Politics and Voting
October was our last Saturday mini conference of the year. Soon, we will be scheduling 2027. We have received requests to teach on aging, raising kids, marriage, church history, child-safety, apologetics, eschatology… Lord willing, we will cover what the Bible has to say about at least some of these topics in 2027.
In January of this year, Pastor Gary gave us three hours on how Christians should view politics. With our elections happening soon, I thought this would be a good time to encourage you to steward the gift we have been given to vote and be involved in a way that honors our One True King! This is an important gift God has given us. Let’s do our best to bring Him glory in everything we do (including how we vote). I grabbed some notes from Pastor Gary’s conference to share:
So… how should we view politics as Christians?
a) With a prudent, biblical lens and worldview – recognizing that Jesus is our ultimate authority and hope.
b) With an allegiance primarily to Christ’s Kingdom and its advancement on Earth – our first allegiance is not to a political party or political reforms.
c) With a recognition that Christ’s Kingdom should touch all areas of life – this includes all political areas as well.
Verses to consider as you pray for leaders and live as peaceful citizens in godliness and holiness without anger or quarreling. (1 Timothy 2:1-6; Galatians 5:14; Philippians 2:3-4)
During the conference, Pastor Gary encouraged us to be involved and quoted one of my seminary professors, Dr. Wayne Grudem. Wayne Grudem believes that Christians should seek to have a significant influence in whatever government they find themselves under.
“The “significant influence” view says that Christians should seek to influence civil government according to God’s moral standards and God’s purposes for government as revealed in the Bible (when rightly understood). But while Christians exercise this influence, they must simultaneously insist on protecting freedom of religion for all citizens. In addition, “significant influence” does not mean angry, belligerent, intolerant, judgmental, red-faced, and hate-filled influence, but rather winsome, kind, thoughtful, loving, persuasive influence that is suitable to each circumstance and that always protects the other person’s right to disagree, but that is also uncompromising about the truthfulness and moral goodness of the teachings of God’s Word.” (Wayne Grudem)
This November, during elections, stand strong in God’s Word and the moral goodness of the teachings found in God’s Word. Do this with thoughtful and loving influence. Let us be faithful to our true King.
~Pastor Randy
On October 17th, our Honduras team sets out for a week-long mission's trip supporting Cocal Gracias based in Puerto Cortes, Honduras. For those that don't know, Cocal Gracias runs a school and trade center that offers six vital disciplines to Honduran men and women to train vocationally and become professionals in society. The team uses that avenue to share the Gospel, build disciples, and demonstrate the power of the kingdom. During the week, our Hope team is expecting to do various construction jobs, participate in community service & outreach, engage with Cocal English students, and provide encouragement to our missionaries Brian and Rina Ruark. Our breakfast fundraiser on September 19th was a great success and helped get us closer to our fundraising goal. A huge THANK YOU to all that have supported the team financially to date! Donations can still be made on the link below.
Honduras Team:
Tony D'Aquila
Cooper Dircks
Gary Jones
Don Schofield
Matt Ulrich
Ellowyn Butler
Maeva, Clay & Zebedee Mertz
Mark your calendars for this special Hope event. We will have great food, fellowship, fun, live music, kids play area, and a pie contest. Please bring a dessert to share (pie, cookies, brownies) and the side lined up with your last name on the list below to serve 15. Please clearly label your food containers and serving utensils if you want them back (pick up at the end of the evening) or bring food in a disposable container.
Below are the potluck assignments. If your last names begins with:
A, H, L, N - Macaroni & Cheese
B, J, S, W - Green Salad
C, D, E, O, Q - Cornbread
R, M - Relish Trays
G, K, T, Y - Coleslaw or Potato Salad
F, I, P, U, X, V, Z - Beans
Sign up in the lobby on November 1, 8, & 15 if you are interested in entering the pie contest and if you would like to volunteer.
Please contact us at info@hopetucson.com or 520-400-1483 if you have any questions.
The Jubilee Team!
This month's Prayer & Praise will be on Wednesday, November 25.
