FAQ's
What should I expect on a Sunday morning?
From 10:00 a.m. onwards, there are coffee, tea, and treats available in the common room, just inside the front doors of the Perkins Centre. We worship on the right side of the common room, and while we snack and drink, the people who are leading worship that day might be practicing a few songs. We sit around circular tables because we like the informal family atmosphere. Around 10:30 we’ll start the service with a few songs. We usually spend some time sharing community announcements and prayer. Then one of the members of our speaking team will give a message from the Bible. It’s not exactly the same every week, but we’ll usually close with some songs and then hang around for a bit and chat.
Dress casually. A few times in the year we serve in our community on a Sunday morning so you can expect that there will be times when we gather for coffee and a short devotion and then get outside to serve.
Where will my kids be during the worship service?
We have a table set up for kids with colouring books that they can use during the service. We also have a nursery for children aged 0-3. We love it when our kids play instruments or dance during the songs, so there’s some space and instruments for them to do that too. There is usually Sunday School for ages 4+ from September-June during the message time.
Is the worship service accessible?
Absolutely! It’s very important to us that everyone feels welcome in our community life, including during the worship service. There’s an accessible bathroom right near the common room as well.
Do I have to be a Christian to show up?
Nope! Come as you are. We try to explain terms that might be unfamiliar so everyone can follow along , but let us know if there’s something that you don’t understand. We are happy to assist in any way we can, as we long for everyone to feel included.
I hear you don’t have a pastor. How does that work?
For many years we did not have a pastor. In January of 2021 we hired Steve Dykstra to be our bi-vocational Pastor of Discipleship and Mission. This is a new and exciting step for us! We remain a volunteer-led church, made up of various teams like the leadership team, speaking and teaching team, service planning team, etc. which consist of members of our congregation and now we have Steve to help us with our discipleship and mission as we grow together in the way of Jesus.
How often do you take communion?
Every 4-6 weeks.
How can I stay in the loop about what’s happening at New Hope?
You can sign up for our email list by contacting ginelle@newhopechurch.ca
We send out weekly prayer requests, as well as the occasional announcement. Alternatively you can join the conversation on Facebook.
How does the New Hope community spend time together outside of Sunday worship?
In the summer time we see one another regularly through our individual involvement with Crown Point Youth Soccer.
The rest of the year many of us can be found a few blocks east of the Perkins Centre at New Hope Community Bikes, at Gage Park, sharing meals and getting to know our neighbours. We enjoy potlucks and community building together.
In that spirit, we also form study groups every year. Sometimes we gather to study a book of the Bible or other books that can give direction and energy to our journeys as Christians. Other times we gather over our hobbies, such as sewing, cooking etc. Use the Contact Us page to find out what's happening each season.
Ultimately, we enjoy serving in the community. That's what defines our community. We want to see East Hamilton flourish and prosper. That's how we spend our time and energy together outside of Sunday worship.
Which denomination does New Hope belong to?
We have roots in the Christian Reformed Church.
From 10:00 a.m. onwards, there are coffee, tea, and treats available in the common room, just inside the front doors of the Perkins Centre. We worship on the right side of the common room, and while we snack and drink, the people who are leading worship that day might be practicing a few songs. We sit around circular tables because we like the informal family atmosphere. Around 10:30 we’ll start the service with a few songs. We usually spend some time sharing community announcements and prayer. Then one of the members of our speaking team will give a message from the Bible. It’s not exactly the same every week, but we’ll usually close with some songs and then hang around for a bit and chat.
Dress casually. A few times in the year we serve in our community on a Sunday morning so you can expect that there will be times when we gather for coffee and a short devotion and then get outside to serve.
Where will my kids be during the worship service?
We have a table set up for kids with colouring books that they can use during the service. We also have a nursery for children aged 0-3. We love it when our kids play instruments or dance during the songs, so there’s some space and instruments for them to do that too. There is usually Sunday School for ages 4+ from September-June during the message time.
Is the worship service accessible?
Absolutely! It’s very important to us that everyone feels welcome in our community life, including during the worship service. There’s an accessible bathroom right near the common room as well.
Do I have to be a Christian to show up?
Nope! Come as you are. We try to explain terms that might be unfamiliar so everyone can follow along , but let us know if there’s something that you don’t understand. We are happy to assist in any way we can, as we long for everyone to feel included.
I hear you don’t have a pastor. How does that work?
For many years we did not have a pastor. In January of 2021 we hired Steve Dykstra to be our bi-vocational Pastor of Discipleship and Mission. This is a new and exciting step for us! We remain a volunteer-led church, made up of various teams like the leadership team, speaking and teaching team, service planning team, etc. which consist of members of our congregation and now we have Steve to help us with our discipleship and mission as we grow together in the way of Jesus.
How often do you take communion?
Every 4-6 weeks.
How can I stay in the loop about what’s happening at New Hope?
You can sign up for our email list by contacting ginelle@newhopechurch.ca
We send out weekly prayer requests, as well as the occasional announcement. Alternatively you can join the conversation on Facebook.
How does the New Hope community spend time together outside of Sunday worship?
In the summer time we see one another regularly through our individual involvement with Crown Point Youth Soccer.
The rest of the year many of us can be found a few blocks east of the Perkins Centre at New Hope Community Bikes, at Gage Park, sharing meals and getting to know our neighbours. We enjoy potlucks and community building together.
In that spirit, we also form study groups every year. Sometimes we gather to study a book of the Bible or other books that can give direction and energy to our journeys as Christians. Other times we gather over our hobbies, such as sewing, cooking etc. Use the Contact Us page to find out what's happening each season.
Ultimately, we enjoy serving in the community. That's what defines our community. We want to see East Hamilton flourish and prosper. That's how we spend our time and energy together outside of Sunday worship.
Which denomination does New Hope belong to?
We have roots in the Christian Reformed Church.
