Our culture is filled with a multitude of organizations. Civic organizations and social clubs are numerous. Unfortunately, many see the church as one more such organization. For them the church is just another option to choose. Like the Lion’s Club or Kiwanis, it is engaged in benevolent works, only with an emphasis on spiritual things. So, if you want to engage in benevolent work with a spiritual flavor, then join the church. If that doesn’t interest you, however, then simply join another kind of organization. Any will do. All are optional.
In this view of the church, the church is seen as primarily organizational in nature. In our culture, we are very organization conscious. We hear terms like the “Institutional Church” and “Organized Religion.” Often people use these terms whenever they are trying to avoid getting involved in church. This is because the church as an organization is not seen as particularly relevant or helpful. People therefore believe that they can “opt out” of “this” organization.
However, 1 Timothy 3:14-16 reveals the church as the pillar and buttress of the truth. In other words, the church is a place where truth can be discovered and known. The church exists to protect and promote the truth. Paul employs this building imagery in this phrase to characterize the church in terms of one of its major functions – the pillar and buttress of the truth. As the supporting foundation of the truth, the believing church is the guardian and communicator of the gospel (the good news of Jesus) in the world. This aspect also demands from Christians appropriate conduct – godly leadership, that the message might not be discredited.
The church is not the pillar and buttress of the truth so that we can feast intellectually upon a smorgasbord of wonderful ideas. The church provides us with an environment where we can be challenged to live our lives on the basis of truth we have come to know. We are told in Scripture that the truth sets us free. The truth is not given so that we can know; it is given so we can live. And the only way we can be challenged to apply that truth to our lives is in the church – the community of faith.
Therefore, the church is not another organization, among many; it is the pillar and buttress of the Truth. Jesus declared in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life!” May we celebrate the joy of being the church, where the truth of God is lived out!!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen will continue the sermon series, Ephesians: Our Identity and Purpose! His sermon this Sunday is “Becoming a Healthy Church,” based on Ephesians 4:14-16. Please read this text in preparation for worship.
Adult Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday immediately after worship in the large Sunday school room. Please join Janet Coiner and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will study Mark : “Who is your authority?” Please bring your Bible!!
Women’s Ministry Thank You!
To our generous Sisters,
Thank you SO much for your gracious financial gifts to our kitchen fund. We received an anonymous donation for a brand new 29 cubic foot refrigerator. Since we have received this gift, the Women’s Ministry has decided to take the funds you have so graciously given to put towards a new stove . . . and shortly after receiving our new refrigerator, money was added to the $350 contributed by another anonymous donor for a new stove!!
These gifts will go a LONG way for the Women’s Ministry to continue serving Hope Community Church and even beyond!!
Salt Shakers
It’s time again to form new Salt Shakers groups. Salt Shakers provides an opportunity for us to gather in smaller groups for a meal and fellowship. We meet about once per month. We will change up the groups some this fall, so if you were in a group that maybe didn’t meet that often last time, please sign up again. Email Glen, or sign-up at the Welcome Center on Sundays through July 11th.
Bless Every Home
Let’s ALL participate in blessing every home in our neighborhoods by intentional pray-care-share lifestyles! PLEASE check out the website: www.blesseveryhome.com!
Photo Directory
If you have not had your photo taken to update our photo directory, please sign-up this week in the Welcome Center. You would be able to have your photo taken THIS Sunday!!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
May Financial Report
Offerings: Monthly: $35,143.89 YTD: $89,892.88
Expenses: Monthly: $13,604.31 YTD: $73,820.51
We have also received monies designated for our capital campaign and building fund. In May received $1,185.00 for the Capital Campaign and $550.00 in restricted giving.
Amazon Smile
Support Hope Community Church by choosing us as your Amazon Smile charity. Simply login to Amazon. In the upper left corner, Click Amazon Smile. If you are supporting a charity already, you will see that name. Click the dropdown arrow. Click “Change Charity”. Search for “Hope Community Church Waynesboro”. Click and select.
Christian Imagination and Creative Cultural Engagement Seminar
Join Dr. Ted Turnau, who will explore cultural engagement, and how we can contribute to the cultural conversation all around us! THIS Sunday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church (8312 Brooksville Road in Greenwood, Virginia!
Mission Corner
Prayer Meeting
Our Weekly Prayer meeting is held at our church facility each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. We invite you to join with us as we seek the Lord’s face!
July Birthdays
Helen Wilson (7/21); Marty Porter & Nina Gross (7/27); Ted Brown & Bill Watkins (7/31)