All men are invited for Fellowship, Light Breakfast and a Devotion and Prayer Time.

You are welcome to bring cookies, cakes or toppings to compliment the Sundaes. A sign-up sheet will be in the Sunday Classes for the next 2 Sundays. We will have an abbreviated prayer meeting at 6:30 p.m. and then enjoy fellowship and sundaes. If you have questions, please contact the church office or Carol Atkins.

Have you considered recently what gifts or talents for service you have been given? As we prepare to begin a new church year, have you prayed about ways you can serve using your gifts or develop gifts you haven’t used before? There are so many ways to serve one another and the community through our church, and we would like for everyone to consider how they can do this. Members who are already serving in a role will receive an email in a few days inquiring about their plans for those positions for the coming year, but we always want to involve others in positions of service as well.

Through the Worship Council facilitated by Brenda Doyle, you can be a part of the Sound team, the Sanctuary Décor teams for Easter or Christmas, the Set-building team, the Baptism team, the Rose Garden & Flower team, and the Deaf Ministry.

The Children’s Council guided by Amy Herring offers opportunities in the Children’s Sermon team, Missions Education team, Extended Session team, Vacation Bible School team, and Awana.

If your heart is leading you to work with Missions and Ministry teams, Barbara Rowley heads that council and can direct you to areas in the Missions team, the Benevolence team, the Athletic Outreach tea, the Greeters team, the Interfaith Hospitality Network, the Outreach team, and the church’s craft activities through the Yarn and Ceramics ministries.

Our Mutual Care Council led by Carol Atkins can help you work with the Family Ministry team, the Hospitality team, the Bereavement team, the Kitchen team, our Wednesday night suppers, and the Senior Adult ministry.

Through our Discipleship Council facilitated by Jennifer Bowen, you can serve as a teacher, assistant, or substitute in Sunday School, work with the Youth team, be part of Men of Hope, or begin a Small Group.

Our Support Council with Faye Williamson as its convener offers areas for service in the Personnel, Properties, Finance, Counting, Publicity, Furnishings, Technology, and Nominating Teams, as well as the Church Trustees.

If you have questions about what is involved in any of these areas, please contact either the Nominating Team at service@hvbc.org or the leader of the council that represents that area. Our church is doing great work within the congregation and the community – how can you be a part of it?

Thank you for all the ways you use your gifts,

The Nominating Team – Wes Bolton, Jennifer Bowen, Rachel Dossett, Jonathan Herring, Amy Sauls, and David Stoops

Of course, work like this always brings a few inconveniences and will require some patience. Ken has already moved out of his office and will be working in the current office building. The choir room is currently out of commission, meaning that the choir will be practicing in the sanctuary on Wednesday evenings and is in the process of figuring out alternative options for Sunday mornings before worship. We appreciate your understanding and willingness to make adjustments in the short-term so that we will have a more efficient and attractive office area in the long run.

As I have been thinking about and watching the work being done, it strikes me that remodeling projects offer us a metaphor for thinking about the ways God wants to work in our lives. In Romans 6:6, Paul tells us, “For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” In Ephesians 4:22-24, we find this challenge: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

The Christian life is a lifelong journey in which we are called to submit our lives to God’s transforming power. God wants to help us remove our old attitudes, actions, and sin so that He can remodel us to become like Christ. Sometimes the changes are dramatic, much like having the wall knocked down in our old choir room, so that something better can take its place. Other times, God’s work is more subtle and feels more like polishing and freshening of areas where we aren’t yet what God desires. Though God’s transformation can make us uncomfortable, there is nothing better than discovering the abundant life that God offers as we allow Him to shape us and transform us.

Perhaps, as this summer unfolds and we see the work taking place in our church buildings, we can be reminded to spend time in God’s presence, asking Him to remodel our hearts and minds and souls so that we become increasingly Christlike in thought, word, and deed. As Paul says in Philippians 3:12, “Not that I have alreadyobtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” May it be so for each of us!

Bill

No Fixed Price!

Donations welcome!

Bring your dirty car to the church parking lot on Saturday, June 1 from 8am-12pm and let the Youth clean it up for you! All donations go towards the Youth Activities at HVBC!

I continue to plead and ask for your assistance in the days leading up to Kingdom Rock! Please, please, please click here and sign up to volunteer. Understand that it is extremely helpful to us if you sign up on-line. There are many opportunities for you to help: Games, Crew Leader, Decorating, Photo/Video, Technician, Security, Registration, Adventure Leader, and of course Prayer Team Member. Each of you play a vital role in the success of Kingdom Rock! It is my great privilege to witness our church family sharing God-given talents, gifts, and time with children during (and prior to) the week of VBS. For that, I say “thank you”.

I would like to highlight one additional volunteer opportunity – Hospitality Crew. This year, we are creating a group who, we hope, will follow-up with families that visit us during the week of VBS. We would like to build upon their visit and establish relationships with hese families – especially those who may not have a church home. I know that God has given you a beautiful smile, and I’m asking that you consider joining the Hospitality Crew and share that smile with the folks that join us the week of Kingdom Rock!

Friends, I firmly believe that God has given us an awesome opportunity by opening the Mission Field right here in our own backyard. A grand adventure awaits, and I continue to look forward to working side-by-side with you as we carry the glorious message of God’s Great Love to youngsters right here in our own town.

Rock On and Stand Strong!

Jonathan Herring, VBS Director 2013

Formally Known As: Leanu Breeze (that’s pronounced “lee-ANN-oo” Breeeeeze, Dudes!)

• VBS training – Wednesdays May 22 and 29, June 5 and 12  at 6:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall
• Car wash – June 1 from 8 AM to 12 PM (this is a good way to earn money to defray the costs of youth camp and other activities)
• Work at the Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Store – Thursdays, June 13 and 27, August 8 and 22. We will leave the church at 6 PM and stop for frozen yogurt after working.
• Frankie’s Fun Park – Saturday, June 29. We will leave the church at 4 PM and return at 10 PM.
• Cookout to welcome rising 6th graders to youth group – Sunday evening, August 4. Time TBA.
• Durham Bulls game – Sunday, August 11. Leave the church at 4 PM.
• Whitewater rafting – Saturday, August 17. Details will be coming as the date gets closer.

We will also make several trips to visit and play games with the residents at Spring Arbor, and Pastor Bill will continue teaching Bible Study on Sunday evenings along with our regular time of games and fun activities.

Also, don’t forget our trip to Passport Camp in Danville, VA on July 8-13! It promises to be an amazing week!

We also need your help with Vacation Bible School on July 14-19!

Thank you to all the people who have worked so hard to help our children in their Awana time. In the first year Hope Valley hosted Awana, we averaged 30 children a week. This year, we averaged 57 children a week. This growth is such a blessing, but it also brings new needs. Some of our children have been in classes of 18 this year. There are always children who will excel regardless of the class size, but others need more assistance. Can you help our club next year? Can you be a teacher or regular helper? Please be in prayer about this. If you have any questions about what’s involved, please ask Chris or Joy Lawson or Jennifer Bowen.

The summer will be busy with many church and family activities. July will be especially busy with Passport Youth Camp, Children’s Music Camp and Vacation Bible School followed by InterFaith Hospitality Network. We hope you will continue to join Pastor Bill in weekly Bible Study and prayer time at 6:30 p.m.