Portland Season of Service

Christianity Today recently posted a story about our local metropolis and the Luis Palau Festival they had in August. It was a very encouraging article titled Servant Evangelism (and provocatively sub-titled: How Luis Palau, thousands of volunteers, and a gay mayor are trying to transform Portland).

Awana Harvest Party

Our costumed kids enjoyed crafts, games, puppets and candy at Wednesday's Harvest Party! I've posted some pictures here, but there are lots more in our web site's photo gallery. Just click on the Photos menu button and find the gallery labeled Awana Harvest Party - October 29, 2008.

2nd Anniversary Celebration!

This last Sunday we celebrated our church’s 2nd anniversary with a wonderful worship service and potluck. It was one of our biggest services ever, with 207 in attendance, and I counted over 120 who stayed after for lunch. What a fun day!

I’ve now collected some pictures, which I’ve posted below. I also have Dewey’s sermon uploaded to the web site, plus Steve recorded our instrumental prelude that Jered arranged, so if you weren’t there right at the beginning of the service you can hear our Come Now Is the Time to Worship groove online, too!

If you’re a part of our New Hope family, I encourage you to make our third year our best yet. How?
- Draw closer to God by breaking open your Bible and praying at least a little bit everyday.
- Make it a goal to encourage somebody every Sunday morning.
- Be constantly on the look out for new people and convince them this is the most welcoming and warm gathering of people in McMinnville.
- Help pay for rent, staff, supplies and eternally changed lives by giving to the Lord’s work here.
- Come to church every week--you’re an important part of our family, and we miss you when you’re gone.

Why not take a second right now to pray that God will bless us this year...and then be ready to be an answer to that prayer!

A "Faith in Action" Opportunity

Janet Johnson, who attends New Hope when her work schedule permits and is Bonnie Reynolds' upstairs neighbor, is moving to Coos Bay this Saturday. Janet could really use some help loading boxes and such into the moving van, and has asked if any of the strong hands and backs in our fellowship could help out.

If you are willing and able, meet at her apartment, 1500 NE 27th St. #68 (behind McDonalds), at 8:00 a.m. this Saturday morning. (If you’re a crack-of-dawn type, you can come even earlier at 7:00--please give Janet a call at 971-237-3564).

Any time you can give would be much appreciated!

Voter Guides

Have you figured out all of the Oregon ballot measures yet? Personally, I’ve been putting off slogging through the two volumes of voter information that came in the mail. But this week at the church we received a shipment of Voter’s Guides from the Oregon Family Council. They’ve boiled down the 12 ballot measures into four pages and, of course, given their recommendations for each vote. I think it’s well written, and I appreciate the clarity and succinctness (if that’s a word)! Anyway, if you’d like to see a copy, there will be a stack of them on the entry way table here at the church.

I do hope you will vote in the next couple weeks! In spite of the flaws, we are immensely privileged to have such a say in our "government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Happy Anniversary!

Today is the two year anniversary of New Hope Christian Fellowship!

Two years ago, on October 22, 2006 about 30 folks met to worship at the old ESD building across from Lowe’s. I started coming the following week on the 29th, and by my calculation I’ve only missed 5 Sundays since then. What a treat it is to meet with this community of believers every week!

This Sunday we will be celebrating our anniversary with a special worship service followed by a salad potluck for everyone. I hope you’ll come! We’ll have lots of pictures of our last two years, some testimonies, and as always, great singing and teaching.

God bless us as we begin our third year of ministry.

New Recordings

We had another great worship service yesterday. Dewey preached from Matthew 5:9, "Blessed are the peacemakers" in a very thought-provoking message. If you missed it, the recording is now available online on our Sermons, Etc. page. I recommend it!

I've also uploaded to that page Instruments of Your Peace, a song we sang right before Dewey's message. Singing with me were Ashley DeForrest, Lori Kotaich, Anne Muehleck, Leela Zeeb and Rebecca Bertolini. Enjoy!

Spy Night at Awana!

We have a different theme each Wednesday night at our children's Awana club, and last night was Spy Night! Here are some pictures from the evening...

Sermon online

Dewey read an email this morning from a man in Arkansas who listens regularly to our New Hope sermons online. We're so glad that our ministry can reach well beyond Yamhill County!

If you missed the sermon this morning, give it a listen! Dewey spoke powerfully from Jesus' words in Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." I found it to be both convicting and encouraging, and I bet you will, too!

Go to our Sermons, Etc. page and listen to it today!

The Church and the Great Depression

Timothy Morgan writes, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme" at the conclusion of a new article in Christianity Today called Jesus and the Great Depression.

The article is an interesting look back at the American church in the 20's and 30's as they moved from prosperous times into the Depression. There is naturally a good deal of interpretation in looking back at history, but I thought it was good food for thought. What impact will our nation's current financial woes have on the Church's outlook, mission, priorities and spiritual growth?

What will New Hope's reaction be?

Times like these can provide a gut-check for us as a church. Do we offer true hope, comfort and confidence for people who are feeling hopeless, uncertain and scared for the future? Or will these folks turn, as they did 75 years ago, to sects who make wonderful promises to desperate people? Will we continue to give financially to God's work here now that it takes some more faith? Can we focus on eternity rather than our brief time on earth, and can we help others do the same?

Progressive Dinner

I've gathered some pictures from last Friday's Progressive Dinner. It was a fun night! Around 50 people participated, plus each of the shepherds' families. Sounds like the food was great at all the homes, and I enjoyed meeting a few new people and chatting with friends. Plus, dessert was at my house, so I enjoyed lots of pie and chocolate.

It's great to be a part of God's family, and especially nice to be at New Hope!

I took group shots of everyone that came through our house during the dinner, and here they are...

Sunday Recordings

On our website's Sermons, Etc. page you can now stream or download Dewey's sermon about Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." We also recorded Lord Have Mercy, a beautiful prayer of contrition that Anne, Lindsey and I sang after the message. If you missed our service this morning, check out these recordings online!

Prayer Requests

A couple weeks ago Dewey made a little plug for our website's Prayer Requests page. This is a page where anyone can submit their requests and/or praises for others to see. A few folks have taken Dewey's suggestion and posted new items there, so if you'd like to pray for some in our New Hope community, or you have requests of your own to post, go to http://www.newhopeconnection.com/ and click on the Prayer Requests menu button.

Progressive Dinner this Friday

If you're part of our New Hope family, I hope to see you this Friday evening at our All-Church Progressive Dinner!

There are five stops at the dinner, each hosted by one of our shepherds. (I know my kids are excited because they get to eat dessert all night at our house). Everyone will be going in a different order, but by the end of the evening you'll have had a full meal! We're also mixing up the groups at each stop, so you'll get a chance to meet and hang out with everyone who is participating. It'll be fun!

The event starts at 6:00 p.m. Friday night, and we're all done by 8:30. For details on where to start, go to our website's Coming Up! menu and click on News. There you'll find instructions and locations.

Last year's Progressive Dinner was a blast, and we hope to see you this Friday!