House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church December 2012
Celebrating The Real St. Nicholas
Some years ago I read about Mike Sherer, a Lutheran minister, who with his wife Kathe, a registered nurse, decided to celebrate Christmas without Santa Claus when their first child was three years old. They had come to see Santa as little more than a prop for the great North American Christmas Marketing Machine, and so decided to focus instead on his venerable ancestor, the real life St. Nicholas.
This third century bishop of Myra, who lived on the southern coast of what is now Turkey, became legendary for his generosity in helping the poor and needy in his parish, according to stories about him passed down through the generations.
Because this real saint seemed to be a good alternative to the jolly old elf of recent invention, the Sherers have begun celebrating the Feast Day of St. Nicholas, which is on December 6, as an early part of their family’s Advent, and each year designate 5% of their December income to give anonymous help to a needy individual or family in their community, in the spirit of the good bishop of Myra.
They do put up a tree, but cover the floor all around it with good books about Christmas instead of the many other gifts for themselves that used to accumulate there. The books they then put away each year with the tree decorations, to give them a rest and to make them “new” each Advent.
The Sherers report that their giving up a fake Santa for a real saint they feel embodies the true spirit of Christmas has been a richly satisfying change, one they would recommend to everyone
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
A DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSING to Karen Campbell 12/26!
BERTHA SWARR is at home again and doing better, for which we are grateful.
RACHEL STOLTZFUS spent November 28-30 at RMH with another mild stroke.
DAVID WEAVER’S address is 1032 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg 22802 and his phone number is 540-705-5084.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
December lectionary readings
2 Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-10 1 Thess. 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36
9 Malachi 3:1-4 Luke 1:68-79 Philippians 1:3-11 Luke 3:1-6
16 Zephaniah 3:14-20 Isaiah 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:7-18
23 Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:46b-55 Hebrews 10:5-10 Luke 1:39-45
30 Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20
December services worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 12/16)
2 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
9 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave 432-0531
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
16 Annual Christmas Reunion Celebration with other house churches
12:30 pm at Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Meditation: Mike Cooley, St. Luke House Church
Plus carol singing, a children’s story, and a money offering for Heifer International 12:30 pm Carry-in Meal
23 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 22802 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Lois Wenger No Meal This Sunday
30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Monday, November 26, 2012
Saturday, November 10, 2012
November Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church November 2012
Tell Me a Story - Harvey Yoder
Good stories never grow old, but become better with retelling and re-reading. They bond the teller and the hearer together, and are powerful in their ability to influence and shape our young. They have long been a primary means by which people pass on their traditions, beliefs and guides for wise living to the next generation.
Unfortunately, Hollywood is upstaging our homes and congregations as today’s primary story teller. And many of their deplorable, mammon-driven stories are distressingly void of people who love God and serve their neighbors. Instead, they are about heroes who use violent means and threatening language to destroy their enemies, or they feature characters who find instant happiness through the acquisition of wealth or fame--or through the magic of romantic love.
As a parent and grandparent I’m concerned about our passing on stories that really do lead to “happily ever after,” and that come from experiences of real people living lives that convey real meaning. These should certainly include heroes of our faith, from Abel to Esther to the Good Samaritan to Dirk Willems, the 16th century Anabaptist who rescued his pursuer who had fallen through the ice, even though that led to Dirk's capture, trial and death at the stake.
Now that our children are long grown and gone, we miss having them on our laps--or tucked in their beds or beside us on the living room sofa--begging for one more story. It may seem hard to see our values-driven narratives competing with all the screen-based tales our children are inundated with. Which means it may be time to seriously limit the time we allow with these media strangers in our living rooms, and to make the most of the clear advantages we have as story tellers, like offering extras like soft laps, loving arms, warm hearts and good examples.
Notes, prayers and praises
* OUR PENNY POWER offering for the MCC Relief Sale was $132.14!
PRAY FOR BERTHA SWARR as she regains her strength and is able to live at home again.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Neal Nelson 11/2, Rachel Stoltzfus 11/5, Paul Swarr 11/10, Emily Zhou 11/11, and Guy Vlasits 11/21!
