Hope Congregational Church, UCC News

:And like living stones, let yourself be built into a spiritual house…" (1 Peter 2:5)

It might be hard to compare yourself to a stone, but imagining yourself as a living stone can be exciting. Each follower of Jesus, united together, is built into a spiritual house. We are called together to make sacrifices that will count in a way that builds up the Body of Christ here on earth. As we mass our living stones, the spiritual house is strong and provides a frame for all to find comfort and peace.

Hope Congregational Church held a yard sale on Saturday, April 22, with a successful outcome. Thanks to Kathryn Bothelo for speaking to us at this Sunday worship, at both Riverside and Hope Churches, about this important group who is helping foster children and foster families thrive in our community! Information and donation opportunities are available at https://www.communities-for-people.org  and we commend this organization to your interest for the love and justice of Jesus we are called to live.

As we stand in God’s presence, let us pray that God will grant us the courage to stand together in one body. Let us work together to form new frames of reference that will invite others to join us in this spiritual house. I hope more of you will take an active role as a living stone in our works that express our faith in the way of Jesus. Some upcoming expressions are below.

On May 7, at 10:30 AM, a special service to honor Shirley Lawson will be held. Our celebration will include a special worship, beginning at 10:30 AM with hymn favorites and, yes, a special music interlude of hymns by Shirley, her son and daughter! Following the service, we will share a specially prepared meal in our Fellowship Hall (bring your appetite!). We would be honored if you would make plans to attend and celebrate with us!! If you cannot be with us and would like to offer adulations, please email Cora Rose, coraschurch@gmail.com 

We invite you to a special worship in which you will be honored as mothers (in all capacities) and as part of this time, we will dedicate a special contribution to Church World Services, who provide warmth and security. We encourage you to give and attend this service as a sign of our commitment to compassion and hope. When our neighbors are in need, even $10 for a single blanket goes a long way or $25 will get a CWS Blanket and a CWS Hygiene Kit. Checks should be made payable to “Hope Church” and earmarked “Blanket Sunday”.