January 2019 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                                      January 2019

Passing on Blessings                         - Harvey Yoder

John Trent, in THE GIFT OF THE BLESSING, describes a memorable experience he had in an Orthodox Jewish home he once visited. The grandfather, patriarch of the family, placed his hand on the head of each grandchild, asking God to bless him or her with the qualities of some worthy character in the Bible. 

     Trent believes we need to find similar ways to encourage and inspire our children and grandchildren to live noble and good lives.

     Without thinking, we can pass on discouragements and “curses” from one generation to the next. We do so by predicting children will turn out badly, through blaming and accusing, and through using all kinds of negative words that hurt and disparage. 

     Blessings and affirmations, on the other hand, energize others, motivate them to become their best.“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,” one Bible proverb says. “Do not say, ‘Go and come back and tomorrow I will give it,’ when it is in your power to give it now.”

     In other words, let’s not pass up any opportunity to pass on good blessings. 

     Over a period of several years I sent each of our three adult children a weekly blessing (sometimes in the form of a prayer or other inspirational piece) via e-mail. One example is this blessing adapted from Robert G. Kemper:

God go with you.

May God walk where you walk,

Guide where you must make choices,

Comfort where you hurt,

And surprise you by his continued love for you,

and what you are,

and what you do. 

Amen

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17,  Becky Morlan 1/28, and Dick Dumas 1/30! Lewis and Mary Ellen Overholt's anniversary is 1/13!
• GUY AND MARGIE VLASITS will be in Austin, Texas, with family for most of this month.
• WE WELCOME LOIS RIVERA-WENGER back to her home at Homes Lane!
• PRAY FOR ELLY AND NEAL NELSON as they consider options for          Neal’s ongoing care, and for BERTHA SWARR, at VMRC’s Showalter House, who is finding mobility more difficult
• OUR ANUAL FOH BUSINESS MEETING will be held as a part of our regular services January 13.

January Lectionary Texts

6   Isaiah 60:1-6  Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14  Ephesians 3:1-12  Matthew 2:1-12

13 Isaiah 43:1-7  Psalm 29  Acts 8:14-17  Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

20 Isaiah 62:1-5  Psalm 36:5-10  1 Corinthians 12:1-11  John 2:1-11

27 Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10 Psalm 19  Corinthians 12:12-31a  Luke 4:14-21

January services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

6 Location: Park Place meeting room, 2nd floor                        432-0531

Worship and sharing: Elly Nelson  

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                   No evening meal                                                         

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

Business Meeting and Communion Service c/o Harvey Yoder  

Meal: communion bread, grape juice, cheese and raw vegetables and fruit

20 Location: Lewis & Mary Ellen Overholt  Heritage Haven G49

Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                                      432-7277   
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                  Brown bag meal                                                    

27 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802       564-1524

Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell      Bible Study:
Elly Nelson                                                                            Carry-in meal