Revelation 2:8-11 “To the Church in Smyrna”
Prayer:
Revelation 2:8-11
To the Church in Smyrna
“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:
These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.
Follow-up Questions:
- Why is God speaking to the specific church that this passage is addressed to?
- How do you think God is speaking through this to my church?
- What is God saying specifically to me through this passage?
Revelation 2:1-7 “To the Church in Ephesus”
Prayer:
Revelation 2:1-7
To the Church in Ephesus
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
Follow-up Questions:
- Why is God speaking to the specific church that this passage is addressed to?
- How do you think God is speaking through this passage to my church?
- What is God saying specifically to me through this passage?
HCC Informer & Service Information
Good Morning Hopkins Community Church!
Drive-In Church: Sunday 6/7/2020
*PLEASE NOTE THIS CHANGE*
Giving
HCC Informer and Sunday Service Information
Good Evening Hopkins Community Church!
COVID-19 Update
Drive-In Church: Sunday 5/24/2020
*PLEASE NOTE THIS CHANGE*
HCC Worship Service Information: 5/17/2020
Good Evening HCC,
Drive-In Church: Sunday 5/17/2020
HCC Informer (5/8/2020) & Sunday Service Information
Good Evening HCC!
Coming to you this morning with several pieces of information regarding the life and ministry of Hopkins Community Church.
Drive-In Church: Sunday 5/10/2020
Join us for Drive-in Church at 10 AM on Sunday! We will open Scripture to Deuteronomy 6:4-9 & Ephesians 6:1-3 in a sermon entitled “Purposeful Parenting”
You can join us in person (in your car) at HCC, tuning your radio to 97.3 FM.
You can join us live on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE-yIUv3Mc6wTTledxAKIww
This will be the new home for live streaming HCC worship services and events. Please subscribe to the channel!
We continue to test some new software, trying to improve your experience and our abilities. There may be an increased delay (up to approx. 30 seconds) between the video online and the audio in your vehicle. If you are watching from your vehicle, we recommend muting the audio on your mobile device and listening to the radio.
You can also join us live on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/HopkinsCommunityReformedChurch
Here is a printable worship sheet as well. Please remember that we cannot provide them at the time of the service.
Please remember to remain in your vehicles for the service as we continue to comply with the current standards of the Federal Government’s social distancing guidelines.
In the event of rain, we will move forward as planned. Unfortunately, Pastor Jon will just have to preach from under the canopy instead of raised up.
There will be a place to drop off donations as Tithes/Offerings as well as your offer on the way in and on the way out. Our In-Gathering this week is for the Hopkins food Pantry. Non-perishable food items can be brought for donation.
Mother’s Day:
Typically, on Mother’s Day, flowers are handed out at the end of the worship service to mothers as a blessing and recognition of their unique and vital place in our lives. In lieu of the current Covid-19 restrictions and with the health of the congregation in mind, we are not going to be handing out flowers this year. In place of that, here is a coloring sheet that we encourage your children to decorate and bring to church on Sunday. As you drive in and drive out, have your children show them out (or through it is raining) the windows of your car.
Discipleship Opportunity:
Thursday evenings, from 8:00 PM – 9:15 PM we are hosting an event called “EXPECTANCY: learning to grow, pray, and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit“. This meeting will take place via ZOOM, led by Pastor Jim Harrison, and will be an opportunity to grow in your knowledge, understanding, and ultimately the application of what it means to live our lives in a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit. The group is using the book “Forgotten God” by Francis Chan which is available, along with a workbook, upon request to Pastor Jon.
Covid-19:
At this time, we are going to continue worshiping on Sundays via the Drive-in Style of worship through May 24. We will also be extending the suspension of In-Person activities in the church through this time. The consistory will meet on May 18 to discuss the future and consider possibilities for “opening up” once again. Please be in prayer for wisdom and discernment on this matter as we balance our desire for normalcy with that of keeping people safe. A survey will be going out to the congregation and those who have attended Drive-In church these past 3-4 weeks about thoughts and feelings regarding current and future possibilities.
Needs:
Finally, we want to once again encourage you that if you find yourself in need, or know of someone who is in need, we would like to connect with you (or them) and help. HCC has both physical and financial resources to help those in need and want to do so in this time. Please contact a consistory member or Pastor Jon to talk about this.
PASTORS
Jonathon VanderWall
Jim Harrison
ELDERS
Dick Boverhof (District 4: M-R)
Sally Burgess (District 3: I-L)
Lee DeZeeuw (District 2: F-H)
Dan Kisner (District 1: A-E)
Bob Larr (District 5: S-Z)
269.793.7452
DEACONS
Troy Clement (District 2: F-H)
Joel Eding (District 3: I-L)
Rich Huizinga (District 4: M-R)
Jennifer Kerber (District 5: S-Z)
Lupe Martinez (District 1: A-E)
Eric Porter (District 3: I-L)
Have a blessed weekend!
HCC Informer & Sunday Service Information
Good Morning HCC!
