We are a small group of Christians who live in and around
Harrisonburg, Virginia. We meet in one of our homes each Sunday at 4 pm
for our regular time of worship (we like to sing!), and for prayer,
Bible study and a carry-in meal.
As far as beliefs are concerned, we affirm the ancient creeds of
the church and the core beliefs of the sixteenth century Anabaptist wing
of Reformation. Like them, we stress voluntary believers baptism as a
pledge of our covenant to follow the teachings of Christ to the best of
our ability. Each member renews the following covenant each year on
Pentecost Sunday, as follows:
"I support the goals, vision and faith of Family of Hope, will
attend weekly services as regularly as I am able, and will use my gifts
and offer my encouragement to this church family to the best of my
ability. I invite other members to support me--and to confront me as
needed--in being faithful to this commitment."
While we see ourselves first of all as members of God's worldwide
family, we are linked with the Mennonite family of churches in seeking
to follow Christ's example of living a life of simplicity, generosity
and nonviolence. Our giving helps support that denomination's mission,
relief, education and publishing efforts.
Since we have no paid staff, have few operating expenses, and do
not own or rent any real estate, we are able to use almost all of our
$18,000 congregational budget each year for charity and for mission
outreach as decided on by our members. A four member leadership team
meets monthly to plan for our services, but most major church decisions
are made by the whole group. We have no other committees or boards.
Since 1987, our aim has been to experience church in its simplest,
most basic form, as a group of people gathering each week to worship
and scattering each week to serve.
Harvey Yoder, pastor
harvyoder@gmail.com
Monday, February 18, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
February 2013 Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church February 2013
Worship Services Should Never Be Boring
As a child I well remember being bored stiff in the insufferably long church services we attended every Sunday morning. My young mind traversed the globe thinking of ways to make the time go faster.
As an adult I still experience an occasional lack of joyful and rapt attention in a service, with my mind wandering to the carry-in meal that’s always a part of our weekly gatherings!
Yet I sincerely believe that all worship gatherings can be times we truly look forward to if we regularly experience the following:
1. Everyone is greeted with a warm, embracing welcome. This may or may not include the Biblical “holy kiss”, but certainly a greeting that is a genuine and loving equivalent.
2. We are free to “share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear.” None of us needs to ever leave our gatherings with the same weight of troubles we brought with us. We are extravagantly loved and fervently prayed for as needed.
3. We recognize that every scriptural passage, every Bible story, every hymn text, every responsive reading we use has had some kind of powerful impact on an individual or group at some point in time, so much so that it merited inclusion as worship and learning material to be preserved and passed on. So we savor each as having the power to truly inspire and bless. If we feel bored instead, it may be because we have not imaginatively immersed ourselves in the text.
4. Each of us regularly contributes encouragements, hymns, readings, and/or teachings to our weekly “carry-in” service, rather than just being passive consumers of professionally prepared services.
5. We have good love feasts together on a regular basis, with every meal celebrated as a form of Eucharist.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Trish Levesque 2/23, at17600 14th Avenue North, Apt. 127, Plymouth, MN 55447-2951.
THE CHRISTMAS HEIFER PROJECT OFFERING was $1000! Last year’s offering was $491.25.
CONTACT RACHEL STOLTZFUS at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817, 301-493-4470, or accameds@gmail.com.
AT OUR FOH BUSINESS MEETING the congregation approved a 2013 budget of $18,000 for 2013.
HARVEY AND ALMA JEAN will be with daughter Joanna and family in Rochester, NY, February1-7.
PRAY FOR ALMA JEAN YODER, who is scheduled for a knee replacement February 25.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
February lectionary readings
3 Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30
10 Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2 Luke 9:28-43
17 Deut 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13
24 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17–4:1 Luke 13:31-35
February services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
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: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vasits
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
17 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Finger Food Meal
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Ellie Nelson Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church February 2013
Worship Services Should Never Be Boring
As a child I well remember being bored stiff in the insufferably long church services we attended every Sunday morning. My young mind traversed the globe thinking of ways to make the time go faster.
As an adult I still experience an occasional lack of joyful and rapt attention in a service, with my mind wandering to the carry-in meal that’s always a part of our weekly gatherings!
Yet I sincerely believe that all worship gatherings can be times we truly look forward to if we regularly experience the following:
1. Everyone is greeted with a warm, embracing welcome. This may or may not include the Biblical “holy kiss”, but certainly a greeting that is a genuine and loving equivalent.
2. We are free to “share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear.” None of us needs to ever leave our gatherings with the same weight of troubles we brought with us. We are extravagantly loved and fervently prayed for as needed.
3. We recognize that every scriptural passage, every Bible story, every hymn text, every responsive reading we use has had some kind of powerful impact on an individual or group at some point in time, so much so that it merited inclusion as worship and learning material to be preserved and passed on. So we savor each as having the power to truly inspire and bless. If we feel bored instead, it may be because we have not imaginatively immersed ourselves in the text.
4. Each of us regularly contributes encouragements, hymns, readings, and/or teachings to our weekly “carry-in” service, rather than just being passive consumers of professionally prepared services.
