Trip to Israel
What an incredible experience Julie and I had in March to get to travel through Israel, seeing the locations of the ministry of Jesus and so many archaeological sites of the Bible’s record. I’m going to have to pace myself in sharing with all y’all because we are both so full of experiences. So, I thought I would just share one quick story here in the newsletter.
In 2005, researchers began doing archaeology underneath a neighborhood just south of the temple mount In Jerusalem (shown here with white dashes). Even though it is still underway, they have been making some incredible discoveries that point to this area being where David built the first city of Jerusalem (before his son Solomon built the temple mount).
Because this is a residential area today, most of the archaeological site is underground, below a populated residential area (which you can see from my picture). Like I said, they have found so many great discoveries: the way David and his men attacked the city, the water tunnel they built to bring water inside the city walls, the stones they used to adorn the king’s palace. However, I just want to share one story with you to give you a small taste of what we experienced several times every day.
At one level, they found evidence that a majority of the city was purposely and harshly destroyed and burned. Which makes sense because the Bible tells us that the Babylonians came in 586 B.C. and destroyed the city, burning it to the ground so others would not move in and cause Babylon problems in the future. And he (the Babylonian king) burned the house of the Lord and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. (2 Kings 25:9)
Just below this layer of burn, they found several things and in one specific room they found what could be described as a modern-day county clerk’s office. A place where documents would be written, sealed and sent off. Of course all the scrolls were burnt, but they found clay bullaes (which were used to imprint wax to seal scrolls). The bullaes had names on them. This one here has the name “Gemariah son of Shaphan”. What makes this interesting?
Well Jeremiah was the prophet God sent to warn the people to turn or Babylon would come and destroy them. Jeremiah told his scribe, Baruch, to write down the words of the Lord and then Baruch was brought in to read these warnings to the king of Judah at that time. What did this wicked king do with the warnings? The Bible tells us that he took a knife and cut off piece by piece throwing them in the fire. The king’s officials could not believe the king was doing this. Jeremiah 36:10 records what officials of the king were in the room when the king destroyed the scroll in the fire. “…Baruch read the words of Jeremiah from the scroll, in the house of the Lord, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the secretary…” (Jeremiah 36:10)
I know this is a lot of information, but did you catch it? In 2005 an archaeologist finds a clay seal from right before the city was destroyed with a name on it and that name is the exact name that is found in the book of Jeremiah of the official secretary of the king who ignored Jeremiah’s message.
Skeptics of the Bible might try to say that the Bible was written by devious characters hundreds of years later from when the events occurred. But could some devious person know the actual name of an official in the king’s court hundreds of years later. The fact that a 2,608 year old piece of clay is found with the exact name found in the Bible just under evidence of a great destroying fire that is also recorded in the Bible shows that the Bible was not written hundreds of years later. It could only be written by someone who was there. These kind of discoveries show that the Bible has veracity and trustworthiness. These are some of the experiences God gave Julie and I multiple times every day. The Bible is such a blessing to us. Let’s commit to study it and know it and most importantly, know the God who gave it to us.
~Pastor Randy
Suzi King, Director
sking@hopetucson.com
We had a great time at the Zoo in March with the moms from YoungLives. Thanks to all the Hope Women who came out!
Ladies, come out and join us at Board & Brush in Oro Valley for a time of creative fun/fellowship on
Saturday, April 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The cost is $35.00.
You will be able to select a wood project from a large variety of options. B&B provides all the materials and will give us step-by-step instructions in how to create a beautiful piece for your home or as a gift.
Pre-registration is required. Registration will be closed on Wednesday, April 6 at 5:00 p.m.
Below is the link to register for the event. There is limited space available so register as soon as you can.
Our private access code is JESUS.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact info@hopetucson.com.
A new women's Bible study will begin in April - He's Where The Joy Is, by Tara-Leigh Cobble
7-week study
Facilitated and hosted by Susan Woodford
Beginning on Tuesday, April 12 at 9:30 a.m.
Deadline to sign-up for the study is April 5
To sign-up contact Susan at 520-271-8713 or email her at woodfordsj@gmail.com.
Roman Knutson
James Stark
Mark your calendars - There will be a baptism class on May 15 & 22 at Wilson from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. for those interested in being baptized. There will be a baptism held on May 29 following the morning service.
