The Blessing of Fellowship!
This summer we have started three new Home Groups at Hope! This is such a cause for celebration. Fellowship strengthens our faith, allows us to learn and apply God’s Word alongside others, and it spurs us on toward love and good deeds.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24–25)
At Hope, we have seen a direct correlation over the years between home-group involvement (or another type of regular fellowship outside of Sunday morning) and long-term obedience and faithfulness to Christ. Often when someone is not plugged-in relationally to other members of the church, they disappear and can slip away from the body of faith. Sadly, sometimes shipwrecking their faith in Christ all together.
I so want to encourage all of us to regular fellowship through a home group. If you have been trying and unable to get connected to a home-group (many times there are no groups available or you tried one and it didn’t work out), consider starting just meeting with another family or two. Read a little from the Word, pray for each other a little, and share a meal. It does not have to be super organized, but the gathering of God’s people is commanded over and over again throughout the Scriptures. The Lord knows we need it to stay the course.
Another incredible blessing this month was seeing almost two hundred people come to the pancake breakfast to support the Philippines Mission’s Team. Not only was it fun and delicious, but it was so neat to see families encouraging one another and chipping in with funds to help buy medicine, rice, and school supplies for the mission. It is such a joy to serve with an army of believers like all of you!
Two fellowship opportunities to keep on your calendar this month are the Fall Festival, at the church property on October 18th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the Men’s Camp, October 24-25 (5:00 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday) at Mount Lemmon.
~Pastor Randy
Please pray for our Philippines Team as they leave on October 2 - and return on October 13.
The Team
Randy Brainard
Julie Brainard
Anthony Cervantes
Jess Cervantes
Ella Cervantes
Anthony Cervantes, Jr. (not pictured)
Diane Jensen
Eric Kinder
Sally Kinder
Teresa Mote
Chad Schwarz
Melanie Schwarz
Alli Schwarz (not pictured)
Avery Schwarz
Mackenzie Schwarz
Suzanne Shriver
Libbie Turner
Also, a big thank you to everyone who came out for the pancake breakfast/silent auction fundraiser for the team. It was a HUGE success!
This month's Prayer & Praise Night is Wednesday, October 29!
Christian Kah
Worship Pastor
ckah@hopetucson.com
SONG OF THE MONTH: 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
Interested in being baptized? Contact info@hopetucson.com.
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! Sign up below!
Come join us for this important mini conference on the heart. The Bible says everything comes out of the heart. Glen Elliott will guide us through - what shapes or heart and how are hearts change.
Don't miss this conference. Lunch will be provided!
Interested in watching the video of the September mini conference on, "Marriage Tune Up"? Click on the link below!
Lynne Hooge, HopeKids Director
lhooge@hopetucson.com
Hello Hope Families!
Happy Fall! We hope you can join us for our Family Fall Fest on October 18th! There will be hot dogs, popcorn and more. Please be sure to sign up below so that we can prepare enough food.
We will need help in the areas of set up, food, games, bounce houses, face painting and clean up. If you can help, please email me for more information or sign up in the lobby on Sunday. We appreciate your help in making this a fun event for our HopeKids!
Our Key Passage This Month:
Exodus 34:6-7 “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished.”
Big Picture Question:
What is mercy? Mercy is when God does not give us the punishment that we deserve.
What We’re Learning:
October 5 (Family Sunday): God Gave Solomon Wisdom; 1 Kings 2-3
October 12: Solomon Built the Temple; 1 Kings 6-9
October 19: Solomon's Sin Divided the Kingdom; 1 Kings 1-12
October 26: God is Good to Give Mercy; Luke 18
October Birthdays
Gianna Knutson 10/1
Miriam Boyd 10/3
Ethan Silva 10/6
Boone DeVries 10/8
Isaiah DeGroot 10/11
Israel Preciado 10/21
Marley Ellwood 10/21
Owen DeGroot 10/24
Kimber DeVries 10/31
Awana begins Wednesday, September 3. We meet at Summit Ridge Church, 505 W. Hardy, 5:45-7:45 pm. It is a fun time of Bible teaching, Scripture memorization and games. Bring your K-6th grade boys and girls and bring the neighborhood kids that need to hear about Jesus and what He's done for us. Contact Tim Tolson at timtolson@comcast.net to register your kids!
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. Note: If you are on a wait list, many groups are on break during the summer, so expect more information this month.
HG Leaders, our next leader meeting is Friday, November 21st at Steam Pump Ranch from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. It will be more of an appreciation dinner – thanking you all for your service to our Hope HGs.
Contact me at gjones@hopetucson.com if you have any questions.
Home Group Leaders Meeting in August!
Men's Bible Study: Fridays of September 5th and 19th from 8:00 a.m. - 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.
No Men’s Breakfast in September. Instead, we will have a fundraiser breakfast for Hope’s Mission trip to the Philippines on Saturday, September 20th in the Community Room.
Men’s Camp is happening! Friday & Saturday, October 24th-25th from 5:00 p.m. Friday to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday at Southern Pines Baptist Camp on Mt. Lemmon. For Men and Teens. Save the date on your calendars and sign up today on the link below! To assure that you receive a properly sized t-shirt, please sign up before October 7th! Cost of camp is $70.00.
Men's August Breakfast
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!
We meet every other week! Below are our September dates:
Tuesday, September 9th – 7:00 p.m. at the Braeutigam’s Home
Tuesday, September 23rd – 7:00 p.m. at the Braeutigam’s Home
Contact me at gjones@hopetucson.com if you have any questions.
Kevin Mason, Family Pastor
kmason@hopetucson.com
October Calendar for Youth Group
Youth Group every Sunday in October from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Community Room.
On Sundays, October 12 & 26 dinner will be provided!
Youth, join us for a little golfing and lunch on Thursday, October 9 from 11:00 to 1:00 at Topgolf. Price per person is $15.00. Register today!
Bob & Merrillee Whren, Directors
Interested in our Seniors' Ministry? Contact Bob Whren at bwhren@gmail.com.
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.
