iHOPE

Kerygma Anyone?

  Over the past several years i have enjoyed teaching my Bible studies on Thursday mornings and (sometimes) evenings.  Usually it complements the particular book of the Bible we are investigating in worship.

  Each time I lead a class I am impressed by the questions people have and their desire to go deeper.  I consistently have wished that I could teach a class I taught years ago called, KERYGMA.

  KERYGMA is an in-depth Bible study that gives people terrific foundation for the rest of their lives. It approaches the Bible as a whole and in the end, participants have a good understanding about the major themes of the Bible as well as where the various pieces all fit.

  KERYGMA is a big commitment (It is two hours of class for 34 weeks and participants should expect about 2 hours of preparation between classes) and it seems the timing has never been right to attempt such a class.  I have never offered it here at New Hope.  Nonetheless, it is the best class I know for helping people understand the Bible. I keep hoping that 'someday' I'll get to teach this class again.

  I'm wondering if this year might be the year.

  KERYGMA is a class that works best with between 12 and 25 people.  That would mean that in the next month we would need to register at least 10 people who would be willing to commit to this class.  Some Bible background is helpful, but I have taught this with 'beginners' as well as fairly 'advanced' students and it works well.  We would meet on Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30 am beginning in September. We'll take a few weeks off for holidays and breaks and finish at the end of May.  The cost of the student materials is $32. It won't be the easiest class you've ever taken, but it may be the most rewarding. If you're interested, you can contact me by email through this blog, or fill out a form when you are at church.  When we get enough people to make a class, I'll let everyone know and get the materials.

  So, what do you think?  KERYGMA anyone?

   

iTunes Connection is Back!

  There are a lot of things we like about our new web page. Since we launched it a couple months ago, we have received lots of great feedback about its improved look, its simplified format and how easy it is to move around and find things.

  One thing we didn't like: we couldn't get our connection with iTunes to work for people to download sermons. People who are on the road a lot especially liked the fact that they could stay connected to the current sermon series wherever they were.

  As of today, that problem is fixed. The iTunes connection is back (thank you, Bruce!).

  There is a new link you may have to use and it is listed on our 'Sermons' page.  Of course, sermons continue to be available as direct downloads or on CD.

'Pray for Us'

  The first of our 'Pastor's Book Club' gatherings was held on Sunday night. The book was The Stone House, which describes life in (what was once) Rhodesia and (now) Zimbabwe through the experience of two very different people.  The events of the past week in Zimbabwe made the topic very 'current.' 

  So did our guests.

  We were joined by two members of the delegation from the Presbytery of Zimbabwe. Thabi and Wilbert were given our book when they arrived a couple weeks ago. They were invited to read it so they could join our conversation as well as give their own perspective.

  The sad thing is that conditions have deteriorated even more than what the book describes (it was published last year). The astonishing news is that people's faith and faithfulness has grown. The persecution and hardships have made strengthened commitment and galvanized hope. 

   It is an amazing account, but not unique. I never fail to be impressed when I hear from people who go through pain and suffering I can barely imagine, who get stronger, more faithful and more hopeful. They are stories I never get tired of hearing.

  When asked the question, "What can we do to help?", the answer was quick and clear.

  "Pray for us." They are going home to a country that i even more uncertain than what they left. Conditions are likely to get harder before they  better. Their safety is in question and their future is uncertain- save this: They know they do not go back alone. They are sure that the God who has been with them and sustained them will not now forsake or forget them.  Their hope is that they can  remain faithful to the God who has remained faithful to them.

  Pray for them.

Vacation Bible School at 'Full Tilt'

  Vacation Bible School is underway in a BIG way this week. We have maxed out at 220 kids plus more than 50 volunteers. Its a great week, with long-lasting effects.
  Some of the best memories I have of Church as a kid, revolve around Vacation Bible School (yes, they had it even then).  Did I learn anything? I'm sure I did, though I can't remember any of the particular lessons.  What I do remember learning is:

• Church can be a fun place to be.
• I like being at church.
• The Bible has some great stories
• A lot of 'cool' people (mostly Junior High and Senior High kids) were there helping, so this must be a cool place to be.

  Granted, none of these lessons are earthshaking and probably not all that profound. Yet these were important seeds in my life that later produced a faith that was life-changing. 

  I think about those early experiences in my life when i see our present VBS. I wonder what seeds are being planted and what fruit will come from all this? God only knows, but I know I'm glad for all the work, dedication and energy being offered this week to make Vacation Bible School possible.

