What: the cool pool party + beach volleyball under the lights + giant movie on the inflatable screen
Where: The Golfview Pool (on Golfview Ave. next to the Fort Myers Country Club Golf Course)
When: Friday, June 1 – 7:00-11:00pm
Who: all middle and high schoolers of NHP – and friends
Cost: $5/person
How to sign up: Just come! spread the word and show up!

Come Celebrate the End of the Year + Kick Off the Summer!

Sunday Mornings | Fellowship Hall | 9:30-10:30am

SoulStation is our Sunday morning teaching program, where we create an engaging space for students to connect with and apply God’s word.

Midweek: D-Teams and Small Groups

Wednesdays | 6:30-8:00pm | Fellowship Hall
Midweek programs are all about connection. We take the first 30 minutes for high energy action – then split time between some bottom-line teaching and connecting in smaller groups. Our aim is to love others and help connect you to friends, leaders, and ultimately – God.

Midweek programs will start again on August 15.

Fun on the Run Summer Schedule

Watch the website for our summer schedule, coming soon!

Awesome Opportunities

Let’s Do Coffee.

YOU are invited … One of our basic convictions at New Hope is that God designed the church and the family to partner together to share the joy and the work of telling God’s story to the next generation. That means that this fall I’m going to meet up with one family each week to simply get to know you and your family better and get your feedback on how we can better love and serve families of all shapes and sizes. Could I swing by your house some night or meet you as parent(s) out for lunch or for coffee? Email Andy or give me a call at 239.691.8653.

New Hope CREW

We’re starting a team of parents, students, or any other volunteers who like serving and want to be involved … but on a 1x/month kind of time frame and not really their own kids. Could you come 1x/month to help with snacks, set up, and take down for one of our 3 big programs? We’re building a Midweek crew (Wednesdays 5:30-8:30), a SoulStation crew (Sundays 8:30-11am). You can even sign up right here:

May 13, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6

Stacey Meagher will kick off the weekend with an entertaining and uplifting talk on Friday evening, and Sunday will feature praise and worship and a devotional by Jeannie McGalliard.

Retreat Schedule:

Friday, September 28:

• Check in begins at 4pm. Come early to enjoy the beach, pool, or other activities.
• Dinner on your own.
• Session with Stacey Meagher at 7pm.

Saturday, September 29:

• Morning Session with Leigh Swanson at 9am.
• Break for lunch.
• The afternoon is free to enjoy the beach, pool, or other activities.
• Panel discussion from 3-5pm.
• Banquet Dinner at 6pm.
• Evening Session with Leigh at 7:30pm.

Sunday, September 30:

• Morning worship at 9am with Jeannie McGalliard.
• Retreat ends at noon. Feel free to enjoy the beach or pool after.

For more information, click here to download the Women’s Retreat Registration Form. You may also pick one up at the Event Tent on Sunday or in the church office during the week. Questions? Call the church office at 239.274.1230.

Pastor Howard Biddulph and his wife Jan will be moving the end of May to Wilmore, Kentucky, where they will serve the student body at Asbury Theological Seminary as Missionaries-in-Residence, preparing and coaching them for the opportunities, challenges and transitions that are a part of going to serve on the mission field. We thank the Lord for their faithful and effective service to the Lord here at New Hope.

Pastor Andy Cornett and his wife Robin will be moving this summer to Signal Mountain, Tennessee, where he will serve as Associate Pastor of Youth and Family Ministry at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church (EPC). We thank the Lord for their faithful and effective service to the Lord here at New Hope.

David and Susan Weinman have accepted a teaching position at Black Forest Academy in the southwest corner of Germany. They will be working with kids whose parents are serving as mission workers in 50 different countries. Daniel and Christina will attend the school as Paula heads off to Taylor University. They will leave in August, with David winding down his volunteer work as our Missions Director this month.

Our thanks, prayers and blessings go with these families as they heed God’s clear call to further kingdom service and work.

May 6, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1

The committee’s first responsibility was completing a Church Information Form (CIF). The form is complete and has been submitted to the EPC for posting. Now the committee begins the official search of prospective candidates for the position of Senior Pastor. The average period of time for a Senior Pastor search is approximately 18 months. We hope our process will not be a lengthy one, but know we are working in God’s timing and not our own.

In our next step, we will advertise in select church media, network with seminaries, pastors and others who know our church and may know of potential candidates. EPC included our listing in the May Opportunity List sent to several ministerial committees, Presbytery committees and EPC ministers and candidates.

The Pastor Nominating Committee continually prays for God’s guidance as we proceed with the selection process. We lift up our new Senior Pastor as God prepares His chosen servant to receive a call to New Hope. In the months to come there is much work to be done: reviewing resumes, calling candidates, contacting references, listening and watching sermons and visiting prospective candidate pulpits. Respect toward privacy is essential and all communication with candidates will remain in strictest confidence. When the committee unanimously agrees upon a candidate, we will present our recommendation to the congregation for your approval.

Over the course of the months to come, we continue to ask you for prayers to keep the committee strong, faithful and energized as we search for New Hope’s new Senior Pastor. We are dedicated to the task at hand and will apply our energies, strengths and talents to humbly serve this ministry at New Hope.

