Summer Newsletter

SUMMER 2022

NEW HOPE Sharing Our Faith

PASTOR INTERVIEWS Q&A with Co-Pastors Chris and Sarah

SUMMER FELLOWSHIP Learn about our Women's Bible Study

SUMMER MISSION TRIPS Youth & Adults venture out!

New Hope Church A Ministry of the Reformed Church In America

Summer Sunday Schedule

10:00 AM : WORSHIP & CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

Worship Space Update: You may have noticed signs for our "Wiggle Room!" The Wiggle room is located to the left of the Sanctuary doors and is a space where you can sing, shout and wiggle in worship. The Cry Room, located to the right of the Sanctuary doors, is available for those looking for a calmer space to worship. Everyone is always welcome in the pews. New Hope recognizes that sometimes sitting still is challenging, and we also need to "make a joyful noise." We hope to create welcoming spaces where all may worship with us.

Learn more at NewHopeWorship.org and follow us online.

@New Hope Powell @New Hope Church Children's Ministry

@newhopepowell

@newhopepowell @newhopeyouthpowell

Staff & Mission OUR MISSION | REACH people for Christ.

ROOT people in Christ.

And RELEASE people to serve Christ.

Staff Directory Rev. Sarah Palsma, Co-Pastor Palsma@NewHopeWorship.com 614-766-5445x115

Rev. Dr. Chris Jacobsen, Co-Pastor Jacobsen@NewHopeWorship.com 614-766-5445x116

Rob Chappell, Church Administrator Administrator@NewHopeWorship.com 614-766-5445x126

Amy Hinton, Office Administrator Office@NewHopeWorship.com 614-766-5445 x110

Lindsey Allen, Youth Ministry Director Allen@NewHopeWorship.com NewHopeWorship.org/Youth

Christine Loy, Music Ministry Director Loy@NewHopeWorship.com NewHopeWorship.org/Music

Rachel Warren, Children's Ministry Director Warren@NewHopeWorship.com NewHopeWorship.org/Children

Emily Dean, Communications Manager Dean@NewHopeWorship.com

Jessica Johnson, Children's Ministry Coordinator Johnson@NewHopeWorship.com

Suzie Stalter, New Hope Preschool Director Preschool@NewHopeWorship.com NewHopePreschool.com 614-766-2446

A New Beginning for New Hope On Sunday evening, May 15, New Hope celebrated the Installation Service of Rev. Christopher Jacobsen & Rev. Sarah Palsma as Co-Pastors. It was a joyous evening of worship in which we gathered to praise God and honor a new beginning for New Hope. Members of Rochester Classis, Rev. Phyllis Palsma (Pastor Sarah's mom), Rev. Nathan Busker (Pastor Chris' former Youth Director), and New Hope's Music Ministry team led us in worship. Penny Dutton provided the tasty treats for the post-worship fellowship time. The Installation Service is available to view on New Hope's YouTube channel (search YouTube.com/NewHopePowell to view this video and more).

Rev. Nicholas Dorland, President of Rochester Classis Leads Installation Liturgy

Rev. Dr. Chris & Sarah Jacobsen

Treats from Penny Dutton

Rev. Phyllis Palsma & Pastor Sarah

Getting to Know You Interview with co-Pastors Chris (CJ) and Sarah (SP)

Q:

When did you realize you were being called to be a pastor?

SP: Growing up as a pastor's kid, I remember being the child everyone in the church said would follow in my parents' footsteps. However, I went to college planning on doing something in the educational field of history. Then I went on a Spring Service Project to Amsterdam during spring break in my junior year at Northwestern College. The group I was with worked with a Christian mission called "The Cleft," which provided aid to the people living on the streets and the women working in the Red Light District. I had never before experienced such hopelessness and disregard for humanity as I did there. When I got back, I processed the trip with my faculty advisor and realized that if I could spend the rest of my life showing and telling people that they have value, they matter, and Jesus loves them. Well, then that would be a life well lived. Here I am, Lord! Send me.

CJ: I grew up in a church that was very aware of the gifts of young people and supportive of helping those gifts grow. It was also a church that valued mission and provided opportunities for youth and adults to go on mission trips. I first felt a strong call to ministry beyond my church on one of these trips. We were building houses in India with Habitat for Humanity and engaging people of different faiths out of a posture of serving people in the name of Jesus. I first thought that I might be called to foreign missions, but upon arriving home, the church invited me to help out with the youth group and take on more leadership roles in the church. The rest of my life has been about continuing to hone that sense of call, which has brought me to New Hope.

