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July 17, 2025 Newsletter - Highrock's mission is to help people Connect to God Personally, Connect to God’s People, and Connect to God’s Purposes.

| Highrock MetroWest, 754 Greendale Ave. Needham MA

Among the Garbage Pickers

Our summer youth writers are still busy preparing their newsletter entries. None was ready for this week, but stay tuned for more this summer. 

I was fresh out of seminary, leading a group of youth from West Texas’s Permian Basin—think Friday Night Lights —on a mission trip to Juárez, Mexico. We were invited by a local church to build a small chapel for a community on the city’s outskirts. In Mexico, many leave rural areas for cities, seeking better jobs, often settling on small plots with makeshift shelters of scrap wood or metal.

This community was unique. Most residents were pepenadores, scavenging landfills daily, sifting through garbage to salvage recyclables like metals, plastics, or repairable items for income. The term pepenador comes from the Spanish verb pepenar, meaning to pick or gather. These Protestant Christians, living in lean-to homes too small for gatherings, longed for a place to worship.

Our team of teens and a few skilled adults arrived to construct the chapel on a pre-laid concrete foundation, much like Homes for Hope, a ministry familiar to Highrockers who build homes in Mexico. On the first day, we built enough to sleep in the chapel, using pews we crafted as beds. The community served us simple meals of tortillas, rice, and beans.

What struck me most was the pepenadores’ generosity. Despite their poverty, they shared what they had with us. As we drove home, the teens reflected on their experience, moved by the joy and faith of people with so little, unlike our Texas town’s abundance, where happiness often seemed elusive.

This experience taught us that money, status, and possessions—the things we chase—don’t bring joy and can distract from what truly matters. As Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Years later, I still carry the lesson from that mission trip. Our financial resources and hard work constructed a physical chapel, but it was our shared Life in Jesus that breathed spiritual life into that space—a Life that endures far beyond the physical structure. This experience reveals a timeless truth: generosity creates spaces and environments where true wealth—meaning, connection, and faith—can flourish, far surpassing the value of the resources themselves.

— Pastor George

Good Question!

This Sunday, Pastor Dave Swaim will preach in-person in the sermon series, “Good Question!” based on questions Highrockers are asking about following Jesus. His sermon One Name delves into the question, What about people who’ve never heard about Jesus?

We all have questions. “What does heaven look like?” “Why is it that God allows chronic illnesses?” “Do we truly have free will?” “Does God ever change His mind?”

We put out a call for Highrockers to share some of their curiosities about God, faith, or the Bible and we got a lot of really good questions! We hope you join us for this sermon series where we’ll be responding to the questions that you asked. Together we’ll search the scriptures and explore what the Bible has to teach us about a range of challenging and important subjects that many of us wonder about but often don’t know where or how to ask.

The list of sermons in this series, study guide, and more helpful resources are located here.

Practicing The Way! Starts in September

Transform Your Faith This Fall with Practicing the Way!

At Highrock MetroWest Church, this September marks the start of something special—a journey called Practicing the Way. It’s not just a program; it’s an invitation to walk closer with Jesus, to let His presence shape your heart and guide your steps. On Sunday, September 14, after worship, we’ll gather for a SoulFood picnic, filled with laughter, good food, and the warmth of togetherness. It’s the perfect way to kick off this eight-week adventure.

Starting the week of September 28, we’ll dive into eight spiritual practices spread over eight weeks—each one a stepping stone to be with Jesus, become like Him, and do as He did. Every Sunday, our sermons will bring these practices to life, while small groups, both new and familiar, will meet throughout the week to explore them together, sharing stories, questions, and growth. By November 23, as we wrap up this eight-week journey, we’ll pause to reflect, celebrate, and look ahead with follow-up activities that keep the momentum going.

This Fall could be a season of transformation—a chance to deepen your faith, discover new rhythms, and draw closer to Jesus in ways that linger long after the leaves have fallen. So, mark your calendar. Join us for the picnic on September 14, come to the eight Sundays that follow, and sign up for a small group to journey with others.

Ready to take the next step? Sign up for a small group that starts in late September HERE. Let’s walk this path together, trusting Jesus to lead the way.

[Practicing the Way is an eight-part series based on the book by the same name, written by John Mark Comer.]

 

Ways to Go Deeper!

MetroWest Prays will resume in-person prayer on Monday evening, September 8, from 7 – 8 pm at the church. 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.

Daily (M -Th) Devotional Group for Anyone – Click for more info.

Find Daily Devos, Highrock sermons, Highrock Online, and more on your favorite platform! Search for “Highrock Church.” Examples: Spotify, YouTube.

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.