YOUTH IN ACTION (LITERALLY!)
Earlier this month, Hope Youth Group welcomed a rowdy group of students into our space to have an amazing night of Laser Tag! Not only did many of our regular students attend, but every student that came brought at least one friend from school (Foster Cupp brought four!) making our group a total of 16 students (all guys!), which is more than we’ve seen in several years. After enjoying pizza and snacks, our staff, volunteers and students had a blast playing games and screaming, jumping, and running around the entire building.
Thank you so incredibly much to all the parents who were able to make this possible and thank you Hope for your support and giving which makes nights like this possible for the Youth Ministry!
And hey Youth – we hope to see you again for another Laser Tag night soon!
9AM SUNDAY WORSHIP | OCTOBER 1. 
December 25 is a day off work for many, a day for exchanging gifts for some and a day to worship for followers of Jesus. December 26 and the days that follow are typically a return to normalcy as a New Year begins. What if the birth of Jesus through the Virgin Mary is more world-altering than one brief day on the calendar? Join us this Sunday and invite a friend to come with you to discover the reason why the birth of Christ is the greatest cause for joy to the world! Our message this week (from Lead Pastor Dean Wertz) is titled The Relevance of Christ: The Beginning and is based on John 1:1-14. If you are unable to join us in person, please visit the 9 a.m. livestream or view the recording here.
HOPE GROUPS. We are so thankful for all the Sunday service assistance from our wonderful Hope Groups. This Sunday, we thank the Englewood 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 1st Sunday of September, children ages 3 yrs. – 5th gr. are invited to Children’s Church following worship. Kids, please join us as we unpack the first few verses of the gospel of John, and grasp that Jesus is both God and a relatable man who lives among us!
Nursery – Childcare for babies and toddlers, ages 0-3, is available this week (and every 1st and 3rd Sunday). Parents are welcome to bring children directly to the nursery following check-in.
Children’s Choir – We’re back! Kids, ages 3 years old – 5th grade interested in singing in our Children’s Choir, join us this Sunday in the front office area immediately following church for our first practice of the fall. We will be rehearsing the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays of October and planning to sing in the service Sunday, November 5th.
YOUTH. Thank you all so much to the students who were flexible and gracious about our cancellation of Youth Group last Sunday. We were so sorry to miss you – but we are excited to see you again next Sunday, October 8th, for our regular snacks, discussion and games! See you then.
TOMORROW | 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. Tomorrow, September 30, 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!)
UPDATED PLAYBOOK. Hope’s discipleship Playbook is an overview of our church’s culture, values and beliefs. It is a living document so periodically we publish an updated version. Since there have been edits, clarifications and additions made over the past year, there are new copies at the Info Booth in the Sanctuary and here is a link to the digital version. As always, please let one of us know if you have any questions about Hope and/or suggestions or edits for our next Playbook edition.
Sincerely,
Hope’s Elder Team (Rob Cupp, Dan Kaskubar, John Shanks & Dean Wertz)
FINANCIAL UPDATE. For more information on our last ministry year financials and our current ministry year vision and budget, see NEXT MINISTRY YEAR VISION / BUDGET in our August 18 or August 25 bulletins. If you have questions about our financials, please contact our Executive Pastor Arik Stewart or any of our Elders. Thank you to everyone who prayerfully considered our financials and gave input on our vision and budget. We are excited to share that all of Hope’s members have now done so, which is the first time we’ve ever had full participation. Thank you!
MEMBERSHIP CLASS. Membership is a great way to affirm your partnership with Hope’s family and mission. Due to a few key absences, we are re-scheduling our Membership Class for Sunday, October 8. If you are interested in becoming a formal member at Hope Church, or are just interested in learning more about our church’s history, doctrine, or organization, then join us after service on Sunday, October 8 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.
FOOD BANK | LOOKING FOR A WAY TO SERVE? The Community Ministry is in need of the following items: Jelly, Pie Crust Mix, Cake, Frosting, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Pumpkin, Canned Potatoes, and Evaporated or Sweetened Condensed Milk. Please consider donating these items by placing them in the collection basket in the foyer. Thank you, Hope!
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!
7PM 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!