Q:

How did you discover New Hope Church?

SP: Our alma mater Northwestern College first brought me to New Hope on an A Cappella Choir tour. I still remember staying with Fred and Gretchen Henoch and the fantastic hospitality of New Hope. Then in my last year of seminary, New Hope was looking for an Associate Pastor.

I worked in the library at Western Seminary when Steve Norden stopped in one night, and we talked about the position. I applied soon after that, and the rest is history. I’m very grateful to have spent the last ten years as New Hope’s Associate Pastor, and I’m excited to see where God will take me next as New Hope’s Co-Pastor.

CJ: I didn’t know much about New Hope when I first saw that a ministerial position here would be available, but I did know Pastor Sarah, and I knew Steve Norden’s ministry reputation in the RCA. I figured that New Hope must be a special place if Steve and Sarah had been here. I have discovered that this is a church with tremendous potential and passionate people, ready to find out what the next chapter in its story will be. I am excited to be a part of that new chapter and to facilitate that discovery of God’s spirit at work in our midst.

Q:

What do you do to "fill you cup?"

CJ: My cup gets filled up by conversations with colleagues in ministry. I like to process things out loud, so I'll call a friend and go out for coffee and conversation when I'm feeling dry. Also, over the years, I've come to love the writing of Henri Nouwen and Eugene Peterson, two pastors who exemplify what it is to cultivate the practice of the Christian faith.

SP: I love being around people and having good conversations, but I've realized that I need quiet time to really refill my cup. The best is when I can get outdoors and be in nature. A walk in the woods refreshes my soul. Psalm 46:10 says it best, "Be still and know that I am God."

Q:

What is your favorite Bible verse or Bible story and why?

SP: Colossians 3:12-17 has been a scriptural guide for me since I chose it as my confirmation verse when I was 14 years old. These words are a constant reminder for me of how God calls us to live as followers of Jesus: Clothe yourselves in love, forgive one another, let the word of God dwell in you richly, teach, sing, and give thanks.

CJ: Luke 10:1-12 is one of my favorite Bible stories. Jesus sends his disciples out in pairs so that they might prepare communities to receive Jesus. He tells the disciples to take little with them and rely on the hospitality of those they meet. The best part is that the outcome of their ministry does not define the disciples' success! Jesus tells them to "shake the dust off their feet" and move on to a new place if the message of the good news is not received. This is a great image of how I believe ministry and mission should be modeled in our present day.

SP: You'll also get to hear more about some of our favorite Bible stories as we explore several formative Bible stories in our summer preaching series.

Q: What excites you the most about New Hope?

CJ: Ministry can be pretty lonely, especially during a global pandemic in a small church. So I am most excited about working alongside the incredibly gifted staff and members of New Hope. I have loved being in the office during the week and seeing other people regularly, and I love the amount of activity happening from day to day. There is always someone new to meet, from MOPS to the year-end preschool celebration to the Generations Choir!

SP: One of the unfortunate side effects of the pandemic was our inability to be volunteers in the various missions and ministries New Hope Church supports. I'm excited to revisit the questions of who my neighbor is and how we as a church can be more engaged with the needs of our neighbors, both spiritually and physically. There is so much good we can do in our backyards by being the hands and feet of Jesus.

CJ: I am also excited for Pastor Sarah, the Consistory, and I to spend some time dreaming about ministry at New Hope and how things might transform under our shared leadership. With dynamic, gifted leaders, we have a real opportunity for impactful ministries that will proclaim the saving love of Jesus to many more people.

SP: Amen! I'm also super excited to teach the next round of the Bethel Bible series at New Hope. If you want an intensive on the Bible, then come to talk to me!

Q: How is this new co-pastor leadership model going to work?

CJ: Co-pastor leadership models have been present in churches for a long time, but usually, they have been married partners. So in some ways, Sarah and I are blazing a new trail! And all of that to say, we don't really know what it looks like yet. But there are a few fundamental principles that we have already established. We share decision-making power equally, and we are united in our communication with each other so that we can speak with one voice as pastors. Over time, we will discover our strengths and gifts and how they differ so that we may organically gravitate to those areas of ministry we are strongest. It will be a process of continual discovery!

