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