Special guest speaker Pastor Joe Allen, aka "Average Joe the Missionary" (http://www.entrust-ministries.org), challenges us this weekend to step beyond our fear and allow God to do amazing things right where we live.  Joe shares some of his amazing stories as a missionary in South Africa and how the Lord used him to impact the community he was in by unknowingly showing simple kindness to the local head drug dealer.  God wants to use your simple acts of faith as well to do amazing things, things you may not imagine.  11.02.2008

We get the special treat of hearing from our own Jennifer Summa bring us a message of risking rebellion.  Jennifer walks us into the story of Daniel and living as rebels in captivity that find God's covering.  She also shares with us a chapter out of her own life and how God has covered Jennifer and her family.  We see that remembering where we have been and where God has brought us out of, that it can strengthen us in risking rebellion in our modern day Babylon.   10.26.2008

This week we look at risking accountability.  Accountability, or answering for our actions, is something we often avoid and certainly don't do voluntarily.  But we see that this is a necessary path for growth in Christ.  We look at 4 levels of accountability; being accountable to each other, to the world around us, to our leaders, and to Jesus our Savior.  When we embrace those, we find interesting changes afoot in our life.  10.19.2008

This week we are joined by special guest speaker Pastor Trevor Drinen.  Trevor shares a bit of his story and how God has called him to risk by moving from the Hawaiian Islands to be closer to his extended family.  He brings a fresh look at "a man after God's own heart", David, and shows him to have as many different labels as we do.  We see that before we can even get to the risk of an invitation to community, that we must first risk transparency and compassion; that we must love God and love ourselves before we can love others. 10.12.2008

Join us as we celebrate New Hope's 4 year anniversary filled with a retrospective montage, hula & drama performances, and a powerful table talk.  This episode also marks a jump into a new sermon series on RISK.  This first episode examines God's commitment to us, our new community, and our commitment to God.  We see that at the crossroads of faith and hope, there at that intersection, is where we have the opportunity to choose risk. 10.05.2008

We finish our look into what it means to be “Four Square” and embrace one of the most motivating attributes of Christ; as our Soon and Coming King.  We’ve been hearing “He is coming back soon” since the formation of the church, so how do we deal with the cynicism and the “eh, we’ve got more time” attitude we so easily adopt?  What is the value in sitting daily at our Lord’s feet and how do we actually see our Lord?  Looking at the book of Revelation, we see a more decisively passionate depiction of Christ toward His people and against the enemy than what we may typically hold.  09.28.2008

This week we look at Jesus as our Healer. Continuing with the metaphor of our soul as soil and God's property, we see that Christ is our gardener and that our soul, like a yard, needs continued tending and cultivating. This lifetime process often involves pruning as well as uncovering and healing hurts and things from our past, rocks in our soil. Join us this week as we contrast the healing approach of Religion vs. Relationship. 09.21.2008

In this episode, we continue to look at what is "Four Square", aligning with the four main attributes of Christ; Savior, Baptizer the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Soon & Coming King. Last week we looked as Jesus as our Savior. This week we look into the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Once we invite Jesus into our hearts and are claimed as God's property, how do we respond to the Holy Spirit? What part does the Holy Spirit play in the soil of our soul and the transformation that occurs as we have an ongoing relationship with Christ? 09.14.2008

As we depart from the Hot Topics series, we come back to the basics of our faith and look at the soil of our soul.  Pastor Jon Burgess takes us through the parable Jesus told of a farmer planting seed on different types of soil.  Mapping this parable onto our own lives, we look at the different conditions that we, as property, may find ourselves in and enjoy an opportunity to put a stake in the ground.  Join us as we return to the basics and grow our roots a little deeper into an understanding of who our savior is and his primary characteristics.  09.07.2008

Pastor Dave Thompson leads us this week through our last Hot Topic of the summer with the question of how to walk with God to attain the fulfillment and purpose of our lives. How do we follow God when He is silent? How do we do God's will and follow His voice? These are the questions we look at and we are reminded that it's all about relationship. Are we really seeking His will in our lives or are we just needing Him to answer our questions, grant our requests and help us achieve our goals so we are fulfilled and the void is filled? 08.31.2008

