Have you been instructed to do anything recently? God gives us instructions through His Word. And, those instructions always require faith. For example, “Noah, build a boat big enough to hold pairs of every animal in the world.” “Moses, go down to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let my people go.” “Joshua, march around the walls of Jericho once a day for 6 days, and on the 7th day, march around it 7 times and then blow trumpets at it and shout.” “Gideon, your army is too big. I want you to send all but 300 of them home, then go fight the vast army of Midian with just them.” And on and on we could go. Jesus regularly told people things that had them thinking, “No way!” They could not accept his instruction unless they had faith, not in themselves, not their stuff, and not in other people, but in Him alone. Faith in God! It is not an option for the people of God.
Think about the church today. What does God want for the church of Jesus Christ? What does God want for Hope Community Church of Waynesboro? Where will we put our faith? We must not put our faith in our building or our budget or even our talents and strengths. We must not put our faith in our pastor or our elders or deacons! No! Our faith must be in God who provides these things! But never in the things or people themselves! I don’t mean that our leadership is not faithful. What I mean is that the best we have when we lay it all out before the Lord is still just a little oil, like Elisha shared with the widow in 2 Kings 4 (read vv. 1-7 of that text)! It’s all we have! We are needy! We are poor in Spirit! We are mourners and meek and hungry and thirsty!
What happened when this widow obeyed the instruction of God in faith? She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” But he replied, “There are no more.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
Our God is a great provider! May we choose to bring what we have, even our emptiness, and see how God will bless us beyond all we can ask or imagine!
Worship
Sunday Morning Bible Study Class
Our Adult Bible Study class will meet this Sunday at 9:15 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 2 Corinthians: “2 Corinthians Introduction.” Please bring your Bible.
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Exploring Hope Class
Our next Exploring Hope Class will be held THIS SUNDAY (January 12th) after worship in the large Sunday school room. The class will include lunch and last for two and a half hours. It is a wonderful time to explore our vision, beliefs, and values and learn ways to be involved. By attending this class you will be invited to become a member of our church! If you are interested in attending this class, please get in touch with Pastor Glen at drglenholman@gmail.com.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Our annual congregational meeting will be immediately after worship on January 26th. We will review 2024 and learn more about plans for 2025, including a treasurer’s report and presentation of the church budget. We will get an update on the pastor search team process. We will also vote on the Terms of Call for Pastor Glen.
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.
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 December: $32,443.63 YTD: $315,055.27
Total Expenses for December: $25,282.84 YTD: $210,940.80
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 paper products (e.g., toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues but NOT paper paper napkins, as they have plenty) from January through March 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
January Birthdays
John Guthrie (1/12); George “Hank” Coffey (1/15); Candi Brown (1/22); Janet Coiner (1/27); Don Morris (1/29)