March 2020 newsletter

House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                              March 2020

Giving Up Indifference For Lent          - Harvey Yoder

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion--how can God's love be in that person?

- I John 3:17 (NLT)

     I've always found it hard to read this text, and found it equally difficult to read this kind of excerpt in a recent TIME article about Syria:

     “To avoid getting caught in the crossfire, nearly 900,000 people have left their homes since December, most of them heading north toward the Turkish border through the snow in sub-zero temperatures. The vast majority of the displaced residents are women and children, who, if they’re fortunate, find space in makeshift displacement camps with tents that are stretched beyond capacity without basic services. But Turkey has closed off its 550-mile border, leaving thousands to live in the open among the icy hillsides or unfinished buildings, the UN says. Mothers are burning garbage to keep children warm. Babies and small children are freezing to death.”

     All of us who profess to be pro-life need to demonstrate a willingness to make major lifestyle changes to help our fellow human beings in situations like these. Pretending to be helpless in the face of a crisis this overwhelming cannot serve as an acceptable excuse. 

For example:

1) We can and must give extravagantly and joyfully.

2) We can drastically reduce our overconsumption of products and services designed simply for our comfort and convenience. 

3) We can help reduce the use of fossil fuels that contribute to pollution and climate change.

4) We must urge our nation to stop adding billions to a "defense budget" capable of killing ever more people while people are dying from lack of food and shelter.

     What better time than Lent to engage in practices that promote life and well being for all.

Notes, Prayers and Praises

• WE WILL CONTINUE TO STUDY LECTIONARY TEXTS during Lent, likely followed by a series based a book of the Bible. Philippians is a possibility for after Easter, but your suggestions are welcome. 
• YOU CAN FIND CHURCH UPDATES on the Family of Hope blogsite. http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com/2020/01
• OUR TOTAL GIVING GOAL for 2020 remains at $16,800. Give your generous offerings to Susan Campbell or to James Stauffer.
• HARVEY YODER’s radiation treatments are over! Thanks for your prayers and support.
• PRAY FOR NEAL NELSON, who is experiencing severe memory loss. 

March Lectionary Texts

1  Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7  Psalm 32 Romans 5:12-19  Matthew 4:1-11

8  Genesis 12:1-4a  Psalm 121  Romans 4:1-5, 13-17  John 3:1-17

15 Exodus 17:1-7  Psalm 95  Romans 5:1-11   John 4:5-42  

22 1 Samuel 16:1-13  Psalm 23  Ephesians 5:8-14  John 9:1-4

29 Ezekiel 37:1-14  Psalm 130  Romans 8:6-11  John 11:1-45

March services, worship at 4, meal at 6 pm

1  Today's service canceled due to illnesses and absences. We will be doing the Bible Study based on scriptures highlighted in the book The Rock, the Road and the Rabbi the first Sunday in April.        
8  Location: Today's service canceled
Lewis & Mary Ellen Overholt Heritage Haven G49, VMRC

Worship and sharing: Elly Nelson

Bible Study: Lewis Overholt                                              snack provided                                          
15 Location: Today's service canceled
1st floor meeting room Heritage Haven, VMRC                     

Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                               

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                              snack provided

22 Location: Today's service canceled
Guy & Margie Vlastis 3399 Caverns Dr. K’own   908-0391

Worship and sharing: Kent Palmer

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                    Carry-in meal 

29 Location: 1st floor meeting room Heritage Haven, VMRC

Worship and sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                                  snack provided