Have you ever been on the sidelines? When I was in little league, I was very often on the sidelines! I had to wait and wait and wait for a chance to get in the game. I was what you may have called a bench warmer. Do you know what it is like to be on the sidelines – in your career, in an organization, in some activity where you desperately want to be in the game?
Now, there are all kinds of health issues – it is not just about our physical problems – there are emotional, relational, spiritual health issues, which affect us. The good news is that Jesus cares about us when we are on the sidelines. Jesus went to meet people on the sidelines. He was not at the party; he was at this medical center for those who were disenfranchised by the society at that time.
In John 5, Jesus saw a man who had been at a healing pool for 38 years! Now, that is a long time to be waiting to experience healing. And Jesus asks an important question of this man in verse 6: “Do you want to be healed?” It’s an important question for all of us to ponder. Do we want to be healed? Do we want to be whole? Do I want to live a life of health?
Can people tell by your lifestyle that you care about your health – by your exercise habits, by your diet, by your sleep patterns? There are many ways to see if a person wants to be whole. You see, Jesus’ question is a serious one. It speaks of our desire for wholeness and peace in our lives. How many of us are plagued by fears, anger, temptations, and anxieties? When these issues plague our lives, we are not genuinely living whole lives.
So, do you want to be healed? May we be bold and look at the areas of our lives where there is disease, places where we are not whole, and seek the Lord for genuine healing!
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 3: “A Living Letter.” Please bring your Bible.
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Women’s Ministry New Bible Study
Alpha is Coming
We are excited to offer the Alpha Course! Alpha helps create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. It provides an opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. It is an 11-week course designed to explore the basics of the Christian faith through video presentations and small group discussions, covering topics like “Who is Jesus?”, Why and how should I pray?”, and “How does God guide us?” – all in a relaxed and open environment where participants will share their thoughts and questions without pressure.
We will gather each Tuesday, beginning on March 11th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We will enjoy dinner together, watch a 40-minute video, and gather for small group discussions about the video. The course will include a retreat, which we will talk more about in the context of the course. A sign-up sheet is in the Welcome Center, and we hope you will sign up soon!
This Week @ Hope
If you would like to include any announcements in This Week @ Hope, please get information to Pastor Glen by Thursday morning. Also, if you or someone you know would like to receive This Week @ Hope, please let Pastor Glen know. Thanks so much!
HCC Prayer Concerns and Praise Report
If you are not receiving the weekly HCC Prayer Concerns and Praise Report and would like to receive it, please send an email that contains your email address and cell phone (and/or home phone) number to Tim Stewart at tim.stewart30@gmail.com.
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 Tuesday, January 21st at 5:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Ruling Elder Don Coffey read his favorite New Testament passage in Mark 2:1-12 where four friends brought a paralytic man through the roof of a house . . . to the feet of Jesus! Don then led the Session in prayer.
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Reviewed plans for the Annual Congregational meeting
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Received an update report on the website host search
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Received status and update for the upcoming Alpha Course
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On member suggestion, approved increasing the number of reserved handicapped parking to six
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Authorized the Clerk to reach out for the possibility of having our main lot “micro-paved” as an alternative to more expensive actions
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Agreed to find a way to have an alternate worship experience available to all when Hope is closed due to inclement weather
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Formerly approved John Berry as Hope’s “Facilities Manager” with a church-issued DCCU credit card
- Received a summary of the status of our Pastor Search Committee; Session committed to be in prayer and fast on January 28 regarding our search
- Developed a connection with Johnson Landscaping for snow plowing/chemical treatment of our parking lot, Millers Supplies at Work ramps, and our “sidewalk.”
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for January: $16,836.96 YTD: $16,836.96
Total Expenses for January: $19,471.06 YTD: $19,471.06
Golden Oldies
Mission Corner
ComfortCare Women’s Health
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
February & March Birthdays
Orville Bame (2/28); Alice Reider (3/13); Esther Danraj (3/18); Helen Ammons (3/22); Debby Ray (3/31)