We kick off this episode with a child dedication to our Lord and Savior and in the spirit of lifting someone else up to the Lord, this hot topic deals with exactly that.  We look at the pattern Jesus left for us to follow and compare it to the one we are actually following.  Is the pattern we are following of our own creation?  Did the world create it for us? Or are we actively seeking to follow the pattern set out for us by the God we serve?  We don't have to look far because our lifestyle speaks volumes.  Just look at your checkbook, your calendar, and how you spend your time or use your position in this life.  08.24.2008

Pastor Steve Ulmer takes us through the issue of forgiveness in depth and from a biblical perspective as well as a practical everyday perspective.  We look at and define what forgiveness is and what it's not.  We attempt to answer and define the when, how and why we should forgive as well as 3 different levels of forgiveness.  Who do you need to forgive today?  08.17.2008

Special guest speaker Sid Roberts brings a southern flare to this week's Hot Topic of who Jesus is and who do you say he is. Rooted in Matthew 16 and 17, Sid looks at the probing questions of Jesus as He asks his disciples who the world is saying He is. This is followed up by asking them who they say He is and then we see who the Father says he is. The big idea in all of this is that by seeking the answer to the question of "Who do you say Jesus is?" we find out who we are and what we are to do in this world. 08.10.2008

What's the truth about divorce?  Where did it originate and for what cause could a divorce take place?  The church as well as many other institutions in the world have many different takes on divorce, but what's the truth?  Pastor Jon Burgess walks us into this investigation starting with Moses and ending in Jesus.  He paints a picture of how God has been divorced from his beloved people.  08.03.2008

Special guest speaker Sean Schryba takes us through a very humorous story of a paintballing experience with his brother and draws a very applicable parallel to the subject of spiritual warfare.  From the very basic knowledge of knowing who's team you're on to knowing your enemy's strengths, weaknesses, and areas of domain, Sean takes us into one of the oldest books in the bible, Job, to unveil these truths.  07.27.2008

Relationships by nature incur conflict and in fact, it is very difficult to reach levels of intimacy without a little conflict. A marriage is no exception. Most if not all of this conflict shows up and is resolved in communication and the words that come out of our mouth. Out of the heart, the mouth speaks and words can either kill or give life. Understanding the differences between male and female communication tendencies can provide extra grace in those times of conflict. This episode looks at these differences, provides some tools for the fight, and finishes with the celebration of 6 baptisms. 07.20.2008

Special guest speaker Pastor Albert Moore takes a look at favoritism and judgment in the church.  We see that the moment judgment passes, acceptance ceases and love is completely out of the picture.  We are commanded to love each other.  Pastor Albert poses a series of questions that get at the heart of what love looks like for us in the shadow of offenses, judgment, unforgiveness, and grudges.  07.13.2008

Did someone say sex?  In church?  Why yes someone did.  It was the pastor!  Pastor Jon Burgess pulls no punches with this bold message on sex.  Where generations of the church has painted an over arching picture that sex is dirty and shameful, we see in scripture that our sexuality is a gift that we are to enjoy, but only within the safe containment field of one of God's other gifts, marriage.  Sex is not only a servant and is central to the health of a marriage, but it is also too strong outside the safety of a marriage.  07.06.2008

We kick off summer with our Hot Topics series; topics and issues submitted by the congregation.  This series delivers questions and answers that are on the hearts and minds of New Hope. We kick it off the first of these topics on education and how to responsibly teach our children in a  society where Christianity has been sanitized from public policy.  Special speaker Pat Klose reminds us that we, the church, are in and of ourselves a teaching and loving community.  06.29.2008

