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Loving People More Than…

August 25, 2024
Loving People More Than…
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Ephesians 6:10-20

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “Loving People More Than…”. We will be reading from Ephesians 6:10-20, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 84.

Call to Worship Psalm 84:1-4, 10-12
Leader: How lovely is your dwelling place,
People: O Lord of hosts!
Leader: My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord;
People: My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
Leader: Even the sparrow finds a home,
People: And the swallow a nest for herself,
Leader: Where she may lay her young at your altars,
People: O Lord of hosts, my King and my God.
Leader: Happy are those who live in your house,
People: Ever singing your praise.
Leader: For a day in your courts is better
People: Than a thousand elsewhere.
Leader: I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
People: Than live in the tents of wickedness.
Leader: For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
People: He bestows favor and honor.
Leader: No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
People: O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.

August 25 bulletinDownload
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World Relief Durham Follow-Up

Brothers and sisters,

I just wanted to follow-up with you all about our fellowship event with World Relief Durham (WRD) last Wednesday night. What a wonderful time it was! Twenty-seven church members came out to spend time with us learning about World Relief Durham and the work they do. The food was good. The fellowship was great. And the meeting itself was informative and inspirational.

For those that were not able to join us, Adam Clark, the Executive Director of WRD, talked with us about exactly how ministries like Hope House factor into how they help refugees. He mentioned that Hope House and other houses in the Welcome House Network enable WRD to say, “Yes,” to refugees because WRD knows those refugees will have a safe place to stay once they reach America. He talked about the way that Hope House has inspired other churches in the area to look into creating their own temporary housing for refugees. He talked about the ways that each individual can get involved on behalf of refugees—through donations, through advocacy, and through prayer.

Then, John, one of the first people to stay in Hope House, stood up and told our church about the positive impact Hope House had on his life. He talked about how deeply loved he and his family felt by this church. He said that every year he and his family go over the blessings in their lives and every year they mention Hope Valley Baptist Church and, in particular, Bill Bigger. John also told us about his plans to become a nurse and his dream of working with refugees. He also informed us that he loves North Carolina, but that our weather has taken some getting used to!

At the end, Garry Crites, their new Church and Community Engagement Manager, had set up a table with mate-rials for all of us to take home that further explained the work WRD does. One of the things he had was a bookmark with “40 Days of Scripture & Prayer.” Basically, it was 40 passages to read and pray over on behalf of refugees. I’ll leave you with one of those passages, “When a foreigner re-sides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:33-34, NIV).

Grace and peace,
Pastor Ben

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Putting Away Falsehood

August 18, 2024
Putting Away Falsehood
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Ephesians 4:25-5:2

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “Putting Away Falsehood”. We will be reading from Ephesians 4:25-5:2, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 130.

The Summer Ensemble group at Olive Chapel joins us today!

Call to Worship Psalm 130:1-2, 5-6
Leader: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, hear my voice!
Leader: Let your ears be attentive
People: To the voice of my supplications!
Leader: I wait for the Lord; my soul waits,
People: And in his word I hope;
Leader: My soul waits for the Lord
People: More than those who watch for the morning,
All: More than those who watch for the morning.

August 18 bulletinDownload
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Growing Up in Christ

August 11, 2024
Growing Up in Christ
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Ephesians 4:1-16

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “Growing Up in Christ”. We will be reading from Ephesians 4:1-16, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 34.

Call to Worship Psalm 34:1-8
Leader: I will bless the Lord at all times;
People: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Leader: My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
People: Let the humble hear and be glad.
Leader: O magnify the Lord with me,
People: And let us exalt his name together.
Leader: I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
People: And delivered me from all my fears.
Leader: Look to him, and be radiant;
People: So your faces shall never be ashamed.
Leader: This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
People: And was saved from every trouble.
Leader: The angel of the Lord encamps
People: Around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Leader: O taste and see that the Lord is good;
People: Happy are those who take refuge in him.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Paul writes about truth and love.
How can we use the gifts God has given us truthfully?
How does love affect the way we use our gifts?

August 11, 2024 BulletinDownload
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World Relief Durham

Brothers and sisters,

Earlier this summer I had an opportunity to meet with a couple of the leaders over at World Relief Durham (WRD). The reason for the meeting was simple. WRD had a new Development Specialist, Megan Wylie, and she was interested in learning about how our church partners with WRD to help refugees.

We set up a time to meet—myself, Megan, and the director of WRD, Adam Clark—and went to get coffee at Joe Van Gogh. Over the course of an hour, the three of us sat and chatted with each other about all kinds of things. We talked about how Hope House came to be. We talked about Megan’s recent move to NC and about sports. Then we talked about some of the broader things happening at Hope Valley, with our main topic of discussion being Super Saturday Adventures.

Then, she asked, “Is there anything that we can plan to do together—Hope Valley and WRD?” To which I said, “I’d love to get some kind of fellowship event planned with y’all. A night where you all can come to Hope Valley and talk about the work you do with refugees. And, of course, since it’s a Baptist church we’d have something to eat!” Megan and Adam liked the idea and mentioned that one of our former Hope House residents would be in town in August. They asked if he could come and be a part of this event as well. I happily agreed.

Within the last week, those plans have finally come together. On this coming Wednesday night, August 14th, we will be having a fellowship event with World Relief Durham starting at 6:30 pm over in the Fellowship Hall. We will be serving hors d’oeuvres and small desserts and offering a time of fellowship. Then, World Relief Durham will give a presentation on their work and how they help refugees here in the Triangle. We will also hear testimony from John (Odette’s son) whose family stayed with us in Hope House for over a year. Finally, time-permitting, WRD is open to a time of questions and answers, wrapping up around 7:20 pm.