5. We have good love feasts together on a regular basis, with every meal celebrated as a form of Eucharist.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Trish Levesque 2/23, at17600 14th Avenue North, Apt. 127, Plymouth, MN 55447-2951.
THE CHRISTMAS HEIFER PROJECT OFFERING was $1000! Last year’s offering was $491.25.
CONTACT RACHEL STOLTZFUS at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817, 301-493-4470, or accameds@gmail.com.
AT OUR FOH BUSINESS MEETING the congregation approved a 2013 budget of $18,000 for 2013.
HARVEY AND ALMA JEAN will be with daughter Joanna and family in Rochester, NY, February1-7.
PRAY FOR ALMA JEAN YODER, who is scheduled for a knee replacement February 25.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.
February lectionary readings
3 Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30
10 Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2 Luke 9:28-43
17 Deut 26:1-11 Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16 Romans 10:8b-13 Luke 4:1-13
24 Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18 Psalm 27 Philippians 3:17–4:1 Luke 13:31-35
February services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
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: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vasits
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
17 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Finger Food Meal
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Ellie Nelson Carry-in Meal
Sunday, December 30, 2012
January 2013 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church
Living by the Values of the Future
Since the recent rash of mass killings in this country, we’ve been hearing a lot of voices advocating for more people being armed to prevent such tragedies. But to me that represents a huge step backwards to a less civilized and more barbaric era of human history.
I once heard George Brunk III, former dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, say, “Our faith is not so much about preserving values from the past as it is about living by the values of the future.”
In other words, we’re not just about resisting change and holding on to our good heritage, but are called to radically demonstrate a way of life now that has never yet really been, except maybe in the Garden of Eden. Thus as a people of God we are to be an advertisement about what the future will be like, when the Prince of Peace is fully sovereign, when God’s will will be done on earth as it already is in heaven.
That’s what it means to become a people who are already living by the rules of the future, when people everywhere will model the prophet Isaiah’s vision of “beating swords into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks,” and will “study war no more.” Like Jesus, we will already live as though the wolf were lying down with the lamb, the leopard with the kid, and with a little child leading them. It will be said of us, “(T)hey will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.”
That’s the future we’re being enlisted now to join and prepare for, to truly become an Exhibit A, a showcase, a demonstration site, of what God’s forever world will inevitably be like. - Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17, Becky Morlan 1/28, Dick Dumas 1/30!
PRAY FOR RACHEL STOLTZFUS, gradually regaining her health and strength after having had another mild stroke last month.
DAVID WEAVER’S address is 1032 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg 22802 and his phone number is 421-4504.
FOH BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA includes approving a 2013 budget and electing two members to the Leadership Team.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
January lectionary readings
6 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12
13 Psalm 29 Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
20 Psalm 36:5-10 Isaiah 62:1-5 1Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11
27 Psalm 19 Nehemiah 8:1-10 1Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21
January services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
6 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
13 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Church business meeting and Communion Meal c/o Harvey Yoder
20 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas
27 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
Living by the Values of the Future
Since the recent rash of mass killings in this country, we’ve been hearing a lot of voices advocating for more people being armed to prevent such tragedies. But to me that represents a huge step backwards to a less civilized and more barbaric era of human history.
I once heard George Brunk III, former dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary, say, “Our faith is not so much about preserving values from the past as it is about living by the values of the future.”
In other words, we’re not just about resisting change and holding on to our good heritage, but are called to radically demonstrate a way of life now that has never yet really been, except maybe in the Garden of Eden. Thus as a people of God we are to be an advertisement about what the future will be like, when the Prince of Peace is fully sovereign, when God’s will will be done on earth as it already is in heaven.
That’s what it means to become a people who are already living by the rules of the future, when people everywhere will model the prophet Isaiah’s vision of “beating swords into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks,” and will “study war no more.” Like Jesus, we will already live as though the wolf were lying down with the lamb, the leopard with the kid, and with a little child leading them. It will be said of us, “(T)hey will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea.”
That’s the future we’re being enlisted now to join and prepare for, to truly become an Exhibit A, a showcase, a demonstration site, of what God’s forever world will inevitably be like. - Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17, Becky Morlan 1/28, Dick Dumas 1/30!
PRAY FOR RACHEL STOLTZFUS, gradually regaining her health and strength after having had another mild stroke last month.
DAVID WEAVER’S address is 1032 Smith Avenue, Harrisonburg 22802 and his phone number is 421-4504.
FOH BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA includes approving a 2013 budget and electing two members to the Leadership Team.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.
HARVSPOT, Harvey’s blog, is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
January lectionary readings
6 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12
13 Psalm 29 Isaiah 43:1-7 Acts 8:14-17 Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
20 Psalm 36:5-10 Isaiah 62:1-5 1Corinthians 12:1-11 John 2:1-11
27 Psalm 19 Nehemiah 8:1-10 1Corinthians 12:12-31a Luke 4:14-21
January services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
6 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
13 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Church business meeting and Communion Meal c/o Harvey Yoder
20 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas
27 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Monday, November 26, 2012
December 2012 Newsletter
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
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
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
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