HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! The first Thanksgiving was observed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621. A plentiful fall harvest led the Pilgrims to give thanks with a feast that lasted for three days. As we give thanks this year, may we pause to thank God for His MANY blessings. . . . things we can often forget!!
Throughout Jesus’s life on earth, he was surrounded by so much tension – so much heartache – yet he was able to give thanks to his Father for his provision and presence. As Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples in that upper room toward the end of his life, he envisioned the marriage supper of the Lamb – when every tribe, every nation, and every ethnic group would gather around the ONE table and give thanks for the gift of life God offers through Him.
In one of his radio programs about life in Lake Woebegone, Garrison Keillor recalls his childhood Thanksgiving dinners as the family gathered around the table and remembered the blessings of the past year. And, there was tension at that family table.
Uncle John usually gave the prayer, which caused everyone to squirm. As Garrison Keillor put it, “Everybody in the family knew that Uncle John couldn’t pray without talking about the cross (what Jesus had done) and crying . . . Sure enough, Uncle John prayed, talked about the cross, and cried. Meanwhile, the rest of us shifted nervously from one foot to the other and longed for the prayer to end.” Then Keillor added this powerful observation, “All of us knew that Jesus died on the cross for us, but Uncle John had never gotten over it.”
May we be like Uncle John and never get over the cross – what Jesus has done for us? May our celebration this Thanksgiving be the beginning of a new appreciation for all God has done for us in Christ. May we give thanks for the great sacrifice our Lord made on our behalf so that we might experience His forgiveness?
Worship
Pastor Glen will continue his series in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians. The sermon this week is “Working Out Our Salvation” based on Philippians 2:12-13. 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 Janet Coiner 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 5: Hypocrites and the Early Christian Church!! 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
Exploring Hope Class 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 THIS 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 contact Pastor Glen (drglenholman@gmail.com) 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, including 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).
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
December Birthdays
John Severs (12/10); Don Land (12/3); Melissa Bare (12/6); Gail Fisher (12/14); Ron Layne (12/18); Terran Williams (12/25); Cliff Scott (12/28)