October 2018 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                                   October 2018

It’s All ‘Government Property’        - Harvey Yoder

We’ve all been taught that Christians no longer claim ownership of anything, but see themselves only as trusted managers, or "stewards" of the wealth and property that is totally our Creator's. Using wealth primarily to benefit ourselves thus becomes a form of embezzlement, since everything we have is marked “God’s Property”.

    Having said that, this concept has never seemed to make much of a difference in how we think of possessions. Our incomes are still thought of as ours, except for the ten percent we may offer to our church or to charities. Our investments and our purchases are still seen as purely personal matters about which we make decisions based on our individual conscience.

     But Jesus clearly asks us to think of ourselves and are belongings as now being a part of the "Kingdom (Rule) of Heaven", a worldwide government in which God is supreme owner and Lord of all.

     As an example of this, in each of the first three gospels, Jesus states that we must become like children in order to become shareholders in this glorious enterprise. Children have no claim to adult power, prestige or possessions.   

     Then immediately after each of these stories about Jesus welcoming and blessing children, there is the account of the "rich young ruler" who comes to Jesus to inquire about how to be assured of eternal life. Jesus’s answer is stunning. If you are serious about gaining stock in the eternal 'Company of Heaven', he says, "Sell what you have and give it to the poor."

     Thus whenever we acknowledge God's rule, we surrender all. For Kingdom-enlisted men and women, our bodies are a living sacrifice, our finances are no longer our own, our possessions are all marked "Kingdom property."

     Which is what we say and what we sing, as in "All to Jesus I surrender" or "Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold.”

     Yet a big part of me wants to avoid actually giving up any of the comfort, convenience and privilege of being in the top tier of the wealthiest people on earth.

Kyrie, eleison.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• GUY AND MARGIE VLASITS’ NEW ADDRESS is 3399 Caverns Drive, Keezletown, VA 22832!
• OUR PRAYERS FOR THE NELSONS as they prepare for a possible move for Neal to the Curis Transitional Care and Rehabilitation Center in Harrisonburg.
• OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Joyce Ulrich 10/14, and Elly Nelson 10/28! 

October Lectionary Texts

7   Job 1:1, 2:1-10  Genesis 2:18-24  Psalm 8   Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16

14 Job 23:1-9, 16-17  Amos 5:6-15  Psalm 90:12-17 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31

21 Job 38:1-7, (34-41) Isaiah 53:4-12  Psalm 91:9-16   Hebrews 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45

28 Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Jeremiah 31:7-9  Psalm 126  Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52

October services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

7 Location: Lois Rivera-Wenger 204 Homes Ln Staunton, 502-663-3195

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                       Picnic Meal provided by Lois!

14 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                  564-3716              

Worship and sharing: Elly Nelson

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                 (No evening meal)

21 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3399 Caverns Dr,  K-town 908-0391

Worship and Sharing: Kent Palmer

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                Monthly Carry-in

28 Location: Family Life Resource Center, 273 Newman Ave.  432-0531

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer                                           

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                               Brown bag meal