Hope Church celebrates 150 years in 2012

Worship:
8:30 a.m. Early Worship
11:00 a.m. Worship

Nursery for ages birth to three is available at 9:40 a.m.
Church School for all ages and Chancel Choir at 9:40 a.m.
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Closed Friday
Telephone: 616-392-7947

GET INVOLVED! Click HERE for the Life of Hope Blog

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Winter/Spring Youth Activity Schedules
High Hopes
Fish Club

ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM ~ SUNDAYS AT 9:40 A.M.

February 5-26..........................................................................................................In Commons I

Out of Darkness:
The Facts, Changes, and Choices of Living With Chemical Dependence

The February Adult Education series sponsored by the Health Ministry has been designed by Thomas Mullens, a therapist at Ottagan Addiction Recovery (OAR), serving as the Outpatient Clinical Director of the Grand Haven branch. He is a member of Hope Church and states that this four week series will explore the concept of chemical use, abuse and dependence from the perspective of those struggling with addiction and those who live with and support those struggling with addiction. The sessions will look at everything from the brain chemistry involved in addiction to the complex social and psychological factors involved in trying to create change. Concrete information about available support systems and interventions will be shared as well as looking at how every one of us deal with the conscious and unconscious dimensions of trying to change behavior.

February 5.........................................Into the Light: Moving Past the Stereotypes
Presenter: Thomas Mullens – Therapist at OAR. He has a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work and is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

February 12......The Neurophysiological and Pharmacological Basis of Addiction
Presenter: Dr. Ed Anderson, Professor of Pharmacology, Emeritus, University of Illinois College of Medicine

February 19.......Living in Chaos – A Family Perspective on Addiction & Recovery
Presenter: Rich Campbell, Executive Director of OAR. Rich has Master’s Degrees in Political Science and Social Work, is a Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and has been working with families facing addiction for the past 14 years in church and social service settings.

February 26.....Why Don’t They Just Stop? A Discussion of How Change Happens
Presenter: Thomas Mullens

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The Season of Lent at Hope Church
FOUR WEEK WORSHIP SERIES
February 22 and 29, March 7 and 14

Ash Wednesday Dinner: 6:15 p.m.
The evening will begin with a soup supper for all ages.
Ash Wednesday Worship Service : 7:00 p.m.
On Ash Wednesday, February 22, we will begin the season of Lent with a soup supper and a worship service of scripture, prayer, and meditation. The imposition of ashes is an ancient symbol that calls us into this season of reflection. This service begins our four week Lenten Worship Series entitled:
We Want To See Jesus
Each worship service will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will incorporate Taize style music and prayer, candlelight, scripture, silent meditation, and either a ritual or sacrament. There will also be a Healing Prayer Service on Sunday, March 18, at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. (The only Wednesday that includes dinner is Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22.)
Lent Activities for Children: led by Jocelyn Van Heest
A children’s devotional booklet and sticker activity will be given to each family. If you have not received the devotional they will be available for you to pick up in the worship centers. The children will attend the Ash Wednesday service with their families. Nursery care will be provided. Children aged 3 through those in 5th grade will meet together on the next three Wednesday evenings. Through a variety of activities we will learn about the Lenten season and what is important to remember about Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem. Please sign up in the Gathering Area if your children will be attending. This is to help with the planning for evening.
Daily Devotional Materials
Meditations for Lent from People of Hope is available in print form in the Gathering Area and from the church office, and is available online: hopemeditations.wordpress.com. If you’d like to receive daily devotions in your e-mail inbox, you can subscribe through this link. If you’re using the print version, visit this website to see full-color versions of the artwork included. Meditations for Lent from People of Hope is the loving creation of members of Hope Church to be used for personal and corporate meditation during the 2012 Season of Lent. The Worship, Prayer, and Spirituality Ministry wishes to thank each one who contributed to this effort: the editorial staff, Kari Miller Fenwood, Judith Boogaart, Curtis Gruenler, and Christine MacLean; printing, Laurie Beyer-Braaksma; web development, Lois Maassen.
Lenten Carbon Fast. The Caring for Creation Ministry invites you to participate in this unique form of fasting. For many centuries, Christians have chosen to give up something for Lent. This year we invite you to willingly forgo some of the energy riches that we all enjoy. This is not an invitation to suffering or self-flagellation; rather, the disciple of fasting recalls for us the deep knowledge of God's redemptive work, both within us and all creation. This Lenten Carbon Fast is your opportunity to see again the big work of God and to join with God's renewing acts.

Have you read the Charter for Compassion? Read a pdf copy of the Charter and background material, or go to http://www.charterforcompassion.org