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Nov. 27, 2025 Newsletter - BE changed into people through whom God will BRING change

| Highrock MetroWest, 754 Greendale Ave. Needham MA

A Prayerful Approach to Thanksgiving

How will you choose to participate in relationships this Thanksgiving? 

I came across this question in an article written by Kathleen Smith, a therapist and author, who helps individuals and organizations shift out of the anxious relationship patterns that keep us stuck. I often spend energy trying to manage (or silently critiquing) the way our family operates when we’re together. I have a hard time being relaxed or simply enjoying time with everyone. In my (weak) defense, I spend Thanksgiving with my in-laws’ side of the family, my children are like free-range chickens, and there are four dogs… holidays are a little crazy. 

If you’re going to be spending Thanksgiving with friends or family, I’m almost certain you can relate in some way. According to Smith, “in times of togetherness, our respect for the individuality of others can fly out the window. Our anxiety needs somewhere to live, and it often resides in our criticism, our prodding, our imagining how others could make better choices or annoy us less.” There’s something about being with others where we participate in relationships in ways that rob us of our joy. 

I doubt this is what any one of us wants to experience as we gather with friends and family today. I’m mostly certain the majority of us head into Thanksgiving with the intention (or hope) to have a time where we experience joy or to use Jesus’ phrase, life to the fullest. 

This Thanksgiving, I want to invite you to spend time reflecting on the way you tend to show up and to prayerfully participate in relationships. Maybe there is a family member you really struggle to be around, invite God to be in the struggle. Maybe there’s a memory that moves you deeply, give thanks to God for that gift. Perhaps there’s a sadness for loved ones who are no longer with you, give thanks for the love that lingers and grieve with the God who holds our sorrows. 

In all of this, let us hold to the hope we have in Christ, who, through his life, death and resurrection made a way for us to experience joy, life to the fullest. Thanks be to God. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! 

In Christ,
Pastor Michael

Advent Sermon Series

This Sunday, Pastor John Mury will be with us to preach the first sermon in our sermon series, “Advent: The Gifts We Really Want.” His sermon is on the gift of Hope and is based on Luke 1:39-56.

 

 

Hanneke Cassel - December 7th at Highrock MW Worship

Join us for worship on Sunday, December 7, when Hanneke Cassel, an internationally acclaimed, Boston-based fiddler blends music, fresh originality, and innovative expression with the soulful spirit of Scottish traditional fiddle. An alumna of Berklee College of Music, Hanneke has performed and taught throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. She also served in the music ministry at Park Street Church for over 20 years, sharing her gifts in that community and beyond.

From Fast to Feast: A Shared Advent Dinner Experience

In a season often defined by abundance, Advent invites us to a different rhythm — to pause, to hunger, and to remember that nothing in this world can fully satisfy. Each Wednesday of Advent, our community will fast breakfast and lunch — learning to say no to ourselves so we can say yes to God, one another, and those in need.

On Wednesday, December 17, we’ll conclude this shared journey with an evening feast — a joyful gathering where gratitude and grace fill the table. Our campus staff teams will provide a main protein option and invite Highrockers to bring a dish to share. Come celebrate the freedom and fullness that come when we move from fast to feast.

For the MetroWest dinner, sign up here for the event.  And sign up here to bring a side dish.

Click Here for a prayer list for your fasts on Wednesdays, Dec. 3, 10, and 17.

Membership at Highrock Church - Sunday Dec. 7

Join us after church on Sunday, December 7, for a 50 minute session on membership at Highrock!

Whether you have been attending Highrock for a few weeks or a few years, we would love for you to learn what it means to be a member of our church family. You’ll learn about our history, our denomination, our vision and values, and the benefits and responsibilities of church membership. There will be plenty of space for Q+A and conversation, so bring along all of your questions and reflections!

Though childcare won’t be available, children are welcome as toys and supplies will be available!

REGISTER HERE 

Pastor George. GeorgeC@highrock.org

Conversations with Dave Dec. 14

Senior Pastor Dave Swaim is hosting campus-specific Members Conversations in early December to reflect with gratitude on the past year and look forward with anticipation to 2026. These gatherings will include a year-end financial update, previews of new initiatives and upcoming teaching series, and discussion of priorities and programs for the year ahead; the first half will be updates and the second half dedicated to questions and corporate prayer. All Highrock family members—long-time, lapsed, or newly onboarding—are warmly invited (children welcome, no formal childcare), to meet with Dave at MetroWest on Sunday, December 14, 11:45 am-1:15 pm in the Sanctuary. There will be a similar meeting in Arlington on Sunday, December 7, 7:00-8:30 pm in The Loft.

Cookies of Love

Hello MetroWest Families,

If you have a college student or college-aged kid, we want to send them some love as they near the end of this semester. Fill out this form so we can surprise them, encourage them, and support them this holiday season! Questions or want more information? Reach out to Grace Taber, gracet@highrock.org, who will be organizing this effort.