LOIS WENGER will be at c/o Tonya Tyler, 5623 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215 in November taking care of grandchildren.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
November lectionary readings
4 Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146 Deut 6:1-9 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34
11 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 1 Kings 17:8-16 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44
18 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 2:1-10 Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-25
Mark 13:1-8
25 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132 Daniel 7:9-14 Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
November services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
4 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
11 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 22802 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
18 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
25 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Thanksgiving Meal
Family of Hope House Church November 2012
Tell Me a Story - Harvey Yoder
Good stories never grow old, but become better with retelling and re-reading. They bond the teller and the hearer together, and are powerful in their ability to influence and shape our young. They have long been a primary means by which people pass on their traditions, beliefs and guides for wise living to the next generation.
Unfortunately, Hollywood is upstaging our homes and congregations as today’s primary story teller. And many of their deplorable, mammon-driven stories are distressingly void of people who love God and serve their neighbors. Instead, they are about heroes who use violent means and threatening language to destroy their enemies, or they feature characters who find instant happiness through the acquisition of wealth or fame--or through the magic of romantic love.
As a parent and grandparent I’m concerned about our passing on stories that really do lead to “happily ever after,” and that come from experiences of real people living lives that convey real meaning. These should certainly include heroes of our faith, from Abel to Esther to the Good Samaritan to Dirk Willems, the 16th century Anabaptist who rescued his pursuer who had fallen through the ice, even though that led to Dirk's capture, trial and death at the stake.
Now that our children are long grown and gone, we miss having them on our laps--or tucked in their beds or beside us on the living room sofa--begging for one more story. It may seem hard to see our values-driven narratives competing with all the screen-based tales our children are inundated with. Which means it may be time to seriously limit the time we allow with these media strangers in our living rooms, and to make the most of the clear advantages we have as story tellers, like offering extras like soft laps, loving arms, warm hearts and good examples.
Notes, prayers and praises
* OUR PENNY POWER offering for the MCC Relief Sale was $132.14!
PRAY FOR BERTHA SWARR as she regains her strength and is able to live at home again.
NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Neal Nelson 11/2, Rachel Stoltzfus 11/5, Paul Swarr 11/10, Emily Zhou 11/11, and Guy Vlasits 11/21!
LOIS WENGER will be at c/o Tonya Tyler, 5623 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215 in November taking care of grandchildren.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
November lectionary readings
4 Ruth 1:1-18 Psalm 146 Deut 6:1-9 Hebrews 9:11-14 Mark 12:28-34
11 Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 1 Kings 17:8-16 Hebrews 9:24-28 Mark 12:38-44
18 1 Samuel 1:4-20, 2:1-10 Daniel 12:1-3 Psalm 16 Hebrews 10:11-25
Mark 13:1-8
25 2 Samuel 23:1-7 Psalm 132 Daniel 7:9-14 Psalm 93 Revelation 1:4b-8
John 18:33-37
November services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
4 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
11 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 22802 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
18 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
25 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Thanksgiving Meal
Sunday, October 7, 2012
October Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church October 2012
Paying Heed to Plural Pronouns
An important point to keep in mind when reading Bible is that it is mostly addressed to whole communities of people, and not intended primarily as a book to be used just for one’s personal meditation, as helpful and important as that is.
One of the ways the Authorized (King James) version of the Bible is helpful here is that it distinguishes between what is addressed to a personal “you” from what is a plural “you” (as in the Southern “You all”). According to the English language of the time, when “you” refers to an individual, the pronouns “thee,” “thou” and “thine” are used. When the “you” is plural we find the words “ye,” “you” and “yours”. Unfortunately, our modern English no longer makes those distinctions.
As an example from the KJV, when Jesus offers his teaching on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, we can see that his so-called “Lord’s Prayer” is meant to be a communal prayer, introduced with “When ye pray...” Note the plural pronouns "we," “our” and “us” used here rather than our praying “My Father who art in heaven,” and “give me my daily bread.” Rather, we are praying to our one God (note the use of the singular “Thy” and “Thine”) that all of the hungry everywhere be fed. Even the prayer for forgiveness of our debts (or trespasses), while certainly including each us as individuals, is for all of God’s people to be forgiven--as we in turn forgive others.
It was something of a light bulb moment for me when I began reading the Bible through this lens. It is certainly personal, of course, but is not just for our private interpretation or edification.
