January 2018 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                           January 2018

On Not Being Anxious in 2018

All of us worry, sometimes imagining worst outcomes in ways that rob us of sleep, appetite and our general joy of living.

With tongue partly in cheek, I've suggested to some folks (and to myself), that we set aside a special time every day for the sole purpose of focusing on worries--whether about finances, family, our future, or whatever. Then at other times of the day (or night), that we postpone dealing with those thoughts and feelings, simply filing them until our designated "Worry Hour".

It sounds wacky, but some folks have actually found this helpful. Of course, if that designated time rolls around and we really can't seem to think of anything worth worrying about, fine. But if there are some things on our worry list that really deserve our attention, we can do some or all of the following:

1. Use a journal to record our worries--raw, unedited, the worst--then write the kinds of responses we might make if a friend or family member were to share these same fears with us. Or write a letter to God, followed by a letter we might imagine a caring God writing to us in response.

2. Share some of our fears with a trusted friend, mentor or family member, via a phone call, visit or email.

3. Pray and meditate, imagining best case outcomes as well as bad ones. 4. Reflect on all of the back-up assets we have in place in case we do suffer a bad illness or accident, experience a financial loss, or lose a loved one.

In short, if we are to worry at all, let's do it with some intentionality and in a way that can offer us more positive results. And not have worries preoccupy our minds 24/7.                                               - Harvey Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17,  Becky Morlan 1/28, Dick Dumas 1/30! And congratulations to Lewis and Mary Ellen Overholt on their anniversary January 13!

• WE WILL HAVE OUR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING January 21 in connection with our regular Sunday service, with our treasurers report and the adoption of the 2018 budget.

January Lectionary Texts 

7   Genesis 1:1-5  Psalm 29  Acts 19:1-7  Mark 1:4-11

14 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Psalm 139:1-18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 John 1:43-51

21 Jonah 3:1-5, 10  Psalm 62:5-12  1 Corinthians 7:29-31  Mark 1:14-20

28 Deuteronomy 18:15-20  Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28 

January services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

7 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                              564-3716

Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                      sandwich/fresh fruit meal

14 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive                           269-6706

Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                      Carry-in meal

21 Location: FLRC, 273 Newman Ave. (ground floor)               432-0531

Worship, meditation and Annual Business Meeting - Harvey Yoder               

                                                                                        Finger foods meal  

                                           

28 Location: Susan Campbell, 1361 Lincolnshire Drive 

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                                                 Carry-in meal

December 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                        December 2017

Notes, Prayers and Praises

“Long, long ago, God decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ.  (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.”                            from Ephesians 1  The Message  

• DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Karen Campbell 12/26/69

December Lectionary Texts 

3   Isaiah 64:1-9  Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37

10  Isaiah 40:1-11  Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13  2 Peter 3:8-15a  Mark 1:1-8

17 Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Luke 1:46b-55 1Thessalonians 5:16-24  John 1:6-8, 19-28

24 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16  Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26  Romans 16:25-27  Luke 1:26-38

31 Isaiah 61:10-62:3   Psalm 148   Galatians 4:4-7   Luke 2:22-40

December services, worship at 4, meal at 6

3 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                    564-3716

Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                      sandwich/fresh fruit meal

10 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive                           269-6706

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                      Carry-in meal

17 Location: FLRC, 273 Newman Ave. (ground floor)               432-0531

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study: Kent Palmer                                                      Carry-in meal                                                                    

24 No FOH service on Christmas Eve Day

We encourage you to visit another church today.

31 Location: Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, Keezletown  908-0391

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                     Carry-in meal

November 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                        November 2017

Remembering Karla May, 1947-2017

I first got to know Karla when she became a friend of my younger sister, when both attended Eastern Mennonite High School. I’m sure that one of the things that drew them together was the fact that each was adopted, which both made them special and maybe sometimes also made them feel a little different from their peers. I know my sister, whom we loved very much, still sometimes wondered why she was neglected and not cared for by her mother and placed in foster care, and then adopted. 

     Alma Jean and I each had the opportunity to be Karla’s teachers at EMHS, and Karla adopted my wife as a special friend and mentor, and frequently visited us. Then some years ago Karla became adopted into our little house church, where she was as an active member for many years. She always had a heart for people she felt might be overlooked or neglected, and wanted to make sure everyone was remembered and loved. For example, there was no one in our church more faithful in sending birthday or get well or sympathy cards to any of our members celebrating a life or experiencing a loss. Karla cared deeply.

