We read in Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Some of the New Testament’s neatest words are “NO MORE!” Think about the things you wish would be NO MORE in your life. God says that is where we are going in this movement of history. God will bring a resolution to those former things that have bogged us down in this new order of life. Jesus is going to work out all those unresolved issues in your life. Perhaps you have unresolved problems in your life. God wants to move into your life and bring about resolution.
We read in Revelation 21:22, “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” So, there will be no temple in heaven. Heaven, by definition, will be a place of worship. Does this sound like a place you would like to be? Perhaps worship sounds boring to you. But worship is the natural response to being in God’s presence. Because we will be in God’s presence all the time in heaven, we will be worshipping all the time. Think about it, no more interpersonal problems, no more fights, no more disease, no more deceit, no more busy schedules. We will live in God’s presence and will offer our praise to him all the time!
We read in Genesis 1:31, “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” God originally designed a place where everything was good. Since that time, we have tried to redefine what is “good.” We think of the good life as what we see in commercials – good careers, lots of money, fancy cars and houses, happy people. We have so lowered our standards that we believe the things we accumulate and experience in this world are “good.” However, as Max Lucado points out, “good isn’t good unless it is of God.” For God, good was the supreme expression of his creation. Good was perfect, and that is what heaven is.
Do you want to spend eternity in the place God calls good? As in the title of Bill McCaskill’s sermon this Sunday, “Heaven is the Goal of the Christian Life.” May heaven be our goal!
Worship
Sunday Morning Bible Study Class
Our Adult Bible Study class will meet this Sunday at 9:15 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 2 Corinthians 2: “From Sorrow to Joy.” Please bring your Bible.
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Women’s Ministry New Bible Study
Alpha is Coming
We are excited to offer the Alpha Course! Alpha helps create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. It provides an opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. It is an 11-week course designed to explore the basics of the Christian faith through video presentations and small group discussions, covering topics like “Who is Jesus?”, Why and how should I pray?”, and “How does God guide us?” – all in a relaxed and open environment where participants will share their thoughts and questions without pressure.
We will gather each Tuesday, beginning on March 11th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. We will enjoy dinner together, watch a 40-minute video, and gather for small group discussions about the video. The course will include a retreat, which we will talk more about in the context of the course. A sign-up sheet is in the Welcome Center, and we hope you will sign up soon!
HCC Prayer Concerns and Praise Report
If you are not receiving the weekly HCC Prayer Concerns and Praise Report and would like to receive it, please send an email that contains your email address and cell phone (and/or home phone) number to Tim Stewart at tim.stewart30@gmail.com.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee is in the process of finding our next lead pastor. They are reviewing some initial inquiries about the position and 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! As the Lord directs, you may even wish to fast for a meal or a day or more. Corporate prayer is so needed! Join with other sisters and brothers if you can.
Session Highlights
Our Session met on Tuesday, January 21st at 5:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Ruling Elder Don Coffey read his favorite New Testament passage in Mark 2:1-12 where four friends brought a paralytic man through the roof of a house . . . to the feet of Jesus! Don then led the Session in prayer.
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Reviewed plans for the Annual Congregational meeting
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Received an update report on the website host search
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Received status and update for the upcoming Alpha Course
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On member suggestion, approved increasing the number of reserved handicapped parking to six
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Authorized the Clerk to reach out for the possibility of having our main lot “micro-paved” as an alternative to more expensive actions
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Agreed to find a way to have an alternate worship experience available to all when Hope is closed due to inclement weather
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Formerly approved John Berry as Hope’s “Facilities Manager” with a church-issued DCCU credit card
- Received a summary of the status of our Pastor Search Committee; Session committed to be in prayer and fast on January 28 regarding our search
- Developed a connection with Johnson Landscaping for snow plowing/chemical treatment of our parking lot, Millers Supplies at Work ramps, and our “sidewalk.”
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for January: $16,836.96 YTD: $16,836.96
Total Expenses for January: $19,471.06 YTD: $19,471.06
Golden Oldies
Opportunity to Help a Family
We are taking donations to help Cody Mundie in the loss of his grandmother. Victoria Smith died in the house fire on Guthrie Road in Stuarts Draft, on Thursday, January 10th. Cody is listed as her closest living relative and will be handling all of the affairs. Cody has done some trench work for Hope Community as well as snow removal. He spent 3 hours trying to cut through the thick ice in our parking lot the morning after this fire. Due to the complexity of this event, funds are locked. Cody has reported that his immediate need for financial assistance is feeding the horses on his grandmother’s property. I know he will incur a lot more expenses as time passes.
If you would like to contribute please make a check payable to Hope Community Church to be designated for Cody Mundie. All donations will go through HCC’s Caring and Compassion Fund.
Mission Corner
ComfortCare Women’s Health
The Prayer Room is an outreach ministry in downtown Waynesboro, caring for people practically and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ! We are collecting personal hygiene 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 paper products (e.g., toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues but NOT paper paper napkins, as they have plenty) from January through March for Love INC.
The Missions Team actively keeps in touch with our missionaries and other ministries. Please keep updated! You can visit our website and go to the Mission Page
February Birthdays
Harriet Wangler (2/16); Orville Bame (2/28)