In short, the Good Book is about one God, singular, for all of the people of God, plural. - Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
THE 46TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will
be held at the Rockingham Fairgrounds October 5-6.
PRAY FOR KARLA MAY as she recovers from her knee surgery.
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Elly Nelson 10/28!
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to Billy and Karla May 9/3!
LOIS WENGER is spending time with a sister recovering from surgery during the month of October.
RANDY MAY will be taking classes at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Randy May, P.O. Box 1500 Fishersville VA 22939. He will appreciate our prayers and letters.
HARVEY & ALMA JEAN YODER will be in Rochester Oct. 23-28.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
October lectionary readings
7 Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Psalm 25 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16
14 Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Psalm 22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31
21 Job 38:1-7, 34-41 Ps 104:1-9, 24, 35c Heb 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45
28 Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Ps 34:1-8, 19-22 Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52
October services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
7 Location: Harvey & Alma Jean Yoder 1135 Hamlet Drive 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Everyone
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
14 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Roy Hange Carry-in Meal
21 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
28 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church October 2012
Paying Heed to Plural Pronouns
An important point to keep in mind when reading Bible is that it is mostly addressed to whole communities of people, and not intended primarily as a book to be used just for one’s personal meditation, as helpful and important as that is.
One of the ways the Authorized (King James) version of the Bible is helpful here is that it distinguishes between what is addressed to a personal “you” from what is a plural “you” (as in the Southern “You all”). According to the English language of the time, when “you” refers to an individual, the pronouns “thee,” “thou” and “thine” are used. When the “you” is plural we find the words “ye,” “you” and “yours”. Unfortunately, our modern English no longer makes those distinctions.
As an example from the KJV, when Jesus offers his teaching on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, we can see that his so-called “Lord’s Prayer” is meant to be a communal prayer, introduced with “When ye pray...” Note the plural pronouns "we," “our” and “us” used here rather than our praying “My Father who art in heaven,” and “give me my daily bread.” Rather, we are praying to our one God (note the use of the singular “Thy” and “Thine”) that all of the hungry everywhere be fed. Even the prayer for forgiveness of our debts (or trespasses), while certainly including each us as individuals, is for all of God’s people to be forgiven--as we in turn forgive others.
It was something of a light bulb moment for me when I began reading the Bible through this lens. It is certainly personal, of course, but is not just for our private interpretation or edification.
In short, the Good Book is about one God, singular, for all of the people of God, plural. - Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
THE 46TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will
be held at the Rockingham Fairgrounds October 5-6.
PRAY FOR KARLA MAY as she recovers from her knee surgery.
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Elly Nelson 10/28!
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to Billy and Karla May 9/3!
LOIS WENGER is spending time with a sister recovering from surgery during the month of October.
RANDY MAY will be taking classes at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Randy May, P.O. Box 1500 Fishersville VA 22939. He will appreciate our prayers and letters.
HARVEY & ALMA JEAN YODER will be in Rochester Oct. 23-28.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
October lectionary readings
7 Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Psalm 25 Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12 Mark 10:2-16
14 Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Psalm 22:1-15 Hebrews 4:12-16 Mark 10:17-31
21 Job 38:1-7, 34-41 Ps 104:1-9, 24, 35c Heb 5:1-10 Mark 10:35-45
28 Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Ps 34:1-8, 19-22 Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52
October services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
7 Location: Harvey & Alma Jean Yoder 1135 Hamlet Drive 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Everyone
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
14 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 TwoPenny Drive 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Roy Hange Carry-in Meal
21 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
28 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
Sunday, August 26, 2012
September 2012 Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church September 2012
Feasting on Wisdom -Harvey Yoder
Wisdom... has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servants, and she calls...,
“Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your immature ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.” (Proverbs 9, a lectionary reading for 8/19/12)
At our Sunday Bible studies, it’s always a challenge to connect the day’s lectionary texts together in a meaningful way. We choose to use these readings to give us a common focus for our weekly gathering, and to help keep us from simply dwelling on each of our own favorite texts. So we trust each service can offer a buffet of some of the rich and varied Biblical fare for which we need to come prepared with a good appetite and an eagerness to feast on God’s wisdom.
