Saturday, October 31, 2020

Being Fruitful and Multiplying (2020.10.31 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald)

Hopewell Herald – October 31, 2020

Dear Congregation,

In this past week’s sermon passage, we got the answer to the question: after struggling and stumbling so much with remaining sin, could Jacob still enjoy blessing? Could Jacob still be useful?

The text reoriented us by changing the subject of the sentence. God still can and still will bless Jacob. God still can and still will use Jacob. He is God Almighty.

The persistence of God’s blessing and purpose is not just a guarantee but a calling. In this case, “Be fruitful and multiply.” We noted that this was the original command to Adam (and all humanity), and has now been repeated to Noah, Abraham, and Jacob.

And it still stands as our chief command. Our chief calling.

But what if you are past child-bearing age? Or if it is not in God’s ordaining for your life that you be married or have children?

Yes, dear Christian, it is still your chief calling. And perhaps you would recognize this more easily if we modify slightly our vocabulary: it is your chief commission.

We hear the echo of “I am God Almighty” in our Redeemer’s “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to Me.”

“Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” with [renewed] image-bearers is the same as to say, “Going into all the earth, make disciples of all nations by baptizing them and by teaching them to keep all that I have commanded you.”

Every Christian has a serving, encouraging, edifying duty to the rest of his or her congregation. As we learn in this week’s Ephesians text, public worship is central to this duty. When we prepare for it, and whatever else we can do to help others be ready for it, is part of the fulfillment of “be fruitful and multiply” and “make disciples.”

And, as you encourage and accommodate the covenant children of the congregation, you participate in the growth of the church. To this, we must add always praying for our unbelieving neighbor, always being ready to give an answer for our hope, always living as unashamed light and hoping that those who are darkness will not only be exposed but transformed into light themselves by the life of Christ.

Further, Hopewell is not called merely to church growth but church multiplication. It is a blessing to have a worship room that maxes out around 150 worshipers. As the Lord blesses His means not only to our spiritual growth but unto the converting and bringing in of those whom He is saving, we should be identifying where those whom He is bringing in live, so that we can be planning where to plant our daughter church. After 200 years of God’s faithfulness, let us be responding to how the Lord presented Himself in the passage last Lord’s Day. He is God almighty. He is carrying out His plan of redemption by that almighty power. And He commands that we, in dependence upon Him, would be fruitful and multiply.

Looking forward to worshiping Him with you in those means which He promises to bless unto that end,

Pastor


LORD'S DAY – November 1, 2020

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
This week, we will continue to work through Ryan McGraw’s The Day of Worship, learning about the goodness of God in this good commandment.

 

11 a.m. Public Worship
Children’s Catechism for Nov 1
Q53. What kind of life did Christ live on earth? A. A life of poverty and suffering.

Shorter Catechism for Nov 1

Q61. What is forbidden in the fourth commandment? A. The fourth commandment forbiddeth the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words or works, about our worldly employments or recreations.

Psalms and Hymns
TPH415 “We Gather Together”   
ARP96A “O Sing a New Song” 
TPH159 “Abide with Me”

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Psalm 32:4–11

Scripture Readings
1Samuel 21:10–22:5
Ephesians 5:18–21
Luke 9:27–36

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing from Genesis 35:16–36:43 about The Difference That Death Makes

12:45 p.m. Coffee Fellowship and Catechism Class

1:15 p.m. Fellowship Lunch & Open Mic Time
Members are encouraged to bring way more than enough, so that there will be plenty for everyone, including any members or guests who are deciding last-minute whether or not to stay.

At open mic time, we’ll begin with birthdays and anniversaries and recitations of the memory verse: 
Genesis 35:29So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

2:30 p.m Psalm/hymn Sing

3:30 p.m. Evening Sermon from

Ephesians 5:18–21, The Spirit-filled Life 

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for November
Fayetteville ARP in Fayetteville, TN

November Psalm of the Month
ARP96A O Sing a New Song to the Lord

Upcoming Events

•Wednesday, November 4, Prayer Meeting. 6:30p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We pray for a solid hour, splitting into groups to balance praying corporately with giving everyone an opportunity to pray out loud as much as possible.
•November 14, Leadership (men’s and boys’) breakfast, 6:30 a.m.
•November 16, Elders’ Meeting, 6 p.m.

BABY SHOWER!

Please join us on Friday, November 13th at 6:00 at Hopewell fellowship hall to celebrate the newest Johnson baby.  In addition to the registration, she said that the baby could use clothes, wash cloths, socks,etc.  If you would like to give cash or gift cards, there are a couple of large items on the list that several people could go together on.  Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.

Dawn

Registry links:
https://bit.ly/33VtCqA (diapers)
https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/meredeth-johnston-january-2021-lewisburg/I07WSZAT9ZIB

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