Congregational Meeting Starts on 'New Hope Way'

Our annual congregational meeting is scheduled for Sunday, June 22 @ 7:00 pm. In some ways, it will be pretty typical. We will:

• Elect new Elders and Deacons
• Review where we have come from
• Look ahead to what is to come.

  However, some things in this year's Congregational Meeting will be different:

• No food will be served. We have checked the Book of Order and apparently it is permissible to meet without serving food. Who knew?! Actually, there really is no place to serve or sit for dessert- let alone dinner. Fellowship Hall is pretty small these days.  So for this year at least, we'll just meet in the Sanctuary. But not at first...
• We will start the meeting in the street!  The new street is here and its called, 'New Hope Way'.  How cool is that?  We'll start our meeting outside in the street with prayers of celebration and dedication. We'll pray for those who will come in this new entrance for decades to come, hoping to 'Find a Home' and 'Build a Life' with God. We'll also pray for who will exit our driveway on to this street and into the world to 'Make a Difference'. After our time of prayer, we'll walk into the sanctuary for the rest of our meeting. We aim to be done by 8:15.

  There is no childcare provided, and children are welcome.

Mission Trip Update

Erik sent a couple photos from our student's Mission Trip to New York. Can you guess which one in the photograph is NOT from New Hope?  Temperatures have been soaring- pushing 100 with 80% humidity, but the group is doing well. They arrive back home on Saturday and on Sunday (June 22) they will share their experiences in worship (8:00, 9:00 & 10:30).

Mission Trip 2008

  Our 2008 Student Mission Trip headed for New York this morning. They are going to be working with some inner city ministries beginning on Monday. We hope to have some updates from Erik as the week progresses. Check back and see the latest news ans photos. Next Sunday  (June 15) they will be sharing their experiences with congregation in worship.

Welcome, Allie & Abby!

  Amidst all the brokenness in the world, it is great to be able to present our new Youth Summer Interns. They are Allie Graham and Abby Horner.  This is the fourth year that we have brought Interns on to assist with our summer programs with youth.  Internships are a win-win situation. As a church, we get the benefit of some bright, energetic and committed college students who want to work with youth and the interns get  a chance to explore ministry in a church setting during their summer break.

  Below are their pictures and short, introductory articles they wrote about themselves:

Allie Graham:
Hello New Hope Presbyterian I wanted to thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with your youth! My name is Allie Graham; I’ve lived in Centennial, Colorado  my whole life. I attended Grace Presbyterian for most of my life and still attend when I’m home on school breaks. I am currently a sophomore at Sterling College in  Kansas, majoring in Christian Ministry with a Youth emphasis. I am super excited about this summer and having the ability to learn and grow with your youth and also having the ability to expand my creativity and explore God’s wonder. During the summer I will be able to put down my text books and pick my hobbies back up. In my spare time I love working on art projects, watching my favorite television series and reading. My all time favorite television show is Dick Van Dyke, and yes I do own all seasons. I’m already looking forward to this summer and can’t wait to start! 
 

 

Abby Horner:
I am a proud Colorado native and grew up in the Englewood/Centennial area attending Wellshire Presbyterian Church. Much of who I am today I attribute to the nurturing community at Wellshire. Currently I attend Whitworth University in Spokane, WA. I am in my third year and am absolutely loving what I am learning. My majors are Theology and French and I am also in a program called the Certification for Ministry. At school, I am involved in intramural soccer, an urban ministry club called En Christo, and the Colleges against Cancer club. I love music and love to sing (though I can’t always promise I am on key). I also like the outdoors (skiing especially, and even more especially Breckenridge) and love watching sports. I am so looking forward to developing relationships with the congregation at New Hope and am excited to learn from you and from your community! I know it will be a fruitful time for all of us as we learn together more of what it means to glorify Christ in our lives.

  Allie & Abby begin their internship in June and we'll get to meet them in worship before they take off with the rest of the group for our summer Mission Trip to New York. 

  Welcome!  

The Cupola Has Arrived

  The cupola has been set!

  For more (including more pictures) click on the following link: Expanding Hope Blog

 

Thanks!

  The call went out and people answered.

  We moved the offices on Monday and we couldn't have done it without the 12-15 people who came by and made it happen. Because of them, we not only moved the 'big' furniture (desks, tables, file cabinets), but we also were able to move many of the supplies and clear the main offices.  Thank you!

  Thanks too, to Session for providing lunch for everyone. It came at just the right time.

  With a little luck we will be pretty much 'up and running' by Wednesday. We may even have a bulletin on Sunday!