Grace in Place of Grace

Do you want to experience the sum total of spiritual blessings in your life as we move into a New Year?  As Christians, we have already received one blessing after another.  We read in the Greek text of John 1:16, charin anti charitos, literally grace in place of grace.  This grace continues to come to Christians, just like waves continue to come to the ocean shore.

A well-known painting of the Vietnam Wall depicts a young widow and her daughter standing at the wall, reaching up and touching the name of the husband and father who died.  The reflection in the polished granite is not of the mother and daughter but of the husband and father reaching out his hand to touch theirs.

That is precisely what the Lord’s Supper depicts for us.  We come to the Lord’s Table and reach out our hands to take the bread and the cup.  In response to our act of faith, Jesus touches us – again and again!

And when we leave a service of worship, our Lord continues to shower us with His grace.  2022 can be a grace-filled year, as we become aware of what God has already done for us in sending Jesus into our world of brokenness, disappointments, and challenge!

So, when we come to the Lord’s Table this Sunday, which represents God’s incredible grace, may we experience God touching us – at our deepest point of need?  And, as we experience God touching us, may we choose to share that same grace with the world around us – people who are hurting, struggling, and thirsting for genuine care – people living in the midst of un-grace?  May we reach out to others, as God has reached out to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ and offer the same unconditional love and care – grace in place of grace to people all around us?

Sunday Worship

This Sunday, Pastor Glen will continue his Ephesians series: Ephesians: Our Identity and Purpose.  His sermon is entitled, “God’s Guarantee,” based upon Ephesians 1:13-14.  Please read this verse in context in preparation for worship!

We will also celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  We encourage you to examine yourself before receiving the Sacrament per 1 Corinthians 11:27-32.

Adult Sunday School

Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday immediately after worship in the large Sunday school room.  Please join Janet Coiner and others, as we study Matthew 8 – Jesus’s Compassion!  Please 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.

If you would like to make any end-of-year contributions, please get them to Albert Danraj at the church address postmarked by December 31st.

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.

Church Directory Available Online

Did you know that you can access the church directory online?  Simply visit our website and go to the “About Us” page. (https://hopechurchwaynesboro.org/about-2/)  Click the “Church Member Directory” button.  If needed, instructions are available for getting access.  If you can’t access the information, e-mail Pastor Glen to confirm that your correct e-mail address is entered.  If you don’t have a photo or would like an updated photo, e-mail that to Glen as well.

Adult Choir

Our Adult Choir will meet for practice on Sunday, January 9th at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.  Please come and “make a joyful noise to the Lord!” (Psalm 100:1)

Tuesday Prayer Meeting | Prairie Tabernacle Congregation

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, we believe God for answers to prayer requests.

Contagious Disease Preparedness Plan

The Session recently 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.

“The number of New Cases of COVID for December 22 through December 28 increased from 445 to 448.  We will remain at Level 1 (masks optional).     

January Birthdays

Alan Morrison (1/2); Sam Lucas (1/6); Cheryl Reynolds (1/7); Janis Glickman and Stephen Wright (1/14); Candi Brown (1/22); Janet Coiner (1/27); Linda Ritchie (1/30)