How do you look at life? Do you look at life from your limited perspective or God’s grand perspective? As a follower of Jesus Christ, I encourage you to look at life from God’s perspective. God doesn’t see what is, He sees what will be – by grace. The next time you see someone throwing their life away on drugs, involved in gangs, or other self-destructive behavior, you might be inclined to turn away in disgust. God doesn’t turn away. God doesn’t see what is. We read these words in Isaiah 49:16, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” If God can say that to a drug addict, he can certainly say that to you and me!
Moms and dads, look at the child who has shunned your love, who has turned their back on the high values that you have tried so desperately to teach them. They may have ridiculed your faith, scorned all that you hold sacred, and even questioned your sanity at times. Their rebellion has broken your heart, and you are about to give up on them. God doesn’t give up. NO, God says, “Your walls are continually before me.” May we always look with the eyes of faith, not at what is, but what can be by the grace of God!
One of the most distinguished sculptors in America was a man by the name of Gutzon Borglum. He is remembered for a wonderful sculpture of Abraham Lincoln’s head carved out of marble for the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The marble had sat in his studio for a long time, and the maid would come in several times a week to dust his studio. She always dusted around the block of marble, thinking nothing of it, until one morning she saw the face of the great President emerging from the marble. She was shocked and ran into the other room where the sculptor’s wife was sitting and asked, “How in the world did Mr. Borglum know that Abraham Lincoln was in that block of marble?”
How did God know that Peter the rock was in Peter the unstable and cowardly? How did God know that Paul the Apostle was in Saul the Persecutor? How did God know that Augustine the saint was in Augustine the drunk, whom his mother prayed for constantly? God sees with different eyes! He doesn’t see what is but what can be by the grace of God. He says, “Your walls are continually before me.” So, what about you? Can you see life from God’s perspective? Can you see with different eyes?
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 Galatians 3: “Law and Grace.” Please bring your Bible.
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
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!
Exploring Hope Class
Our next Exploring Hope Class will be held THIS SUNDAY (MAY 25th) 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 how to connect. By attending this class, you will be invited to join our church family. If you would like to participate in this class, please contact Pastor Glen.
Called Congregational Meeting
The Session has called a congregational meeting on June 8th after worship to elect ruling elders and deacons.
Session Highlights
Our Session met on Thursday, April 10th at 5:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- We gathered around God’s Word and corporate prayer. Ruling Elder Tim Stewart led a study of Revelation 21:7-8, utilizing multiple versions of the Bible.
- Ruling elder Stewart presented an overview of the financial assessment of the church relative to income, expenses, and available funds.
- Glen accepted Session’s proposed modifications to his “retirement” effective July 1, 2025, with reduced pulpit time, offloaded present duties to others, and the like.
- Session formerly approved to modify their request to the EPC Transitional Pastor Training coordinator to seek a standard one-year agreement, seeking immediate receipt of interested candidates’ Personal Information Forms.
- Susan Coffman, our Faith Community Nurse leader, will share a brief overview of this new ministry and an optional detailed explanation after worship on May 4th.
- Contact with a potential new vendor for the church website has proven “exciting,” and further exploration with him will occur on April 11th with the committee.
- Marty provided an overview of Alpha course feedback. The course is being well received, with suggestions for another course later (perhaps 2026) with a focused group (community, youth, etc.).
- Motion was made, seconded, and approved to form a task team to develop a 3-year action and strategic plan, including a focus for outreach to the community and facility usage. Ruling elder Marty Porter will lead this effort in securing team members.
- Initial response for the half-page order of worship handout (by the Greeters) has been very positive!
- Session considered that a pin attaching method for name tags would be OK for those folks not wishing the magnetic attaching method for various reasons.
- Willis has yet to set an on-site project review for the sharing of parking for their dental practice and our parking lot for their staff.
- Session supported the idea to incorporate as explained by Glen; Don will contact member Bill Watkins, attorney at law, to get the process started.
- The Clerk will seek clarification regarding an offer from Laurie Bame for an “activities bulletin board.”
- Further discussion regarding Nominations for retiring Elders, Tim Stewart, and Richard Ammons.
- Set May 27th for Elder and Deacon training for communion distribution during worship.
- Formalized W-9 form requirements for all vendors and contractors engaged to do work at Hope Community Church.
- Discussed the concern of possible air quality issues and specific plans to examine and test.
- Approved engaging Business Financial to assume greater “treasurer duties” for the church.
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for April: $28,803.06 YTD: $129,848.52
Total Expenses for April: $16,700.98 YTD: $82,201.58
Golden Oldies
Mission Corner
The Prayer Room is an outreach ministry in downtown Waynesboro that cares for people practically and shares the good news of Jesus Christ! We are collecting personal hygiene products and wrapped food items to support this ministry. Donations can be brought to the church and given to the Prayer Room.
Providing a Meal
We will be preparing and serving a meal at the Prayer Room on June 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. for approximately eighty-five people. If you are interested in helping prepare, serve, or have a meal with the folks who come to the Prayer Room, please see Candi Brown or another member of the Outreach Team. This is a wonderful way for us to be a blessing to people in our community, including opportunities to share the love of Jesus!
Love INC
We are collecting household cleaning products (laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaners) from April through June 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
May Birthdays
Paul Childers (5/22); Larry Roberts (5/25); Oma Rexrode (5/27)