The Importance of Church
At the end of June, our Mini-Conference was centered around the importance of the church family to our walk with Christ. In my study of this topic, I read how one church encourages new members…
I promise that if they show up consistently (in our church that means corporate worship on Sunday and home group on Wednesday) and seek to care for others, they will get everything they want out of the church. That could be spiritual growth, friendships, biblical knowledge, or practical help. They will get whatever they want from the church by fulfilling just those two simple tasks.
If you don’t participate regularly, you don’t get the formative experience of church. You don’t grow in Biblical knowledge through the teaching or in relational depth through praying with others. And if you don’t seek the good of others, you learn to judge the church for how it fails to meet your needs and how others fail to reach out to you.
What a great encouragement that if we just show up consistently and seek to care for others, God will bring blessing into our life through His chosen instrument to edify us – His Church.
In the coming two months, we are kicking off two new home-groups. Some reading this need to contact Pastor Gary and give home groups a try this semester. As always, there are many opportunities at Hope to show-up, care for one another, and serve together. We have a Mini-Conference on July 26 about living a lifestyle of evangelism. These Mini-Conferences are great training, but also great relational opportunities as well. We also have a Women’s Camp August 23-24. These two upcoming events are both incredible opportunities to “grow in COMMUNITY”. Finally, make it a goal for your family as the new school year starts up – show up consistently for church Sunday morning, for youth events, and seek the good of others!
~Pastor Randy
Come join us for prayer and praise on Wednesday, June 25!
June Baptisms!
Alli Schwarz
Elizabeth Lawson
Grant Dooling
Lauren Potts
Samuel Austin
Lauren Cerrone
Nathan Duplessis
Preston Ulrich
Christian Kah
Worship Pastor
ckah@hopetucson.com
Yes I Will
Life on this earth is hard sometimes, isn’t it? The fact of the matter is that we live in a fallen world with evil all around. When we look around, often times it seems that this is all we can see. Where is the goodness, where is righteousness, where is integrity, where is dignity, where is decency… where is God? Imagine if there were no answer to these questions?
Thankfully, we aren’t the only ones who have asked these questions. Many before us have lived in the same corrupt and broken world we do and have asked the same questions. In fact, the writers of Scripture ask these questions. In the Psalms we see this plenty of times! In Psalm 10 David cries out, “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Again in Psalm 13 he says, “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” And yet again in Psalm 22, David speaks these words which will also be spoken by our Savior on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” Can you relate to these words? I know there are times in my life when these words resonate so deeply with me. When I look around in this world, I see a lot of darkness and at times it seems even as if God is not present.
But wait, we have hope. In fact, we have the ultimate assured hope. You see, in each of these Psalms that are listed, it starts with questions. David is in the depths of despair as he begins these songs and prayers. But, as he processes and answers these questions, we see how he goes about it. Each time, he loops back around to who He knows God to be. In Psalm 10, He finishes by proclaiming, “The LORD is king forever and ever… O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear.” In Psalm 13, he remembers “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” And finally in Psalm 22 it says, “All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations.”
You see, what David understands is that the Lord is the same God who has proven himself time and time again in the past. He is the faithful and sovereign King who has ruled righteously from the beginning of time. And so, as David questions, he does so with this framework in mind. He has the hope of who God has proven Himself to be and the remembrance of the promises He has kept in the past and will continue to keep in the future. So even in the times where it seems like God is not working, when we are waiting for God to show up, we can have faith knowing that the same God that has never failed in the past, will not fail now. He is never late and He is working all things out for His glory and your good. So, whether you are in the lowest valley or on the highest mountain, we can rejoice and sing as the song says, “Yes, I will lift You high. Yes, I will bless Your Name. Yes, I will sing for joy when my heart is heavy. All my days, Yes I Will.”
In Christ,
Pastor Christian
Women's Ministry
Suzi King, Director
sking@hopetucson.com
Ladies join us on Friday, June 13 from 6:00 - 8:30 in the Community Room for Game & Appetizer Night! Bring your favorite game and an appetizer to share.
Thanks to all the women who came out to our May dinner. A big thank you to Dave Braun for cooking and Megan Croft for sharing her testimony.
Why is the Church Incredibly Important?
We have probably heard people say, “I love Jesus, but not the church!” However, the Scriptures tell us the Church is so important to God’s plan of salvation and our walks with Christ. In this mini-conference, we will explore these truths and build a new love and priority for the Church!
Ever wonder how we begin to follow Christ? Hope Elders, Chad Schwarz and Scott Haffner want to help you discover crucial Biblical truths that inform us about these first steps to following Jesus:
1. Sunday, June 29 - Intro
2. Sunday, July 13 - The Conversion Experience
3. Sunday, July 20 - What Must I Do to Be Saved
4. Sunday, July 27 - The Significance of Baptism
5. Sunday, August 3 - Growing in the Church
Chad and Scott will lead interactive discussions as we learn from and inspire one another. Join us on five exciting Sunday mornings.
All classes on Sundays at Wilson School from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Sign-up below.
Lynne Hooge, HopeKids Director
lhooge@hopetucson.com
Hello Hope Church Family!
Thank you so much for all your prayers, donations and help with our Wonder Junction VBS this year! We were so blessed by your generosity in making our VBS such a huge success. I know that seeds were planted and that the kids learned so much about the life of Jesus, their Savior which drew them closer to Him. We know of one child who gave his life to Jesus! Please keep praying for the kids to use what they learned in their daily lives.
