"Church Family" [2026.01.31 Pastoral Letter and Hopewell Herald]

Hopewell Herald – January 31, 2026

Special Notice: due to postponement for weather the called meeting to approve a budget and elect a treasurer is scheduled for Wednesday, February 4, directly after the prayer meeting (~8p.m.). A draft budget is attached, as approved by the Diaconate and commended by the Session.

Dear Congregation,

We’ve been learning much, from Song of Songs, about the desires and delights of Christ. In Mark 3:34–35, Jesus says, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

Sometimes, we speak of one another as “church family,” but the truth and reality is much better: that Jesus has made us to be His own family.

It truly is a wonderful thing that we are about to do—entering heaven with Him, Who presents us there, saying, “Here am I and the children whom God has given Me” (Heb 2:13).

Looking forward to going to heaven with you, Christ’s family,

Pastor

 

Audio lessons to help you prepare for the Lord’s Day:

▪Theology Simply Explained — CC37, What Every Sin Deserves 
▪Theology Simply Explained — WSC14, Understanding Sin, before God, since the Garden
▪Song of Songs 4:8–15, “His Love of Her Love”
▪Deuteronomy 28:15–29.1, “Learning from Covenant Curses”
▪Ecclesiastes 10:16–20, “The Harm of Fools in Authority”
▪Matthew 27:1–25, “The One Who Can Bear Our Guilt”
▪Song of Songs 4:1–7, “The Desires of the Delightful Bride”

LORD'S DAY – February 1, 2026 

9:50 a.m. Breakfast Line Opens

10 a.m. Sabbath School
We are preparing our minds and hearts for public worship by studying our Confession of Faith from Scripture, affirming that Scripture is our only ultimate authority, but also discovering that what we confess is thoroughly Scriptural.

11 a.m. Public Worship

▫Children’s Catechism for February 1. Q37 What does every sin deserve? The wrath and curse of God. [CC 37 Simply Explained: “What Every Sin Deserves”]
▫Shorter Catechism for February 1. Q14. What is sin? Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God. [WSC 14 Simply Explained: “Understanding Sin, before God, since the Garden”]

▫Songs for public worship on February 1: ARP45B [mp3], ARP22A [mp3], ARP51B [mp3]

Scripture Text for first portion of worship service
Song of Songs 4:8–15

Scripture Readings and basis for confession of sin and petition for help
Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1
Ecclesiastes 10:16–20

Sermon Scripture text and topic
We will be hearing the sermon from Matthew 27:1–25 about “His Blood Be Upon Us”

Lord’s Supper! (Please see the section at the end of the Worship Booklet on how rightly to prepare for and take it).

1 p.m. Coffee Fellowship and Catechism Class

1:30 p.m. Fellowship Lunch
▫Memory Verse for February 1, Matthew 27:18, For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

3:00 p.m Evening Praise and Preaching

We will be singing at least ten Psalm selections and hearing the sermon from Song of Songs 4:16 about “The Bride’s Great Desire”

Hopewell this Month

Hopewell’s Presbytery Prayer Focus for February
Madison-Monrovia ARP in Harvest, AL

February Psalm of the Month
ARP22A My God, My God

Upcoming Events

• Wednesday, February 4, Midweek Prayer Meeting. 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. We will hear a sermon from Proverbs 21:9, 19 then pray until 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 4, Congregational Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Chapel
• Wednesday, February 11, Session Meeting, 8 p.m. in the Pastor’s Study
• Saturday, February 28, Men’s (and future men) breakfast, 7a in the Fellowship Hall

The One Who Can Bear Our Guilt [Family Worship lesson in Matthew 27:1–25]

What is Jesus doing in His trial? Matthew 27:1–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in His trial, Jesus is being the true Priest, King, and Bearer of guilt.(click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson)Summary of the transcript of the audio: While merely human priests, prophets, and authorities fail, Jesus stands as the perfect Priest, Prophet, and King; and, He is the only able Bearer of human guilt. The tragic outcome for Judas, consumed by ungodly sorrow and self-destruction, underscores the necessity of turning to Christ alone for forgiveness, while the crowd’s cry, 'His blood be on us and on our children,' is answered in Acts 2 with a promise unto them and their children, that Christ’s blood cleanses, rather than condemns, those who repent and believe. Christ's gift of the Holy Spirit gives life for repentance and faith in Christ, through Whom there is forgiveness even for the sin of crucifying the Lord. Ultimately, the passage calls us to embrace Christ as the sole guilt-bearer.

