Halford Luccock (a Methodist pastor and former professor of preaching at Yale Divinity School) commented, “I was impressed several years ago when I read that Eugene Ormandy dislocated a shoulder while directing the Philadelphia Orchestra. I do not know what they were playing, but he was giving all of himself to it! And I have asked myself sadly, ‘Did I ever dislocate anything, even a necktie?’”
What have you ever dislocated because of your passion and zeal? What are you zealous about? We can be zealous but in all the wrong things. We can be zealous about our careers, our popularity, and our achievements. Next week the Summer Olympics begins in Paris. I look forward to seeing some of the athletes compete, as they are always zealous about their sport or event!
We can be zealous about our families; we can be zealous about making money; we can even be zealous about participating in the church. But if we are not fully zealous for the Lord, if we are not completely zealous for growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ, if we are not zealous for loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, if we are not zealous for making a difference in the lives of others by sharing our lives, as well as sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, our zeal is all for naught.
This is what Jesus did in the life of Simon the Zealot, one of his disciples. We do not know hardly anything about Simon. We do not know of any sermons he preached; people he brought to the Lord; or accomplishments for the Kingdom. But we know he was a member of the Zealots.
The Zealots were one of the Jewish sects within the Judea Province of the Roman Empire, which emerged during the intertestamental period. They sought to expel Romans from the area by violent means. They were led by Judas of Galilee, who (as Bible Study Tools) suggests, “‘in the days of the enrollment’ (compare Acts 5:37; Luke 2:1-2) bitterly opposed the threatened increase of taxation at the census of Quirinius, and would have hastened by the sword the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.” These people were ZEALOUS!
So, what are you zealous about? May we be zealous for loving the Lord with our heart, mind, soul, and strength? May we be zealous about seeing our neighbors and friends, and many others in our area come to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?
Worship
In Pastor Glen’s absence, one of our newest members, Karim Spencer, will proclaim God’s Word this Sunday. You won’t want to miss hearing how God has been at work in his life, as well as how God is at work today around the world! His message is “Relationship or Religion?” based on 2 Corinthians 4:18. Please read this text in preparation for worship.
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 9: The Absolute Sovereignty of God. Please bring your Bible.
Bridal Shower
THIS SATURDAY!!
Quarterly Congregational Budget Review
The 2024 second quarter budget review will be THIS SUNDAY, July 21 from 11:45 to 12:15. The meeting will be held in the Sunday School room for those who are interested in attending. Thank you.
Called Congregational Meeting
The Session has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, July 28th, immediately after worship to elect church officers. Please make every effort to attend this meeting!
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 together with you, 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.
Jehoshaphat prayed, “O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:5, 12, 17)
PRAYER: “Gracious and Loving God, our 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 souls. 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 powerful Name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!”
Tithes & 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!
Session Highlights
Our Session met on June 9th at 2:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- Study and Reflection on Matthew 18:6-7 led by Elder Tim Stewart
- Pastor Glen requested prayer for the EPC General Assembly meeting at Hope Church in Memphis, Tennessee from June 18 through 20th.
- Agreed to move forward with upgrades on our Audio/Visual system
- Agreed to move forward with the replacement of one of our air conditioning units
- Agreed to move forward with the paving of parking lot in back of our building and repairing front lot – with completing final pavement of entire parking lot in 2025
- Reports from Women’s Ministry (Great response to the Ladies Luncheon!); Compassion & Care/Relief Ministry; Hospitality Team
- Called Congregational Meeting – July 28th to elect church officers; currently nominating potential elders and deacons (Decision to add one elder to our Session, making the total 5 elders; and creating a Board of Deacons with four deacons)
Please pray for the Session, as they will meet next Monday, July 22nd!
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for June: $24,566.75. YTD: $165,906.71
Total Expenses for June: $24,757.14 YTD: $110,120.99
Update on HCC Capital Improvements
Session has approved four building and grounds projects that include replacing two HVAC units, repairing/repaving the lot behind the Miller’s Office building to provide additional parking, additional outside security cameras and lighting for parking areas, and updated lighting in the sanctuary. There have been several donations made this year to the designated giving fund for Capital Improvements to help defray these expenditures. If you would like to make a voluntary donation to the Capital Improvement Designated Giving Fund, please indicate on your check or envelope that it is for Capital Improvement. Thank you.
Golden Oldies
There will be NO meeting in July due to the fun trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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!!
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
ComfortCare Women’s Health
We are excited to report that our church family donated $2,254.58 in 67 bottles to the Baby Bottle Campaign this year!! To give a comparison, last year we contributed $1,082.51 in 40 bottles.
The total amount for our area this year was $177,292.72, and 7,700 bottles were received!!
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 Outreach page
July Birthdays
Don Coffey (7/24); Nina Gross & Marty Porter (7/27); Ted Brown & Bill Watkins (7/31)