Written by: Tiffany Gowesky

This past week my 4th grade daughter came home with an end of the year award from her class.  You know, the ones where the other kids vote on who gets what, “Best Smile” “Most Likely To Be President” “Best Handwriting” or even “Most Likely To Be A TV Star”. Every award is positive and affirming and what I love is how it’s such an intentional way to build up a child as the school year comes to an end.  The teachers and their peers are calling out what they see in each other.
 
Most of us reading this aren’t in Elementary School anymore, but if we handed out awards for what we saw in each other, what would it be?
 
This past year and a half has been full of one controversial or divisive topic after another.  I think our awards for each other may have skewed not as positive as we would have anticipated.  They may sound a little more like - “Best Instigator” “Most Likely To Agitate” “Most Argumentative” “Best divider”  
 
Ouch.  That’s hard to even type.  
 
But the reality if those aren’t things we celebrate in one another as kids, then they shouldn’t be things we celebrate as adults.
 
As I was reading the Sermon on the Mount this week, and saw the beatitudes that Jesus speaks of I was stuck on verse 9 of Matthew chapter 5.  
 
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
 
Peacemakers.  Did you know the word peace in this passage, means harmony, security and rest?   These are things Jesus brings into our lives, and He wants us to model who He is to those around us.
 
God's vision of what it looks like to be a peacemaker—is to bring harmony, security and rest to a difficult situation.  Peace allows us to feel secure and experience rest in the midst of conflict.  You see very often it is pride that tricks us into thinking that laying aside differences is a sign of weakness.  
 
When you and I let go of petty stuff, we live out what it means to be a peacemaker. When we are the first to say, "I'm sorry," we hand out peace. When we talk calmly, rather than yelling, we bring peace to the situation.  We give peace because we receive peace from God.  
 
Being a peacemaker can be challenging and may not even come naturally. But you and I have the ability in every conflict to live out peace.
 
I know, many of us are not graduating 4th grade, but we all should be voted, “Most Likely To Bring Peace” by our peers.  Imagine the impact we could have on the world, if we brought harmony, security and rest to the situations around us.  You can do it, I’m voting for you!

Written by: Pastor Peter Gowesky

Do you know that you are an influencer?  Typically we think of people with a blue check next to their name or someone with lots of followers, or a significant pay check or loads of people who report to them. However, that’s not the only way to be an influencer.  You may have some or all of those things and still not be an ACTUAL INFLUENCER.  
 
An influencer is someone who impacts and imparts something to another person.  This could be a favorite recipe, a way to cook the perfect steak, or even more importantly, how to be a man or woman of integrity.  You could influence people in the weightier things of life, like forgiving and receiving forgiveness.   You could help influence younger couples on how to stay in love with one another during the seasons it’s hard to like one another.  You could influence students to stand firm in their convictions with how they will live their life and honor their bodies.  
 
As followers of Jesus, we realize that we are called to live a life of influence.  You don’t have to achieve a certain social status to begin influencing.  Just keep breathing.  Every breath you take is an opportunity to flex your influence.  The fact that you have a pulse today means that you have a purpose.  
 
In Matthew 28, one of the last things Jesus says to His disciples, as Matthew closes out His gospel, is known as the great commission.  He says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”    
 
Jesus challenges His disciples with this—Go use your influence to point people to Jesus.  Use your influence to show people the HOPE that I’ve brought to this world.  But don’t only show them the HOPE, show them how to experience that HOPE.  Can’t you imagine Jesus talking to His disciples… “You know all of those things that I’ve taught you?  When we were walking from town to town, or when we were on the water, or when I healed that guy in the temple, or when you asked me about that thing…. Remember all of those lessons I taught you?  Tell people about that.  Teach them those things.”  
 
You are a person of influence!  Don’t miss it.  Don’t miss out on the fact that there are people around you begging you to influence them and pour into them.  Don’t hoard your influence because the more you give it away, the more you have!

Written by: Pastor Josh Powell

My family and I used to love to hike and camp.  When I was growing us, we would be at the campsite Friday night and wouldn’t leave until Sunday afternoon.  I would run through the woods barefoot, with my fishing poles ready to fish.  I had so much I wanted to do.  Gather firewood, find friends, look for animals.  I wanted to fish and roast marshmallows; I wanted to ride trails and to play catch.  There was so much that I wanted to do; I would seldom remember to spend time with my family until it was time to eat or sleep.  