I hope you enjoy your first month of summer!
~Lynne
Our Key Passage This Month:
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5)
Big Picture Question:
Why does sin separate us from God? Because God is holy, sin has broken our relationship with God.
What We’re Learning:
June 1 (Family Sunday): Eli’s Son Disobeyed God; 1 Samuel 4-6
June 8: God Takes Sin Seriously; Ephesians 2
June 15: Israel Demanded a King; 1 Samuel 8-10
June 22: God Made Saul King; 1 Samuel 11
June 29: Special 5th Sunday HopeKids Worship with Missionary Guests
June Birthdays
Hershel Bartz 6/2
Coy Long 6/5
Emerson Bowman 6/15
Georgia Bellars 6/27
Carter Parrish 6/29
Dates to Remember:
Wednesday, August 27 - Leader Training and Orientation
Wednesday, September 3 - First Awana Meeting of 2025/2026 School Year
Gary Jones, Discipleship Pastor
gjones@hopetucson.com
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Do you desire to be in a Home Group? Home Groups are a great way for us to grow in community and in our walk with Jesus. We desire to see everyone connected to a Home Group, so if you are interested in getting plugged in, please contact me.
Please Note: If you are on a wait list, many groups are on break during the summer, so expect more information after July.
HG Leaders, our next leader meeting is Saturday, August 16th from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room. We’ll continue our theme from Acts 20:28 but will focus our time in August on “keeping watch…over the flock”. Look forward to spending more time with you all then!
Contact me at gjones@hopetucson.com if you have any questions.
Home Group Leaders Meeting in May
Men’s Camping Trip – Friday, June 20th to Saturday, June 21st. We’ll be having a camping trip for men of all ages and their sons. This will be a simple overnight trip up Mt. Lemmon. We’ll arrive up top around 5:00 p.m. and head down the next morning after breakfast. Feel free to go up for the night or just come up for the morning breakfast if you don’t want to camp. It will be a great time to bond and enjoy the outdoors! More info to come via email.
Breakfast Saturday, June 21st on Mt. Lemmon during camping trip. No breakfast in Community Room.
NO Men's Bible Study during the summer - expect the Bible Study to start again in August.
Men's May Breakfast - A special visit from Gideons International!
HopeLife is our young adult ministry for ages 18-29. If you are a young adult, we’d love for you to get connected with others in a similar season of life. We spend time together to grow in community, study God’s Word, pray, eat, and have fun. Join us!
This summer we will meet every other week and have special activities. Below are our June dates:
Tuesday, June 3rd – 7:00 p.m. @ the Joneses
Tuesday, June 17th – 7:00 p.m. @ Location (TBA)
Hope 2025 Rock Nest Ranch Team
Abby Amante
Jake Braeutigam
Beth Bumb
Frank Bumb
Erika Gnagy
Bren Marshall
Uriah Thiessen
Jackson Turner
Valerie Turner
Joel Vereen
Maile Williamson
Makoa Williamson
Marshall Williamson
Ronnette Williamson
Steve Williamson
Thank you to our Hope Family for the love and support you have given this team. Please continue to pray for us we prepare to serve. Our flight leaves Sky Harbor on June 30. This is our camp schedule.
July 1-4 - Staff training and camp orientation
July 5-11 - Teen Camp (ages 13-15)
July 14-18 - Junior 1 Camp (ages 9-12)
July 21-27 - Junior 2 Camp (ages 9-12)
Camp theme: God knows the way through the wilderness.
Camp verse: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19)
Kevin Mason, Family Pastor
kmason@hopetucson.com
June Calendar for Youth Group
Sunday June 1 & 29: Youth Group from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Community Room
Sunday, June 8: No Youth Group - Camp
Sunday, June 15: No Youth Group (Father's Day)
Sunday, June 22: No Youth Group (Pastor Kevin is in Miami with the Missions Team)
It's not too late to sign up for Youth Summer Camp! Don't miss out!
Miami Missions Team
We will be partnering with a church in Miami to run a VBS program for inner-city kids. Our team of 10 will set out on June 21-28.
Pray that our efforts will...
Build up the local church,
Reach these precious inner-city kids with the hope of the Gospel,
Strengthen the faith of the students on our team.
Our Team
Annie Braeutigam
Jake Braeutigam
Timothy Edgin
Madelyn Fuller
Josh Morgan
Isaiah Peak
Kevin Mason
Joseph Stadelman
Libbie Turner
Makoa Williamson
Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
Bob & Merrillee Whren, Directors
Interested in our Seniors' Ministry? Contact Bob Whren at bwhren@gmail.com.
Hope Seniors enjoyed a wonderful breakfast brunch. As always, the food was fantastic. Hope Seniors get together throughout the year. We are attending Back to the West at the Gaslight Theatre for our next event. If you would like to find out more about Hope Seniors, contact Bob or Merrillee Whren.
Our goal is to grow a community of support and encouragement for all families at Hope Community Church who wish to educate their students at home. All are welcome to participate in the activities regardless of what type of school they attend. Children that are not school age are also welcome.
For more details and information on this group, please contact Bre McCabe at bmambros@gmail.com or Tina Edgin at tsedgin@gmail.com.
