November 2014 newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church                       November 2014

The Rice Bucket Challenge                                 
                                                                                            - Harvey Yoder
After over a million people doused themselves with buckets of ice water to raise money for Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), a movement emerged in India called the "rice bucket challenge”.

In that country, more than 100 million people lack access to clean drinking water, so Manju Kalanidhi, a 38-year-old journalist from Hyderabad, came up with a different idea. Since a third of her people live on less that $1.25 a day, and two pounds of rice costs over half that amount, she proposed the rice bucket challenge, which works like this:
     1. Fill a bucket of rice.
     2. Give it to a needy individual or family nearby.
     3. Post a picture on Facebook.

Thousands of people worldwide responded, and tons of rice or other foods were donated as a result.

Or here's another idea: In light of the ever worsening situation experienced by the now three million Syrian refugees alone, let's challenge ourselves and others to make generous donations to help alleviate these and other desperate needs around the world. We could call it the Bucket of Compassion Challenge, and donate through organizations like the following:
MCC U.S.
21 South 12th Street
PO Box 500
Akron, PA 17501-0500

And by the way, my Galilean financial adviser suggests we avoid a lot of fanfare when we give alms, assuring us that our real rewards will come later and in other ways.


Notes, prayers and praises

 * THE TOTAL PENNY POWER OFFERING for the Relief Sale this          year was $28,210.29. Our FOH amount was $143 ($233.28 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!
AUSTIN YOUMANS is returning to Harrisonburg in early November.
 VIRGINIA MENNONITE MISSIONS’ 13th annual Festival of Praise,   featuring men’s ensembles and a combined men’s choir, will be held at the EMHS auditorium Sunday, November 2, at 4 pm.

November Lectionary readings
2  Joshua 3:7-17  Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37   Micah 3:5-12  1 Thessalonians 2:9-13     Matthew 23:1-12
9  Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25  Psalm 78:1-7  Amos 5:18-24  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18   Matthew 25:1-13
16  Judges 4:1-7   Psalm 123   Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18   1 Thessalonians 5:1-11     Matthew 25:14-30
23  Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24  Psalm 100  Eph. 1:15-23  Matthew 25:31-46
30 Deuteronomy 8:7-18  Psalm 65  2 Corinthians 9:6-15  Luke 17:11-19

November services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
2 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802     574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera Wenger
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                Carry-in Meal
9 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Women’s Retreat group, Karla May             
Bible Study: James Stauffer                                               Carry in Meal                                                                                                                   
16 Location: Joyce Ulrich  1029 Shenandoah Street 22802       246-1013
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                     Carry-in Meal
23 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave.  432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                          Finger Foods Meal
30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802       564-1524                          
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                            Carry-in Thanksgiving Meal