December 2020 newsletter

 House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                 December 2020

Strangers Meeting Around Mangers     

Years ago I read an article by Eddy Hall entitled “A Second Look at the Christmas Crèche.”  He says he used to be bothered by all of the historical inaccuracies portrayed in typical Christmas manger scenes, the ones that have Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus surrounded by shepherds, angels, and wise men, along with assorted sheep, camels and donkeys, all gathered at the stable at the same time and place.

It is obvious from the texts, of course, that the angels return to heaven immediately after announcing the birth of the Messiah, and the wise men in Matthew’s account are led by a star to a house where they bring Mary and Joseph their gifts, not to a manger, suggesting this was some time after the stable birth.

“I’ve long assumed that it was just pure sloppiness,” Hall writes, “Caught up in the less than accurate traditions that surround Christmas, people just didn’t care how the story really happened.”

But Hall has come to believe the Christmas crèche is meant to convey something deeper, that the main focus of these manger scenes is to show how this promised Child brings us all together, rich and poor, Jew and Gentile, insider and outsider, shepherds and scholars, not because of any appeal they have for each other, but because of their common reverence for Immanuel, God with us. Even God’s non-human creatures are included in this great celebration of good news.

This unlikely coming together, he says, is the Incarnation story in a nutshell.

                                                                                         - Harvey Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

WE CONTINUE TO MEET ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30. For a phone connection (audio only) dial 646-876-9923. For video click on  https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Problems? Call 574-606-8917.

PRAY FOR NEAL NELSON who has tested positive for COVID-19 at Envoy Nursing Home and for Elly as she deals with the distress this creates.

DECEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to to Karen Campbell 12/26/69!

WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT on Bible passages to study in the coming year. Esther? Favorite Psalms? One of the New Testament letters? One of the Prophets? One of the books of the Law? Give us your ideas.

December Bible Studies 

Various members of our congregation will lead us in scripture-based reflections on how Christ became born in them and became a lifelong part of their own stories. The fourth Sunday in December will be a service of scriptures and recorded Christmas carols and chorales.

December Services, 4-5:30 pm 

6  Location: on line 

Worship, sharing, scripture and life stories: Lewis and Mary Ellen Overholt

13 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study and interview with James and Ruth Stauffer ℅ Harvey Yoder

20 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study and life story: Dick Dumas

27 Location: on line 

A Christmas service of worship, sharing and scripture reading, with recordings of sacred music and carols: ℅ Kent Palmer

November 2020 newsletter

 House-to-House

 Family of Hope House Church                 November 2020

An Election Reflection        - Harvey Yoder

We’re hearing a lot about how all-important this US presidential race is, as though the very survival of civilization rested on the outcome.

     I agree that the choices offered  are important, and that how (or whether) to exercise the one vote each of us has deserves a lot of prayerful thought. The following is an attempt to put things in a larger perspective, to look at the bigger historical picture and not just that of our own small corner of the globe.

     First, the United States is only one of 230 nations in the world, and represents less than 5% of the world's people--even though it currently controls the majority of the world's wealth and military might. From a biblical perspective, all nations are of minor consequence in comparison to God’s worldwide, eternal kingdom. As world citizens, we need to think less of governments simply ruling us and more about urging all of them to rule in more just and in less violent ways.

     Second, we need to remind ourselves that a US president is the chief presider and leader of only one of three branches of a federal government, and that the judicial and legislative branches are equally important. This three-part federal system, in turn, shares power with 50 states and commonwealths, each made up of county and municipal governments, and each responsible to the people being governed.

     In other words, we are electing administrator of one branch of one part of a democracy made up of citizens, not choosing a monarch or dictator over a kingdom of mere subjects. Each president's four-year term is less than 2% of this nation's relatively brief history, one that represents only 5% of the total span of civilization as we know it.

     Finally, we (US Americans) are not a “chosen people” whose culture and way of life is superior to everyone else’s. Take our national language, for example. Our one official tongue is English, mostly the language of white Caucasians. While English is popular worldwide as a second language, it is still only one of nearly 7000 spoken around the world. There is no superior race, language or nationality.

Notes, Prayers and Praises

WE CONTINUE TO MEET ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30. For a phone connection (audio only) dial 646-876-9923. For video click on  https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Problems? Call 574-606-8917.

PRAY FOR KENT PALMER, who is to have some reparative surgery done at the UVA Medical Center November 18.

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Neal Nelson 11/2, Paul Swarr 11/10 and Guy Vlasits 11/21. Neal and Elly Nelson’s anniversary is November 26! Let’s send cards to Neal Nelson, 512 Houston St, Staunton, VA 24401 and Paul Swarr at VMRC, 1401 Virginia Avenue, Harrisonburg, VA 22802.

