House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church April 2019
But God…
Good Friday’s freezing rain feels appropriate.
Tears freeze on trees and hang in suspended misery.
Life came to us. We killed Him.
Hope came. We mocked and chose despair.
Light came. We shut our eyes
Against the Truth we did not want to see.
Now, with eyes unseeing as darkest night,
We weep our bitter tears,
And nature weeps with us.
But Easter comes, and the Son rises,
His light reflecting iridescent rays
From prismed tears.
Son-warmed grief melts away
Releasing needed moisture to buried seeds.
Earth gives birth to life anew.
By M. Lois Rivera-Wenger
This was written in 1986, soon after Lois moved here from Oregon with her three children and literally went through a cold and grief-filled Good Friday, but one that was followed by a warm and wonderful Easter.
Notes, Prayers and Praises
- APRIL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Mary Ellen Overholt 4/5, Bertha Swarr 4/13 and Cathy Atwell 4/19!
- THE ANNUAL GOOD FRIDAY WALK in Harrisonburg will start at noon at the Blessed Sacrament Church, with a brief meditation and prayer at each of ten “stations of the cross” in the downtown area, and will end at the St. Stephens United Church of Christ.
- BE IN PRAYER FOR NEAL NELSON and for Elly as she prepares to see him transition to the Envoy Nursing Home in Staunton sometime this month.
- GEMEINSCHAFT HOME’S annual fundraising dinner is at Park View Mennonite Church from 6-8 pm Friday, April 5.
April Lectionary Texts
7 Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8
14 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 22:14-23:56
21 Isaiah 25:6-9 Psalm 114 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8 Luke 24:1-49
28 Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 150 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31
April services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm
7 Location: Park Place meeting room, 2nd floor 432-0531
Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Ice cream social time
14 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3399 Caverns Drive 908-0391 Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in meal
21 Location: Lewis & Mary Ellen Overholt Heritage Haven 432-7277 Worship and Sharing: Kent Palmer
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Brown bag meal
28 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in meal
