Neighbors, Coworkers and Friends
These are the three things we have tried to regularly wrap our minds around as a church family. The first of the list is to OFFER HOPE. This “hope” refers to our sharing the Good News with people about the saving work of Christ that can bring sinners to have hope (confident expectation) for eternal life with God.
Jesus commanded us: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20) He also told us that we would all be the witnesses to tell others about Him and what He has done: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV).
I’m so grateful that my father shared verses with me from the Bible when we went swimming, and my woodshop teacher from middle school invited a group of students to a home where we read the Bible and then took us to camp to hear the Gospel. How are you offering hope like this right now? Who are you developing relationships with so that you can share the most important thing in your life? How are you showing love (that comes from God) to neighbors, coworkers and friends?
I want to give you a couple tools to help. The first is 2x4. Start building relationships in your neighborhood with the two houses to your right, the two to your left, the two across the street, and the two behind you. Just try to love them and honor them. You don’t have to try to fit “Jesus” into every conversation. Try to be a blessing! I have found that often, the Lord brings the conversation to Himself when I try not to steer it.
The second is Ask, Admire, Admit. When appropriate, ASK a neighbor, coworker, or friend if they have any spiritual background or beliefs. Listen well and ADMIRE anything you can about their story. Then ADMIT that you are a sinner who needed a Savior and that is why you believe and follow Jesus Christ.
Remember, we can plant seeds and/or water them, but it is the Lord who makes them grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6). Charles Spurgeon said: “Every Christian… is either a missionary or an imposter.” We are called to make disciples and witness about Jesus. In the morning, ask the Lord to lead you to share about Him at least once each day and let’s offer HOPE!
~Pastor Randy
Philippines Short Term Missions Trip October 5-16, 2023
PRAISE THE LORD! Through the generosity of God's people and God's gracious provision, the entire team is now fully funded for this trip. We are so thankful to our HCC partners who have contributed to "sending" us.
Our team has completed six training sessions to plan and prepare for the ministry that God has set before us. Our heart is to experience what Paul wrote in Romans 1:11-12 to be of "mutual encouragement" that strengthens our brothers and sisters in Christ.
We have been communing with God and with each other while reading and meditating on a great 40-day devotional to prepare each of our hearts to be humble servants to our hosts in the Philippines.
Pastor Wilson is eager for our team to arrive and he has planned many opportunities for us to serve the 120 children at the AETA Children's Home and School and in many of the 13 churches that his ministry has planted.
To see Pastor Wilson's heart, read how he ended a recent email to our team:
"... we are truly and forever grateful to the Lord for allowing us to know you and be our faithful partner in the Gospel of our Lord JESUS CHRIST.
TO GOD BE THE HIGHEST HONOR, GLORY AND PRAISE!!!
Yours because of Calvary,
Pastor Wilson
Hope, please be praying for our Philippines Team!!!
September Baptisms
Charlie Schwarz
Sarah Butler
Matt Butler
Kyle Crom
Luke Crom
Reagan Crom
Luke Lawson
Our next baptism will be Sunday, October 29 following the morning service. If you are interested in being baptized, please contact Gina at info@hopetucson.com.
Women's Ministry
Suzi King, Director
sking@hopetucson.com
Ladies, join us in the Community Room on Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to noon for brunch and a testimony by Breanna Loveland. Bring a dish to share (egg dish, breakfast potatoes, fruit, bacon, sausage, muffins, etc.).
Thanks to all the women who came out to Board & Brush for our September event. We had a great time!
What will your spiritual legacy be? Join us on Saturday evening for a mini conference to look at how we as grandparents can influence our grandkids for Christ’s kingdom. There are about 30 million Christian grandparents in the US and each of us are in a unique position to have positive spiritual impact in the lives of their families. We will be focusing on what the Bible teaches about our roles as grandparents.
Whether you are a veteran grandparent, a great-grandparent, a grandparent-to-be, a long-distance grandparent, a full-time caregiver or if you would just like some ideas on how to get your parents more involved in the spiritual lives of your children, this evening is designed to introduce you to the vision of Intentional Christian Grandparenting that God is using to reach future generations.
Congratulations Ambassadors Church on your 1st Birthday!