November Study “Building on Solid Rock”

1   Matthew 7:13-23

8   Matthew 7:24-29 

15 Matthew 5-7 summary

22 Leader’s choice

29 Leader’s choice

November Services, 4-5:30 pm 

1  Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing Lewis Overholt

Bible Study Harvey Yoder

8 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing Harvey Yoder

Bible Study Roy Hange

15 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  Kent Palmer

Bible Study: Wrap up of Sermon on the Mount Study c/o Harvey Yoder

22 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study Elly Nelson

29 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  James Stauffer

Bible Study Dick Dumas

October 2020 Newsletter

House-to-House

Family of Hope House Church                   October 2020

False Prophets: A Layman’s Guide             

I'm told that the best way to learn to detect anything fake, as in counterfeit money, is to become thoroughly acquainted with every detail of the real thing, as in real money. So here are seven of the Sermon on the Mount marks of faithfulness we should expect to see in authentic prophets, as opposed to those masquerading as trustworthy shepherds, according to Matthew 5-7:    

1. They demonstrate the God-blessed qualities described in the beatitudes--humility, contriteness, integrity, peace-making, and justice-seeking, even if it means being ostracized and persecuted. (5:1-12)
2.  They work at reconciliation in relationships rather than harboring anger or causing division, and avoid verbal or physical violence toward others. (5:21-26)
3. They are faithful to their marriage vows and treat members of the other sex with dignity and respect. (5:27-32) 
4. They consistently speak the truth and avoid manipulation and deception. (5:38-42) 
5. They show unconditional and impartial love toward everyone, friend and enemy alike. (5:43-48) 
6. They share generously with others and avoid accumulating material wealth for themselves. (6:19-34) 
7. They do not condemn others, but are careful to discern whether their deeds correspond with "these sayings of mine." (7:1-23)

Notes, Prayers and Praises

WE CONTINUE TO MEET ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30. For a phone connection (audio only) dial 646-876-9923. For video click on  https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Problems? Call 574-606-8917.

OUR MY COINS COUNT total for Family of Hope was $    . The overall Relief Sale income was $     .

THANKS FOH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY IN raising over $2000 for the FOH Relief Sale Campaign! 

OCTOBER BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Joyce Ulrich 10/14, and Elly Nelson 10/28!

October Study “A God-Focused Life”

4   Matthew 6:19-24 

11 Matthew 6:25-34 

18 Matthew Matthew 7:1-6

25 Matthew 7:7-14

October Services, 4-5:30 pm 

4  Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing Lewis Overholt

Bible Study Harvey Yoder

11 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing James Stauffer

Bible Study Elly Nelson

18 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing Elly Nelson

Bible Study Dick Dumas

25 Location: on line 

Worship and Sharing  Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study Kent Palmer

September 2020 newsletter

House-to-House

Family of Hope House Church                   September 2020

O How We Love Your Precepts!                   

Fewer young adults are active in church than ever, we're told, but they tend to be drawn more to congregations with strongly held beliefs than those with less well-defined convictions.

     The Christian faith, of course, is not primarily about mouthing theologically orthodox statements but living the kind of life Jesus lived and taught. Or in the words of the late Clarence Jordan, "faith is not belief in spite of evidence but a life lived in scorn of the consequences".

     So how does the church demonstrate the kind of radical, Christ-based convictions that are worth living and dying for?

     One of the gifts the Hebrews of Biblical times most treasured was the Torah, the law of God brought to them by Moses and expounded on by their prophets and psalmists. Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is an acrostic poem with 22 stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza has eight verses, each of which celebrates the blessing of knowing God's wisdom for living as found in the "Ten Words" and other commands given at Mount Sinai.

     The Torah,  besides being a guide for everyday living, was also the equivalent of their new nation's Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights, essential to their identity as a people free at last from Egyptian bondage and exploitation.

     Followers of Jesus should exhibit the same delight in the commands of King Jesus found in his inaugural "Sermon on the Mount", thought to be used as a catechism for instructing first century believers in the faith. Given the authority with which the Servant-King spoke, the Nine Beatitudes and other teachings found in the gospels and the early apostles should be given the highest priority in Christian worship and in our daily living.                             - Harvey Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises

WE CONTINUE TO MEET ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30. For a phone connection (audio only) dial 646-876-9923. For video click on  https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Problems? Call 574-606-8917.

OUR FOH GIVING has increased significantly in the past months, and we should be able to meet or exceed our $16,800 goal for 2020. Meanwhile, keep saving your change (and spare bills) for the My Coins Count project, a Relief Sale, initiative.

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS TO Lewis Overholt (9/5) and David Weaver (9/23!