     As we all know, she went through unbelievable suffering herself in recent years, and I’m sure there were times when she wondered about God’s care for her as his special adopted daughter. But she’ll always have a place of special belonging in our hearts, and I know in the hearts of her husband, children and grandchildren. And I believe God has a special place set for Karla at Jesus’ great banquet table. He’s saying, “Come home, come home, my daughter, it’s supper time.”

     In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes,

“When the fullness of time was come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, to redeem us, so that we might receive full rights as God’s adopted children. And because we are children, God’s Spirit in us calls out, ‘Abba’ (‘Papa’), Father’,… and since we are children, we are also heirs, by adoption.”  That’s the way God loves all of us.

     So welcome home, Karla, you’ve suffered long enough, you’ve waited long enough. Welcome to the forever banquet. As Isaiah promises, “On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death for ever.”

     So welcome home, Karla. You’ve got a place, yes, you’ve got a special place at God’s welcome table. So save us a seat. We hope to join you soon.  

                                                                            - Harvey Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• OUR FOH “MY COINS COUNT” total for the Relief Sale added $150.62 the $25,083.79 brought in this year. The SOS giving campaign brought in $35,575 and the entire sale may have raised a record-breaking amount, with final results yet to be tabulated. 
• NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Neal Nelson 11/2, Paul Swarr 11/10, Emily Zhou 11/11, and Guy Vlasits 11/21. Neal and Elly Nelson’s 25th anniversary is November 26!

November Lectionary Texts

5   Joshua 3:7-17  Micah 3:5-12  Psalm 43  1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:1-12

12  Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25  Amos 5:18-24  Psalm 70  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  Matthew 25:1-13

19  Judges 4:1-7  Psalm 123,  Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18  1 Thessalonians 5:1-11  Matthew 25:14-30

26  Ezekiel 34:11-24  Psalm 95  Ephesians 1:15-23  Matthew 25:31-46

November services, worship at 4, meal at 6

5 Location: Festival of Praise at EMHS at 4, followed by fellowship and a sandwich/fresh fruit meal at Park Place, second floor meeting room                                              

12 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive                269-6706

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                          Carry-in meal

19 Location: FLRC 273 Newman Avenue      432-0531      

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                 Finger foods meal

26 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr,      564-1524

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                                       Carry-in meal

October 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                            October 2017

Passover as God’s evacuation order

The lectionary reading for September 10, Exodus 12:1-14, included the story of the original Passover, when thousands of enslaved Hebrews celebrated their emancipation and prepared for their evacuation.

Their mandate was clear: Get ready to leave Egypt's tyranny now. Don't wait or hesitate. Prepare your last supper--in your house, or the house of a neighbor--a meal of roast lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs, and be ready to make a run for your freedom at midnight.

Some twelve centuries later Jesus announced another regime change, this time from oppression of an even greater magnitude. As a new Moses, he is leading a worldwide, heaven-based rule based on a non-violent, grace-offering, blood-outpouring love for all, fellow-citizens and hated foreigners alike. Under God's universal new covenant, the lost are to be redeemed, the oppressed are to be freed, former enemies are to be reconciled, and the poor and oppressed are to experience God's special favor.

In this new era, marked by Jesus choosing crucifixion instead of vengeance, he is both our Passover Lamb, ensuring our deliverance from all evil, and our heaven-sent Liberator. He leads the procession of all who lay down their arms and take up his cross, and who who are willing to demonstrate his dramatic regime-changing vision for heaven-based living, starting right here on earth. The very body and life blood representing his Passover presence become nourishment and empowerment for our massive worldwide exodus toward freedom and shalom.

We praise God for this forever vision of Pesach, our "passing over" into new life.

• - Harvey Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• FORMER FOH MEMBER KARLA MAY, age 70, passed away Friday afternoon, September 22, near Petersburg, WV. Her memorial service is at the Mt. Clinton Church of God at 6 pm Tuesday, September 26.
• OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Joyce Ulrich 10/14, and Elly Nelson 10/28! 
• Lewis and Mary Ellen Overholt’s address is VMRC, Heritage Haven, G49, (229-938-6410), and Kent Palmer’s is 1431B Hillcrest Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (574-606-8917).

