House to House
Family of Hope House Church April 2015
Tertullian: “To see patience, look at Jesus”
“God allows himself to become incarnate in his mother's womb and awaits the time of birth, and after his birth suffers himself to grow into manhood, and when an adult, shows no eagerness to become known, but bears reproaches, and is baptized by his servant... He did not force one who was unwilling to stay close to him; he scorned no one's table or dwelling; in fact, he ministered personally to his disciples by washing their feet.
“He did not despise sinners or tax collectors, he showed no anger even toward that city which refused to receive him, even when his disciples wished fire from heaven to fall upon such a shameful town; he healed the ungrateful yielded to his persecutors. More than that, heaven kept in his company the one who would betray him …
“He who could have had, if he wished, at a single word, legions of angels from heaven to assist him did not approve an avenging sword on the part of even one of his disciples. It was the patience of the Lord that was wounded in Malchus... He actually cursed for all time the works of the sword and by healing him whom he himself had not struck, he made satisfaction by patience, which is the mother of mercy...
“Such were the manifestations of his patience, the very magnitude of which is the reason why pagan nations reject the faith; but for us they are its rational foundation... Patience is the very nature of God.
“So let wrongdoing grow weary from your patience... If one tries to provoke you to a fight... (heed) the admonition of the Lord, 'If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also'... If someone bursts out cursing or wrangling, recall the saying, 'When men reproach you,
rejoice.’”
- Bishop Tertullian, second century
Notes, prayers and praises
PRAY FOR BERTHA SWARR presently living in the Massanutten Unit at VMRC.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER has returned home. Welcome back!
APRIL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Bertha Swarr 4/13, Jack (HongYan) Zhou 4/14, Cathy Atwell 4/19, Bo Hu 4/20 and Randy May 4/21. And belated blessings to Ruth Stauffer (3/28)!
YOU ARE INVITED to participate in the annual Downtown Good Friday Walk starting at noon at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament on Main Street April 3.
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE at 8 am at the Lodge!
April lectionary texts
5 Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 John 20:1-18
12 Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31
19 Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48
26 Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23 1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18
April services (worship at 4, meal at 6, except for April 5)
5 Early Easter Service at Old Massanutten Lodge 3448 Caverns Dr., Keezletown 908-0391
Worship, Sharing and Bible Study Simple Carry-in Brunch
12 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Carry-in Meal
19 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
26 Location: Harvey and Alma Jean Yoder 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Monday, March 30, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
March 2015 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church March 2015
Five Serious Instructions From Hebrews 13:1-5
verse 1 "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters." No matter our differences, this should be our foremost priority, right next to loving God. It is only by demonstrating genuine love for each other that people will know that we are indeed Jesus' followers.
2 "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." In the spirit of Jesus we also love the alien and stranger among us--in the same way God does--impartially welcoming our neighbors of every race, nationality and religion into our homes and into our friendships.
3 "Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." God has a special heart for those who are enslaved, in chains or behind bars, and wills the restoration of freedom and justice for all who are in bondage anywhere and everywhere.
4 "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." For social stability's sake, for children's sake, and for God's sake, promiscuity and infidelity in relationships need to be avoided like the serious plagues they have become. Couples should forever honor the marriage vows they have made, and a separation or divorce should be sought only in cases of ongoing abuse, addiction or adultery.
5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." If we're serious about following Jesus, we will radically and joyfully celebrate "living simply so that others may simply live". Materialism and consumerism will be seen as idolatrous and as contrary to everything Jesus taught and demonstrated.
Notes, prayers and praises
BILLY AND KARLA MAY and family’s new address is 1820 Franklin Pike, 220 South, Petersburg, WV 26847 560-4263
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER is planning to home by the end of the month. Welcome back!
MARCH BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Ruth Stauffer 3/28!
WE ARE INVITED to worship with The Table Fellowship at 4 pm on Sunday, March 22, at the corner of Water Street and Old South High Street, across from the Community Mennonite Church. Bring food!