Respectfully, Your Faithful Servants in Christ,

Our theme is Great Expectations, conveying that God gives more abilities to those who can be trusted to use them wisely. Isn’t it a parent’s desire to see their child live up to their God-given potential? Then it is a parent’s responsibility to cast a vision for them to live in a way to maximize their opportunities. Maybe helping them to see how their grades on their report card do make a difference in the choice of schools they can attend in the future or giving them opportunities to try different interests to develop a new talent. Even in the elementary years, we can encourage the idea of discovering God’s purpose for their life, since He has a design for each of us.

Our memory verse comes from Jesus, who said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much,” Luke 16:10. Our hope is to develop World Changers who will one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Matthew 25:21. Check out more on responsibility.

Have you ever wondered about the validity of your faith? Have you ever been faced with questions from the world view causing you to doubt your faith? Do you feel modern science has cast doubt on your faith? If you answered yes to any one of these questions, please join Dr. John Patrick to discover what science and history truly say about the validity of Christ.

Dr. Patrick will share with you historical evidence that has been recorded not in the Bible but from the secular world — the same secular world that still tries to disprove Christ today. He will also take you down a scientific journey that due to recent technology gains has brought to light new discoveries that will blow your mind at how awesome God really is.

Dr. Patrick will also share with you some amazing personal testimony that is sure to touch your heart strings and leave you in complete amazement.

Saturday, May 19, at 10am in the Fellowship Hall. Join us for coffee and a light brunch. Sign ups are requested.

Women in Ministry Brunch Reservation

April 29, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6

The game is Saturday, May 26 at 7pm and includes a Memorial Day fireworks display after the game.

Tickets are $8 or you can get the game, fireworks, hot dog, and soft drink for $11. Sign up online today, in the office, or at the Event Tent starting May 6. If you sign up online, please bring a check by the church office, or mail it to New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3825 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, 33901.

April 22, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-2:11

April 15, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-13

Why “Confo?” (Yes, that’s on purpose.) The point isn’t just to be “confirmed” in beliefs … but to hear and respond to the call to be “conformed” to the character of Jesus Christ. We don’t want to take the shape of the world: we want to take the shape of our Savior who put his Spirit in us.

It will be at Bowditch Point, at the end of Estero Blvd. at the North end of Fort Myers Beach. Park around back (parking in the lot is pay by the hour, cash or credit – might want to carpool!) and take the boardwalk West toward the beach. If you can’t make it, we’ll share the highlights and tell the stories to you on Sunday morning.

Note: in case of bad weather, we will do the baptisms during worship on Sunday morning.

The FULLness Church is not a perfect church; instead, it is the intentional attempt of a Christian community to live out to the maximum extent many of the central qualities and features that marked Jesus’ earthly life and ministry. In doing this with the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, the church becomes a credible witness and a spiritual magnet that attracts others to Christ in the world.

Join us for a series from Pastor Curt that examines what it means to BE the church—the kind of spiritual community Jesus wanted for his people as they lived in the world.

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

April 15: Praying the Lord’s Prayer with intention, understanding and power (Matthew 6:5-13)

Have This Same Attitude

April 22: How humility brings perspective when personal times get tough (Philippians 1:29-2:11)

Living a Life Worthy of Your Calling

April 29: How unity on earth mirrors unity in heaven (Ephesians 4:1-6)

The Model Church

May 6: Learning the qualities that made the gospel message “ring out” to the world (1 Thessalonians 1)

May 13: How faith is expressed genuinely in a world of skepticism, doubt and suspicion (Hebrews 10:23-11:6)

The Grace Church

May 20: Discover the myths about giving that are exposed when true Christian grace is lived out (2 Corinthians 8:1-9)

The Searching Church

May 27: Living out the qualities of a prodigal God (Luke 15)

April 8, 2012 | bulletin (sunrise) bulletin (traditional) | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Revelation 1:4-8

Sunday Mornings | Fellowship Hall | 9:30-10:30am

SoulStation is our Sunday morning teaching program, where we create an engaging space for students to connect with and apply God’s word.

• April 8: NO SOULSTATION | I AM (Easter Sunday: Let’s all worship together!)
• April 15: THE END (Mark 13)
• April 22: THE FEAST (Mark 14)
• April 29: CROSS (Mark 15)
• May 6: AWE (Mark 16)

Midweek: D-Teams and Small Groups

Wednesdays | 6:30-8:00pm | Fellowship Hall
Midweek programs are all about connection. We take the first 30 minutes for high energy action – then split time between some bottom-line teaching and connecting in smaller groups. Our aim is to love others and help connect you to friends, leaders, and ultimately – God.

April Series: Invisibles

We are surrounded by invisible people and invisible needs. It’s not that they don’t exist – we just rarely (if ever) notice. Praise God, for he is the God who sees. And because God takes notice and moves our heart, we are able to open our eyes and see others and their needs.

Note: throughout this series, we’ll be promoting and learning about the African AID 5k Race at New Hope to benefit World Vision’s outreach to those suffering from HIV/AIDS.

Parents and Leaders can download the Parent Cue: a monthly resource that gives an overview of the current series, plus follow-up questions to use at home with your students!

• April 11: CAN YOU SEE ME? (Invisibles #1)
• April 18: IN FOCUS (Invisibles #2)
• April 25: the INVISIBLE NEED (Invisibles #3)
• May 2: End-of-the-Year PARTY!

Awesome Opportunities

Let’s Do Coffee.

