Tuesday, March 28, 2017

April 2017 newsletter

House-to-House
 Family of Hope House Church                            April 2017

Should we continue using lectionary texts?

There have been questions raised about whether or why we should be following the lectionary texts. They are selections of scriptures that are used by many churches all over the world, but I can see where some may feel unduly bound by them, although we've never intended them to be other than the following:

* A way of making sure we don't just pick our favorite passages from the Bible and ignore other parts that we may not be as drawn to.
  
* A way of providing balance between an emphasis on Old Testament and New Testament texts.

* A way of sharing with each other, and with believers everywhere, a common focus for our learning and sharing.

Having said that, we don't expect those who lead our studies to feel confined to these texts, any more that we would expect a Sunday School teacher to only follow the prescribed lesson in a S.S. quarterly. Every person has the right to go in whatever direction they feel led. 

If we decide together to chose other selected book studies from the Bible, or to simply let each teacher select topics of their own choosing, we can certainly do so. Meanwhile, it does seem good to encourage everyone to be reading and studying some of the same scriptures beforehand and to be prepared to bring their insights to add for the benefit of all.

Tell me what you think.
                                                                                          - Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises 
  • WE INVITE EVERYONE to a time of special prayer and fasting during this season of Lent.
  • JOIN IN A NOON GOOD FRIDAY WALK April 14, starting at Blessed Sacrament Church and ending at St. Stephens UCC.
  • APRIL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Bertha Swarr 4/13 and Cathy Atwell 4/19 (Sorry, we missed noting Ruth Stauffer’s on March 28!).

April lectionary readings
2   Ezekiel 37:1-14   Psalm 130  Romans 8:6-11  John 11:1-45
9   Isaiah 50:4-9a  Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29  Matthew 21:1-11;  27:11-54 
16 Jeremiah 31:1-9 Colossians 3:1-4  Acts 10:34-43  Luke 24:13-35
23 Acts 2:14a, 22-32  Psalm 16 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31
30 Acts 2:36-41  Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19  1 Peter 1:17-23 Matthew 28

April services, worship at 4, meal at 6
2 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716
Worship and Sharing: Paul Swarr
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder        Light meal of sandwiches and fresh fruit                                                    
9 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave     432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                                         Finger foods meal
                                    
16 Easter Service Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive, H’burg     269-6706   
Worship and Study: Jeremiah 31:1-9 & Colossians 3:1-4; James and Ruth 
Stauffer; Luke 24:13-35, Guy Vlasits; Acts 10:34-43, Dick Dumas
                                                                                               Carry-in meal
23 Location: Virginia Mennonite Conference Center
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Ken Horst, Virginia Mennonite Missions    Soup only meal

30 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave     432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell                                        
Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                 Finger foods meal

Friday, March 3, 2017

March 2017 newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church                              March 2017

Pray Globally, Act Locally 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
I Timothy 2:1-4 (NRSV)

Love compels us to respectfully and humbly show all high officials what the Word of God commands them, how they should rightfully execute their office to the glory and praise of God... to punish the transgressors and protect the good; to judge rightly between a man and his fellows; to do justice to the widows and orphans and to the poor, to rule cities and countries justly by a good policy and administration, not contrary to God’s Word but to the benefit of all people.
- Menno Simons

Almighty and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee
and had no place to call his own;

look with mercy on those who today
are fleeing from danger,
homeless and hungry.

Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; 
and guide the nations of the world towards that day
when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;
- unknown

Notes, prayers and praises 
  • WE INVITE MEMBERS to join in a time of special prayer and fasting for the congregation, the church at large and the nation during this season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, March 1.
  • WE WILL HAVE A LENTEN COMMUNION SERVICE Sunday, March 12, with a bread, cheese and grape juice only meal.
  • CORRECTIONS TO FOH DIRECTORY: James and Ruth Stauffer’s phone is 564-3716. Josiah Dumas’s new address is  45134 Water-pointe Terrace, Apt. 202, Ashburn, VA 20147  (571-577-0144)

March lectionary readings

5   Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7  Psalm 32  Romans 5:12-19  Matthew 4:1-11
12 Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121  Romans 4:1-5, 13-17  John 3:1-17
19 Exodus 17:1-7  Psalm 95  Romans 5:1-11  John 4:5-42
26 Isaiah 7:10-14   Psalm 40:5-10  Hebrews 10:4-10  Luke 1:26-38

March services, worship at 4, meal at 6

5 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                   Soup Only Meal (provided)                                                         

12 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave    432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder        
                       Communion meal (bread, cheese and grape juice provided)

19 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive, H’burg 22802  269-6706   
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                     Carry-in Meal

26 Location: 4:30 service with the Table, 110 Old South High Street
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder             
Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                      Carry-in Meal