Student Ministry Outreach

Dear Highrock Metrowest parents and students,

My name is Sophie Cho, a high school student in our MetroWest Student Ministry program. I’m organizing a holiday drive with other MetroWest students to support Family Promise Metrowest (FPM), a nonprofit based in Natick, that helps local families with children facing housing instability.

Each year, FPM provides donated gifts to children in its programs and includes gift wrap packs so parents can wrap the presents themselves. This season, they hope to assemble 50 gift wrap packs. Each pack includes two rolls of holiday wrapping paper, one roll of clear tape, one roll of ribbon, six bows, and ten gift tags. Altogether, that means we need 100 rolls of wrapping paper, 50 rolls of tape, 50 rolls of ribbon, 300 bows, and 500 gift tags.

I will be collecting donations every Sunday through November 30 in the Fellowship Hall. We’ll assemble the kits on November 30 at church with middle and high school students. FPM needs all completed kits by December 3.

Thank you for helping support local families this holiday season.
Best,

Sophie Cho

Youth JHI Fundraiser

Highrock MetroWest’s Student Ministry is holding a fundraiser bake sale for Justice Health Initiative (JHI) on Sunday, 12/21 during SoulFood. Many of you know that Leo Ikoribitangaza, the son of Alex Gitunago, is a member of our student ministry and was rescued by Alex in Burundi. JHI emerged from that experience. The MetroWest Student Ministry dreamed up this fundraiser to support the efforts to help others like their friend, Leo.

There are 2 ways to help! Please donate (nut-free) baked or store-bought goods on Saturday, 12/20 and indicate your contributions here: Bake Sale Sign-up. Or, shop the bake sale for neighbors, teachers, and couriers’ holiday gifts on Sunday, 12/21 during SoulFood. Our youth group elves* promise gift-worthy wrapping to dazzle your giftees! (Oh, and watch for the special cake auction during the bake sale).

*All HRMW high schoolers are invited to a pizza and packaging party on Saturday, 12/20, 6pm-7:30pm at 179 Winding River Rd. in Wellesley. Please email jennykim7@gmail.com with any questions.

MetroWest Student Ministry This Week!

Click the links below to see what is going on this week!

Need more information? Contact Pastor Michael at Michael@Highrock.org.

Fiddler on the Roof by Ruach Congregation

Fiddler on the Roof

SAVE THE DATES!

Marriage Seminar. Highrock Arlington and Highrock MetroWest will present identical seminars by a Christian psychologist on the challenges posed to marriages in these days. The dates are: January 24, 2026, at the Arlington campus and January 31, 2026 at a MetroWest location to be announced. Watch here for more details!

Highrock MetroWest Family Camp. MetroWest is bringing back the Family Camp experience! It will be held in October 9 – 11, 2026. More on this soon.

HIghrock's Mission, Strategy, and Fall Theme

Our HIGHROCK MISSION:

Following Jesus to full life by connecting to God personally, connecting to God’s

People, & connecting to God’s purposes.”

Our STRATEGY:

Creating Christ-Centered communities that inspire curiosity, courage, and

compassion

Our THEME for the FALL:

BE changed into people through whom God will BRING change

Ways to Go Deeper!

MetroWest Prays is held on Monday evenings, 8:30 – 8:50 pm by going on this ZOOM LINK. The next in-person prayer meeting date and time will be listed here when scheduled. (There is no zoom prayer meeting on the same Monday we meet in person). All are welcome to our prayer meetings. Prayer Requests can be sent at any time to the prayer team via this form or contact Pastor Robert.

For Moms! The MetroWest chapter of Momsrock meets most Friday mornings at 9:30 am in Fellowship Hall. Contact Sandi Norman for more information at sandinorman@gmail.com.

Join a Morning Prayer Call on Zoom (audio only), 5:45-6:15 AM, Monday-Thursday during the school year, starting September 15th, for scripture, contemplation, and prayer, with flexible participation open to all and no pressure to speak. Some breaks are taken for holidays, etc. Email Gina Bradley (ginakbradley@gmail.com) for the Zoom link!
Find Daily Devos, Highrock sermons, Highrock Online, and more on your favorite platform! Search for “Highrock Church.” Examples: Spotify, YouTube.

More resources for engaging deeper in your walk with Jesus and connection to God’s people can be found in the larger Highrock community — see what is Coming Up across Highrock campuses.

THIS LINK takes you to our church management program called MyRock. Create a profile, if you don’t have one, and then join the NextGen Family Group. to view the Middle and High School events on the Calendar Tab. Contact  Pastor George if you need assistance.

NEXTGEN STUDENT MINISTRY HANDBOOK. 

HRMW Feedback Form

Let your church know how to improve worship and ministry to draw people into a deeper life with Jesus.