The Prophet, the Witch, and the Death Curse

October 27, 2024
The Prophet, the Witch, and the Death Curse
Rev. Benjamin Wines
1 Samuel 28:3-25

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?

All Trick, No Treat

October 20, 2024
All Trick, No Treat
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Acts 19:11-20

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, “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?

The Writing on the Wall

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 Writing on the Wall”. We will be reading from Daniel 5:1-12, 17, 22-28. Our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 130.

October 13, 2024
The Writing on the Wall
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Daniel 5:1-12, 17, 22-28

Call to Worship Psalm 130
Leader: Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
People: Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications!
Leader: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,
People: Lord, who could stand?
Leader: But there is forgiveness with you, so that you may be revered.
People: I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Leader: My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning,
People: More than those who watch for the morning.
Leader: O Israel, hope in the Lord!
People: For with the Lord there is steadfast love,
Leader: And with him is great power to redeem.
People: It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, King Belshazzar is humbled.
Are there areas in your own life where you are prideful or arrogant?
How can you turn those things over to God?

Religious Freedom

September 29, 2024
Religious Freedom
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Matthew 22:15-22

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, “Religious Freedom”. We will be reading from Matthew 22:15-22, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 99.

Call to Worship Psalm 99:2-4, 6-9
Leader: The Lord is great in Zion;
People: He is exalted over all the peoples.
Leader: Let them praise your great and awesome name.
People: Holy is he!
Leader: Mighty King, lover of justice, you have established equity;
People: You have executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
Leader: Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel also called on his name.
People: They cried to the Lord, and he answered them.
Leader: He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud;
People: They kept his decrees, and the statutes that he gave them.
Leader: O Lord our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them,
People: But an avenger of their wrongdoings.
Leader: Extol the Lord our God, and worship at his holy mountain;
People: For the Lord our God is holy.

Questions for Further Reflection:
In this passage, Jesus freely chooses to honor God and reject Caesar.
How do we, as Baptists, put God first in our lives?
What can we do to lead others to freely choose God as well?

Who’s the Greatest? Who’s First?

September 22, 2024
Who’s the Greatest? Who’s First?
Dr. Steve Bolton (Guest Speaker)
Mark 9:30-37

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, “Who’s the Greatest? Who’s First?”. We will be reading from Mark 9:30-37, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 1.

Our Guest Speaker is Dr. Steve Bolton.

Call to Worship Psalm 1
Leader: Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
People: Or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
Leader: But their delight is in the law of the Lord,
People: And on his law they meditate day and night.
Leader: They are like trees planted by streams of water,
People: Which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.
Leader: In all that they do, they prosper.
People: The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Leader: Therefore the wicked will not stand in judgment,
People: Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
Leader: For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous,
People: But the way of the wicked will perish.

Church Freedom

September 15, 2024
Church Freedom
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Romans 16:1-16, 21-23

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, “Church Freedom”. We will be reading from Romans 16:1-16, 21-23, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 89.

Call to Worship Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18
Leader: I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord, forever;
People: With my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.
Leader: I declare that your steadfast love is established forever;
People: Your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.
Leader: You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
People: “I have sworn to my servant David:
Leader: “‘I will establish your descendants forever,
People: “And build your throne for all generations.’”
Leader: Happy are the people who know the festal shout,
People: Who walk, O Lord, in the light or your countenance;
Leader: They exult in your name all day long,
People: And extol your righteousness.
Leader: For you are the glory of their strength;
People: By your favor our horn is exalted.
Leader: For our shield belongs to the Lord,
People: Our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Questions for Further Reflection:
This passage is full of names—people whom Paul knew and loved.
Who are the Christians within your own life who have deeply affected your faith?
What can you do to have a positive impact on future Christians?

Soul Freedom

September 08, 2024
Bible Freedom
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Matthew 16:13-23

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, “Soul Freedom”.  We will be reading from Matthew 16:13-23, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 138.

Call to Worship Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8
Leader: I give you thanks O Lord, with my whole heart;
People: Before the gods I sing your praise;
Leader: I bow down towards your holy temple
People: And give thanks for your steadfast love and faithfulness;
Leader: For you have exalted your name and word above everything.
People: On the day I called, you answered me, you strengthened by soul.
Leader: For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
People: But the haughty he perceives from far away.
Leader: Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
People: You preserve me against the wrath of my enemies.
Leader: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
People: Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

Questions for Further Reflection:

In today’s passage, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Messiah.
Who were the people comparing him to?
And why does Peter’s confession make such a big difference?

Bible Freedom

September 01, 2024
Bible Freedom
Rev. Benjamin Wines
1 Corinthians 2:6-13

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, “Bible Freedom”. We will be reading from 1 Corinthians 2:6-13, and our Call to Worship comes from Psalm 112.

Call to Worship Psalm 112:1-2, 4-9
Leader: Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord,
People: Who greatly delight in his commandments.
Leader: Their descendants will be mighty in the land;
People: The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Leader: They rise up in the darkness as a light for the upright;
People: They are gracious, merciful, and righteous.
Leader: It is well with those who deal generously and lend,
People: Who conduct their affairs with justice.
Leader: For the righteous will never be moved;
People: They will be remembered forever.
Leader: They are not afraid of evil tidings;
People: Their hearts are firm, secure in the Lord.
Leader: Their hearts are steady, they will not be afraid;
People: In the end they will look in triumph on their foes.
Leader: They have distributed freely, they have given to the poor;
People: Their righteousness endures forever.

Questions for Further Reflection:
This month, we’re taking a look at The Baptist Identity.
What does being Baptist mean to you?
How would you distinguish us from other denominations?
Why does it matter to be Baptist?

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.

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.