House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church December 2022
Seven Were Together in One Place, and Four In Another
A total of some 30 people attended the untypical Family of Hope Sunday service held at VMRC’s Village Hall Sunday, November 27. Of these, only seven were FOH members (including Jim and Ruth, who arrived in their own vehicle!), with four participating online. Six attendees were members of our biological family.
We owe Kent special gratitude for going to great lengths to make a livestream version of the service available, even though the Zoom platform isn’t known for delivering the quality of sound desirable for a satisfactory music program.
Alma Jean and I and others who are related to Brad by family and/or by friendship ties were certainly blessed by Sunday’s gathering, but at present the prospects don’t look good for even occasional in person Family of Hope meetings. We vote with our feet, as we have every right, and I can fully understand why many of our group are hesitant to meet in person due to the ever present concern about Covid and other infections. Of course I also understand why many of us see online gatherings as just not offering them the full experience of church that is possible when we can greet each with holy affection, sing together with full throated abandonment and share the bread and cup of he Lord’s supper together in the bond of “common-union.”
So what do God’s people do when limitations of health, age and mobility prevent them from breaking bread from “house to house” and engaging in those aspects of church that can’t happen well virtually?
We invite your prayers, insights and suggestions.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, Prayers and Praises
DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Karen Campbell 12/26/69! She appreciated the church’s recent gift of a fall arrangement to brighten up her room. Her address is HHRC, 1225 Reservoir St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
OUR CONTRIBUTION to the Harrisonburg District’s Christmas Gift Kit Fund for prisoners at Coffeewood and Augusta Correctional Centers and for inmates at our local jail was $95.
THE ANNUAL WALKING ROOTS BENEFIT CONCERT at the EasternMennonite School auditorium at 7 pm Sunday, December 13 is a part of the Mennonite Relief Sale’s effort to raise money for Mennonite Central Committee. Last year’s concert raised $60,000.
OUR $500 MISSIONARY SUPPORT FUND for 2021 went to Jonathan Bylers with Wycliffe Translators and Gracie and Yugo with Servants to the Asian Poor. Is everyone OK with doing the same this year?
December Study Themes
4 Esther 4:1-17 For such a time as this (Matt 5:13-16, Salt and light)
11 Isaiah 42:1-9 A light to the nations. Bringing release to prisoners. (Matt 12:15-21, The ministry of Jesus)
18 Matthew 1:18-25 Announcement of Jesus’ birth to Joseph; Jesus as Immanuel (Psalm 23:1-4 )
25 Luke 2:1-20 Birth of Jesus (Psalm 96:10-13)
December Services, 3:30-5:00 pm
4 Location: online
Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas
11 Location: online
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
18 Location: online
Worship and Sharing: Kent Palmer
Bible Study: Elly Nelson
25 Christmas Day
We will not have a service today.
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