Article #7 of our Statement of Faith: The Church
We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God's grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.
Sometimes we can get lost in the theological terms in a statement of faith, but in this statement, we try to summarize that God gave THE CHURCH to unite us, train us, and encourage us.
I want to focus in on those last two sentences of this article that describe two practices God instructed the church to do: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These two ordinances bless the church body with a picture of what Jesus accomplished for us. They also nourish us and give a confirming stamp upon our faith.
Baptism: Anyone who recognizes they are a sinner in need of a Savior can ask for forgiveness from Jesus and He will forgive them. He will come and dwell within that person, washing their sins away, and Jesus will give them eternal life. God commanded us to mark this moment in our life through water baptism. It symbolizes physically, what has happened spiritually. It is also a way that God graciously confirms the believer, gives him/her the joy of obedience, and allows them the opportunity to publicly confess Jesus as their Savior. Yet, it also is a way God graciously encourages the church members who are witnesses to the baptism. Thus, water baptism is a one-time event for the individual which God commanded in order to give grace to the church. (Next baptism at Hope: November 27. Verses to check out: Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12.)
The Lord’s Supper: Instead of just a one-time picture of the gospel, the Lord’s Supper is a continuing practice that reminds the church body of what has been (and will be) accomplished for believers. As we take the bread and cup, we remember the good news that Christ died for us, making us righteous, promising a future with Him in eternity. As we take the bread and cup, we are reminded that all these benefits have been given to us, that Christ has loved us, and we are His in faith. And, we are united as believers through His Work. (Next Lord’s Supper: October 9. Verses to check out: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.)
So, God commanded two things for us to practice as believers to remind and mark His gracious love in our lives. Baptism He commanded to be done once in our life and the Lord’s Supper is something we should practice regularly. But it is so important that we understand, these are both things He commanded to show and confirm His love through the gospel – the work of Jesus.
~Pastor Randy
Mark your calendars for this special Hope event. We will have great food, fellowship, fun, live music, kids play area, and a pie contest. If you would like to volunteer for the Jubilee, there will be a table in the lobby on Sunday mornings the whole month of October. You can also sign up to be in the pie contest!
Women's Ministry
Suzi King, Director
sking@hopetucson.com
Thank you so much Hope for your generosity in supplying Casa Paloma Shelter with food and supplies over the last month. Below is a message from the Casa Paloma Hospitality Center:
From the Staff and the Homeless Drop in Ladies of Casa Paloma,
We thank you for your more than generous and continuous donation of food in September. Your kind donation fills many large healthy sack lunches to enjoy daily and for the weekends when our facility is closed.
Also, the backpacks were a joy to every one of the women who received one and the necessary items inside brought joy to every one of them as they received it.
A VERY BIG THANK YOU AND BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!!!
Please note: The shelter is need of warm clothing (new or gently used) and blankets for the women who live in the house and the homeless women who drop into the shelter. If this is a need you can meet, please drop any clothing/blankets off at the church office Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thank you!
Dave Collins, Church Plant Pastor
dcollins@ambassadorschurch.org
We are so thankful to God for how He continues to guide and bless Ambassadors Church! We are officially open to the public and have had some new folks...pretty fun.
We have a website: www.ambassadorschurch.org
We also have a logo:
God is up to some cool things as we all work to live as Christ's Ambassadors. We are all called to evangelism and discipleship. We are called to bring the Good News to the lost and help the found follow Jesus!
Blessings to you as you continue to partner with us and as we all work to make disciples who make disciples!
Go Get 'em! Pastor Dave
Kyria Kelly, Director
kckelly@hopetucson.com
I would like to invite you all to our Fall Fest 2022 at our property! On Saturday, October 1, we will have bouncy houses, fall crafts, and s’mores. This is not just an event for families with young children; gather your friends and family and swing by any time from 5:00-8:30. Dinner won’t be provided but feel free to bring your own if you’d like to “picnic” here with other families. If you have any metal roasting sticks, bring those, as well. We look forward to seeing you in attendance!
In other news, most of you have probably heard of our new ministry, HopeDrama. We are looking for children who are ages 7 and up and can meet most Tuesday nights from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. to be carolers between scenes. If you have children who fit that criteria, please contact Cat Glowa at Cat.Glowa@gmail.com.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions or need support in any way. May you walk in step with Christ in all you do!
