Dear Hope,
Many of you have the privilege of knowing Pauline and Woody Haines. I have not until a recent phone call and a friendship that developed in just a fraction of an hour. A few months ago, Dean asked that I reach out to meet Pauline, hear her recent journey with cancer and share her story with you – a story covering a year and a half of trials and healing. I set out to do just that as we met over the phone, me in a hotel room in Philadelphia and her in her home in Denver. As we began our conversation, Pauline right away beautifully and quietly quoted James 1:3-4.
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Pauline began, “God is good. I want to emphasize how thankful I am for the people of Hope.”
It was May 29, 2022 (Pauline‘s birthday) and a day that changed so much for the Haines family. A typical day of celebration became a day the doctor delivered news of leukemia and of a trial ahead that would require great strength and faith.
Pauline‘s first bone biopsy white cell markers were high, 70%. “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” The medical team around her was able to lead her to an experimental trial drug (one not previously tested on humans) and the routine would be to check her levels every 2-3 months. “So let it grow.” Her faith grew. Somehow, the cancer did not. Markers miraculously dropped. To 40%. To 20%. And then to 0%. She stayed at 0% for quite a while. God is good, uses medical experts and works through His praying people for His glory.
It was at this point in Pauline’s journey that Dean told me about Pauline’s remarkable story and asked me to gather it to share with you. It was at this step in the journey, Pauline met a new doctor who came into the room and said “Hello! We call you the miracle patient!” Pauline was a medical testimony whether she knew it or now. It was then that Paul Barr helped connect me with Pauline and she and I arranged to talk.
But we had to delay our interview due to an upcoming doctor’s appointment. And, unbeknownst to me, Pauline and Woody had to endure more news. This time, just a month or so ago, the markers had elevated again. “When your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect…” There was more enduring to do, more challenge, more testing, more anticipation for perfection and completion. And this, Hope, is where you, again, come in. A chance to pray and support and love-on one of our own.
Pauline is now back on the road for a new route for healing. She told me she has two teams: her medical-team that has just been fantastic and her God-team with God and his prayer warriors.
She knows that Hope is behind her fully. The On Campus Hope Group has been supporting, caring and bringing meals. They gathered on the porch of the Haines’ home (as it is important that Pauline remains isolated and healthy). She told me how wonderful Jay and Marti have been, how meaningful the leadership and the whole church family is to her and how the livestream allows her to attend church. Pauline told me her Hope Group has “been a real blessing.” She said, “I encourage people to get into a small group for sure.” Pauline knows the support a group provides when it is truly needed. The prayers for Pauline poured in, but also for Woody who had health issues and had to be Pauline‘s main caretaker. They both are so thankful.
I asked Pauline how Hope can pray for her. The answer, “To pray for healing, regaining the strength that she used to have, and prayers for her during this time of isolation.” She again, wanted me to know how thankful she is for the people of Hope and the people all over the country that have been praying through her journey.
Thank you, Hope, for allowing me this space to share the Haines’ journey with you. Thank you for the past prayers, the prayers as you are reading now and the future prayers that will support this sweet couple all the way through. I am proud to be a part of Hope and continually learn what amazing and true examples you are to others. Let’s stand with Pauline praying and claiming this verse she shared, in Jesus’ name.
“For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”
Love,
Becky Walker
Hope Communications Coordinator
9AM SUNDAY WORSHIP & COMMUNION | NOVEMBER 12. After the emotional blow of Jesus’ death on a cross, and the emotional high of his victory and resurrection, the ascension of Jesus can feel a bit… anti-climactic. Whether you’re a follower of Jesus or not, you may be asking yourself: why did Jesus leave so soon after he resurrected? What are we supposed to do now without Him here on earth? Join us this Sunday as our Ministry Coordinator, Tara Farrell, brings us a message about the relevance of Christ’s ascension and casts a vision for how we can continue working with him even now, thousands of years later. Our message this week (from Ministry Coordinator & Youth Ministry Director Tara Farrell) is titled The Ascension: Why Did Jesus Leave? and is based on Acts 1:6-11. We look forward to seeing you! If you are unable to join us in person, please visit the 9 a.m. livestream or view the sermon recording here.
LAST WEEK’S BULLETIN. Several of you experienced formatting issues with last week’s bulletin email. The bulletin was full of amazing news, so want to be sure you have a chance to read it! Please click here to catch up and sorry for the inconvenience!