March Lectionary readings
1 Gen 17:1-7, 15-16 Ps 22:23-31 Rom 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38
8 Psalm 19 Exodus 20:1-17 1Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
15 Psalm 107:1--22 Numbers 21:4-9 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21
22 Psalm 51:1-12 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33
29 Psalm 31:9-16 Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 15:1-39
March services worship at 4, meal at 6
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Family Life Resource Center, 273 Neman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Finger foods Meal
15 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
22 Location: Worship with the Table Fellowship (see note above) at 4
Worship and Sharing: Laura Amstutz Carry-in Meal (on the corner of Water Street and Old South High Street)
29 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 March 2015
Five Serious Instructions From Hebrews 13:1-5
verse 1 "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters." No matter our differences, this should be our foremost priority, right next to loving God. It is only by demonstrating genuine love for each other that people will know that we are indeed Jesus' followers.
2 "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it." In the spirit of Jesus we also love the alien and stranger among us--in the same way God does--impartially welcoming our neighbors of every race, nationality and religion into our homes and into our friendships.
3 "Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." God has a special heart for those who are enslaved, in chains or behind bars, and wills the restoration of freedom and justice for all who are in bondage anywhere and everywhere.
4 "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." For social stability's sake, for children's sake, and for God's sake, promiscuity and infidelity in relationships need to be avoided like the serious plagues they have become. Couples should forever honor the marriage vows they have made, and a separation or divorce should be sought only in cases of ongoing abuse, addiction or adultery.
5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have." If we're serious about following Jesus, we will radically and joyfully celebrate "living simply so that others may simply live". Materialism and consumerism will be seen as idolatrous and as contrary to everything Jesus taught and demonstrated.
Notes, prayers and praises
BILLY AND KARLA MAY and family’s new address is 1820 Franklin Pike, 220 South, Petersburg, WV 26847 560-4263
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER is planning to home by the end of the month. Welcome back!
MARCH BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Ruth Stauffer 3/28!
WE ARE INVITED to worship with The Table Fellowship at 4 pm on Sunday, March 22, at the corner of Water Street and Old South High Street, across from the Community Mennonite Church. Bring food!
March Lectionary readings
1 Gen 17:1-7, 15-16 Ps 22:23-31 Rom 4:13-25 Mark 8:31-38
8 Psalm 19 Exodus 20:1-17 1Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
15 Psalm 107:1--22 Numbers 21:4-9 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21
22 Psalm 51:1-12 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33
29 Psalm 31:9-16 Isaiah 50:4-9a Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 15:1-39
March services worship at 4, meal at 6
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 Location: Family Life Resource Center, 273 Neman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Finger foods Meal
15 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vlasits
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
22 Location: Worship with the Table Fellowship (see note above) at 4
Worship and Sharing: Laura Amstutz Carry-in Meal (on the corner of Water Street and Old South High Street)
29 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Sunday, January 25, 2015
February 2015 Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church February 2015
Notes, prayers and praises
ANNUAL MCC Turkey Canning Project is scheduled for February 23 - 27 at the Hinton Mennonite Relief Center, Hinton, VA. Virginia Conference members are especially urged to help on Tuesday, with Friday, February 27 scheduled as a day for all churches.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER is doing voluntary service in Phoenix this winter. Her address is: c/o Hospitality Service, 4443 West Vista Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. Her cell phone number is the same.
February Lectionary readings
1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28
8 Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39
15 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9
22 Isaiah 43:18-25 Psalm 41 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Mark 2:1-12
February services worship at 4, meal at 6
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 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
15 Location: Joyce Ulrich 1029 Shenandoah St Apt 101 246-1013
Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
22 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope Directory (not published on line)
Family of Hope House Church February 2015
Notes, prayers and praises
ANNUAL MCC Turkey Canning Project is scheduled for February 23 - 27 at the Hinton Mennonite Relief Center, Hinton, VA. Virginia Conference members are especially urged to help on Tuesday, with Friday, February 27 scheduled as a day for all churches.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER is doing voluntary service in Phoenix this winter. Her address is: c/o Hospitality Service, 4443 West Vista Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. Her cell phone number is the same.
