I pride myself on having a good memory of dates and numbers. I can tell you the dates of all of my family’s birthdays and anniversaries. I can remember the dates members of my family have died, and many other significant dates. Memories are important. What are some of your favorite memories?
Some of our memories are happy ones, while others are sad; and we cry as we reflect on those times – and a whole host of other feelings. Memories are quite practical. For example, you don’t want to forget your wife’s birthday or your anniversary!
Sometimes our memory fails us. We tie a string around our fingers and we do all kinds of things to help us remember. Calendars are printed to help us remember. Cell phones have notification noises to help us remember appointments! Thanksgiving is marked to help us remember the harvest and God’s provision. Christmas is marked to help us remember the birth of Jesus Christ. Easter is marked to help us remember the resurrection of Jesus. And, Memorial Day is marked to help us reflect and remember those who have died while serving in the U.S. military!
People are forgetful, and we need special things to jog our memories from time to time. In the Bible, we find many such reminders. After God destroyed the world in a flood, He told Noah, “Whenever you see the rainbow, remember my promise that I will never destroy the earth by water again.” So, every time we see a rainbow, we can remember God’s promise.
Perhaps the most intriguing memorial was erected when Joshua led the people of Israel across the Jordan River. The water stopped flowing just as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water at the river’s edge. They stood in the middle of the riverbed until the people had crossed safely into the Promised Land. While they were crossing, Joshua told 12 men, one from each of the 12 tribes, to go into the middle of the riverbed and select 12 large stones. They brought those stones up onto the riverbank and made a monument out of them at that location. The stones were a memorial to the people of Israel forever!
On this Memorial Day weekend, may we remember that it is not just a three-day weekend. May we take time to not only remember those who lost their lives serving our country but also remember God’s promises and the many ways he has provided for us! May we remember and give thanks to the Promiser who keeps His promises!! May each of us have a time of remembering this weekend!!
Worship
We welcome the Rev. Joe Shoop to our pulpit this Sunday! We are grateful that Joe has been playing the bass guitar on our worship team over the last few months! His message this Sunday is, “Thirsty,” based on Matthew 5:1-12. Please read this text in preparation for worship, and let’s give Pastor Shoop a wonderful Hope welcome!!
Adult Sunday School
Our Adult Sunday school class will meet this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the large Sunday school room. Please join Lowell Gross and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will focus on Romans 1: Sinfulness. Please bring your Bible.
Pastor Search Committee Update & Prayer
Your Pastor Search Committee has finalized the Church Information Form and will begin the search 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 together with you, seek the Lord!
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:4-5)
Will you claim the promise of God’s direction to those who seek to know His will?
PRAYER: “Gracious Heavenly Father, today I commit myself to join our church family in crying out to You for the man who is to shepherd this flock. You already know him and we pray you would reveal him to us. Guide our Search Committee in their great responsibility. For the sake of Christ’s Kingdom and in His glorious Name. Amen.”
Tithes and Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
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!
Golden Oldies
The next gathering of the Golden Oldies will be June 12th at 10:30. Meet at Panera Bread Community Room to play Bingo! We request for everyone to bring a wrapped gift so all can be winners! $10 max amount for gift.
There will be NO meeting in July due to the fun trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. If you signed up for the trip, please make your checks out to Shenandoah Tours, and give your check to Harold or Janet Coiner by June 1st.
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!
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 Survey
This Sunday is the last day to turn in your mission surveys at the Welcome Table. If you have not received one, there are additional copies available on the same table. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!
Love INC Support: From April through June we will be collecting household cleaning items (all-purpose cleaners, dish soap, laundry soap, etc.). May we be a blessing to those desiring to improve their lives.
Again, this Sunday a Mission Support Survey will be distributed for you to make suggestions of potential missionaries, missions, or ministries to support.
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 Outreach page
May Birthdays
Larry Roberts (5/25)