Embracing Hope

Hear what Hopers have to say about Hope Church!

 

Hope's Welcoming Statement

Hope strives to be a safe haven for God's unconditional love.  Every person is invited and encouraged to participate in all Hope activities and roles, including membership and leadership.  In this world most human conflict and separation are caused by differences, like ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, political positions and more. Hope embraces diversity and welcomes all who come through our doors, without exception.

 

 

Finding Hope

Worship and Sunday School
Worship begins at 10 am Sunday Mornings
Sunday school for preschool through 5th grade begins about 15 minutes into the service.
Middle school and high school youth and adults meet immediately after the service.

We are located at 1771 S. Wiesbrook Road Wheaton, IL 60189
Office Hours: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Monday through Thursday

You can find Jay's sermons and other videos on the YouTube channel "Voice of Hope Wheaton"

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Welcoming Hope

A welcoming message from Pastor Jay
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To Those Who Seek Hope,

 

I have recently returned from some time away. People ask me how California was,

and it is an easy reply:  HOT. Because of this, and the many MANY freeways that I had

to navigate this time in visiting some different colleges for my daughter Halie, I am most

happy to have returned home to believe it or not MILDER weather and SIMPLER driving.

But there are a few things I am most excited about as I return:

 

As I returned, I received word from the Presbytery (the greater church) regarding some

funding we had sought to receive. The news was two-fold positive and exciting:  #1) we

received the funding requested which will be of great aid in our continuing ministry here at

Hope and #2) with the funding came the affirmation of our peers of the positive work we are

doing reaching out to the community and as well in our efforts at living into a broader love

of God with our LGBTQ ministry. Very exciting news, more of which will be explained in the Fall.

 

As I return our Annual Picnic is upon us and this is always exciting (This Saturday at noon). 

As I talked with Pastor Leslie about the changing dynamics of the gathering, and the faces

of so many new friends from the community, he said, “You know, you should call it the 

UNITY Picnic, because we all come together in our diversity IN UNITY.” So I look forward

to our annual “Unity” Picnic this Saturday, and all the friends we have been given to

celebrate and witness a different type of message in our communities, one that lifts

up a Beloved Community not often seen.

 

Finally, I have been asked how I feel when I come back from vacation and return to

my life at Hope. My answer is that until I am able to be with you in worship, I am not

quite “home” yet. I heard that Pastor Katie and Ron did a wonderful job in leading you

in the Word these last few weeks. As I return I look forward to continuing to share the

Word as found in Ezekiel this coming Sunday, as we gather together in gratitude for a

good Word, but also the good gifts, that seem to be laid within our church for a future.

 

I have written all of the above to simply say, I look forward to seeing YOU soon and

continuing to live together into the Peace that springs from this little Hill of Hope.

 

Peace,

 

Pastor Jay

 


 

 

August 15, 2019

 

 

Hope for Youth
The youth play a large role in the life of the church.  Currently there are two active youth groups.

F.R.O.G. (Forever Relying On God)
F.R.O.G. is for kids in kindergarten through fifth grade.  Emphasis is on fun (and maybe burning off some energy)!

Lighthouse
Lighthouse is for middle and high school youth.  While there's still lot's of time for fun the focus is more on examining their growing faith, personal reflection, service activities and worship.

For more information go to the Youth tab.

LighthouseF.R.O.G.

 

 

Relating Beyond Hope

Our gatherings at Hope are relating beyond our building to the local community, the nation, and the world.  We reach out to feed the hungry, both directly (e.g. volunteering at the Peoples Resource Center food pantry) and by supporting worldwide hunger relief programs (e.g. Bread for Life).  In addition, we have developed close relationships with two sister churches - one in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood for over 25 years and the other a small church in Havana, Cuba for over 5 years.  Click on the Outreach tab for more.

 Marlene at PRCThree Pastors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Promoting Interfaith Hope

Hope strives to develop relationships with all our diverse neighbors, whatever their backgrounds or religious convictions, they are a gift from God.  Through our relationships with Bethel New Life, an African American congregation, and with friends discovered through our Hispanic Outeach Ministry, we are grateful for the glimpses of the Beloved Community on our little hill.  Members of the Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Native American, Mormon and LGBT communities also participate in our worship services, adult education classes and outreach activities.  We learn from one another, support each other in difficult times, and celebrate our common life together.  Click on the Ministry/Partners tab for more.

 Sikh FriendsMuslim friends by Peace Tree