YOU are invited … One of our basic convictions at New Hope is that God designed the church and the family to partner together to share the joy and the work of telling God’s story to the next generation. That means that this fall I’m going to meet up with one family each week to simply get to know you and your family better and get your feedback on how we can better love and serve families of all shapes and sizes. Could I swing by your house some night or meet you as parent(s) out for lunch or for coffee? Email Andy or give me a call at 239.691.8653.

New Hope CREW

We’re starting a team of parents, students, or any other volunteers who like serving and want to be involved … but on a 1x/month kind of time frame and not really their own kids. Could you come 1x/month to help with snacks, set up, and take down for one of our 3 big programs? We’re building a Midweek crew (Wednesdays 5:30-8:30), a SoulStation crew (Sundays 8:30-11am). You can even sign up right here:

April 1, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Which makes one ponder….if Jesus endured so many painful things before overcoming in triumph, are the bad things happening to us the final story? Or is God making a better story as He works in the lives of those He loves?
Hope is believing that something good can come out of something bad. This does not mean that hope is wishful thinking. We can have hope because of the faith relationship we have with Jesus and the trust that God works all things for good, even if we can’t see it at the time.

How do we have hope when life is difficult? World Changers are learning that whatever happens, we remember what Jesus promises. We recognize that God is stronger than anything and that He has a bigger story. Most of all, we know Jesus is always with us guiding us, strengthening us and giving us a new hope. Watch this video to learn more about how to talk with your kids about hope.

VBS Registration Payment

Please use this button to securely pay your VBS registration online. Please note that it is entirely separate from the registration form above: if you experience an error during the payment process, you do not need to redo the entire registration (whew!).

If you have any questions, please call our office at 239.274.1230.

March 25, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Hebrews 2:1-4

On March 25, we presented the design to the New Hope family at a congregational meeting. We believe the Phase 1 design does all the following (effectively, efficiently, and beautifully!):

• Gives New Hope gathering space for fellowship and connection that we’ve been missing
• Helps our traditional worship flourish and our contemporary worship to grow
• Provides a great platform for reaching out to kids, students, families, and adults in our community

Drawings

Instructions: Each small image can be clicked on to view a large version. Please take a moment to read the captions, then click the image to see the full size image. Additionally, after the images, detailed PDF files of the plans are available for you to download.

Phase I Site Plan

This drawing shows a portion of the overall site with the elements and layout of the proposed first phase of work: the Sanctuary Building and a Christian Education building.

Sanctuary Building Floor Plan

The layout of the worship space along with program elements for Christian education, columbarium, music and fellowship.

Christian Education Building Floor Plan

The layout of the church's administrative offices nursery and Christian Education program: nursery, infant/toddler, kids and student ministries' classes and gathering areas. (A Phase 2 build-out would add-on significantly to this building).

Bird’s-Eye from Northeast

This rendering shows the overall Phase 1 program elements. The Education Building is on the left (with a covered drop-off area) and the Sanctuary Building on the right. Drives and paved parking are shown in grey: grass parking is shown in the brighter green. The columbarium area is in the front-left foreground of sanctuary.

Bird’s-Eye from Southwest

Another rendering of Phase 1 elements. Here the Education Building is on the right and the Sanctuary Building on the left. The partially covered outdoor gathering space is prominent in the center: it leads through the narthex and into the main entrance to sanctuary (left). The CE Building can open onto a patio and green space in the foreground (right).

Ground Level View

This ground level view from Plantation Road shows the overall aesthetic approach that has been taken for the exterior architecture of the Sanctuary Building: a dominantly horizontal roof grounds the church behind the vertical and modern steeple element. The steeple and cross extend are designed to be visible from Colonial Boulevard.

Overhead of Sanctuary

The overall layout of the worship space. The choir and bells are at the upper right hand corner, the chancel extends across the top, and the main entry into the space is at bottom center. The sanctuary seats 600 and is expandable for the future.

Eye Level (from side of sanctuary)

A view from the side (opposite the choir) showing the long view across the worship space. This view also shows the site-line relationship of the chancel platform to rows of seating for the congregation. We will have excellent visibility from all seats in the room.

Please Note: Color/texture choices are for renderings only: no decisions have yet been made.

Program, Budget, and Design

This summary slide from the presentation shows the carefully–managed relationship between program (key elements), budget (for site, facilities, furnishings), and design (the schematic design you’ve seen here).

Downloadable PDF files of Architectural Plans:

Phase One Site Plan | Sanctuary Plan | Education Building Plan

What’s Next:

The Committee will also hold two question/answer sessions on April 15 open to anyone in the congregation. Please join us in Fellowship Hall from 9:00-9:30am and 10:30-11:00am on the 15th! We anticipate that Session will be discussing the timing of our capital campaign at their late-April meeting. In the meantime, please keep directing all of your comments and suggestions to our Committee via the Wish List link.

Have you ever wondered about the validity of your faith? Have you ever been faced with questions from the world view causing you to doubt your faith? Do you feel modern science has cast doubt on your faith? If you answered yes to any one of these questions, please join Dr. John Patrick and other men ages 12 and up, to discover what science and history truly say about the validity of Christ.

Dr. Patrick will share with you historical evidence that has been recorded not in the Bible but from the secular world — the same secular world that still tries to disprove Christ today. He will also take you down a scientific journey that due to recent technology gains has brought to light new discoveries that will blow your mind at how awesome God really is.

