“…And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning…”
“…Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Happy Resurrection Day | 1 Peter 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
Today we celebrate that Jesus is our Hope. We gather (remotely) for Palm Sunday in a world that is very different from ever before. More than ever, we recognize we are in need of help and that God is our King and Savior. It is a gift to reflect that He is the One who holds everything together, heals, and knows what it is like to walk through challenging times so that we also might find the strength to carry on.
Psalm 46:1-3
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Hope,
While we are physically apart due to COVID-19, we invite you to gather in your home at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday (or anytime!). In this Hope at Home video, Pastor Rob Cupp and I will encourage and guide you and anyone else in your household through a time of prayer, worship, ministry of God’s Word and an invitation to continue cultivating our 4 core habits: gather (creatively), grow, give and go. We look forward to once again gathering face-to-face in the days ahead!
Love,
Dean
Dean Wertz
Lead Pastor | Hope Community Church
We pray “Thy kingdom come” and we are instructed to participate in the answer to our prayer by showing others what life with King Jesus looks like on earth as it is in heaven. Did you know that we also get to participate in the answer to this prayer by talking about God’s kingdom in our everyday conversations? In this message we consider reasons why it is not only faithful but fun to have conversations in line with David’s forecast in Psalm 145:11, “They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom.”
Have you noticed how busy life has become? On this first Sunday of Lent we observe in Psalm 63 that it is possible and beneficial to seek God earnestly everyday, especially when things seem to be spinning out of control. And, we consider habits to help us do so through Lent and beyond.
David has a stressful life. He had every reason to be down, give up and not move forward. Yet, something about him had strength, hope and confidence. He kept seeking and looking to his True Stronghold, God Himself. As he did this, his strength was renewed and he was able to see what God saw in David and in the World. May we all seek, wait and hope on God like this!