THE RELIEF SALE’S SOS CAMPAIGN  to raise funds for MCC generated nearly $15,000 through its Hundreds for Hundreds Walk August 23! Would our house church be willing to join me in forming one of many “$1000 Clubs” to raise additional money by the Sale date (October 3), since income from food sales and this year’s online-only auction will be more limited? Ten of us contributing an average of $100 would make us a part of a “club.”

September Study “Torah From Gospel Mountain” 

6   Matthew 5:33-37

13 Matthew 5:38-48 

20 Matthew 6:1-4, 16-18

27 Matthew 6:5-15

September Services, 4-5:30 pm 

6  Location: on line                             

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder                       

Bible Study: Elly Nelson

13  Location: on line 

Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                        

20 Location: on line                

Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt                            

Bible Study: Dick Dumas                              

27 Location: on line

Worship and sharing: Elly Nelson

Bible Study: Kent Palmer

August 2020 newsletter

House to House 

Family of Hope House Church      August 2020

Matthew's Torah Mountain                                                

- Harvey Yoder

We’re not told exactly where in Galilee Jesus delivered his inaugural sermon in Matthew 5-7, but the Sinai-like peak that has become known as the Mount of Beatitudes near Capernaum could well be the place.

In the manner of rabbis instructing their followers, Jesus "sat down and taught" what we know as the “Sermon on the Mount.” A large crowd listened in, marveling at the authority (exousia) with which he spoke.

At the end of Matthew's gospel Jesus instructed his disciples to again meet with him at a specified mountain in Galilee to charge them with what we know as the "Great Commission”.

"I have been given all authority (exousia)," Jesus says, "therefore wherever you go, make disciples of all peoples, initiating them into God's worldwide rule and instructing them to obey all I have commanded you."

In recent centuries there has been much emphasis on Jesus' mandate to "go into all the world" to evangelize and to baptize, but there have been few examples of missionaries actually teaching people such commands as "do not return evil for evil" and "do not lay up treasures here on earth", as found in the Sermon on the Mount.

Early Christians were convinced that Jesus first and his final instructions were seamlessly linked. Thus the church in the first centuries was known for teaching their members (with authority) to shun all forms of violence and to sacrificially share their possession with those in need.

We need to follow their example.

Notes, Prayers and Praises

WE NOW MEET ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30. For a phone connection (audio only) dial 646-876-9923. For video click on  https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Problems? Call 574-606-8917.

WE WILL BE STUDYING THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT in August and September. Dorothy Jean Weaver, retired Professor of New Testament at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, will introduce us to the book of Matthew August 2. She is the author of The Irony of Power: The Politics of God within Matthew's Narrative.

BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Kent Palmer August 10! Alma Jean and Harvey Yoder’s anniversary is August 8 and James and Ruth Stauffer’s is August 30. Congratulations!

PLEASE SAVE YOUR CHANGE (and bills) for My Coins Count!
IN AN ACTION TAKEN SUNDAY, July 6, the church agreed by consensus to have Ellie be our Everence congregational representative, with Susan serving as co-representative. Thanks, Ellie and Susan, and thanks, James Stauffer, for your many faithful years in this role.

August Study “A Declaration of  God-Dependence”

2    Introduction to Matthew’s gospel

9    Matthew 5:1-12 

16  Matthew 5:13-20

23  Mathew 5:21-26

30  Matthew 5:27-32

August Services, 4-5:30 pm 

2  Location: on line                             

Worship and Sharing: Harvey Yoder                       

Bible Study: Dorothy Jean Weaver

9  Location: on line 

Worship and sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger

Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                        

16 Location: on line                

Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt                             

Bible Study: Elly Nelson                              

23 Location: on line

Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder

Bible Study: Kent Palmer

30 Location: on line

Worship and sharing: James Stauffer

Bible Study: Dick Dumas

July 2020 newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church                             July 2020
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The Mulberry Tree              - Harvey Yoder

The mulberry tree in our backyard produced its usual abundance this year, reminding me of one of our son Brad’s songs I especially like:

oh, the mulberry tree spreads her fruit all around,
she feeds hungry birds, and still covers the ground,
she is always abundant, some call her a weed,
Lord, make me more like the mulberry tree..

now the mulberry tree’s long since gone out of style,
you won’t find her fruit in a grocery aisle,
but she clutters the sidewalks and trails with that fruit,
some stop to eat, some complain for their shoes.

a mulberry tree once grew by my house,
as a child, I would stuff purple fruit in my mouth,
there’s some jam in the pantry, but that tree’s been cut down,
that’s one fewer mulberry tree in this town..

now the Lord sends the rain on the worst and the best,
on the kind and the cruel, on the broken and blessed,
that Love knows no limits, it’s given for free,
it’s the same Love that gave us the mulberry tree,

a mulberry tree once grew by my house,
I would stand there and stuff stuff purple fruit in my mouth,
there’s some fruit in the freezer, but that tree’s been cut down,
that’s one fewer mulberry tree in this town..

