Sunday, December 26, 2010

January 2011 newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church                                    January 2011

Bright Hope in the Bronx

Jonathan Kozol, author of the book , “Amazing Grace,” writes about his experiences with children in the worst areas of the Bronx in New York City and records their stories and their dreams.

     Thirteen year old Anthony Green wrote him this description of a future heaven as he envisioned it::

     God will be there. He’ll be happy that we have arrived. People shall  come in hand in hand. It will be bright, not dim and glooming like here on earth. All friendly animals will be there, but no mean ones. As for television, forget it! If you want vision, you can use your eyes to see the people that you love...

     No one will look at you from the outside. People will see you from the inside. All the people from the street will be there. My uncle will be there and he will be healed. You won’t see him buying drugs, because there won’t be money. Mr. Mongo will be there too. You might see him happy for a change. The prophets will be there, and Adam and Eve, and all the disciples except Judas...

     No violence will there be in heaven. There will be no guns or drugs or IRS. You won’t have to pay taxes. You’ll recognize all the children who have died when they were little. Jesus will be good to them and play with them. At night he’ll come and visit at your house. God will be fond of you..
    
     How will you know that you are there? Something will tell you, ‘This is it! Eureka!’ If you still feel lonely in your heart, or bitterness, you’ll know that you’re not there.


     Anthony Green was shot and killed three years later on Beekman Avenue, in the worst part of the Bronx.

     There’s just got to be a city somewhere with safe streets of solid gold for people like him.    
                                                                                                                                         - Harvey Yoder

Notes/prayers/praises

 * BECKY MORLAN AND TRISH LEVESQUE made a brief visit here just before Christmas, celebrated by a carry-in meal at the Lodge December 22.

 * WE THANK GOD THAT KARLA MAY was spared in a December 15 crash that totaled her car!

 * JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17, Becky Morlan 1/28 and Dick Dumas 1/30!

 * FAMILY OF HOPE’S NEW BLOG SITE has updated newsletters and other info at <http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com>. HARVEY’s blog is at <http://harvyoder.blogspot.com> with a link to the FOH site.

JANUARY LECTIONARY READINGS:
1/2: Psalm 147:12-20, Jeremiah 31:7-14, John 1:1-18, Ephesians 1:3-14
1/9: Psalm 29, Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17
1/16: Psalm 40:1-11, Isaiah 49:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, John 1:29-42
1/23: Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Isaiah 9:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23
1/30: Psalm 15, Micah 6:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Matthew 5:1-12

January services    worship at 4 pm, meal at 6                                                                       
2 Location: James and Ruth Stauffer 1255 Parkway Dr 22802       574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: “Blessing After Blessing” Paul Swarr
Carry-in Meal

9 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus  1359 TwoPenny Drive 22802           433-3983                        
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: “Called and Empowered” Harvey Yoder
Carry-in Meal

16 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, K’town   908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Margie and Guy Vlasits
Annual Business Meeting
Bible Study: “On This Solid Rock”
Carry-in Meal

23 Location: Ulrich, Joyce 1029 Shenandoah St Apt 101 22802    246-1013
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: “The Lord is My Light” Dick Dumas
Carry-in Meal
       
30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Drive 22802       564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: “Act Justly and Love Mercy” James Stauffer
Carry-in Meal

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