House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church January 2014
Notes, prayers and praises
OUR CHRISTMAS HEIFER INTERNATIONAL offering this year was $254!
RACHEL STOLTZFUS is recovering well from her recent spinal surgery (see her address on the reverse side).
JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17, Becky Morlan 1/28, Dick Dumas 1/30!
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
Lectionary readings
5 Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 Ephesians 3:1-12 Matthew 2:1-12
12 Isaiah 42:1–9 Psalm 29 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 2:13-17
19 Isaiah 49:1–7 Psalm 40:1–11 1 Corinthians 1:1–9 John 1:29–42
26 Isaiah 9:1-4 Psalm 27:1, 4-9 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23
(revised) January services worship at 4, meal at 6
5 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
“Twelfth Day of Christmas” Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
12 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns
Dr.,K’town 908-0391
Worship
and sharing, followed by our annual business meeting.
Carry-in Meal
19 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns
Dr.,K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing:Lois Wenger
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
26 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope Directory (Not available online)
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
December 2013 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church December 2013
Reflections on Gift Giving at Christmas
In his book, “Scroogenomics”, Joel Waldfogel of the University of Pennsylvania makes the case that gift giving, especially the kind we do at Christmas, makes no economic sense. It’s a form of wealth destruction, he says, in that if we buy a sweater for ourselves for, say, $50, we do so because we believe it has at least that much value, but if Aunt Minnie buys a $50 sweater for us it’s unlikely that it has that same value for us. We might just store in an already full closet and later haul it off to the local thrift store or sell it at a pittance at our next yard sale. So unless we know someone very, very well, he says, we’re better off giving them a gift card, or a gift to charity in their name. Or we might write or create something that can’t be bought at a store, or maybe put together a book of coupons that offer our time or some favors they might enjoy.
I’ve just read reviews of the book, so I shouldn’t pretend to understand it all, but I do know that as a child growing up (in a home in which my parents were poor and our Christmases meager), whatever simple gifts I was given, whether bought or homemade, definitely increased in their value in the giving. I was breathless with excitement over the kind of simple Christmas my grandchildren could hardly imagine. Yet I’m sure I enjoyed it as least as much as they, surrounded on Christmas morning by all kinds of battery powered gadgets and Fisher Price plastic and reams of torn wrapping paper. As an alternative, I’ve even proposed that our grandchildren might want to select from their rather ample toy collections something they would like to give one of their young cousins or a needy child as a recycled gift, carefully chosen and given a second life. Or we adults could agree to select a choice book from our libraries or from our collection of dishes or tools to give a friend or family member, something we no longer need but believe could add to someone else’s pleasure, and thus truly add value to the gift. - Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* WE WILL BE USING the lectionary texts during Advent.
WE WELCOME OUR HOUSE CHURCH FRIENDS to our annual Christmas Celebration and meal at the Lodge Sunday, December 15.
A DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSING to Karen Campbell 12/26!
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
Advent lectionary readings
1 Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44
8 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12
15 Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11
22 Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25
29 Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23
December services worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 12/15)
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
25th Anniversary celebration for Elly and Neal
Worship and Sharing c/o Lois Wenger and David Weaver
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Reception Carry-in meal
15 Annual Christmas Reunion Celebration with other house churches
4 pm Carry-in Meal at Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391, plus a meditation by Dick Dumas, carol singing, a children’s story, and an offering for Heifer International.
22 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Carry-in Meal
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 December 2013
Reflections on Gift Giving at Christmas
In his book, “Scroogenomics”, Joel Waldfogel of the University of Pennsylvania makes the case that gift giving, especially the kind we do at Christmas, makes no economic sense. It’s a form of wealth destruction, he says, in that if we buy a sweater for ourselves for, say, $50, we do so because we believe it has at least that much value, but if Aunt Minnie buys a $50 sweater for us it’s unlikely that it has that same value for us. We might just store in an already full closet and later haul it off to the local thrift store or sell it at a pittance at our next yard sale. So unless we know someone very, very well, he says, we’re better off giving them a gift card, or a gift to charity in their name. Or we might write or create something that can’t be bought at a store, or maybe put together a book of coupons that offer our time or some favors they might enjoy.
