February 10, 2019, Business Meeting

Family of Hope Annual Business Meeting

(at Guy and Margie Vlasits home)

2/10/2019

Harvey Yoder opened the business meeting with a reflection on how local churches serve as God’s embassies representing God throughout the world.

The business meeting was attended by Susan Campbell, Dick Dumas, Kent Palmer, James Stauffer, Ruth Stauffer, Guy Vlasits, Margie Vlasits, Alma Jean Yoder, and Harvey Yoder

Minutes of last year’s business meeting were distributed and accepted without objection.

Susan Campbell presented the 2018 treasurer's report. This included actual spending and revenues along with the 2018 budget. People noted that all funds were forwarded to wider church bodies and no funds were spent locally on the needs of the congregation in 2018. We rejoiced that we had been able to use our funds in this way.

The Church approved a 2019 budget that was the same as 2018.  A concern was raised that several members have financial needs. The Church agreed that we should prioritize these local needs over the needs of wider church bodies. If insufficient funds were available, the church will fund local needs first.

The church approved covering half the cost of a VMRC Health Club membership for Elly Nelson. Her son will cover the other half of the membership cost. Estimated cost was an initial deposit of $35 and $40 per month.  This expense will come from the compassion fund.

The church agreed to use $200 from the discretionary fund to pay for our 2019 membership in Faith in Action.

Some people reflected on the Church’s strong ties to VMRC. Discussion included comments about whether we should meet there more regularly and whether we want to focus more on this aspect of our ministry.

Kent Palmer

recording secretary 

February 2019 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                    February 2019

Song For Valentine’s Day                   

Love is all I have for you,

           it will have to do, 

           if you were looking for a miracle,

           the fact that we’re still here, 

           well that’s miraculous as anything

           that I have seen magicians pull,

           but I forgot the tricks I knew, 

           love is all I have for you..

love is all I have for you,

love is all that’s left after the wind has blown the chaff away,

I laugh at what I tried to save,

and disappointment’s just a lens to magnify what might have been,

but none of that was ever true,

love is all I have for you,

I close my eyes, I’m a child by the water,

casting stones so circles spread,

then blink twice, and we’re old on a park bench,

watching birds eat scattered bread,

in between we lost track of time,

but she is kind enough to remind us..

the little space between goodbyes is really only pocket-sized,

I carry you around with me in case I need some sympathy,

this fear that we’re not good enough will disappear when morning comes,

‘cause none of that was ever true,

love is all I have for you..

miraculous as anything that I have seen magicians do,

but I forgot the tricks I knew,

love is all I have for you…

          - lyrics to a song by Pittsburgh singer/songwriter Brad Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• OUR ANNUAL CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING is set for Sunday, February 10 at FLRC. 
• LEWIS AND MARY ELLEN OVERHOLT celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary January 13. Congratulations! They plan to be back from their vacation February 21.
• CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR Elly Nelson, and for a suitable nursing care arrangement for Neal.

February Lectionary Texts

3   Jeremiah 1:4-10  Psalm 71:1-6  1 Corinthians 13:1-13  Luke 4:21-30

10 Isaiah 6:1-8, (9-13)   Psalm 138 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11

17 Jeremiah 17:5-10  Psalm 1   1 Corinthians 15:12-20  Luke 6:17-26

24 Genesis 45:3-11, 15  Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40  1 Corinthians 15:35-38,      

     42-50   Luke 6:27-38

February services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

3 Location: Park Place meeting room, 2nd floor                        432-0531

Worship and sharing: James Stauffer   

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                       Surprise evening meal (provided!)                                                       

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

Worship and Sharing: Kent Palmer

Business meeting and Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                Carry-in meal                    

17 No church gathering this Sunday due to numerous persons being out of town.

24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802  564-1524

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell                                           

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                    Carry-in meal   

January 2019 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                                      January 2019

Passing on Blessings                         - Harvey Yoder

John Trent, in THE GIFT OF THE BLESSING, describes a memorable experience he had in an Orthodox Jewish home he once visited. The grandfather, patriarch of the family, placed his hand on the head of each grandchild, asking God to bless him or her with the qualities of some worthy character in the Bible. 

