We will experience genuine blessing and fulfillment in life when we choose to obey the Lord and fully follow Him. We have to decide in life, will we obey and follow the Lord – no matter what?
At a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Bobby Richardson, former New York Yankee second baseman, offered a prayer that is a classic in brevity and poignancy: “Dear God, Your will, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. Amen.” Bobby Richardson chose to obey – no matter what!
On June 25, 1865, James Hudson Taylor at thirty-three years of age came to the great crisis of his life. The locale was Brighton Beach on the south coast of England. There on a quiet Sunday morning, he took a step of faith in response to a simple spiritual principle he had just discovered. He was surprised that this truth had so long eluded him. “If we are obeying the Lord, the responsibility rests with him, not with us!” Months of struggle were over, and the way ahead was clear. To obey the Scriptures and trust God to be faithful to his pledged Word was not rash. Throwing caution and tradition to the winds, Hudson Taylor formed the China Inland Mission.
There are a variety of reasons for us to choose to obey God. What are your reasons? Fear: obeying because you have to; Reward: obeying because you get something out of it; or Love: obeying because you love God!
Worship
Pastor Glen will continue his series on 1 John. His message this week is titled, “What Dominates Your Thinking?” based on 1 John 2:15-17. 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 focus on Romans 8: No Condemnation The Law and Human Sinfulness. Please bring your Bible.
Bridal Shower
Old Fashion Pot Luck/Hymn Sing
THIS SUNDAY (July 14th) – 5:00 p.m. Pot Luck and 6:00 p.m. Hymn Sing. We are blessed to have the Faithful Men singing at this event as well. If anyone would like to help with setup, we will be at the church at 4:00 p.m. The Outreach Committee will furnish drinks and condiments. Bring whatever food you want to bring. Please invite your friends and family. Come enjoy some good home cooking and great music!
Quarterly Congregational Budget Review
The 2024 second quarter budget review will be on Sunday, July 21 from 11:45 to 12:15. The meeting will be held in the Sunday School room for those who are interested in attending. Thank you.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee has finalized the Church Information Form and is in the process of searching 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! Humility is the essential requirement for receiving God’s grace. He blesses those who rely on Him. The very essence of sin is the self – the ego that wants to be in control. That is idolatry and our hearts are idol factories as John Calvin said.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)
PRAYER: “Gracious and Loving Father, You alone are God. Forgive us for seeking to be our own god. Deliver us from a spirit of self-sufficiency. We cast ourselves on You. We have neither the wisdom nor power to successfully find the pastor You have chosen for us. Humbly, we ask for your grace and claim the assurance you will give it to those of such a dependent spirit. We pray in the Name above all names, our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!”
Tithes & 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 28th to elect church officers; currently nominating potential elders and deacons (Decision to add one elder to our Session, making the total 5 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
Update on HCC Capital Improvements
Session has approved four building and grounds projects that include replacing two HVAC units, repairing/repaving the lot behind the Miller’s Office building to provide additional parking, additional outside security cameras and lighting for parking areas, and updated lighting in the sanctuary. There have been several donations made this year to the designated giving fund for Capital Improvements to help defray these expenditures. If you would like to make a voluntary donation to the Capital Improvement Designated Giving Fund, please indicate on your check or envelope that it is for Capital Improvement. Thank you.
Golden Oldies
There will be NO meeting in July due to the fun trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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! Have your questions ready!!
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 July through September, we will be collecting paper products (Paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, etc.). May we be a blessing to those desiring to improve their lives.
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
July Birthdays
Don Coffey (7/24); Nina Gross & Marty Porter (7/27); Ted Brown & Bill Watkins (7/31)