I’ve just read reviews of the book, so I shouldn’t pretend to understand it all, but I do know that as a child growing up (in a home in which my parents were poor and our Christmases meager), whatever simple gifts I was given, whether bought or homemade, definitely increased in their value in the giving. I was breathless with excitement over the kind of simple Christmas my grandchildren could hardly imagine. Yet I’m sure I enjoyed it as least as much as they, surrounded on Christmas morning by all kinds of battery powered gadgets and Fisher Price plastic and reams of torn wrapping paper. As an alternative, I’ve even proposed that our grandchildren might want to select from their rather ample toy collections something they would like to give one of their young cousins or a needy child as a recycled gift, carefully chosen and given a second life. Or we adults could agree to select a choice book from our libraries or from our collection of dishes or tools to give a friend or family member, something we no longer need but believe could add to someone else’s pleasure, and thus truly add value to the gift. - Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* WE WILL BE USING the lectionary texts during Advent.
WE WELCOME OUR HOUSE CHURCH FRIENDS to our annual Christmas Celebration and meal at the Lodge Sunday, December 15.
A DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSING to Karen Campbell 12/26!
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
Advent lectionary readings
1 Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalm 122 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:36-44
8 Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19 Romans 15:4-13 Matthew 3:1-12
15 Isaiah 35:1-10 Psalm 146:5-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11
22 Isaiah 7:10-16 Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25
29 Isaiah 63:7-9 Psalm 148 Hebrews 2:10-18 Matthew 2:13-23
December services worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 12/15)
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
25th Anniversary celebration for Elly and Neal
Worship and Sharing c/o Lois Wenger and David Weaver
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Reception Carry-in meal
15 Annual Christmas Reunion Celebration with other house churches
4 pm Carry-in Meal at Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391, plus a meditation by Dick Dumas, carol singing, a children’s story, and an offering for Heifer International.
22 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Carry-in Meal
27 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Sunday, October 27, 2013
November 2013 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church November 2013
Tithes and Taxes: Very Modest Forms of Rent
In the Hebrew Bible, God's people are commanded to set aside ten percent of their produce and income for the support God’s work and for the benefit of the poor. The New Testament does not mandate a tithe, but promotes generous giving of the kind that helps bring about equality among believers.
It’s hard to imagine any North American Christians feeling justified in giving any less in light of how blessed we are in comparison to the majority of people in the world. Ten percent could be considered a most reasonable form of “rent” for the privilege of living on the most hospitable planet imaginable.
Think of all the benefits: enough food, water and fresh air here for all (providing we take proper care of the earth), along with the priceless gift of life itself--plus countless other examples of pure, unmerited grace.
We could also think of taxes as a modest and reasonable “rent” we gladly pay for living in a country that offers so many benefits and services we could never provide for ourselves.
For example, we have roads, schools, a postal system, police protection, health care for the elderly and most needy, plus a host of other blessings we regularly take for granted. Of course we can also find examples of waste and misuse of tax dollars that need to be addressed, but instead of complaining, we should seek to correct them and to be grateful for the fantastic bargain we are getting for our “rent payments”.
Lest we be guilty of a serious case of “Gratitude Deficit Disorder”.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
OUR PENNY POWER OFFERING for the Relief Sale this year totaled $233.28 ($132.14 last year).
* 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. Neal and Elly Nelson’s 25th anniversary is November 26!
* HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
November lectionary devotional readings
3 Isaiah 1:10-18 Psalm 32:1-7 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Luke 19:1-10
10 Psalm 98 Job 19:23-27a 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Luke 20:27-38
17 Malachi 4:1-2a Psalm 98 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Luke 21:5-19
24 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 46 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43
November services worship at 4, meal at 6
3 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 5 “The Burden and Blessing of Leadership”: Overseer Roy Hange
Finger Foods Meal
10 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
II Peter 1 “Bright Light to Live By”: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
17 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
II Peter 2 “Living in Perilous Times” Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Sharing, Prayer, and Renewing of Wedding Vows (Neal and Elly’s 25th)
II Peter 3 “Ready for Christ’s Coming” James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church November 2013
Tithes and Taxes: Very Modest Forms of Rent
In the Hebrew Bible, God's people are commanded to set aside ten percent of their produce and income for the support God’s work and for the benefit of the poor. The New Testament does not mandate a tithe, but promotes generous giving of the kind that helps bring about equality among believers.
It’s hard to imagine any North American Christians feeling justified in giving any less in light of how blessed we are in comparison to the majority of people in the world. Ten percent could be considered a most reasonable form of “rent” for the privilege of living on the most hospitable planet imaginable.
