iHOPE

Courtyard Dedication this Sunday

 

  This Sunday (May 31) we will get to dedicate our new Courtyard! 

  We'll meet during our Community Time (in between the services) at the center of the Courtyard for a brief Dedication Service, starting at 10:15. If you are coming to the first service, plan to stick around for a few minutes. If you are coming to the second service, be sure to come a little early.

  The Courtyard is the place where we welcome our community to New Hope.  For a church whose mission is to be a place where people 'Find a Home, Build a Life and Make a Difference, what better way to greet people than with the names of those who made a difference in our lives?  Earlier this winter, people sponsored individual bricks bearing the names of these special people. All the bricks are now in place and we'll have a time to honor them as part of our dedication.

  This will be the first of what will become an annual tradition at New Hope. Every winter people will have a chance to sponsor bricks. Every spring we will honor those folks with a special ceremony.  Come be a part of New Hope history!

 
 

Some New Churches are Coming!

  Last night, the Presbytery of Denver approved the launching of a new Presbyterian congregation in the E-470/Gartrell area.  This has been a long time coming. The motion that was passed read,

Our mission is to build a community of faith that invites people to discover and live out the gospel of Jesus Christ in the E‐470/Gartrell area.

So many people have worked long and hard to get to this point. In some ways, the work has just begun!  An 'operating plan' will be developed this summer with the goal of acquiring an Organizing Pastor this fall.  The total amount approved over the next several years to get this new congregation going is almost $600,000. New churches aren't cheap. Then again, the work they do in Christ's name is priceless! (OK, that was a shameless rip-off of a credit card commercial- but I couldn't resist!)

If you'd like to see some of the 'homework' that went into this decision you can read it here: Download NCD Plan for E-470 Gartrell Area  The maps, demographics and planning are pretty interesting.

  But wait, there's more!

The Legacy of Exceptional People

  I'm thinking about the sermon for this Sunday. It is about the exceptional people who have left us the legacy of following Jesus.  These are the people who have lived their life so well that it makes you proud to call yourself a Christian.

  It is a good time to think about this because this Sunday we celebrate Pentecost- the 'birthday' of the Church. It is also the Sunday that we dedicate our 'Make a Difference' Courtyard in between the services.

  So, who are the people who have influenced your faith? What were the qualities and characteristics that made them so influential? I'm taking suggestions!

Did You Know?

  Have you ever felt like things were speeding up around you? Does it feel like you can't keep up with all the changes? Evidently, there is a good reason for those feelings. In fact, we didn't know the half of it!  Check out this video. I recommend you do it sitting down!

  So, what kind of people- and what kind of faith, will be needed in this world in the years to come?

Sabbatical: Time to Sharpen the Saw

  I posted last week that Session approved a sabbatical for me this summer (July-September).By now you have received a letter (via our weekly update) from Session explaining some of the details. That letter can be read through the link on the New Hope web page.

  We have been getting a few questions since:

What's a sabbatical?

Is this like a leave of absence?

Are you OK?

Will you be coming back?

New Hope Cycling Group

  Feel like getting out in the great Colorado weather (especially now that the weather is great)? Got a bike hanging in the garage that you've been promising to get on?  Looking for some other folks who like cycling?

  Check out our newest group at New Hope: The New Hope Cycling Group. There are all skill levels of biking represented ( I know the 'recreational riders' are there because I'm part of the group!). There is a whole web page dedicated to the group (thanks, Daren!), upcoming activities and general information.

  There is some great cycling around the Front Range. The weather is wonderful. Let's get rolling!

  Here is the site.

The Religious 'Churn' in America

  Most Americans change their religious beliefs in their lifetime. That is true of Catholics, Protestants and even people who have no religious affiliation. At least, those are the findings of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

  53% of Americans report that they have changed their religious affiliation sometime in their life. Even people who were raised with no religious affiliation changed (54% of them now claim one). "It really puts an exclamation point on the degree of churn that characterizes religion in the United States," is how Gregory Smith ( a Senior Fellow at the Pew Forum). The only consistent group: Atheists. About 2% of the people surveyed identified themselves as 'Atheists'- about the same as it has been in America for decades.

  What was most interesting to me was the finding that is consistent with people I talk to who have changed their religious beliefs. The problem isn't with God, it is the church. People don't stop coming to church because they stopped believing in God, but because of their 'disenchantment with religious people and institutions'. 

  Food for thought.  You can read the full story here:

Jesus in Blue Jeans

   When you think about Jesus, what image comes to mind?  I still have the picture that was in every Sunday School class etched in my brain. Even though I know it was only a painting from someone's imagination (you know we don't have any actual photos of Jesus- right?), I still think that is what Jesus looked like!

  So, what did Jesus look like?

   When a church in England wanted to portray Jesus in a way that made sense to people today, this is what they cam up with. What do you think?  Is it sacrilegious to portray Jesus in  modern garb, or does it help people connect with God to imagine Jesus in modern attire?

  Click here for the full story.

Sabbatical

  This past weekend, Session approved me taking a sabbatical this summer. In case you are wondering, a sabbatical is an extended time away from regular responsibilities for the purpose of renewal and special focus on some aspect of ministry.

  That means I will be out of the office (and the pulpit) from July 1-September 22 (12 weeks). Session is preparing a letter to the congregation that will explain this in more detail (it will probably arrive sometime next week).  I'll also use this space to explain more of what I am planning to do with this time. There are always lots of questions around a pastor taking a sabbatical, and I'll try to address them before i leave. If you have a question you'd like to have addressed, let me know!

Honda Ad Clip

  Here is a link to the clip that began last Sunday's sermon. It is from the Honda Corp. and the catch line at the end is, 'Isn't it nice when things just work?'

  It's fascinating to watch. Most people wanted to see it again. Here's your chance!