WHO WE ARE
Quick Facts About Us
South Hope Community Church started in 1963 in Hope, Maine, by people burdened to have the Word of God shape them through a church in their area.
Pastor Jamie Bickel served as assistant pastor since October 2008 and since August 2011 is the lead pastor. The former pastor, Norman Finnemore, retired at the end of July 2011. Pastor Finnemore was given the honorary title Pastor Emeritus.
The church meets at 142 Main Street, Hope, Maine 04847 on Sundays at 10:45am.
The church office can be reached at 207-785-4426 or by email below.
OUR BELIEFS
South Hope Community Church exists to see every neighborhood in Knox County become a beachhead for the Good News of King Jesus.
Here's Why:
WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
We believe in the Good News or the announcement from God through His prophets (kerygma). And this Good News is the foundation of all we believe: the promise of a savior from sin and death. He dwelt among us, died as a sacrifice for our sins, rose again, ascended to His throne, and will return to judge the living and the dead. In other words, the Good News is what God did in, to, and through his Son to reconcile our rebel humanity to a right relationship with Him.
HOW DO I RECEIVE IT?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:16-17
What does this mean for me? God chose to judge His Son as a sinner in order to treat sinners as though we were righteous. When we repent and believe the Good News of His Son, by grace through faith He justifies us: He doesn't just forgive our sins, He expunges them completely. Where we were enemies, He now gives us the right to be called sons of God along with Christ.
HOW DO I LOVE GOD?
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
In response to such an awe-some love, we hand over all that we are, all that we have, and all that we dream of to Him. We receive Him as Lord of our lives in every detail because we know we have a glorious and loving God who does not just change our behavior, but gives us a new heart and a new life. We have a God who desires to progressively transform us from the inside out to become more like His Son. To love God is to cherish our relationship with Him above all else because He has freely given us all we are, all we have, and all we will be.
HOW DO I LOVE MY NEIGHBOR?
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:15-17
As God transforms us to become more like Jesus, we will love those around us as Christ has loved us. Our new life in Christ bears external fruit in loving our neighbors. God's purpose for us is a faith lived out in the world and visible to those around us. The more we walk with Jesus, the more the outside will resemble the inside as we let His light shine through us.
WHY BE PART OF A LOCAL CHURCH?
So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46
Ekklesia, the Greek word for Church, literally means "assembly" or "gathering." God not only saves us as individuals, but also saves us into community. The local church is the living family of God coming together and the Body of Christ moving in the world. When Christ's love flows through our local Church, we become a beachhead for His Gospel in our neighborhoods.
Though He has a great purpose for us, we do not have to wait until we feel "cleaned up enough" or "worthy enough" to meet Jesus. If the first step for you is coming to South Hope this Sunday, we invite you to come as you are. Jesus will meet you where you're at and transform you through His power. He has promised as much, and He is faithfully doing so for all of us.
WORSHIP
ADULTS
Our adult Sunday school begins at 9:30am and is followed by Sunday service at 10:45. But our worship does not end on Sundays. We do life together, serve our community, and build each other up to live out our faith in all areas of our lives.
TEENS
Our teen group is self-motivated and focused on service. We serve in various ways, ranging from traveling up to Allagash in support of a budding local youth group, to putting on a play for our local community at Christmas.
JUNIOR CHURCH
Sundays at South Hope are kid-friendly. We have junior church for children during the teaching time. While adults are having Sunday school, for kids we have bible lessons, singing, crafts, snacks, and memory verse learning!