February Lectionary readings
1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Mark 1:21-28
8 Isaiah 40:21-31 Psalm 147:1-11, 20c 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 Mark 1:29-39
15 2 Kings 2:1-12 Psalm 50:1-6 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 Mark 9:2-9
22 Isaiah 43:18-25 Psalm 41 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Mark 2:1-12
February services worship at 4, meal at 6
1 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
8 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
15 Location: Joyce Ulrich 1029 Shenandoah St Apt 101 246-1013
Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry-in Meal
22 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Family of Hope Directory (not published on line)
Monday, January 12, 2015
FOH annual business meeting 1/11/15
Family of Hope Business Meeting
Guy and Margie Vlasits
January 11, 2015, 4 pm
Members present: Susan Campbell, Karla May, James Stauffer, Ruth Stauffer, Guy Vlasits, Margie Vlasits, Harvey Yoder, Karen Campbell, Cathy Atwell
1. Congregational singing, followed by a reading and reflections on each of the lectionary texts for this Sunday.
2. Last year's minutes were reviewed and approved.
3. Susan Campbell gave a treasurer's report showing total giving income as $14,202.71 in 2014.
a. Agreed that the $500 budget item for missionary funds be divided between the Van den essems, missionaries to Asia and the Bylers, Wycliffe Bible translators, for both this year and the past year.
b. The $200 for educational scholarships will be given to former FOH’er Laura Gottfried who is serving with Vision for Asia this year, with plans to give Josiah Dumas $200 from that fund from next year’s budget if he enrolls at Va Tech.
c. Encouraged host households to always have an offering basket on display at our Sunday gatherings.
4. The 2015 giving plan was adopted, with a total giving goal of $18,000.
5. Agreed to keep the current skeleton Leadership Team in place for now, with Susan Campbell continuing as treasurer and Dick Dumas and Harvey Yoder serving as the other members, even though most decisions have been made in the past year by the total membership or by phone or after church conversations.
6. Adjournment.
Harvey Yoder, recording secretary
Guy and Margie Vlasits
January 11, 2015, 4 pm
Members present: Susan Campbell, Karla May, James Stauffer, Ruth Stauffer, Guy Vlasits, Margie Vlasits, Harvey Yoder, Karen Campbell, Cathy Atwell
1. Congregational singing, followed by a reading and reflections on each of the lectionary texts for this Sunday.
2. Last year's minutes were reviewed and approved.
3. Susan Campbell gave a treasurer's report showing total giving income as $14,202.71 in 2014.
a. Agreed that the $500 budget item for missionary funds be divided between the Van den essems, missionaries to Asia and the Bylers, Wycliffe Bible translators, for both this year and the past year.
b. The $200 for educational scholarships will be given to former FOH’er Laura Gottfried who is serving with Vision for Asia this year, with plans to give Josiah Dumas $200 from that fund from next year’s budget if he enrolls at Va Tech.
c. Encouraged host households to always have an offering basket on display at our Sunday gatherings.
4. The 2015 giving plan was adopted, with a total giving goal of $18,000.
5. Agreed to keep the current skeleton Leadership Team in place for now, with Susan Campbell continuing as treasurer and Dick Dumas and Harvey Yoder serving as the other members, even though most decisions have been made in the past year by the total membership or by phone or after church conversations.
6. Adjournment.
Harvey Yoder, recording secretary
Sunday, December 28, 2014
January 2015 Newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church January 2015
God chose to live in a mobile home
"And the Word became flesh and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us..."John 1:14 (Amplified)
"Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any..., saying, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'"2 Samuel 7:7 (NRSV)
In a recent Advent lectionary reading, King David is troubled about the fact that he is living in luxury in a new palace while the ark of the covenant, representing God's presence, remains in a mobile tent.
For over four centuries, ever since their emigration from Egypt, God's visible "home" for the Jewish people was a portable tent, a “tabernacle”, rather than a permanent temple. Apparently God preferred it that way, having given elaborate instructions (Exodus 25-27) for this modest size "mobile home" and having never given any directions for building a more expansive structure dedicated to the worship of God.
King Solomon, claiming God's approval, took it upon himself to build the first permanent Jewish temple, with elaborate features but still relatively small compared to many of today's places of worship. His temple was destroyed and then rebuilt on a somewhat more modest scale under Nehemiah after the Jewish return from their exile in Babylon.