Dr. Patrick will also share with you some amazing personal testimony that is sure to touch your heart strings and leave you in complete amazement.

Prepare yourself to defend Christ’s place in history–and mentor your kids and grandkids in a biblical & scientific paths. Free, but donations gladly received.

Pancake Breakfast Sign Up

Born to Christian parents, H. Curtis McDaniel, Sr. and Velma Rathien McDaniel, Curt McDaniel received the blessing of Christian rearing in a godly home. His father fought in the infamous Battle of the Bulge as a PFC light machine gunner with the renowned Company B, 678th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division under the command of General George S. Patton and was only one of six men in his company that escaped alive from the successful mission that liberated the 101st Airborne Division.

A native of Chesterfield County, Virginia, Curt graduated cum laude from Columbia International University in Columbia, South Carolina in Bible and Theology and has a Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.

He earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where he concentrated in the areas of Evangelism and Church Renewal. In 2009, he earned and received a Ph.D. in Civic Rhetoric at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where he focused on public oratory in the Ciceronean, Augustinian, and Aristotelian Rhetoric, Communication Ethics, and postmodern philosophy of communication. His dissertation focused on the presence and voice of the church in culture.

In 1997, Dr. McDaniel and his family moved to Clarksville, Tennessee, at the invitation of Nashville Presbytery of the PCA to launch a pioneer church planting work from scratch. In just 3 1/2 years, Christ Presbyterian Church of Clarksville was planted, organized and chartered as a new church in the PCA with 22 acres of land purchased.

Prior to this, he served the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Montgomery, Alabama for 12 years, 10 years as an assistant pastor and two years as acting senior pastor, succeeding Dr. Cortez Cooper, who was called to serve as President of Knox Theological Seminary. Under Curt’s leadership, Trinity realized expansive growth in local evangelism ministries, world missions (supporting over 90 missionaries) and every member involvement.

While in Montgomery, his participation in local community affairs was truly monumental. He was one of the founding visionaries of the S.T.E.P. (“Strategies to Elevate People”) Foundation, a gospel ministry to the inner city public housing communities, serving as Chairman of the Foundation’s Executive Council for 6 1/2 years. He was also instrumental in bringing Prison Fellowship’s “Neighbors Who Care” Ministry (outreach to victims of crime) to Montgomery as a national pilot.

In 1991, he served as the city-wide Ministerial Vice-Chairman for the Billy Graham Associate Crusade in Montgomery. For eight years, he served on the board of the Kelly Tires Blue-Gray All-Star Football Classic that was played on national television on Christmas morning each year from Crampton Bowl in Montgomery.

After Christ Presbyterian Church in Clarksville was organized and land was secured, Curt accepted the call from Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to serve as the Executive Minister and work directly with Dr. D. James Kennedy as the Chief Operations Officer and Head of All Ministers and Staff.

From there he accepted the call to be the Senior Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Butler, Pennsylvania where he served until 2008. Curt was elected by the PCA General Assembly to the Committee on Administration and served from 2001-2004.

He is the author of When I Need God the Most (Xulon Press, 2001) and co-author with his wife Karen on the three-book series, Life Brighteners (Waterbrook Press, 2004).

Curt enjoys all sports (especially MLB), gardening, golf, Bichon Frise dogs and is quite a collector. He and his wife, the former Karen Preston, have one son, Curtis III (Covenant Theological Seminary Master of Divinity grad and PCA pastor in Savannah, GA), and two daughters, Megan (Graduate of Anderson University, Anderson, IN in Music Business and Vocal Performance) and Heather (Graduate of Clarion University of PA with a Master of Science in speech language pathology).

March 18, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Acts 9:1-19

• 6:30am Sunrise Service – outdoors on the patio, featuring the Contemporary Praise Band
• 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00am – Traditional Services in the New Hope Sanctuary
• All services will share a common theme and message from Dr. Curt McDaniel.

Sunrise Service

We had nearly 200 join us last year for our first Sunrise service – we’re doing it again at 6:30am! It was a gorgeous morning and you all helped us free up those seats in the sanctuary (and parking spaces!) so we could accommodate many visitors and guests later in the morning. (To volunteer with logistics, breakfast, or greeting teams, please contact Andy).

Breakfast

Anyone at the 6:30 or 8:00am services is invited to join us in the Fellowship Hall starting at 7:00am for an awesome, home-cooked Breakfast Burrito Bar prepared by David Weinman and friends. No need to sign up; just show up and we’ll serve until we run out!

Traditional Services

Please join us at 8, 9:30, and 11am for special worship celebrations that feature a prelude for bells/trumpet based on “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” and the moving “Joy to the Heart” for the whole congregation (with choir and full musical accompaniment).

Sunday School

Children from 2 years through 5th grade meet as usual at 9:15am and 11:00am, plus nursery (5 yrs and under) is available during all four services. Middle/High School SoulStation program and Adult Classes do not meet on Easter Morning.

Parking

Parking on Easter can be especially tight, so please be considerate and generous to others as you park. Please consider parking at the Alliance for the Arts (one mile south on McGregor), at the Fort Myers Country Club, or around Seminole Park before you use our limited parking lot.

The shuttle from the Alliance for the Arts will be running from 7:15am-12:45pm (last pickup at New Hope is 12:35pm).