Often, our prayer life is the same.  We have so much going on throughout the day that we forget to spend time with God in prayer until we sit down to eat or getting ready for bed.  

The famous Martin Luther once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”  

How many of us can relate to the first half of that statement but not the second half?  “I have so much to do,” “My schedule is jammed packed,” “I don’t even have time to breathe.”  I can go on, but I think you get the point.  Our lives have become so inundated with “have to’s” that we often forget about the “why” or the “what.”  Our lives are so focused on the next thing we need to do that we seldom slow down to be thankful for the craziness.  

Let me ask a question.  How often do you pray?  Often?  Not so often?  Daily?  Weekly?  Whatever your answer is, that a great start.  Prayer is a spiritual discipline, that if not practiced, then it isn’t improved.  So you improve your prayer life by praying.  You create the discipline of prayer by spending more time throughout the week in prayer.  

Early on in my journey with Jesus, I learned I could pray anytime, anywhere, and it didn’t have to be a profound prayer.  I would be driving, standing in line at the grocery store, mowing the yard, watching my kids play in the backyard.  Anytime and anywhere.  

In Matthew 6, Jesus is teaching the disciples and others how to pray.  Jesus says:

“9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation
    but deliver us from the evil one”
-Matthew 6:9-13


Often, we get so wrapped up in the idea that prayer needs to be profound that we forget about the importance of just being in the presence of God.  When we pray, even a few sentences, are welcoming God to move.  The past weekend's message, Pastor Peter said, “God works in us before he works through us.”  God works through you because you open yourself up to him.  Even if it’s while you are driving from your home to work, in that 15-20 minutes, silence the radio, just for a moment, and talk to God.

This week, spend time paying attention to the moments you can pray.  In those moments, if you are unsure of what to say, simply pray the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6, and witness how God works in you to work through you.   

Written By: Pastor Bailey Jackson

Do you believe in prayer?  
 
I mean, really, do you believe that when you sit down and have a conversation with God, He hears you?
 
Philippians 4:6 says
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
 
And Mark 11:24 says
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
 
Why, then, do we take prayer so lightly? We are in the middle of a message series called “Dangerous Prayers” because we believe that we have been playing it safe for too long when it comes to our prayer life.
 
We say that we believe in the power of prayer, but when we find ourselves in a moment of real need for God’s intervention, we “beat around the bush” and avoid asking for exactly what we need. I believe it’s because deep down, we still have a lot of doubt and think that if we keep our prayer vague and open-ended, we don’t set ourselves up to be let down.
 
But God invites us to be authentic. In fact, He knows when you aren’t being real. Something that I learned a few years ago and has really shaped my faith is learning to pray specifically—being bold and asking God for exactly what I need from Him.  
 
I encourage you to begin implementing this into your prayer life. Quit trying to pray like your going to impress somebody. The one that you are praying to already knows everything about you. Drop your guard and simply talk to Him about what you are going through and boldly ask for what you need.

Written by: Pastor Josh Powell

This past weekend, Hope City's Instagram asked a question, "Where Do You Feel Most Comfortable Praying?"

As I reflected more and more on the question, I realized I don't have a specific place, but several; my daughter's room, my living room, my desk, my car as I drive when I'm outdoors.  I have so many places because I have confidence in being in God's presence when I pray.  Let me explain:

I've read that prayer evolves in 4 different steps:
•Talking at God- prayers filled lists of "thank you," asking for things, and memorized meal prayers
•Talking to God- when we find our own words and learn to speak from our hearts about our desires and needs
•Listening to God- the understanding that prayer is a dialogue that requires listening to God's thoughts and not just my own
•Being with God- resting in God's presence while in prayer

Several of us have mastered the first one, talking at God.  Some of us have learned how to talk to God.  But how many of us are practicing listening to God?  Because until we learn to listen to God, we will never be able to rest in God's presence.  

Pastor Peter defined prayer as "a heartfelt, honest conversation with God that is part speaking and part listening."  I'll tell you, it's true.  

Since I have experienced the spiritual discipline of "listening prayer," not only has my prayer life changed, but my life as a whole has.  See, listening to God in prayer is as important as speaking to God.

If we go to God in prayer, no matter where we are, we must listen.  No one can conjure up God or force God to speak, so listening is never really in my control.  But when I say, like Eli, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9), I will be a place to hear when God speaks.  God could speak through anyone and anything, but you have to be open and available to listen.  Because if we aren't listening to God's promises, then the empty promises from the world around us start to fill your mind.  Then your mind goes places with thoughts and insecurities that are false.  

