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