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.
Saturday, September 30, 20239:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.St. John’s Community Room or at Your Home
Registration is now open for friends and neighbors of St John’s (that us!)
9 AM SUNDAY WORSHIP | SEPTEMBER 10. Is it possible for a church to grow by serving more people without dramatically increasing expenses to hire more pastoral staff? The fourth of Hope Church’s five overarching goals for this next year is to expand our capacity to love and care for all whom God entrusts to us, primarily through friendships in small groups. Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. as we see how Jesus cared for those in His small group and then invited Peter and all of us to do the same! Lead Pastor Dean Wertz will bring a message titled Imagine a Church Where Everyone is Loved from John 21:15-19. Don’t miss it! If you are unable to join us in person, please visit the 9 a.m. livestream or view the recording here.
HOPE GROUPS. Thanks in advance to the Platt Park Hope Group for assisting in this Sunday’s Service! If you’ve been thinking about joining a Hope group, we’d love to connect with you! Click here for more information.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY.
Children’s Church – This 2nd Sunday of September, kids ages 3 yrs old – entering 5th grade are invited to participate in Children’s Church following worship. We will be reading a story in the Bible about Jesus and Peter after they went fishing. We’ll join their conversation about what it looks like to love Jesus – it looks like caring for others (his sheep!).
Nursery for children ages 0-2 is available on the 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. Youth Group this Sunday after service! Meet us in the youth room from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. for games, snacks, and a discussion on the sermon. All middle school and high school students welcome!
MEMBERSHIP CLASS. 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.
NEXT MINISTRY YEAR VISION / BUDGET.
Thank you so much to everyone who prayerfully considered our next ministry year priorities and finances, gave input, and voted on our budget. More church members participated in this important process than ever before and our budget has been unanimously approved! If you missed our vision and budget presentation, you can view the video recording, beginning at minute 49, here and you can access our vision letter and budget summary here. If you have questions, please contact our Executive Pastor Arik Stewart or any of our elders.
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!
