October 2015 newsletter

House-to-House

Family of Hope House Church                                      October 2015

A Description Of Early Christians           

     …Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of the human race by country or language or customs. They do not live in cities of their own; they do not use a peculiar form of speech; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life. This doctrine of theirs has not been discovered by the ingenuity or deep thought of inquisitive men, nor do they put forward a merely human teaching, as some people do. Yet, although they live in Greek and barbarian cities alike, as each man's lot has been cast, and follow the customs of the country in clothing and food and other matters of daily living, at the same time they give proof of the remarkable and admittedly extraordinary constitution of their own commonwealth.  

     They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them every fatherland is a foreign land. They marry, like everyone else, and they beget children, but they do not cast out their offspring. They share their board with each other, but not their marriage bed. It is true that they are "in the flesh," but they do not live "according to the flesh." They busy themselves on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven. They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go far beyond what the laws require. They love all men, and by all men are persecuted. 

     They are unknown, and still they are condemned; they are put to death, and yet they are brought to life. They are poor, and yet they make many rich; they are completely destitute, and yet they enjoy complete abundance. They are dishonored, and in their very dishonor are glorified; they are defamed, and are vindicated. They are reviled, and yet they bless; when they are affronted, they still pay due respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; undergoing punishment, they rejoice because they are brought to life.”

                                   -  from the second century “Letter to Diognetus”

Notes, prayers and praises 

 OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Joyce Ulrich 10/14, and Elly Nelson 10/28!

WE ARE INVITED to hear former attorney general Mark Earley speak at EMU’s Martin Chapel at 7 pm Tuesday, October 20, on the theme “Why America Incarcerates So Many People, And What We Can Do About It”.

THE ANNUAL MCC RELIEF SALE is being held at the Rockingham Fairgrounds October 3 and 4.

CHECK THE FAMILY OF HOPE BLOG for any updates on the church schedule. http://familyofhope.blogspot.com

October Lectionary readings

4  Job 1:1, 2:1-10  Genesis 2:18-24  Psalm 8 Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12  Mark 10:2-16

11  Job 23:1-9, 16-17  Amos 5:6-7, 10-15  Psalm 90:12-17  Hebrews 4:12-16  Mark 10:17-31 

18 Job 38:1-7, (34-41)  Isaiah 53:4-12  Psalm 91:9-16  Hebrews 5:1-10  Mark 10:35-45

25 Job 42:1-6, 10-17  Jeremiah 31:7-9  Psalm 126  Hebrews 7:23-28  Mark 10:46-52

October services worship at 4, meal at 6 

4 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802   574-6141

Worship and Sharing:

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                  Carry-in Meal    

11 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802   574-6141

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                     Carry-in Meal  
18 Location: Joyce Ulrich 1029 Shenandoah St Apt 1              246-1013

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                   Carry-in Meal 
25 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802     564-1524

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell 

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                  Carry-in Meal