SP: Chris summed it up nicely. We will undoubtedly be learning as we go while establishing clear expectations, open communication, and trying out what works and what doesn't. The leadership of the Consistory will also help us navigate this season of experimentation.

Q: Finally, what are some activities/hobbies you enjoy?

SP: I am a voracious reader, habitual hiker, musical theater enthusiast, and Syracuse University basketball fan. I love getting out and having conversations with old friends and new friends at sporting events, coffee shops, or breweries.

CJ: I really enjoy getting lost in epic stories and adventures, whether in books, comics, or TV shows and movies. I’m also a sports fan and love to watch pretty much any sport on TV. I’ve been a huge fan of the Dallas Cowboys since 1989, and I never miss a game (I might have to DVR some of them, so no spoilers, please!). Finally, I enjoy homebrewing. Nothing beats sitting down for a Cowboys game with a fresh IPA in hand!

Summer Reading Lists!

Pastor Sarah's Summer Reading List:

Religious History of American GI In World War II

by Kurt Piehler Emotionally Healthy Discipleship

by Peter Scazzero A Terrible Kindess

by Jo Browning Wroe Kindred

by Octavia E. Burlter The Final Gambit

by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Pastor Chris's Summer Reading List:

As Kingfishers Catch Fire

by Eugene Peterson Imagining the Kingdom

by James K.A. Smith Dune by Frank Herbert The Sacred Pulse

by April Fiet Murder at Teal’s Pond

by David Bushman and Mark T. Givens Dark Crisis from Marvel Comics

Adult Ministry NewHopeWorship.org/adults

Women’s Summer Bible Study meets in the Fellowship Pavilion on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Each time we gather, we’ll fellowship with food and conversation as we engage in the stories of women in the Bible with a study called “Daughters of Grace” by Kristin Schmucker. Join Pastor Sarah on June 15, 22, 29, July 13, 27, August 3, and 10. Childcare is also available.

Contact Pastor Sarah for more information on attending the Adult Mission Trip! We will work with Good Works Inc in Athens, OH. The commitment deadline to join us is Sunday, June 26.

Save the Date!

The Bethel Bible Series will be returning to New Hope with Pastor Sarah this Fall! This is an intensive two-year study of the Bible with an overview of the old and new testaments.

Scan the QR code to get plugged in with RightNow Media or visit our website at NewHopeWorship.org/Adults.

outreach Ministry NewHopeWorship.org/helping-others A Reflection on His Place/God's Table Written by Marla Underwood

St. John's Episcopal Church in Franklinton had the vision to bring people together from their surrounding neighborhood to break bread over a shared meal. That vision led to the HIS Place Ministry (eventually renamed God's Table), a part of St. John's for over 40 years, with New Hope Church supporting the ministry for almost 30 years!

Scripture reminds us that there is a time and a purpose for everything, including endings and new beginnings. The changing neighborhood of Franklinton and the rippling effects of the pandemic led to the realization that it was time to end this beloved ministry and move the resources to where they are needed.

As I write this reflection on my time serving at HIS Place/God's Table and remember the many meals prepared, served, and shared, I hope you will celebrate this ministry and consider ways God may be calling you to serve.

God's Table provided numerous volunteer opportunities for our members, such as chefs/cooks and servers. Here is a summary of what they did:

The Chefs and Cooks decided what was on the menu, purchased the food, and arrived at St. John's by 4:00–4:30 pm to prepare the meal.

Additional Volunteers/Servers arrived by 5:30 pm and ensured everything was ready when the doors opened. The beauty of this ministry was that families, couples, and groups could come together and serve. Everyone had a job, such as pouring milk or water, refilling the food bowls, and cleaning up.

I was always so proud of our volunteers.

Everyone stayed to help clean up. We would pray for those we would be serving, and as we prayed, we asked God to watch over and guide those who would be attending the dinner. We would also ask God to use the volunteers to be His hands and heart, working to shine His light throughout the evening.

I could go on about the blessings we received by serving at HIS Place/God's Table. I always looked at this ministry as our opportunity to teach others that God's love is for EVERYONE; no matter their social or economic status, God's love is for them.

Installation Service

Music Ministry Christine Loy, Newhopeworship.org/music Make His Praise Glorious!

“Shout with joy to God, all the earth. Sing the glory of his name; make His praise Glorious!”

