Welcome
Hey! Thanks for checking out Hope. May the information you discover serve you as you surf... When and Where Do You Meet?
Our worship service is Sunday 10:00 AM in the Cornerstone building of the Mosaic Multi-Congregational campus. The service is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, about the length of a short movie.
We have settled into our permanent location. In 2002 we sold our previous building (the old Lou Smith grocery store) to Christopher Newport University. For a while we threw wheels under our logo and met in various locations while we developed the Mosaic Campus (the old home of the Poor Clares Monastery). We remodeled the existing building and named it LivingStone and then built a second 30,000 square foot building named Cornerstone. The property doesn't look like your typical church building. It has lawns, prayer gardens, a greenhouse, garden patio, retreat housing, and more.
What Should I Wear?
Come as you are! You will find most of the people dressed casually. During summer months many wear shorts. But you will still find a few that like to dress up a little. You might even see a guy with a tie. What we wear is not nearly as important as it is for all of us to be together!What Can I Expect?
You can expect to see Christians participating in worship. Here at Hope we love to worship God. We enjoy joining in with worship... not just observing. You will see our worship take many forms, from passionate corporate singing to quiet meditative reading. We have a live band and enjoy (sometimes creative) clapping along as we enjoy the love of God. We sing modern worship songs, ancient hymns, and songs composed by church members. We observe communion every week and welcome anyone that believes in Jesus to participate. There are times of corporate prayer and artistic expression (video, drama, flag-waving, modern dance, and art). Our pastor teaches about 40 minutes. Typically the sermon is in the middle of the service with communion and worship response following (about another 20 minutes). This is a time to respond to the focus of worship and teaching for that day. You may hear someone share what they've heard from God for the church (more info). You can also be prayed for during that time. You can participate as you feel comfortable or just sit back and watch. Our worship is unto Him. It will likely be evident He's changed our lives!Is There Something For My Kids?
Yes! Children are an important part of the Hope family. Newborns to 2 years have childcare for the entire service. Children from 2½ years to 4th grade enjoy worship with their friends and family, then are dismissed to age-specific children's church classes. Click here for more on kids!Is There Food?
Sunday Morning Service includes a continental breakfast, served from 9:30-10 in the Cornerstone Commons, that typically includes bagels, pastries, and coffee.What Type of Church Are You?
Hope Community Church is an independent community-based church that has joined several associations of churches. Hope is completely self-governing. We do recognize the benefits that partnership has with larger groups of churches and look for partnerships that helps us fulfill our vision and mission. That alone is the criteria for involvement. We do not participate in denominational politics. Our affiliations do not define who we are: our vision does.Currently we are in cooperation with the Peninsula Baptist Association, Baptist General Association of Virginia, and the Southern Baptist Convention. We also associate with a variety of emerging church groups.
WARNING: We don't look or feel like what most people think of Baptist. We are a contemporary, post-modern focused church, gently charismatic, and quite diverse. Our average age is 25-40 and the bulk of us are in the midst of establishing families (so there are lots of young kids). We are serious about Jesus and serious about being authentic. So you see the good and the bad.
We welcome you.
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