Service Archives

Christmas Eve Service, 2024

Lighting the Christ Candle
Leader: It was on this night, two thousand years ago,
People: That the world changed forever.
Leader: A young couple arrived in Bethlehem.
People: They were looking for a place to stay.
Leader: The time was coming for their child to be born.
People: But no one had room for them.
Leader: Finally, they were led to a cave.
People: A night spent among the animals.
Leader: And Mary gave birth to her first-born son.
People: She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger.
Leader: The Light of the World came and dwelled among us.
People: We had no room for him, but he has always made room for us.
Leader: That first Christmas changed everything.
People: Thanks be to God!

May God bless each and every one of you with a joyous and very Merry Christmas!!!

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. On this Forth Sunday of Advent, we will light the Candle of Love. Rev. Benjamin Wines will bring the message titled, “Christ in You”. We will be reading from Romans 8:1-11 and our Call to worship comes from Psalm 119:33-40.

Call to Worship Psalm 119:33-40
Leader: Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
People: And I will observe it to the end.
Leader: Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
People: And observe it with my whole heart.
Leader: Lead me in the path of your commandments,
People: For I delight in it.
Leader: Turn my heart to you decrees,
People: And not to selfish gain.
Leader: Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
People: Give me life in your ways.
Leader: Confirm to your servant your promise,
People: Which is for those who fear you.
Leader: Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
People: For your ordinances are good.
Leader: See, I have longed for your precepts;
People: In your righteousness give me life.

Lighting the Candle of Love
Leader: We know the love of God is great,
People: Greater than anything we could imagine.
Leader: It spans continents,
People: It perseveres through eternity.
Leader: But two thousand years ago,
People: Everything changed.
Leader: God took on flesh.
People: God came to walk among the people.
Leader: And so we know God loves us,
People: Because God came and lived among us.
Leader: May we feel the love of Christ this Advent.
People: May we make his love known to others.

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. On this Third Sunday of Advent, the Hope Valley Cherub Choir, Sanctuary Choir, and Ringers will present “The Candles of Christmas – A Service of Christmas Messages And Music”. Following the service, you are all invited to a reception following the service.

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. On this Second Sunday of Advent, we will light the Peace Candle.  We will be reading from Colossians 1:15-23, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 15.  Pastor Benjamin Wines will bring the message, “Firstborn”.

Call to Worship
Psalm 15
Leader: O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
People: Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Leader: Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
People: And speak the truth from their heart;
Leader: Who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends,
People: Nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
Leader: In whose eyes the wicked are despised,
People: But who honor those who fear the Lord
Leader: Who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
People: Who do not lend money at interest,
Leader: And do not take a bribe against the innocent.
People: Those who do these things shall never be moved.

Lighting the Candle of Peace
Leader: God, you have called us to be still,
People: To know that you are God.
Leader: Yet we rush to pick up weapons of war,
People: That should be beaten into plowshares.
Leader: Remind us that all people bear your image,
People: That all people are our neighbors.
Leader: Teach us to set aside differences,
People: And strive for peace.
Leader: As we light this candle,
People: We pray that your peace would reign.
Leader: May the peace of Christ be with us.
People: May the peace of Christ stay with us.

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. This is a special day, as it marks the Beginning of the Season of Advent.  At our 11:00AM Service, we will decorate the Sanctuary as part of the annual Hanging of the Greens.  We will be reading from Titus 3:4-7, and Pastor Ben Wines will share the homily titled “Rebirth and Renewal”.

As a reminder, you can also find our services online at the HVBC YouTube channel (at any time!).

Call to Worship
Psalm 93
Leader: The Lord is king, he is robed in majesty;
People: The Lord is robed, he is girded with strength.
Leader: He has established the world;
People: It shall never be moved;
Leader: Your throne is established from of old;
People: You are from everlasting.
Leader: The floods have lifted up,
People: O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice;
Leader: The floods lift up their roaring.
People: More majestic than the thunders of mighty waters,
Leader: More majestic than the waves of the sea,
People: Majestic on high is the Lord!
Leader: Your decrees are very sure;
People: Holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.

