A pastor was asked to call on a woman in a psychiatric hospital and pray for her. After his visit, he thought how good it would be for somebody to go there regularly and pray for the residents. That “somebody” turned out to be him. He had to be admitted to the hospital himself. On a table in one of the wards, he put up a sign saying, “Free Prayer.” Later he recalled, “Suddenly I had 15 people standing in line to get prayed for.”
People often ask for our prayers, but do we faithfully pray for them? Many times, we see others in great need but find it easier to discuss their plight with friends or gossip about them, rather than to intercede for them. But people need and want our prayers. In my work as a hospital chaplain, when I offer to pray for someone, I rarely hear “NO”!
Paul concluded his call in Ephesians 6 to put on “the whole armor of God” by writing in v. 18, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
David McCasland stated, “Faithful prayer – whether in public or private – is one of the greatest gifts we can give others.” We may never know that our prayers may be the key to God’s intervention.
This past Thursday, our Hope Elders, inspired by one of our newer members, held a deeply moving prayer service for Kim and our family following Kim’s diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Amid our myriad of emotions, we were profoundly touched by the overwhelming outpouring of love, the heartfelt prayers, and the meaningful Scripture shared. We truly felt the incredible presence of the Holy Spirit during the service. We continue to earnestly seek your prayers for Kim’s healing. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who attended, as well as those who, though unable to attend, are keeping us in their prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
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 1: “Sharing One Another’s Pain,”’ 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
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 December: $32,443.63 YTD: $315,055.27
Total Expenses for December: $25,282.84 YTD: $210,940.80
Golden Oldies
Opportunity to Help a Family
We are taking donations to help Cody Mundie in the loss of his grandmother. Victoria Smith died in the house fire on Guthrie Road in Stuarts Draft, on Thursday, January 10th. Cody is listed as her closest living relative and will be handling all of the affairs. Cody has done some trench work for Hope Community as well as snow removal. He spent 3 hours trying to cut through the thick ice in our parking lot the morning after this fire. Due to the complexity of this event, funds are locked. Cody has reported that his immediate need for financial assistance is feeding the horses on his grandmother’s property. I know he will incur a lot more expenses as time passes.
If you would like to contribute please make a check payable to Hope Community Church to be designated for Cody Mundie. All donations will go through HCC’s Caring and Compassion Fund.
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 Birthdays
Blake Porter (2/3); Albert Danraj (2/5); Harriet Wangler (2/16); Orville Bame (2/28)