House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church January 2022
The Holy Nativity In Mark’s Gospel
The Gospel of Mark begins not with Christ's birth, but with his baptism. Might it be that Mark saw this event as the more significant sign of God's "advent"?
In Luke's birth account, the heavens open up with an angel's joyful announcement, followed by a multitude of heavenly hosts proclaiming "Glory to God! On earth peace and to all goodwill.” In the account of Jesus's baptism in Mark, the heavens open up with God"s Spirit breaking in in the form of a dove, accompanied by the inaugural announcement, "This is my Beloved, in whom I am well pleased"!
Jesus is here experiencing his second “birth," not through the water of Mary's womb but in the Spirit-drenched baptismal water of the Jordan, where his Hebrew ancestors crossed over into their new life and new liberation as God's free-at-last people, as a sign of the coming of heaven’s reign on earth.
In our present violence-prone world, as then, God hovers over us with Dove-power rather than bursting in with the scream of an eagle. Jesus comes as Lamb, and becomes Spirit-filled as Dove. He comes as prey rather than predator, as Life-giving Redeemer rather than as Warrior and Conqueror. But in the end, it is the power of God's grace and truth that conquers and prevails.
Such is Advent. Such is Lent. Such is baptism and new birth. Such is the power of divine suffering and resurrection, of Good Friday and of Easter. And of Christmas.
Feliz Navidad! The Lord has come! -- Harvey Yoder
Notes, Prayers and Praises
KAREN CAMPBELL is now in Room 55 at Harrisonburg Health and Rehab Center (cell number is 540,209-2675). We are grateful for recent answered prayers for numerous health and other concerns!
PRAY FOR MARGIE VLASITS’s surgery set for January 18.
JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17, Becky Morlan 1/28, and Dick Dumas 1/30, and blessings on Lewis and Mary Ellen's anniversary is January 13!
WE WILL HAVE OUR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING Sunday January 30. We will approve our church giving plan for 2021 and discuss future meeting plans. Our giving this year is down from previous years, but we have been able to meet all budgeted amounts.
THE WALKING ROOTS BAND Christmas Concert at the EMS auditorium to benefit MCC netted over $60,000!
January Lectionary Texts
2 Jesus Says “Come and See!” John 1:35-51 Psalm 66:1-5
9 Wedding at Cana John 2:1-11 Psalm 104:14-16
16 Jesus Cleanses the Temple John 2:13-25 Psalm 127:1-2
23 Nicodemus John 3:1-21 Psalm 139:13-18
30 The Woman at the Well John 4:1-42 Psalm 42:1-3
January Services, 4-5:30 pm
2 Location: on line
Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Kent Palmer
9 Location: on line
Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: Dick Dumas
16 Location: Guy and Margie Vlasits
Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
23 Location: on line
Worship and Sharing: Lois Wenger
Bible Study: Elly Nelson
