From the standpoint of eternity there are really only two kinds of people: the sheep of Jesus, and those who are not His sheep. People are sheep because God acts. God chooses them and transforms their hearts, which inclines them to love what Jesus loves. You will be able to know if God is at work in you by how you respond to what Jesus says in John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” So, the question for us is “Do we hear Jesus’ voice and do we follow Him?
There are two outstanding proofs that you belong to the sheep of Christ: “My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me.” This is the evidence that you are born of God: that you listen eagerly to his words and follow. Jesus said in John 8:47, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” Only those who are born of God hear his words and believe and follow. Look to Jesus, and if you are drawn to listen and obey, you are born of God and are one of his sheep.
The good news is as we read in John 10:29 is that “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” In other words, those who hear the voice of Jesus and follow Him are in essence gripped by the hand of the Father, which is one mighty, divine hand, and that hand is the strongest force in the universe. Therefore, it behooves us to listen closely to Jesus, follow Him, and give thanks that God holds us!
Combined Worship Service
This Sunday we will join the Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church for a combined worship service. Lebanon EPC is located at 8312 Brooksville Road, across the mountain in Greenwood, Virginia. The service begins at 10:45 a.m., and we are invited to join them for a luncheon after worship.
Adult Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday school class will still meet this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in our sanctuary. This will give plenty of time to drive to Lebanon EPC for the combined worship service. Please join Deborah Kleinschuster and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will be continuing a study of the Gospel of Luke. This Sunday we will study Luke 14: Jesus the Confronter! Please bring your Bible!!
Hope Navigators
Holy Week Services
We will be joining with three other churches for combined Holy Week services. The following is the order of services:
Wednesday, April 5th. Hope Community Church Preacher: Rev. Dr. Warne Dawkins
Maundy Thursday. Shiloh Baptist Church. Preacher: Pastor Glen
Good Friday. Pleasant View Methodist. Preacher: Rev. Dr. Earl Pendleton
Easter Sunrise Union Baptist Church. Preacher: Rev. Eric Strother
The services during the week begin with Prayer & Praise at 7:00 p.m. And, the worship service begins at 7:30 p.m.
The Easter Sunrise service begins at 6:00 a.m.
We would like to have a wonderful representation from Hope attending these services! We hope you will plan to attend!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Easter Lilies
If you are interested in purchasing an Easter Lily for the beautification of our sanctuary on Easter, there is a sign-up sheet in the Welcome Center. You may purchase them for $10 in memory of or in honor of someone. Let’s make our sanctuary look beautiful on Resurrection Day!!
All Church Work Day
All are welcome to join us for a work day on Saturday, March 25th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. We will enjoy a pizza lunch when we are finished. We will be cleaning up outside, including putting down mulch, sprucing up the outside of the building, as well as doing some deeper cleaning inside. Come out for a fun day of making our church grounds and building look beautiful!!
Women’s Bible Study
We are excited that our women’s Bible Study is going so well with lots of participation. We are continuing our study on Elijah, utilizing Priscilla Shirer’s wonderful study “Faith and Fire”! We began the study on Tuesday, February 7th and will continue each Tuesday through March 21st. There have been two options for participating in the study: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. and Tuesdays 6:30 p.m. I know for you ladies who have participated, you have been blessed!!
Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports
If you have any concerns you would like to add to the Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports list or give an update, PLEASE contact our prayer coordinator, Janet Coiner (540.447.0918) by THURSDAY at NOON!! Thanks so much!!
Driver Assistance
If you or someone in our congregation needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other appointment, please call Tom Reider (540.649.5162). He has agreed to coordinate rides. He has a list of those who have volunteered to give those rides. We are grateful for this important ministry!!
Mission Corner
During March we are collecting Diapers in support of Love INC! They are in need of sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6 diapers or pull-ups, as well as diaper wipes. Please share your donation at the table in the rear of the sanctuary. We are grateful for our partnership with Love INC!
Missions Team is active keeping in touch with our missionaries and other ministries. Please keep updated! You can visit our website and go to the Outreach page
Chick-fil-A is Coming
Chick-fil-A will be remodeling their Waynesboro store. Beginning on March 27th, they will be setting up a Food Trailer in our parking lot. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to have broader exposure in the community. Please pray for God to continue using us to be a blessing in our community!
January Financial Report
Tithes: Monthly: $19,010 YTD: $19,010
Expenses: Monthly: $14,380.18 YTD: $14,380.18
We have also received monies designated for our capital campaign and restricted giving. In January we received $1,285 for our capital campaign.
March Birthdays
Ruby Lucas (3/16); Esther Danraj (3/18); Sean O’Ram (3/25); Debby Ray (3/31)