Maundy Thursday

Join New Hope for a beautiful and meaningful Maundy Thursday worship service on Thursday, April 5, 7:00pm. “Maundy Thursday” comes from the Latin for command (think mandate) of Jesus’ “new commandment” that we are to love another as he has loved us (John 13:34). Our Maundy Service at New Hope will celebrate the Lord’s Supper and feature music from John Rutter’s famous Requiem.

Nursery is not provided for our Maundy Thursday service.

Easter Lilies

If you would like to donate a lily in memory or honor of a loved one, please fill out a lily request card located in the Friendship Pads, at the Welcome Center, or request a lily online.

Invite your friends to join us! Sign up at the Event Tent on Sunday or call the church office at 239.274.1230 to sign up. White attire is optional.

March 11, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Colossians 2:1-10

Senior Pastor Search Committee Nominees

To the members present at this meeting: Thank you for your participation in this Sunday’s election of a new elder and the Senior Pastor Search Committee. Edwin Amerman was elected to fill the vacancy in the class of 2014. The Search Committee is comprised of the following ten individuals:

Steve Boutelle, Vicki Bower, Sharon Day, Phil Fischler, Deborah Fransway, Linda Hart, Meg LaRue, Jim Mayer, Rebecca Morris and Beth Schultz

A special word of appreciation goes to Scott Eding, Vic Estoye and Gary Hamilton for their willingness to serve.

May we all join together to pray for this committee as they begin the search process for our new senior pastor.

Sunday Mornings | Fellowship Hall | 9:30-10:30am

SoulStation is our Sunday morning teaching program, where we create an engaging space for students to connect with and apply God’s word.

• March 4: I AM (Mark 8)
• March 11: BELIEVE = TRUST (Mark 9)
• March 18: ME < YOU (Mark 10)
• March 25: FIGS, JESUS and US (Mark 11)

Midweek: D-Teams and Small Groups

Wednesdays | 6:30-8:00pm | Fellowship Hall
Midweek programs are all about connection. We take the first 30 minutes for high energy action – then split time between some bottom-line teaching and connecting in smaller groups. Our aim is to love others and help connect you to friends, leaders, and ultimately – God.

February series: GUARDRAILS

Guardrails are “a system designed to keep something on the right path and keep it from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.” Just like the guardrails we see on the roads we drive every day, guardrails in our life help to both protect us from big accidents and direct us down the right road.

• Session 6: the GUARDRAILS eXPerience — a PARENT + STUDENT night (March 7)
  Please make plans to join us Wednesday, March 7 for a joint program for both parents and students–6:30-8pm at New Hope. We’ll pile for some great games, Q&A with a panel on major sources of parent/student conflict, and come together on how we can set the best course toward living God’s wise way for us. Details to come: spread the word and invite some friends!
• March 14: No D-Teams or Small Groups! (spring break)
• The Beautiful Trade #1 (March 21)
• The Beautiful Trade #2 (March 28)

Parents and Leaders can download the Parent Cue: a monthly resource that gives an overview of the current series plus follow-up questions to use at home with your students!

Awesome Opportunities

Let’s Do Coffee.

YOU are invited … One of our basic convictions at New Hope is that God designed the church and the family to partner together to share the joy and the work of telling God’s story to the next generation. That means that this fall I’m going to meet up with one family each week to simply get to know you and your family better and get your feedback on how we can better love and serve families of all shapes and sizes. Could I swing by your house some night or meet you as parent(s) out for lunch or for coffee? Email Andy or give me a call at 239.691.8653.

New Hope CREW

We’re starting a team of parents, students, or any other volunteers who like serving and want to be involved … but on a 1x/month kind of time frame and not really their own kids. Could you come 1x/month to help with snacks, set up, and take down for one of our 3 big programs? We’re building a Midweek crew (Wednesdays 5:30-8:30), a SoulStation crew (Sundays 8:30-11am). You can even sign up right here:

March 4, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Romans 12:10-12, Ecclesiastes 7:13-14

You see, conviction isn’t about just taking a stand on what you believe. Reggie Joiner points out that conviction “has to be rooted in something deeper and more dependable than simply your opinion…one of the most important things you have to ask is, where is your conviction rooted?”

Kids will be learning that our convictions of what is right should be rooted in Scripture. We are learning from the stories of Daniel and his friends who not only took a stand for what God said, but did it in a way that God received the glory. God didn’t protect them from the persecution; He protected them through the persecution. When they trusted in God despite the persecution, others saw the power of God!

For our convictions to be rooted in what God says, we need to learn His Word. While others are giving up things for Lent, would you consider taking up a habit of Bible reading with your family? One way to start might be using the Lent activity calendars sent home in last month’s virtue packs (more are available) or perhaps you might pick one of the gospels to read through (ask your kids if they know which four books are the Gospels). Read a chapter a day and talk about it, ask questions, let Jesus challenge you with His vision of loving God and loving others. This investment you make with your children now will be worth it when other voices begin to have more influence as they get older.

Food, activities, laser tag, water slide, inflatables, face painting, egg hunts and preschool area.

Kids, bring a swimsuit and towel for water fun. Parents, bring lawn chairs or blankets for sitting in the park. Questions: Call Debbie at 239.274.1230.

February 26, 2012 | bulletin| Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Song of Songs 4:1-8a, 5:10-16

February 19, 2011 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62, 10:1-2

Plan to join us for good food, fellowship and games for the kids! A BBQ lunch of pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, baked beans, and macaroni and cheese and will be served from noon-1pm.