Think of all the benefits: enough food, water and fresh air here for all (providing we take proper care of the earth), along with the priceless gift of life itself--plus countless other examples of pure, unmerited grace.
We could also think of taxes as a modest and reasonable “rent” we gladly pay for living in a country that offers so many benefits and services we could never provide for ourselves.
For example, we have roads, schools, a postal system, police protection, health care for the elderly and most needy, plus a host of other blessings we regularly take for granted. Of course we can also find examples of waste and misuse of tax dollars that need to be addressed, but instead of complaining, we should seek to correct them and to be grateful for the fantastic bargain we are getting for our “rent payments”.
Lest we be guilty of a serious case of “Gratitude Deficit Disorder”.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
OUR PENNY POWER OFFERING for the Relief Sale this year totaled $233.28 ($132.14 last year).
* 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. Neal and Elly Nelson’s 25th anniversary is November 26!
* HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
* GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
November lectionary devotional readings
3 Isaiah 1:10-18 Psalm 32:1-7 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Luke 19:1-10
10 Psalm 98 Job 19:23-27a 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Luke 20:27-38
17 Malachi 4:1-2a Psalm 98 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Luke 21:5-19
24 Jeremiah 23:1-6 Psalm 46 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43
November services worship at 4, meal at 6
3 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 5 “The Burden and Blessing of Leadership”: Overseer Roy Hange
Finger Foods Meal
10 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
II Peter 1 “Bright Light to Live By”: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
17 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
II Peter 2 “Living in Perilous Times” Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Sharing, Prayer, and Renewing of Wedding Vows (Neal and Elly’s 25th)
II Peter 3 “Ready for Christ’s Coming” James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Monday, October 7, 2013
October 2013 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church October 2013
It Will Not Always Be As It Is Now
In his meditation in the July-August, 2013, issue of "Beside the Still Waters", James Baer tells about a Russian family he visited that had the words "It will not always be as it is now" written in large print on a placard on their dining room wall.
It turns out that many years before the father had spent years in a Soviet prison for refusing to enlist in the army because of what he believed Jesus taught about violence. It was then that the mother had written these words and posted them as a sign of hope for herself and for her children, trusting that one day their father would return and things would be better.
When the father was finally released and life greatly improved, some friends asked why she had not removed those words. Her reply was simply, "Because it's still true that 'It will not always be as it is now'."
Just as people in distress need hope, those of us who are doing well need to learn from history that all nations, economies and cultures rise and fall. We could all face hardships in our lifetimes like those of people in Syria today and in many other trouble spots in the world, past and present. Or as with the following:
• A major collapse of the worldwide economic system
• Destruction of computer systems on which we have all become
extremely dependent
• Major droughts and other weather events associated with climate
that could result in severe shortages of water and food
• Massive assaults by terrorists or by nations with atomic and other
weapons
Meanwhile, we need to have a heart that suffers with those already experiencing devastation and do everything possible to help them, just as we would have others do to us if we were in similar straits.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
RACHEL STOLTZFUS is recovering well from her recent spinal surgery and appreciates our ongoing prayers and concerns. Contact her at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817 (301-493-4470).
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Elly Nelson 10/28, and a belated Happy Birthday to David Weaver 9/23!
MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be at the Fairgrounds October 4-5.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
October lectionary devotional readings
6 Habakkuk 1-2:4 Psalm 37:1-9 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10
13 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Psalm 66:1-12 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19
20 Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 121 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 27
27 Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14
October services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
6 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
I Peter 2:11-25 “This World is not Your Home”: Paul Swarr
Carry-in Meal
13 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 3:1-12 “Beautiful, Everyday Love”: Harvey Yoder
Finger Foods Meal
20 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
I Peter 3:13-4:6 “Blessed by Suffering” Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
27 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
I Peter 4:7-19 “Living With the End in Mind” Elly Nelson
Family of Hope House Church October 2013
It Will Not Always Be As It Is Now
In his meditation in the July-August, 2013, issue of "Beside the Still Waters", James Baer tells about a Russian family he visited that had the words "It will not always be as it is now" written in large print on a placard on their dining room wall.
It turns out that many years before the father had spent years in a Soviet prison for refusing to enlist in the army because of what he believed Jesus taught about violence. It was then that the mother had written these words and posted them as a sign of hope for herself and for her children, trusting that one day their father would return and things would be better.
