In 16 ½ months it will be Christmas Eve, 2018. Sanctuary lights are dim. Neighbors, family and guests join us for a celebration of Jesus’ incarnation. Each walks up the sidewalk and through the entrance to receive their candle. Children skipping past the shiny railings enjoying the aroma of already lit candles at the table,…
Dear Hope, Before ascending, Jesus summoned His followers to live in His presence and power in order to go love everyone in action and word, baptize those who turn to Him and train as many as possible to obey His commands which He summarized as love for God and neighbor. This way of life He…
by Pastor Dean With unexpected developments around the world, expanding traffic around our city, and increasing pressures upon our lives, it is likely that we could walk through Holy Week without the Holy One. So, God invites us to come to Him each day to cast our cares, be still and know that He is God. God encourages us to gather in…
Dear Hope, One of the many ways we who follow Jesus worship God is by giving offerings. Thank you and may God bless all of you who give sacrificially and consistently each month of the year. Also, in December we asked you to pray and consider giving an extra end of the year gift. You did so and God led many of you to be exceedingly generous (see chart below). Thank you and…
Dear Hope Family, As many of you know, December is an important financial month for our church. For the past few years, we have been blessed to finish each ministry year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31) in a cash positive position. The charts below illustrate that this is because so many of you give generously throughout the year and offer an extra…
Dear Hope, Recently a few people have asked me why I don’t preach every Sunday. I am grateful for their direct approach because their question caused me to realize that others may be wondering the same thing. So, for those of you who are curious why you hear Hope’s Lead Pastor preach for two or…
The focus of our Sunday morning teaching over the next year will be the topic of listening. God is continuing to form us into a relational, disciple-making community in which all of us are seeking to follow Jesus in all of life and help others to do the same. A key to living with and following after Jesus in this way is…
Good wet & snowy morning Hope family and guests, As you consider your plans for the morning I want to let you know that we will host a simple, informal and short service at 10:30 for those of you who can make it. Coffee will be served and we will keep the kids in the Sanctuary (like a big living room) for prayer, singing and…
For those of you that didn’t attend our Sunday Service on Jan. 24, you may not have heard that I’m resigning from my role as Pastor of Business and Local Mission effective Feb. 29. First and foremost, I want you all to know how much Rebekah and I (and Reuben and Aimon) love Hope and are encouraged and excited about where we’re…
Good Morning Hope, A neighbor recently came to me and said, “The way of Jesus works. In the past, when I was angry with a friend I either exploded or withdrew. I never knew there was a third way. After trying Jesus’ counsel to take the log out of my eye and then lovingly go to remove the speck in the other’s…