We live in anxious days! Around the globe, we are made anxious by ongoing violence in the wake of wars in Israel and Ukraine, as well as by violence in our own country with shootings and domestic abuse. We become anxious, as we watch our economy falter, experience severe weather, and hear about workplace violence, children being abducted, political differences, and even bomb threats at schools, hospitals, and churches.
Anxiety arises when something happens to us – we get fired, we get an unexpected diagnosis, we get older, our children graduate from high school or college, or we watch a loved one suffer. Anxiety comes when we feel we should be in control, but we know that we aren’t. Anxiety is a tightening of the grip – a desire to regain control over circumstances. So, we fight, we cling, and we battle to get back what we feel we should have. We wrongly believe that we should be in control of our destiny.
So, how do you respond when the world you live in is interrupted by fear, uncertainty, and danger? Jesus declares in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” When Jesus says, “I do not give to you as the world gives,” he is not referring to the planet Earth, but to people who are ruled by unbelief. In this instance, the “world” refers to people who are blind to the things of God and want nothing to do with the Christian faith.
Therefore, what kind of peace can the world offer us? The world can only offer us a peace that is devoid of the presence of God. It is a peace that does not have God as its source; therefore, we must look elsewhere. Apart from God the “world” defines peace based on two factors control and circumstances. When a situation gets out of hand the world says, “Maintain Control. Alter your circumstances.” You must take control of the situation and make it turn out your way. You are the only one who can alter your future and destiny – you must maintain control. For the world, peace is found by how much control you have over specific circumstances.
When you have lost your job – the world says maintain control. When you have been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease the world says to maintain control. When you have lost someone close to you the world says, maintain control. When you struggle to pay your bills, the world says, maintain control! According to the world, there is no God to grant us peace – peace is only a by-product of human effort and human control.
However, God offers perfect peace. Peace of which the world knows nothing. So, whatever anxiety you have, Jesus is saying to you, experience the peace I want to give you! Let go of those areas in your life where you are trying to maintain control – and receive the gift of peace!
Worship
Pastor Glen will continue our study of the wonderful letter of 1 John. His message this week is “BIGGER Than the Olympics,” 1 John 2:28-29.” Please read this text in preparation for worship.
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 Romans 12: Transformation through the Renewal of the Mind! Please bring your Bible.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee is in the process of searching for our next lead pastor.
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.
“You will need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:5, 12, 17).
PRAYER: “Gracious Heavenly Father, we do not know what to do, but we cry out to You. We are Your people. The enemy of our souls would destroy us all, but You are infinitely greater than the deceiver! Our eyes are on You! Calm our should. Drive out fear. Thank You that You have promised to never leave us, nor forsake us – that You are present among Your people today. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.”
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Memorial Service
Financial Assistance
In the wake of Jeff Forbis’s serious accident, we would like to help raise some funds to help assist with medical expenses. If you are interested in helping, you can contribute on his GoFundMe site: https://www.gofundme.com/jeff-forbis
Individuals may also contribute directly to Hope Community Church. Just indicate for Jeff Forbis Support to the Caregiving and Relief Ministry. Thank you!
Session Highlights
Our Session met on July 22nd at 5:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Study and Reflection on Joshua 1:1-9, Esther 4:13-14, and Matthew 28:18-20 led by Elder Bob Simmons
- Review of the budget by Elder Tim Stewart
- Orville & Laurie Bame were in attendance and shared their thoughts regarding the proposed choir loft redesign, etc.
- We were updated on the HCC website redesign, which is in process
- Discussed the potential of Fifth Sunday Fellowship Lunches after worship
- Outreach Ministry Update, including plans by the team (Co-chairs, Nina Gross & Candi Brown). We also discussed utilizing the ALPHA Course and exploring a Trail Life Troop for youth
- The Air Conditioning unit in the welcome center area is scheduled to be replaced in August.
- We discussed asking Karim Spencer (one of our new members) to send prayer requests about different Middle Eastern countries regularly which will be in our weekly Prayer Requests and Praise Reports.
- Discussed upcoming Congregational Meeting (July 28th) to elect new officers.
Please pray for the Session, as they will meet next Monday, August 19th.
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for July: $20,674.29 YTD: $186,581.00
Total Expenses for July: $13,518.34 YTD: $123,689.33
Golden Oldies
We will meet on August 14th at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at Sooner BBQ & More in Stuarts Draft.
We will meet on September 11th at 10:30 in the Waynesboro Panera Bread Community Room. Attorney Bill Watkins will be the speaker to give help on navigating legal paperwork. In addition to the Golden Oldies, other church folks are invited to join us! Have your questions ready!!
FALL FEST 2024
Mark your calendars now for our Fall Fest on October 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Fun, food, music, and games! This will be a craft fair with BBQ chicken, giveaways, a cake walk, and games for all!
We need your help to donate craft or art items, host your own table, help set up, volunteer during the event, and we will also need cakes. Sign-up sheets will be available in the welcome center at the church this Sunday. More information to come!
Bible Study Fellowship
Driver Assistance
If you or someone in our congregation needs a ride to a doctor’s appointment or other appointments, 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
Mission Opportunity
Our congregation will be serving the meal for the Love INC dinner at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, September 24th. We need people to make sloppy joes. (The recipe is available in the welcome center, and the sloppy joes can be made ahead of time, frozen, and delivered to Kim Holman). We also need cookies made and workers for that evening to set up, serve, and clean up. A sign-up sheet is in the Welcome Center. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those taking the “Change Your Life Class”!
Love INC Support: From July through September, we will be collecting paper products (Paper towels, toilet paper, Kleenex, etc.). May we be a blessing to those desiring to improve their lives.
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
August Birthdays
Carole Huffman (8/7); Jeff Forbis (8/14); Harold Cook (8/16); Glen Holman (8/20); Tim Stewart (8/21); Basil Futrell (8/23); Janet Land (8/27); Kitty Coffey (8/28); Dianne Stewart (8/31)