The Glory of a Christian Wife [2026.01.17 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – January 17, 2026

Special Notice: as announced last Lord’s Day at public worship, and in the booklet, the annual budget meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, directly after the prayer meeting (~8p.m.). A draft budget is attached, as approved by the Diaconate and commended by the Session.

Dear Congregation,

Two women get name changes in the Bible.

First, Adam changes Mrs. Adam’s (Adamah, “woman”) name to “Eve” as an expression of his faith (Gen 3:20) in the gospel promise contained within the curse upon the serpent (Gen 3:15).

Second, when God is giving Abram the sign of the covenant, He changes not just Abram’s name (Gen 17:5), but Sarai’s. Every time Abraham calls her Sarah (Gen 17:15), he will remember that God’s covenant is tied to the Offspring that will come through her (Gen 17:15–21).

But it is not just those husbands who are ancestors of Christ, for whom a big part of their walk with the Lord is to recognize the honored place that God has given their wife.

Treating your wife as a fellow-heir of the grace of life is an essential part of the Christian walk of every husband. Just as Sarah is an example to Christian wives (1Pet 3:5–6), what God gives Abraham to do by changing Sarai’s name is an example to all Christian husbands (1Pet 3:7).

These means dwelling with them with understanding, and “handling with care,” lest the Lord refuse to hear your prayers (“that your prayers may not be hindered”). And it means aiming at their coming into the inheritance of the grace of life, by the regular bathing of the Word (Eph 5:25–26).

A Christian wife is a glory in her husband’s life. And the honor of acknowledging her status, and responding rightly to it, is a significant part of his walk with Christ.

Marvelously, Christ Himself treasures His church, His bride.

Looking forward to drawing near to Him, as He dwells with us with understanding and cleanses us with His Word,

Pastor

 

Audio lessons to help you prepare for the Lord’s Day:

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC35, Conceived in Sin and Misery 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC12, The God Who Binds Himself to Creatures 
▪Song of Songs 3:7–11, “The Glory of the Groom”
▪Deuteronomy 27:11–26, “Each of Us Deserves God's Wrath”
▪Ecclesiastes 10:8–10, “Trust Only in God But Live Wisely”
▪Matthew 26:47–56, “Christ's Compassionate Commitment”
▪Song of Songs 4:1–7, “Beauty of the Perfected Bride”

 

LORD'S DAY – January 18, 2026 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
We are preparing our minds and hearts for public worship by studying our Confession of Faith from Scripture, affirming that Scripture is our only ultimate authority, but also discovering that what we confess is thoroughly Scriptural.

11 a.m. Public Worship

▫Children’s Catechism for January 18. Q35 What effect had the sin of Adam on all mankind? All mankind are born in a state of sin and misery. [CC 35 Simply Explained: “Conceived in Sin and Misery”]

▫Shorter Catechism for January 18. Q12. What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created? When God had created man, He entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death. [WSC 12 Simply Explained: “The God Who Binds Himself to Creatures”]

Songs for January 18 morning service: 
▫TPH471 “The Sands of Time Are Sinking” [mp3]
▫ARP135A “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord’s Name” [mp3]
▫ARP41B “All Those Who Hate Me” [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Song of Songs 3:7–11

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
Deuteronomy 27:11–26
Ecclesiastes 10:8–10

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing the sermon from Matthew 26:47–56 about “Christ’s Commitment to the Cross”

Lord’s Supper! (Please see the section at the end of the Worship Booklet on how rightly to prepare for and take it).

1 p.m. Coffee Fellowship and Catechism Class

1:30 p.m. Fellowship Lunch

▫Memory Verse for January 18, Matthew 26:56, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.

3:00 p.m Evening Praise and Preaching
We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Song of Songs 4:1–7 about “The Bride on Her Wedding Day”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for January
Lincoln Memorial ARP in Fayetteville, TN

January Psalm of the Month
ARP135A Hallelujah! Praise the Lord’s Name

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, January 21, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 20:29–21:3 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Saturday, January 24, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall
• Wednesday, January 28, Congregational Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Chapel
• Wednesday, February 11, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study