November 2013 newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church                November 2013

Tithes and Taxes: Very Modest Forms of Rent
In the Hebrew Bible, God's people are commanded to set aside ten percent of their produce and income for the support God’s work and for the benefit of the poor. The New Testament does not mandate a tithe, but promotes generous giving of the kind that helps bring about equality among believers.

It’s hard to imagine any North American Christians feeling justified in giving any less in light of how blessed we are in comparison to the majority of people in the world. Ten percent could be considered a most reasonable form of “rent” for the privilege of living on the most hospitable planet imaginable.

Think of all the benefits: enough food, water and fresh air here for all (providing we take proper care of the earth), along with the priceless gift of life itself--plus countless other examples of pure, unmerited grace.

We could also think of taxes as a modest and reasonable “rent” we gladly pay for living in a country that offers so many benefits and services we could never provide for ourselves.

For example, we have roads, schools, a postal system, police protection, health care for the elderly and most needy, plus a host of other blessings we regularly take for granted. Of course we can also find examples of waste and misuse of tax dollars that need to be addressed, but instead of complaining, we should seek to correct them and to be grateful for the fantastic bargain we are getting for our “rent payments”.

Lest we be guilty of a serious case of “Gratitude Deficit Disorder”.
                                                                                                               - Harvey Yoder

Notes, prayers and praises

* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
OUR PENNY POWER OFFERING for the Relief Sale this year totaled $233.28  ($132.14 last year).
* NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Neal Nelson 11/2, Rachel Stoltzfus 11/5, Paul Swarr 11/10, Emily Zhou 11/11, and Guy Vlasits 11/21. Neal and Elly Nelson’s 25th anniversary is November 26!
* HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.

November lectionary devotional readings

3   Isaiah 1:10-18 Psalm 32:1-7  2 Thessalonians 1:1-12  Luke 19:1-10
10 Psalm 98  Job 19:23-27a  2 Thessalonians 2:1-17  Luke 20:27-38
17 Malachi 4:1-2a  Psalm 98  2 Thessalonians 3:6-13  Luke 21:5-19
24 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 46  Colossians 1:11-20  Luke 23:33-43

November services worship at 4, meal at 6

3 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave.   432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 5 “The Burden and Blessing of Leadership”: Overseer Roy Hange
Finger Foods Meal
10 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802   574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
II Peter 1 “Bright Light to Live By”: Paul Swarr                 Carry-in Meal 

17 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits                     
II Peter 2 “Living in Perilous Times” Harvey Yoder            Carry-in Meal

24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802       564-1524
Sharing, Prayer, and Renewing of Wedding Vows (Neal and Elly’s 25th)
II Peter 3 “Ready for Christ’s Coming” James Stauffer       Carry-in Meal