April 2015 newsletter

House to House
Family of Hope House Church                           April 2015

Tertullian: “To see patience, look at Jesus”

“God allows himself to become incarnate in his mother's womb and awaits the time of birth, and after his birth suffers himself to grow into manhood, and when an adult, shows no eagerness to become known, but bears reproaches, and is baptized by his servant... He did not force one who was unwilling to stay close to him; he scorned no one's table or dwelling; in fact, he ministered personally to his disciples by washing their feet.

“He did not despise sinners or tax collectors, he showed no anger even toward that city which refused to receive him, even when his disciples wished fire from heaven to fall upon such a shameful town; he healed the ungrateful yielded to his persecutors.  More than that, heaven kept in his company the one who would betray him …

“He who could have had, if he wished, at a single word, legions of angels from heaven to assist him did not approve an avenging sword on the part of even one of his disciples. It was the patience of the Lord that was wounded in Malchus... He actually cursed for all time the works of the sword and by healing him whom he himself had not struck, he made satisfaction by patience, which is the mother of mercy...

“Such were the manifestations of his patience, the very magnitude of which is the reason why pagan nations reject the faith; but for us they are its rational foundation... Patience is the very nature of God.

“So let wrongdoing grow weary from your patience... If one tries to provoke you to a fight... (heed) the admonition of the Lord, 'If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also'... If someone bursts out cursing or wrangling, recall the saying, 'When men reproach you,
rejoice.’”                            
     - Bishop Tertullian, second century  

Notes, prayers and praises

PRAY FOR BERTHA SWARR presently living in the Massanutten Unit at VMRC.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER has returned home. Welcome back!
APRIL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Bertha Swarr 4/13, Jack (HongYan) Zhou 4/14, Cathy Atwell 4/19, Bo Hu 4/20 and Randy May 4/21. And belated blessings to Ruth Stauffer (3/28)!
YOU ARE INVITED to participate in the annual Downtown Good Friday Walk starting at noon at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament on Main Street April 3.
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE at 8 am at the Lodge!

April lectionary texts

5  Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24  1 Corinthians 15:1-11  John 20:1-18
12  Acts 4:32-35  Psalm 133  1 John 1:1-2:2  John 20:19-31
19  Acts 3:12-19  Psalm 4  1 John 3:1-7  Luke 24:36b-48
26  Acts 4:5-12  Psalm 23  1 John 3:16-24  John 10:11-18

April services (worship at 4, meal at 6, except for April 5)

5 Early Easter Service at Old Massanutten Lodge 3448 Caverns Dr., Keezletown 908-0391
Worship, Sharing and Bible Study                       Simple Carry-in Brunch

12 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802   574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study:                                                                         Carry-in Meal

19 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391   
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                        Carry-in Meal

26 Location: Harvey and Alma Jean Yoder                                432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                     Carry-in Meal