April 2017 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                            April 2017

Should we continue using lectionary texts?

There have been questions raised about whether or why we should be following the lectionary texts. They are selections of scriptures that are used by many churches all over the world, but I can see where some may feel unduly bound by them, although we've never intended them to be other than the following:

* A way of making sure we don't just pick our favorite passages from the Bible and ignore other parts that we may not be as drawn to.

  

* A way of providing balance between an emphasis on Old Testament and New Testament texts.

* A way of sharing with each other, and with believers everywhere, a common focus for our learning and sharing.

Having said that, we don't expect those who lead our studies to feel confined to these texts, any more that we would expect a Sunday School teacher to only follow the prescribed lesson in a S.S. quarterly. Every person has the right to go in whatever direction they feel led. 

If we decide together to chose other selected book studies from the Bible, or to simply let each teacher select topics of their own choosing, we can certainly do so. Meanwhile, it does seem good to encourage everyone to be reading and studying some of the same scriptures beforehand and to be prepared to bring their insights to add for the benefit of all.

Tell me what you think.

                                                                                          - Harvey Yoder

Notes, prayers and praises 

• WE INVITE EVERYONE to a time of special prayer and fasting during this season of Lent.
• JOIN IN A NOON GOOD FRIDAY WALK April 14, starting at Blessed Sacrament Church and ending at St. Stephens UCC.
• APRIL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Bertha Swarr 4/13 and Cathy Atwell 4/19 (Sorry, we missed noting Ruth Stauffer’s on March 28!).

April lectionary readings

2   Ezekiel 37:1-14   Psalm 130  Romans 8:6-11  John 11:1-45

9   Isaiah 50:4-9a  Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29  Matthew 21:1-11;  27:11-54 

16 Jeremiah 31:1-9 Colossians 3:1-4  Acts 10:34-43  Luke 24:13-35

23 Acts 2:14a, 22-32  Psalm 16 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31

30 Acts 2:36-41  Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19  1 Peter 1:17-23 Matthew 28

April services, worship at 4, meal at 6

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

Worship and Sharing: Paul Swarr

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder        Light meal of sandwiches and fresh fruit                                                    

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

Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                                         Finger foods meal

                                    

16 Easter Service Guy Vlasits 1260 Parkway Drive, H’burg     269-6706   

Worship and Study: Jeremiah 31:1-9 & Colossians 3:1-4; James and Ruth 

Stauffer; Luke 24:13-35, Guy Vlasits; Acts 10:34-43, Dick Dumas

                                                                                               Carry-in meal

23 Location: Virginia Mennonite Conference Center

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Ken Horst, Virginia Mennonite Missions    Soup only meal

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

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell                                        

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                 Finger foods meal