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!