Are you courageous? Peter and John demonstrated courage by acting in obedience to God. In Acts 4:19, when they were challenged not to speak anymore about Jesus, they replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God.” Not too much time later Peter, John, and the rest of the apostles were put to the same test when they were arrested, put in jail, and forbidden to preach about Jesus.
In Acts 5:29, they said similar words, “We must obey God rather than men!” Peter and John were indicating that our relationship with God is more important than our relationship with any person. No matter what you demand of us, we won’t do it, if it forces us to disobey God. Is your relationship with God like that? Do you live by what the prophet Samuel said in 1 Samuel 15:22, “To obey is better than to sacrifice.”
What Peter and John are saying is radical not because of their call to obey God but because of what that obedience involves. To put God over people would have been understood as a sign that Peter and John were standing up for what they believed. What made the religious leaders so angry was that Peter and John had the courage to say that obedience to the living God for them meant preaching Jesus Christ who was crucified and raised on the third day, so that we might have forgiveness from our sins. The religious leaders preferred to think of Jesus as still dead. That is the key point. If we want to be confident that we really have Christian courage, we must always be certain that the fruit of our life carries the message of the Good News that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and He is risen! He has come that we might have life and have it more abundantly.
Jim Elliot and four other missionaries were killed by the Auca Indians of Ecuador in 1956, while they were trying to share the Gospel with them. The five men served as missionaries and put their lives at risk for one reason alone. They believed God had called them to reach a people who did not know about Jesus Christ. In the journal writings of his shortened life, Jim Elliot said, “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”
By the grace of God, we can have the courage to place our will in the center of God’s will by being filled with the Holy Spirit; by spending time with Jesus; and by acting in obedience! Then we can truly live a courageous life! Where in your life do you need God’s help when it comes to courageously living out your faith?
Worship
This Sunday we welcome Brad Huddleston to our pulpit. His message is: “Line upon Line,” based upon Isaiah 28:13. Please read this text in preparation for worship.
Adult Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the large Sunday school room. Please join Lowell Gross and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will continue our study of the Acts of the Apostles. This Sunday we will focus on Acts 4: Power to Heal! Please bring your Bible.
Parking
Since our parking lot on Sundays is becoming more full (which is a wonderful problem!!!), we encourage members and friends who are able to park in the lots to the west of the church facility. There is a path with pavers to walk around the building to the main entrance.
Exploring Hope Class
Come to our next Exploring Hope Class! Exploring Hope is a gathering designed to communicate a brief overview of what is important to us here at Hope, including our history, what we believe, our values, our focus, our direction, and how to get connected. Our next Exploring Hope Class will be on Sunday, November 26th, after worship. The two-hour class will include lunch in our main Sunday school room. If you are interested or would like more information, please sign up at the Welcome Center or contact Pastor Glen if you plan to attend!
Christmas Parade Outreach
You are invited to participate in the Waynesboro Christmas Parade on December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. by giving out testaments with information about the Gospel. We will hand them out along with business cards, inviting people to our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, which will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve! We are very grateful to our Women’s Ministry. They gift-wrapped testaments along with business cards in gift bags to share with friends and neighbors!! So, you can share the invitation with friends and neighbors and/or give out the testaments at the Christmas Parade!! You may pick up the gift bags in the welcome center! If you are interested or have questions about this neat outreach, please contact Pastor Glen!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
October Financial Report
Tithes/Offerings: Monthly: $20,413.00. YTD: $180,481.29
Expenses: Monthly: $12,516.82 YTD: $168,823.60
Capital Campaign: $575.00 YTD: $43,058.59
Church Sign Donations: Monthly: $0 YTD: $2,800.00
Are You Receiving Church Emails
If you or someone you know would like to receive periodic emails, including This Week @ Hope and the weekly Prayer Requests and Praise Reports, please provide your first and last name, as well as your email address. You may give this information to one of our elders: Albert Danraj, Marty Porter, Bob Simmons, or Tim Stewart. Thank you so much!
New AED Device
Our Session recently arranged for the purchase of an “AED” (Automated External Defibrillator) for placement in our building for emergency cardiac events. There are a few folks already trained in AED use along with CPR and Basic First Aid, but we would like to solicit others interested in learning and becoming members of our Medical Response Team. The training is expected to be without cost but class size will be limited. Interested? Please let Richard Ammons know, in person or via ChurchTrac directory contact information. If you wish to help pay for the AED, please make checks payable to Hope Community Church (Memo: For AED).
Online Church Directory
Golden Oldies
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 10:00 a.m.!! Thanks so much!!
Driver Assistance
If you or someone in our congregation needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other appointments, 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
Candi Brown shares her gratitude to all our folks who have donated various items to support families through Love INC! Beginning in October through December we will be collecting household cleaning products, including bathroom cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, sanitizing surface wipes, hand soap, and bar soap. 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
October Birthdays
Kathy Doyle (11/17)