Fulfillment of the Law

Jesus declared in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets . . .” In other words, what Jesus is referring to is the entire Hebrew Bible; what we call the Old Testament.  He did not come to get rid of the Law OR the Prophets.  He did not come to set the Law aside . . . that was for then, but not today.  NO, Jesus came to FULFILL the Law!  Throughout the Bible we hear this word fulfillment.  This is an important word.  For example, as we read in Matthew 4:13-14, “And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled.” (emphasis added)

Jesus came to fulfill the Law.  One commentator I read suggested this encompassed the Moral Law; the Ceremonial Law; and the Civil Law.  The Moral Law was analogous to the Ten Commandments; the Ceremonial Law had to do with the laws surrounding the Tabernacle; the Civil Law was the laws that governed the laws of the nation of Israel.

Jesus gave us a picture of the Law and the Prophets when he was asked “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?  Jesus answered in Matthew 22:37-40, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  And, Jesus fulfilled all of these!

In the Greek Lexicon, to fulfill means “to fill out or to expand.  In the context of Matthew 5, it means to make complete in every particular.  To complete the design; to fill up what was predicted; and to accomplish what was intended in the Old Testament.”  Jesus fulfills the intention of the Old Testament.  May we thank God that Jesus fulfilled the whole Law, so that we might know His righteousness as a free gift!

The Essentials – EPC Resources Sunday Worship

Pastor Glen will continue his summer sermon series, “The Essentials”.  Glen’s sermon this Sunday: “Is the Bible True?” based upon 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  Please read this text in preparation for worship.

Called Congregational Meeting

The Session has called a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing an elder to serve on Session.  The meeting will be held immediately after worship THIS SUNDAY!  The Session is placing Bob Simmons in nomination as an elder.

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 begin a study of the Gospel of John.  This Sunday we will study John 2: Water to Wine and Cleansing the Temple by Jesus.  Please bring you Bible!

Hope Navigators

Wills and Sarah have challenged us with a “call to prayer”!  Please pray that new families will join us for worship, teaching, and fellowship and that we as a church will have wisdom on how to reach them.
Volunteers are still needed as helpers and nursery workers.  If you are apprehensive about serving in this important ministry, consider just “shadowing” us as we lead Hope Navigators on Sundays.  You will learn that it is not hard to make a difference in the lives of our children!  YOU ARE NEEDED!! Here is a link to sign up to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094AA4AE28A6F4CF8-march

Tithes and Offerings

An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary.  Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.

 

April Financial Report

Tithes: Monthly: $14,645          YTD: $64,666.64

Expenses: Monthly: $17,754     YTD: $61,128.90

Capital Campaign: $0.                YTD: $4,009

Designated Giving: $0.                YTD: $2,730

Golden Oldies

Fun time gathering (with Bingo and prizes) and discussion on future events.  The first gathering of our “Golden Oldies” will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. next Tuesday, June 13th at Panera Bread Community Room in Waynesboro.  Looking forward to seeing you.

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

Excerpt from a recent letter from Jerelyn Anderson, Director of Events (ComfortCare): “We were praising God for all the ways He was richly blessing the ComfortCare ministry and a staff member said, “Hold on to the kite string, and soar with God.”

Wow! That resonated with me. I could visualize the kite of God high in the sky, and us holding on to the string. And I marveled at the greatness of our God.

So, “Hold on to the kite string, and soar with God,” as I share the results of the 2023 Baby Bottle Campaign.

To date, $151,885.38 was raised in the 2023 baby bottle campaign.

Hope Community Church raised 1082.51

Our fundraisers are essential to the work of the ComfortCare ministry!

Thank you for holding on to the kite string. Let’s soar with God.”  Way to go, Hope Family!!!

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.  There is a challenge to have 100 toothbrushes and 50 bottles of shampoo by June 30!!  Let’s go for it!  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

June Birthdays 

Roy Glickman (6/13); Jennifer Lucas (6/16); Kim Holman (6/17); Paige Holder (6/24)