When the father was finally released and life greatly improved, some friends asked why she had not removed those words. Her reply was simply, "Because it's still true that 'It will not always be as it is now'."
Just as people in distress need hope, those of us who are doing well need to learn from history that all nations, economies and cultures rise and fall. We could all face hardships in our lifetimes like those of people in Syria today and in many other trouble spots in the world, past and present. Or as with the following:
• A major collapse of the worldwide economic system
• Destruction of computer systems on which we have all become
extremely dependent
• Major droughts and other weather events associated with climate
that could result in severe shortages of water and food
• Massive assaults by terrorists or by nations with atomic and other
weapons
Meanwhile, we need to have a heart that suffers with those already experiencing devastation and do everything possible to help them, just as we would have others do to us if we were in similar straits.
- Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
* “A LIFE HEALED AND WHOLE” is the theme of our fall Bible study series on I and II Peter.
RACHEL STOLTZFUS is recovering well from her recent spinal surgery and appreciates our ongoing prayers and concerns. Contact her at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817 (301-493-4470).
OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Elly Nelson 10/28, and a belated Happy Birthday to David Weaver 9/23!
MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be at the Fairgrounds October 4-5.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
October lectionary devotional readings
6 Habakkuk 1-2:4 Psalm 37:1-9 2 Timothy 1:1-14 Luke 17:5-10
13 Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7 Psalm 66:1-12 2 Timothy 2:8-15 Luke 17:11-19
20 Jeremiah 31:27-34 Psalm 121 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 Luke 18:1-8 27
27 Joel 2:23-32 Psalm 65 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Luke 18:9-14
October services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
6 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
I Peter 2:11-25 “This World is not Your Home”: Paul Swarr
Carry-in Meal
13 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
I Peter 3:1-12 “Beautiful, Everyday Love”: Harvey Yoder
Finger Foods Meal
20 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
I Peter 3:13-4:6 “Blessed by Suffering” Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
27 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
I Peter 4:7-19 “Living With the End in Mind” Elly Nelson
Sunday, August 25, 2013
September 2013 Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church September 2013
Two Letters From a Close Friend of Jesus
Between now and Advent, we will be focusing on a study of I and II Peter, two pastoral letters by the apostle Peter, among the early church’s most influential disciples and one of Jesus’s closest friends. Written at around 64 and 66 A.D, his letters were addressed to Christians living in Asia Minor and beyond who were suffering from widespread Roman persecution. Our theme for the series will be “A Life Healed and Whole”.
As we delve into Peter’s writings we will find them as powerful in their ability to inspire and build us up today as they were when they were first circulated nearly two millennia ago.
Here are some things Eugene Peterson has to say about I and II Peter in his introduction to the text in the Message:
The two letters Peter wrote exhibit the qualities of Jesus that the Holy Spirit shaped in him: a readiness to embrace suffering rather than prestige, a wisdom developed from experience and not imposed from a book, a humility that lacked nothing in vigor or imagination. From what we know of the early stories of Peter, he had in him all the markings of a bully. That he didn’t become a bully (and religious bullies are the worst kind) but rather a boldly confident and humbly self-effacing servant of Jesus Christ that we discern in these letters is a compelling witness to what he himself describes as “a brand-new life, with everything to live for.
Notes, prayers and praises
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to Billy & Karla May 9/3!
MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be at the Fairgrounds October 4-5.
HARRISONBURG DISTRICT COUNCIL meets at the Lodge 9/26.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
September lectionary devotional readings
1 Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1-16 Hebrews 13:1-16
8 Psalm 1 Jeremiah 18:1-11 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33
15 Psalm 51:1-10 Jeremiah 4:11-28 1Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10
22 Psalm 113 Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 1Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13
29 Psalm 146 Jeremiah 32:1-15 1Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31
September services worship at 4, meal at 6
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
I Peter 1:1-2 “The Apostle and his Epistles”: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Riven Rock Park, Shelter #3 (Rt. 33 west of Harrisonburg)
Worship, Sharing and Bible Study
I Peter 1:3-12 “A Brand New Life”: Harvey Yoder
Carry-in Picnic Meal (grill available for hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.)