2026.01.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ Matthew 27:1–25

Read Matthew 27:1–25

Questions from the Scripture text: What came in Matthew 27:1? Who plotted to do what? What did they do to Him (Matthew 27:2)? Where did they lead Him? Who saw what in Matthew 27:3? How did he feel? What did he do? What did he say (Matthew 27:4)? How did they respond? How did Judas respond to this (Matthew 27:5)? What did the chief priests say about the money (Matthew 27:6)? What did they do with it (Matthew 27:7)? With what result (Matthew 27:8)? To fulfill what (Matthew 27:9-10)? Where did Jesus stand in Matthew 27:11? What did the governor ask? How does Jesus respond? Who was doing what to Him in Matthew 27:12? What did He answer? What does Pilate ask in Matthew 27:13 (cf. Matthew 26:62)? How does Jesus answer him (Matthew 27:14)? With what effect? What was the governor accustomed to doing at the feast (Matthew 27:15)? What prisoner did they have (Matthew 27:16)? So what does Pilate propose (Matthew 27:17)? Why (Matthew 27:18)? Where was Pilate in Matthew 27:19? Who sent to him? To say what? But who persuaded the multitudes to do what (Matthew 27:20)? What does Pilate repeat in Matthew 27:21? For whom do the people ask? What does Pilate then ask (Matthew 27:22a)? How do they answer (verse 22b)? What does the governor ask in Matthew 27:23a? How do they respond (verse 23b)? What does Pilate see (Matthew 27:24)? What does he do? What does he say? And what do the people say (Matthew 27:25)?

What is Jesus doing in His trial? Matthew 27:1–25 looks forward to the morning sermon in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in His trial, Jesus is being the true Priest, King, and Bearer of guilt.

The passage presents to us several glimpses of Christ by contrast with others.

Jesus the chief priest and elder. These are wicked, seeking to murder Him (Matthew 27:1). They even admit that it is murder by their consideration of what is “lawful” to do with the “blood money” (Matthew 27:6). And they care nothing for the spiritual care of those entrusted to them, as startlingly displayed in their callous “what is that to us?” (Matthew 27:4). Jesus is the Chief Priest Who atones for sin, Who cares for our souls, Who genuinely and perfectly keeps the law. 

Jesus the King. Pilate is a powerless, spineless governor. He knows what is happening (Matthew 27:18). He knows that Jesus is righteous (Matthew 27:23a, Matthew 27:24). But he’s afraid of the people that he’s supposed to be governing, trying to shift the responsibility to them (Matthew 27:17, Matthew 27:21a, Matthew 27:22a, Matthew 27:24). Jesus is the King Who uses His kingly authority to lay down His life for His people.

Jesus the bearer of guilt. Judas couldn’t stand to bear his own guilt (Matthew 27:3, Matthew 27:5), but now he bears it forever. The people call a frightful curse of guilt upon not only themselves, but also their children (Matthew 27:25). The only hope for this guilt (cf. Acts 2:23, Acts 2:36–37) is for His atoning blood (rather than the guilt of killing Him!) to come upon them and their children (cf. Acts 2:38–39).

What need do you have of a priest? How is Jesus that priest for you? What need do you have of a king? How is Jesus that king to you? What need do you have for the removal of guilt? How can Jesus remove that guilt? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your care for our souls and kingly deliverance. Wash us in Your blood and take our guilt from us, we ask in Your Name, AMEN!

 Suggested Songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH341 “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”

Pride Seeks Death [2026.01.28 Midweek Sermon in Proverbs 21:4–8]

When we exalt our own opinions and desires, everything that we think and do provokes God to destroy us.

(click here to DOWNLOAD video/mp3/pdf files of this sermon)

The Desires of the Delightful Bride [Family Worship lesson in Song of Songs 4:16]

What does the church desire? Song of Songs 4:16 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the church desires the presence of Christ and revival by the Spirit. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the bride’s dual longing in Song of Songs 4:16 for the active presence of the Holy Spirit and the intimate fellowship of Christ. It emphasizes that the Spirit’s work—symbolized by the winds from every direction—is not merely for revival in times of decline but is a continual desire for the church to increasingly reflect Christ’s likeness through the fruit of His life. The second request, for Christ’s personal presence, reorients the church's motivation from human approval to divine delight, affirming that true spiritual vitality is found in communion with Christ, Who dwells in the believer through the Spirit. Ultimately, the devotional affirms that God’s greatest gift is Himself—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—offering union and communion as the foundation of a life that bears Christ’s fruit in His presence.

2026.01.30 Hopewell @Home ▫ Song of Songs 4:16

Read Song of Songs 4:16

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does she awaken ( Song of Songs 4:16a)? To come where (verse 16b)? and do what (verse 16c)? For what purpose (verse 16d)? To facilitate what (verse 16e–f)? 

What does the church desire? Song of Songs 4:16 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In this verse of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the church desires the presence of Christ and revival by the Spirit. 