~Kyria
October 2 (Family Sunday): Jesus Walked on Water; Matthew 14, Mark 6, John 6
October 9: Jesus Showed His Glory to Peter, James, and John; Matthew 17; Mark 9; Luke 9
October 16: God’s growing kingdom is more valuable than anything; Matthew 13
October 23: Jesus came to seek and save the lost; Luke 15
October 30: Many people misunderstood Jesus’ teaching; John 6
October Birthdays:
Gianna Knutson10/01/2017
Audrey Lawson 10/06/2013
Boone Devries 10/08/2020
Ward Vereen 10/11/2017
Emily Davis 10/15/2014
Beckham Nagy 10/16/2018
Katelyn Nitka 10/17/2013
Aleila Lemus 10/17/2016
Rowan Gill 10/21/2014
Panda Bernard 10/28/2012
Ian Stroop 10/28/2016
Kimber Devries 10/31/2018
Kevin Mason, Associate Pastor
kmason@hopetucson.com
I am always praying that Hope’s Home Groups are places of fellowship where your faith is being purposely strengthened and sharpened so that you would reflect Christ in all that you do. (Colossians 1:9-14). May your devotion to fellowship, learning the Word and to the breaking of bread with your church family lead you to build up the Kingdom of God. May your HomeGroup encourage you to be the salt of the earth, always seeking to shine the light of Christ. Praying that your HomeGroup is encouraging you to be the hands and feet of Christ.
So, if you call Hope your home I encourage you to join a Home Group by emailing me at kmason@hopetucson.com.
Calling all men to sign up for Men’s Camp October 20-22. We are excited for the opportunity to build each other up for a few days. Cost is $120.00 Thursday - Saturday and $60.00 Friday - Saturday. Sign up and pay below!
No Men's Breakfast in October - please join us for Men's Camp!
HopeLife welcomes all young adults at Hope Community Church. We meet every Saturday night at 7:00 pm. Contact Brenna Bumb if you are interested in attending at 520-912-6290.
HopeYouth
Canon Black, Youth Pastor
cblack@hopetucson.com
Hey Hope!
Scripture memory is tough! Over the past few weeks of Youth group we have been focusing in on smaller sections of Scripture each week and trying to commit them to memory. I think what we’ve learned more than anything is that God's Word speaks to all of our pains and offers levity to our souls with sweet promises and hope.
Here are our memory verses so far:
Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”
(Matthew 9:14-17 ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
(1 Peter 5:6-11 ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.”
(James 5:16-18 ESV)
The most recent verse in James speaks to our need for and the power of prayer. Taking our petitions earnestly and fervently before God. This is where you come in! We are in need of prayer, from minor sickness to more serious health issues. Our Youth group has been having a tougher time this year and in recent weeks. If you would join in offering up earnest petitions for God to heal, restore, and preserve our students and Youth leaders it would bless us greatly.
In the dust of His feet,
Canon
October Calendar for Youth Group
Meeting all Sundays in October
In the Community Room
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 30 is another family night!
Friday, October 14 - Witnessing & Skating Night (see more info below)
Decision Point is inviting several youth groups to a witnessing and roller skating night on Friday, October 14! If any of your students want to come, they are welcome to. We will go to Reid Park and start Gospel conversations with people there, have some pizza and then head to Skate Country. We can arrange carpools from the park to Skate Country. If your student is interested please contact me at cblack@hopetucson.com.
AccessHope
Sarah Whiting, Director
AccessHope has a table in the lobby! You might have noticed our table the past 3 Sundays. Every Sunday either Mandy Flores or I will be available at the AccessHope Information Table before and after service.
We have some amazing fidgets at the table, as well as ear defenders, and a way to give us your information so we can connect with you outside of Sunday. Stop by to ask us questions, grab a fidget, share suggestions or needs, or just to say hi!
We are excited to share that planning has commenced for Tucson Night to Shine 2023! This year we are able to host an in person event again! After two years of honoring people with special needs through a virtual celebration, a drive-through version and more, Night To Shine is coming back bigger and better than ever. We absolutely cannot wait to dance the night away with our Kings and Queens!
