We read in Colossians 2:6-7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Just as a tree is “rooted,” we are to be grounded in the soil of God’s Word. The tense of the Greek word “rooted” means, “once and for all having been rooted.” Those who have received Jesus Christ are to be rooted in Him.
We recently had some larger trees in our yard removed. Even after having the stumps ground, we still had lots of roots from those trees under the surface of the ground. A tree puts down deep roots in order to find nutrition and to provide stability. Likewise, we must go deep with Christ in order to find the fuel we need to flourish, and in order to withstand the storms of life.
This image of being “rooted” most likely comes from the beautiful picture we read in Jeremiah 17:8: “He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Friends, when we are rooted in a relationship with Jesus, we will have everything we need for life and for godliness. Just as a tree cannot thrive without any roots, so too, we cannot grow if we have not been grounded in “His glory and goodness.” May we be rooted and grounded in Jesus. It is then we will find strength and stability when the trials of life occur!!
Outdoor Worship Service and Church Picnic
This Sunday is our All-Church Worship Service and Picnic! We will meet at Lake Forest Lodge (21 Page Hollow Lane – 2 miles past the Sherando Lake Entrance). We will begin at 10:30 a.m. for worship followed by the picnic lunch. The church will provide meat and drinks. Please bring side dishes and desserts to share, as well as lawn chairs!
Pastor Glen will begin a new sermon series, Ephesians: Our Identity and Purpose. We will explore the themes of this incredible letter verse by verse! This Sunday’s sermon is entitled, “In Christ,” based upon Ephesians 1:1-2. Please read this text in preparation for worship!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering plate is available when you enter the sanctuary (This Sunday at the Lodge) Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Men’s Bible Study
Our Men’s Bible Study meets every Tuesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 at Panera Bread in the Community Room (to the left of the main entrance). We encourage men to arrive early (although Panera Bread opens at 7:00 a.m.) to purchase breakfast or a drink. Panera Bread is so generous in allowing us to use the Community Room! We are continuing our study of the Letter to the Romans. ALL MEN ARE WELCOME!!
Fan the Flame!!
We are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)
It’s time to Fan the Flame! Your Session is hard at work creating a Master Plan for Hope Community Church. WE NEED YOU! Look for opportunities to serve coming October 10th after worship.
OUR VISION: To see Jesus Christ become the hub of every home in our community and beyond. It is a big vision, but we serve a BIG God. We believe that God will greatly use our efforts for His glory. And it all starts with prayer.
We don’t want to even attempt to see Jesus Christ become the hub of every home without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. And that’s why we begin with prayer.
Pray & Go is an opportunity for members of our church to walk and pray for the people in the homes (at first) in the Pelham neighborhood, as that is the neighborhood where our church is located.
As we pray for the people in the homes, we will leave a door hanger with information about our church, including an opportunity for people to respond by an email if they would like for us to pray specifically about an issue in their life.
We will NOT knock on doors or ring doorbells. We will simply walk in pairs, PRAY and share the door hangers. The most important thing we can do to reach our community for Jesus Christ is to pray for the people in our community. Join us in participating in this exciting ministry!! If you have not done so already, please sign up to participate in this ministry! Bob Simmons is our coordinator! Let’s attempt GREAT things for God!
The Session launched a capital campaign to provide for both additional costs of renting our facility and saving to purchase our facility. We covet your prayers as we continue to provide needed ministry to our members, those in the Waynesboro community, and beyond.
Join us in praying that God will guide us as we take next steps into the future with anticipation of the many ways He will use us to be an ongoing blessing in our community and beyond. God will pour out His blessings as we respond to His grace and goodness!
Senior Choir – An Invitation from Harold Coiner
As you know, COVID-19 has interrupted human activity, not just here but worldwide. Things seem to slowly be getting back to “normal”.
I have been toying with the idea of starting a senior choir. Senior choir does not mean silver hair or NO hair, just folks who enjoy singing. Right now everything is in the planning stage and nothing is set in stone. Rehearsal would be once per month, along with singing once per month, unless a special occasion arises. The idea is to sing old songs not used much any more.
I will be glad to listen to suggestions, music selections, time of rehearsals, or personal requests, and the like. After Labor Day would be a good time to start; however, this new variant of COVID may put this idea on hold. Please share with me your interest or suggestions at (540) 447-0434 or buckomh@aol.com. Thanks so much!
Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan
The Session recently adopted a Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan to support our church family, as well as our visitors. We want to be supportive of our entire church family, as well as our community in this season of increased cases of COVID-19, including the delta variant. The plan has been sent to our members for reflection and feedback and is available at the church.
Mission Corner
The Justines (YWAM) are finally back in Thailand. They are currently in a 15-day quarantine before they are allowed to go back to their mission post. They had “peaceful and perfect” flight back to Bangkok. PLEASE PRAY that their second COVID tests (tonight at 9:00 p.m. EST) will all be negative!
Fall in Lahore (EPC World Outreach) – “After the monsoon rains in July-August, September in Lahore in hot but beautiful. We arrived back in Lahore on August 27th and have gotten into our normal routine. Girls have started homeschooling and are enjoying being around their animals.
As the fall approaches Asaph has started to make preparation for two major yearly events in the life of Serve Pakistan. The annual youth conference for the SP cricketers (in Oct) and the annual cricket tournament-SPIRIT LEAGUE 2021(Serve Pakistan Inter-Regional Invitational Tournament) to be hosted in mid-Nov. Please pray for provision for these events.”
September Birthdays
Dede Hamilton & Marje Sass (9/26)