Wisdom is one of the most praised virtues in the Bible, since it forever blesses us and helps us live in ways we will never regret. By contrast, foolishness represents the kind of living that bring us no end of remorse.
As Christians, we see Jesus as the embodiment of God’s wisdom, the one who invites us to eat and drink of himself in a life-giving feast we call the Lord’s Supper. Here he is both host and heart changing meal.
In a counter story in the book Genesis, our first human ancestors were surrounded by a veritable feast of good foods, but were also warned against eating from one certain tree God had forbidden them to taste. But to them its fruit not only looked especially delicious but as something that could make them extraordinarily “wise.” You know the story. Choosing the forbidden fruit turned out to represent the most foolish and fatal choice of all time.
Our weekly carry-in meals viscerally remind us of God’s best of all feasts, in which we take in the very life and wisdom of Jesus himself, the bread and wine that daily sustains and energizes us.
Notes, prayers and praises
* THE 46TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be held at the Rockingham Fairgrounds October 5-6.
* PRAY FOR THOSE ATTENDING the Mennonite Women of Virginia Fall Retreat Sept. 21-23 at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center.
* SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to Billy and Karla May 9/3!
* GUY AND MARGIE VLASITS plan to leave for Texas September 20 to
spend two weeks with their son and family.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com/
September lectionary readings
2 Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Psalm 72 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-23
9 Proverbs 22:1-23 Psalm 125 James 2:1-17 Mark 7:24-37
16 Proverbs 1:20-33 Psalm 19 James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38
23 Proverbs 31:10-31 Psalm 1 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37
30 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 Psalm 124 James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50
September services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
2 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
9 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
16 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Carry-in Meal
23 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Women's Retreat participants
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Finger Food Meal
30 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church September 2012
Feasting on Wisdom -Harvey Yoder
Wisdom... has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
She has sent out her servants, and she calls...,
“Come, eat my food
and drink the wine I have mixed.
Leave your immature ways and you will live;
walk in the way of insight.” (Proverbs 9, a lectionary reading for 8/19/12)
At our Sunday Bible studies, it’s always a challenge to connect the day’s lectionary texts together in a meaningful way. We choose to use these readings to give us a common focus for our weekly gathering, and to help keep us from simply dwelling on each of our own favorite texts. So we trust each service can offer a buffet of some of the rich and varied Biblical fare for which we need to come prepared with a good appetite and an eagerness to feast on God’s wisdom.
Wisdom is one of the most praised virtues in the Bible, since it forever blesses us and helps us live in ways we will never regret. By contrast, foolishness represents the kind of living that bring us no end of remorse.
As Christians, we see Jesus as the embodiment of God’s wisdom, the one who invites us to eat and drink of himself in a life-giving feast we call the Lord’s Supper. Here he is both host and heart changing meal.
In a counter story in the book Genesis, our first human ancestors were surrounded by a veritable feast of good foods, but were also warned against eating from one certain tree God had forbidden them to taste. But to them its fruit not only looked especially delicious but as something that could make them extraordinarily “wise.” You know the story. Choosing the forbidden fruit turned out to represent the most foolish and fatal choice of all time.
Our weekly carry-in meals viscerally remind us of God’s best of all feasts, in which we take in the very life and wisdom of Jesus himself, the bread and wine that daily sustains and energizes us.
Notes, prayers and praises
* THE 46TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be held at the Rockingham Fairgrounds October 5-6.
* PRAY FOR THOSE ATTENDING the Mennonite Women of Virginia Fall Retreat Sept. 21-23 at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center.
* SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to Billy and Karla May 9/3!
* GUY AND MARGIE VLASITS plan to leave for Texas September 20 to
spend two weeks with their son and family.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com/
September lectionary readings
2 Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Psalm 72 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-23
9 Proverbs 22:1-23 Psalm 125 James 2:1-17 Mark 7:24-37
16 Proverbs 1:20-33 Psalm 19 James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38
23 Proverbs 31:10-31 Psalm 1 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a Mark 9:30-37
30 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 Psalm 124 James 5:13-20 Mark 9:38-50
September services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
2 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
9 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
16 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Carry-in Meal
23 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Women's Retreat participants
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Finger Food Meal
30 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Sunday, July 22, 2012
August 2012 Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church August 2012
Notes, prayers and praises
* WE THANK GOD for improved health for Lois Rivera-Wenger, completing her radiation treatment, Billy May, recovering from his recent surgery, Bertha Swarr, recuperating from a recent hospitalization, and Margie Vlasits, doing better after an injury from a recent fall.
* BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Gail Blackburn 8/30! Alma Jean and Harvey’s anniversary is 8/8 and James and Ruth Stauffer’s 8/30.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com
August lectionary readings
5 Psalm 51:1-12 Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35
12 Psalm 130 1Kings 19:4-8 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51
19 Psalm 34:9-14 Proverbs 9:1-6 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58
26 Psalm 15 Deuteronomy 4:1-9 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23
August services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
5 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
12 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Guy Vlasits Carry-in Meal
19 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
26 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Lois Wenger Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope Directory (not published here for privacy reasons)
Family of Hope House Church August 2012
Notes, prayers and praises
* WE THANK GOD for improved health for Lois Rivera-Wenger, completing her radiation treatment, Billy May, recovering from his recent surgery, Bertha Swarr, recuperating from a recent hospitalization, and Margie Vlasits, doing better after an injury from a recent fall.
* BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Gail Blackburn 8/30! Alma Jean and Harvey’s anniversary is 8/8 and James and Ruth Stauffer’s 8/30.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com
August lectionary readings
5 Psalm 51:1-12 Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15 Ephesians 4:1-16 John 6:24-35
12 Psalm 130 1Kings 19:4-8 Ephesians 4:25-5:2 John 6:35, 41-51
19 Psalm 34:9-14 Proverbs 9:1-6 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58
26 Psalm 15 Deuteronomy 4:1-9 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8,14-15, 21-23
August services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6
5 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
12 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Guy Vlasits Carry-in Meal
19 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
26 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Lois Wenger Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope Directory (not published here for privacy reasons)
Sunday, June 24, 2012
July 2012 Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church July 2012
Church: Back to Basics - Harvey Yoder
“Growing up, I was forced to go to a church I never liked,” wrote blogger Lissa Rankin, on the November 7, 2011 Care2 site. “The scripture felt foreign. The people didn’t speak my language.... The sermons caused me to tune out. I got bored. ...And as soon as I went to college and had a say over what happened on Sundays, I stopped going to church.”
Lissa does however, support the idea of observing “Soulful Sundays,” an idea shared by of her fellow bloggers, Melanie Bates, who describes such sabbaths as times to “Reflect. Go to your chapel inside. Work on the temple that is you. You don’t need to eat bread to forgive yourself and others. Fill your own cup.”
I don’t want to criticize anyone’s spiritual journey, but a major part of what I would find missing in the above is regular, accountable and supportive relationships with a group of fellow humans who form a forgiven and loved community of faith.
Since 1988, our house church congregation has met each Sunday in the living room of one of our members for a time of singing, sharing of prayer needs and a scripture study together, always followed by a carry-in meal. We have no real estate to maintain, no paid clergy, no elaborate liturgy. We have been blessed by church stripped to its bare essentials, just a group of people seeking to love God and serve each other--and others--in the best way we know.
Maybe spirituality isn’t meant to be be so much about something “out of this world” as it is about simply coming together in the round, celebrating and thanking God, loving and caring about each other, caring about others in need and discovering that God is present right here in our midst.
Notes, prayers and praises
* WE WELCOME KAREN SOICH to our FOH family. She is living with Guy and Margie Vlasits and helping with the Bed & Breakfast. Her phone number is 330 209 7916.
CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LOIS RIVERA-WENGER as she goes through her radiation therapy, and for BILLY MAY as he recovers from his recent surgery.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Lois Rivera-Wenger 7/30 and A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Guy and Margie Vlasits 7/27!