We look forward to joining you in Worship this Sunday, starting at 11:00AM in the Sanctuary. Today’s sermon is titled, “The Last Lecture”. We will be reading from 2 Samuel 23:1-7. Our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 93. Our guest speaker is Dr. Garry Crites. Dr. Crites is an ordained minister within the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference. After many years in the pastorate, he returned to grad school and received a PhD in Early and Medieval Church History from Duke University. He is currently the Church and Community Engagement Manager at World Relief Durham, a Christian refugee resettlement agency.

November 17, 2024
Hannah’s Prayer
Rev. Benjamin Wines
1 Samuel 2:1-10

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, “Hannah’s Prayer”. We will be reading from 1 Samuel 2:1-10. Our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11.

Call to Worship
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11
Leader: Protect me, O God,
People: For in you I take refuge.
Leader: I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
People: I have no good apart from you.”
Leader: The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
People: You hold my lot.
Leader: I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
People: In the night also my heart instructs me.
Leader: I keep the Lord always before me;
People: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Leader: Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
People: My body also rests secure.
Leader: For you do not give me up to Sheol,
People: Or let your faithful one see the Pit.
Leader: You show me the path of life.
People: In your presence there is fullness of joy;
All: In your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Questions for Further Reflection:
Hannah’s prayer is both intimate and cosmic in its scope.
How do her words provide comfort to you as an individual?
How do her words provide hope for our world?

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, “Building Bridges”. We will be reading from Mark 12:28-34. Our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 119.

Call to Worship Psalm 119:1-8
Leader: Happy are those whose way is blameless,
People: Who walk in the law of the Lord.
Leader: Happy are those who keep his decrees,
People: Who seek him with their whole heart,
Leader: Who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways.
People: You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
Leader: O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
People: Then I shall not be put to shame,
Leader: Having fixed my eyes on all your commandments.
People: I will praise you with an upright heart,
Leader: When I learn your righteous ordinances.
People: I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

Question for Further Reflection:
Today, we celebrate those Christians that came before us. Take some time to reflect on the people who have helped shape your faith.
How did your relationships with them blossom?
What can we learn from Jesus’ interaction with the scribe?

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 Prophet, the Witch, and the Death Curse”. We will be reading from 1 Samuel 28:3-25. Our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 143.

Call to Worship Psalm 143:1-2, 5-8
Leader: Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;
People: Answer me in your righteousness.
Leader: Do not enter into judgment with your servant,
People: For no one living is righteous before you.
Leader: I remember the days of old; I think about all your deeds;
People: I meditate on the works of your hands.
Leader: I stretch out my hands to you;
People: My soul thirsts for you like a parched land.
Leader: Answer me quickly, O Lord;
People: My spirit fails.
Leader: Do not hide your face from me,
People: Or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
Leader: Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,
People: For in you I put my trust.
Leader: Teach me the way I should go,
People: For to you I lift up my soul.

Question for Further Reflection:
This passage centers on Saul’s response to fear.
What sorts of things do you run to when you’re afraid/overwhelmed?
How can trusting God help you turn toward more faithful responses?

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, “All Trick, No Treat”. We will be reading from Acts 19:11-20. Our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 22.

Call to Worship Psalm 22:19-28
Leader: O Lord, do not be far away!
People: O my help, come quickly to my aid!
Leader: Deliver my soul from the sword;
People: Save me from the mouth of the lion!
Leader: I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters;
People: In the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
Leader: You who fear the Lord, praise him!
People: Stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
Leader: For he does not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted;
People: He did not hide his face from me, but heard when I cried.
Leader: The poor shall eat and be satisfied;
People: Those who seek him shall praise the Lord.
Leader: All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord;
People: And all the families of the nations shall worship him.
Leader: For dominion belongs to the Lord,
People: And he rules over the nations.

Question for Further Reflection:
The sons of Sceva engage in something called “magical thinking” and it does not turn out well for them.
What does it mean to value Jesus for who he is rather than what we think we can get from him?