Hopegateway

In her sermon for Palm Sunday, Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, HopeGateWay’s lead pastor, offers a fresh insight into Jesus and his ministry. Citing the words of Diana Butler Bass, from her book, Freeing Jesus, we discover that Jesus “was not killed so his death would save people; he was killed because he was already saving them…[he was] proving that a community could gather in love, set a table of plenty, and live in peace with a compassionate God.”

Ophelia Hu Kinney offers a helpful word in her message for the fourth Sunday of Lent. “Spend less time attempting to fix [yourself] in order to earn love…” Speaking from her own experience she says, “What we have is God’s presence, God’s being with a God who, as Nancy Eiesland puts it, ‘celebrates joy and experiences pain, not separate in time or space, but simultaneously.’” Ophelia’s scripture is John 4:28-29, 39-48.

Phil Wooster encourages us to believe that “the only thing you have to do is the next right thing.” In his message for the third Sunday of Lent expresses the belief that “when you make that decision, of course you make it with God’s love and prayer and enough in GOd’s connection to who you are and what you’re trying to accomplish.” Phil’s scripture is John 3:14-21.

Mitzi Erikson reminds us, “Everybody’s worthy of love and respect.” In her message for the third Sunday of Lent she also assures us, “All races, creeds, abilities, disabilities, orientations and nationalities are welcome to the table.”

In this episode of HopeGateWay Conversations, Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill and Courtney Tabor talk with Dr. Art McClanahan about “Disabling Lent: An Anti-Ableist Lenten Series.” “We’re taking the journey together,” says Rev. Ewing-Merrill, “to process, find strength, and engage with people who are struggling.” According to Courtney Tabor, “these conversations can be a beginning, an opportunity to be more inclusive in our lives.”

Courtney Tabor encourages us to “step out of the way in order to center disabled voices in the church and really in every setting in our lives.” In her message for the second Sunday of Lent, she cautions us that “It won’t be easy,” and also offers encouragement-“it will also be filled with joy and art and learning.”

Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill begins this new sermon series for Lent 2022. Citing Jesus’ baptism, as recorded in the Gospel of Mark, we’re reminded that it’s time to “change your hearts and lives and trust this Good News.” The inspiration for this Lenten series comes from Justice Unbound’s “Disabling Lent: An Anti-Abelist Lenten Devotional.”

Two of HopeGateWay’s staff, Diane McClanahan, Community Care Coordinator, and Bethany Smart, Administrative & Program Coordinator, talk with Dr. Art McClanahan about the gifts & talents survey in this episode of HopeGateWay Conversations. More than a bunch of checkboxes and blanks, the gifts & talents survey provides every person in the HGW community an opportunity to share the things that they like to do that are life-giving, could be world-engaging, and, when shared, are ways to bring the community together. Find the gifts & talents survey at https://tinyurl.com/mt37srfx

“Presence” is one of HopeGateWay’s community practices. We practice that “in order to be present to God,the world and ourselves.” In a conversation led by Ophelia Hu Kinney, Erica Lovejoy and Jeff Huot share their personal stories and reflections. They suggest that if we’re not present to ourselves it’s very hard to be present to others. We shouldn’t try to “fix things,” but instead, “sometimes presence just says, I can’t do anything to solve this problem, but I’m here.”

Four of HopeGateWay’s community practices are the focus of the current series entitled, “Practice.” This week’s focus is on service, which is guided by the words from Philippians, “put yourself aside and help others get ahead.” In the conversation Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, HopeGateway’s lead pastor, talks with Allison Rudalevige and Carter Friend as they share their personal stories and reflections. Carter reveals that he “joined HopeGateWay because this is a community where people’s faith is very active…there are so many people in this congregation who are actively engaged in service.”

“Let’s believe that when we hopefully bring our transformed selves into the storage house that is HopeGateWay,”notes Margaret Menger, in the fourth message of the Ojalá sermon series, for Stewardship Sunday, “that God will bless our words and commitments, and very selves.”

Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, HopeGateWay’s lead pastor, talks with Dr. Art McClanahan about stewardship in this episode of HopeGateWay Conversations. The focus, she says, “is an opportunity for each of us to reflect on how we want to engage in the world and how we want to use the resources that we have to create the world that we long for.” In coming days the HopeGateWay community will be presented with an opportunity to respond to a gifts and talents survey as well as make financial commitments for 2022.

“God calls us to transformation” notes Ophelia Hu Kinney in the third message of the Ojalá sermon series. That transformation “is a life-long commitment to growth and living in the way of Jesus."

Martin Turnidge invites us to ask, “Where is Hope?” in the second message in the Ojalá sermon series. “While we perhaps are too ready to criticize ourselves or others,” he says, “if we believe in a grace-filled God we must extend that grace to ourselves and others [because as] we act hopefully the good of what we do will multiply.”

The Spanish phrase “Ojalá,” which has deep connotations and cross-cultural history, means “I hope.” In her sermon that begins this new series for the season of stewardship, Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, HopeGateway’s lead pastor, reflects on Matthew 2:1-12, when she says, “When we are thoughtful and intentional, we are giving the best we have to offer.”

In today's Children's Message we discover how God's love includes everyone

In his message for the second Sunday after Christmas, Rev. Jonathan Wright-Gray reflects on Luke 2:34-35 and encourages us to "listen to what's in your own heart and follow the real Jesus." He also shares a conversation with Dr. Stephanie Youd Sinclair in the course of the message.

Erin invites us to ask others, "What's on your heart?" as she reflects on Luke 2 in her message for the first Sunday after Christmas.

Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, HopeGateWay's lead pastor, brings the Christmas Eve reflection from the 7:00 o'clock worship celebration.

"You are invited into the possibility of it all," said Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill in her sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Citing Luke's Gospel, we're assured that "the impossible is possible with God," and that we don't journey alone.