Bring Your Empty Cup

We invite everyone to join us in prayer and/or in person as we celebrate the Lord's Supper at the Family Life Resource Center meeting room this Sunday, June 23. Each participant is to bring their own cup, one they use regularly at home, for the 4 pm service, where the theme will be "Fill My Cup, Lord". Each may have as much grape juice in their cup as they wish, along with a full slice from a loaf of gluten-free bread to be eaten at leisure during this first hour of the service, the bread reminding us not only of Christ's broken body, but also that in Christ we have become "one loaf" (I Corinthians 10:16-17). There will be no other meal this Sunday.

In the second hour of Bible study, one of the texts is Psalm 42, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." The cup we use and take home with us will be a reminder of God's daily provision for satisfying that thirst.

Here's the text of the song:

Like the woman at the well
I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy;
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
"Draw from My well
that never shall run dry."

Chorus:
Fill my cup, Lord,
I lift it up Lord!
Come and quench
this thirsting of my soul;

Bread of heaven,
feed me till I want no more --
Fill my cup, fill it up
and make me whole!

So, my brother, if the things
this world gave you
Leave hunger that won't pass away, My blessed Lord
will come and save you,
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray:

Chorus:

Thanks to all who will join us in prayerful communion.

June 2013 House Church Newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church              June 2013

Practicing God’s Presence

"Brother Lawrence", born in France in 1611, experienced a powerful spiritual awakening at age 18. When he later joined the Order of “Barefooted” Carmelites in Paris he was assigned kitchen duty as a lay brother in this austere monastic community, an assignment he carried out cheerfully in spite of his aversion to any kind of food preparation work. His goal became to constantly "practice the presence of God," the spiritual discipline that became associated with his name.

I've often wondered if it’s really possible to live that way, a question we reflected on in a Family of Hope church service recently when veteran missionary and associate member Paul Swarr led our study of one of the lectionary texts in Lent.

I left that gathering with a new desire to have every part of my life, the "spiritual" and the "natural" alike, be lived in harmony with God, with a far less defined, clear dividing line between the "sacred" and the "ordinary" in everyday life. Since then I have been reminding myself of the need to listen deeply to the still, small voice of God--with the third ear of the heart--so that every moment becomes holy, every meal becomes a Eucharist, and every meeting with another an epiphany.
                               - Harvey Yoder

Notes, prayers and praises

JUNE BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Sophie May, 6/2, Josiah Dumas 6/9, Karla May 6/16, Isaiah May, 6/27 and Harvey Yoder 6/30!
PRAY FOR BERTHA SWARR who was admitted to VMRC Rm 102.
KAREN SOICH suffered a fall April 23 that has resulted in a lot of pain and her needing to use a wheel chair for now. Pray for her.
FLRC SPRING DINNER with speaker Jim Glanzer is June 8!
FOURTEEN FOH MEMBERS and friends enjoyed an Older Order Mennonite tour Saturday, May 25, which included a delicious noon meal at Ray and Rosemary Martin's west of Briery Branch.
THE PASTOR'S HARVSPOT BLOG IS LOCATED at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com.

June lectionary readings

2  Psalm 96 1Kings 18:20-39  Galatians 1:1-12  Luke 7:1-10
9  Psalm 146  1Kings 17:8-24  Galatians 1:11-24 Luke 7:11-17
16 Psalm 32  1Kings 21:1-21a  Galatians 2:15-21  Luke 7:36-8:3
23 Psalm 42-43 1Kings 19:1-18  Galatians 3:23-29  Luke 8:26-39
30 Psalm 77  2Kings 2:1-2, 6-14  Galatians 5:1, 13-25  Luke 9:51-62

June services (worship at 4, meal at )

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: Harvey & Alma Jean Yoder 1135 Hamlet 22802    432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Elly Nelson                                 Carry-in Meal 

16 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Lois Wenger
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                               Carry-in Meal 

23 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave   432-0531
Sharing in the Lord's Supper: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                       No meal this Sunday 

30 Location: (to be announced)
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: James Stauffer                                                     Carry-in Meal

May 2013 FOH Newsletter

House-to-House
 Family of Hope House Church             May 2013

One Flock, One Shepherd

Jesus: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  -from John 17

Paul: I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought... 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? ...For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. - from I Corinthians 1-3       
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. - I Corinthians 10:16-17            

