February 2016 newsletter

House-to-House

Family of Hope House Church                          February 2016

Some Choice Words From Menno Simons            

    True evangelical faith cannot lie dormant. It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it returns good for evil, it seeks that which is lost, it binds up the wounded, it becomes all things to all people.

    Love compels us to respectfully and humbly show all high officials what the Word of God commands them, how they should rightfully execute their office to the glory and praise of God... to punish the transgressors and protect the good; to judge rightly between a man and his fellows; to do justice to the widows and orphans and to the poor, to rule cities and countries justly by a good policy and administration, not contrary to God’s Word but to the benefit of the common people.

    We who were formerly no people at all, and who knew no peace, are now called to be a church of peace. True Christians do not know vengeance... Their hearts overflow with peace. Their mouths speak peace, and they walk in the way of peace.

    The regenerated do not go to war, or engage in strife. They are the children of peace, who have beaten their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and they know no war. Since we are conformed to the image of Christ, how then can we kill our enemies with the sword? Spears and swords made of iron we leave to those, alas, who consider human blood and swine’s blood as having well nigh equal value.

    Therefore, my precious brothers and sisters in the Lord, take the crucified Christ as your example, and the apostles and prophets of God. They were so endowed and trained by God that they knew nothing, sought nothing, loved and desired nothing but the eternal treasure--God--and eternal life.                 - from the Complete Works of Menno Simons

Notes, prayers and praises 

“THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT during our time of grieving and during Alma Jean’s recovery from her hand injury. You have indeed been a ‘family of hope’ for us.” - Harvey & Alma Jean                                                                                                                                

THE TABLE has invited us to meet with them for their 4 pm service at the Dean House Sunday, February 21. 

GUY VLASITS plans to be in Austin, Texas, with grandchildren and family February 19-March 1.

WE WILL HAVE A BRIEF FOLLOW-UP BUSINESS MEETING at our February 28 service.

ANNUAL MEAT CANNING FOR MCC will be February 22-26 at the Hinton Mennonite Relief Center, Hinton, Va. Virginia Mennonite Conference is responsible to provide help on Tuesday, February 23.

February Lectionary readings

7    Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99  2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2  Luke 9:28-43a

14  Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13

21  Genesis 15:1-18  Psalm 27  Philippians 3:17-4:1  Luke 13:31-35

28  Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8  1 Corinthians 10:1-13  Luke 13:1-9

February services worship at 4, meal at 6 

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

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                      Carry-in Meal   

14 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave.  432-0531

Worship and Sharing: Lois Wenger

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                            Finger Food Meal

21 Location: We will be meeting with the Table congregation at the Dean House, on the corner of Water Street and Old South High Street. On this third Sunday they will have their monthly service of liturgical readings and hymns, followed by communion.                    Carry-in Meal                           

28 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802             564-1524

Worship, sharing, and brief business meeting

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                      Carry-in Meal