March 20, 2020
Dear Hope Family,
In this unprecedented and
unsettling time, we want to encourage you to continue leaning into the Lord as your
rock!
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear...”
(Psalm 46: 1-2).
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
(Psalm 18:2)
Our leadership team and staff are working diligently from home to clarify how we as a church might continue to embrace Hope's vision—
This Is the Life
—in different ways. While we all long to experience the intimacy and joy of biblical community in person, one of the most engaging parts of Hope Church, we face a period where loving one another requires that we suspend gathering. Hopefully, we will shorten the severity and duration of the coronavirus and resume our regular meeting times soon. In the meantime, what an amazing opportunity to
be the Church
! You can find specific strategies we are recommending below.
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Now more than ever, this is a time to draw near to God. This current pandemic is a reminder of our limitations, vulnerabilities, and need for Him. This is why the gospel is such
good news
! God has not left us alone. He has pursued us in the person of Jesus and is available to us through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. We've listed some ways you can continue to grow below:
This Is the Story Journals
—We encourage you to keep up with your journal throughout the week. If you don’t have a journal, click
here
.
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Sunday Morning Worship
—We will be pre-recording our worship service and message, and making them available together on our website,
hopemason.org
, by 9:00 AM Sunday.
Hope Midweek Live
—Every Wednesday at 7:00 PM we will gather via a
Zoom
video webinar. Stay tuned for instructions on accessing this. We will begin next Wednesday, March 25, with a worship/prayer time with Jill Miller. On Wednesday, April 1, we’ll host a
Cutting Room Floor
with Pastor Stephen. We'll be alternating the two on future Wednesdays. If you anticipate having trouble connecting with Zoom, send an email to
support@hopemason.org
and someone will be in touch to help.
Weekly Devotions
—Every Thursday, you will receive an email containing a Hope family update and a brief devotional video from one of our leaders.
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Growing to Love
People
—Within Hope
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This is an ideal opportunity to deepen relationships and find new ways of interacting with one another for strength and encouragement.
If you're already connected at Hope
—We want our groups to continue to meet virtually. Leaders are currently working hard to be creative in figuring out how to keep our groups connected. Some groups are already connecting through Zoom, for example, and more are getting connected every day.
For all of Hope
—We desire for every person in our Hope family to feel connected and cared for and are working on plans to offer this. In the coming weeks, we will be doing our best to reach out with a personal connection. In the meantime, if you're not connected and desire to be, please call us at 513.459.0800 and let us know.
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Growing to Love
People
—Outside Hope
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During a global pandemic, we want to be a clear picture of God’s love across the street and around our city. This can take place in many ways. Here are a few simple but powerful steps you can take. In the coming weeks, we'll be providing you with coaching in each of these areas:
Pray
—Pick one neighbor or co-worker and begin praying for that person daily.
Personal Touch
—Engage that person through phone, text, or email. This is a natural time to ask how people are navigating the uncertainty. Be ready to share your faith perspective.
Practical Need
—As you engage the person, try to discover and creatively meet a practical need they may have.
As a Body
—In cooperation with some of our ministry partners, and potentially other local churches, we're investigating the best ways we, as a Hope Church family, can be meeting needs and helping those outside the faith whom God has placed around us. More information regarding this will be coming in the weeks ahead.
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For Our
Children
and
Students
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Our youngest generation may be the most resilient to this virus physically, but they are likely rattled by the shifts in routine and social restrictions. Our Kids’ Ministry and Student Ministry staff are aware and are working hard to care for the families of Hope. We will be communicating primarily through social media and email. We encourage families to join these online connection points:
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We have been asked how
giving
will continue during this time. Thank you for the question and your generous hearts! Here are three ways:
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Mail
—Our mail is picked up daily by one of our staff.
Mail your offering to:
Hope Church
4934 Western Row Road
Mason, OH 45040
Drop Off
—Drop off your offering at Hope. We have placed a locked mailbox (labeled “Hope Church Family”) below our regular mailbox in which you can securely place your check/envelope. This box will be checked frequently.
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Hope family, it is natural for us to feel afraid. God understands. There's a reason the Bible is filled with instances of Him telling his people not to be afraid. He knows we are human. How timely is this week’s reading in our This Is the Story journals?
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9).
In this moment of uncertainty and crisis in our world, we encourage you to look to God and ask him how you can respond in faith, embracing His ongoing mission where you live, work, and play. For His glory and the lasting joy of all people!
We love you and will walk through this together,
Hope’s Leadership
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