Rebirth and Renewal

December 01, 2024
First Sunday of Advent
The Hanging of the Greens
Rebirth and Renewal
Titus 3:4-7
Rev. Benjamin Wines

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!).

Lighting the Candle of HOPE

Leader: Come, Lord Jesus!

People: Today we begin the journey of Advent. Let us pray that we may be ready and able to welcome the Christ Child into our lives again.

Leader: May this Advent season inspire our hearts and lives.

People: Come, Lord Jesus!

Leader: May this Advent wreath remind us to prepare for Christ’s coming.

People: Come, Lord Jesus!

Leader: The first candle is the candle of HOPE. It was hope that gave people the courage to go on, and it was hope that directed their prayers toward the Messiah.

People: Because of our trust in what God has already done for us, we are bold to hope for what He will yet do with us.

Leader: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”

People: Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” May our lights so shine before others that they will give glory to our Father in heaven and discover the hope brought by the Christ Child! Amen.

The Last Lecture

November 24, 2024
The Last Lecture
Guest Speaker – Dr. Garry Crites
2 Samuel 23:1-7

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.

Hannah’s Prayer

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?

Building Bridges

Building Bridges
Rev. Benjamin Wines
Mark 12:28-34

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?

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?