We read in Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.” When the Messiah comes, He will make our offerings acceptable when He has purified and refined them. The only way for our worship to be pleasing to God is to make offerings in righteousness – when we ask the Lord to purify us of our sins.
The worship that is pleasing to God is a broken and contrite heart. The psalmist declares in Psalm 51:15-17: “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
So, when you are looking for a gift to give God this Christmas, I invite you to bring a broken and contrite heart. Look at the places in your life that break God’s heart, and confess and repent of the sin in your life. God does not delight in evil but rather in offerings of righteousness – of true commitment!
Worship
Sunday Morning Bible Study Class (Formerly Adult Sunday School)
Sunday Morning 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 Lowell Gross and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will focus on 1 Corinthians 12: “The Lord, His Body, and His Giftings.” Please bring your Bible.
Waynesboro Choral Society Benefit Concert
THIS SUNDAY, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in our sanctuary. The concert will benefit Love INC and Embrace – two community ministries!
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.
George Wilson’s Funeral Service
One of our dear members, George Nelson Wilson, III went to be with the Lord on November 27th. His funeral and graveside services will be this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville, Virginia. Please keep his family in your prayers! (Revelation 14:13)
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available when you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
HCC Prayer Concerns and Praise Report
Session Highlights
Our Session met on Monday, November 18th at 5:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Ruling elder Marty Porter led a study of 2 Peter 1:5-9 and Galatians 5:22-24, focusing on the importance of self-control in our lives, which is a fruit of the Spirit.
- Additional discussion/development of the “Alpha Course” for Hope early in 2025
- Agreed to look for innovative ways to cover Hank’s retirement from being the Administrative Assistant via Richard and two Deacons who volunteer for that effort; agreed to pursue a Deputy Treasurer in training.
- Accepted the proposed “Inclement Weather/Church Closing” policy and procedure [stay tuned for a website update on that]
- Reviewed church domain email addresses for select church service roles for providing continuing addresses for the role as people change roles
- Agreed to purchase a TracPhone type device for use by Care and Compassion leaders to assist them in communication with people in need
- Hand-rails-on-the-bank installation is imminent, with the contractor donating his labor for the installation
- Successful test of ChurchTrac sending of one-way-only text messages for church closings/delays for those with mobile phones listed in ChurchTrac
- Requested attorney Bill Watkins to present a brief “Legacy Giving” announcement during worship
- Agreed to engage a professional janitorial service to clean our bathrooms, weekly, perhaps expanding services later
- Agreed to provide the “Annex” for our Women’s Ministry once contractual necessities are signed, including church internal easy access to/from the annex, safety provisions for using the Annex, etc.
- Received a suggestion and discussed ways to improve/maintain “fellowship time” on Sunday mornings
- Approved the purchase of fifty (50) padded folding chairs to become dedicated “Annex chairs” for the Women’s Ministry and other church gatherings
- Presented the Pastor’s Terms of Call (which will be voted on at our annual congregational meeting in January); approved planned earnings adjustments of merit for other staff
- Agreed to meet in a week to finalize the 2025 budget for the church and expectedly approved lease modifications with Miller’s Supplies at Work
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for October: $25,568.20 YTD: $257,155.89
Total Expenses for October: $9,808.58 YTD: $161,414.86
Golden Oldies
Mission Corner
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 cleaning supplies (e.g., dish detergent, all-purpose household cleaner, laundry detergent) from October through December 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
December Birthdays
Melissa Bare (12/6); Jennifer Berry (12/11); Gail Fisher (12/14); Ron Layne (12/18); Terran Williams (12/25); Cliff Scott (12/28)