HOPE GROUPS. We are so thankful for all the Sunday service assistance from our wonderful Hope Groups. This Sunday, we thank the Aurora Hope Group for helping! Hope Groups are an amazing way to connect to others, deepen your relationship with God, and discover there is a family here for you at Hope. If this sounds like something you are interested in, we’d love to have you join us! Click here for more information on all our Hope Groups.
LET’S DO IT AGAIN! RAKING LEAVES THIS SUNDAY. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to gather up the fallen leaves this past Sunday! We finished doing it along Logan Street but more leaves have fallen and we didn’t do along Colorado Avenue so we are extending this opportunity to serve by one more week. This Sunday, if you’re able and willing, please bring a rake or a leaf blower and join Arik in front of the church building directly after our service.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY.
Children’s Church – This 2nd Sunday of November, children ages 3 yrs. – 5th gr. are invited to Children’s Church following worship. Kids, please join us as we explore the relevancy of Jesus’ ascension through story, drama, and craft!
Nursery – Childcare for babies and toddlers, ages 0-3, is available every 1st and 3rd Sunday. This week, families with younger children are invited to remain in the Sanctuary or utilize the baby sky box for added privacy.
Children’s Choir. Thank you, Children’s Choir, for proclaiming the hope we have in Jesus through any storm as you beautifully sang, “My Lighthouse” last Sunday. If you are interested in learning more about children’s choir, please contact Becky Newquist.
YOUTH. Thank you to all the parents and students who are joining us in discussion and prayer about where Hope’s Youth Ministry is headed into the new year. Please continue to pray that the Lord will bring us the right people to lead this ministry into a place of deep growth, strength, and joy! And don’t forget to join us for our LASER TAG NIGHT happening during Thanksgiving break, on Friday, November 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. We’ll have pizza, movies, and play tons of laser tag through the whole building! Feel free to invite your friends! If you are inviting any guests over 18 years old, please let Arik Stewart know for a quick background check. RSVP in Church Center here or email Tara with any questions!
TURKEY BOWL. You are invited to join us for hot chocolate, donuts, and flag football on Thanksgiving morning (weather permitting) starting at 9:30 – 11 a.m. in the northwest corner of Harvard Gulch Park. This annual tradition is fun for all ages! RSVP: please email Rebecca Wertz or text/call 303-601-2201. Happy Thanksgiving Hope!
CHRISTMAS UPDATE. We are so excited for our annual evening candlelight Christmas Eve service. This year December 24 happens to fall on a Sunday. Because of this we will be holding two services that day:
9:00 a.m. Sunday Gathering
6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service
The morning service will be a traditional Sunday morning service, featuring a shorter worship session and a standard message time.
The evening service will feature Christmas favorites, such as a children’s choir performance and the acapella carols by candlelight at the end of the night. The message time will be a very brief gospel message, perfect for friends and family who may not be regular church-goers.
Feel free to attend either or both services as your family plans allow. We are excited to share in this special time of year with you all!
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. If anyone has empty large to medium size plastic containers that they would like to donate to OCC to put the sorted items, please bring them to the church at any time. Thank you again for all the support you’ve given us as we bless children around the world this year!
GIVING. We thank God for the many households who give generously and consistently to Hope Church, resourcing us to fulfill Christ’s mission and vision in our community and around the world! You can give online here, by mailing a check to 1801 S. Logan St. Denver, CO 80210, or by using the offering boxes in the sanctuary.
SUNDAY RECORDING ACCESS. Although our 9 a.m. livestream will continue to stream the full Sunday service, please note that our website recordings will now only include the Sunday sermon. Currently, we are unable to record our worship music at the same level of quality as is experienced in-person through the sanctuary speakers. Once we are able to match the quality of the music in-person over livestream, we hope to once again include the full service in the recorded posting. If you are in the pattern of worshiping via the full recorded version of the service and would like to have continued access to that, please reach out to Becky Walker. Thank you for all those who support Hope via livestream and online!
UPDATED | FOOD BANK. The Community Ministry is in need of the following items: Boxed pie crust mix, cake mix and frosting, canned pumpkin, size 6 diapers, wipes, boys boxer briefs size 10/12, and plastic or reusable bags. Please consider donating these items by placing them in the collection basket in the foyer. Thank you, Hope!
HAVE A NEED? Your Hope family is here for you. If you need financial assistance, please contact Pastor Arik. For prayer or help in any other way, reach out to Tara Farrell.
We welcome you to visit the resources below!