now I know I’ve been selfish, my new prayer shall be:
Lord, make me more like the mulberry tree,
Lord, make me more like the mulberry tree…

- Brad Yoder

Notes, Prayers and Praises
WE WILL CONTINUE MEETING ONLINE Sundays from 4-5:30 until further notice. Here’s the number to dial in on the phone (audio only): (646) 876-9923. To participate via video use this link:  https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Call Kent Palmer (574-606-8917) if you have any problems.
WE WILL STUDY THE BOOK OF RUTH in our July Bible studies, connecting it with good news that is embedded in the rest of Scripture, and especially in the life and teaching of Jesus.
BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Los rivera-Wenger, July 30!
VIRGINIA MENNONITE CONFERENCE ASSEMBLY is set for Saturday, July 18, with the theme“Living As Those Made Alive In Christ” based on Colossians 3:12-17. We will be gathering in an online forum in a one-day event via Zoom at 8:30-10:00 a.m. and 10:30-12:00 am. Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Executive Director Ron Byler. Ron will be the keynote speaker, with a focus on MCC’s 100 years of relief work.
COVENANT MEMBERS FOR THE COMING YEAR ARE Karen Campbell, Susan Campbell, Dick Dumas, Elly Nelson, Neal Nelson, Lewis Overholt, Mary Ellen Overholt, Lois Rivera-Wenger, James Stauffer, Ruth Stauffer, Alma Jean Yoder, Harvey Yoder. Kent Palmer, Paul Swarr and Guy Vlasits are Associate Members.

July Study “The Gospel According To Ruth”
5    Ruth 1 “Some Good News For Migrants”
12  Ruth 2 “Hospitable Good News For Outsiders”
19  Ruth 3 “Welcome Good News For The Poor”
26  Ruth 4 “Ruth, A Sign Of Good News For The Whole World”
             
July services, 4-5:30 pm
5  Location: on line                           
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                     
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder
12  Location: on line
Worship and sharing: Elly Nelson
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                                     
19 Location: on line             
Worship and Sharing: Lewis Overholt                           
Bible Study: Elly Nelson                           
26 Location: on line
Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Kent Palmer

June 2020 newsletter

House-to-House
Family of Hope House Church                             June 2020

A Hymn For A Time Of Quarantine 

Tune: “All People That On Earth Do Dwell”

We love to sing those songs of old
That feel like shelters from the cold.
They bring us comfort sweet and strong
Enfolding us from all that's wrong.

Yet, same old songs won't always do
For God is making all things new.
He's doing something fresh today,
And that is why we'll always say,

"Now let us sing some brand new songs
Of praise to whom all laud belongs."
To You we lift our praises high,
To You whose glory fills the sky.

We're not quite sure what now You do,
But we proclaim our trust in You.
You purify our hearts today
To love, extol You all the way

Until, at last, we reach Your throne
And sing the truth we long have known:
That You, alone, are God, most high;
Your honor fills celestial sky.

- M. Lois Rivera-Wenger, June 7, 2020

Notes, Prayers and Praises

WE WILL CONTINUE MEETING ONLINE Sundays from 4-6 until further notice. Here’s the number if you want to dial in on the phone (audio only): (646) 876-9923. Enter Meeting ID when prompted: 284 926 9967. If you want to participate via video click this link: https://zoom.us/j/2849269967. Call Kent Palmer (574-606-8917) if you have any problems.
WE WILL BE FOCUSING ON PHILIPPIANS in our June bible studies.
BELATED BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS to Mary Ellen Overholt 4/5, Margie Vlasits 5/1, and Alma Jean 5/15, and our June blessings to Josiah Dumas 6/9, and Harvey Yoder 6/30. Apologies for not printing the March and April ones!
CHECK FOR CHURCH SCHEDULE AND UPDATES on the blogsite: http://familyofhopehousechurch.blogspot.com/2020/01

June Study “A Life-Giving Gospel From A Roman Jail”

7    Philippians 1 “Our Partnership With Christ Is Our Greatest Joy”
14  Philippians 2 “The Imitation of Christ is our Chief Obsession”
21  Philippians 3 “The Pre-eminence of Christ is our Supreme Focus”
28  Philippians 4 “The Shalom of Christ is our Constant Blessing”

June services, 4 pm 

7  Location: on line                           
Worship and Sharing: Elly Nelson                     
Bible Study: Kent Palmer
14  Location: on line
Worship and sharing: Lewis Overholt
Bible Study: Harvey Yoder                                                         
21 Location: on line             
Worship and Sharing: Lois Rivera-Wenger                           
Bible Study: Dick Dumas                                         
28 Location: on line
Worship and sharing: Harvey Yoder
Bible Study: Elly Nelson