November 2020 newsletter

 House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                 November 2020

An Election Reflection        - Harvey Yoder

We’re hearing a lot about how all-important this US presidential race is, as though the very survival of civilization rested on the outcome.

     I agree that the choices offered  are important, and that how (or whether) to exercise the one vote each of us has deserves a lot of prayerful thought. The following is an attempt to put things in a larger perspective, to look at the bigger historical picture and not just that of our own small corner of the globe.

     First, the United States is only one of 230 nations in the world, and represents less than 5% of the world's people--even though it currently controls the majority of the world's wealth and military might. From a biblical perspective, all nations are of minor consequence in comparison to God’s worldwide, eternal kingdom. As world citizens, we need to think less of governments simply ruling us and more about urging all of them to rule in more just and in less violent ways.

     Second, we need to remind ourselves that a US president is the chief presider and leader of only one of three branches of a federal government, and that the judicial and legislative branches are equally important. This three-part federal system, in turn, shares power with 50 states and commonwealths, each made up of county and municipal governments, and each responsible to the people being governed.

     In other words, we are electing administrator of one branch of one part of a democracy made up of citizens, not choosing a monarch or dictator over a kingdom of mere subjects. Each president's four-year term is less than 2% of this nation's relatively brief history, one that represents only 5% of the total span of civilization as we know it.

     Finally, we (US Americans) are not a “chosen people” whose culture and way of life is superior to everyone else’s. Take our national language, for example. Our one official tongue is English, mostly the language of white Caucasians. While English is popular worldwide as a second language, it is still only one of nearly 7000 spoken around the world. There is no superior race, language or nationality.

Notes, Prayers and Praises

WE CONTINUE TO MEET ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30. For a phone connection (audio only) dial 646-876-9923. For video click on  https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Problems? Call 574-606-8917.

PRAY FOR KENT PALMER, who is to have some reparative surgery done at the UVA Medical Center November 18.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Neal Nelson 11/2, Paul Swarr 11/10 and Guy Vlasits 11/21. Neal and Elly Nelson’s anniversary is November 26! Let’s send cards to Neal Nelson, 512 Houston St, Staunton, VA 24401 and Paul Swarr at VMRC, 1401 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

November Study “Building on Solid Rock”

1   Matthew 7:13-23

8   Matthew 7:24-29 

15 Matthew 5-7 summary

22 Leader’s choice

29 Leader’s choice

November Services, 4-5:30 pm 

1  Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing Lewis Overholt

Bible Study Harvey Yoder

8 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing Harvey Yoder

Bible Study Roy Hange

15 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  Kent Palmer

Bible Study: Wrap up of Sermon on the Mount Study c/o Harvey Yoder

22 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study Elly Nelson

29 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  James Stauffer

Bible Study Dick Dumas