As we celebrate Independence Day tomorrow, I was reminded of the freedom we have as Christians from the law of sin and death. The Apostle Paul stated in Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Believers are now freed from sin’s domination by the new principle or power of the Spirit of life.
Can “religion” free us from the power of sin and death? Religion, no matter how conscientiously we follow it, cannot deliver anyone from the power of sin and death. All the good deeds in the world will not set you free from the law of sin and death.
So, to what do you need to be set free? To be set free, you need new life imparted by God’s Spirit. Along with this new life comes complete justification from all your sins. We read in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This new life means that you are now dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11).
Does sin still try to hold you down? Sin still tries to hold us down, but the life that comes from the indwelling Spirit gives us the power to soar above sin and the resulting death. So, freedom from the law of sin and death comes through the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. May we celebrate that freedom as Christians during this holiday weekend!
Worship
Pastor Glen’s sermon this Sunday is, “Real Freedom,” based on John 8:31-38. Please read this text in preparation for worship! We will be welcoming new members
We will also celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Per 1 Corinthians 11:27-31, please take time to examine yourself before coming to the Lord’s Table. We now have an additional communion station in the back of the sanctuary and we have prayer warriors prepared to pray with you during communion and after the worship service.
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 Harold Cook and others for a wonderful time around God’s Word!! We will study Ephesians 1: “God’s Plan of Salvation.” Please bring your Bible.
Tithes & Offerings
An offering box is available as you enter or exit the sanctuary. Additionally, Online Giving
Caring and Compassion Offering Opportunities
The Caring and Compassion committee will have a separate donation box in the back of the sanctuary on communion Sundays. This will be for additional giving outside of the
budget to help those in need in our community. The Caring and Compassion committee works closely with the local Salvation Army. They vet prospective clients for us and let us
know if the request is legitimate. Or they contact us sometimes when they run short on funds, to see it we can assist. Working with them, we can rest assured that such requests are justified. Having said that, there will also be times when HCC may be called upon to help others in need separately, and we want to be sure we are ready. Each case will be scrutinized individually. So, please give as you feel led, and know that we will be good stewards of such gifts. The donation box will be monitored and handled by the treasurer. If you want to write a check, please make it out to Hope Community Church and notate the Caring and Compassion ministry in the memo line. Thank you!!!!!
Session Highlights
Our Session met on Thursday, June 16th at 5:00 p.m. The following are some of the highlights:
- We gathered around God’s Word and corporate prayer. Ruling Elder Richard Ammons led a discussion of “…be doers of the word and not hearers only”, from James 1:19-27
- Session welcomed the three newly elected Ruling Elders who began attending without a vote as a means to gain familiarity with our processes and methods
- Session met with guest Blake Porter, representing a cross-generational and gender task team focused on “Are we going to be on this campus in 3 to 5 years?” and “Why?”. Stay tuned for more details…
- The Pastor’s Report, the Clerk’s Report, and the Financial Review were presented and discussed, with no action being necessary.
- Elder Bob Simmons, representing the Pastor Search Committee, brought Session up to date in specific terms regarding the potential candidate the committee wishes to secure, and with Pastor Glen meeting with Bob and Elder Richard Ammons about Glen’s announced retirement., along with the status of securing a Transitional Pastor from the EPC for our church.
- The new website vendor has provided a link for the Session and committee to examine as we move closer to go-live
- Approved upgrading the new coffee nook area with a wall monitor scrolling announcement/activities (along with other monitors throughout the church) and purchase nook furnishings (stand-up tables, etc)
- Approved the purchase of metal name tags for members/regular attenders
- Reciprocity of parking with Willis Family Dentistry “went live” for his staff during the week, and Hope on his lot on Sundays.
- Agreed to provide a contingency plan for mowing/trimming grass areas should it become necessary
- Authorized a free will offering system on Communion Sundays for the Compassion and Care ministry
- Ruling Elder-elect Bill Watkins will be looking at establishing an endowment fund(s) at Hope CC
Budget Update
Total Tithes/Offerings for May: $27,499.55 YTD: $157,348.07
Total Expenses for May: $16,632.05 YTD: $100,115.52
Golden Oldies
Golden Oldies, a group for those 70 or older, meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in the Panera Bread Community Room (unless otherwise noted) on the following dates:
July 9th – Bingo at Panera Bread (10:30 a.m.). Each person should bring a $10 gift, so all will be winners and have a gift to take home.
If you or your mate is 70 or older, please come and join us!
August 20-21, Golden Oldies will travel to Lancaster, PA, to see “Noah” and “Then Sings My Soul.” Note to PA fun travelers: Please make your check out to Shenandoah Tours and deliver to Janet or Harold Coiner by June 1st. Thank you, and we are looking forward to a memorable trip!
September 10 – Gary P. Critzer, Director of the Department of Emergency Management and EMS of the City of Waynesboro, will be our speaker.
October 8 – Steve Landes, Clerk of Augusta County Circuit Court, will be our speaker.
Mission Corner
ComfortCare Baby Bottle Campaign
This year, our congregation donated $1,979.88 to the 2025 Baby Bottle Campaign. The Grand Total donated for 2025 was $177,356.03. Praise God for such a tremendous campaign!
Prayer Room
The Prayer Room is an outreach ministry in downtown Waynesboro that cares for people practically and shares the good news of Jesus Christ! We are collecting personal hygiene products and wrapped food items to support this ministry. Donations can be brought to the church and given to the Prayer Room.
Love INC
We are collecting paper products (Toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues. No napkins needed, as they are overflowing) from July through September 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
July Birthdays
Lowell Gross & Doug Farrow (7/2); Jake Kleinschuster (7/5); Richard Ammons (7/7); Laurie Bame (7/10); Kelly Smith (7/22); Don Coffey (7/24); Nina Gross & Marty Porter (7/27); Ted Brown & Bill Watkins (7/31)
