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
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Picnic carry-in meal