I still struggle with inattention in the listening part of prayer.  The mind is meant to make connections and wander (that's why we zone out when people speak or when we read).  Instead of judging ourselves when our minds take the detour, humbly return to the presence of God and listen.  Listening prayer turns from our self-judgment to Jesus.  Listening prayer quiets our soul and allows us to trust God is near. And remember, even when we feel God is silent, we hold on to His promise that he will "never leave us, nor forsake us" (Deuteronomy 31:6).  

In your prayer time this week, spend more time listening for God to speak than speaking to God.  Remember, He knows your heart, but you must listen to know His.  



If you have a prayer request, email us here.  There is no greater honor than to pray for you.

Written By: Pastor Peter Gowesky

I think we can all admit that we need breathing room.  We’ve discovered that over these past several weeks here at Hope City.  We’ve looked at breathing room in our relationships, breathing room in our finances, breathing room in our schedules… But what do you do if you don’t have any breathing room in your brain?
 
We’ve got a crowded head.  
 
And this is choking us out.  We run around like we’re grasping at straws, gasping for air.  We are faced with a million and one decisions each and every week, or quite possibly every day.  What will we do, how do we solve the next problem, or figure out how to make ends meet?  
 
What if the decisions and issues that are crowding our heads are not something to solve but something to surrender?  
 
We recently heard a message called, “What Do I Do When I Feel Out Of Control?” In this message, we learned that some things are an opportunity for us to steward the moment or to step into the moment and take the bull by the horns.  To make the most of the situation and try to come up with a solution.  But other moments are simply seasons of surrender.  Opportunities for us to trust that God has a plan that is beyond what our eyes can see or minds can imagine.  
 
Why is this so hard, though?  For type 3, Control Freak personalities… we want to handle everything.  Get it done.  Be productive.  But surrender requires opening your hands and holding them palm up.  You’re not grasping at anything.  You’re letting it either be added to or taken from.  
 
I wonder, where in your life would you gain some breathing room if you surrendered control and stepped into a season of surrender?  
 
On the flip side of that coin, there are moments and opportunities that we want to throw our hands up and say, OH WELL… It is what it is, and we give up trying.  What if these were moments where instead of giving up, you stewarded the moment, or in other words, you made the most of the moment.  
 
This week as you face the issues, worries, fears, and anxieties, ask yourself these three questions:  
 
Is this a problem to be solved?  An issue to be addressed?  Or an opportunity to grow my trust?
 
Remember Proverbs 3:5-6  
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Written by: Pastor Josh Powell

Learning to live on less.
Being content with what you have.
Raise your quality of life but lowering your standard of living.  

Growing up, I had tons of things I wanted, and when I had the chance to get whatever it was, I would do everything in my power to get it.

I remember buying my first skateboard.  I had an old board from a friend of mine, but I wanted a brand new shiny one.  At that time, I was just getting into skating, and I needed the coolest and latest board out (which was $110); the problem was I was 11 and had no job and no money.  So, I decided to do what every kid would do; I chose to save ALL my lunch money so I could buy it.  I was given $2 per day for lunch, so over 50 days of lunch money was needed.  I didn’t eat lunch for 2 months.

Finally, the time came for me to get the board.  My grandmother took me to the skate shop, and I picked out my complete set up; I pulled the wad $1 bills, and *cha-ching* the board was mine.    I used it for about 4 months, and then it broke, so I had to go back to using the old hand-me-down I was using initially—all that suffering and going without, just to have it for a few short months.  I could have been content with the old board, but I wanted more.  I wanted the newest.  I wanted the coolest.  And what I learned was, the old board I had was good enough.  

There have been many examples that I have lived out like this in my life, from cars to TVs or speaker systems to iPods.  I’ve wanted so much and sacrificed a lot to get them.  Finally, I realized, what I had was enough.  I stopped trying to “Keep Up with the Kardashians” and decided to practice simplicity, and I have not felt more joy in my life.  The things I would buy and pursue brought me happiness, but I was never satisfied.   It wasn’t until I learned to live on less that I was content and full of joy.

See, simplicity cultivates an art of letting go, loosening the excessive need we have of owning all things and having all things.  Practicing simplicity brings freedom from processions and draws you closer to Jesus.  Living a life of simplicity, you are content with what you have because Jesus is enough.  