15 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
I Peter 1:13-2:1-3 “A Life Blazing With Holiness” Dick Dumas
Carry-in Meal
22 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
“A Life of Faithfulness--First, 16th and 21st Century Witnesses”
Power Point presentation by Phil Kniss Lord’s Supper Meal (provided)
29 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
I Peter 2:4-10 Study “Life on Solid Rock” James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church September 2013
Two Letters From a Close Friend of Jesus
Between now and Advent, we will be focusing on a study of I and II Peter, two pastoral letters by the apostle Peter, among the early church’s most influential disciples and one of Jesus’s closest friends. Written at around 64 and 66 A.D, his letters were addressed to Christians living in Asia Minor and beyond who were suffering from widespread Roman persecution. Our theme for the series will be “A Life Healed and Whole”.
As we delve into Peter’s writings we will find them as powerful in their ability to inspire and build us up today as they were when they were first circulated nearly two millennia ago.
Here are some things Eugene Peterson has to say about I and II Peter in his introduction to the text in the Message:
The two letters Peter wrote exhibit the qualities of Jesus that the Holy Spirit shaped in him: a readiness to embrace suffering rather than prestige, a wisdom developed from experience and not imposed from a book, a humility that lacked nothing in vigor or imagination. From what we know of the early stories of Peter, he had in him all the markings of a bully. That he didn’t become a bully (and religious bullies are the worst kind) but rather a boldly confident and humbly self-effacing servant of Jesus Christ that we discern in these letters is a compelling witness to what he himself describes as “a brand-new life, with everything to live for.
Harvey Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY BLESSINGS to Billy & Karla May 9/3!
MENNONITE RELIEF SALE will be at the Fairgrounds October 4-5.
HARRISONBURG DISTRICT COUNCIL meets at the Lodge 9/26.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
September lectionary devotional readings
1 Jeremiah 2:4-13 Psalm 2:4-13 Psalm 81:1-16 Hebrews 13:1-16
8 Psalm 1 Jeremiah 18:1-11 Philemon 1-21 Luke 14:25-33
15 Psalm 51:1-10 Jeremiah 4:11-28 1Timothy 1:12-17 Luke 15:1-10
22 Psalm 113 Jeremiah 8:18-9:1 1Timothy 2:1-7 Luke 16:1-13
29 Psalm 146 Jeremiah 32:1-15 1Timothy 6:6-19 Luke 16:19-31
September services worship at 4, meal at 6
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
I Peter 1:1-2 “The Apostle and his Epistles”: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Riven Rock Park, Shelter #3 (Rt. 33 west of Harrisonburg)
Worship, Sharing and Bible Study
I Peter 1:3-12 “A Brand New Life”: Harvey Yoder
Carry-in Picnic Meal (grill available for hamburgers, hot dogs, etc.)
15 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
I Peter 1:13-2:1-3 “A Life Blazing With Holiness” Dick Dumas
Carry-in Meal
22 Location: Family Life Resource Center 723 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
“A Life of Faithfulness--First, 16th and 21st Century Witnesses”
Power Point presentation by Phil Kniss Lord’s Supper Meal (provided)
29 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
I Peter 2:4-10 Study “Life on Solid Rock” James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
Saturday, July 27, 2013
August 2013 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church August 2013
A Harvest of Over Ripe Fruit
The ancient prophet Amos, a Judean shepherd and vinedresser, marches into neighboring Israel with bad, bad news.
His timing couldn’t be more awkward. The economy of that nation is booming, stock prices are soaring, housing starts are at a record high, and consumer confidence is rising. But so is the gap between rich and poor.
Which is why Amos wades right into the Israeli commodities market and announces that it's all over. God is fed up, he says. All of your bins of freshly harvested grain will mold, and your lush harvest of ripe summer fruit will rot, he declares. Your greedy profit-taking is over.
According to the prophets, whenever the poor aren't getting a fair share and a fair shake, the Almighty is outraged. So God thunders out as if to say, "Enough already! My bounty is meant to be shared, not hoarded.”
Jewish scholar Abraham Heschel describes men like Amos as "some of the most disturbing people who have ever lived," and adds, "Instead of dealing with the timeless issues of being and becoming, of matter and form, of definitions and demonstrations," he (the prophet) is thrown into orations about widows and orphans, about the corruption of judges and the affairs of the market place. The world is a proud place, full of beauty, but the prophets are scandalized, and rave as if the whole world were a slum... What if somewhere in ancient Palestine poor people have not been treated properly by the rich? ...Why such inordinate excitement? Why such indignation?"
