January 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

Family of Hope House Church        January 2017

If you want

the Virgin will come walking down the road

pregnant with the holy,and say,

“I need shelter for the night,

please take me inside your heart,

my time is so close.”

Then, under the roof of your soul

you will witness the sublime

intimacy, the divine, the Christ

taking birth forever,

as she grasps your hand for help,

for each of us is the midwife of God, each of us.

Yet there, under the dome of your being does creation

come into existence eternally,

through your womb, dear pilgrim—

the sacred womb in your soul,

as God grasps our arms for help;

for each of us is

His beloved servant

never far.

If you want, the Virgin will come walking

down the street pregnant

with Light and sing …

–St. John of the Cross, “If You Want” in Daniel Ladinsky Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West (New York: Penguin Group, 2002), 306-307.

Notes, prayers and praises 

• JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan      Campbell 1/17,  Becky Morlan 1/28, Dick Dumas 1/30! 
• JAMES AND RUTH STAUFFER are moving around the middle of January to Room 322 at VMRC’s Park Place 1285 Shank Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802 (574-3716). We deeply appreciate the many years of hospitality they have provided for our church meetings.
• GUY VLASITS has moved to 1260 Parkway Drive (formerly occupied by Paul and Bertha Swarr). HIs phone number is the same, 269-6706.
• DARYL VAN DONK is planning to move in with Guy later this month.

January lectionary readings

1   Isaiah 63:7-9  Psalm 148  Hebrews 2:10-18  Matthew 2:13-23 

8   Isaiah 42:1-9  Psalm 29  Acts 10:34-43  Matthew 3:13-17

15 Isaiah 49:1-7  Psalm 40:1-11  1 Corinthians 1:1-9  John 1:29-42

22 Isaiah 9:1-4  Psalm 27:1, 4-9  1 Corinthians 1:10-18  Matthew 4:12-23

29 Micah 6:1-8  Psalm 15  1 Corinthians 1:18-31  Matthew 5:1-12

January services, worship at 4, meal at 6

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

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                        Carry-in Meal                                                          

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

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Roy Hange                                                Finger Foods Meal                         

15 Location: Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive, H’burg 22802  269-6706   

Worship and Sharing: Lois Wenger

Bible Study: Elly Nelson   Carry-in Meal

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

Worship and Communion c/o Harvey Yoder

Annual Business Meeting    Bread, cheese and grape juice meal (provided)                                                                         

29 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Drive 22802  564-1524 

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell                                            

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                   Carry-in Meal