I wonder how many of you have watched the Christmas classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” during this Advent season. Each December, millions of people around the world watch Frank Capra’s movie, produced just after World War 2 in 1946. Did you know that it wasn’t a hit when it first came out? Yet it has become a Christmas classic!
In a Time magazine article, Roger Rosenblatt (a novelist and professor of English at Stony Brook University) pondered the film’s continuing appeal. He concluded that the story is really about friendship. That helps to explain why we often feel choked up as we watch George Bailey’s family and friends rally around him in his time of greatest need. Rosenblatt said, “Just when George thinks he’s alone in the world, the world shows up to declare its love for him.”
That sentence seems to capture the essence of our celebration of the birth of Jesus. Just when we thought we were alone in the world, Jesus Christ came to declare God’s amazing love for us. The Apostle Paul declared in Galatians 4:4, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son.”
What does fullness mean here? The word used in Galatians 4 for fullness is pleroma, which can be used for a full basket or full bucket, but in this text, it has the sense of completeness or the right time. This was the precise time that Jesus was to come to earth.
Not only did God send His Son into the world at exactly the right time (Galatians 4:4-5), but He also showed “His love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Friends, that is the message of Christmas that opens the door to a wonderful life.
Worship
Sunday Morning Bible Study Class (Formerly Adult Sunday School)
Sunday Morning 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 Harold Cook and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will focus on 1 Corinthians 15: “The Joy and Power of the Resurrection.” Please bring your Bible.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Our annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be at 5:00 p.m. in our sanctuary (THIS AFTERNOON). This is a wonderful time to invite guests to join you for worship.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee is in the process of finding our next lead pastor. They are reviewing some initial inquiries about the position and beginning the process of interviewing some selected applicants.
We invite you to covenant to pray for the next pastor and specifically for the Pastor Search Committee, as they seek the Lord! As the Lord directs, you may even wish to fast for a meal or a day or more. 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
HCC Prayer Concerns and Praise Report
Session Highlights
Our Session met on Monday, December 16th at 6:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Ruling Elder Bob Simmons read the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke, followed by reflections and prayer.
- Members of our Diaconate (Kathy Doyle, Jerry Coffman, Roger Graham, and Rodger Daniels) attended part of the Session’s meeting on invitation to overview their startup status and re-affirm our excitement and commitment to their service at Hope CC. A letter to Hope members from them is forthcoming.
- The Deacons agreed to become the Ride’s coordinator; stay tuned for more information.
- The next “Exploring Hope Class” will be on January 19, 2025;
- The annual Congregational meeting is set for January 26, 2025, at 11:30 AM.
- Wonderful progress on the upgrade to our Welcome Center is so clearly noticed and deeply appreciated.
- Continued securing backup/”redundant” folks for key service positions at our church, with another such position being offered very soon.
- Will request Chris Haynes to offer his thoughts on our upcoming Alpha Course while he is in the USA.
- Critically discussed our website performance and sought to have issues resolved.
- Critically discussed “ChurchTrac” and access to the online directory.
- Agreed to request a cost quote to facilitate access to the kitchen from the “Ministry Room” (formerly the “Annex) and additionally provide an informal “gathering place.”
- Discussed the desire to routinely provide an attractive “order of worship” and notes space for each Sunday’s worship.
- Session acknowledged the receipt and distribution of our new hymnals (that morning!), a gift from a member of Hope!
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for November: $25,455.75 YTD: $282,611.64
Total Expenses for November: $20,711.76 YTD: $183,064.52
Golden Oldies
Mission Corner
The Prayer Room is an outreach ministry in downtown Waynesboro, caring for people practically and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! We are collecting personal hygiene 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. Love INC We are collecting cleaning supplies (e.g., dish detergent, all-purpose household cleaner, laundry detergent) from October through December for Love INC.
The Missions Team actively keeps in touch with our missionaries and other ministries. Please keep updated! You can visit our website and go to the Mission Page
December Birthdays
Terran Williams (12/25); Cliff Scott (12/28)