October Lectionary Texts

1   Exodus 17:1-7  Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16  Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32

8  Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20  Isaiah 5:1-7  Psalm 80:7-15 Philippians 3:4b-14  Matthew 21:33-46

15  Exodus 32:1-14  Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23  Isaiah 25:1-9  Philippians 4:1-9  Matthew 22:1-14

22  Exodus 33:12-23  Psalm 99  Isaiah 45:1-7  1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 Matthew 22:15-22

29  Deuteronomy 34:1-12  Psalm 90:1-6, 13-17  Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18  1 Thessalonians 2:1-8  Matthew 22:34-46  

October services, worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 10/22)

1 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                           Sandwiches and fresh fruit meal                                                 

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

Worship and Sharing: Elly Neal

Bible Study: Kent Palmer                                                      Carry-in meal

15 Location: FLRC 273 Newman Avenue (rear of building)      432-0531                           

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                               Finger foods meal                                                                    

22 Location: The Table, at Community Mennonite  (at 4:30)    432-0531

Worship and Sharing 

Bible Study: Overseer Roy Hange                                        Carry-in meal

29 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Dr.                              269-6706

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer 

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                   Carry-in meal

Delivered by Grace, Governed by Love

Here's the outline of the Agape Meal service we celebrated at our 4 pm service this Sunday:

Opening choruses

Prayer and sharing time

Your will be done on earth, O Lord

Anticipating regime change

Psalm 149, Exodus 12:1-14

Come, we that love the Lord Hymnal 14

Maintaining love and order in the new regime

Matthew 18:15-20

Peace before us, peace behind us, peace the path for our feet, 

Peace within us, peace over us, Let all around us be peace.

(Christ… Love… Grace… Praise… etc.)

Governed by Agape

Romans 13:8-14

I am the bread of life Hymnal 472

Let us break bread together

Be present at our table, Lord 457

Celebrating the Feast of Deliverance

Readings, partaking of bread and cup, followed by an agape meal

Sent forth by God's blessing Hymnal 478

Benediction

May the Lord give you bread for the journey to come

May God’s Spirit sustain you with light from above

May the good Lord bless and keep you

May his face shine upon you

Go in faith, go in hope, go in love.

Here's a link to my most recent blog entitled "Passover: God's Mandatory Evacuation Order": 
http://harvyoder.blogspot.com/2017/09/passover-gods-mandatory-evacuation-plan.html

September 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                                  September 2017

Life As Rehearsal For A Royal Wedding

The Genesis 24 account of Abraham's servant, who is led to just the right young woman as wife for his son Isaac, has its parallel in the story found in the fourth chapter of John's gospel. In that passage Jesus is both the seeking servant and the royal Messiah. At Jacob's well, he wins over a receptive Samaritan crowd brought to him by an unlikely woman from the town who comes there to draw water. At this ordinary time and place we sense a rumor of a God-blessed wedding, one bringing together God and God's people, a united new God-family that will include even unorthodox Samaritans. And just as Rebekah leaves all to cast her lot with Isaac, who loved her deeply from the moment he met her, so Jesus's disciples everywhere are loved into leaving all behind and casting their lot with him.

It's like a wedding. You "leave" one family and you "cleave" in the formation of a new one. In Matthew 11, Jesus is making what sounds like this kind of proposal to would-be disciples, "Come to me, all who are weary and weighed down, and I will give you rest," or as Clarence Jordan translates it, "I will give you zest.'' "Take my yoke on you (that is, companion with me) and learn from me, for I am gentle and gracious of heart, and you will find rest in your inner being." In other words, you will find a place to call home.

So whether in our human relationships or in the intimacies of the spirit, we find ourselves enthralled, blessed, joined together in relationships that offer deep joy and great purpose. Life becomes a kind of wedding rehearsal, in which the divinely betrothed learn to live lives of integrity, fidelity and deep passion.