What are some desires you are holding on to that you can let go of and live a more simple life?  

How can you find some “Breathing Room” by being content with what you have?  I promise you, try it!  You will not be let down.  

Written by: Tiffany Gowesky

There are few things I love more than a to-do list.  
 
•Buy more milk and bread
•Pick up more allergy medicine  
•Return the library books
•Make an appointment for an oil change
 
It’s not that I love doing the things on the to-do list; I mean, who likes getting an oil change?  It’s more that lists help keep me on track.  The to-do list gives me a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day and the freedom to relax once everything is done.  Nothing like a checked-off to-do list, am I right?    
 
To-do lists remind me of the things I am going to intentionally try to do each day.  I may not get it all done, but I’ve got a plan, and I’m going to work towards it.  
 
It’s probably why the Sabbath and I have a “love-hate relationship.”  I love the idea of a sabbath, a day of rest.  But I like to be busy; I like to feel like I am doing something for God.  I love that practicing the Sabbath acknowledges that God is in control, but if I am honest, I really like being the one in control.  I want to rest and be refreshed, but in this season of life it doesn’t seem possible.  Sometimes, as a mom, I even feel guilty resting.
 
I am learning that practicing a sabbath looks more like keeping a TO-DON’T list than a to-do list.
 
The same way you may prepare for a busy day the night before, you have to prepare beforehand for resting on the Sabbath.  If you don’t plan for your Sabbath, don’t assume it will happen on its own.  
 
The gospel of Mark corrects our thinking when it records Jesus saying, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)  
 
We have to plan for the Sabbath.  Practicing a sabbath requires planning, and let me tell you, God honors the time you take in the preparing.  
 
If you were to try and plan for a Sabbath this week, what are some of the things you would try to intentionally NOT do?  Maybe that’s not doing yard work, or cleaning, or laundry.  (Let’s all be real, on its own, the laundry never would stop)
 
What does a TO-DON’T list look like for you on a Sabbath?  Try and come up with things that you can intentionally NOT do, so you can connect with God and be present with the people around you.
 
Maybe this week, you will NOT go grocery shopping on your Sabbath, or you will NOT make any appointments for that day.   Maybe it could NOT be a day that you do work, but a day you play (do something you enjoy) & pray (connect with God).  Maybe Sabbath will be a day you choose NOT to endlessly scroll on Facebook or Instagram, but a day where you meaningfully connect with God and others.  Let the Sabbath remind you that it’s not what you do FOR God, but rather it’s about spending time WITH God.  
 
God intended for us all to rest.  ALL of us.  You are not the exception, I promise you.
Sabbath is intended for all of God’s children.    
 
Make rest a priority this week, and prepare your TO-DON’T list for your Sabbath now before it passes you by.  God will honor the time and energy you give to your Sabbath, and your soul will be refreshed and renewed for the week ahead.  

Written by: Pastor Josh Powell

I saw a t-shirt the other day that said, “Jesus took naps.  Be like Jesus.”  First off, I thought that was a great shirt.  Second, I pondered on how true that statement was.  The verse in scripture that particular shirt was referring to was when the disciples and Jesus were traveling across the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 8.  A massive storm came, and verse 24 says, “……But Jesus was sleeping”.  


I haven’t taken a nap in a really long time, at least 3 1/2 years since my youngest daughter was an infant (I used to nap all the time with her).  Then I realized a nap for others was rest for me.  A few years ago read that rest is “honoring God by paying attention to the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the body.”  So I said it, naps honor God.  Rest honors God.


God created us in his image (Genesis 1:27).  God worked hard, and the rested (Genesis 2:2).  When we rest, we honor the way God made us.  We weren’t created to hurry, rush, and work all the time. We were created to know our human limits, and before we reach those limits, we take time to rest and restore our souls.  When we rest, we are practicing a spiritual discipline to draw us closer to God.  The same God who rested on the 7th day after working hard.  


What is your alternative to work/busyness?  Is it rest, or is it a different kind of work (yard work, housework, etc.)?  Is it doing finances?  Is it cleaning?  Maybe exercising is your alternative to work.  Rest is a radical idea, especially in 2021, where everyone and everything is connected 24/7.  Trust me when I say there is plenty of time each day for all your responsibilities and rest.


