Worship
Early Worship 8:30 a.m.
Liturgical Worship 11:00 a.m.
Worship during the Season of Reconciliation draws on our liturgy and the stories of our faith community to focus on reconciliation as one of the core themes of our faith. In the prayers and music, scripture and creeds of our liturgy, worship calls out in us our own need for reconciliation with God, others, and self, and then sends us to share that reconciling grace with others.
Witness to Reconciliation
A special part of worship in the Season of Reconciliation is the “Witness to Reconciliation”, as people in our faith community share their own stories of places of reconciliation in their life of faith. As we hear stories shared, we foster both a gratitude for the way God’s grace is at work in the people of Hope Church and a deeper awareness of our own laces of division, reconciliation and witness in our lives.
Worshiping with “In Harmony”
Sunday, January 26, 11:00 a.m.
In Harmony is an intergenerational choir of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and straight singers that focuses on the music of inclusion and reconciliation. The group’s goal is to present music that enriches lives and affirms equality for all people while creating change by celebrating diversity through music and harmony. Founded in 2011, Director Marty Kiefer envisioned a community choir for anyone and everyone. In Harmony will participate in worship and we will host them for Pizza Lunch and conversation following the service.
Adult Education
Sundays, 9:40-10:40 a.m.
Commons I
- January 12 – Making Sense of Violence in the Old Testament, facilitated by Rachel Billings, Adjunct Instructor at Western Theological Seminary
- January 19 & 26 – The Culture of Violence, facilitated by Chris Dorsey, Assistant Professor of Theology and Preaching at Western Theological Seminary
- February 2 – Family Violence, a discussion about violence in homes in our community, our state, and our country; facilitated by Stephanie Kitchen from the Center for Women in Transition
Book Study
Thursdays, January 16 – Feb. 6, 7:00 p.m.
Seminary intern, Paige Convis, will offer a four-week book study of, The Violence of Love, by Oscar Romero. This book is a collection of the writings and sermons of Romero who was the archbishop of El Salvador in 1980’s. Romero is marked as a prophet, speaking out against oppression. The group will be an opportunity to read, discuss and meditate on something from a different culture and to think about liberation both in Romero’s context as well as our own. Look for a sign-up sheet in the Gathering Area. An electronic version of the book is available here, and printed copies are available through the church office (printed with permission).
Restorative Circles Facilitator Training I
Friday, January 31, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 1, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The training will give a comprehensive overview of Restorative Circles and will provide more detailed information on each phase of a Restorative Circle. There will be opportunity to practice all three rounds of dialogue used in a Circle. Register online or call the Hope Church office at (616) 392-7947. Brochures with more information are available in the Gathering Area.