- Harvey Yoder

Notes, prayers and praises

• KARLA MAY WAS RUSHED TO THE MORGANTOWN HOSPITAL   Sunday, August 20, where she has been in critical care. Please pray for her and her family.
• THE VIRGINIA MENNONITE RELIEF SALE is set for September 29-30. Plan to make a generous cash donation for famine and war refugees in addition to purchasing food and other items.
• SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Lewis Overholt (9/5), David Weaver (9/23), and congratulations to Billy and Karla May on their anniversary (9/3).
• SHALL WE PLAN FOR A PICNIC for our September 24 gathering?

September lectionary readings 

3   Exodus 3:1-15  Jeremiah 15:15-21  Psalm 26:1-8  Romans 12:9-21  Matthew 16:21-28

10  Exodus 12:1-14  Psalm 149  Ezekiel 33:7-11  Romans 13:8-14 Matthew 18:15-20

17  Exodus 14:19-31 Psalm 114  Genesis 50:15-21 Romans 14:1-12Matthew 18:21-35

24  Exodus 16:2-15  Jonah 3:10-4:11  Psalm 145:1-8  Philippians 1:21-30 Matthew 20:1-16

September services, worship at 4, meal at 6 

3 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716

Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                               Sandwich and fresh fruit meal                                                 

10 Location: FLRC 273 Newman Avenue                                   432-0531 

Worship, Sharing and Communion: Harvey Yoder

                                           Bread, fresh fruit, cheese and grape juice meal                       

17 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Dr.                               269-6706

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                      Carry-in meal                                                                    

24 Location: Old Massanutten Lodge, 3448 Caverns Drive       269-6706                                             

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera Wenger
Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                             Picnic carry-in meal

August 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

Family of Hope House Church                           August 2017

The Parable of the Terrible Tares

One of the July 23 scripture texts included Jesus's story of someone planting a field of wheat, then having an enemy sow noxious weed seeds in that field while the farmer slept.

     When the owner of the field was asked by his servants whether they should root out the unwanted weeds he told them to wait for the harvest to separate the good from the bad.

     In explaining the parable's meaning, Jesus says the field is the world, the wheat represents God's people and the weeds, evildoers. Let them both grow together, he said, until God separates them at the last judgment.

     This passage has been a source of confusion for those who assume this means that the church therefore exercises no discernment as to who is a follower of Jesus and who is not. This would contradict what is taught in passages like Matthew 18 and other texts which counsel us to meet with a erring person privately to bring about restoration, then if needed take another caring person with us to make another appeal, then involve the whole congregation if necessary to discern whether that person is to remain loved and cared for as a member or to be loved and re-evangelized equally warmly as an outsider. The church continues to love and care in either case.

     But this parable is not about the church but about the world. In other words, followers of Jesus are not to go about seeking and destroying God's enemies, going after unbelievers or persecuting members of ISIS or others who are clearly living in ways that are counter to the life and teachings of Jesus. Let God be the judge of all outsiders, Jesus is saying, meanwhile we are to go about the business of simply being a faithful community of Jesus followers.

     The field is the world.                                                                       - Harvey Yoder

Notes, prayers and praises 

• WE ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE TABLE at their worship service at 110 Old South High Street August 20.
• AUGUST BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Gail Blackburn 8/30! Also, Alma Jean and Harvey’s anniversary is 8/8 and James and Ruth Stauffer’s is 8/30.  
• WE WELCOME LEWIS AND MARY ELLEN OVERHOLT back home from their summer travels!
• PLAN TO MAKE A GENEROUS CASH GIFT  for MCC’s work with famine and war refugees at the Fall Mennonite Relief Sale September 29-30 in addition to purchasing of food and other items.

August lectionary readings

6   Genesis 32:22-31 Isaiah 55:1-5  Psalm 145:8-21  Romans 9:1-5  Matthew 14:13-21

13  Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28  1 Kings 19:9-18  Psalm 85:8-13 Romans 10:5-15  Matthew 14:22-33

20  Genesis 45:1-15  Isaiah 56:1, 6-8  Psalms 67  Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32  Matthew 15: 10-28

27  Exodus 1:8-2:10  Isaiah 51:1-6  Psalm 138  Romans 12:1-8  Matthew 16:13-20

August services, worship at 4, meal at 6

6 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera Wenger

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                               Sandwich and fresh fruit meal                                                 

13 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Dr.                              269-6706

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Richard Dumas                                                 Carry-in meal                            

20 Location: The Table, at 110 Old South High Street at 4:30 pm

                                                                                               Carry-in meal                                             

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

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder                                     

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                   Carry-in meal

A Memorial Service For Our Dear Rachel Stoltzfus 1925-2017

Here's a link to some of my personal reflections on the life of this remarkable woman.