-Psalm 66: 1-2 (NIV) Psalm 66:1-2 is our theme verse in the Music Ministry in 2022. Some translations use the phrase, “Make a joyful noise.” Whether it’s a noise, a shout, or a beautiful sound, our goal is to praise Him. Have you ever been told or said to yourself that you don’t have a good voice or should not sing, or you’re not a singer? But here’s the thing, God looks at our hearts instead of judging the quality of our voices when we worship Him. He does not qualify this verse with only ‘good’ singers should praise Him. Praising God is not just for the singers; It’s for everyone. So shout it out, make a joyful noise, or sing with gusto! However, it comes out – let us make His praise glorious together.

Behind the scenes with music ministry Every Sunday, you likely recognize the regular, out-front faces of our Music Ministry, like Christine & Richard. Still, many people serve the Lord routinely in our ministry whom you may not recognize. We want to introduce to you just a few, perhaps unfamiliar yet, invaluable team members whom we’ve come to lean on week after week.

Generations Choir 2022

Dave Willis

Dave Willis, our drummer, is the very first volunteer that we schedule every month. He is the guy you may not see, but you can’t miss him when the band starts to play. Dave has humbly been playing the drums with us since April 2015. More recently, you will find him on the new crash cymbals with Richie at the organ. He adds so much to our worship experience but keeps a low profile, and that’s how he likes it. We asked Dave how being involved in our ministry has shaped his life of faith, and he told us, “I’ve always attended church, but being in the Music Ministry provides a sense of involvement and takes worshiping to

another level.” You can find Dave playing music with the Shane Stephens Band or going for a run in his free time. Dave will tell you that as he watches his children grow, he has tried to focus on family life as much time as possible. Dave lives in Ostrander with his wife, Kelly, and his two fabulous children.

Beth perry

Beth Perry is our Jack of all Trades and Go-To Person! Beth has been serving our ministry as the go-to tech and music MVP for the last ten years! You can find Beth playing the guitar with the band, running the soundboard, and jumping in at a moment's notice wherever there's a volunteer need. She always works with a smile and a humorous spirit. Beth tells us, "It is always a good way to make new friends and learn from each other's skill sets when asked why she serves. Giving back with the gifts God gave you is one way that you can offer yourself and also connect with God.”

Beth usually knows what we need before we know, and for that, we are so very grateful! Beth spends most of her free time renovating her house, landscaping, and crafting.

Jeanne Hannigan

Jeanne Hannigan has sung in the choir for 25 years and volunteers her time in the music office weekly. She organizes and coordinates all the music that the choir & band need for Sundays. She probably touches more than 200 pieces of music per week. We asked Jeanne how being involved in the ministry has impacted her life of faith. She replied, "Singing is a form of worship for me, and it's also something that has helped me learn and recall scripture when I need it in my life. She loves to travel, read, go to movies, and cook! Jeanne lives in Powell and spends time with her son and daughter-in-law.

Easter Egg Hunt 2022

Children's Ministry Rachel Warren, NewHopeworship.org/children The second half of the program year has proven to be just as incredible as the first for Children’s Ministry! Kids met several Heroes of the Bible during Winter WOW who set examples for us on how we should live our lives. Club 45 encouraged New Hope’s College kids with special care packages, hosted a Soup Supper, sold Lemonade to benefit the Salvation Army, and finished their year of service by serving snacks at a Miracle League game! These 4th & 5th graders reflected the love of Jesus through their service! We welcomed over 300 kids to New Hope for our Annual Easter Egg Hunt in April! Not only did the kids collect over 4,500 eggs, but they also heard the most important story of all, the real reason we celebrate Easter!

As our Sunday School curriculum states, “Kids don’t need to wait until they’re grown up to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives; they can do it right now!” That is the truth that kids hear at Sunday School each week. Through stories of real people in the Bible who experienced fear, sadness, joy, doubt, fatigue, and confusion, they learn that Jesus understands their emotions and is with them, no matter what. Even with these feelings and big emotions, God has a purpose for his children, even when they are little! Kids will continue to study the Bible and learn from the stories it offers during Summer Sunday School. The summer schedule, including Family Worship dates, is located on the Children’s webpage.

Thank you in advance to the army of brave people that have committed to serving at VBS this June. Over 180 kids will spend the week at New Hope exploring God’s great, vast and unending love and power!