We close out this series on the 40 Days of Community with a retrospective on where it was we were at before starting this journey and what happened as we entered into it and now finish.  We hear a testimony of what happens when you follow God's lead and step out of your comfort zone.  We see that this 40 Days of Community is not the end of this journey to reach out and reach in, but just the beginning.  See what God is doing with nhs small groups and where He has been calling us to grow. 06.22.2008

Happy Father's Day!  We kick off this episode with some fantastic new uses for one of Dad's favorite things, duct tape.  This episode is loaded with a powerful testimony that will tug at your heart.  We hear a story of a broken childhood and an abusive father and see God's amazing restoration and love in his life as a father today.  We are reminded of our heavenly father's focus, his undying love for us and that it's never too late.  God love you and wants to walk with you, daily.   06.15.2008

This episode looks at an illustration of a God sized vision that we as a community struggle to even keep up with.  But one thing is certain, forging ahead alone is not an option.  We have to not only work with God in his vision but also together as a T.E.A.M; Trust, Empathy, Accommodation, Mission.  We look at the definitions of the acronym and investigate what it takes to build a team and serve together successfully. 06.08.2008

With the fast pace of today's advertising driven society that is constantly telling you that you are worthless and that you need X in order to be happy or fix your problem, our basic design to love becomes cold and calculated. How are we to help each other grow spiritually and do any of us really want to? In this episode we look at the life, healing, and growth that is possible for us personally by the act of lifting up someone else. This is completely backward to the way the corporate dog-eat-dog world functions, where you step on others to get a leg up. 06.01.2008

This Sunday we look at 4 poisons to our relationships as well as 4 God provided antidotes to those ailments. Our human nature naturally deals in these poisons and the points made in this message hit very close to home with all of us. The root of these poisons are based in fear, however the antidotes are based in love. The antidotes are don't come to us naturally and we have to choose them over the poisons if we want to invest in our relationships. 05.25.2008

As we have kicked off our 40 Days of Community small groups and have reached out as a church to our community in the amazing Embracing Shoreline event, we now look at reaching out together as individuals and as small groups. We look at 7 simple ways to reach out through prayer, your friendships, common interests, a love for people, telling your story, and a partnership with God and others. 05.18.2008

We kick off this Mother's Day message with a baby dedication and continue our Community Project theme in the 2nd installment of the 40 Days of Community series. We start off by asking the question, do we really need others? We know we aren't meant or designed to go through life alone, but we often live our day to day lives this way. There is strength in numbers and as a body of Christ this episode explores 5 truths to walking in relationship and why we need each other. 05.11.2008

"You are not alone." Yet we sure do feel alone quite a lot in whatever it is that we struggle with at the moment. We see that as a part of God's family, we are called into community, that we walk with each other and together love others out of their loneliness. We see through the example of Jesus that we are called to Start Now, Start Together and Start Small. Do we have the big picture, the fool proof plan? Absolutely not, because if we did, why would we need God? Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to Start Small in the things that God has called us to as a community but the impact is often far greater than we realize. 05.04.2008

Because of the tendency of the flesh to slide backwards, Christians find ourselves in need of periodic renewal (personal revival).  When a whole generation is caught up in revival we experience an awakening (which we need in America now).  One of the integral prompters of revival has been testimony.  As the Lord instructed us in Ps. 78, the older generation is to pass on to the younger generation the stories and praises of the great God we have.  God’s work in the past gives us hope for the future. Pastor Steve Ulmer takes us powerfully through this engagement and we close with a blessing of several baptisms.  04.27.2008

Join us this weekend with our special guest Pastor Paul Godin as he walks us through a look at the Bridgers (Born between 1978-2002): They are technologically astute, tolerant of diversity, and super-fragmented regarding their preferences.  Most are in the teens and 20’s. We see that the faith gap between generations is widening as time goes on and that brings some of us to desperate acts.  Paul walks us through Mark 2 showing us how the desperate acts of some religious misfits could map onto our own lives. 04.20.2008

