"Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all."
These words belong to David in 1 Chronicles 29, as he praises and thanks God, for all that he has done in enabling the people to build the temple. As we take a moment to gaze upon all that the Lord has done in 2024 through Hope Church, we too, look on in thankfulness, prayer and praise, declaring that the Lord is the King of his Kingdom.
Our Vision is to see lives transformed by Jesus, by Building Family, Sharing Jesus and Helping Others. Here are a few ways in which we've seen that happen in 2024.
Building Family
Through new Life Groups and full courses, like Freedom in Christ
New members and 32% increase in Sunday attendance
Celebrating our international community, Alan's 90th and baby dedications
A number of great lunches, services and moments together as a family
Sharing Jesus
Biggest Alpha course ever, with 5 tables of guests
8 baptisms
A Fantastic Fun Day with around 1000 guests in attendance
A load of brilliant events like the Quiz night, Pottery painting and Light party
A great Christmas Carol service and regular responses to the gospel thorughout the year
Helping Others
Continued support of our Middle East Church plant
45 Children sponsored through CompassionUK
Our Hope Works continued to be supported and prayed for, including over £24,000 given to support them.
9 Christmas hampers given to individuals most in need in our community
Commission
It's great to be part of a larger family of churches and enjoying the Commission Festival which 90 of us attended.
Lucy completed her internship year and 4 people started Leadership training.
We played a significant part in running Commission 20's and 30's.
Chris and Malcolm continue to support other churches and their leadership teams.
It can be easy, at times to look back with a sense of pride, perhaps as David might have, at the sight of a great achievement, but he resists that urge at the end of his prayer, by declaring ....
"But who am I and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. Lord our God, all this abundance comes from your Holy hand and all of it belongs to you."
Amen!
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