Here's a link to contribute to New Life for Girls.

July 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                       July 2017

Virginia Conference Assembly July 20-22

Theme: “Neighbors: Strangers no More”

Thursday, July 20  7:00-8:30 pm

Speaker: Saulo Padilla, MCC US Immigration Education Coordinator

Friday, July 21  8:30 am

8:30 am Bible Study: Wilma Bailey, Old Testament scholar

Delegate Session #1

12:00 Lunch (food trucks on site)

1 pm Delegate Session #2

3:15-3:30 pm Workshop Session

5:00 Dinner (Taj of India, $15, pre-registration required)

7:00-8:30 pm

Speaker: César García, General Secretary of the Mennonite World Conference

TASTE OF MISSIONS ON THE LAWN: hosted by VMMissions immediately after the Friday evening service

Saturday, July 26  8:30 am

7-8 am Mennonite Women’s Breakfast

8:30 Bible Study: Wilma Bailey,

Missional story and Delegate Session #3

12:15 Dismissal 

Notes, prayers and praises 

• THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RACHEL STOLTZFUS will be held at the River of Life Church near her former home along Mt. Clinton Pike at 11 am July 4. A light lunch will be provided.
• JULY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Lois Rivera-Wenger 7/30!
• VIRGINIA CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY will be held at the Park View Mennonite Church July 20-22. All are welcome, especially to the three evening services and to the workshop session.

July lectionary readings

2   Genesis 22:1-14  Psalm 13  Romans 6:12-23  Matthew 10:40-42

9   Genesis 24:34-67  Psalm 45:10-17  Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Romans 7:15-25a  Matthew 11:16--30

16  Genesis 25:19-34  Isaiah 55:10-13  Psalm 65:9-13  Romans 8:1-11  Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

23  Genesis 28:10-19a  Isaiah 44:6-8  Psalm 86:11-17  Romans 8:12-25  Matthew 13:24-43

30  Genesis 29:15-28  Psalm 128 1 Kings 3:5-12  Romans 8:26-39  Matthew 13:31-52

July services, worship at 4, meal at 6

2 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder 

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                               Sandwich and fresh fruit meal                                                 

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

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                   Carry-in meal                            
16 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Dr.                              269-6706

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera Wenger

Bible Study: James Stauffer                                                  Carry-in meal                                                                       

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

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                               Finger foods meal

30 Location Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave    432-0531

Worship and Sharing: Guy Vlasits                                          

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                      Carry-in Meal

June 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

Family of Hope House Church                     June 2017

Remembering Rachel Stoltzfus 1925-2017

On May13, just before Mother's Day, our friend and fellow member Rachel Stoltzfus, 91, died peacefully at the Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Harrisonburg, the community she and her late husband Robert had chosen to spend their last years together. On Friday she had become very ill and was admitted to RMH while with her son and daughter-in-law west of town, David and Twila Stoltzfus.

For years Rachel and Robert had lived in a modest home on the corner of Two Penny Drive and Mt. Clinton Pike, where she continued to live after his passing until she moved to Bethesda, Maryland, four years ago. There her home was with her daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Gonzalo Accame.

It was a privilege being Rachel's pastor, and we at Family of Hope house church grew to deeply love and appreciate her during the many years she was a part of our little close-knit congregation. She frequently hosted our church meetings in her home, and was hospitable to scores if not hundreds of international students attending EMU during the years she and her husband lived near the campus. After he died she continued that ministry on her own.

This July 4 her family and her church family will be hosting a celebration of her life at the River of Life Church on Blackberry Lane just off Mt. Clinton Pike. Rachel and Robert had been an active part of the New Covenant Mennonite Fellowship which built the meeting house where the her memorial service will be held. At that service we will share our fond memories of this remarkable saint.