Youth Group

Youth Ministry Lindsey Allen, Newhopeworship.org/youth It has been exciting to see the youth get plugged back into the life and service at New Hope! I wish I had pictures capturing some of the many ways they use their God-given gifts. On Sunday mornings, you may see them serving as ushers, working in the tech booth, on the platform playing instruments in worship, shepherding the children during Sunday School, and more! I love when Pastor Sarah tells new members, "We are a better church because you are here." And I genuinely believe that to be true as I witness the youth get involved in ministry with New Hope.

Not only have our youth been serving together, but they have also been having fun together in Youth Group and the Youth Small Groups. I do not want that fun to end as we finish our 2021-2022 program year; however, this summer, we are looking forward to our Mission Trip to Columbus County, NC, a Clippers Game, Kings Island or Cedar Point, Zoombezi Bay, and summer cookouts and bonfires. Please follow us on Instagram @NewHopeYouth and Facebook @NewHopeYG to find out what is happening in the life of New Hope throughout the summer.

To God be the Glory. I am so grateful to Him for each of our youth.

Administrator Updates rob chappell I can't believe I'm already in my 3rd month as the Administrator at New Hope. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to use my gifts to serve God here at New Hope.

Thanks to the wonderful staff that I have the pleasure of working with, this transition has been almost effortless.

Over the past couple of months, we installed a new phone system to replace the phones that came with us from the polar bear church. This purchase was made possible in part by a substantial contribution from New Hope Preschool.

The Deacons and I are also working with Construction One to build out our tech booth in the sanctuary this summer.

We have been getting by with a piecemeal tech setup that was quickly built at the beginning of the pandemic, but it is past time to put in place a permanent solution. As we have come back to in-person worship, our livestream viewership remains strong, and we are confident it will remain a vital part of our outreach as we move forward.

Our Garden Club, led by Jeanne Skinner and Jennifer Sonnenberg, has done a fantastic job serving God by caring for our flower beds and prayer garden this spring. We enjoyed a couple of Saturdays fellowshipping with each other while mulching the property. The Garden Club's efforts have allowed us to allocate money that would have been paid to landscapers, put towards more flowers and shrubs, and add more color and beauty to the property.

Thanks to your continued faithful giving, we were in a solid financial position coming out of the first quarter. As expected, however, April had several large expenditures that have brought us back to par as we head into the summer.

Prayer Garden

New Hope Preschool & Education Center Suzie Stalter, newhopepreschool.com We are proud to see how much our New Hope Preschool and Education Center students have developed as we complete the year. They have discovered how to be good friends with their classmates, how much Jesus loves them, and how to write ideas in journals. They have experienced fun science experiments, had lots of practice writing their names and letters, and created various artwork. Belle, a bunny from "Bring the Farm to You," stayed with us for a week. The children enjoyed seeing Belle do tricks, jump around in her gated area and pet her soft white fur. They noticed her enjoy her food and raisins for a special treat!

We celebrated the end of the 2021-2022 school year with a program-wide celebration on May 12th for all our students and families. We had a petting zoo with many animals for the children to enjoy, activities and crafts in the pavilion, a cotton candy machine, popcorn, and the Kona Ice truck. We look forward to this being an annual tradition.

There are five summer camps for our preschool students this year. We began with an Art camp featuring Jackson Pollock, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Wayne Thiebaud. Throughout the week, the children learned about the artists and created various art pieces inspired by these great artists. At the end of the week, they had an art show to present their creations to their families. Space Camp allowed the children to learn about astronauts, planets, and space. Summer Fun Camp features hands-on experiments, outside activities, and eating fun snacks like dirt pudding. Sports camp will be full of playing various sports by learning the rules of each sport. We will focus on sportsmanship, teamwork, and more. Finally, in August, our Back-to-School camp will help the children get back in the groove of learning. They will practice name writing, go over letter sounds and letter recognition, practice math concepts and have fun with various activities and crafts that reinforce the learning.

We wish our Kindergarten class of 2022 all the best as they enter their new schools next year. We look forward to welcoming our students returning in the fall and any new families joining us for the first time. We wish all families a very safe and happy summer!

New Hope Church 4739 W. Powell Road Powell, OH 43065

Steve & Jean Norden

fellowship pavilion Are you looking for a place to host an event? The Fellowship Pavilion is available for rent!

Please contact our office at 614-7665445 or office@newhopeworship.com for more details on reserving this space.