628 11th Street Hanover, ON N4N 1T7 ![](http://www.hanovermissionary.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/phone.png"){kind=small}
519-364-1823 
office@hanovermissionary.com
Merry Christmas From the HMC Staff & Families!
Samaritans’ Purse
submitted by Gloria Burrow on behalf of the six people who were privileged to go their year
Again this year, our day at the Kitchener warehouse checking and sealing up hundreds of Samaritans’ Purse Christmas boxes was well spent. On November 26th, we arrived at about 9:30 a.m. and stayed until 4:00 p.m. The operation there is very well organized and the warehouse and leadership were most accommodating with many people working together. God is obviously honored, making the system run smoothly. Training time, break times and lunchtime gave us a chance to sit down about every two hours.
We had a productive, interesting and enjoyable day! It is an experience well worth anyone’s time and effort. Each time we go to help out it amazes us that God has taken a simple idea such as a shoebox and made it into this huge world-wide ministry. The feeling of being a small part of it is very heart-warming.
Blessed are the memorizers
A few weeks ago our guest speaker, former-pastor-turned-regional-minister, Claran Martin challenged us to do something radical–he called us to commit the sermon on the mount–all three chapters (Matt. 5-7)–to memory.
At first I was skeptical about whether anyone would take up the task; but I’m delighted to report that people are responding.
So, here are two questions for you to consider (you may want to post anonymously):
1. Are you one of ‘memorizers’?
2. What’s your strategy for memorizing and how far are you going?
I’ve been trying to use my imagination to visualize the words I’m memorizing. I’m slowly working my way through the early part of chapter 5. I find it hard to memorize; I find it even harder to live.
It also dawned on me that I should get my kids involved. So they’re learning a different ‘blessed’ statement every day before we eat. It means we all get more than just our daily bread.
Was Solomon’s temple really what God had in mind?
As I’ve preached through the early chapters of 1 Kings, I’ve been reflecting on the temple.
In the book of Exodus (chapter 26 to be exact), God gives very specific instructions about constructing the tabernacle. It functioned as the portable tent where the ark of the covenant–the place where God was present in a particular way–was placed.
Fast forward to the temple construction. There are no specific instructions given by God.
Why not?
Was Solomon’s temple really what God had in mind?
Did God want to dwell in a building build with cedar and limestone?
What if David and Solomon missed the point and God graciously inhabited the fixed building anyway?
What do you think?
Here are a handful of scriptures to consider:
2 Sam. 7
1 Kings 6:12-13
Eph. 2:19-21
1 Cor. 3:16-17
Jn. 2:19-21
Why A Blog?
Why not!
We at HMC welcome any chance for conversation: thoughts on sermons, thoughts on ministries, thoughts on living out your faith, your hopes and dreams for the church and it’s future…
Check back often for updates from various staff members.