Note from The Pastor
Friends,
Kim Southerland sent me this email about a court case against Governor Northam’s restrictions on church went against the First Amendment of the Constitution and the Virginia State Constitution. He relented for churches under 250. What does this mean for us? Take a look at the article.
Jim Trusty mentioned the need to pray. If you are feeling that, come and pray for our country together on Sunday evening at 6:30 on October 18th, 25th, and November 1st.
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
I’m glad Ted gave you an update on our church finances. I, too, want to thank you for faithfully and generously giving to Hanover Friends. You can give in person or through the mail or have an electronic check sent to the Church like we do.
Many of you watched some of The Return this weekend or the Prayer March that Franklin Graham organized. It’s so important that we are praying for our country and upcoming election. We will be offering 3 Sunday evenings to come together and pray, October 18th and 25th and November 1st at 6:30.
We’ve been dealing with COVID 19 since March with the shutting down of businesses and wearing masks. The CDC recently released death figures for the USA that showed that 94% of those who died from COVID had an average of 2.6 other comorbidities. In other words, they were very ill to begin with. Perhaps you’ve heard about the 6% who didn’t, but 94% is significant.
CDC also released survival rates for COVID by age:
0-19: 99.997%
20-49: 99.98%
50-69: 99.5%
70+: 94.6%
You should be careful, but don’t live your life in fear!
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
Today is Labor Day as I write this, a day to celebrate work by having a day off. Work is a 4-letter word but not that kind of 4-letter word.
I have enjoyed all my jobs over the years: mowing lawns, helping Dad at his part-time job, Studer’s Sports, Harrison Paint, Landscaping, foamer at a factory, and pastoring 3 great churches!
But if your labor is laborious then listen to Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Paul said, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Last week I wrote you about Troy’s need for a car. He’s found one for $2000. If you would like to give toward that purchase, let me know the amount and I will manage the money until he has enough to purchase the car.
Cathy and I plan to join with The Father’s House to prayer walk Atlee High School Saturday at 9 am if you’d like to join us.
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
I appreciated Ryan’s passionate word in the service Sunday about not being lukewarm. If you weren’t in the service, check it out on the website, Facebook page or our YouTube page. I also loved the line in the Casting Crowns song: “If we’ve ever needed You, we need You NOW! We do need Him now. Seek Him, call out to Him. Let’s get desperate.
Cathy and I went for a walk as it was lightly raining. The sun came out in the western sky. Guess what we saw in the east? A rainbow. God saw it with us. Very cool.
I am beginning an 8-week sermon series on Revelation called “The Last Word.” Rather than teach verse by verse, I will hit on major themes. I encourage you to use RightNow Media along with this series. Follow the instructions in Lisa’s email last week and David Platt has one on Revelation. Do your own study, too!
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
I don’t like the masks. Wearing one fogs up my glasses. It’s hard to breathe. I’ve read plenty of articles that say they are worthless in protecting you from COVID 19. My loose-fitting cloth mask attests to that. Is it government overreach? A mask today, the mark of the Beast tomorrow. Where does it end?
Cathy and I visited family in Ohio last week. It was good to see them! We visited my Aunt in an Assisted Living facility and Cathy’s mom in one. We were required to wear a mask to be with them outside. It was hot out and the mask didn’t help. But I could tell by my Aunt’s words, me wearing that mask was very important to her.
That was eye opening for me. I wanted to see and talk to her. She wanted me to wear a mask. So, I did. That’s a solid reason for wearing one right now.
It reminded me of Paul’s reasoning in Romans 14. He’s talking about eating meat that was in the Pagan Temple’s butcher shop. Some of it was used in sacrificing and some was sold. Paul had no problem eating the sold meat. Some Christians did. So he said he wouldn’t eat meat if it caused his brother to stumble.
I don’t like the mask. I will wear one temporarily if it gives comfort to my brother or sister.
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
The congregation unanimously approved the sale of 4.53 acres to WEDG Acquisitions. We’ll be getting a Christian Brothers Automotive and a Dunkin Donuts in the future. Thank you for your support through this process.
Two young families and a few more older adults had lunch in the gym after church yesterday and the children played in a “cooler” place than outside. If you would like to do this, let Lisa know in the office to reserve it, and let me know so I can come back and set the alarm.
Cathy and I will be leaving Sunday to go to Canton and see my dad and aunt and Cathy’s mom and sister. It’s been six months since we’ve seen them. Then we’re traveling to Marysville to see three former church families, then on to Cincinnati to spend a few days with our son. After that, I’m taking Cathy to the CAP work project. I’ll be coming home that Monday afternoon. Remember to pray for our team.
Use your secret weapon of prayer today!
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
To our members who I am not seeing regularly, I miss you! I hope you are doing well and staying connected to church folks and the church service by Facebook Live or the church webpage. Use RightNow Media resources to keep you growing spiritually.
I encouraged everyone yesterday to reach out to your police department and write them an encouraging note.
We’re proud of our graduates! These 4 graduated from High School:
Abby Lumpkin
Rose Lumpkin
Daniel Hooper
Rachel Cryster
And Amber Hooper graduated from college. Our prayers are with you as God leads your steps.
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
I’m completing a nine-week preaching series on the Fruit of the Spirit by discussing Self-Control. Watch James Merritt’s Tasty series along with it. James’ 3 points from Galatians 5:
- Confront Yourself
- Crucify Yourself
- Control Yourself
We’ll be giving you suggestions for summer viewing and learning on RightNow Media. Stand tuned.
Click here to watch last night’s chat.
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
It’s supposed to be hot Sunday, so be prepared for that. You could sit in the picnic area by the playground fence. I’d imagine you could hear fine there. If it rains some Sunday at 9 am, we can’t have the drive-in service. We would only have the sanctuary service. Watch the weather if you come to the drive-in service and plan accordingly.
JoAnne Wharff’s brother, Tommy passed away yesterday. Please keep her family in prayer during this difficult time.
Also, Camp Wakefield’s Clean Up day is this Saturday. Contact Carl or Jodi for more details.
Note from The Pastor
Friends,
Ted, Harold, Carl and I had a good meeting today with our Realtor, Susan Jones and prospective buyer, Eric Liebowitz of Casto Company, land developers.
I was impressed with Eric and could see us reaching and agreement on our land in the future.
I also thought I would weigh in on what’s happening in America with the riots. You’ve read and heard a lot of opinions, so one more won’t kill you! I’ll be brief.
We were all horrified over George Floyd’s death by the Minneapolis police officer. No one would or should defend that. Most Americans are horrified over the senseless rioting and looting. This is a far cry from peacefully protesting police brutality or racial injustice which most American’s would agree on.
For me, I can’t answer how much “systemic racism” there is in America or in the human heart. I do know there is sin there. To me, it’s a sin issue. As a sin issue, there is only one solution – Jesus. Until someone surrenders his or her heart to Jesus, sin is going to raise up it’s ugly head in many forms.
God created every human being. He loves every one of them. They have equal worth and dignity and should be treated fairly, justly and in love and kindness (Romans 12:9-10). If people would do that, the world would be a better place. As a Christian, I can do that now by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside me. You can, too!
Preach the gospel rather than politics. Encourage a heart change which can lead to a head change. Then perspectives, viewpoints, opinions can change.