WHAT IS ALPHA?
The Alpha course is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith. It's relaxed, non-threatening, low key, friendly, and fun. There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives you an opportunity to get to know each other. Listen, learn, discuss, and discover. And ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile.

WHAT'S INVOLVED?
Alpha consists of a series of talks looking at topics such as "Who is Jesus?" and "Why and how do I pray?" After each talk we divide into small groups for discussion.

WHO IS ALPHA FOR?
Alpha is for everyone, especially:
*Those wanting to investigate Christianity   *New Christians   *Newcomers to the church
*Those who want to brush up on the basics

WHAT WILL IT COST?
There is no charge!

WHEN AND WHERE?
Thursdays at 6:00pm @ 210 W. Center St.
*Kick-off dinner - Sept. 4
*Alpha Course - Sept. 18 - Nov. 20

Click here to sign up for the Alpha course or request more info!

Prayer Ministry Training

What is prayer ministry? Many times God will speak to a person during the worship gathering through the teaching, song, Holy Communion, gifts of the spirit, or some other way. Or someone may simply come to a worship gathering with a burden, and need someone to help them carry that burden to God. Prayer ministry gives people an opportunity to receive prayer because God through His love, wants to love on, heal, deliver, save, touch, empower, and the list goes go on and on.

At public meetings, such as Sunday morning worship, or other special events, one of the Pastors leading the meeting may invite people forward for prayer ministry. Trained people will then be released to pray for individuals in a safe, non-threatening, and loving environment.

You are invited to a Prayer Ministry Training at New Hope Church that will include subjects such as: helping someone become a Christian, praying for someone to be filled with the Holy Spirit, prayer for healing, and listening to God. Anyone who would like to be on the Prayer Ministry Team must first go through this training. So we encourage you to prayerfully consider coming for this equipping session. For now, we will be offering two training sessions. Choose one based on your availability.

TRAINING SESSION: Option One

• Sunday, September 21: 3:30-6:00pm (Part One), and
• Sunday, September 28: 3:30-6:00pm (Part Two)
• (Please note: this training will have no child care.)

TRAINING SESSION: Option Two

• Friday, September 26: 6:30-9:00pm (Part One), and
• Saturday, September 27: 9:30am-Noon (Part Two)
• (Please note: this training session will have nursery and corresponding children's ministry prayer training going on simultaneously.  However, advance sign up for nursery is required!)

Theology on Drip

We invite you to join a book discussion Community Group on Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright.

Why do we expect justice? Why do we crave spirituality? Why are we attracted to beauty? Why are relationships often so painful? How will the world be made right? What is Christianity and how is it practiced? These questions take us to the heart of who God is and what He wants from us. Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense walks the reader through the Christian faith.

Would you like to do some theology together? We will be meeting on Tuesday mornings from 6:00-7:30am at Starbucks on Demaree and Noble. If you need to miss a group due to vacation, fine. We will see you again the following week. Scott will facilitate this group. Call (636-8733) or email Scott (scott@newhopechurch.org) or sign up in the Foyer. Books can be ordered from Amazon or Borders ($21.00ish). Order a book early.

Campus Conversation

A new college community group is starting up this summer! Come for a time of community, fellowship and conversation as we discuss topics, verses, and share stories that pertain to life as a college student. Anyone ages 18 - 26 are welcome to come to this new event. We meet every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 11:45 at the Starbucks on Demaree and 198. Contact Elisabeth at elisabeth@newhopchurch.org for more information. We would love for you to join us!

Relay for Life - Summer ARK (Acts of Random Kindness) Event

New Hope will again be supporting the American Cancer Society Relay for Life by decorating the luminary bags. These luminaries will circle the track and be lit in memory of those who have lost their battle with cancer and to honor the survivors. Make this a fun evening and have a go at it individually or as a family. Bring back the bags and we will display some of them. Email Raylene for more info at raylene@newhopechurch.org

A Meditation: Everyone Is Clergy

Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to serve,
 to create, to communicate,
 to participate with our good Creator 
in the making and remaking of our good world. Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to stand,
 to struggle, to suffer, to trust and to love,
 and so to join in the unmaking of injustice and
 in the liberation of earth from every form of sin. Everyone is clergy. Everyone is called to holiness,
 to faithfulness, to health, to growth, 
to serenity and activity,
 to the practices of life
 in the kingdom of God. All our daily work is holy. Every act of service, 
every deed of neighborly kindness, 
every smile or sigh, every touch or tear 
can be a sacramental act expressing the presence of the living God.
 Every drop of sweat that falls in honest labor for the common good
 joins with every movement toward others 
in the daily liturgy of human work. Some are given special gifts to equip and inspire others for this daily work of faith
 and labor of love.
 All are channels of grace, given, received, 
shared in a symphony of many voices and instruments,
 so the earth may be filled with the glory of God. You are clergy. So am I. Together
 we are called to learn God's music of life
 in the unique instruments of our bodies, our persons, our times, our settings.
Then we are sent out to play it with joy and sincerity wherever we go. 
Together we are part of a truly apostolic succession:
 the people of God sent into the world, generation after generation,
 as Jesus was sent by the Father,
in the power of the Holy Spirit,
 for the good of the world. So let us work and rest together,
 let us play and sing together,
 let us by our faithful lives bring glory to the true and living God.
 For we are all clergy
 and we are all called.