Did you ever consider how artistic God is? From beautiful landscapes (which we enjoy all the time in the Shenandoah Valley!) to sunrises and sunsets, and the moon and the stars, our God is an amazing artist!! Like an artistic genius whose joy is complete when his work is shared, our Composer (GOD) intends His work of art to be SEEN . . . and HEARD. And WE are the crowning glory of God’s artistic masterpiece! As my associate pastor used to say, “God don’t make no junk!”
We read in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship (or masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” God is clearly seen as the artist. We are His poems; his concertos; his paintings. And the masterpiece is something which has been created . . . we are created by God.
However, we are not created simply to be on display. Unlike a painting that adorns a museum, we are designed for action. God’s plan for our lives extends beyond salvation to sanctification, beyond standing in grace to walking in grace – walking in good deeds – as servants. Any good works which we might do as Christians are the works which He prepared in advance for us to do. Therefore, may we walk in God’s grace, giving thanks for the masterpiece He has created!!
SUNDAY WORSHIP
THIS SUNDAY we will meet once again at 2910 West Main Street for our worship service at 9:30 a.m. We will Live Stream the service on Facebook and our website.
Pastor Glen’s sermon will be “Salted with God’s Grace,” based upon Matthew 5:13-16. Please read this text in preparation for worship!
We will expect individuals and families to follow appropriate social distancing guidelines. We want to be respectful of our brothers and sisters. You will need to bring and wear protective masks while entering and moving about the building. We will not pass an offering plate (an offering plate will be available for your tithes and offerings). Online giving opportunities are available on the website.
Children are welcome but families must sit together.
BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN
We will once again participate in ComfortCare Women’s Health Baby Bottle Campaign, in order to raise support for their life-saving services and ministry with women. ComfortCare is a ministry that specializes in the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of unplanned pregnancy.
We will begin distributing baby bottles this Sunday (and on subsequent Sundays) for you to save your change in the baby bottles. We will collect the baby bottles on February 28, 2021. If you would like to contribute to ComfortCare Women’s Health, you can also make checks payable to Hope Community Church and put in the memo “Baby Bottle Campaign.”
MOVE DAY
We are having a move day tomorrow, January 23rd beginning at 9:00 a.m. We will be moving items from Hope Downtown to our new location. Any help, including trucks, is appreciated!!
BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS: Candi Brown (1/22); Mary Jane Trimble (1/24); Janet Coiner (1/27); Linda Ritchie (1/30); Dan Woodworth (1/31)