House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church November 2013
Tithes and Taxes: Very Modest Forms of Rent
In the Hebrew Bible, God's people are commanded to set aside ten percent of their produce and income for the support God’s work and for the benefit of the poor. The New Testament does not mandate a tithe, but promotes generous giving of the kind that helps bring about equality among believers.
It’s hard to imagine any North American Christians feeling justified in giving any less in light of how blessed we are in comparison to the majority of people in the world. Ten percent could be considered a most reasonable form of “rent” for the privilege of living on the most hospitable planet imaginable.
Think of all the benefits: enough food, water and fresh air here for all (providing we take proper care of the earth), along with the priceless gift of life itself--plus countless other examples of pure, unmerited grace.
We could also think of taxes as a modest and reasonable “rent” we gladly pay for living in a country that offers so many benefits and services we could never provide for ourselves.
For example, we have roads, schools, a postal system, police protection, health care for the elderly and most needy, plus a host of other blessings we regularly take for granted. Of course we can also find examples of waste and misuse of tax dollars that need to be addressed, but instead of complaining, we should seek to correct them and to be grateful for the fantastic bargain we are getting for our “rent payments”.
Lest we be guilty of a serious case of “Gratitude Deficit Disorder”.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
OUR PENNY POWER OFFERING for the Relief Sale this year totaled $233.28 ($132.14 last year).
* 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. Neal and Elly Nelson’s 25th anniversary is November 26!
* HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
November lectionary devotional readings
3 Isaiah 1:10-18 Psalm 32:1-7 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Luke 19:1-10
10 Psalm 98 Job 19:23-27a 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Luke 20:27-38
17 Malachi 4:1-2a Psalm 98 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Luke 21:5-19
24 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 46 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43
November services worship at 4, meal at 6
3 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 5 “The Burden and Blessing of Leadership”: Overseer Roy Hange
Finger Foods Meal
10 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
II Peter 1 “Bright Light to Live By”: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
17 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
II Peter 2 “Living in Perilous Times” Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Sharing, Prayer, and Renewing of Wedding Vows (Neal and Elly’s 25th)
II Peter 3 “Ready for Christ’s Coming” James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Monday, October 7, 2013
October 2013 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church October 2013
It Will Not Always Be As It Is Now
In his meditation in the July-August, 2013, issue of "Beside the Still Waters", James Baer tells about a Russian family he visited that had the words "It will not always be as it is now" written in large print on a placard on their dining room wall.
It turns out that many years before the father had spent years in a Soviet prison for refusing to enlist in the army because of what he believed Jesus taught about violence. It was then that the mother had written these words and posted them as a sign of hope for herself and for her children, trusting that one day their father would return and things would be better.
When the father was finally released and life greatly improved, some friends asked why she had not removed those words. Her reply was simply, "Because it's still true that 'It will not always be as it is now'."
Just as people in distress need hope, those of us who are doing well need to learn from history that all nations, economies and cultures rise and fall. We could all face hardships in our lifetimes like those of people in Syria today and in many other trouble spots in the world, past and present. Or as with the following:
• A major collapse of the worldwide economic system
• Destruction of computer systems on which we have all become
extremely dependent
• Major droughts and other weather events associated with climate
that could result in severe shortages of water and food
• Massive assaults by terrorists or by nations with atomic and other
weapons
Meanwhile, we need to have a heart that suffers with those already experiencing devastation and do everything possible to help them, just as we would have others do to us if we were in similar straits.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
RACHEL STOLTZFUS is recovering well from her recent spinal surgery and appreciates our ongoing prayers and concerns. Contact her at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817 (301-493-4470).
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Elly Nelson 10/28, and a belated Happy Birthday to David Weaver 9/23!
MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be at the Fairgrounds October 4-5.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
October lectionary devotional readings
6 Habakkuk 1-2:4 Psalm 37:1-9 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10
13 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Psalm 66:1-12 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19
20 Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 121 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 27
27 Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14
October services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
6 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
I Peter 2:11-25 “This World is not Your Home”: Paul Swarr
Carry-in Meal
13 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 3:1-12 “Beautiful, Everyday Love”: Harvey Yoder
Finger Foods Meal
20 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
I Peter 3:13-4:6 “Blessed by Suffering” Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
27 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
I Peter 4:7-19 “Living With the End in Mind” Elly Nelson
Family of Hope House Church October 2013
It Will Not Always Be As It Is Now
In his meditation in the July-August, 2013, issue of "Beside the Still Waters", James Baer tells about a Russian family he visited that had the words "It will not always be as it is now" written in large print on a placard on their dining room wall.
It turns out that many years before the father had spent years in a Soviet prison for refusing to enlist in the army because of what he believed Jesus taught about violence. It was then that the mother had written these words and posted them as a sign of hope for herself and for her children, trusting that one day their father would return and things would be better.
When the father was finally released and life greatly improved, some friends asked why she had not removed those words. Her reply was simply, "Because it's still true that 'It will not always be as it is now'."
Just as people in distress need hope, those of us who are doing well need to learn from history that all nations, economies and cultures rise and fall. We could all face hardships in our lifetimes like those of people in Syria today and in many other trouble spots in the world, past and present. Or as with the following:
• A major collapse of the worldwide economic system
• Destruction of computer systems on which we have all become
extremely dependent
• Major droughts and other weather events associated with climate
that could result in severe shortages of water and food
• Massive assaults by terrorists or by nations with atomic and other
weapons
Meanwhile, we need to have a heart that suffers with those already experiencing devastation and do everything possible to help them, just as we would have others do to us if we were in similar straits.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
RACHEL STOLTZFUS is recovering well from her recent spinal surgery and appreciates our ongoing prayers and concerns. Contact her at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817 (301-493-4470).
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Elly Nelson 10/28, and a belated Happy Birthday to David Weaver 9/23!
MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be at the Fairgrounds October 4-5.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
October lectionary devotional readings
6 Habakkuk 1-2:4 Psalm 37:1-9 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10
13 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Psalm 66:1-12 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19
20 Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 121 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 27
27 Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14
October services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
6 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
I Peter 2:11-25 “This World is not Your Home”: Paul Swarr
Carry-in Meal
13 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 3:1-12 “Beautiful, Everyday Love”: Harvey Yoder
Finger Foods Meal
20 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
I Peter 3:13-4:6 “Blessed by Suffering” Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
27 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
I Peter 4:7-19 “Living With the End in Mind” Elly Nelson
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)