House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church June 2019
When Heaven Comes Roaring Down To Earth
"That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God."
Acts 2:41-47 (the Message)
I've usually read these words with a sense of reservation. They seem far too idealistic, way beyond anything any of us believers would ever be able to experience today.
What? Sell everything and share with everyone? Daily prayers, praises and celebrative meals with fellow believers? That would require an unbelievable miracle, far beyond the most amazing of "signs and wonders".
It would be like heaven.
Then it dawned on me. Pentecost Day is exactly that, God's heaven breaking into earth, a true foretaste of things to come.
Will not our eternal life with God be all about praise, all about sharing an abundance of everything with everyone? Isn't it all about harmony and shalom and a life of joy beyond compare?
For me, that sheds a new light on Pentecost. On this day nearly 2000 years ago, newly baptized believers from all over the world experienced a gale force wind of change that revolutionized their lives forever, one that was about to set the whole world on fire.
Should this not be happening today? Do we really want to wait until the next life to celebrate this wonder? - Harvey Yoder
Notes, Prayers and Praises
- OUR SPECIAL PRAYERS for Elly Nelson as she pursues treatment June 5 for fractures in her vertebra, and for Kent Palmer as he undergoes some tests June 12 due to high PSA levels.
- OUR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP COVENANT SERVICE is on Pentecost Sunday, June 9, in which we agree to the following: “I support the goals, vision and faith of Family of Hope, will attend weekly services as regularly as I am able, and will use my gifts and offer my encouragement to this church family to the best of my ability. I invite other members to support me--and to confront me as needed--in being faithful to this commitment.”
- JUNE BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Josiah Dumas 6/9 (212 N George St., Charles Town, WV 25414), and Harvey Yoder 6/30!
June Lectionary Texts
2 Acts 16:16-34 Psalm 97 Revelation 22:12-21 John 17:20-26
9 Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-35 Romans 8:14-17 John 14:8-27
16 Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Psalm 8 Romans 5:1-5 John 16:12-15
23 1 Kings 19:1-15 Psalm 42 Isaiah 65:1-9 Gal. 3:23-29 Luke 8:26-39
30 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 16 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62
June services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm
2 Location: Park Place meeting room, 2nd floor 432-0531
Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr "all manner of fruit"
9 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3399 Caverns Drive 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivers-Wenger
Bible Study and annual covenanting: Harvey Yoder Carry-in meal
16 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Pizza meal
23 Location: Lois Rivera-Wenger 204 Homes Lane 22401 502-663-3195
Worship and Sharing: Kent Palmer
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Simple picnic meal
30 Location: Lewis & Mary Ellen Overholt Heritage Haven 432-7277
Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt
Bible Study: Mary Ellen Overholt, Kent Palmer, James Stauffer, and Harvey Yoder (each taking a passage) Brown bag meal
