Yesterday, our hearts broke, they cried out in pain, in tragedy, in lack of understanding. The news that a young boy in our community had been hit and killed came crashing down on our hearts like bricks. If you were like me and many others, the tears began and just wouldn't stop. Romans 12:15 tells us to Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. While I do not personally know Mrs. Takacs, or Austin, her son tragically killed, or the driver, Rita Grivanos or all of those involved including his dad and sister, my heart broke with theirs and continues to break today. And while I cannot pretend to understand their pain, I do feel pain for them all. There are few words that I or anyone else could possibly say to make this any easier to understand or any easier to deal with. There is a song of hope that I thought appropriate for everyone involved. My thoughts and prayers are with them. May God carry Mr. & Mrs. Takacs, their daughter, Mrs. Grivanos and each child on the bus, on His wings giving them strength to face each day.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tragedy crushing the community
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
2008 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
Bells will be ringing this holiday season as thousands of runners and walkers hit the nation’s pavements, pathways and parks this winter to fight arthritis, the nation’s most common cause of disability.
Get in the spirit this holiday season! Join the Hope Community Team on December 13th from 2 to 4 pm in Fremont, Ohio. Tie jingle bells to your shoes, dress in a festive costume, and run or walk in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis with Hope Community!
Hope Community is forming a team of friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family members to participate in the Jingle Bell Run/Walk in an effort to fight arthritis. Not only will we have a great time at the event, but we’ll raise money to help prevent, control and cure arthritis.
Please visit our Web page to learn more, join our team or make a secure, online contribution to help our team reach our goal. Together, we can make a difference for the 46 million Americans with arthritis.
So, lace up those sneakers, and join us!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Centennial Tent Service - October 5, 2008
The Church of the Nazarene is a global family. Each Nazarene in 151 world areas deserves to attend the celebration of our Centennial. For this reason, on October 5, 2008, the Centennial Celebration took place across 24 time zones in every local church.
From the Hallelujah March around the Pilot Point tent in 1908 to almost 21,000 local churches today, the Church of the Nazarene has grown in ways that no single tent, sanctuary, or even coliseum could now hold the gathering of our entire church.
Yet how thrilling it was to sense the bonds of a growing Nazarene family in our Centennial Celebration as we united in common worship content, our guest speaker, Rod Trim knowing that almost 21,000 fellow pastors were standing before their congregations Sunday to proclaim the same message, scripture, and theme.
This week's Centennial Sunday allowed us to celebrate our Nazarene doctrine, core values, heritage, and mission. It afforded us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrate holiness in a way that no Nazarene generation has yet been privileged to do. From the most spacious sanctuary to the open-air shade tree, in every language, in every culture, every Nazarene deserved to celebrate the Centennial.
At Hope Community Church of the Nazarene, we celebrated with a tent service, harkening back to the days of our heritage in Pilot Point Texas. The children of our church presented a short drama commemorating that fateful and faithful day in 1908 when the Church of the Nazarene came into existence with a common goal to share the gospel as one out of many.
We also presented several Heritage Awards to people who God has used over our 75 years as a congregation to bless our people and our community. We were privileged to have reminisced about these faithful people, many who have already gone home to be with the Lord: Marge & Roscoe Isbell, Henry & Alta Tober, Helen & Stanley Schultz, Lavonne Mills, Clyde & Norma Jordan, Sue & Bill Northrop, Thom & Robin Sneed, Tim & Pam Jordan, Mary & Jim Cribbs, and Larry & Evelyn Avery. Each of these brothers and sisters in Christ has truly left a lasting legacy and heritage in our church and in the lives of their families.
God has truly blessed and looked after Hope Community Church of the Nazarene. On our denominations 100th anniversary we were given the honor of celebrating not only the centennial but also the grand opening of our new ministry center! We buried a time capsule in our courtyard and had a open house celebration the entire weekend!
Two of our beloved family members were baptized on Sunday: Steve Bancer and Diane Ludwig! Another awesome Spirit-filled event!
Overall, the weekend was just a great reminder of how faithful God is to His children! We praise Him and thank Him for all He has done and all He is doing for not only Hope Community but for all of His churches around the world!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Centennial Friday Night
On Friday, October 3rd, Women's and Men's Ministries hosted a Night out at the Naz. Originally, to be to separate events, one men's and one women's, we decided to combine efforts and have one big bash!!! And that it was! The ladies had massages, facials, foot soaks and hand treatments and the guys had ESPN. We also had prizes and games! It was a great night!
We learned that if you ever need anything and you can't find it at church, ask a woman and she just may have it in her purse! Whether it's ketchup, mayonnaise, a bandaid, or tweezers! Chances are there is a lady in the church who has exactly what you need hiding in her purse!
We had a Hog Roast and cheesecake! Thanks bunches to the ladies who brought side dishes! Overall, we heard "When are we going to do this again?" And don't worry, we'll start working on another night out very soon!!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Ladies Night Out at the Naz
This Friday, October 3rd at 7 pm, you won't want to miss our Ladies Night Out at the Naz. There will be games, pampering, comedy, crafts, fellowship, food, and lots of prizes. We will also have a silent auction that you will be able to participate in if you wish. There is child care for nursery through 10 years old.
Hope to see you at our new Ministry Center, 5650 Starr Ave. Oregon, Ohio, tomorrow night!!!! It's free!!!!