So, how does one rest?  Simple enough, just do it.  Rest is a spiritual discipline; disciplines take practice, so practice it.  At first, your mind will remind you of all the things you have to do.  You’ll be reminded of all the tasks left; all the appoints coming us, all the things you feel are most important.  Your mind will want you to stay in the habit of “GO GO GO,” so you have to break that habit by replacing it with another.  Rest.  


I’m going to give you a few questions for you to think about, that will increase your rest and allow you to connect deeper with God and yourself.  
 
1)Write down what a perfect day of rest would like for you.  Is it possible?  If so, then plan a day and schedule it on your calendar.

2)Do something that intentionally places you in the presence of God.  Go for a walk, go for a hike, have a cup of coffee, catch up with an old friend, play a game.  Whatever you do, intentionally connect with God.

3)Think about playing as a child.  What is stopping you from playing today?  What is fun for you right now?  Whatever that is, make some room in your week to simply “play.”  

How can you take time this week to rest intentionally?

Written by: Pastor Josh Powell

When I was in the business world, the idea of “rest” or “solitude” was that of the “lazy”.  So, I lived for the hustle.  Honestly, I loved every moment of it.  That adrenaline rushing through my veins, as I was finishing hour 12 or 13 in my workday would fuel my nights, the daily challenge to out-perform my yesterday, I loved it.  How many of us can relate in some way?  Those that can relate, how many hours of sleep do you lose because of performance reviews, packed calendars, and appointments after appointment?  

I lived for the hustle, and I was good at it, but I compromised more than I knew.  In those busy days, I would forget to ask my wife how her day went.  I would skip working out (especially if it was leg day).  I would be so tired when I FINALLY made it home that I wouldn’t play with my kids.  I was so busy that I would forget to read my bible and often would forget to pray.  


Busyness was often disguised as things I should be doing instead of what has been done for me.  I would be so focused on the busyness of my day that I was missing out on the promise Jesus made.  The promise of rest.  The promise of peace.  The promise of not handling the challenges of daily life alone.  Jesus says:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30


So, rest.  Rest often.  Rest intentionally.  Rest in Jesus.  

What are some things you can do this week to increase your rest?  
Check your calendar and schedule in time to read scripture—schedule time to Pray.  Being intentional, and whatever you do, trust in Jesus’s promise.  

Written by: Pastor Bailey Jackson

Busy.
Overwhelmed.
Anxious.
Restless.
 
There is a good chance that you may be feeling one or more of these as you read this blog post. The fact is, we glorify busyness. In our pursuit of success, we feel inadequate if our schedule isn’t filled up. We love to sit around and talk with our friends about how busy we are and how we have no free time.
 
Deep down, we know that busyness doesn’t equal success, but many of us simply don’t know how to break the cycle, which in-turn leaves us feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, and full of anxiety.  
 
We long for rest. We crave a break in our schedule. We need breathing room.
 
That is why Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11 is so intriguing. He says,
 
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
 
So many of us would consider true rest to be a luxury—something you save up all year for so that you can have a week of “rest.” But, even that type of “rest” brings its own stress, and we end up being just as busy, but in a different place.
 
Jesus says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest. Rest for your soul.”
 
For years, I struggled to differentiate having nothing to do with being available to do anything. I have since learned the art of having breathing room, which means that I strive to have space within my schedule to just simply breathe. I value the blank spots in my calendar.  
 
Those blank spots in my calendar allow me to operate from a place of rest rather than operating trying to reach a place of rest.  
 
How can you add some breathing room into your schedule this week?

Here we are just a few days away from Easter, one of the biggest days of celebration in the Christian calendar.  On Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, the defeat of death and sin, and the hope of a future.  

But have you ever stopped to think about how the days leading up to Easter were the least exciting? They were some of the most challenging days that Jesus and His disciples had to endure.  Can you imagine?  Jesus knew that in a few days, He would be handed over to Roman authorities to be verbally assaulted, physically beaten, and executed on the worst torture device in the known world.  Jesus’ disciples knew that something was going to happen; Jesus was going to be leaving them.  

Trouble was on the horizon.  

Does this describe you right now?  Maybe you’ve learned that your department was just cut.  You’re going to be without a job.  Maybe you’ve learned that surgery is in your future.  The future seems uncertain.  Or maybe you’re staring at a mountain of financial bills that seem undefeatable.  

It’s easy to focus on the joy that Easter brings without walking through the darkness of the week leading up to Easter Sunday.  Too many of us jump over Monday through Saturday and skip ahead to Sunday.  Don’t do it.  Stay down in your Spirit this week. Yes, Sunday is coming.  But God is teaching us something Monday through Saturday.  

