Description: C. S. Lewis wrote, “We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him.” Yet the fast pace of December can easily crowd out our experience of God’s presence. May this year be different! Join us at 9 a.m. each Sunday this month as we greet one another, sing praise, light candles, pray, rest in silence, come to the table and ponder a few of the gifts that Jesus brings to us. This Sunday, the 1st Sunday of Advent, Lead Pastor Dean Wertz will facilitate the ministry of God’s Word as we marvel at the exceedingly undeserved gift of God’s presence!
Sermons by Dean Wertz (Page 4)
The identifying symbol for Christ and His followers is the cross. A vertical and a horizontal beam. Engraved in marble, forged from gold, embossed in leather, carved from wood and suspended before worshipers. Like the silhouette of an electric chair, a hangman’s noose or a guillotine, the Roman cross is an emblem of suffering and shame. Who was responsible for the death of Jesus? Why did He die on a cross? What relevance does His crucifixion have for us today? Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. as we discover the answers to these questions from an inspired source provided 700 years in advance of the crucifixion of Jesus.
Does God do miracles today? Why does He seem to give them at times and not at others? While on earth Jesus was often moved with compassion, yet the primary reason for His miracles was greater than compassion. Though worthy of fame, the primary reason for Jesus’ miracles was greater than growing a crowd. Though faithful to answer prayer, the primary reason for Jesus’ miracles was greater than growing humanity’s confidence to ask bold prayers. Join us this Sunday at 9 AM to worship God in song, pray, come to the communion table and receive guidance about miracles by discovering Jesus’ primary motivation for miracles, to the glory of God.
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.
This is the start of a new series that will walk through the NT and discuss the entire story of Jesus from beginning to end with one question in mind, “So what?”. Why does this matter? How is this still relevant for people today? It’s a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors who are maybe still on the fence about Jesus or who have started to question the validity of going to church – so be praying about people to invite! Very excited for how these discussions will encourage and build up our entire community.
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
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!
In addition to becoming a church that blesses children (last week’s focus), we also sense God is calling us to include space for more participation within our Sunday gathering times together. Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. for our monthly family service as we consider what it could look like to have people of all ages involved in various aspects of our times together. This week, we will include opportunities for people to help with music, engage ideas in the message and serve communion. It will be so good to, once again, experience God’s presence and guidance together!
It’s tough for children to walk closely with Jesus in our present world. And, It’s especially challenging for parents to answer the new questions and navigate the surprises involved in raising young souls in 2023. Hope Church, we have been summoned by Jesus to love, encourage, support and bless the children in our community. Join us this Sunday to consider the priority Jesus placed on children and lift up prayers of blessing, at the start of the new school year, over our children, school staff and parents!
Join us this Sunday as we worship God, welcome new guests, reconnect with one another and finish our study through the letter to the Hebrews. According to God, life with Jesus is a marathon, not a moment. So, in this message seekers will be encouraged to enter the adventure and those who have already done so will be exhorted to run with endurance the race that is set before us!