With the power and love of the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, the people of Hope: gather in worship, grow in love for God and all people, give in service, and go sharing the hope of Jesus with a world in need of hope. In a time when we feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful church community, we also like to look back on our roots.
The church two thousand years ago seemed like a really neat place to belong. It was a community of believers who really seemed to love one another. The New Testament book of Acts describes it this way:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
It’s important to note that this community of believers was made up of men and women who were not perfect – just forgiven. And, in the forgiveness that they received from the Lord, they became a changed people. The Bible says that they enjoyed the favor of all the people. In other words, the people who did not belong to the church liked what they saw of those who did belong.
If you presently belong to a community of believers, praise God. We pray that you will continue being blessed in the church that you belong to. If you don’t have a church home, we invite you to Hope. Prayerfully, we are what has existed for about two thousand years: a community of people who are not perfect – just forgiven. And that forgiveness changes everything.