     Trent believes we need to find similar ways to encourage and inspire our children and grandchildren to live noble and good lives.

     Without thinking, we can pass on discouragements and “curses” from one generation to the next. We do so by predicting children will turn out badly, through blaming and accusing, and through using all kinds of negative words that hurt and disparage. 

     Blessings and affirmations, on the other hand, energize others, motivate them to become their best.“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,” one Bible proverb says. “Do not say, ‘Go and come back and tomorrow I will give it,’ when it is in your power to give it now.”

     In other words, let’s not pass up any opportunity to pass on good blessings. 

     Over a period of several years I sent each of our three adult children a weekly blessing (sometimes in the form of a prayer or other inspirational piece) via e-mail. One example is this blessing adapted from Robert G. Kemper:

God go with you.

May God walk where you walk,

Guide where you must make choices,

Comfort where you hurt,

And surprise you by his continued love for you,

and what you are,

and what you do. 

Amen

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17,  Becky Morlan 1/28, and Dick Dumas 1/30! Lewis and Mary Ellen Overholt's anniversary is 1/13!
• GUY AND MARGIE VLASITS will be in Austin, Texas, with family for most of this month.
• WE WELCOME LOIS RIVERA-WENGER back to her home at Homes Lane!
• PRAY FOR ELLY AND NEAL NELSON as they consider options for          Neal’s ongoing care, and for BERTHA SWARR, at VMRC’s Showalter House, who is finding mobility more difficult
• OUR ANUAL FOH BUSINESS MEETING will be held as a part of our regular services January 13.

January Lectionary Texts

6   Isaiah 60:1-6  Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14  Ephesians 3:1-12  Matthew 2:1-12

13 Isaiah 43:1-7  Psalm 29  Acts 8:14-17  Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

20 Isaiah 62:1-5  Psalm 36:5-10  1 Corinthians 12:1-11  John 2:1-11

27 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19  Corinthians 12:12-31a  Luke 4:14-21

January services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

6 Location: Park Place meeting room, 2nd floor                        432-0531

Worship and sharing: Elly Nelson  

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                   No evening meal                                                         

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

Business Meeting and Communion Service c/o Harvey Yoder  

Meal: communion bread, grape juice, cheese and raw vegetables and fruit

20 Location: Lewis & Mary Ellen Overholt  Heritage Haven G49

Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                                      432-7277   
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                  Brown bag meal                                                    

27 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802       564-1524

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell      Bible Study:
Elly Nelson                                                                            Carry-in meal   

December 2018 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                  December 2018

A Bright Hanukah Light                    

The December 2003 Readers Digest carried a true story by Joe Fitzgerald called “A New Light.” It was about the Markovitz’s, a Jewish family who lived in a Pennsylvania suburb where one Christmas season they were awakened at around five one morning by the sound of glass shattering. 

They ran down to find the window broken where they had their illuminated menorah, a Jewish candelabra, now damaged and lying on the floor. There’s was one of the few homes in their neighborhood that didn’t have traditional Christmas decorations, and some person or group apparently felt a need to express their intolerance by destroying this symbol of their faith used in a celebration of Hanukah.

This Hebrew holiday marks the event when, as tradition has it, Jews returned to their temple in Jerusalem after their exile and found it desecrated, and went about reconsecrating it as a place of worship. To do so they needed, among other things, to keep a lamp lit day and night in the temple. Unfortunately, they had enough oil for only one night, but decided to go ahead and light the lamp anyway, and according to Hanukah tradition, it kept burning for eight nights, a miracle the Markowitz’s celebrated each year. 

Some of their neighbors were outraged by the crime committed against the Merkowitz’s, and got their heads together to decide how to show their support. 

