January 2020 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                      January 2020

An Epiphany In the Bronx     

Jonathan Kozol, author of a book called Amazing Grace, wrote about his experiences with children in the worst areas of the Bronx in New York City, and records their stories and their dreams. Thirteen-year-old Anthony Green wrote him this description of a future heaven as he envisioned it:

     God will be there. He’ll be happy that we have arrived. People shall  comes in hand in hand. It will be bright, not dim and glooming like here on earth. All friendly animals will be there, but no mean ones. 

     As for television, forget it! If you want vision, you can use your eyes to see the people that you love. No one will look at you from the outside. People will see you from the inside. 

     All the people from the street will be there. My uncle will be there and he will be healed. You won’t see him buying drugs, because there won’t be money. 

     Mr. Mongo will be there too. You might see him happy for a change. The prophets will be there, and Adam and Eve, and all the disciples except Judas 

     No violence will there be in heaven. There will be no guns or drugs or IRS. You won’t have to pay taxes. 

     You’ll recognize all the children who have died when they were little. Jesus will be good to them and play with them. At night he’ll come and visit at your house. God will be fond of you.

     How will you know that you are there? Something will tell you, ‘This is it! Eureka!’ If you still feel lonely in your heart, or bitterness, you’ll know that you’re not there.

     Anthony Green was shot and killed three years later on Beekman Avenue, in the worst part of the Bronx. 

     There’s got to be a city with safe streets of solid gold for people like him. 

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• WE WILL HAVE OUR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING Sunday, January 12, followed by a communion meal. Bring your concerns and dreams for the future of our house church. 
• OUR GIVING GOAL for the past years has been $18,000. Give your offerings to Susan Campbell or to James Stauffer.
• HARVEY YODER’s radiation treatments begin January 9 and are to continue five days a week through most of February. 
• JOSIAH DUMAS is recovering well from his hernia surgery!
• JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17,  Becky Morlan 1/28, and Dick Dumas 1/30!

January Lectionary Texts

5   Jeremiah 31:7-14   Psalm 147:12-20   Ephesians 1:3-14     John 1:1-18

12 Isaiah 42:1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43       Matthew 3:13-17

19 Isaiah 49:1-7     Psalm 40:1-11 1 Corinthians 1:1-9     John 1:29-42

26 Isaiah 9:1-4  Psalm 27:1, 4-9  1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23

January services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

5  Location: 2nd floor meeting room Park Place, VMRC           432-0531 
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                             

Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                                     Brown bag meal

12  Location: FLRC 173 Newman Avenue (lower level)            432-0531

Worship, sharing, business meeting c/o Harvey Yoder & Susan Campbell  
Communion service                Meal of bread, cheese, fruit and grape juice    
19 Location: Guy & Margie Vlastis 3399 Caverns Dr. K’own   908-0391                     

Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder 

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                    Carry-in Meal

26 Location: Lewis & Mary Ellen Overholt G49 H’tage Haven 432-7277                

Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt                                 

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                  Brown bag meal