New Hope PCUSA

On this second Sunday of Lent, we reflect on the call to take up our cross and follow Jesus. While discipleship may not always lead to martyrdom, it calls us to daily acts of courage—standing for justice, advocating for the voiceless, and choosing faithfulness over comfort. What does the cross ask of you?

On this first Sunday of Lent, Pastor Caressa begins our series Lent in Plain Sight. We reflect on how Jesus does not ask us for what we do not have, but instead receives what we offer—our gifts, talents, and passions—blessing and multiplying them for His purposes. What are your five loaves?

This week, we sit down with our Worship and Arts Director, Johnny Nichols Jr., to explore his sermon on becoming co-conspirators for Christ. We discuss the connection between jazz and faith, the power of improvisation in worship, and how music calls us to stand up for justice. Join us as we continue the conversation on faith, artistry, and radical love in action.

Join us as we begin the season of Lent with a special Ash Wednesday service. This sacred time invites us to reflect, repent, and remember our humanity and dependence on God. Pastor Caressa shares a sermon on dust, reminding us of life's fragility and God's enduring grace. Come for a moment of worship, reflection, and the imposition of ashes as we journey toward Easter together.

In this powerful message, given by our Music Director Johnny Nichols Jr., we're invited to become 'co-conspirators for Christ' in a radical mission of love. Drawing parallels between jazz and our faith journey, we're reminded that both thrive on improvisation, collaboration, and community. The key scripture, Mark 12:31 - 'Love your neighbor as yourself' - challenges us to go beyond surface-level pleasantries and embrace a love that disrupts complacency and stands up for the marginalized.

In this episode, I sit down with Pastor Caressa to discuss her personal journey as a woman in ministry—a conversation that builds on our recent Celebration of Women Sunday, when our service was led entirely by women. Join us as we explore the challenges, triumphs, and insights that have shaped her ministry and enriched our community. Thanks for listening!

This week, we celebrate women in ministry. Pastor Caressa guides us in this powerful exploration of God's love, reminding us of the transformative power of agape - an unconditional, all-encompassing love that forgives and restores us. Through prayer, Bible study, and community engagement, we can deepen our understanding of this divine love.

In this episode of Voices of Hope, we continue Sunday's sermon on "The Sacred Art of Comedy" by interviewing stand-up comic Greer Rios. Greer shares her personal journey in comedy, exploring how humor can reveal truths about life, faith, and our shared human experience. Tune in for an engaging conversation on laughter, vulnerability, and the transformative power of comedy in our lives.

In this episode of Voices of Hope, we begin with a roundtable discussion featuring members of New Hope and our Racial Justice Group, reflecting on how this series has challenged and stretched us.

Then, we sit down for a compelling interview with Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel, author of Anxious to Talk About It, the book guiding our discussions. Dr. Helsel offers wisdom on navigating the discomfort, fear, and resistance that often accompany conversations on race—and how we can lean into these moments with courage, grace, and a deeper trust in God’s transforming work. Join us as we continue the conversation beyond Sunday, engaging with the hard truths of racial injustice while holding onto the hope of the Gospel. 

Timeline

Opening

Roundtable Discussion: 1:20

Interview with Rev. Dr. Carolyn Helsel: 27:15

Closing