December 2014 newsletter

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