When I was a youth pastor, the book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye” came out and influenced a lot of young believers. The young author of the book, Joshua Harris, later became a pastor. However, just recently, he left his wife and publicly declared on social media that he was no longer a Christian. A few weeks after Harris’ announcement, former Hillsong worship leader, Marty Sampson, made a similar announcement, that he had found peace in his decision to no longer believe in Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Unfortunately, these popular figures shared it as if coming to some new enlightenment.
This can be so discouraging to our faith when those who were once part of the family of believers seem to celebrate their decision to leave. It can rock our own faith and cause us to be appropriately concerned for those choosing to deny Christ. Here are some Scriptures that speak to this issue and direct us as believers:
- Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us… As for you, see that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what He promised us—eternal life. (1 John 2:18-19, 24-25)
Even in the Apostle John’s day, the church had those who were leaving the family of believers to embrace the world. John tells the family of Christ that this will happen in the last “hours”, and as for those in the church, they should continue to abide and remain in relationship with the Lord. This relationship is our eternal life.
- It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the coming age and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. (Hebrews 6:4-6)
Here in Hebrews, we are warned that those who have been a part of the church fellowship, have experienced proximity to the working of the Holy Spirit and the sharing of God’s Word – but then fall away, may never return to Christ because their heart is hardening to the Lord and they are shaming the great name of Christ by their departure. This is an important warning to stay the course with Jesus. I pray that each of us have great accountability through home-groups and discipleship groups to keep on track with Jesus.
~ Pastor Randy
Heather Blue
During the 5 Sundays in September we will be selling Hope T-shirts! You will have three options to choose from – Heather Blue, Heather Autumn and Heather Military Green. Children sizes are available only in Heather Blue. 100% of the proceeds of this sale will be divided between:
- Caleb & Ciera Brock – they will be moving soon to the field to serve with Apache Youth Ministries in Showlow/Pinetop, AZ
- Regina Nieman – one of Hope’s newest missionaries will be traveling to Japan to explore her options with Pioneer Missions
Visit the table in the lobby on Sunday mornings to order/pay for your t-shirt!
Men's Ministry
Hey Hope Men, join us for breakfast and a cornhole tournament that will benefit Mentoring Tucson’s Kids. The cost is $5.00 per team and you can sign up below!
Men join us for our first Men’s Camp at 3C Ranch in Oracle – Friday & Saturday, October 18-19. You have a few options to choose from for Friday night:
Outside in a tent or camper $25.00
Inside on a cot or air mattress $40.00
Reserve a bed $60.00.
You also have an option to stay Thursday night as well (this day is just for fellowship). Just add $25.00 to the above prices.
Register and pay ASAP. Only a few beds left!
Suzi King, Director
women@hopetucson.com
Ladies, Sunday, September 1 is the last day to register for our Women’s Camp (either with the link provided or in the lobby at church)! The cost for camp is:
$100.00 for overnight (whole stay)
$75.00 for Friday night & Saturday day (no overnight)
$50.00 for Saturday day
Don’t miss out – Sign up today!!!
Our Women’s Ministry continues to be committed to outreach opportunities that benefit women and children both globally and locally. Our next opportunity to serve is Saturday, September 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the home of Angela Brainard. Given the success of last year’s sale of decor items (crosses and plaques) we will be gathering to create a new inventory for sale this fall. All proceeds will be directed toward a ministry need in missions. Watch your email for additional details and directions!
Alisa Childers
Ladies…Mark your calendars for a day long conference featuring author, speaker, blogger and Christian apologist Alisa Childers. Alisa will be joining us on Saturday, November 9, to share her knowledge of current topics and trends in the Christian Progressive Movement. The cost for the event will be $20.00 and this includes lunch. Sign ups will begin on Sunday, September 8 between services and following the 2nd service.
Discipleship Corner
Go Get ’em! Pastor Dave
Dave Collins, Associate Pastor
Makeda Peyton
“Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:3-5
Are you interested in being baptized? Contact us at info@hopetucson.com.
It’s not too late to sign up for one of our fall Sunday School Classes!
FamilyLife’s Art of Parenting Class at 9:00 a.m. – September 29 to November 17
Financial Peace University Class (by Dave Ramsey) at 10:45 a.m. – September 22 to November 17
If you attend one of these classes your child(ren) will need to attend one of our HopeKids Sunday School classes.
See informational videos and sign up form below!
Co-Directors - Kori Ball & Susan Woodford
children@hopetucson.com
Gospel Project Key Passage
All things have been created
through Him and for Him.
He is before all things and in
Him all things hold together.
Colossians 1:16b-17
Gospel Project Status Update
God rescued Noah and his family from the flood. The story of Noah points ahead to a greater rescue. God’s Son, Jesus—the only perfectly righteous One—came to take the punishment for our sin. By trusting in Him, we are saved from the punishment our sin deserves.
Avery Schwarz 8th
Milan Daniels 10th
Sterling Hawley 13th
Holly Odle 13th
Nathan Totten 14th
Mia Turner 14th
Mya Turner 14th
Theodore Carlson 17th
Grace Odle 18th
Azalea Reddoch 19th
Titus Ayantola 21st
Samuel Fitzpatrick 22nd
Maverick Alexander 23rd
Abigail Fitzpatrick 24th
Kevin Mason
Youth Pastor
youth@hopetucson.com
The school year has started! For HopeYouth this is the beginning of the ministry year. We are so excited to see how God will use us to spread the Good News and to encourage students. Our main focus this year is relationships. We have a desire to really build relationships with students – all centered around Christ.
To start the year off – HopeYouth is starting up Bible studies!
High School Girls: Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at Starbucks on 1st and Oracle
High School Boys: Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. at Kneaders in Oro Valley
Middle School: Start TBD (Will be on Wednesday nights though)
If you would like more information about the studies please contact me at youth@hopetucson.com. We are praying that God will use them to build connections between students and leaders and to allow students to draw near to their Savior.
Thank you for your prayers! Love serving with each of you.
Mark your calendars…
HopeYouth Winter Camp
January 2-5
@Tonto Rim Christian Camp
Contact Information:
Website:
www.hopetucson.com
Administration:
info@hopetucson
Pastor Randy:
rbrainard@hopetucson.com
Pastor Dave:
dcollins@hopetucson.com
Pastor Matt:
mpoling@hopetucson.com
Mailing Address:
2114 W. Grant Road, PMB 87
Tucson, Arizona 85745
Phone:
520-400-1483
