Would you like to leave an inheritance for your children or grandchildren? I think many parents/grandparents would like to be able to leave an inheritance for their children. I know many children would like that also! We read in Romans 8:17, “. . . and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
One of the characteristics of a child is the fact that he is his father’s heir. As Greg Ogden puts it in his study book, Discipleship Essentials, “We have been included in the will and stand to inherit such things as resurrection bodies that do not decay, and a new heaven and a new earth, for starters.”
Friends, when we recognize that we are spiritual orphans, we can acknowledge that our sin has severed the relationship with the Father, that Jesus is the gracious payment for our sin and then accept the gift of forgiveness by responding to God’s invitation to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We then become heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. It is then that we can cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15) even as Jesus cried out to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, just hours before his crucifixion.
Friends, in Jesus Christ, we are heirs of God. God has given us the precious gift of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, and throughout eternity we will discover the riches of our inheritance in Him!!
Sunday Worship
This Sunday, Pastor Glen will continue his Ephesians series: Ephesians: Our Identity and Purpose. His sermon is entitled, “Adopted,” based upon Ephesians 1:5-6. Please read this verse in context 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.
Hope Adult Sunday School Beginning in November!
Agenda for November:
November 7, 2021 – Matthew 1:18-25 – An Angel Appears to Joseph
November 14, 2021 – Matthew 2 – Wise Men or Three Kings?
November 21, 2021 – Matthew 3 – John the Baptist
November 28, 2021 – Matthew 4 – Winning the Battle of Self-Control
ALL are welcome to join Janet Coiner for Sunday School immediately after worship in the large Sunday school room. And, PLEASE bring your Bible!
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 in chapter 15. ALL MEN ARE WELCOME!!
Fan the Flame
We are excited about the response of our recent “Fan the Flame” event, including the ministry fair. Many of you signed up to serve in one or more specific ministry opportunities. Our team leaders will be in touch in the near future to engage your services; and there are still opportunities to get involved! We NEED one another, if we are going to be effective in reaching our community for Christ!!
Last Sunday we were all invited to complete the Missions and Outreach Feedback Surveys. They are to be returned by Sunday, October 31st at the Welcome Table. PLEASE take the time to fill out these brief surveys!! If you have not received a copy, they will be available at the church. Thank you!!
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!
A Call to The Church of Augusta County to engage in Corporate Praise and Prayer in a Spirit of Humility
The Saturate Augusta Coalition is hosting a mass meeting of the Church on November 1, 2021. This meeting will take place at Church on the Hill in Fishersville, just off of I-64 and Rt 608. It will convene at 7:00 p.m.
International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians
We will gather at Cornerstone of Augusta on Tinkling Springs Road in Fishersville at 3:00 on November 7th. (That’s the day the clocks change.) This year we will have reports via Zoom from those actually suffering. One in Malaysia, one from the Ivory Coast and one from Afghanistan. It should be very relevant and informative. And we will pray!
Mark your calendars NOW for these TWO important days of prayer!!
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. Rehearsals will be the second Sunday of each month, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The first rehearsal will be November 14th. The idea is to sing old songs not used much any more.
I will be glad to listen to suggestions, music selections, or personal requests, and the like. 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.
Dr. Stephanie Black shared her BIG news: She is MOVING TO PRAGUE in the Czech Republic! She is running out of visa eligibility in Ireland. With this in view, last year she and her mission agency, Serge, started thinking and praying about where she should shift once her first five-year term with Serge ends later this year. As you can imagine, the pandemic with all its lockdowns and travel restrictions complicated the search for a new team and made it impossible to visit possibilities in person. But after a year of prayer and consultation she feels great joy about connecting with Serge’s Faith Community Church team in Prague.
On another encouraging note, she will be with us in worship on December 12th, and we will have an all-church event, including a meal, after worship that day. So, mark your calendars now!
October Birthdays
Tyler Bouthillier (10/29)