I urge you then to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with each other in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all..  Eph.4                                                                                                                                                                       

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. -Romans 15:5-7

Notes, prayers and praises
* MAY BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Margie Vlastis 5/1, Alma Jean Yoder 5/15 and Karen Soich 5/20!
* CONGRATULATIONS ON THE BIRTH OF JOSHUA ALLEN to Sophie May on April 14, weighing in at 7 lb., 11 oz.!
* “HEARTFELT THANKS to all of you who have supported me with your prayers, cards, visits, food and other acts of kindness during my recovery from knee surgery. You’re such a blessing!  - Alma Jean Yoder
* Follow the pastor's blog at http://harvyoder.blogspot.com

May lectionary readings
3   Acts 16:9-15  Psalm 67 Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 John 14:23-29
10 Acts 16:16-34 Psalm 97 Revelation 22:12-21 John 17:20-26
17 Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-35b Romans 8:14-17 John 14:8-27)
24 Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Psalm 8 Romans 5:1-5 John 16:12-15

May services (worship at 4, meal at 6)
5 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802   574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr                           Carry-in Meal  

12 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave   432-0531
Mimi Copp Johnson, representing MCC East Coast, will lead us in study
and reflection on our mandate to serve. Carry-in Finger Food Meal 

19 Pentecost! Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr. K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: James Stauffer                                          Carry-in Meal 

26 Location: David Weaver 1032 Smith Avenue 22802      421-4504
Worship and Sharing:
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                           Carry-in Meal

 I support the goals, vision and faith of Family of Hope, will attend weekly services as regularly as able, and will use my gifts and offer my help and 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 remaining faithful to this commitment.

Another Special Easter Service

Gathering for breakfast at the Vlasists' Lodge after Sunday's sunrise service

Our Family of Hope House Church celebrated its annual Easter sunrise service yesterday at the securely locked entrance of the once public Massanutten Caverns.

This was followed by celebrative singing together and an Easter brunch in the former Caverns Lodge, with the meal prepared by hosts Guy and Margie Vlasits, members of our church who operate the Old Massanutten Lodge Bed and Breakfast. 

A great time! 

(photo by Margie Vlasits)

April 2013 Newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church                                      April 2013
 
Notes, prayers and praises

APRIL BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Bertha Swarr 4/13, Jack (Hong
Yan) Zhou 4/14, Cathy Atwell 4/19, Bo Hu 4/20 and Randy May 4/21!  
WE THANK GOD FOR MARGIE VALSITS’s great doctor’s report!
ALMA JEAN YODER is recovering from her March 22 knee surgery and was moved to the Shenandoah unit atVMRC for rehab.
RACHEL STOLTZFUS has sold her place and remains at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817,  301-493-4470.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.

April lectionary readings

7   Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 118:14-29 Revelation 1:4-8 John 20:19-31
14 Acts 9:1-20  Psalm 30 Revelation 5:11-14 John 21:1-19

21 Acts 9:36-43 Psalm 23 Revelation 7:9-17 John 10:22-30
28 Acts 11:1-18 Psalm 148 Revelation 21:1-6 John 13:31-35

April services (worship at 4, meal at 6)

7 Location: Guy & Margie Vlasits 3448 Caverns Dr., K’town 908-0391
Worship and Sharing: Guy and Margie Vasits
Bible Study: Lois Rivera-Wenger                            Carry-in Meal  
14 Location: James & Ruth Stauffer 1250 Parkway Dr 22802   574-6141
Worship and Sharing: James Stauffer
Bible Study: Paul Swarr                                  Carry-in Meal  
21 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave   432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                               Carry-in Finger Food Meal     
28 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802       564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                          Carry-in Meal

Family of Hope Directory (birthdays and addresses not included here)

Atwell, Cathy
Blackburn, Gail
Campbell, Susan
Campbell, Karen
Dumas, Dick
Levesque, Trish     
May, Karla
Morlan, Becky
Nelson, Neal & Elly 
Rivera-Wenger, Lois
Soich, Karen  
Stauffer, James & Ruth
Stoltzfus, Rachel
Swarr, Paul & Bertha
Vlasits, Guy & Margie          
Weaver, David  
Wonshe 10/27
Yoder, Alma Jean & Harvey
(covenanted members names in bold)

March 2013 Newsletter

House-to-House
 Family of Hope House Church                                        March 2013

A Hymn for Lent - Samuel Crossman 1664 (WH 235)

My song is love unknown,

My Saviour’s love to me;

Love to the loveless shown,

That they might lovely be.

