Dear Members and Friends of Hope,

 

This Sunday we will continue the scripture lesson from Hebrews 11:29-12:2. It would help with this text to go back and read last Sunday's along with it, Hebrews 11:1 through 12:2. Listen for the ways the writer of this letter encourages weary, frustrated Christians in the early Church.  In the words of David Gray, pastor of Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church, " Faith allows us to see beyond what is right in front of us."  Hebrews gives many examples of those who were unable to see the evidence of God at work in the world and yet they kept the faith because they believed and lived their lives knowing that God holds the future. It can be hard to keep the faith in times of challenge and tribulation, but God's faithfulness is great, and faith in action is not about what we do, but what God does through us. The words of a hymn by Helen Lemmel are very appropriate for those times when we feel weary in faith:

 

Are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see.

Thereis light for a look at the Savior,

And life that's abundant and free.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in his wonderful face,

And the things of life will grow strangely dim,

In the light of his glory and grace.

 

Look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday.

 

Remember that after worship, we will be taking pictures of members and friends for our bulletin board.

 

Pastor Dottie