In Jesus' day King Herod built a beautiful temple that symbolized the hopes of a nation, then under Roman oppression, that was longing for its former glory under King Solomon's rule.
It is clear that Jesus was never impressed by such signs of religious splendor and power. He never owned any real estate and chose to consider his followers as his living home, his sacred dwelling. Never once did he instruct his followers to go into all the world and construct buildings for worship, and members of the first century church met in each others' homes and in other available spaces.
God likes tents, prefers to live in mobile homes, in a people who are solely devoted to his mission as announced by the prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)
Notes, prayers and praises
SPECIAL JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17, Becky Morlan 1/28, Dick Dumas 1/30
OUR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING is Sunday, January 11.
THE HEIFER INTERNATIONAL Christmas offering was $300.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER will be doing voluntary service in Phoenix through April. Pray for her as she takes on this assignment. Her address is: c/o Hospitality Service, 4443 West Vista Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. Her cell phone number remains the same.
January Lectionary readings
4 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20 Ephesians 1:3-14 John 1:1-18
11 Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11
18 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
25 Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 62:5-12 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20
January services worship at 4, meal at 6
4 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
11 Annual Business Meeting: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Worship and Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
18 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Finger Foods 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 January 2015
God chose to live in a mobile home
"And the Word became flesh and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us..."John 1:14 (Amplified)
"Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any..., saying, 'Why have you not built me a house of cedar?'"2 Samuel 7:7 (NRSV)
In a recent Advent lectionary reading, King David is troubled about the fact that he is living in luxury in a new palace while the ark of the covenant, representing God's presence, remains in a mobile tent.
For over four centuries, ever since their emigration from Egypt, God's visible "home" for the Jewish people was a portable tent, a “tabernacle”, rather than a permanent temple. Apparently God preferred it that way, having given elaborate instructions (Exodus 25-27) for this modest size "mobile home" and having never given any directions for building a more expansive structure dedicated to the worship of God.
King Solomon, claiming God's approval, took it upon himself to build the first permanent Jewish temple, with elaborate features but still relatively small compared to many of today's places of worship. His temple was destroyed and then rebuilt on a somewhat more modest scale under Nehemiah after the Jewish return from their exile in Babylon.
In Jesus' day King Herod built a beautiful temple that symbolized the hopes of a nation, then under Roman oppression, that was longing for its former glory under King Solomon's rule.
It is clear that Jesus was never impressed by such signs of religious splendor and power. He never owned any real estate and chose to consider his followers as his living home, his sacred dwelling. Never once did he instruct his followers to go into all the world and construct buildings for worship, and members of the first century church met in each others' homes and in other available spaces.
God likes tents, prefers to live in mobile homes, in a people who are solely devoted to his mission as announced by the prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)
Notes, prayers and praises
SPECIAL JANUARY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to James Stauffer 1/8, Susan Campbell 1/17, Becky Morlan 1/28, Dick Dumas 1/30
OUR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING is Sunday, January 11.
THE HEIFER INTERNATIONAL Christmas offering was $300.
LOIS RIVERA-WENGER will be doing voluntary service in Phoenix through April. Pray for her as she takes on this assignment. Her address is: c/o Hospitality Service, 4443 West Vista Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301. Her cell phone number remains the same.
January Lectionary readings
4 Jeremiah 31:7-14 Psalm 147:12-20 Ephesians 1:3-14 John 1:1-18
11 Genesis 1:1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19:1-7 Mark 1:4-11
18 1 Samuel 3:1-20 Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51
25 Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Psalm 62:5-12 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Mark 1:14-20
January services worship at 4, meal at 6
4 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
11 Annual Business Meeting: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Worship and Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
18 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Finger Foods Meal
25 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Elly Nelson Carry-in Meal
Sunday, November 30, 2014
December 2014 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church December 2014
From Wendell Berry’s “The Timbered Choir”
Remembering that it happened once,
We cannot turn away the thought,
As we go out, cold, to our barns
Toward the long night’s end, that we
Ourselves are living in the world
It happened in when it first happened,
That we ourselves, opening a stall
(A latch thrown open countless times
Before), might find them breathing there,
Foreknown: the Child bedded in straw,
The mother kneeling over Him,
The husband standing in belief
He scarcely can believe, in light
That lights them from no source we see,
An April morning’s light, the air
Around them joyful as a choir.