So the next evening when the Markowitz's turned on to their street they saw an extraordinary sight, something like another miracle. Nearly every home in the neighborhood had an illuminated menorah in their window, as if to say, “If you want to bring harm to any one of us, you will have to attack us all.”                                                                   - Harvey Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Karen Campbell 12/26/69!
• GEMEINSCHAFT CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE from 2-4 pm Sunday, December 2.
• All ARE INVITED to a Christmas Lessons and Carols service featuring EMU choir ensembles and readers Monday, December 10 at 7 p.m. in Lehman Auditorium. A free-will offering will be taken for the compassion fund.

December Lectionary Texts

2   Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10  1 Thessalonians 3:9-13           Luke 21:25-36

9   Malachi 3:1-4  Luke 1:68-79  Philippians 1:3-11  Luke 3:1-6

16 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7  Luke 3:7-18

23 Micah 5:2-5a  Luke 1:46b-55  Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-55

30 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26  Psalm 148 Colossians 3:12-17  Luke 2:41-52

December services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

2 Location: Park Place meeting room, 2nd floor                        432-0531

Advent worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder   

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                   No evening meal                                              

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

Menorah Candle and Advent Communion Service c/o Harvey Yoder

Meal: communion bread, grape juice, cheese and raw vegetable and fruit

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

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                     Carry-in meal

23 Location: Lewis & Mary Ellen Overholt  Heritage Haven G49

Worship and sharing: Kent Palmer                                                  432-7277                                      Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                                             Brown bag meal

30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802  564-1524

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell                                           

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                       Carry-in meal              

November 2018 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                     November 2018

Is Some Exodus History Repeating Itself?                    

"The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children." 

- Exodus 12:37

Today we are witnessing an unprecedented migration of people fleeing for their lives from one of the poorest and most violence-ridden countries in the world, Honduras. I can't help thinking of similarities between their plight and that of the Israelites deprived of their freedom and in fear of their future under Egyptian Pharaohs many years ago.

In this case the 'Pharaoh' is a corrupt and drug-infested government of a nation that has a higher poverty rate than that of Haiti. Teen age girls and boys are in particular danger of being raped and pressured to cooperate with drug cartels, with precious little protection from Honduran police. Unemployment is at a record high, and wages for those who are working are among the lowest in the world. 

But this isn't a case of people simply looking for better economic opportunity. Most of these migrants' very lives are in danger.

On our side of the border we have a choice. Will we work with our neighbors to the south to help provide reasonable protection and better opportunities for them, and by investing in "cities of refuge" on both sides of the border? Or will be like the Philistines in the biblical story who do everything we can to keep them from 'invading' the very part of our West we once invaded and conquered as Mexican-held territory?

Historically, God has always been on the side of needy refugees rather than on the side of world powers who have shunned them.

                                                                                       - Harvey Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• THE 17TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF PRAISE, featuring ten local men’s music ensembles and a combined men’s choir, will be held at the Eastern Mennonite School auditorium Sunday, November 4, at 4 pm. Our service is cancelled so all can attend this event.
• OUR ‘MY COINS COUNT’ (Penny Power) contribution to MCC at the Relief Sale was $101.51.
• NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS Neal Nelson 11/2, Paul Swarr 11/10, Emily Zhou 11/11, and Guy Vlasits 11/21. Neal and Elly Nelson’s 25th anniversary is November 26! 
• CHECK OUT THE EXHIBIT on WW I war resisters at EMU's Hartzler Library October 1-November 17. 

November Lectionary Texts

4   Ruth 1:1-18   Psalm 146   Deuteronomy 6:1-9  Hebrews 9:11-14  

            Mark 12:28-34

11 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Psalm 127 1 Kings 17:8-16  Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44

18 1 Samuel 1:4-20  Daniel 12:1-3   Psalm 16   Hebrews 10:11-25      

            Mark 13:1-8

25 2 Samuel 23:1-7  Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14  Psalm 93   Revelation 1:4b-8 John 18:33-37

November services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

4 Today’s Family of Hope service is cancelled in favor of our being able to attend the Festival of Praise event at EMS (see note above).

