Are you aware that God sees positive potential in YOU? The Angel of the Lord addresses Gideon in Judges 6:12, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” The angel of the Lord didn’t see Gideon in his present situation. The angel of the Lord saw what Gideon could become. “The Lord is with you, O mighty man/woman of valor.”
Gideon was in hiding – not what any mighty man of valor would be doing, right? He was working secretly to keep from losing his harvest to the enemy, prowling bands of Midianite vandals.
Gideon responded honestly to the angel of the Lord in verse 13: “If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt? But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” I’m not so sure God is with us! Have you ever felt that way . . . like God wasn’t with you or even that God had abandoned you?
The Lord responded with a calling and commission. The angel now speaks as God himself. The scripture says: “God faced him directly, ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?’” Gideon even questioned the commission in v. 15, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” Do you ever feel weak and insufficient for making a difference for the sake of God’s Kingdom? I admit that I have felt that way at times!!
The Lord answered in verse 16: “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” Here is a great principle to apply to our spouses, our children, and even other sisters and brothers in the Lord. Look at the potential in every person. By our words and actions, we can encourage and empower people to be all God wants them to be. In your own way, you can say to your children or your spouse: “God is with you, O mighty man/woman of valor!”
You can be an encourager – like Barnabas was to Paul in Acts 9, shortly after Paul’s conversion and call to ministry. We read in Acts 9:26, “And [the believers in Jerusalem] were all afraid of [Paul], for they did not believe he was a disciple. “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” Friends, you can be positive! Look at a person’s potential. You can be supportive and caring. God sees incredible potential in YOU and others!
Worship
TIME CHANGE
Please remember to set your clocks back, as Daylight Savings Time ends and we “fall back” one hour this Sunday, November 3rd! Enjoy an extra hour of sleep!!
Adult Bible Study Class
Our Adult Bible Study 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 focus on 1 Corinthians 7: “Love and Marriage!” Please bring your Bible.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee is in the process of searching for our next lead pastor. They are currently reviewing some initial inquiries about the position. They are 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! You may even wish to fast for a meal or a day or more as the Lord directs. Corporate prayer is so needed! Join with other sisters and brothers if you can.
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Hurricane Relief
As of October 21st, $2,400 has been donated by HCC members (above tithes/offerings) to the EPC General Assembly for the Hurricane Disaster Relief effort. Thanks so much for making a difference in so many whose lives have been dramatically changed!Our Session met on Monday, October 21st at 5:00 p.m. with a follow-up meeting on Thursday, October 24th. The following are some of the highlights:
- Ruling elder Tim Stewart led a study of Romans 1:17, focusing on the importance of the righteous living by faith.
- We approved the session minutes for September 16th and the called session meeting for October 7th.
- Pastor Glen shared his report, which included a recap of the October Presbytery meeting. Mike Adams and Bill McCaskill led the “Order of the Day,” regarding evangelism. Pastor Glen was installed as the moderator of the presbytery.
- Review of the budget by Elder Tim Stewart, including the plans for the 2025 budget.
- We received an update on the welcome center upgrades
- We approved the purchase of additional chairs for the sanctuary and the purchase of additional hymnbooks.
- We continued our conversation regarding the potential responsibilities of the new Board of Deacons. The new deacon board will meet to share their ideas as a clear set of duties is established.
- We reviewed a policy regarding Session meeting attendance by members
- We discussed plans for the Alpha course, which will commence in January.
- We approved the purchase of a cell phone and separate email for the Caring and Compassion Ministry.
- We discussed the policy for inclement weather procedures.
- We discussed the use of the “annex” for women’s ministry and potential other uses.
- We reviewed the process for communion, including potential new stations.
- Please pray for the Session, as they will meet next on Monday, November 18th.
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for September: $22,992.15 YTD: $231,587.69
Total Expenses for September: $16,109.54 YTD: $150,856.28
Election Eve Prayer
Area pastors are joining together to invite the Church to gather for prayer on the eve of this year’s election: Monday, November 4th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Event locations include: Common Ground (15 Angela Court, Fishersville, VA) Wayne Hills Baptist Church (877 Ladd Road, Waynesboro, VA) Wayside Baptist Church (45 Turk Mountain Lane, Waynesboro, VA) Jerusalem Chapel United Brethren in Christ Church (935 Jerusalem Chapel Road, Churchville, VA)
Golden Oldies
Our next gathering is on November 13th for a lunch out at the Wood Grill in Harrisonburg. Please see Harold or Janet Coiner if you will attend so that reservations can be made.
There will be NO meeting in December. Celebrate with church services and family gatherings!!
Mission Corner
Young Life Banquet November 12, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. Church On The Hill 100 Foursquare Ln. Fishersville, VA Registration will begin at 6:15 p.m.
The Prayer Room is an outreach ministry in downtown Waynesboro, caring for people practically, as well as sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! We are collecting personal hygiene items 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 cleaning supplies (e.g., dish detergent, all-purpose household cleaner, laundry detergent) from October through December for Love INC.
The 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 Mission Page
November Birthdays
Rod Campbell (11/1); Susan Coffman (11/2); Susan Guthrie (11/5); Joan Hughes and Audrey Lindamood (11/6); Cindy Roberts (11/16); Kathy Doyle (11/17)