In John's gospel, we see Jesus spending a lot of time preparing His disciples for what was coming.  He spent a lot of time walking through the difficult days.  John spends seven chapters detailing how Jesus deals with the lead up to Sunday, and only one chapter on the joy of Easter Sunday!  We should pay attention to this.  

Do you remember what Jesus says to His disciples?  
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.”  John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
“In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Jesus knew that Sunday was coming.  But He cared for the disciples' needs Monday through Saturday first.  There was no question in Jesus’ mind if death would be defeated.  There was no concern that pain would have the final say.  Resurrection was inevitable, and there was nothing that could change that.  

Jesus concerned Himself with what concerned others.  And today, Jesus is concerned for you.  

Maybe you need to hear this again.  Can you hear Jesus saying to you, “Don’t let your heart be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety.”  

I pray that this week you would experience God’s deep love and concern for you.  Remember, Sunday is coming, but don’t skip out on what God is doing in you today.  

~Pastor Peter

Written by: Tiffany Gowesky

Hope City Church welcomes everyone HOME at our church because church should be a place where it's ok not to be ok.  One of the things I love most about our church is our mission, to help find HOME and experience HOPE.  
 
Home.  A simple word with tons of meaning.  
 
It's where everyone wants to be, where you rush too after getting off work. It's where you feel comfortable enough to take your shoes off and walk around barefoot. It's where your guard is down, and you can be yourself.  You can breathe at ease.  No one is judging you, no one is questioning you, home is where you feel safe.
 
We welcome people HOME at our church because church should be a place where it's ok not to be ok.  No need to pretend, no need to have your life all figured out.  Come as you are; broken, hurt, messy, lost because you belong.  And for people to belong, the church needs to feel safe. 
 
My youngest daughter, Leah, has grown up in the church.  In her nine years of life, we have never even attended a church in an actual church building.  Church has been in a hotel ballroom, a middle school auditorium, and an elementary school cafeteria.  
 
If you are looking for my youngest daughter on a Sunday morning, I will promise you one thing.  She probably has no shoes on. She's taken them off somewhere and probably doesn't even know where they are. She's walking (let's be honest, probably running) through the halls, getting to her classroom with no shoes on.  
 
Leah not wearing her shoes used to drive me crazy.   Honestly, it was something I was embarrassed by.  Why couldn't the pastor's kid seem to keep her shoes on during church?  Then I realized something; she took her shoes every Sunday because it was a place she felt comfortable.  She felt at home at church.
 
Even at her young age, she associated comfort and being at ease with the church.  She felt safe, safe enough to take her shoes off and run around the halls of the church, not worried about anyone judging her.  
 
At Hope City, we have created a space for her to feel at home, to feel comfortable.  And I hope it never changes.
 
The best part is that we get to do that for anyone that walks through the doors of our church, whether those doors are school doors, hotel doors, or even shopping plaza doors.  God has given us the opportunity to make people feel at home, to welcome them home.
 
Jesus is our ultimate home.  He is who we go to – to feel safe.  He is never judging, never questioning us, and He is the definition of safe.  He wants us to feel comfortable when we are with Him.  The kind of "take your shoes off and stay awhile" comfortable.  
 
Church, let's take the role of welcoming people home seriously. Let's get good at it; let's practice it in our own homes. Let's get ready to welcome people to God's kingdom.  
 
That mindset, the one of my nine-year-old daughter, is one I pray we all have.  That church should be a place where you feel the most comfortable, most welcomed, and where we can ALL find HOPE and experience HOME.  

Written by: Pastor Josh Powell


Doing a quick Google search of “why do churches care,” many of the headlines were along the lines of “How the Church is missing the mark” or “Does the Church care about me?”.  A lot of questions and observations that frankly aren’t entirely wrong.  

That google search spurred some thoughts.  Why does the Church care?  How does the Church care?  The answer to those few questions, and a lot more, are answered in Hope City Church’s message from this past Sunday, click here if you missed it.  

You're asking why my church cares?  Simple.  Because Jesus cares. Our values are more than a hashtag; they are our mission. #FORSarasota means we care.  We care about this city.  We love this city.  We serve this city. We are for this city.   We care for our city because God cares for our city.  