* GET FOH UPDATES at http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
July lectionary readings
1 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 Psalm 130 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43
8 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 Psalm 48 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13
15 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Psalm 24 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29
22 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Psalm 89:20-37 Eph 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
29 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Psalm 14 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21
July services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6 (except July 29)
1 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Karla May
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
15 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
22 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
29 Location: We will join the 7 pm Vesper Service at the Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center this evening. The youth group from the Mt. Pleasant Old Order Mennonite Church will sing and one of their ministers, Tim Showalter, will speak. Bring lawn chairs. No meal this evening
Family of Hope House Church July 2012
Church: Back to Basics - Harvey Yoder
“Growing up, I was forced to go to a church I never liked,” wrote blogger Lissa Rankin, on the November 7, 2011 Care2 site. “The scripture felt foreign. The people didn’t speak my language.... The sermons caused me to tune out. I got bored. ...And as soon as I went to college and had a say over what happened on Sundays, I stopped going to church.”
Lissa does however, support the idea of observing “Soulful Sundays,” an idea shared by of her fellow bloggers, Melanie Bates, who describes such sabbaths as times to “Reflect. Go to your chapel inside. Work on the temple that is you. You don’t need to eat bread to forgive yourself and others. Fill your own cup.”
I don’t want to criticize anyone’s spiritual journey, but a major part of what I would find missing in the above is regular, accountable and supportive relationships with a group of fellow humans who form a forgiven and loved community of faith.
Since 1988, our house church congregation has met each Sunday in the living room of one of our members for a time of singing, sharing of prayer needs and a scripture study together, always followed by a carry-in meal. We have no real estate to maintain, no paid clergy, no elaborate liturgy. We have been blessed by church stripped to its bare essentials, just a group of people seeking to love God and serve each other--and others--in the best way we know.
Maybe spirituality isn’t meant to be be so much about something “out of this world” as it is about simply coming together in the round, celebrating and thanking God, loving and caring about each other, caring about others in need and discovering that God is present right here in our midst.
Notes, prayers and praises
* WE WELCOME KAREN SOICH to our FOH family. She is living with Guy and Margie Vlasits and helping with the Bed & Breakfast. Her phone number is 330 209 7916.
CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR LOIS RIVERA-WENGER as she goes through her radiation therapy, and for BILLY MAY as he recovers from his recent surgery.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Lois Rivera-Wenger 7/30 and A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Guy and Margie Vlasits 7/27!
* GET FOH UPDATES at http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
July lectionary readings
1 2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 Psalm 130 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 Mark 5:21-43
8 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10 Psalm 48 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 Mark 6:1-13
15 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Psalm 24 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 6:14-29
22 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Psalm 89:20-37 Eph 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
29 2 Samuel 11:1-15 Psalm 14 Ephesians 3:14-21 John 6:1-21
July services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6 (except July 29)
1 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing: Karla May
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
15 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy & Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
22 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
29 Location: We will join the 7 pm Vesper Service at the Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center this evening. The youth group from the Mt. Pleasant Old Order Mennonite Church will sing and one of their ministers, Tim Showalter, will speak. Bring lawn chairs. No meal this evening
Sunday, May 27, 2012
June 2012 newsletter (updated 6/3)
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church June 2012
A Last Supper for Miguel 11/17/39-5/14/12 - Harvey Yoder
Just two days prior to his death Alma Jean and I celebrated the Lord’s Supper with FOH member Michael Rivera-Wenger and his wife Lois in their home. Michael was alert enough to greet us warmly and to receive with joy the bread and the cup of the Eucharist. He drank his grape juice through a straw and expressed his desire for more, as if he knew he needed an extra measure of this life giving bread and wine to sustain him through the last days of his journey home, knew that he needed the priceless life blood of Jesus in that cup to give him the strength to die.
Michael always had a great fondness for good food, so he will relish having a choice seat at the great wedding supper of the Lamb described in the last book of the Bible. He also knew first hand what it was like to be embraced by an extravagant Father spreading a welcoming table for him to celebrate his return to faith and family some years ago.
God is always like that. Whenever there is a homecoming, there is music and dancing and laughter and tables heavy with good food, just as the prophet Isaiah promised long ago (Isaiah 25:6-8):
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
Come home, Miguel, come home. It’s suppertime.
Notes, prayers and praises (note birthday updates!)
MICHAEL RIVIERA-WENGER died Monday, May 14, after years of declining health. A service was held in his memory Monday, May 21, at the memorial garden Lois created for him at their home at 204 Homes Lane, Staunton, VA 24401. Our love and sympathy go to Lois and to their family, and we offer special prayers for Lois, who is facing radiation and on June 4, a lumpectomy for breast cancer. You can reach her at 502-525-8650.
