’s been an eventful month (one whole month!) since I rode into town and started learning my way around these parts (forgive me, too much of a John Wayne movie marathon this weekend). How could I have known that saddling’ up to ride with you would be so exciting? Robert Schuller used to tell the story about the day he took his family to a dude ranch to go riding and outside the corral, a sign read: For those who like to ride fast, we have fast horses. For those who like to ride slow, we have slow horses. For those who are big, we have big horses. For those who are little, we have little horses. For those who have never ridden horses before, we have horses that have never been ridden! Be careful what you make your condition and criteria before you place your fannie on the horse! Not every category is a symmetrical fit, now is it? For over two decades I was a minister in the Midwest (Indiana and Kansas) among some remarkable American Baptists in different contexts: rural, blue-collar small town, and a university church. Those three settings, as diverse and unique as you’d expect, demanded pastoral attention to their needs and distinctiveness; how fast or slow should we ride, how long should we ride before making camp, how hard — if at all — should the spurs kick, how to secure bridle, reins, bits — all three different animals, and I a different rider each time. In the discernment process prior to ridin’ off with you I worried whether or not I could pastor a church in Texas. A wise pastor-friend-pseudo cowboy said to me, “if you can pastor in Kansas, you can pastor in Texas.” I sure hope his words are true because I’m not in Kansas any longer! Knowing, in time, the rhythms of our gait together will make for a sweet gallop. One thing I know for certain: with you, we’ll spend time at the waterin’ hole! And we’ll also learn that we either ride together or not at all. I thank you for asking me to join you in this journey at Highland Park. McMurtry’s characters from Lonesome Dove, Gus and Call, ride together well driving cattle toward Montana from south Texas, with deeps appreciation for what each partner brings. Ready to ride, pilgrim? (like my impression of The Duke?) Your Pastor, Marcus Text Box: From Our Pastor Rev. Dr. Marcus W. McFaul

Highland Park Baptist Church, 5206 Balcones Dr., Austin, 78731
Text Box: Please join us for worship. Sunday School 9:45 a.m.; Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.; Wednesday Supper and Fellowship 5:30 p.m.; Wednesday Weaving 6:30 p.m.; and Second Sunday Taize Prayer Worship 7:30 p.m. Text Box: Welcome to our New Members!!!

Patricia Robineau comes from a sister congregation with her sons Seth Daniel and Gabriel.

Will and Alyssa Glazener come on profession of faith, requesting baptism. Will is a 7th grader at Murchison, Alyssa a freshman at Anderson.

Marie Sherman comes from a sister congregation.

Jill Moore comes from a sister congregation with her daughters: Lillian is a 4th grader at Doss, Sydney a 1st grader at Doss.

Lou Ann O’Bannion and Tom Sethre come from a sister congregation and are returning to our congregation.
Text Box: June Deacons on Call Text Box: Remember and never doubt it: With God’s help you can do incredible things. Never think down; always think up. —Norman Vincent Peale Text Box: June 1 - 7 John Hastings (694-9879) Nancy Lamb (740-4883) June 8 - 14 Martha Burns (452-8259) June 15 - 21 La Nell Coltharp (452-8259) June 22 - 28 June 29 - July 5 John Miller (451-1993) Dottie Denton (345-5352) Deacons, please note not all dates have been filled. Text Box: In the family: Mark Bewley ruptured his Achilles tendon and will be in a boot and crutches for 6 weeks; Frances Boyett is in rehab with a damaged vertebrae at the Retirement and Nursing Center on Burnet Lane; Aliceson Coates testing shows that her stomach empties slowly; Bennie Davis is recovering from surgery; Derek Dillard recovering from a stomach virus; Leo Little HPBC member and Margot Beyersdorff’s husband, died May 21, a memorial service is planned in Orlando, Fl.; Mary Hidell has a fractured ankle; Sara Robinson has decreased sight in one eye; and Kathy Stanley is in the mid-point of her radiation treatment. Text Box: Thank you notes from: Austin Baptist Chapel, International Ministries (Support for Dwight & Barbara Bolick), Kari Jarzombek and Becky Dillard