Summer for community groups is a perfect time for fun, fellowship, rest, and yes, even training and preparing for the fall. It looks different for everyone and can also be an overlapping of all of the above.

 

On Wednesday nights at The Gathering we have been going through the HFC Family Series. The mission of HFC is to be disciples that make disciples. A disciple is someone who knows and follows Christ, is being changed by Christ, and is committed to the mission of Christ. Understanding our mission, vision, who we are and what we believe is important as we are on mission unified.

 

We have been able to see how the HFC Family Series and the real-life discipleship training go hand in hand and how it all ties back to scripture. (Matthew 4:19, Matthew 28: 18-20)

 

This week of real-life discipleship speaks to taking a closer look at relational environment. Our group discussed how we, as a group, create a relational environment as we prepare for the kick off of fall community groups and the anticipation of new members not connected to HFC.

 

Authentic relationships, mutual accountability and encouragement, as well as a safe relational environment are essential for community groups to pave the way for learning about God and His Word. Small group size is intentional so that everyone can participate and we can shepherd disciples and each other well.

 

Discussion have been rich and I could go on and on, but it’s not the same as if you were there…. So you are invited! Send me an email and I’ll help to get you connected!

 

Your sister in Christ,
Naomi

Our youth ministry along side with Iglesia’s youth group attended IYC 2022 at San Antonio and we had a blast. Although all the adult volunteers and chaperones are exhausted and still recovering, I believe it was worth it. New friendships were made, moments were created, we had opportunities to hear from God, and we ate together every single day but most importantly, we grew as a group.

 

The conferences were awesome, the music was phenomenal, the food Miss Eunice cooked for us was delicious and not to mention Rudy Paul always found a way to make things work for us, but the one thing everyone needed was to share their life experiences, hear from someone else what God is doing in their lives and ride in a vehicle together for 4 hours to introduce themselves to whomever is sitting next to them.

 

IYC might be over but our students still need people praying for them. They still need to hear encouragement from someone. They need to be connected to a youth group to be surrounded by people their own age who also are trying their best to follow God. I need you to always remind our students to never give up, to always stay connected, to put God first no matter what. 

 

We need to invest in the next generation (AKA our students). We as adults need to be ready to pass the baton but we also need to equip, love, mentor and disciple our students here and now, before we pass the baton. 

 

With love, Pastor David.

 

 

 

 

 

Can faith and fear co-exist? In my opinion, yes. Let me explain how this has played out in my
life.

It feels like my entire adult life has been ruled by fear and anxiety. Throw in an occasional
panic attack and some mild bouts of depression and life was/is challenging at times. However,
these are the very things that have driven me to my knees and God’s word. He has healed me
of so much anxiety. Have all of these things disappeared? No, and that is okay if that is what it
takes to keep me relying on Him.

In day to day life fear and faith exist together quit often. For example, when I get in my car I
am very scared of the other drivers on the road. Yet, I still drive and have faith I will eventually
arrive safely to my destination.

I am extremely afraid of heights. God has not asked me to climb any physical mountains-so,
don’t even ask! He has, however, called us to make disciples.

The call to disciple making has stretched me in so many ways. I am naturally an introvert.
Small talk and putting myself out there are not my forte. Yet God is gently nudging me to step
out of my comfort zone. As I do so, faith becomes stronger than fear.

Obeying-in spite of any fears-is a step of faith. So, yes, I think faith and fear can co-exist.

 

Elder Melodie Erwin

This physical world is filled with danger. Jesus even promised us that: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Anyone who has driven on a freeway or played dodgeball or watched toddlers can agree that being constantly watchful is not only necessary but critical for survival and protection. Looking straight ahead with an unrealistic expectation of quiet, calm order will soon lead to consequences from a lack of preparedness. The military phrase “keep your head on a swivel” implies the fact that danger often lurks outside our intended line of vision. We must be always watchful and cautious in all situations.

This truth not only applies to this physical world but to our spiritual world as well. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). But HALLELUJAH! We are not left alone to defend ourselves against this enemy. Ephesians 6:14-18 gives us a list of the arsenal we can access to be prepared to fight. When we intentionally put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, we are ready to “stay alert and be persistent in [our] prayers for all believers everywhere” (18).

No matter how prepared we may be in the physical world, we are not promised complete protection from danger. But we can count on the assurance of the Holy Spirit’s protection of our spiritual souls for all eternity.

Stay safe out there, and keep your head on a swivel.
Elder Joe Hall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 19:1-6
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2  Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
3  They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
4  Yet their voice [b]  goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5      It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6  It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

 

Those who know me know that I am insanely into astronomy. Anything that has to do with outer space, galaxies, planets, etc. I am fascinated with. I went as far as to earn a Master of Science in Astronomy and now I get to use the knowledge gained for this, along with all the other experiences, in my day job.

 

We recently had a spectacular total lunar eclipse. This was the 14th total lunar eclipse that I have seen. Such events are amazing to watch over several hours as the Moon transforms from a brilliant white disk to a frosty Christmas ornament set among the stars. The sky and the surroundings grow dark until the total eclipse starts, then it is like a moonless night with only a ruddy ghost of a moon shining overhead.

 

The universe is full of amazing examples of God’s creation, and all of it work together in such a way that it takes much more faith to believe that it all came from random blind chance events than from the hand of an intelligent Creator. The diversity within our solar system and galaxy alone is overwhelming: no two planets, asteroids, comets, stars, celestial clouds, star clusters, or even lunar eclipse events are exactly alike. And this created pattern extends to the farthest reaches of the universe, unseen only to the Creator Himself and, in these last days, our curious telescopic eyes.

 

Consider the works of God’s hands, not only in crafting together a universe fit to support life on Earth, but the work of these same hands to craft together your purpose on this one habitable planet we are most familiar with. God is still in the business of creating wonderful things, particularly in the lives of His children.

 

Be blessed, y’all!

Elder Brian Cudnik

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week we will celebrate Mother’s Day together and we tend to see two things on Mother’s Day. First, this will be another week in which we see a number of guests so let’s show them the love of God through HFC. It starts with handing out invite cards but most importantly, we want to welcome people well on that Sunday.

 

Second, we usually see a range of emotions with Mother’s Day. In fact, some people actually avoid worship because it is Mother’s Day. However, we want to come together as the HFC family that we are and simply love on everyone no matter how that day might make them feel. We will celebrate, grieve, rejoice and support each other because that is what God calls the church to do.

 

No matter how we feel, we know that God is Always Enough to help us, encourage us, and motivate us into his will for our lives. I can’t wait to see how God is going to work through each of us in these days to come. Find even more information at hfcog.org/mom.

 

In Him,
Pastor Tim