Heschel then notes, "The things that horrified the prophets are daily occurrences all over the world."
Notes, prayers and praises
AUGUST BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Gail Blackburn 8/30! Alma Jean and Harvey’s anniversary is 8/8 and James and Ruth Stauffer’s is 8/30.
WONSHE has moved to 1086 Smith Avenue. Her phone number is 303-309-0868.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER’s address through most of October will be 1317 Lake Access Road, Smithfield, KY 40068, and her new email is loisriverawenger@yahoo.com.
BILLY MAY had been scheduled to have a suspicious growth in his mouth removed, but it completely disappeared, an answer to prayer!
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
August lectionary readings
4 Psalm 49:1-12 Hosea 11:1-11 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21
11 Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 Isaiah 1:1-20 Hebrews 11:1-16 Luke 12:32-40
18 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 Isaiah 5:1-7 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56
25 Psalm 71:1-12 Isaiah 58:9b-14 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17
August services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
4 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
11 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
18 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and 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: Elly Nelson Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church August 2013
A Harvest of Over Ripe Fruit
The ancient prophet Amos, a Judean shepherd and vinedresser, marches into neighboring Israel with bad, bad news.
His timing couldn’t be more awkward. The economy of that nation is booming, stock prices are soaring, housing starts are at a record high, and consumer confidence is rising. But so is the gap between rich and poor.
Which is why Amos wades right into the Israeli commodities market and announces that it's all over. God is fed up, he says. All of your bins of freshly harvested grain will mold, and your lush harvest of ripe summer fruit will rot, he declares. Your greedy profit-taking is over.
According to the prophets, whenever the poor aren't getting a fair share and a fair shake, the Almighty is outraged. So God thunders out as if to say, "Enough already! My bounty is meant to be shared, not hoarded.”
Jewish scholar Abraham Heschel describes men like Amos as "some of the most disturbing people who have ever lived," and adds, "Instead of dealing with the timeless issues of being and becoming, of matter and form, of definitions and demonstrations," he (the prophet) is thrown into orations about widows and orphans, about the corruption of judges and the affairs of the market place. The world is a proud place, full of beauty, but the prophets are scandalized, and rave as if the whole world were a slum... What if somewhere in ancient Palestine poor people have not been treated properly by the rich? ...Why such inordinate excitement? Why such indignation?"
Heschel then notes, "The things that horrified the prophets are daily occurrences all over the world."
Notes, prayers and praises
AUGUST BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Gail Blackburn 8/30! Alma Jean and Harvey’s anniversary is 8/8 and James and Ruth Stauffer’s is 8/30.
WONSHE has moved to 1086 Smith Avenue. Her phone number is 303-309-0868.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER’s address through most of October will be 1317 Lake Access Road, Smithfield, KY 40068, and her new email is loisriverawenger@yahoo.com.
BILLY MAY had been scheduled to have a suspicious growth in his mouth removed, but it completely disappeared, an answer to prayer!
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com.
HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
August lectionary readings
4 Psalm 49:1-12 Hosea 11:1-11 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21
11 Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 Isaiah 1:1-20 Hebrews 11:1-16 Luke 12:32-40
18 Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19 Isaiah 5:1-7 Hebrews 11:29-12:2 Luke 12:49-56
25 Psalm 71:1-12 Isaiah 58:9b-14 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17
August services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
4 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
11 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
18 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and 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: Elly Nelson Carry-in Meal
Saturday, July 6, 2013
July 2013 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church July 2013
Virginia Conference Assembly at EMHS
Thursday, July 25
7 pm Worship – “Imagine God’s power at work in us!”
Speaker: Loren Horst
8:45 pm
Concert by The Walking Roots Band and homemade ice cream
Friday, July 26
8:15-9:00 am Bible Study – “God’s Intention for the Church”
Teacher: Carmen Schrock-Hurst
7:00-8:30 pm Worship – “Participating in the Vision of God”
Speaker: Nelson Okanya, president of Eastern Mennonite Missions
8:45-9:45
Taste of Missions
Saturday, July 27
7:00-8:00 am
Mennonite Women’s Breakfast with Grace Prasetyo
Mennonite Men’s Breakfast with Chris Riddle
10:00-10:45 am
Bible Study – “God’s Provision” Teacher: Phil Kniss
Directions to Lois Rivera-Wenger’s home (7/7/13):
Take 42 south about 15.0 miles, turn left on to Mt Solon Road, (which becomes Spring Hill Road). Go 6.2 miles, turn slight right on to Shutterlee Mill Rd. Go 1.3 miles, turn slight right on to Homes Lane. Go 0.5 mi, then turn left at 204 Homes Lane. Bring lawn chairs, and allow about 45 minutes to get there!
