A sampling of Church Life at New Hope Presbyterian Church.
End of Summer Newsletter
And just like that, the season of ministry is officially over! Is it just us or did it fly by? This summer was an answer to prayer and a blessing from the Lord.
Idolatry Of The Body
Last week I wrote about the difficult process of aging. It’s accompanied by new aches and pains, a changing body shape, loss of energy, and the inevitable reality that…
The David Haney Board Room
An alumnus of Dordt, David Haney served the institution as a board member from 2012-2019 and as the Board Chair from October 2016 until his death on August 16, 2019
In All of the Noise, The Chapel Stands Out
“Once a king or queen in Narnia,” Pastor Jim Zozzaro quipped as we stood around a makeshift dining table in a dingy screened-in back patio for our Friday night debrief.
Getting Older Every Day
Last year I celebrated my 70th birthday. I have much to be thankful for, and spiritually and emotionally, I feel as motivated and energetic as ever.
85th Anniversary of our Congregation
This weekend marks the 85th Anniversary of our congregation and of our denomination. 85 years ago—almost to the day—our congregation voted to leave…
Art Camp 2021 Update Day 5
Today’s the day! Today we wrapped up a wonderful 5 days of Art Camp! First, we reviewed Titus 3:4-7—which is one long sentence—and recited the whole passage together.
Thank You, Lord
Thank you, Lord, for the morning light reminding me of your presence and faithfulness. Thank you, Lord, for every breath I breathe reminding me of your sustaining mercies.
Are you reading your Bible?
Are you sharing it as a family? Do you talk about it over the dinner table, or read it together after eating? Are you memorizing Scripture and hiding it in your heart?
Art Camp 2021 Update Day 4
Flowers, flowers, flowers–today we made tissue paper flowers! The children learned how to make all sorts of flowers using a pipe cleaner and different colors and shapes of tissue paper.
Celebrating 50 Years Of Marriage
This past Sunday, August 22, Luella and I celebrated fifty years of marriage. Our five decades together have been rich and exciting. We have not experienced too many dull days.
Plumbers are Needed!
Immediate need for professional plumbers— response needed by Thursday (2/25) at 5 p.m.
Art Camp 2021 Update Day 3
Today we learned about the Russian artist Vasily Kandinsky and his use of concentric circles, and we talked about how God’s loving kindness creates a…
Has Your Child Ever Tried To Kill You?
Parenting will be, by its nature, a challenge. We should be deeply optimistic about parenting and confident in God’s wise design for the family.
Are you fighting the good fight?
Are you pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? (Phil 3:14)
Art Camp 2021 Update Day 2
What a fun day! This morning the kids learned about abstract art: first, they decorated a ceramic tile, and then it was sprayed with alcohol; after the alcohol was removed…
You Sent A Raging Storm
Into my comfortable world, where pleasures were many, comfort was frequent, and smiles came easy, you sent a raging storm. Broken things, uprooted things, lost things, left in its wake.
The Lord is Working in Wildwood
It is important to understand that what makes the evangelism joys so sweet is the repetitive rejection that we experience often while witnessing.
Art Camp 2021 Update Day 1
We had a WONDERFUL first day of Art Camp! All 24 kids arrived this morning bright and early and ready to learn.
Chariots Of Fire
I am very thankful to this day for my seminary training, but the one primary deficiency was that it was almost exclusively focused on the public teaching and preaching aspect of…
Be Creative
While a simpler holiday season might be a pleasant break for some of us, for those of us without children or family nearby, the holidays can be a lonely time, especially…
Dog Days of Summer?
Is this what they mean when they say, “the dog days of summer?” It’s hot, the kids are bored, and you would love to have something constructive for them to do. Don’t worry…
How Do You Respond To Loss?
Phil had it all. He was a leading executive at an influential engineering firm, getting paid handsomely after working his way up the corporate ladder.
Embrace the simplicity
With the latest round of pandemic restrictions, it’s beginning to look like this holiday season could be very different than what we usually look forward to, and while this may be a disappointment…
Lemonade From Lemons: Continuing the Conversation 2021
On Saturday, June 12, at the approximate time of what would have been the closing program of the OPC’s Committee on Diaconal Ministry’s fourth Diaconal Summit in Chicago…
What does it mean to be “godly”?
What does it look like? How does it happen? How do we become more godly, and how do we help others become more godly?
Why Is It So Hard to Receive Help?
It is hard to accept help from others. As Christians, we hear the direction of Paul telling us to be “cheerful givers.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Paul also tells us (quoting Jesus) “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Celebrating Independence Day
On July 4, we, who live in the United States of America, celebrated our national holiday—Independence Day. Each year, this day on the calendar captures a…
Why do we need to pray?
Why do we need to pray? The Apostle Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing.” Why? Especially if we’re not seeing results?
Who Helps the Local Deacon?
You probably wouldn’t have to go far to find a deacon who sometimes feels overloaded. The range of diaconal duties can be overwhelming,
A Psalm That Has No Hope
In the Psalms, the Sons of Korah are known for their jubilant chants. Yet in Psalm 88, they sing something utterly dark. There is no relief…
What are we supposed to do in such a messed up and fallen world?
read Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones surprising insight into the role of Christians in a troubled world:
God’s Big Heart for Aliens
God has a big heart for refugees and strangers among his people. In both the Old and New Testaments, the Lord commands his people to welcome and love the sojourners in…
Let Me Not Forget
Dear Lord, Let me not forget the lavish blessings that have defined my life. Let me not forget the new mercies that greet me every day. Let me not forget that whatever I am facing I never face it alone.
How can God’s people rise and shine in this dark world?
Read Professor E.J. Young’s insightful comments on the Lord’s command (in Isaiah 60:1) to “arise and shine”.
Should VBS Be a Priority During COVID?
The quick answer is, of course, yes, if at all possible. With all the government mandates across the world, we’ve all slowly become accustomed to “sheltering in place”, not seeing friends,
The Best Seat In The House
I don’t know about you, but I need more than help. What I grapple with most in life is not the evil outside of me but the evil within my heart that magnetizes me to…
Are you a sinner?
Do you see yourself as a sinful person? Why does it matter? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains why it’s important that you recognize yourself as a sinner.