11 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave  432-0531

Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                                              
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                 Brown bag meal

18 Location: Lewis and Mary Ellen Overholt  Heritage Haven G49

Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt                              432-7277

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                   Brown bag meal

25 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802      564-3716

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer                                           

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                               Annual Thanksgiving meal              

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              

September 2018 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                                   September 2018

Our Hypocrisy on ‘Social Action’     - Harvey Yoder

Mennonite Central Committee and other relief and service organizations are often criticized for being too focused on physically bettering people's lives and not enough on evangelizing them.

     Some of the questions raised are, What good is it to educate people and to improve their health and their means of livelihood if we don't help them with their eternal spiritual needs? And while we should of course offer emergency relief to people who are hungry and homeless, shouldn't our primary mission be to change people's hearts and prepare them for the life to come?

     Jesus' life and ministry is a demonstration of the fact that both are important.

     According to his inaugural address Jesus' mission, and ours, is to "bring good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to announce release to captives, to bring sight to the blind, and to free those who are in prison." All of this is in fulfillment of our obligation to love God above every other love or allegiance, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

     Here's where our hypocrisy comes in. The fact is that few of us pay attention just to our spiritual needs. Rather, most of us spend an extraordinary amount of time and money on the kinds of "social action" that benefit ourselves and our families.

     For example, we invest whatever energy and resources necessary to make sure we have the best housing in the best neighborhood possible, that our children have the best education available, that our every health needs are met to the fullest and finest extent, and that we have all of the recreational and entertainment opportunities we can afford.

     In short, these are among the many ways we love ourselves and our own families. And up to a point, we should.

     But that's where the "as yourself" question comes in. Shouldn't we be equally dedicated to the same kinds of needs in our neighbors around the world?

     Of course we can't do everything needed for every one in need. But as communities of faith we should never assume that we deserve better than others just because we are North Americans, nor assume that others' needs are primarily spiritual while ours are by right far more earth-based than heaven-based.

      It's at the heart of our Bible: "Love your neighbor and yourself, and as yourself.”

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• THE VIRGINIA MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be held at the Rockingham Fairgrounds Friday evening, October 5 and all day Saturday, October 6. Be prepared to match your spending with generous giving at the SOS (Sharing Our Surplus) refugee gift table. 
• OUR CONDOLENCES TO LOIS RIVERA-WENGER, whose oldest brother Gordon passed away August 8.
• AUGUST BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Lewis Overholt (9/5), and David Weaver (9/23)! David is a resident of Crestwood at VMRC and a faithful supporter of our congregation.
• THERE WILL BE A CELEBRATION OF LEWIS OVERHOLT'S 80th birthday at VMRC's Village Hall Saturday, September 15 from 12:30-4 pm!

September Lectionary Texts

2   Deuteronomy 4:1-9 Psalm 15  James 1:17-27  Mark 7:1-8, 14-23

9  Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23  Isaiah 35:4-7a  Psalm 146  James 2:1-17 Mark 7:24-37

16 Proverbs 1:20-33  Psalm 19  Isaiah 50:4-9a  James 3:1-12              

             Mark 8:27-38

23 Proverbs 31:10-31  Psalm 1 Jeremiah 11:18-20  James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a  Mark 9:30-37

30 Esther 7:1-10; 9:20-22  Psalm 124  Numbers 11:4-29  James 5:13-20  Mark 9:38-50

September services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

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

Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                 (No evening meal)

9 Location: FLRC, 273 Newman Ave. (ground floor)                432-0531

Worship and Sharing:                                  

Bible Study: Kent Palmer                                                   Brown bag meal

16 Location: FLRC, 273 Newman Ave. (ground floor)               432-0531

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer                                   

Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                                             Brown bag meal

23 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3399 Caverns Dr,  K-town 269-6706

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                         Housewarming Carry-in Meal

30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802     564-1524

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell                                            

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                     Carry-in Meal