Notes, prayers and praises
JULY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Lois Rivera-Wenger 7/30 and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Guy and Margie Vlasits 7/27!
PRAY FOR KARLA MAY as she recovers from her knee surgery, and for BERTHA SWARR, who is now recuperating at home.
DAVID WEAVER’S correct phone number is 421-4504.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER’s address through most of October will be 1317 Lake Access Road, Smithfield, KY 40068, and her new email is loisriverawenger@yahoo.com.
EVERYONE IS WECOME to attend sessions at this summer’s Virginia Conference Assembly as outlined on page one.
HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
July lectionary readings
7 Psalm 66:1-9 Isaiah 66:10-14 Galatians 6:1-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
14 Psalm 82 Amos 7:7-17 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37
21 Psalm 15 Amos 8:1-12 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42
28 Psalm 138 Hosea 1:2-10 Colossians 2:6-19 Luke 11:1-13
July services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
7 Location: Lois Rivera-Wenger, 204 Homes Ln., Staunton 502-525-8650
Worship, Sharing and Bible Study led by Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bring Lawn Chairs and Food for a Carry-in Picnic Meal
14 Location: Paul and Bertha Swarr 1260 Parkway Dr 22802 434-2607
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Pizza Meal
21 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
28 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope House Church July 2013
Virginia Conference Assembly at EMHS
Thursday, July 25
7 pm Worship – “Imagine God’s power at work in us!”
Speaker: Loren Horst
8:45 pm
Concert by The Walking Roots Band and homemade ice cream
Friday, July 26
8:15-9:00 am Bible Study – “God’s Intention for the Church”
Teacher: Carmen Schrock-Hurst
7:00-8:30 pm Worship – “Participating in the Vision of God”
Speaker: Nelson Okanya, president of Eastern Mennonite Missions
8:45-9:45
Taste of Missions
Saturday, July 27
7:00-8:00 am
Mennonite Women’s Breakfast with Grace Prasetyo
Mennonite Men’s Breakfast with Chris Riddle
10:00-10:45 am
Bible Study – “God’s Provision” Teacher: Phil Kniss
Directions to Lois Rivera-Wenger’s home (7/7/13):
Take 42 south about 15.0 miles, turn left on to Mt Solon Road, (which becomes Spring Hill Road). Go 6.2 miles, turn slight right on to Shutterlee Mill Rd. Go 1.3 miles, turn slight right on to Homes Lane. Go 0.5 mi, then turn left at 204 Homes Lane. Bring lawn chairs, and allow about 45 minutes to get there!
Notes, prayers and praises
JULY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Lois Rivera-Wenger 7/30 and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Guy and Margie Vlasits 7/27!
PRAY FOR KARLA MAY as she recovers from her knee surgery, and for BERTHA SWARR, who is now recuperating at home.
DAVID WEAVER’S correct phone number is 421-4504.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER’s address through most of October will be 1317 Lake Access Road, Smithfield, KY 40068, and her new email is loisriverawenger@yahoo.com.
EVERYONE IS WECOME to attend sessions at this summer’s Virginia Conference Assembly as outlined on page one.
HARVEY’S BLOG is at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.
July lectionary readings
7 Psalm 66:1-9 Isaiah 66:10-14 Galatians 6:1-16 Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
14 Psalm 82 Amos 7:7-17 Colossians 1:1-14 Luke 10:25-37
21 Psalm 15 Amos 8:1-12 Colossians 1:15-28 Luke 10:38-42
28 Psalm 138 Hosea 1:2-10 Colossians 2:6-19 Luke 11:1-13
July services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
7 Location: Lois Rivera-Wenger, 204 Homes Ln., Staunton 502-525-8650
Worship, Sharing and Bible Study led by Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bring Lawn Chairs and Food for a Carry-in Picnic Meal
14 Location: Paul and Bertha Swarr 1260 Parkway Dr 22802 434-2607
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Pizza Meal
21 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
28 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
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