- Harvey Yoder

Notes, prayers and praises 

• RACHEL STOLTZFUS, who died May 13 at age 91, will be greatly missed and long remembered. Her memorial service will be held at the River of Life Church near her former home along Mt. Clinton Pike at 11 am July 4.
• ON PENTECOST SUNDAY, June 4, we will have our annual covenanting service, in which we agree to the following: “I support the goals, vision and faith of Family of Hope, will attend weekly services as regularly as I am able, and will use my gifts and offer my encouragement to this church family to the best of my ability. I invite other members to support me--and to confront me as needed--in being faithful to this commitment.”
• JUNE BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Sophie May, 6/2, Josiah Dumas 6/9, Karla May 6/16, Isaiah May, 6/27 and Harvey Yoder 6/30!

June lectionary readings

4    Numbers 11:24-30  Psalm 104:24-35  1 Corinthians 12:3b-13  John 7:37-39

11  Genesis 1:1-2:4a  Psalm 8  2 Corinthians 13:11-13  Matthew 28:16-20

18  Genesis 18:1-15  Psalm 116  Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:8

25  Genesis 21:8-21  Psalm 86  Jeremiah 20:7-13  Romans 6:1b-11  Matthew 10:24-39

June services, worship at 4, meal at 6

4 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder 

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                               Sandwich and fresh fruit meal                                                 

11 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive, H’burg            269-6706   

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                      Carry-in meal                            

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

Worship and Sharing: 

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                             Finger foods meal                                                                        

25 Location: TBD

Worship and Sharing: Guy Vlasits                                          

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                       Carry-in Meal

May 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                                 May 2017

Are We Heading Toward Armageddon?

Among the few books we had in our family library at home was one on the 1912 sinking of the Titanic, billed as the greatest and most reliable ocean liner ever. I remember how horrified I was reading about the fate of all the people who wined and dined together in high style on that voyage, oblivious to the disaster that awaited them.

     In a similar way we may find ourselves lulled into believing that our national ship of state, the now aging republic known as the United States of America, will endure forever. We are promised it will not only manage to avoid any future decline or disaster (of the kind that all empires of the past have experienced) but will gain ever increasing greatness.

     Thus in spite of the fact that both scripture and history tell us differently, we continue to trust in our broken economic and political system as though there were no tomorrow, or that our every tomorrow will be just like the present.

     In his book "Rewilding the Way", Todd Wynward quotes from the Dark Mountain Project, a group of artists and writers who take a contrasting view of where things are headed: 

"Human civilization... is built on little more than belief: belief in the rightness of its values; belief in the strength of its system of law and order; belief in its currency; above all, perhaps, belief in its future. We live in an age in which familiar restraints are being kicked away, and foundations snatched from under us... A similar human story is being played out. It is the story of empire eroding from within us. It is the story of a people who believed, for a long time, that their actions did not have consequences. It is the story of how that people will cope with the crumbling of their own myths. It is our story."

                                                                                          - Harvey Yoder

Notes, prayers and praises 

• RACHEL STOLTZFUS will be staying with her son and daughter-in-law here in our area May 3-12!
• GUY VLASITS is doing some disaster relief work in North Carolina May 3-10.
• FAMILY LIFE RESOURCE CENTER will have its 30th Anniversary Dinner at Park View Mennonite at 5:30 pm Saturday, May 6.
• MAY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Margie Vlastis 5/1, Alma Jean Yoder 5/15 and Karen Soich 5/20!

May lectionary readings

7    Acts 2:42-47  Psalm 23 1 Peter 2:19-25  John 10:1-10

14  Acts 7:55-60  Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16  1 Peter 2:2-10  John 14:1-14

21  Acts 17:22-31  Psalm 66:8-20  1 Peter 3:13-22  John 14:15-21

28  Acts 1:1-11  Psalm 47  Ephesians 1:15-23  Luke 24:44-53

May services, worship at 4, meal at 6

7 Location: Park Place, second floor meeting room                   564-3716

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder 

Bible Study: James Stauffer                                Sandwich and fresh fruit meal                                                 

14 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive, H’burg             269-6706   

Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                      Carry-in meal

                                   

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

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                Finger foods meal

                                                                                             

28 Location: Lois Rivera-Wenger 204 Homes Lane, Staunton                                                                Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                        502-663-3195         

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                            Picnic Meal