We have a “Food Blessing Box” for those in need to be able to grab non-perishable food items for a meal or two. Feel free to take advantage of these items. We also need non-perishable food items to replenish the box when needed. Please bring your items to church or add your items to the box. May ALL who give and receive be blessed!
LETTER FROM PASTOR DONNA
June 2, 2026
I don’t know if this ever happens to you, but I often realize I have a song stuck in my head that plays on repeat. Actually, it’s usually not the whole song but just a line or two of it, over and over. Now, this might bother some people, but it never bothers me. In fact, I have come to rather enjoy the reminder that the song brings because for me, these songs are almost always hymns or worship songs.
For instance, today’s song is “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Perhaps this is a holdover from this past Sunday since it was our closing hymn, but that’s not how it normally works. The songs that come to my mind are usually random, but yet, not random at all. I find, if I listen closely, that the words filtering through on repeat are usually just the message I need to hear that day. I like to think this is God’s way of reminding me that he is with me, he cares for me, and he knows the state of my heart and mind. I take comfort in that. Perhaps today’s song is to remind me that although I have a long to-do list this week, I still need to seek God first, to make him a priority over anything on my list.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus teaches, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” What does Jesus mean by “all these things?” Verse 33 comes at the end of Jesus’ teaching that we should not be anxious about anything; that we should not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Jesus reminds us that if God cares enough about the birds to give them sustenance, and about the fields to dress them with grasses and flowers, then how much more will he provide for us, his children. Jesus goes on to say that worry about all these things is for those who do not know God, but when we know God, we will trust him enough to seek him before we can even begin to worry about food, clothing, or anything else.
Now, you might be thinking that you never have to worry about food or clothes, but stop for a moment and think – what do you worry about? We all have something in our lives that makes us anxious, that causes us to worry a bit. Maybe it isn’t food or clothing but instead it’s having the funds to put gas in the car, job stability, family issues, health worries, prodigal children, aging parents… the list of possibilities is endless. Jesus’ words remind us to not let these worrisome thoughts consume us.
Satan likes it when we get lost in our anxious thoughts and worries because that takes our focus off God. Jesus says to focus on God and all he is and does and lean into his goodness, trust in his provision, and let go of our worries. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” because God is bigger than our worries.
I’m not saying there won’t be difficult times, but when they do come, don’t waste precious time in worrying about them, go to God in prayer, humbly submit your anxious thoughts to him and seek his will and his way. Then be sure to listen for his response. It might come to you as a word, a prayer, a scripture verse, or even a song that gets stuck in your head, but God will always respond when we seek him earnestly. Seek God always.
Have a beautiful, blessed June,
Pastor Donna
I don’t know if this ever happens to you, but I often realize I have a song stuck in my head that plays on repeat. Actually, it’s usually not the whole song but just a line or two of it, over and over. Now, this might bother some people, but it never bothers me. In fact, I have come to rather enjoy the reminder that the song brings because for me, these songs are almost always hymns or worship songs.
For instance, today’s song is “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Perhaps this is a holdover from this past Sunday since it was our closing hymn, but that’s not how it normally works. The songs that come to my mind are usually random, but yet, not random at all. I find, if I listen closely, that the words filtering through on repeat are usually just the message I need to hear that day. I like to think this is God’s way of reminding me that he is with me, he cares for me, and he knows the state of my heart and mind. I take comfort in that. Perhaps today’s song is to remind me that although I have a long to-do list this week, I still need to seek God first, to make him a priority over anything on my list.
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus teaches, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” What does Jesus mean by “all these things?” Verse 33 comes at the end of Jesus’ teaching that we should not be anxious about anything; that we should not worry about what we will eat, drink, or wear. Jesus reminds us that if God cares enough about the birds to give them sustenance, and about the fields to dress them with grasses and flowers, then how much more will he provide for us, his children. Jesus goes on to say that worry about all these things is for those who do not know God, but when we know God, we will trust him enough to seek him before we can even begin to worry about food, clothing, or anything else.
Now, you might be thinking that you never have to worry about food or clothes, but stop for a moment and think – what do you worry about? We all have something in our lives that makes us anxious, that causes us to worry a bit. Maybe it isn’t food or clothing but instead it’s having the funds to put gas in the car, job stability, family issues, health worries, prodigal children, aging parents… the list of possibilities is endless. Jesus’ words remind us to not let these worrisome thoughts consume us.
Satan likes it when we get lost in our anxious thoughts and worries because that takes our focus off God. Jesus says to focus on God and all he is and does and lean into his goodness, trust in his provision, and let go of our worries. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” because God is bigger than our worries.
I’m not saying there won’t be difficult times, but when they do come, don’t waste precious time in worrying about them, go to God in prayer, humbly submit your anxious thoughts to him and seek his will and his way. Then be sure to listen for his response. It might come to you as a word, a prayer, a scripture verse, or even a song that gets stuck in your head, but God will always respond when we seek him earnestly. Seek God always.
Have a beautiful, blessed June,
Pastor Donna
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Morning education classes
Classes for Pre K- Adults of all ages are meeting from, 9:30 am to 10:30 am.
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Young ones (Birth - Pre-K) - the nursery
*Pre-K - 1st Grade - downstairs with Ms. Connie *2nd - 5th Grade - downstairs with Ms. Roberta |
9th - 12th Grade - downstairs with Mr. Chris
Alpha and Omega for adults -in the Fellowship Hall |
Watch previous week's message from Pastor Donna (and others) ON OUR worship services PAGE OR ON OUR fACEBOOK PAGE (@ROOTSTOWNCHURCHofhope)
For more news, updates and info, check out our News page!
Habitat of portage county Apostles Build
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Apostles Build Story: The project that was started in July 2019 has been completed! The Hummel-Tucker family were presented with their home on April 25th at 2 pm! Blessings to the family as they begin to move in and get comfortable! Thank you to all who helped, prayed for, donated to this project!
