While we have hopefully come through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are still plenty of concerning things taking place in our world right now. Sometimes the realities of this world can feel overwhelming. Our faith teaches that even in the most difficult of times, there is always hope. This worship series, based on the book Hope for Hard Times by Magrey deVega, will remind us all of the hope we have in the living and loving God we worship.

We’ve created a discussion guide for group or individual use that you can download here: Holdfast Hope Discussion Guide

This worship and small group series begins Sunday, May 1st.

Worship Online or In-Person Here

Series Outline

May 1, 2022 // A Warning, A Wadi, A Widow

Key Scripture: 1 Kings 17

After delivering a warning to King Ahab, the prophet Elijah had to flee for his life. His journey took him to the life-giving waters of a wadi in the wilderness and ultimately to the home of a widow who makes an incredible sacrifice at Elijah’s request. This is a story filled with the promise that no matter how dried up our lives may feel, there is always hope that can be found through our faith in God.

May 8, 2022 // Small Signs

Key Scripture: 1 Kings 18:41-19:18

After suffering through years of a terrible drought, the people of Israel were beginning to lose hope. One day God told Elijah to go and share the news that the rains were coming soon, and the drought would end. The promise of God was confirmed by a sign that was so small it was almost imperceptible. Sometimes all it takes is the smallest sign of hope to know that better days are on the horizon.

May 15, 2022 // Dangerous Hope

Key Scripture: Acts 16:16-40

In today’s story, we learn about Paul and Silas when they confronted the world of Caesar on its own turf for the first time. They confronted a world that allowed slaves to be abused for financial security and people could be thrown into jail for standing up to the powers that be. Paul and Silas instead showed a different kind of world was possible. A world where hope is not just something we hold on to but something we share through our actions every day. When we allow our hope to be forward facing; when we allow it to be the type of hope that can change the world, that is when our hope can become dangerous.

May 22, 2022 // Keep Pouring

Key Scriptures: 1 Kings 19:19-21; 2 Kings 2:1-18; 2 Kings 4:1-7

In today’s message, we hear the story of another widow who can teach us something about finding hope in hard times. While her story involves a miracle, the journey toward getting the hope and help she needed also included some things that are far more common–things we sometimes take for granted, but that can help us find the hope we need when things are hard.

May 29, 2022 // Hope Lives

Key Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-37

In the final message of this series, we hear two miraculous stories. While one is more familiar than the other, they both remind us that no matter what we may face in life, hope lives.