Can you imagine a church where people are suing one another in civil matters; attending parties where they are honoring false gods; involving themselves in gross immorality, and the church seemed to tolerate those kinds of relationships? Their worship services are apparently anything but edifying . . . people are speaking in tongues with no restraint, people come drunk to the Lord’s Table, where they gather in exclusive groups, bragging about their favorite preacher. Visitors get the impression they are mad. Many doubt the resurrection and still others are reneging on financial obligations, especially to the church.
The amazing thing is that the pastor of this church was the Apostle Paul! Perhaps that is one of the reasons Paul wrote, “that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25). Frankly, the church in Corinth was a wild bunch of people.
The Corinthians seemed to be far from having equal concern or care for one another. In fact, all of 1 Corinthians 12 was written for people who may have felt unwanted in the church. As Pastor Richard Meyer suggests, people “were sharing things like, ‘if you do not have certain gifts then you are really not vital to the church’ or ‘our gifts are better than your gifts’ or ‘or if you do not have the gifts we have then you really have not arrived yet in Jesus Christ.” Instead of having genuine care for one another, the church at Corinth would have been better known by screaming and demeaning one another. How did Paul ever hang in there with these people? I suppose that is why he was known as Saint Paul!
The idea in the Greek expression in verse 25 is that the various parts of the Body may have the same concern or care for all the parts. The image conveys that though there are less noticeable parts of the body (like the stomach), they were all necessary. Therefore, all members are encouraged to respect and appreciate one another – to have a genuine concern for one another. So, just as Paul is talking about differences between people – just as a solitary foot or eye is useless, so is any part of the church apart from other Christians.
Friends, may we recognize the importance of every member of the church, and genuinely care for each other!!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen will conclude his sermon series, Ephesians: Our Identity and Purpose. His last sermon in this study is “Genuine Care for One Another,” based upon Ephesians 6:21-24. 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 continue our study of the Gospel of Luke. This Sunday we will study Luke 22: Jesus hosts Passover, His arrest, and Peter’s Denial! Please join this wonderful class and bring your Bible!!
Hope Navigators
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Hope Golden Oldies
Fun time gathering (with Bingo and prizes) and discussion on future events. This will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13th at Panera Bread Community Room in Waynesboro. Looking forward to seeing you.
Men’s Bible Study
Our men’s Bible study is winding down for the summer. Our last study will be on May 23rd. We are continuing our “Drive Down Rt. 66” in the minor prophets. Next Tuesday we will explore Habakkuk! We meet in the Community Room at Panera Bread at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesdays! We will be meeting monthly during the summer, and we will be having an end of the season picnic on May 23rd at Lofton Lake, beginning at 6:00 p.m.!
Men’s Ministry
We will be having a “work day” to pressure wash our building next Wednesday, May 17th beginning at 9:00 a.m. We will conclude with a pizza party lunch!! Men, please mark your calendar for this day. For those who are able, please bring garden hoses!
Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports
If you have any concerns you would like to add to the Prayer Concerns and Praise Reports list or give an update, PLEASE contact our prayer coordinator, Janet Coiner (540.447.0918) by THURSDAY at NOON!! Thanks so much!!
Driver Assistance
If you or someone in our congregation needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other appointment, 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
This month, our own Tyler Bouthillier will be making a new promotional video for East Augusta WRE in conjunction with the teachers. We look forward to seeing the finished project. This year approximately 1,000 students are enrolled in grades k-5 in these 3 schools. Praise the Lord for this victory!”
Hope Blessings Donations for Love INC. We are collecting donations every three months. From April 1 to June 30, we are collecting personal hygiene items: toothpaste, tooth brushes (single packs), shampoo, soap, deodorant (male and female), brushes, combs, and small wash cloths. May we be a blessing to those families in need. We are grateful for our partnership with Love INC!
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
May Birthdays
Loretta Watkins (5/12); Charlotte Severs (5/15); Sherry Holder (5/20); Paul Childers (5/22); Larry Roberts (5/25)