We continue our series on the Community Project looking at the generations. This week, the Busters (Born between 1961-1983): Though they may be the most abused, forgotten, and alienated generation of the four they are very issue oriented: the environment, family values, race, and sex. Most are now in their 20’s and 30’s.  We see the most important thing to the Busters are relationships.  Like Gideon, the Buster generation is full of hidden warriors and one of the greatest barriers to their faith is cynicism. 04.13.2008

This weekend we look at the Boomers (Born between 1943-1964):  The largest and most studied generation in U.S. History. They have a reputation for being rebellious, affluent, and independent.  Most are now in their 40’s and 50’s. We parallel the Boomers with the example of Joshua leading a younger generation into the promised land through being open new things and rather than choosing sides, Joshua chooses to stand on God's side. 04.06.2008

A get-it-done generation.  Builders are loyal, faithful, and committed.  Most are in the 60’s, but with today’s advances in medicine and technology, 60 is the new 40! This episode looks at the story of Caleb and reclaiming the land that God had given his fore fathers. We see a great example of leadership and how it applies to the "Builder" generation today. 03.30.2008 (video iPod friendly)

There is an amazing thing that we celebrate through Christ- not only our own salvation, but the salvation of the generations. Though the crucifixion and resurrection occurred over 2000 years ago we are still living in the freshness of it’s reality! The choices we make for or against the ways of Christ will affect not only our own lives, but future generations. The good news is that today’s choice can change everything. 03.23.2008 (video iPod friendly)

As we kick off this new series on Palm Sunday, join us for a power packed episode including Water Baptism, Table Talk and Sign Dance. Stepping into The Community Project series, we first look at the common denominator for true unity in the Christian community. We were all dirty in sin and through Christ we have been made clean, pure and free. Some of us are living in this reality, but some of us are still walking around with the shame and guilt of our dirty past. Let’s celebrate the life we’ve been given that none of us deserve! 03.16.2008 (video iPod friendly)

We finish off this series on a subject difficult to comprehend but even more difficult to put into practice.  We are commanded to love our neighbor but how do we love our enemy, especially when they are our sibling or own family member?  Continuing in the Genesis narrative, we see the first example of this sibling rivalry in Cain and Able.  Do accomplish this we need a change of perspective.  That we must close our own eyes and look through the eyes of Jesus.  03.09.08 (video iPod friendly)

What was God's original design for family, not only your own family that you were born into or share right now, but God's family? We continue through Genesis looking at the first family and how their story relates to our own. We learn that we are meant to pass on our family story and see how families have been doing it for generations. Put into perspective, passing along your personal and family story could be the most important thing you do. 03.02.08 (video iPod friendly)

We continue looking at the Genesis narrative to explore true community. What does community mean to you? Looking at the original community that was established and broken in the beginning, we ask ourselves what we are called to in a new community that has been restored through Christ. Join us for some exciting vision casting and new happenings going on at New Hope! 02.24.08 (video iPod friendly)

Caution, this one might catch you off guard.  In this week's message we look at the distinction between Godly dating and the world's design of dating.  We see a growing trend of higher divorce rates, destroyed relationships and broken homes.  What do you allow outside the safety of commitment, and who's commitment?  We look at God's perspective and how to step into his design, designed to last.  02.17.08 (video iPod friendly)

In this next installation in this series we are treated to a special message delivered by guest speaker Courtney Laguio. With so much focus these days on the environment, recycling, and becoming more "green", we look at how the Environmental movement relates to community and ask the question, what's love got to do with our relationship to creation and our environment? We look at a picture of God's love that extends beyond the church, beyond our cities, into every nook and cranny of the earth. 02.10.08 (video iPod friendly)

We kick off this new series, "What's Love Got To Do With It?", with a fantastic new song, Love Letter. In this episode we examine how we have compartmentalized God's love. What would your life look like if it wasn't? What if you walked with God where you live, worked with God where you labor, and worship God with those you love? We ground this investigation in Genesis where after "the fall" God asks "Where are you?" 02.03.08 (video iPod friendly)

