House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church December 2012
Celebrating The Real St. Nicholas
Some years ago I read about Mike Sherer, a Lutheran minister, who with his wife Kathe, a registered nurse, decided to celebrate Christmas without Santa Claus when their first child was three years old. They had come to see Santa as little more than a prop for the great North American Christmas Marketing Machine, and so decided to focus instead on his venerable ancestor, the real life St. Nicholas.
This third century bishop of Myra, who lived on the southern coast of what is now Turkey, became legendary for his generosity in helping the poor and needy in his parish, according to stories about him passed down through the generations.
Because this real saint seemed to be a good alternative to the jolly old elf of recent invention, the Sherers have begun celebrating the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, which is on December 6, as an early part of their family’s Advent, and each year designate 5% of their December income to give anonymous help to a needy individual or family in their community, in the spirit of the good bishop of Myra.
They do put up a tree, but cover the floor all around it with good books about Christmas instead of the many other gifts for themselves that used to accumulate there. The books they then put away each year with the tree decorations, to give them a rest and to make them “new” each Advent.
The Sherers report that their giving up a fake Santa for a real saint they feel embodies the true spirit of Christmas has been a richly satisfying change, one they would recommend to everyone
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
A DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSING to Karen Campbell 12/26!
BERTHA SWARR is at home again and doing better, for which we are grateful.
RACHEL STOLTZFUS spent November 28-30 at RMH with another mild stroke.
DAVID WEAVER’S address is 1032 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg 22802 and his phone number is 540-705-5084.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
December lectionary readings
2 Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thess. 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 1:39-45
30 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20
December services worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 12/16)
2 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
9 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave 432-0531
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
16 Annual Christmas Reunion Celebration with other house churches
12:30 pm at Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Meditation: Mike Cooley, St. Luke House Church
Plus carol singing, a children’s story, and a money offering for Heifer International 12:30 pm Carry-in Meal
23 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 22802 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Lois Wenger No Meal This Sunday
30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
November Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church November 2012
Tell Me a Story - Harvey Yoder
Good stories never grow old, but become better with retelling and re-reading. They bond the teller and the hearer together, and are powerful in their ability to influence and shape our young. They have long been a primary means by which people pass on their traditions, beliefs and guides for wise living to the next generation.
Unfortunately, Hollywood is upstaging our homes and congregations as today’s primary story teller. And many of their deplorable, mammon-driven stories are distressingly void of people who love God and serve their neighbors. Instead, they are about heroes who use violent means and threatening language to destroy their enemies, or they feature characters who find instant happiness through the acquisition of wealth or fame--or through the magic of romantic love.
As a parent and grandparent I’m concerned about our passing on stories that really do lead to “happily ever after,” and that come from experiences of real people living lives that convey real meaning. These should certainly include heroes of our faith, from Abel to Esther to the Good Samaritan to Dirk Willems, the 16th century Anabaptist who rescued his pursuer who had fallen through the ice, even though that led to Dirk's capture, trial and death at the stake.
Now that our children are long grown and gone, we miss having them on our laps--or tucked in their beds or beside us on the living room sofa--begging for one more story. It may seem hard to see our values-driven narratives competing with all the screen-based tales our children are inundated with. Which means it may be time to seriously limit the time we allow with these media strangers in our living rooms, and to make the most of the clear advantages we have as story tellers, like offering extras like soft laps, loving arms, warm hearts and good examples.
Notes, prayers and praises
* OUR PENNY POWER offering for the MCC Relief Sale was $132.14!
PRAY FOR BERTHA SWARR as she regains her strength and is able to live at home again.
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!
LOIS WENGER will be at c/o Tonya Tyler, 5623 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215 in November taking care of grandchildren.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
November lectionary readings
4 Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146 Deut 6:1-9 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34
11 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 1 Kings 17:8-16 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44
18 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 2:1-10 Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-25
Mark 13:1-8
25 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132 Daniel 7:9-14 Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
November services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
4 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
11 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 22802 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
18 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
25 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Thanksgiving Meal
Family of Hope House Church November 2012
Tell Me a Story - Harvey Yoder
Good stories never grow old, but become better with retelling and re-reading. They bond the teller and the hearer together, and are powerful in their ability to influence and shape our young. They have long been a primary means by which people pass on their traditions, beliefs and guides for wise living to the next generation.
Unfortunately, Hollywood is upstaging our homes and congregations as today’s primary story teller. And many of their deplorable, mammon-driven stories are distressingly void of people who love God and serve their neighbors. Instead, they are about heroes who use violent means and threatening language to destroy their enemies, or they feature characters who find instant happiness through the acquisition of wealth or fame--or through the magic of romantic love.
As a parent and grandparent I’m concerned about our passing on stories that really do lead to “happily ever after,” and that come from experiences of real people living lives that convey real meaning. These should certainly include heroes of our faith, from Abel to Esther to the Good Samaritan to Dirk Willems, the 16th century Anabaptist who rescued his pursuer who had fallen through the ice, even though that led to Dirk's capture, trial and death at the stake.
Now that our children are long grown and gone, we miss having them on our laps--or tucked in their beds or beside us on the living room sofa--begging for one more story. It may seem hard to see our values-driven narratives competing with all the screen-based tales our children are inundated with. Which means it may be time to seriously limit the time we allow with these media strangers in our living rooms, and to make the most of the clear advantages we have as story tellers, like offering extras like soft laps, loving arms, warm hearts and good examples.
Notes, prayers and praises
* OUR PENNY POWER offering for the MCC Relief Sale was $132.14!
PRAY FOR BERTHA SWARR as she regains her strength and is able to live at home again.
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!
LOIS WENGER will be at c/o Tonya Tyler, 5623 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215 in November taking care of grandchildren.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
November lectionary readings
4 Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146 Deut 6:1-9 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34
11 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 1 Kings 17:8-16 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44
18 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 2:1-10 Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-25
Mark 13:1-8
25 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132 Daniel 7:9-14 Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
November services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
4 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
11 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 22802 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
18 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
25 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Thanksgiving Meal
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