Hope Heals Camp, Hoot Family Recap
God gave Joy a phrase several years ago that reflects a reality our family has learned and experienced as we have spent time living in the community of disability.
“Belonging cultivates the belief we are beloved.”
At Hope Heals Camp the shared sorrow of disability created a sense of belonging. Something special happens when a group of people—who share the beauty of hope birthed from sorrow—gather and spend time together. The joy we saw in smiling faces who knew they belonged—as they were—was radiating!
Joy served as the camp spiritual director meeting with several women throughout the week. In addition, each of our family members served as “Compassionate Companions” walking alongside individual members of a camper family for the week. Joy got to know Elizabeth; Nate, Charlie; Olivia, Aully; Kelsey, Willa; and Ethan served as a Compassionate Companion in training.
Halfway through camp during a music activity Nate and Charlie were attending, the song “God’s Not Dead” started playing. Charlie was a non-verbal camper casually eating his goldfish snack until the chorus when his “happy hands” shot into the air (see photo)! His hands—and heart—started dancing to the words “God’s not dead, He’s surely alive. He’s living on the inside!” Tears welled up in our eyes as we witnessed this beautiful expression of a heart being known and being loved by its Creator.
Spending time with such beautiful lives at the end of July helped us remember we are not alone but we are seen, and we are loved. And we believe and hope that each one of them felt the same. So, “Thank you, Hope Church!” Thank you for participating in the bake sale this summer and helping our family get to Hope Heals Camp in middle of Alabama to experience this opportunity to volunteer and serve together. We are so grateful!
~ The Hoot Family
9 AM SUNDAY WORSHIP & COMMUNION | SEPTEMBER 17. After my Aunt Martha and I tried to convince the other why each of us should be allowed to cover the cost for a family meal out, she pulled the bill out of my hand, looked at me and said with her winning smile, “Dean, sometimes it’s good to just say, ‘Thank you.'” Her gift to me was more than a meal. She taught me the importance of expressing gratitude in the presence of generous people. Hope, you are a generous family! Please join as at 9 a.m. this Sunday as we worship God, learn how Paul thanked God for the Philippian Christians who gave financially so others could live with God in Christ and thank God for all of you (here in Denver and around the world) who do the same! I look forward to bringing the message titled Imagine a Church With Financial Peace from Philippians 1:1-11. If you are unable to join us in person, please visit the 9 a.m. livestream or view the recording here.
Looking forward to worshiping together! -Dean
HOPE GROUPS. We are so thankful for all the Sunday service assistance from our wonderful Hope Groups. This Sunday, we thank the Harvard Gulch 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.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY.
CHILDREN’S CHURCH – This 3rd Sunday of September, kids ages 3 yrs old – 5th grade are invited to participate in Children’s Church following worship. We will be learning what the Bible has to say about giving our best to God and giving sacrificially through the story of the Widow’s 2 Coins found in the gospel of Mark.
NURSERY for children ages 0-2 is available this Sunday and every 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. On the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays, families with young children are invited to remain in the sanctuary or utilize the baby skybox to participate in the service with added privacy.
YOUTH. Hey students, thank you all so much for having a great discussion with us last week! Our next Youth Group will be Sunday, September 24 from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.. See you then!
MEMBERSHIP CLASS THIS SUNDAY! Are you interested in becoming a formal member at Hope Church? Are you just interested in learning more about our church’s history, doctrine, or organization? Join us after service on Sunday, September 17 for a 20–30-minute informal membership class led by Lead Pastor Dean Wertz – the perfect place to ask all your questions and fill out a membership application! RSVP with Tara if interested.
PARENTING WORKSHOP | SEPTEMBER 30 | 9AM-2PM. 
Over the past several years, Hope has intentionally implemented training, systems, and policies that promote whole-child safety. Hope has been invited again by a local church to attend a vetted workshop focused on child sexual safety. On Saturday, September 30th, St. John’s School and Church is hosting the Parenting Safe Children Workshop by Feather Berkower. We have the opportunity to come together as a community to learn more about how we can collectively work to keep all our children safe. This is a must-attend workshop for anyone who interacts with children and especially parents and caretakers of all ages! You can attend this via Zoom at home, or together via Zoom at St. John’s. Lunch and childcare will be provided for those who attend in-person. Participants will learn: what makes children vulnerable, Body-safety rules, and how you can talk about your child’s body safety with teachers, coaches, nannies, family members, faith leaders, and other parents. You can find more information about the workshop at ParentingSafeChildren.com. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Hope’s Children’s Ministry Director Becky Newquist. Registration is now open for friends and neighbors of St John’s (that us!)
24-7 PRAYER NATIONAL GATHERING | LIVESTREAM @ HOPE | SEPTEMBER 27-29. Some of you are familiar with the daily prayer app, Lectio 365 – created by an organization called 24-7 Prayer. This year, 24-7 Prayer is offering a National Gathering for families and communities from across the US to remember our identity as a people of prayer, mission, and justice and be inspired and equipped to call the church to an awakened prayer life. Join us for a powerful few days of prayer, worship, learning from Scripture, and responding to the Spirit. The theme of this year’s National Gathering is “With His Face in View” – from the verse “and they shall live with his face in view and that they belong to him will show on their faces” (Revelation 22:4).
The conference is being held in-person in Colorado Springs, but Tanya and Phil Koneman will be hosting at Hope a Livestream of the sessions and prayer sets. The conference times are:
Wednesday, September 29 @ 6 – 9 PM
Thursday, September 28 @ 9 AM – 9 PM
Friday, September 29 @ 9:30 AM – 12 PM
Anyone who wants to join corporately for prayer, worship, learning, and responding to the Holy Spirit is free to join us! You can participate as little or as much as your schedule allows. This will be a great time to join with others at Hope for extended worship and prayer. If you have questions about Hope hosting, you can reach out to Tara. Visit 24-7 Prayer’s National Gathering webpage for more information about speakers and sessions: National Gathering – 2023
SEPTEMBER FOOD BANK. For September, Community Ministry needs cereal, tomato products, soup, stuffing, pie crust mix, evaporated milk, gravy packets, cake, and frosting. Please consider donating these items by placing them in the collection basket in the foyer.
JOIN THE WORSHIP TEAM! The worship team would like to have more vocalists consider joining the group. Practices are Thursday evenings and female voices are especially welcome to balance the worship team. We’d love to sing with you! Please contact Joel Noble if interested and thank you!
7 PM THURSDAY WORSHIP | ALL INVITED. Calling all those who love to sing and/or play instruments! We are now gathering every Thursday in the Sanctuary from 7 – 9 p.m. Joel Noble, will be bringing extra instruments and offer casual lessons for those who want to learn to play guitar/ukulele/bass/mandolin/etc! During this time the worship team will also practice for Sunday mornings. Bring your instruments and your favorite worship songs in mind. Some weeks we may even enjoy a meal all together. No RSVPs are required. If you have any questions, please email Joel.
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!
