House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church December 2014
From Wendell Berry’s “The Timbered Choir”
Remembering that it happened once,
We cannot turn away the thought,
As we go out, cold, to our barns
Toward the long night’s end, that we
Ourselves are living in the world
It happened in when it first happened,
That we ourselves, opening a stall
(A latch thrown open countless times
Before), might find them breathing there,
Foreknown: the Child bedded in straw,
The mother kneeling over Him,
The husband standing in belief
He scarcely can believe, in light
That lights them from no source we see,
An April morning’s light, the air
Around them joyful as a choir.
We stand with one hand on the door,
Looking into another world
That is this world, the pale daylight
Coming just as before, our chores
To do, the cattle all awake,
Our own white frozen breath hanging
In front of us; and we are here
As we have never been before,
Sighted as not before, our place
Holy, although we knew it not.
We wish everyone God’s warm “April’s light” this Christmas season!
Harvey and Alma Jean Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
A SPECIAL DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSING to Karen Campbell 12/26!
OUR
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOUSE CHURCH GATHERING at the Lodge this year is
December 14, and features the lighting of a Menorah candle and prayers
for Hannukah as well as a carry-in meal beginning at 4 pm and a
celebration of “Jesus as Light of the World”. We will also have a
children’s story, and bring food items for the Patchwork Pantry, and
take up an offering for Heifer International.
* LOIS RIVERA-WENGER’s new address is 1135 Hamlet Drive, apartment A, Harrisonburg, VA 222802.
December Lectionary readings
7 Mark 1:1-8 Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a
14 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Isaiah 64:1-11 Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
21 Luke 1:26-38 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27
28 Luke 2:22-40 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7
December services worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 12/14)
7 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
14
House Church Christmas Gathering beginning with a meal at 4 pm at Guy
& Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, K’town (Elly Nelson will lead
prayers with the lighting of the Menorah candle)
908-0391
21 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Finger Foods Meal
28 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal