An electronic version of the daily Bible readings for the coming year (Advent 2020-Advent 2021) can be found at this link.    

Friends in Christ, We have become more accustomed to life on hold than we would ever have thought possible and have learned more about ourselves and our faith in the process. As Advent approaches, we offer a revised Hope Church daily devotional from 2017. Some entries are new; others from congregants whose voices linger after […]

It is with great enthusiasm that we introduce our new Western Theological Seminary student, Elliot Weidenaar. Elliot has a passion for youth and young adults, especially for those who have not yet found a comfortable home in the church. He will start his internship by working primarily with Pastor Beth, but will become more visible […]

By Ginger Clark, RN, Parish Nurse As we approach and participate in Advent there are practical ways to prepare so we can fully experience this celebration. Let’s find ways to reset and resync our lives to be more in tune with the real meaning and blessings of this holy season. To truly receive the hope, […]

By Peter Boogaart, Creation Care Coordinator “Enough is enough!” Maybe you’ve heard those words? They may be buried somewhere deep in your childhood memory. Remember pushing too far? Dad was letting you know that this was the boundary and your show was over. It’s possible, too, to say that “Enough is never enough.” Just before […]

Hosted by Randy Smit and Rhonda Edgington We are honored to welcome one of Hope Church’s resident poets to this month’s Poetry Corner: Sharon Arendshorst. “This poem was written in the spring of 2020, early in Michigan’s lockdown, during the discussion of essential workers. The poem written by Lucille Clifton, although written decades ago, speaks […]

By Elliot Weidenaar, Western Theological Seminary Intern I have spent much of my life in Iowa – a place that in my childhood was largely socially liberal. In the past ten years that has changed. In the past five years I have fled Iowa three times: once to the District of Columbia, once to London, […]

By Mary Van Andel “So,” I said to my husband, Ben, “I’ve been asked to write an article about spiritual self-care during these times, with a focus on Advent. I don’t feel like I know much about spiritual selfcare, even less so right now. I would probably just tell them to go see their Elizabeth.” […]