Did you ever consider that when we respond to others, we are responding to Christ? Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it well in his book, The Cost of Discipleship: “The bearers of Jesus’ word receive a final word of promise for their work. They are now Christ’s fellow workers and will be like him in all things. Thus, they are to meet those to whom they are sent as if they were Christ himself. They are bearers of his presence. They bring with them the most precious gift in the world, the gift of Jesus Christ.”
We are Christ-bearers before others in our homes, in the church, in school, at work, and in the whole world. What would happen if, every day, we were always conscious of this truth and did our best to put it into practice?
We are Jesus Christ’s ambassadors to others here on this earth. We are His hands and his feet, to be a blessing to all those we come in contact with. My challenge for us is that we would recognize that we are Jesus’ hands and feet here on this earth.
A story is told about Christopher Columbus: He was discouraged one day as he walked by a monastery. He was thirsty, so he went into the monastery for a drink of water and sat down. As he was being refreshed with a drink of water, an old monk listened to his story of how he wanted to go on an expedition to find another land.
That monk listened to that story. And when it was all over, Christopher Columbus went on his way. But that old monk was a personal friend of Queen Isabella. He went and convinced her to finance the expedition of Christopher Columbus. The discovery of the Americas may have started with a drink of water in a monastery.
Therefore, may we as Christ’s ambassadors be those who offer a drink of water, even life-giving water! As Jesus shared with the woman of Samaria, “. . . whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14).
Worship
In Pastor Glen’s absence, Jonathan Justine, one of our missionaries, who serves alongside his wife, Jen, and family in Thailand with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) will be our guest speaker. His message is “Questions,” based on John 1:35-39. 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 focus on Romans 4: Faith. Please bring your Bible.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee has finalized the Church Information Form and is beginning the search for our next lead pastor.
We invite you to covenant to pray for the next pastor and specifically for the Pastor Search Committee, as they together with you, seek the Lord! While the desires of the sheep need to be weighed, the Pastor Search Committee needs to hear from the Shepherd foremost! It is easy for us to go astray; it is our nature! But God will guide us with His staff and rod, leading and prodding, for this flock to walk in His path.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
PRAYER: “Lord our Shepherd, forgive us for our wandering away from Your will. May we hear the Shepherd’s voice clearly. Thank you for loving this flock, and as the Good Shepherd, laying down Your life for the sheep! Please send us a pastor to shepherd us in that same spirit of sacrifice. We pray in the strong name of Jesus. Amen!”
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Financial Assistance
In the wake of Jeff Forbis’s serious accident, we would like to help raise some funds to help assist with medical expenses. If you are interested in helping, you can contribute on his GoFundMe site: https://www.gofundme.com/jeff-forbis
Individuals may also contribute directly to Hope Community Church. Just indicate for Jeff Forbis Support to the Caregiving and Relief Ministry. Thank you!
Session Highlights
Our Session met on June 9th at 2:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Study and Reflection on Matthew 18:6-7 led by Elder Tim Stewart
- Pastor Glen requested prayer for the EPC General Assembly meeting at Hope Church in Memphis, Tennessee from June 18 through 20th.
- Agreed to move forward with upgrades on our Audio/Visual system
- Agreed to move forward with the replacement of one of our air conditioning units
- Agreed to move forward with the paving of parking lot in back of our building and repairing front lot – with completing final pavement of entire parking lot in 2025
- Reports from Women’s Ministry (Great response to the Ladies Luncheon!); Compassion & Care/Relief Ministry; Hospitality Team
- Called Congregational Meeting – July 14th to elect church officers; currently nominating potential elders and deacons (Decision to add two elders to our Session, making the total 6 elders; and creating a Board of Deacons with four deacons)
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for May: $30,346. YTD: $158,554.96
Total Expenses for May: $14,568.76 YTD: $97,684.10
Golden Oldies
The next gathering of the Golden Oldies will be June 12th at 10:30. Meet at Panera Bread Community Room to play Bingo! We request for everyone to bring a wrapped gift so all can be winners! $10 max amount for gift.
There will be NO meeting in July due to the fun trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. If you signed up for the trip, please make your checks out to Shenandoah Tours, and give your check to Harold or Janet Coiner by June 1st.
We will meet on August 14th at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at Sooner BBQ & More in Stuarts Draft.
We will meet on September 11th at 10:30 in the Waynesboro Panera Bread Community Room. Attorney Bill Watkins will be the speaker to give help on navigating legal paperwork. In addition to the Golden Oldies, other church folks are invited to join us!
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
Love INC Support: From April through June we will be collecting household cleaning items (all-purpose cleaners, dish soap, laundry soap, etc.). May we be a blessing to those desiring to improve their lives.
Again, this Sunday a Mission Support Survey will be distributed for you to make suggestions of potential missionaries, missions, or ministries to support.
The 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
June Birthdays
Kim Holman (6/17); Paige Holder (6/24); Phyllis Plyler (6/25); Brenda Daniels (6/30)