Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Come Just As You Are

If you are young or old, you are welcome
If you have brown skin, black skin, white skin, purple skin, or polka dot skin, you are welcome
If you are married or single, you are welcome
If you are gay or straight, you are welcome
If you cannot hear or see, you are welcome
If you are sick or well, you are welcome
If you are a man or a woman, you are welcome
If you are happy or sad, you are welcome
If you are rich or poor, powerful or weak, you are welcome
If you believe in God some of the time or none of the time or all of the time, you are welcome...
You are welcome here.
Come with your gifts, your pain, your hope, your fears
Come with the traditions that have helped you and hurt you
Come with your experiences that have made you and broken you
Come with a mind ready to engage and a heart open to discern
Come and listen for the Sacred Spirit that calls you to love your neighbor wholeheartedly,
seek justice, create peace and practice compassion.
You are welcome here.

Learn more about us!
www.newhopeuccdeland.com | (386) 473-7429

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Learn More About UCC

Thought for the day: What you focus on the most, expands. We are created beings made in the image of a creative God. What this means is that we all have the power to influence-whether positively or negatively-our circumstances. If you want a dynamic ministry program, you can create it. If you want a vibrant faith community, you can create it. Energy flows where attention goes and if something is dead, dying, or no longer working it's time to assess the amount of time, energy, and resources being given to those areas. If all the money is spent on building maintenance, it is no wonder that the youth program is dying.

If all the time is spent at council meetings, it's no wonder that the areas of outreach and evangelism are lacking. We all have the same creative power to ultimately design, and therefore enhance, our lives and our ministries. Sometimes things do require more energy, time, and resources than others...but it requires balance. You can learn a lot about a church's priorities by looking at what they give the most to. Everything requires an investment; if you want more, give more. Hope is not something that just happens unless you create an atmosphere of giving to and investing in the people, things, and programs that inspire hope in your community. What do you hope for, and what are you doing about it?

Learn more about us!
www.newhopeuccdeland.com | (386) 473-7429

Friday, December 16, 2016

Equality

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome AT New Hope UCC in DeLand!

Thought for the day: What you focus on the most, expands. We are created beings made in the image of a creative God. What this means is that we all have the power to influence-whether positively or negatively-our circumstances. If you want a dynamic ministry program, you can create it. If you want a vibrant faith community, you can create it. Energy flows where attention goes and if something is dead, dying, or no longer working it's time to assess the amount of time, energy, and resources being given to those areas.

If all the money is spent on building maintenance, it is no wonder that the youth program is dying. If all the time is spent at council meetings, it's no wonder that the areas of outreach and evangelism are lacking. We all have the same creative power to ultimately design, and therefore enhance, our lives and our ministries. Sometimes things do require more energy, time, and resources than others...but it requires balance. You can learn a lot about a church's priorities by looking at what they give the most to. Everything requires an investment; if you want more, give more. Hope is not something that just happens unless you create an atmosphere of giving to and investing in the people, things, and programs that inspire hope in your community. What do you hope for, and what are you doing about it?

www.newhopeuccdeland.com | (386) 473-7429

Friday, December 9, 2016

Theology on Tap With UCC

Theology on Tap - The pastor of New Hope United Church of Christ invites you to join us at the local pub for some stimulating conversation. As you sip your cold beverage, be ready to chew on some hot topics.

Bring your questions, musings and open minds as we tap into spirit and spirits. We meet every Wednesday from 6:30pm – 7:30pm at the Abbey at 117 N. Woodland Avenue.

www.newhopeuccdeland.com | (386) 473-7429