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.” – Jeremiah 29:5

These words were instructions from God, speaking to all the people that the prophet Jeremiah carried to Babylon.  We have all heard the sayings “put some roots down” or “bloom where you’ve been planted.”  That’s essentially what God is saying.  Build houses and plant gardens.  But why?  Why did God want these people to “put roots down”?

God wanted to see Babylon change.  He wanted the people brought into Babylon to be His hands and feet and to encourage those in the city to turn back to God (Babylon was an un-Godly place, where people strayed and turned away from God).  We know God cares for our city because He wants us to care for the welfare of everyone in it.

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity (the welfare) of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” - Jeremiah 29:7

As followers of Jesus, we are instructed to love and care for all people.  We care for the poor, the needy, the hungry, the wealthy, the single mother, the single fathers, the orphans, and the homeless.  Why?  When we care for others showing them the love of Jesus, we can impact and change our communities.  One interaction at a time.    

Hope City’s heart is to care for Sarasota.  We want to meet the needs of our community exactly where they are.  We want them to know that we are FOR them and that Hope City is a church that cares.

I am so excited about our upcoming outreach event.  Because this event will allow those in need to get items they may need and experience the love of Jesus.  I cannot wait to serve this city and our community alongside many of you!  

Our “Neighbors Helping Neighbors “ event is being held on March 27th from 8am-11am.  Click Here for more information on how to get involved.  

Hope City is #FORSarasota.  It’s more than a hashtag; it’s a mission.  

Are you willing to be on mission with us? What are a few ways you can care for and love others this week?  

Written by: Matt Leicht

My Church Worships -  Worship is an essential part of our Christian walk. We often confuse what the true definition of worship actually is. We assume it’s only singing songs at church on a Sunday morning. Yes, this is one act of worship, but if this is all we think of when we hear the word worship, we are missing the point. Worship is so much more. It’s expressive, it reminds us of who God is and allows us to reflect on what God has done. God wants us to express our thoughts and feelings to Him. He wants us to seek him when we are lonely, depressed, or angry. He also wants us to express our feelings of joy and gratitude.

Worship reminds us of who God is. There’s a song called “Waymaker” that we sing here at Hope City. Some of the lyrics say, “Even when I don’t see it, your working, even when I don’t feel it, you’re working. You never stop, You never stop working.” This is a song that can provide such a great reminder that our God is ALWAYS working for the good of those who love him. This is precisely what the apostle Paul writes to us in the following verse.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

See, worship reminds us that God is our healer, our provider, our hope, and our joy.

Worship allows us to reflect on what God has done in our lives. Take a moment today and reflect on the good God did yesterday, last week, or last year. It’s easy to get stuck in negativity and forget about the good.  We live in such a fast-paced ever-changing society where we rarely find time to pause, reflect, or be silent. I was attending a worship conference a few years ago and was fortunate enough to spend time with one of the keynote worship leaders. She told me, some of her greatest moments of worship are when she can find God’s presence and just BE. Be still. Be quiet. Stand in His presence. Worship is a response to God’s faithfulness.

Worship looks like praying, singing, or being silent. It can also look like an act of obedience to God. Find time today to focus on worship. Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He is going to do.

Written by: Pastor Bailey Jackson

Do you get excited when someone asks you about something you enjoy? Does your face light up with joy when you were given the opportunity to share something good in your life? What if someone asked you right now to describe your church in just one word? Would you have to ponder and think about it for a minute, or would you immediately know the answer?

Without any hesitation, I would say my church is a family. We love each other unconditionally, we serve one another with joy, and we pray continually on others' behalf. We put our differences aside, and we prioritize each other. When I think about what a family should be, I think about my family church.

There is so much value in having a church family to surround yourself with. Not only is there significant value in receiving love, service, and prayer. There is value in having the opportunity to give in each of these areas as well. We know that we are called to live in community with each other, but doing it well brings out everyone's best.

   
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” -  Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

There will inevitably be times that you need support. There will be times where you fall down and need people around you to help you back up. I know, when those times find me, I have a church family that will step in to help me back up, to love, serve, and pray on my behalf.

Written by: Pastor Josh Powell


Did you watch the Royal Wedding in 2018?  Bishop Curry mentioned the word love over 50 times in his 13-minute message.  Towards the end of his message, Bishop Curry said a quote from a sermon preached by Martin Luther King Jr in 1957; “We must discover the power of love, the power, the redemptive power of love. And when we discover that, we will be able to make this old world a new world. We will be able to make men better. Love is the only way.”