We stand with one hand on the door,
Looking into another world
That is this world, the pale daylight
Coming just as before, our chores
To do, the cattle all awake,
Our own white frozen breath hanging
In front of us; and we are here
As we have never been before,
Sighted as not before, our place
Holy, although we knew it not.
We wish everyone God’s warm “April’s light” this Christmas season!
Harvey and Alma Jean Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
A SPECIAL DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSING to Karen Campbell 12/26!
OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOUSE CHURCH GATHERING at the Lodge this year is December 14, and features the lighting of a Menorah candle and prayers for Hannukah as well as a carry-in meal beginning at 4 pm and a celebration of “Jesus as Light of the World”. We will also have a children’s story, and bring food items for the Patchwork Pantry, and take up an offering for Heifer International.
* LOIS RIVERA-WENGER’s new address is 1135 Hamlet Drive, apartment A, Harrisonburg, VA 222802.
December Lectionary readings
7 Mark 1:1-8 Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a
14 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Isaiah 64:1-11 Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
21 Luke 1:26-38 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27
28 Luke 2:22-40 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7
December services worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 12/14)
7 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
14 House Church Christmas Gathering beginning with a meal at 4 pm at Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, K’town (Elly Nelson will lead prayers with the lighting of the Menorah candle) 908-0391
21 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Finger Foods Meal
28 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 2014
From Wendell Berry’s “The Timbered Choir”
Remembering that it happened once,
We cannot turn away the thought,
As we go out, cold, to our barns
Toward the long night’s end, that we
Ourselves are living in the world
It happened in when it first happened,
That we ourselves, opening a stall
(A latch thrown open countless times
Before), might find them breathing there,
Foreknown: the Child bedded in straw,
The mother kneeling over Him,
The husband standing in belief
He scarcely can believe, in light
That lights them from no source we see,
An April morning’s light, the air
Around them joyful as a choir.
We stand with one hand on the door,
Looking into another world
That is this world, the pale daylight
Coming just as before, our chores
To do, the cattle all awake,
Our own white frozen breath hanging
In front of us; and we are here
As we have never been before,
Sighted as not before, our place
Holy, although we knew it not.
We wish everyone God’s warm “April’s light” this Christmas season!
Harvey and Alma Jean Yoder
Notes, prayers and praises
A SPECIAL DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSING to Karen Campbell 12/26!
OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOUSE CHURCH GATHERING at the Lodge this year is December 14, and features the lighting of a Menorah candle and prayers for Hannukah as well as a carry-in meal beginning at 4 pm and a celebration of “Jesus as Light of the World”. We will also have a children’s story, and bring food items for the Patchwork Pantry, and take up an offering for Heifer International.
* LOIS RIVERA-WENGER’s new address is 1135 Hamlet Drive, apartment A, Harrisonburg, VA 222802.
December Lectionary readings
7 Mark 1:1-8 Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3:8-15a
14 John 1:6-8, 19-28 Isaiah 64:1-11 Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
21 Luke 1:26-38 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:25-27
28 Luke 2:22-40 Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Psalm 148 Galatians 4:4-7
December services worship at 4, meal at 6 (except 12/14)
7 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
14 House Church Christmas Gathering beginning with a meal at 4 pm at Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, K’town (Elly Nelson will lead prayers with the lighting of the Menorah candle) 908-0391
21 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Finger Foods Meal
28 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Carry-in Meal
Monday, October 27, 2014
November 2014 newsletter
House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church November 2014
The Rice Bucket Challenge
- Harvey Yoder
After over a million people doused themselves with buckets of ice water to raise money for Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), a movement emerged in India called the "rice bucket challenge”.
In that country, more than 100 million people lack access to clean drinking water, so Manju Kalanidhi, a 38-year-old journalist from Hyderabad, came up with a different idea. Since a third of her people live on less that $1.25 a day, and two pounds of rice costs over half that amount, she proposed the rice bucket challenge, which works like this:
1. Fill a bucket of rice.
2. Give it to a needy individual or family nearby.
3. Post a picture on Facebook.
Thousands of people worldwide responded, and tons of rice or other foods were donated as a result.
