We read in Job 1:21, “And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Everything in our lives is God’s, and God can do whatever He wants with us or them. The owner has the right, and the “servant” or “steward” has the responsibility.
In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-19) Jesus tells of a Master who gave one servant five talents, another servant two talents, and another servant one talent. We may think that’s not fair. But the talents belonged to the Master, and he had every right to do with them what he wanted! The Master had the rights; the servants/stewards were responsible for handling the talents faithfully. In v. 19 of that text, the Master comes back, and he wants to know what the servants did with their talents. Friends, God has a right to know what we are doing with what he has given us.
Some of us are like Dennis the Menace. In one cartoon strip, as Dennis was leaving church with his parents, he shook hands with the preacher and asked, “Preacher, what are you going to do with that dollar my dad gave you?”
In a nutshell, stewardship is the use of God-given resources for the accomplishment of God-given goals. When we make this leap (seeing God as the owner of everything) we will see our financial difficulties and challenges differently. When we lose a job or have some other financial setback, we will say, “God, you have a problem.”
If we think we own the possessions God has given us, we don’t get it! My name, along with Kim’s, is on the title of our Honda CRV and Honda Civic as OWNER. But we don’t really own those two cars . . . God does! May we all acknowledge that everything in our lives is God’s!
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 Janet Coiner and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will focus on 2 Corinthians 6: “The Conduct of Ministry: Heart to Heart!” 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 allows sharing of 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 NEXT TUESDAY (March 11th) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We will enjoy dinner together, watch a 40-minute video, and have small group discussions about the video. The course will include a retreat, which we will discuss more in the context of the course.
Exploring Hope Class
Our next Exploring Hope Class will be held on Sunday, March 23rd 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 join our church. If you are interested in attending this class, please contact Pastor Glen at drglenholman@gmail.com or talk with him on Sunday!
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 Monday, February 24th and Friday, February 28th. The following are some of the highlights:
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We gathered around God’s Word and corporate prayer. Ruling Elder Richard Ammons led a time focusing on service to others based on John 21:15 and following.
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We approved the minutes of the Session meeting on January 21st and the annual congregational meeting on January 26th on behalf of the Congregation.
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We invited member Susan Coffman to present her thoughts for a new ministry at Hope: “Faith Community Nursing,” which was enthusiastically approved by Session (more to follow!).
- We invited member Rodger Daniels as Deacon Chairperson to provide an update with their activities in our church and plans for the future.
- Elder Tim Stewart presented a summary of the financial budgets as is our protocol, noting the two Sunday closures due to snow/ice which impacted the income stream.
- Elder Bob Simmons provided the Session with a broad brush status regarding the Pastor Search committee.
- Received an update on the website search team and that Leola Burks will now be leading.
- Received an update regarding the “Alpha Course” by Elder Marty Porter.
- Accepted an offer from a member to join a group when formed to seek ways to attract young(er) families to Hope.
- Adopted a schedule for Elder/Deacon service for serving the Lord’s Supper.
- Accepted a gifted rolling cart for portable storage of the two printers/copiers/scanner and a gifted “portable, rolling kitchen” for multipurpose uses.
- Agreed to develop a formal task team to critically look at a three-year plan to assess needs regarding our physical plant.
- Agreed, in concept, to provide all members/regular attenders with magnetic name tags as details for management/costs payment can be developed.
- Agreed to purchase four round tables.
- Agreed to relocate the TV/monitor in the Sunday school room to the Ministry Room.
- Agreed to pay down our mortgage by $20,000 from the Capital Campaign account at the appropriate time in 2025.
- Accepted the expanded role/name of a ministry to “Care Giving and Respite Care Ministry.”
- Agreed to search and acquire a locking file cabinet for critical hard copy documents to augment those stored in a secure cloud.
- Received presently available estimated costs for parking lot repair/re-pavement, awaiting others, for future planning/possible execution.
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
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
March Birthdays
Alice Reider (3/13); Esther Danraj (3/18); Helen Ammons (3/22); Debby Ray (3/31)