Bishop Curry united nearly 30 million people around love. “Love has power.”  “Love is liberating.”  “Love is healing.”  The feelings that Curry’s message created, the urge to love others, quickly faded.  People forgot how and why we love one another.  

Why do we love others?  Is it because of how we feel about the other person?  Is it because of what others can do for us?  Is it because we have an obligation?  Or maybe some answers seem more obvious. “Because Jesus says so.”  “Because the bible tells me too.” The age-old idea of loving people no matter the circumstances is easier to say than do. It’s easier to think about than act on.  

But, if we ask the bible, “why do I love others”, we will get an array of answers that all mean the same thing.  One of my favorite verses really stands out.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." – 1 John 4:11

We love others because God loved us.  He loves us unconditionally.  He loves us perfectly.  He loves us even when we feel we don’t deserve it.   In our darkest times, God constantly pursues a relationship with us, wanting to lavish His love on us.

God shows us a love rooted in action. God’s love is sacrificial. Imagine if we loved other people this way?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16

God knows how powerful His love is.   His love will open minds and heal hearts.  God knows when we love others, as the Body of Christ, we can change the world.  One interaction at a time.  

So, we love others because God loved us.  We love others because love is powerful and can change lives.  We love others because we want them to know the love of God.  We Love others because love is the only way.  

How has someone showed you love in the past that has changed your life?  

How will you love others today?

What Is Love Leading You To Do ?
Written by: Pastor Bailey Jackson

“Actions speak louder than words.” “Talk is cheap.” “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” “You have to be willing to put your money where your mouth is.” These are all phrases that you have likely heard at some point in your life.

We hear phrases like these in all sorts of situations. Maybe you are trying to convince your friends that you are really good at a sport. Perhaps you have heard one of these phrases used in an argument with your significant other.

No matter the situation we use these phrases in, they show us the value we place on action. Action is everything. Action is the proof behind our words. We can smooth talk our way into so many situations, but if our actions don’t match our words, we begin to lose people’s trust.

The same concept applies to love. Many times, we allow love to be something that is simply talked about rather than something that we express through action. Love is intended to be a driving force that leads to action. We can claim to love the people around us all day, but the moment we choose to turn that love into action, it takes on a whole new meaning.

John makes this very clear..

"18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." -1 John chapter 3.


Love is actionable.

When we love with action, we choose to love like Jesus loved. Jesus’ life on earth was full of moments of actionable love. Stopping what He was doing to care for people, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and ultimately dying in our place. Jesus showed us what it means to be a person of actionable love.

I wonder what the world around you would look like if you chose to be a person of actionable love.

What is one way that you could express your love for people through action this week?

Written by: Pastor Peter Gowesky

Have you noticed a trend?  We are playful in October, grateful in November, generous in December, health-conscious in January, and the list goes on and on, right?  Have you noticed this seems to be true in other areas too?  We get fired up about specific justice issues for a few weeks, and then it seems to blow over in our souls.  We seem to care about things in cycles, with things blowing on and off our radar.  February can be one of those months, too, the month of love.

Saying February is a month dedicated to Love is even a stretch.  We’ve chosen one day right in the middle of the month to celebrate and focus on love.  We may buy flowers for our wife, cook a nice meal for someone we care about or buy a card with hearts on it.  We get one day a year to focus on love.      

Here’s the problem, as followers of Jesus, love is our mandate and our mission.  Love must be woven into the fabric of your every day, not just a single day.  Jesus says that the greatest thing that we can do here on earth is:

"30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:29–31

Your love of God and love for others is the most important goal we can give our life to.  I wonder if you have settled in to loving when it’s convenient or reciprocated.  Have you let love be a passing topic or fad?  Love is consistent.  When we love someone, we decide to commit to them, to invest our life and energy in them.  We should love friends, family, children, co-workers, and yes, your spouse with consistency.  

When we love consistently, we love well.  Love is desiring God’s best for another person and doing whatever it takes to make it happen.  Love is both an emotion and an action.  It is a feeling and behavior all in one.  When we love others consistently, we will notice that our life starts to be shaped and molded by our love for God and our love for others.  We’ll find ourselves living out Jesus’ greatest commandment.  

God’s consistent love for you should lead you to love others consistently.  To want the best for them and work for the best for them.  Don’t let love be one more thing on your list of things to do.  Let your love influence your list of “to-do’s.”  

What would it look like for you to love others for more than a moment?  What will you do to love consistently today?