The bride has heard what delights the Bridegroom, and desires to give Him more of it. Isn’t this what the Spirit teaches your heart to desire? And it is the Spirit to Whom the bride now appeals in Song of Songs 4:16. It is the Spirit Who “blows” (verse 16c, cf. John 3:6–7). He has described her as a garden (Song of Songs 4:12), full of pleasant spices (Song of Songs 4:13-14), a reference to all of her likenesses to Him), and pleasant fruits (Song of Songs 4:13a–b, a reference to all of the good produce of her life). It is the Spirit Who produces Christ-likeness in the church. It is the Spirit Who makes the church to bear fruit (cf. Galatians 5:22–23). Even in her best condition, the church ought always to pray for the work of the Spirit to make her more fragrant and fruitful in Christ. Song of Songs 4:16e–f make a second request: for the presence of Christ. The church does not desire revival for revival’s sake, but for the enjoyment of Christ with her. It is His delighted presence that is her desire. Let us learn, from this passage always to desire revival by the Spirit, and the presence of Christ.

What is your level of desire for revival? How do you show it? For Christ’s presence? How do you show it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, grant to us revival by Your Holy Spirit. Fill us with that which pleases Christ. And, grant that He would be with us, unto His great delight, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me” 

The Harm of Fools in Authority [Family Worship lesson in Ecclesiastes 10:16–20]

What is as harmful as foolish counsel? Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that foolish governance is as harmful as foolish counsel. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional centers on the responsibility and moral accountability of leadership, drawing from Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 to contrast wise governance—marked by disciplined feasting and diligent stewardship—with the folly of self-indulgent rulers who prioritize pleasure over purpose. The passage warns against the dangers of internal rebellion against foolish authority, even in thought, reminding believers that all authority is ultimately under God’s sovereign oversight, and that disrespect—even in the heart—violates divine order. Ultimately, the message calls for humility, prayerful dependence on Christ, and a life marked by faithful stewardship and godly respect, even in the face of flawed leadership.

2026.01.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ecclesiastes 10:16–20

Read Ecclesiastes 10:16–20

Questions from the Scripture text: What is woeful for a land (Ecclesiastes 10:16)? What opposite condition is blessed (Ecclesiastes 10:17)? What are the effects of laziness and idleness (Ecclesiastes 10:18)? What do such a people prioritize (Ecclesiastes 10:19)? What must the wise do, even in such a case (Ecclesiastes 10:20)?

What is as harmful as foolish counsel? Ecclesiastes 10:16–20 prepares us for the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that foolish governance is as harmful as foolish counsel. 

It is woeful to have fools for your counselors (Ecclesiastes 10:11-15), and woeful to a land to have fools for its nobility (Ecclesiastes 10:16). Kings and princes should understand the proper timing of things (Ecclesiastes 10:17b), and the proper usefulness of things (verse 17c). The laziness and idleness of Ecclesiastes 10:18 refer to the one who neglects service on account of self-indulgence. They live, instead, to have fun (Ecclesiastes 10:19a), indulge themselves (verse 19b), and obtain things (verse 19c). Where those in government are like this, a land is miserable rather than blessed, destroyed rather than built (Ecclesiastes 10:18). But let the wise not curse their “nobility.” In the curious turns of God’s providence (Ecclesiastes 10:20c–d), we cannot expect blessing to come by breaking His law. We must entrust ourselves and our blessedness to Him.

Whom do you govern? Are you blessing or cursing them? Who governs you? How are you responding to them?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for how we have lived to have fun, to indulge ourselves, and to obtain things. We have harmed those whom we have governed. And forgive us, for when our thoughts have cursed those whom You have set over us. Christ has been perfectly diligent and wise for us. Forgive us by His cross, and sanctify us by His Spirit, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”  

2026.01.28 Midweek Meeting Livestream (live at 6:30p)

To tune in for the Prayer Meeting, we recommend that you visit the livestream page.

Learning from Covenant Curses [Family Worship lesson in Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1]

What does every sin deserve? Deuteronomy 28:15–29:1 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifty-five verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that every sin deserves the wrath and curse of God. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio:This devotional presents a sobering exposition of divine judgment upon covenantal unfaithfulness, illustrating how disobedience to God’s law results in cascading curses that afflict every aspect of life—personal, familial, agricultural, and national. The central message underscores that true obedience flows not from legalistic fear but from heartfelt thankfulness, joy, and reverence for God’s glorious Name, which is the foundation of a life pleasing to Him. When believers lose this posture of gratitude and adoration, they turn away from God, turning to other gods whom they obey, culminating in divine abandonment and judgment. The devotional emphasizes the justness of these curses, reflecting God’s righteous response to the rejection of His covenantal grace, and they serve as a stark reminder of humanity’s desperate need for Christ, Who alone fulfills the law, bears the curse, and sustains the church as its true Prophet, Priest, and King. Ultimately, the passage calls for a return to a life of joyful, thankful worship, rooted in God’s sovereign mercy, and overflowing with responsive obedience and service to Him.