Pick up a lunch ticket ($7/person or $20/family of 3+; children 10 and under are FREE) at the Event Tent on Sunday! Once you pull into Lakes Park, follow the New Hope signs to the covered pavilion.

For more information, please call the church office at 239.274.1230.

February 12, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Romans 8:28-30

February 5, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-12; Luke 4:16-21; 1 Timothy 1:12-17

This month we are learning about Honor, which is “letting someone know you see how valuable they are.” At the heart of honoring others is how we honor God. If we see the people around us as created by God in His image, then honoring them is the best way to honor our Creator. So why is there so much devaluing of other people?
Sin has wired us to put ourselves first and marred the reflection of God in us. But what if we were to be intentional in our lives and teach our children how to choose humility and, like Jesus, put others first? Romans 12:10 says, “Love each other deeply. Honor others more than yourselves.” If we learned to follow God’s design to show honor: in how we listen to and respect those who are over us, in how we treat others, in seeing those who are overlooked, and in honoring God in our actions? We might just change our world.

Check out some wisdom about honor. As an extra, do you wonder how to apply helpful boundaries on technology? Great article at Orange Parents.

Sunday Mornings | Fellowship Hall | 9:30-10:30am

SoulStation is our Sunday morning teaching program, where we create an engaging space for students to connect with and apply God’s word.

• February 5: GROW(Mark 4)
• February 12: EVIL (Mark 5)
• February 19: MIRACLE (Mark 6)
• February 26: HEART (Mark 7)

Midweek: D-Teams and Small Groups

Wednesdays | 6:30-8:00pm | Fellowship Hall
Midweek programs are all about connection. We take the first 30 minutes for high energy action – then split time between some bottom-line teaching and connecting in smaller groups. Our aim is to love others and help connect you to friends, leaders, and ultimately – God.

February series: GUARDRAILS

Guardrails are “a system designed to keep something on the right path and keep it from straying into dangerous or off-limit areas.” Just like the guardrails we see on the roads we drive every day, guardrails in our life help to both protect us from big accidents and direct us down the right road.

• Session 1: Shift (February 1)
  Where do you put personal “guardrails” up in order to stay in the wise side of a potentially dangerous situation?
• Session 2: Swerve (February 8)
  Guardrail: Friendships. Our friends have the power to influence our decisions, our actions and even the quality of our lives.
• Session 3: Accelerate (February 15)
  Guardrail: You Pick! (TBA) There’s a time and a place for everything, and we’ll let students pick the topic and the guardrail to discuss tonight.
• Session 4: Brake (February 22)
  Guardrail: Sexuality.  We are bombarded with conflicting messages on sex. It’s crucial we think – and act – carefully here with God’s truth and grace in our hearts and minds.
  [A word to parents: contact us the week before to get an outline of what we’ll talk about!]
• Session 5: Steer (February 29)
  Establishing guardrails is something we have to make a decision to do. No one can – or is – going to do it for you.
• Session 6: the GUARDRAILS eXPerience – a PARENT+STUDENT Night (March 7)
  Please make plans to join us Wednesday, March 7 for a joint program for both parents and students –6:30-8pm at New Hope. We’ll pile for some great games, Q&A with a panel on major sources of parent/student conflict, and come together on how we can set the best course toward living God’s wise way for us. Details to come: spread the word and invite some friends!

Parents and Leaders can download the Parent Cue: a monthly resource that gives an overview of the current series plus follow-up questions to use at home with your students!

Awesome Opportunities

Let’s Do Coffee.

YOU are invited … One of our basic convictions at New Hope is that God designed the church and the family to partner together to share the joy and the work of telling God’s story to the next generation. That means that this fall I’m going to meet up with one family each week to simply get to know you and your family better and get your feedback on how we can better love and serve families of all shapes and sizes. Could I swing by your house some night or meet you as parent(s) out for lunch or for coffee? Email Andy or give me a call at 239.691.8653.

New Hope CREW

We’re starting a team of parents, students, or any other volunteers who like serving and want to be involved … but on a 1x/month kind of time frame and not really their own kids. Could you come 1x/month to help with snacks, set up, and take down for one of our 3 big programs? We’re building a Midweek crew (Wednesdays 5:30-8:30), a SoulStation crew (Sundays 8:30-11am). You can even sign up right here:

January 29, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11

January 22, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14; Romans 3:22-25; Romans 1:16; John 13:35, John 1:12-13

We apologize for the inconvenience, but due to technical difficulties, the audio recording of this week’s sermon is not available. Thank you for understanding. You may like to look through the slides from Dr. Rand’s presentation below.

Bags for collecting canned goods will be handed out in between worship services on Sunday, January 29 for you to distribute to three of your neighbors.

Bags of food will be collected from you and your neighbors on Saturday, February 4 and brought to church on Sunday, February 5.

All food collected will be donated to the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

We need a team of 10-12 people to help assemble Souper Bowl bags on Saturday, January 28 from 10-11am in Fellowship Hall. Please call the church office at 239.274.1230 to let us know that you will be there!

January 15, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Psalm 115

SoulStation

Sunday Mornings | Fellowship Hall | 9:30-10:30am
SoulStation is our Sunday morning teaching program for students where we create an engaging space for students to connect with and apply God’s word.

