Family of Hope House Church July 2020
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Mulberry Tree - Harvey Yoder
The mulberry tree in our backyard produced its usual abundance this year, reminding me of one of our son Brad’s songs I especially like:
oh, the mulberry tree spreads her fruit all around,
she feeds hungry birds, and still covers the ground,
she is always abundant, some call her a weed,
Lord, make me more like the mulberry tree..
now the mulberry tree’s long since gone out of style,
you won’t find her fruit in a grocery aisle,
but she clutters the sidewalks and trails with that fruit,
some stop to eat, some complain for their shoes.
a mulberry tree once grew by my house,
as a child, I would stuff purple fruit in my mouth,
there’s some jam in the pantry, but that tree’s been cut down,
that’s one fewer mulberry tree in this town..
now the Lord sends the rain on the worst and the best,
on the kind and the cruel, on the broken and blessed,
that Love knows no limits, it’s given for free,
it’s the same Love that gave us the mulberry tree,
a mulberry tree once grew by my house,
I would stand there and stuff stuff purple fruit in my mouth,
there’s some fruit in the freezer, but that tree’s been cut down,
that’s one fewer mulberry tree in this town..
now I know I’ve been selfish, my new prayer shall be:
Lord, make me more like the mulberry tree,
Lord, make me more like the mulberry tree…
- Brad Yoder
WE WILL CONTINUE MEETING ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30 until further notice. Here’s the number to dial in on the phone (audio only): (646) 876-9923. To participate via video use this link: https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Call Kent Palmer (574-606-8917) if you have any problems.
WE WILL STUDY THE BOOK OF RUTH in our July Bible studies, connecting it with good news that is embedded in the rest of Scripture, and especially in the life and teaching of Jesus.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Los rivera-Wenger, July 30!
VIRGINIA MENNONITE CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY is set for Saturday, July 18, with the theme“Living As Those Made Alive In Christ” based on Colossians 3:12-17. We will be gathering in an online forum in a one-day event via Zoom at 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 10:30-12:00 am. Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Executive Director Ron Byler. Ron will be the keynote speaker, with a focus on MCC’s 100 years of relief work.
COVENANT MEMBERS FOR THE COMING YEAR ARE Karen Campbell, Susan Campbell, Dick Dumas, Elly Nelson, Neal Nelson, Lewis Overholt, Mary Ellen Overholt, Lois Rivera-Wenger, James Stauffer, Ruth Stauffer, Alma Jean Yoder, Harvey Yoder. Kent Palmer, Paul Swarr and Guy Vlasits are Associate Members.
July Study “The Gospel According To Ruth”
5 Ruth 1 “Some Good News For Migrants”
12 Ruth 2 “Hospitable Good News For Outsiders”
19 Ruth 3 “Welcome Good News For The Poor”
26 Ruth 4 “Ruth, A Sign Of Good News For The Whole World”
July services, 4-5:30 pm
5 Location: on line
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
12 Location: on line
Worship and sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: Dick Dumas
19 Location: on line
Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt
Bible Study: Elly Nelson
26 Location: on line
Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Kent Palmer