O who am I, that for my sake

My Lord should take frail flesh and die?

Sometimes they strew His way,

And His sweet praises sing;

Resounding all the day

Hosannas to their King:

Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,

And for His death they thirst and cry.

Why, what hath my Lord done?

What makes this rage and spite?

He made the lame to run,

He gave the blind their sight,

Sweet injuries! Yet they at these

Themselves displease, and ’gainst Him rise.

They rise and needs will have

My dear Lord made away;

A murderer they save,

The Prince of life they slay,

Yet cheerful He to suffering goes,

That He His foes from thence might free.

In life, no house, no home

My Lord on earth might have;

In death no friendly tomb

But what a stranger gave.

What may I say?
Heav’n was His home;

But mine the tomb wherein.

Here's the link to hear this sung by the St. Martin in the Fields Church Choir


Notes, prayers and praises

MARCH BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Ruth Stauffer 3/28, and Elianah Zhou 3/25, c/o Jack Zhou, 5615 W. Wren Avenue, Visalia, CA 93291.
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO GOD  for the good report from Margie Vlasits about her being able to discontinue her cancer treatment!
ALMA JEAN’S KNEE SURGERY has been rescheduled for March 22.
CONTACT RACHEL STOLTZFUS at 6516 Lone Oak Ct., Bethesda, MD 20817,  301-493-4470, or accameds@gmail.com.
OUR EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE and breakfast will be at the Vlasits March 31!
WE WELCOME LOIS WENGER home after helping with her grandchildren in Tennessee.
GET FOH UPDATES at http:/familyofhopehousechurch.blogpost.com.

March lectionary readings

3   Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9
10 Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
17 Isaiah 43:16-21 Psalm 126 Philippians 3:4b-14 John 12:1-8
24 Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Luke 22:14-23:56
31 Isaiah 65:17-25 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:19-26
John 20:1-18

March 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: Harvey Yoder                          Carry-in Meal  

17 Location: Family Life Resource Center 273 Newman Ave   432-0531
Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Elly Nelson                              Carry-in Finger Food Meal  
  
24 Location: Susan Campbell 1361 Lincolnshire Dr 22802       564-1524
Worship and Sharing: Susan Campbell
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                          Carry-in Meal

31 Location: Easter Sunrise Service Guy & Margie Vlasits       908-0391
8 am Easter meditation by Harvey Yoder, followed by Easter singing and with a breakfast at 9:30 am.

Jesus Did Not Come to Establish a Temple-Based Religion

The following is an excerpt from Garry Wills’ book, WHAT JESUS MEANT, (Viking Press 2006)

    When Jesus drives the merchants from the Temple, onlookers challenge him, “What authorization can you produce for doing this?” He responds: Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it again.” The Jews scoff at the mere idea of rebuilding the Temple in three days: “Construction of the Temple has taken forty-six years.” But the gospel adds: “The Temple he referred to was his body” John 2:21
    The Temple of Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 70 C.E., and it never rose again. But Jesus had already loosened it from its moorings...
    Jesus did not come to replace the Temple with other buildings, whether huts or cathedrals, but to instill a religion of the heart, with only himself as the place where we encounter the Father. At first one might think Jesus would not recognize most of what calls itself religion today. But, on second thought, it would probably look all too familiar, perpetuating the very things he criticized in the cleanliness code, the Sabbath rules, the sacrifices, and the Temple. It was natural, therefore, for religion to kill him, since he was its foe.
    His followers would be killed for the same reason. Stephan, the first martyr, is stoned for predicting the destruction of the Temple Acts 6:14). Stephan tells his executioners what Jesus told the Samaritan woman: “The Most High does not live in houses constructed by human hand. Rather, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and earth my footstool’ ” (Acts 7:48-49).
    What is the kind of religion Jesus opposed? Any religion that is proud of its virtue, like the boastful Pharisee. Any that is self-righteous, quick to judge and condemn, ready to impose burdens rather than share or lift them. Any that exalts its own officers, proud of its trappings, building expensive monuments to itself. Any that neglects the poor and cultivates the rich, any that scorns outcasts and flatters the rulers of this world. If that sounds like just about every form of religion that we know, then we can see how far off from religion Jesus stood.