Dave Collins, Church Plant Pastor
dcollins@hopetucson.com
Church Plant Update:
What an exciting season we are in. God continues to work and include us in His work to share the Gospel. We are moving forward with the church plant and we are really looking forward to how God will bless us. We hope to start meeting on Sunday mornings starting May 1. That allows us to stay at Hope through Easter (which is so fun) and then to launch out. We see the church plant being a lot like Hope and a little not like Hope, just like our kids are a lot like us and a little not like us. We are excited for God to bless Hope as this is such a rich time for all of us. We truly believe that both churches will partner together to expand God’s Kingdom here in Tucson and around the world!
Go Get ‘em! Pastor Dave
Do you ever feel at a complete loss to know what to say or to do when someone close to you experiences the death of a loved one, a divorce, or another difficult circumstance? This class is intended to explore and address the issues surrounding how to support those going through
seasons of trial and suffering. We will discuss the depth of emotion that accompanies these tremendously grievous times of our lives, and equip you with practical tools and insights to offer to those in need. Come join us for three weeks, before church, to hear suggestions, share insights and build one another up in this most important aspect of our life in Christ.
Three-week class beginning April 10 from 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. at Wilson.
Taught by Denise Edmiston & Cathy Luckow.
Contact Denise (medmiston22@comcast.net) or Cathy (catherinejl@mac.com) to sign up for the class.
Kyria Kelly, Director
kckelly@hopetucson.com
I am (again!!!) excited to announce that we are officially having VBS this summer! Mark your calendars: May 30th-June 3rd from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Capilla Del Sol. This will be a joint effort between Hope and our new church plant! If you would like to be involved as a volunteer, check out the link below. We will need lots of help leading up to VBS and lots of help during the week. Due to space limitations, we will need to place a cap on how many children can attend.
Watch your emails for more information on how to register your children in the coming weeks.
Kyria
Upcoming Lessons in the Gospel Project:
April 3 (Family Sunday): Jesus’ Temptation;
Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4
April 10: John Pointed to Jesus; Matthew 3; John 1, 3
April 17: Easter; Matthew 26–28, 1 Corinthians 15
April 24: Jesus Called Disciples; Matthew 4,9;
Mark 1–3, Luke 5–6
April Birthdays:
Kayla Turkington 04/03/2015
Caleb Brown 04/03/2017
Julian Knutson 04/05/2016
Harrison Luckow 04/10/2012
Levi Hunt 04/12/2015
Harper Luckow 04/12/2016
Iris Durree 04/14/2011
Marlena Bellars 04/15/2018
Lola Colella 04/19/2019
Tytus Phillips 04/24/2014
Hazel Arnold 04/24/2017
Alice Hansen 04/24/2019
Mackenzie Schwarz 04/25/2012
Violet Arnold 04/26/2019
Jared Tolano 04/28/2020
Many of the children in Awana are building model cars to enter in the annual Awana Grand Prix race. It is an exciting time and a lot of fun for the kids. The big event is at Mountain View Baptist Church, 3500 W. Overton, on April 2 at 10:00 am. Come and watch and cheer for our racers.
Kevin Mason, Associate Pastor
kmason@hopetucson.com
Men’s Ministry is focusing on our first pillar of manhood. Reject passivity. Praying that all men of Hope will continue to act on what is right.
Important Date: Saturday, April 16 Men’s Breakfast at 7:30 - New Hope Building (most likely)
Praying for all our home groups. I would love to pray for each home group on April 8th. If you have any prayer requests please send them to me before the 8th.
Also, if you are interested in starting a home group please email me at kmason@hopetucson.com.
The HopeHouse Bible study is on Friday night at the HopeHouse at 7:00 p.m.
Canon Black, Youth Pastor
cblack@hopetucson.com
This last month the Youth group has been spending our time going through James. Learning what the Lord has to say about trials and temptations, and how we approach hard things in life. James 1:27 says “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” He then goes on to say in chapter 2 that “Faith without works is dead.” Without forgetting that we are saved by faith, not works, we also know that a salt spring does not bring forth fresh water, nor a fig tree bear olives. Our hope in Christ is found not just in what HE has done for us, but also what HE has done to us, making us new creations, giving us hope, setting us on paths of righteousness for HIS name’s sake. My prayer for our Youth this month is that they would have living faith, filled with the glorious light of the Father.
April Calendar for Youth Group
Sunday, April 3 - Meeting at Riverfront Park 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (551 W. Lambert Lane)
Sunday, April 10 - Meeting at Riverfront Park from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 17 - Meeting at Summit Ridge Community Church (505 W. Hardy Rd.) from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 24 - Meeting at Summit Ridge Community Church from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