Special guest speaker Pat Close brings us a view of the challenges and humor involved in raising Godly children. We learn how crucial the early years are for our children and how much impact we can have on the rest of their lives by giving them a firm foundation. We recognize that no one has all the right answers when raising a child, but we see that the Bible gives us some great examples to follow. Pat looks at the example that King David represents not only as a son of God but also as a faithful father who set an example and prepared the way for his son Solomon. 01.27.08 (video iPod friendly)

The second part of the vision for New Hope Seattle in 2008 involves compassion: the very heart of God. We don't just take risks for our own personal thrill, we risk because His compassion burns within us! Compassion is not passive- It gets our attention, it stirs our affection and leads us to action and exploits for the glory of the Kingdom of God in the world around us! A people moved by the compassion of the King will change the world around them one person at a time! 01.13.08 (video iPod friendly)

The first part of the two part vision for New Hope Seattle in 2008 involves living a life of risk. As it turns out risk is the pathway to partnership with God. Through ready obedience, daily instruction from on-high, a fresh expectancy for divine opportunities and a perseverance that never says "die" we will live the Christian life the way it was originally mean to be- investing whatever we have with all that we have! 01.06.08 (video iPod friendly)

We close out this series on Heroes of the Faith with a look at resolutions and a prayer that Paul prayed over the church which serves to refocus, renew, and reunite.  We embrace this prayer as our own and pray it for those around us, our family, our community, our country.  We look at stepping into the new year with a "full lamp" and in order for that to happen, we realize we need to empty out some stuff that's "in the freezer" to make room.  In addition to many other examples in the Bible, we see in 1 Cor. 15: 57-58 that nothing we do with Christ is a waste of time.  12.30.07 (video iPod friendly)

Pastor Jon Burgess returns from his Manila mission trip with new perspective on the greatest gift we can be given, the opportunity to give!  "I’m too old, too young, too tired, too scared, too inexperienced, too full of sin, too prideful, etc."  We all have a million excuses of why God can’t use us, but the Christmas story is proof that a hero is made, not born.  What God was doing was making heroes and birthing miracles and doing the impossible right before our eyes!  Now that’s worth celebrating.  12.23.07 (video iPod friendly)

 

As our own Pastor Jon Burgess continues to be away on his Missions trip in Manila, we are blessed with another guest speaker, Pastor Doug Bursch of Evergreen Life Ministries. We kick of this service with a special performance by Kap II and then jump into an investigation of God's love for us and what our own expression of that looks like. Pastor Doug finished off by painting a very real picture of how we appear in the modern day nativity scene. 12.09.07 (video iPod friendly)

We are blessed this Sunday service first by a very special water baptism and then by a word from Pastor Paul Greer on one of his personal heroes, Moses. Pastor Greer also shares a little bit of his family history and the adventure he and his family are currently embarking on, missions in Papua, New Guinea. We see that God often calls us to something bigger than ourselves, something so big that it's hard not to shrink away from it. But we see by the story of Moses, that what God was telling him and what God is telling us is the same, I am with you. 12.02.07 (video iPod friendly)

King Herod: The Cost is Too High- Communion Sunday (The Prodigal by Rich Mullins)- The daughter of Herodias seduced a King. The King took the head of John the Baptist. Who pays the price around us for the temptations we give in to? What price are we willing to pay to feed our flesh? In Matthew 14 we learn about the death of hero at the hands of weak man. In other words we learn about ourselves. 11.25.07 (video iPod friendly)

David: A Different Dialect - Thanksgiving Potluck- Ephesians 5 says we speak a different dialect then we used to. We use to speak the language of thanksgiving as opposed to gossip, slander, filthy language, etc. No one serves as a better example of this then David who filled up a whole book with his thanks in the best and worst of times! 11.18.07 (video iPod friendly)

This special Veteran's Day service brought to you by Pastor Steve Ulmer looks at the hidden heroes of both long ago and of today in a picture of a faithful widow. Through the commentary of Jesus we see through the acts of a widow an example of growth in prayer, living by faith, and giving by grace. 11.11.07 (video iPod friendly)