![Picture](/uploads/2/5/7/7/25773697/published/food-blessing-box-2.jpg?1705416675)
We have added a “Food Blessing Box” to our landscape and ministry 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 The Pastor
June 26, 2024
We are officially into summer – and it has felt like it! We survived the heat wave of last week and are now enjoying the cooler temperatures, for a few days at least. It’s easy to dream of living in a place where the temperatures never vary much when we are in the midst of a heat wave or a cold spell, but would that be as ideal as we dream? Maybe for some, maybe not for everyone.
I know I often think I would love to live where the skies are always a brilliant blue, the sun shines, and it is always warm enough for swimming but not so warm that we are uncomfortable. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? At least for a minute or two. Then I remember that I love a few cooler days and I don’t mind a few hotter ones as well. I like rain sometimes and I really don’t mind snow. (If only it didn’t need to be so cold to happen!) I love the change of seasons, the change of colors that come and go, and even the change in temperatures. In short, I like variety.
I can say the same about almost everything, variety is the spice of life after all. While I live for the time I get to spend at the beach, I also appreciate that I get to go through the mountains to get there. I love watching the farm fields go from freshly tilled to a hint of green to the tall stalks of corn or the deep green of beans or the amber gold of wheat ripe for harvest. I love watching the yard at my house come to life in spring as it awakens from the brown of winter. I am actually excited when I see the dandelions begin to pop up everywhere, and now the clover that dots my backyard looks so pretty.
All of this makes me realize that while I may dream of living in a place where the weather is always “perfect,” I would probably get bored with the sameness after a short time. I think that goes the same for life. I am not a person of extreme routine. Sure, there are days when I dream of what it would be like to have a set routine to follow. I think that maybe life would be easier if I did. But then I realize I would get bored with that very quickly. If I really craved routine, I would probably still be working a Monday – Friday factory job. I tried that twice; I didn’t do well with the strict routine, but I thank God for those who do factory work and do it well.
Perhaps my penchant for variety is why I like Ecclesiastes 3 which begins, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven,” and then the author, probably Soloman, goes on to write 14 couplets that put together opposites that point to the wisdom in his initial statement. There is a time for everything and a season for which it will come into our lives and then go away again, before returning once more. I believe God makes it this way for our benefit.
In the hard seasons we tend to depend upon God more, and we grow as a person and in our faith in difficult times. The hard times also help us appreciate the good seasons more which leads us to give thanks and praise to God as we remember how he provides for us at all times. Yes, I think Soloman got it right and God has wired us to appreciate that the only thing constant in this life is change. So, embrace the change, enjoy the good times, and know that the hard times will not last forever. Isn’t God so good?
Have a blessed summer,
Pastor Donna
June 26, 2024
We are officially into summer – and it has felt like it! We survived the heat wave of last week and are now enjoying the cooler temperatures, for a few days at least. It’s easy to dream of living in a place where the temperatures never vary much when we are in the midst of a heat wave or a cold spell, but would that be as ideal as we dream? Maybe for some, maybe not for everyone.
I know I often think I would love to live where the skies are always a brilliant blue, the sun shines, and it is always warm enough for swimming but not so warm that we are uncomfortable. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? At least for a minute or two. Then I remember that I love a few cooler days and I don’t mind a few hotter ones as well. I like rain sometimes and I really don’t mind snow. (If only it didn’t need to be so cold to happen!) I love the change of seasons, the change of colors that come and go, and even the change in temperatures. In short, I like variety.
I can say the same about almost everything, variety is the spice of life after all. While I live for the time I get to spend at the beach, I also appreciate that I get to go through the mountains to get there. I love watching the farm fields go from freshly tilled to a hint of green to the tall stalks of corn or the deep green of beans or the amber gold of wheat ripe for harvest. I love watching the yard at my house come to life in spring as it awakens from the brown of winter. I am actually excited when I see the dandelions begin to pop up everywhere, and now the clover that dots my backyard looks so pretty.
All of this makes me realize that while I may dream of living in a place where the weather is always “perfect,” I would probably get bored with the sameness after a short time. I think that goes the same for life. I am not a person of extreme routine. Sure, there are days when I dream of what it would be like to have a set routine to follow. I think that maybe life would be easier if I did. But then I realize I would get bored with that very quickly. If I really craved routine, I would probably still be working a Monday – Friday factory job. I tried that twice; I didn’t do well with the strict routine, but I thank God for those who do factory work and do it well.
Perhaps my penchant for variety is why I like Ecclesiastes 3 which begins, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven,” and then the author, probably Soloman, goes on to write 14 couplets that put together opposites that point to the wisdom in his initial statement. There is a time for everything and a season for which it will come into our lives and then go away again, before returning once more. I believe God makes it this way for our benefit.
In the hard seasons we tend to depend upon God more, and we grow as a person and in our faith in difficult times. The hard times also help us appreciate the good seasons more which leads us to give thanks and praise to God as we remember how he provides for us at all times. Yes, I think Soloman got it right and God has wired us to appreciate that the only thing constant in this life is change. So, embrace the change, enjoy the good times, and know that the hard times will not last forever. Isn’t God so good?
Have a blessed summer,
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.
Young ones (Birth - Pre-K) - the nursery
*Pre-K - 1st Grade - downstairs with Ms Connie *2nd - 5th Grade - downstairs with Ms Roberta 6th - 8th Grade - downstairs with Ms Sabrina |
9th - 12th Grade - downstairs with Mr Chris
Young Adult/College & Career - in the library Russ Bowman's Class for adults - at Dunkin' Donuts Alpha and Omega for adults -in the Fellowship Hall |
Watch previous week's messAGES 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
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!