The Apostle Paul declares in 1 Timothy 1:14, “and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” The word for grace in this text is karis. Grace is used in the original Greek language to convey the idea of a free gift. It has at its root the concept of joy. As it is a delight to receive something you don’t deserve, it is even more exciting to give something to someone in this way. The theological meaning of grace speaks of God’s loving forgiveness, which he gives freely to those deserving only condemnation and judgment, and transfers them from death to life without any worthiness on their part and based on nothing they have done or failed to do.
Paul understood where he came from and who he was in Christ. Notice that it was probably years after his salvation that he stated the essence of the Gospel in v. 15 of the same letter: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the foremost (or worst).” He made this statement in the present tense. Not, I was the worst of sinners, but I am the worst. This is the thinking of a healthy, regenerate heart. Saving faith never gives one a sense of superiority. It breeds humility and gratitude and an acknowledgement of our unworthiness.
Friends, God’s grace has been poured out on you – and me! If you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you have been given this free gift of abundant, victorious life.
Consider the ways God’s grace has been poured out in your life. Even in giving us air to breathe; in the beautiful mountains and vistas in our area; in providing us with people who love us – and in countless other ways – God’s grace has been poured out on us!
Paul’s testimony in our text is nothing short of miraculous. Therefore, may we respond to God’s amazing, extraordinary grace with trust and obedience!!
Sunday Worship
Pastor Glen will continue the sermon series, Ephesians: Our Identity and Purpose! His sermon this Sunday is “Grace Alone . . . Faith Alone,” based upon Ephesians 2:8-9. Please read this text in preparation for worship!
March 6th Combined Worship Service
We have been invited to worship with the Lebanon Evangelical Presbyterian Church on March 6th. Their address is: 8312 Brooksville Road in Greenwood, Virginia. They are just off Rt. 250 on the other side of Afton Mountain. Their worship service begins at 10:45 a.m. AND, they have invited us to a covered dish dinner after the worship service, and they are furnishing the meal!
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet that Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at our facility, which will give plenty of time to drive to Lebanon EPC for worship and fellowship!
Adult Sunday school
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday immediately after worship in the large Sunday school room. Please join Deborah Kleinschuster and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will study Matthew 14 . . . Pease bring your Bible!!
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Training2Send Class
A new class formed last Monday. The second class will be next Monday at 6:30 p.m. at our church facility (Large Sunday school room). This is an outstanding eleven-week class for learning how to share the Gospel!!
Amazon Smile
Support Hope Community Church by choosing us as your Amazon Smile charity. Simply login to Amazon. In the upper left corner, Click Amazon Smile. If you are supporting a charity already, you will see that name. Click the dropdown arrow. Click “Change Charity”. Search for “Hope Community Church Waynesboro”. Click and select.
Exploring Hope
Come to Exploring Hope! Exploring Hope is a gathering designed to communicate a brief overview of what is important to us at Hope Community Church. The information will include a look at what we believe, our values, our focus, our direction, and how to get connected. The class can lead to membership! Our next Exploring Hope Class will be THIS Sunday during the Sunday school hour in the smaller Sunday school room. (This is a two-part class) If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Pastor Glen!
Mission Corner
This month our church is focusing on the ministry of Love INC! Love INC helps churches help people. Members of HCC volunteer in a variety of ways to support this ministry.
Love In the Name of Christ’s vision is:
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to see Christian churches united in purpose and fully engaged in actively living out their faith
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by lovingly serving people in need in their communities.
Reminder: THIS SUNDAY Baby Bottles to support ComfortCare Women’s Health are to be returned to the church!
You can visit our website and go to the Outreach Page.
Prayer Meeting
Our Weekly Prayer meeting is held at our church facility each Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. We invite you to join with us in prayer as, together, seek the Lord’s face!
Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan
The Session adopted a Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan to support our church family, as well as our visitors. We want to be supportive of our entire church family, as well as our community in this season of increased cases of COVID-19, including the new omicron variant. The plan has been sent to our members for reflection and feedback and is available at the church.