Drive-In Church: Sunday 5/3/2020
Communion
Discipleship Opportunity:
Covid-19:
Needs:
ELDERS
Dick Boverhof (District 4: M-R)
Sally Burgess (District 3: I-L)
Lee DeZeeuw (District 2: F-H)
Dan Kisner (District 1: A-E)
Bob Larr (District 5: S-Z)
269.793.7452
DEACONS
Troy Clement (District 2: F-H)
Joel Eding (District 3: I-L)
Rich Huizinga (District 4: M-R)
Jennifer Kerber (District 5: S-Z)
Lupe Martinez (District 1: A-E)
Eric Porter (District 3: I-L)
Sunday, April 26 Worship Service Information
- Men’s L, XL, XXL or larger sweatshirts (the guys are so cold while the staff is sweating in all their gear)
- Men’s XL or larger long sleeve or short sleeve t-shirts
- Comfy pants like sweats or PJ bottoms or even long underwear
- Men’s M or L underwear (maybe you happen to have an unopened package that was the wrong size or something)
- Men’s gently used tennis shoes in sizes 9-12 (many of the guys are wearing worn out shoes)
- Twin size comforters or warm blankets
- microwave popcorn or other microwavable snacks (they love warm food)
- clementines or bananas (not everyone has equal amounts of teeth for eating hard fruits)
- candy (chocolate especially as they love sweets)
- pop tarts
- hot chocolate packets
- cans of coke or pepsi (we go through coke like nobody’s business when we have it)
- bottles of gatorade
- other snack things you can think of (we don’t need chips or crackers as we have lots of those). We do have some ability to refrigerate a small amount of things.
HCC Informer 4/10/2020 (With Easter service Info)
Hello HCC!
We are coming to you today with relevant information about the life of Hopkins Community Church in this continued Covid-19 lockdown.
First, I want to share with you that we have gotten continued support from our local officials and assurances that our Easter Drive-in service falls under the exemption of religious gatherings in the Governor’s executive orders. We will gather for “Drive-In” Easter celebration at 10 AM on Sunday, April 12. Here is the Facebook Event link that you can share on your social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/events/233289897789789
The following is a lot of important information for this service that you should keep in mind:
Easter Worship Service will begin at 10 AM. (Important to note the time change)
We will be opening God’s Word to John 20 in a message entitled: “That you may believe…”
The service will be livestreamed in two places.
This will be available for those who choose not to drive to church, who feel they need to stay home, or for those who have gathered but may not be able to see. If you use this at the event, we suggest muting the media volume on your mobile device and using the radio for your volume. You can find the livestream destinations using the following links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HopkinsCommunityReformedChurch
Youtube: https://youtu.be/kVLp8A8BeqY
You can find a printable song sheet by using the following link (songsheets will not be provided at the event): https://www.hopkinscommunitychurch.net/easter-lyrics-application/
Please follow the directions of the parking crew. Parking may be tight. We have tested the radio reception distance and can ensure reception from 20th street to CD’s, and to the past the top of the first hill on 21st as well. We will confirm before Sunday whether the Middle/High School parking lots are also viable radio reception locations. (Thanks again to the Veenstra Family for loaning us your equipment!)
Bring your own coffee/snacksOffering buckets will be available upon the exit of the parking lot.A location for non-perishable food donations will be available upon the exit of the parking lot. Donation suggestions include:
- Tuna fish
- Hamburger/Tuna helper
- Jelly
- Cereal
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Crackers
- Bar soap
- Toilet Paper
We must insist that:
- People remain in their vehicles. This is vital for the event to work and keep everyone safe.
- No bathrooms will be available. The church building will be locked.
- No access to the church building will be available.
- No church refreshments will be provided (let’s be honest, you make your own coffee better anyway)
- Respect Social Distancing guidelines
We are looking forward to seeing each of you on Sunday!
HCC Update: 4/1/2020
Good Afternoon HCC!
I am pleased to announce to you today that we will hold an EASTER service at church on Sunday, April 12.
- Easter Sunday worship service: 10 AM in the Hopkins Community Church parking lot
- Worship will be held in a “drive-up” or “drive-in” style
- Music and preaching will be broadcast via FM radio as well as on Facebook and/or Youtube live online (more specifics to come)
- Special Thank-you to the Veenstra Family for allowing us to use their FM radio transmitter from their annual light show
- You will be asked to remain in your vehicles.
- The church building will not be open to the public (this includes restrooms).
- We will not have coffee or refreshments.
- There will be no bulletins. A printable songsheet will be made available earlier in the week.
- Offering buckets will be available as you enter and exit the parking lot.
A couple of other quick things:
Finally, I just want to, again, post here the ways in which you can stay in contact with us here at HCC:
- HCC Informer: subscribe by emailing Inform.HCC@Google.com
- REMIND Text messaging: subscribe by texting “@hopkinscom” to 81010
- Facebook Page: Like us at the following link: https://www.facebook.com
/HopkinsCommunityReformedChurc h - Facebook Group: Request to join here: https://www.facebook.com
/groups/306932216002349/ - Website: www.hopkinscommunityc
hurch.net - Giving information: www.hopkinscommunitychurch.net/giving
- Pastor Jon’s Blog: https://www.hopkinscommu
nitychurch.net/pastors-blog/ - Pastor Jon’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.c
om/channel/UCi7FFuOzq5rqe1BON6 RXw-w
HCC Informer: 3/19/2020
Good Morning HCC!
First,
Second,
Communication:
Prayer Requests:
Needs:
Third,
Finally,
HCC Informer: COVID-19 response (3/14/2020)
Good Afternoon Hopkins Community Church,
What this means:
What this does not mean:
Some other details for you:
We close this message with the following Scripture from Ephesians 6:10-20,
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for [us], that whenever [we] speak [or whatever we do], words [and actions] may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that [we] may declare it fearlessly, as [we] should.
May the Lord Bless you and keep you,
May the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you,
May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace, now and always,
Amen.