I think this will be a wonderful night of fellowship together as a church, but also a wonderful opportunity for us to meet with one of our strongest community partners. Also, having talked some with John this past Saturday, I think his testimony about how Hope House helped set him up for success will be uplifting for us all. I hope you will make plans to join us on the 14th!

Grace and peace,
Pastor Ben

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The Power to Comprehend

August 4, 2024
The Power to Comprehend
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Ephesians 3:14-21

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary.  You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel.   Today’s sermon is titled, “The Power to Comprehend”.  We will be reading from Ephesians 3:14-21, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 145.

Call to Worship Psalm 145:10-16

Leader: All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,

People: And all your faithful shall bless you.

Leader: They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,

People: And tell of your power,

Leader: To make known to all people your mighty deeds,

People: And the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Leader: Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

People: And your dominion endures throughout all generations.

Leader: The Lord is faithful in all his words,

People: And gracious in all his deeds.

Leader: The Lord upholds all who are falling,

People: And raises up all who are bowed down.

Leader: The eyes of all look to you,

People: And you give them their food in due season.

Leader: You open your hand,

People: Satisfying the desire of every living thing.

Questions for Further Reflection:

In this passage, Paul talks about God’s love being beyond comprehension.

What kind of response does that draw out of you? How does the love of God inspire you in your daily life?

August 4, 2024 BulletinDownload
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Thinking about Hope

July 28, 2024
Thinking about Hope
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Philippians 4:1-9

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “Thinking about Hope”. We will be reading from Philippians 4:1-9, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 106.

Call to Worship Psalm 106:1-6
Leader: Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
People: For his steadfast love endures forever.
Leader: Who can utter the mighty doings of the Lord
People: Or declare all his praise?
Leader: Happy are those who observe justice,
People: Who do righteousness at all times.
Leader: Remember us, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;
People: Help us when you deliver them,
Leader: That we may see the prosperity of your chosen ones,
People: That we may glory in your heritage.
Leader: Both we and our ancestors have sinned;
People: We have committed iniquity, have done wickedly.

Questions for Further Reflection:
This passage encourages us to look for hope in good things all around us.
What sorts of things bring you hope?
How does your belief in the hope of God connect with those things?

July 28, 2024 BulletinDownload
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Deacon Nominations

Brothers and sisters,

It is that time of the year again — time to nominate and elect Deacons! You’ll notice that the Deacon nomination form has been included in this week’s Illuminator. I would encourage everyone to take some time to think and pray about who you would like to nominate to serve as a Deacon here at Hope Valley. Consider the people you know at our church and how their gifts line up with the mission of the Deacon Board – to provide pastoral care and leadership to the members of our church.

At its best, church is about all of us coming together to care for one another, walk alongside each other, pray for each other, and build community together. Church is never about any one person doing everything. It has always been and should always be a collaboration among all of us. We see several places throughout the scripture where various leaders of our faith realize they cannot go it alone. Jethro encourages Moses to appoint judges (Exodus 18:13-23). The apostle realize they need help in order to preach the gospel and take care of the people (Acts 6:1-6). In his various letters, Paul makes mention of deacons serving the people of the church faithfully, with perhaps the most famous one being Phoebe in Cenchreae (Romans 16:1-2). These leaders of our faith looked to others as partners as they sought to faithfully follow God’s will.

That is the primary function of the Deacons — to partner with the Pastor and other leaders within the church to care for our congregation and help us faithfully follow God’s will. If you know of someone who you think would do a good job leading and serving in this way, I would encourage you to speak to them, tell them the gifts you see in them, and see if they would be willing to be nominated for a position as a Deacon. Or if you yourself feel God calling you to step into this leadership role, I would encourage you to speak to another church member about that and see if they would be willing to nominate you. As always, I would counsel everyone to listen for God’s voice in this process and seek to follow God’s will.

Grace and peace,
Pastor Ben

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Hope is Present Tense

July 21, 2024
Hope is Present Tense
Rev. Benjamin Wines
1 John 4:7-21

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “Hope is Present Tense”. We will be reading from 1 John 4:7-21, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 22.

Call to Worship Psalm 22:25-31
Leader: From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
People: My vows I will pay before those who fear him.
Leader: The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
People: May your hearts live forever!
Leader: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord;
People: And all the families of the nations shall worship before him.
Leader: For dominion belongs to the Lord,
People: And he rules over the nations.
Leader: To him, indeed, shall all who sleep in the earth bow down;
People: Before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, and I shall live for him.
Leader: Posterity will serve him;
People: Future generations will be told about the Lord,
Leader: And proclaim his deliverance to a people yet unborn,
People: Saying that he has done it.

Questions for Further Reflection:
How does love create hope?
How does hope sustain love?
How can hope build communities?
How can communities build hope?

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An Anthem Played on Broken Strings

July 14, 2024
An Anthem Played on Broken Strings
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. You can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube Channel. Today’s sermon is titled, “An Anthem Played on Broken Strings”. We will be reading from Jeremiah 29:1, 4-14, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 33.

Call to Worship Psalm 33:1-5, 20-22
Leader: Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous.
People: Praise befits the upright.
Leader: Praise the Lord with the lyre;
People: Make melody to him with the harp of ten strings.
Leader: Sing to him a new song;
People: Play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
Leader: For the word of the Lord is upright,
People: And all his work is done in faithfulness.
Leader: He loves righteousness and justice;
People: The earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
Leader: Our soul waits for the Lord;
People: He is our help and shield.
Leader: Our heart is glad in him
People: Because we trust in his holy name.
Leader: Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
People: Even as we hope in you.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, hope is not a quick fix; it’s a process.
How does hope help us grow through difficult times?
How does God’s presence affect that process?

July 14, 2024 BulletinDownload