Or here's another idea: In light of the ever worsening situation experienced by the now three million Syrian refugees alone, let's challenge ourselves and others to make generous donations to help alleviate these and other desperate needs around the world. We could call it the Bucket of Compassion Challenge, and donate through organizations like the following:
MCC U.S.
21 South 12th Street
PO Box 500
Akron, PA 17501-0500
And by the way, my Galilean financial adviser suggests we avoid a lot of fanfare when we give alms, assuring us that our real rewards will come later and in other ways.
Notes, prayers and praises
* THE TOTAL PENNY POWER OFFERING for the Relief Sale this year was $28,210.29. Our FOH amount was $143 ($233.28 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!
AUSTIN YOUMANS is returning to Harrisonburg in early November.
VIRGINIA MENNONITE MISSIONS’ 13th annual Festival of Praise, featuring men’s ensembles and a combined men’s choir, will be held at the EMHS auditorium Sunday, November 2, at 4 pm.
November Lectionary readings
2 Joshua 3:7-17 Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 Micah 3:5-12 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:1-12
9 Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7 Amos 5:18-24 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13
16 Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30
23 Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100 Eph. 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46
30 Deuteronomy 8:7-18 Psalm 65 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Luke 17:11-19
November services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
2 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera Wenger
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
9 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Women’s Retreat group, Karla May
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry in Meal
16 Location: Joyce Ulrich 1029 Shenandoah Street 22802 246-1013
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
23 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Finger Foods Meal
30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Thanksgiving Meal
Family of Hope House Church November 2014
The Rice Bucket Challenge
- Harvey Yoder
After over a million people doused themselves with buckets of ice water to raise money for Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), a movement emerged in India called the "rice bucket challenge”.
In that country, more than 100 million people lack access to clean drinking water, so Manju Kalanidhi, a 38-year-old journalist from Hyderabad, came up with a different idea. Since a third of her people live on less that $1.25 a day, and two pounds of rice costs over half that amount, she proposed the rice bucket challenge, which works like this:
1. Fill a bucket of rice.
2. Give it to a needy individual or family nearby.
3. Post a picture on Facebook.
Thousands of people worldwide responded, and tons of rice or other foods were donated as a result.
Or here's another idea: In light of the ever worsening situation experienced by the now three million Syrian refugees alone, let's challenge ourselves and others to make generous donations to help alleviate these and other desperate needs around the world. We could call it the Bucket of Compassion Challenge, and donate through organizations like the following:
MCC U.S.
21 South 12th Street
PO Box 500
Akron, PA 17501-0500
And by the way, my Galilean financial adviser suggests we avoid a lot of fanfare when we give alms, assuring us that our real rewards will come later and in other ways.
Notes, prayers and praises
* THE TOTAL PENNY POWER OFFERING for the Relief Sale this year was $28,210.29. Our FOH amount was $143 ($233.28 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!
AUSTIN YOUMANS is returning to Harrisonburg in early November.
VIRGINIA MENNONITE MISSIONS’ 13th annual Festival of Praise, featuring men’s ensembles and a combined men’s choir, will be held at the EMHS auditorium Sunday, November 2, at 4 pm.
November Lectionary readings
2 Joshua 3:7-17 Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 Micah 3:5-12 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Matthew 23:1-12
9 Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 Psalm 78:1-7 Amos 5:18-24 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13
16 Judges 4:1-7 Psalm 123 Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Matthew 25:14-30
23 Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 Psalm 100 Eph. 1:15-23 Matthew 25:31-46
30 Deuteronomy 8:7-18 Psalm 65 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Luke 17:11-19
November services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
2 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802 574-6141
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera Wenger
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Meal
9 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Drive, K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Women’s Retreat group, Karla May
Bible Study: James Stauffer Carry in Meal
16 Location: Joyce Ulrich 1029 Shenandoah Street 22802 246-1013
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr Carry-in Meal
23 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave. 432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: Dick Dumas Finger Foods Meal
30 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr, 22802 564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder Carry-in Thanksgiving Meal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)