Women's Ministry
Suzi King, Director
sking@hopetucson.com
Come join us as we serve the women at Life Care Center. We will be singing hymns and providing manicures. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to BE THE CHURCH! Also, this is a great chance for students to earn community service hours. We could use some help with supplies also. Please sign up below!
Thank you to all the women who joined us for our September Hymnology Conference. Also, a big thank you to our speaker Kristin Braeutigam.
No Mini Conference in November.
Want to view previous Mini Conferences? Click below.
Lynne Hooge, HopeKids Discipleship Director
lhooge@hopetucson.com
I thank God for our HopeKids, families, and our HopeKids’ team. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful community serving together to disciple our HopeKids!
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2
Have a wonderful month and Thanksgiving!
~Lynne
Mark Your Calendars!
December 5th - HopeKids Winter Wonderland
We hope you can join us for our annual Winter Wonderland! (This is not a drop off event).
December 13th – HopeKids Sing in the Worship Service. Be watching your email for more info in the coming weeks.
What We’re Learning:
November 1: (Family Sunday): God Loves All People - 1 Corinthians 13
November 8: People Rejected Jesus - Luke 4
November 15: People Were Amazed by Jesus - Luke 4
November 22: Peter Worshiped Jesus - Luke 5
November 29: 5th Sunday - Africa Team
Our Key Verse This Month:
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
Big Picture Question:
How can we be saved? We are only saved through faith in Jesus.
November Birthdays
Oliver Silva 11/1
Sierra Seay 11/1
Ben Johnson 11/9
Maisy Harrison 11/9
Teagan McCabe 11/13
Kaylin Crom 11/17
November reminds us how thankful we are for all God's blessings to us! We are so thankful for those of you who choose to let those who serve in AWANA come alongside you. As you pursue being a disciple of Jesus and being a disciple who also disciples your children to know and love Him and make Him known, we are thankful for you! And we are so thankful for our LORD Jesus.
If you have any questions, please contact Tim at timtolson@comcast.net.
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.” (Acts 2:42)
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 at gjones@hopetucson.com.
Men's Breakfast: Saturday, October 17 at 7:30 a.m. in the Community Room. We will continue our series on “A Measure of a Man”. Men and teens of all ages are welcome to join us for some great food, fellowship, and an engaging message and discussion time.
Men's Bible Study: We will meet every Friday, this month from 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. in the Community Room. This Bible Study is a great time to dive into God’s Word, pray, and build relationships with other men. This study is for men of all ages.
Men's Camp: Friday – Saturday, November 6 - 7th up on Mt. Lemmon at Southern Pines Baptist Camp.
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Sign up below.
HopeLife is our young adults' 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!
September Calendar
Tuesday, October 6 - 6:30 p.m. at the Braeutigam’s Home
Tuesday, October 13 - 6:30 p.m. Gal's Gathering (more info to come)
Tuesday, October 20 - 6:30 p.m. at the Braeutigam’s Home
Young Adult/HopeSeniors Game Night
Kevin Mason, Family Pastor
kmason@hopetucson.com
October Calendar
Youth Group all Sundays in October (4, 11, 18 & 25)
Dinner will be provided on October 11 and 25.
Matt Ulrich
Tech Director
mulrich@hopetucson.com
If you haven’t already subscribed to our new email service, please do so by clicking this link.
We could always use more hands on our Sunday Tech team: audio, video, and lighting. If you are interested in being part of this team, please click the link below.
Bob & Merrillee Whren, Directors
Interested in our Seniors' Ministry? Contact Bob Whren at bwhren@gmail.com.
Young Adult/HopeSeniors Game Night
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.
AccessHope exists to ensure that every person may be welcomed and included in the body of Christ; having access to the teaching of God’s Word, participating in collective worship, and engaging in serving one another for the glory of God.
Access Hope wants to remind you that if you need a shorter path to get to the Worship Service, you’re welcome to use the back door to the multipurpose room! Just drive around to the back of the school. You may drop your loved one off or use one of the parking spaces (if there is one available). This is the same entrance our tech team uses to bring the audio/visual equipment in before each service. The ushers will leave the door open until 10:15 a.m. for anyone who needs to use this entrance.