• January 8: Follow Me! (Mark 1:1-28)
• January 15: Healing (Mark 1:29-2:17)
• January 22: Conflict (Mark 2:18-3:34)
• January 29: Grow! (Mark 4)

Midweek: D-Teams and Small Groups

Wednesdays | 6:30-8:00pm | Fellowship Hall
Midweek programs are all about connection. We take the first 30 minutes for high energy action – then split time between some bottom-line teaching and connecting in smaller groups. Our aim is to love others and help connect you to friends, leaders, and ultimately – God.

January series: TMI – too much information

So you overslept, missed the bus, saw someone cute, aced the big test. So how do we know? Because you told all your friends – and the whole world (if you’re online). We live in a world where we know more about the people around us that we ever knew before. It’s so easy to let people know about you, and not really have a place where people really know you at all. Let’s change that.

• One: Say Anything (Jan. 11)
  There’s a time and a place for everything. It’s just a matter of figuring of the where and the when of what’s appropriate.
• Two: Secrets (Jan. 18)
  There’s a time and a place to share – and also a WHO. Who can you trust with your secrets? Who helps you experience God’s grace and forgiveness?
• Three: Open Up (Jan. 25)
  Having people in our lives who really know us means finding someone who can speak into our life before we make the big mistake.

Parents and Leaders can download the Parent Cue: a monthly resource that gives an overview of the current series plus follow-up questions to use at home with your students!

Awesome Opportunities

Let’s Do Coffee.

YOU are invited … One of our basic convictions at New Hope is that God designed the church and the family to partner together to share the joy and the work of telling God’s story to the next generation. That means that this fall I’m going to meet up with one family each week to simply get to know you and your family better and get your feedback on how we can better love and serve families of all shapes and sizes. Could I swing by your house some night or meet you as parent(s) out for lunch or for coffee? Email Andy or give me a call at 239.691.8653.

New Hope CREW

We’re starting a team of parents, students, or any other volunteers who like serving and want to be involved … but on a 1x/month kind of time frame and not really their own kids. Could you come 1x/month to help with snacks, set up, and take down for one of our 3 big programs? We’re building a Midweek crew (Wednesdays 5:30-8:30), a SoulStation crew (Sundays 8:30-11am). You can even sign up right here:

January 8, 2012 | bulletin | Life Group Discussion Questions

Scripture: Luke 1:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

From the book of Proverbs, we will be learning that without self-control, we are like a city with broken down walls – defenseless. We’re learning to trust God for His power to control our temper, to select our words carefully, to stop when too much of a good thing is harmful. As we grow in our reliance on God and follow His word, our relationship with God deepens as we grow in wisdom.

With the start of the new year, we want to encourage you to come on Wednesday nights. There are parent-specific Life Groups meeting at church while your children can be learning and having fun at FX or D-Teams. Making this mid-week commitment for a couple months will help your family engage in the community of New Hope. Our family always made Wednesdays a priority and as a result, our closest friendships grew out of those fun times.

Thank you for your participation in the Family Christmas Eve service. Six-hundred people were there to worship Jesus and enjoy our children’s leadership in the service! Last week, we were also excited to send $1433.81 to Somalia to feed children suffering from the famine. World Changers will continue to give our offering for these children while their need is so great.

Have you heard about Camp KidJam? It is a Christian camp for this year’s 2nd-5th grade kids from June 12-15 in Lakeland, FL. Three New Hope leaders attend with the kids for a crazy fun and spiritually exciting time. Since we’ve never done this before, we are planning on just 15 spots at a subsided price of $199. Ava and I are really excited about the opportunity but know you have a lot of questions to consider, so check out our Camp KidJam web page or the Camp KidJam site, or come on January 22 at 10:30 to room 216 for a brief info meeting.

Julian has acquired a reputation as “an exciting young artist of the 21st century.” In 2009, he established a performing arts company called Hidden Reflections, which aims to revolutionize the performance tradition of classical music through artistic collaboration. As Toha describes, “Diverse ensembles transport the audience to an imaginative mindset. This allows them to be enriched by the many different art forms simultaneously and experience how all human creativity is connected at the most basic level.”

He currently resides in London and is pursuing his studies in piano with Ian Jones, Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music.

Julian Toha Biography

Known for his passionate performances, poetic imagination, and technical command, American pianist Julian Toha has acquired a reputation as “an exciting young artist of the 21st century.” As a soloist and chamber musician he has inspired audiences throughout the United States, as well as abroad, with his “highly emotional and original interpretations”. His memorable concerts have received wide acclaim. When asked about his goal as an artist, Toha answers, “I just want the audience to fall in love.”

Since premiering with the Ars Flores Symphony Orchestra and the Florida State University Philharmonia in February 2009, Julian Toha has cultivated a growing career allowing him to share his communicative performances with audiences everywhere. In summer of 2009, Toha brought his passion for music to Europe playing debut concerts in Italy, Spain, France and Germany. His most recent debut was in Los Angeles under maestro Frank Fetta and the Culver City Symphony Orchestra in June 2010.

Upon his return from Europe in 2009, Toha established his performing arts company Hidden Reflections. This company aims to revolutionize the performance tradition of classical music through artistic collaboration. As Toha describes, “Diverse ensembles transport the audience to an imaginative mindset. This allows them to be enriched by the many different art forms simultaneously and experience how all human creativity is connected at the most basic level.”

