Christmas Program "Twinkle and the All Star Band" a Big Hit at Hope!

Hope Kids put on a stellar performance of "Twinkle and the All Star Band" on December 20th during service.

 

 

Christian values are taught in our contemporary approach to Sunday school at 9:00am during the school year pre-K-5th grade. Lessons are active and hands-on with teachers using cooking, experiementation, games and crafts as tools for learning.

 

Middle School students meet in their own "den" at Hope. They enjoy playing the Bible version of Apples to Apples. They also take field trips. The Confirmation program is changing. A proposed program involves all of Middle School with each year additional elements added. Currently we are offering faith retreats on a variety of topics: such as, prayer, bible, stories, worship, history. These are usually led by the pastor with the help of volunteers. Special classes are also set up for parents, students, and mentors that are on the sacraments - baptism and communion. Students develop their faith by learning about other faiths in our community and wrestling with current events through a variety of activities. At the end of the program they are given the opportunity to join the church. The Confirmation service is held on Pentecost Sunday.

The Middle School Youth and High School Youth had the opportunity to go to Memphis Tennessee on a "Freedom Journey" Thanksgiving week 2011. They learned about slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, and had the opportunity to help prepare food boxes for a couple hundred families.

Our High school Christian Education program is in its developmental stages. A High School Youth group now meets almost every Sunday at 5 p.m.

Adult Study - Adults meet Every Thursday at 10:00am for Bible Study. Join a small group of adults for an hour of Bible Study led by the Pastor.

Thursday Morning Bible Study - Adults meet Every Thursday at 10:00am for Bible Study. Join a small group of adults for an hour of Bible Study led by Pastor Fritz.

Vacation Bible School - VBS at Hope is a shared summer program with Eden UCC and First Congregational Churches in Cedar Rapids. The classes meet for a week with a final program for parents on the last day. Each year the kids choose a mission project to support.

Church Camp - Hope Church encourages youth and families to attend the Conference UCC sponsored summer camps at the Pilgrim Heights Campground and Retreat Center (Our Sacred Space). There are camps for kids starting at age 5-highschool and many weekend programs for adults. Every summer, Hope kids have reported great experiences at Pilgrim Heights. There are programs year round at camp.