Lynne Hooge, HopeKids Director
lhooge@hopetucson.com
Happy Fall, Hope Families!
What a blessing to gather with some of our HopeKids team for the Child Discipleship Forum last week. We look forward to implementing some of the ideas we learned to help disciple our HopeKids. One of the speakers talked about the importance of sharing our story of God’s redemptive love with our kids and the need to tell them why we need a Savior.
We hope the kids are having a lot of fun coming up with ways to raise money for our Hope building offering on October 29th! That will also be the day of our special 5th Sunday, HopeKids Worship Time. We look forward to some special worship and time with Missionary Guests, George and Val Hillman who will be sharing with us.
Growing together,
Lynne Hooge
Mark your calendars for our Family Fall Fest on Saturday, November 4th. Bring a friend!
Our verse this month:
Acts 4:12: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
What we’re learning:
October 1 (Family Sunday): The Jerusalem Council; Acts 15
October 8: Paul’s Second Journey; Acts 15-18
October 15: No Other Gospel; Galatians 1-3
October 22: Paul Gave Hope; 1-2 Thessalonians
October 29 (5th Sunday): Special HopeKids Worship and
Missionary Guests - George & Valerie Hillman
October Birthdays
Gianna Knutson 10/1
Audrey Lawson 10/6
Ethan Silva 10/6
Ruger Parrish 10/7
Boone DeVries 10/8
Isaac Dekorte 10/10
Ward Vereen 10/11
Adaline Gunnoe 10/12
Beckham Nagy 10/16
Aleila Lemus 10/17
Chance Gardner 10/19
Jax Medlen 10/22
Panda Bernard 10/28
Kimber DeVries 10/31
Hope’s AWANA ministry for children 4 years old through 6th grade has started for the school year. Contact timtolson@comcast.net if you have questions.
Kevin Mason, Associate & Youth Pastor
kmason@hopetucson.com
“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:28-29)
It is our prayer that everyone at Hope stays connected with the body of believers, so we can all grow in maturity and live lives worthy of the Lord. If you would like to get connected with a home group please contact me at kmason@hopetucson.com.
Our vision in Men’s Ministry is to train and build up men in godly masculinity. We desire all men at Hope to be rooted in a Biblical identity and to embrace their role as leaders in the Kingdom.
Important Dates:
No Men's Breakfast this Month
Friday & Saturday, October 27 & 28: Men's Camp
Hey Men, join us for camp this year up on Mt. Lemmon!
October 27-28: Cost $50.00
Come for fun, fellowship and encouragement on being a spiritual leader.
Ambassadors Church will be joining us this year also!!
This month, we are looking forward to some great times of connecting and digging into Scripture. Also, we are excited to spend some time with the senior's ministry. What a blessing to be able to fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ!
October 7th - Romans Bible Study at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room
October 8th - Lunch with Hope Seniors Ministry at 12:00 p.m. in the Community Room
October 14th - Dinner, Games, and Smores at the Orchard at 5:00 p.m.
October 21st - Romans Bible Study 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room
October 28th - Testimony Time @ 7:00 p.m. with the Lovelands (location to be announced)
Questions? Contact Carl Vereen at carlvereen@gmail.com for more info!
In October we will still be working through the Discovery Series. Please pray that this would be something that would truly build up our students and help them build a solid foundation in their faith.
October Calendar for Youth Group:
Sunday, October 1: Combined event with The Ridge Church, and Northwest Bible Church at Riverfront Park. YouthGroup that night will be from 5:00 -7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 5: We will start a new HopeYouth Bible Study at the Mason’s home. More information coming.
Saturday, October 7: Service project at a nursing home from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. We plan to play Bingo with the residents! This is a great opportunity to serve. I am praying that everyone can make this event. Please RSVP by emailing me at kmason@hopetucson.com. We may do lunch before, so please watch your emails for more upcoming info.
Sunday, October 8: NO HopeYouth
Sundays, October 15, 22, 29: HopeYouth from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Overton.
Bob & Merrillee Whren, Directors
Hope Seniors' Lunch Sunday, October 8 in the Community Room starting at noon.
Contact Bob Whren 904-887-7019 or Merrillee Whren 520-304-6773 for more information.