As a competitor, Toha has garnered several wins in regional and national competitions. In November 2008, he received first place in the Ars Flores 7th Annual Young Artist Concerto Competition. Soon after, he won the 2008 Young Artist Competition at the Florida State University College of Music. Early in 2009, he won second place and received the Max Kaplan Award in the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition. Then Toha entered the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra Instrumental Competition in March 2009 and while competing with the top musicians from across the nation, he was the only pianist selected to advance to the final round. On the international stage, Toha was selected in May 2009 as one of the youngest competitors in the International Beethoven Piano Sonata Competition and advanced to the semifinal round. In October 2009, Toha won first place in the NWFSO Young Artist Competition and is scheduled to perform with the orchestra in February 2011.

A recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, Toha’s most prestigious was earning the title of 2009 National Presser Scholar. In May 2010, he graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from Florida State University. While studying as an undergraduate, his professor and mentor was Leonard Mastrogiacomo. Prior to college, he studied with pedagogue Sue Colvert. He has also studied with renowned pianists and pedagogues such as John Perry, Solomon Mikowsky, and Ian Hobson. Toha now resides in London pursuing his studies in piano with Ian Jones, Professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music. Apart from music, he loves cooking, exercising, and all forms of art.

There are two versions: one for chorus, orchestra and soloist; one for chorus, instrumental ensemble, organ and soloist. We will be presenting the version for ensemble and organ. The Lord is my Shepherd was originally written in 1976 as a separate anthem. The movements are:

• Requiem aeternam (Rest eternal…)
• Psalm 130: (Out of the deep)
• Pie Jesu (Blessed or Holy Jesus)
• Sanctus (Benedictus)
• Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)
• Psalm 23: (The Lord is my shepherd)
• Lux aeterna (Light eternal)

The first movement consists of the Introit from the Tridentine Requiem Mass (Requiem aeternam) and the Kyrie (Lord have mercy). The second movement is entitled Out of the Deep, and is based on Psalm 130, a psalm commonly used at Anglican funerals. It contains a prominent cello solo written in C minor. The third movement is the motet Pie Jesu. It begins with a soprano soloist singing with a very light accompaniment, with only slight involvement of the chorus echoing the words “Dona eis requiem, Dona eis sempiternam requiem” (Give to us eternal rest). The fourth movement is the Sanctus (Holy) with Benedictus (Blessed Is He who comes in the name of the Lord) and, characteristically, it is a bright, lively, and exclamatory movement which is brightly orchestrated with bells, flute, and oboe and occasional timpani recalling the passage in Old Testament scripture in Isaiah chapter 6, and the worship of the six-winged seraphim in the heavenly throne-room of God. The fifth movement is the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) in the version used in the Tridentine Requiem Mass. The sixth movement is Psalm 23, another psalm commonly used at Anglican funerals. The seventh movement includes words from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer Burial Service (“I heard a voice from heaven…”) and the communion chant from the Tridentine Requiem Mass (Lux aeterna).

Svetlana Strezeva has been hailed by Russia’s St. Petersburg Press as “the Russian Nightingale”. She is laureate of Tchaikovsky Competition. She performs with her daughter, Milana Strezeva, pianist of Manhattan Piano Trio.

This concert will feature beautiful Russian and American folk songs and Arias works by other regular composers. In addition, Milana will perform a couple of solo piano works for variety and will also sing a duet with Svetlana, much to the delight of the audience.

Svetlana Strezeva

Svetlana Strezeva is a prominent, Russian born American soprano. She is a laureate of the Tchaikovsky International Competition in Moscow and Glinka Vocal International Competition in Minsk. She did her professional studies at La Scala in Milan, Italy, under the guidance of opera diva Simionato.

She was prima donna of the Moldova National Opera Company and made her debut at the Bolshoi Theater as Shemakha in “Le Coq D’Or” by Rimsky-Korsakoff under the direction of Maestro Eugene Svetlanov. She also sang at the Kirov Theater in St. Petersburg as Violetta in “La Traviata” under the direction of Eugene Colobov.

She has recorded with the Bolshoi Opera Orchestra, Moscow Pops Symphony and the orchestra of Russian Folk Instruments. She has been praised as “The Russian Nightingale” by Russia’s St. Petersburg Press. Now residing in the United States, she occasionally performs with her pianist and daughter, Milana Strezeva, having given recitals in various parts of the country as well as Italy, Denmark, Germany, Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, and China.

Milana Strezeva

Milana Strezeva is a Moldovan-American pianist who began studying piano at the age of six. She is a recipient of the Arts Recognition and Talent Search award and winner of the Young Artist Competition and Yamaha Piano competition. In 1998, she won the IBLA International Competition as a vocal collaborator, leading to her debut recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.

A talented vocal collaborator and voice coach, Strezeva has been part of several opera productions including Dicapo Opera (NYC), Sorg Opera (OH), and American Opera Company (NYC). She completed her bachelor’s and master’s from Juilliard, and occasionally performs with her mother and renowned Soprano, Svetlana Strezeva (a.k.a. the Russian Nightingale).

Strezeva is the founding member of the award winning Manhattan Piano Trio, one of the most prominent and active chamber music groups in America. Along with her trio, she has performed over 300 concerts in the past four seasons spanning 30 US States, South Africa and Australia.