PRAY FOR BILLY MAY as he recovers from his May 30 knee surgery.
THE CIVIL WAR ERA-BASED DRAMA “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks,” will play at EMU’s Eshleman Theater June 1-3, June 8-10, & 15-17 Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm – Sundays at 3 pm
BERTHA SWARR has returned home from her stay at Oak Lea and is doing better.
GUY AND MARGIE VLASITS are on an extended cross country trip and expect to return around June 30. Their long time friend KAREN SOICH has become a part of their household and is taking care of their bed and breakfast in their absence. Her cell number is 330-209-7916.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Sophie May, 6/2, Josiah Dumas 6/9 (he'll be 18!), Karla May 6/16, Isaiah May, 6/27 and Harvey Yoder 6/30!
GET FOH UPDATES at http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
June lectionary readings (corrected!)
3 Psalm 29 Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17
10 Psalm 130 Genesis 3:8-15 2Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35
17 Psalm 92:1-15 Ezekiel 17:22-24 2Cor 5:6-10, 14-17 Mark 4:26-34
24 Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 Job 38:1-11 2Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41
June services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6 (a couple of corrections)
3 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
10 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
17 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church June 2012
A Last Supper for Miguel 11/17/39-5/14/12 - Harvey Yoder
Just two days prior to his death Alma Jean and I celebrated the Lord’s Supper with FOH member Michael Rivera-Wenger and his wife Lois in their home. Michael was alert enough to greet us warmly and to receive with joy the bread and the cup of the Eucharist. He drank his grape juice through a straw and expressed his desire for more, as if he knew he needed an extra measure of this life giving bread and wine to sustain him through the last days of his journey home, knew that he needed the priceless life blood of Jesus in that cup to give him the strength to die.
Michael always had a great fondness for good food, so he will relish having a choice seat at the great wedding supper of the Lamb described in the last book of the Bible. He also knew first hand what it was like to be embraced by an extravagant Father spreading a welcoming table for him to celebrate his return to faith and family some years ago.
God is always like that. Whenever there is a homecoming, there is music and dancing and laughter and tables heavy with good food, just as the prophet Isaiah promised long ago (Isaiah 25:6-8):
On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The Lord has spoken.
Come home, Miguel, come home. It’s suppertime.
Notes, prayers and praises (note birthday updates!)
MICHAEL RIVIERA-WENGER died Monday, May 14, after years of declining health. A service was held in his memory Monday, May 21, at the memorial garden Lois created for him at their home at 204 Homes Lane, Staunton, VA 24401. Our love and sympathy go to Lois and to their family, and we offer special prayers for Lois, who is facing radiation and on June 4, a lumpectomy for breast cancer. You can reach her at 502-525-8650.
PRAY FOR BILLY MAY as he recovers from his May 30 knee surgery.
THE CIVIL WAR ERA-BASED DRAMA “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks,” will play at EMU’s Eshleman Theater June 1-3, June 8-10, & 15-17 Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 pm – Sundays at 3 pm
BERTHA SWARR has returned home from her stay at Oak Lea and is doing better.
GUY AND MARGIE VLASITS are on an extended cross country trip and expect to return around June 30. Their long time friend KAREN SOICH has become a part of their household and is taking care of their bed and breakfast in their absence. Her cell number is 330-209-7916.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Sophie May, 6/2, Josiah Dumas 6/9 (he'll be 18!), Karla May 6/16, Isaiah May, 6/27 and Harvey Yoder 6/30!
GET FOH UPDATES at http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
June lectionary readings (corrected!)
3 Psalm 29 Isaiah 6:1-8 Romans 8:12-17 John 3:1-17
10 Psalm 130 Genesis 3:8-15 2Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35
17 Psalm 92:1-15 Ezekiel 17:22-24 2Cor 5:6-10, 14-17 Mark 4:26-34
24 Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32 Job 38:1-11 2Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41
June services worship at 4 pm, meal at 6 (a couple of corrections)
3 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
10 Location: Rachel Stoltzfus 1359 Two Penny Drive 433-3983
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
17 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
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