Water is an essential ingredient in life. People can only live without water for 8 to 14 days. We must have a source of clean water. In Bible days the best source of water was a fountain flowing with fresh living water. God was likened to this best source of water – the best source of life; the best source of satisfaction; the best source to quench thirst!
We read in Jeremiah 2:13, “. . . for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Israel had committed two evils: they had forsaken God. And, secondly, they had made for themselves cisterns that would not even hold water. Judah had given up everything and gone after nothing. There was nothing to quench their thirst but filthy sediment.
We live in an area where there are multiple springs! I wonder if you have ever visited Capon Springs in West Virginia. The big thing about Capon Springs is the water – it was supposed to have a healing effect. People came from all over to taste of these cool, refreshing waters – and hope they would be healed! The cool, refreshing divine bottles of Divine Springs were available to the Israelites but they had chosen to drink out of the murky, broken cisterns, believing that water would satisfy their thirst!
Are you ever like Israel? Are you drinking out of a broken cistern? Have you built cisterns that leak? Are you trying to find satisfaction in the stale, stagnant waters of the broken cisterns? Some people have turned away from the fountain of living water. I imagine none of us wake up and think, “I’m going to forsake God the only true source of satisfaction, and try to find satisfaction somewhere else.” But we did forsake the living fountain and begin to drink out of the broken cistern – and that was the beginning of sin creeping into our lives. We started drinking the stale, contaminated water.
So, what cistern are you drinking out of today? Maybe it is the cistern of relationships. People think if they can just find that right relationship, their life will finally be satisfying and fulfilling – the right man or woman – Mr. or Mrs. Right! Some think that maybe achieving success will bring satisfaction and fulfillment. Some people think making more money will bring satisfaction. The reality is no person or thing or success will ever bring you true lasting satisfaction! So, are you drinking from a broken cistern? Or are you drinking from the fountain of living water – the Lord Jesus Christ?
Worship
Pastor Glen will continue the sermon series this Sunday in 1 John. His sermon is “Abiding or Sinning,” based on 1 John 3:4-10. Please read this text in preparation for worship.
Adult Bible Study Class
Our Adult Bible Study 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 1 Corinthians 1: “Welcome to Pagan Corinth.” Please bring your Bible.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee 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 seek the Lord! You may even wish to fast for a meal or a day or more as the Lord directs. Corporate prayer is so needed! Join with other sisters and brothers if you can.
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Session Highlights
Our Session met on August 19th at 5:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Study and Reflection on 1 Peter 2:9 led by Elder Albert Danraj. We focused on how we are all “priests” under the New Covenant.
- We approved the Session minutes of July 22nd and August 7th and approved the minutes of the Congregational Meeting on July 28th on behalf of the congregation. We also discussed various correspondence.
- Pastor Glen reported on the ongoing leadership training for the newly elected elders and deacons.
- Review of the budget by Elder Tim Stewart, including the status of capital improvement projects
- We approved the establishment of a church website content review team, including the website manager, Session member, and the pastor.
- We reviewed the accuracy of church members and non-members in ChurchTrac.
- We discussed a policy regarding attendance at church meetings by church members.
- We discussed backup for critical responsibilities, including treasurer duties; A/V Sound Team; HCC website manager; Security
- We discussed plans for offering the Alpha Course, beginning in the New Year.
- We were updated on the HCC website redesign, which is in process
- Please pray for the Session, as they will meet next Monday, September 16th.
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for August: $22,014.54 YTD: $208,595.54
Total Expenses for August: $12,526.66 YTD: $136,732.00
Golden Oldies
We are grateful for Bill Watkin’s very informative message regarding navigating legal paperwork, which he shared with us on September 11th!!
We will next meet on October 9th at 10:30 in the Waynesboro Panera Bread Community Room with Lori Showalter as our guest speaker. Lori is the Director of Volunteer Services for Augusta Health and Hospice of the Shenandoah (of Augusta Health). She will give an informative overview of Hospice.
We will meet on November 13th for a lunch out at the Wood Grill in Harrisonburg. Please see Harold or Janet Coiner if you will attend i order that reservations can be made.
There will be NO meeting in December. Celebrate with church services and family gatherings!!
FALL FEST 2024
Mark your calendars now for our Fall Fest on October 12th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fun, food, music, and games! This will be a craft fair with BBQ chicken, giveaways, a cake walk, and games for all!
We need your help to donate craft or art items, help set up, volunteer during the event, and we will also need cakes. Also, if a corn hole game could be borrowed for the event, it would be appreciated. Sign-up sheets will be available in the welcome center at the church this Sunday. If you are interested in volunteering to help, please contact Candi Brown (540.241.2021) or Nina Gross (540.480.3441). More information to come!
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
Mission Opportunity
Mark your calendars for the ComfortCare Women’s Health Annual Fall Fundraising Banquet, featuring guest speaker, Rebekah Hagan.
Monday, October 7 and Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Cornerstone Church of Augusta
1156 Tinkling Spring Rd, Staunton
Doors will open at 6:00 pm | Dinner served at 6:30 pm
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about ComfortCare Ministry.
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.
We will be supporting the ministry of the Prayer Room on Arch Avenue in downtown Waynesboro. The Prayer Room is an outreach ministry, caring for people practically, as well as sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! We have been asked to provide personal hygiene items and wrapped food items to support this ministry. Any donations can be brought to the church, and they will be given to the Prayer Room.
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 Mission Page
August & September Birthdays
Pat Layne (9/13); Russell Fisher & Rodger Daniels (9/14); Kerry Keyes (9/16); Tina Norcross (9/18); Chris Haynes (9/24); Dede Hamilton & Marge Sass (9/26)