Adult Sunday School Opportunities
Sunday School is not just for God’s little children. It is also for God’s grown children.
Adult Sunday School Meets at 10am in the Ruby Chapel using “Wired Up” curriculum.
New Hope United Methodist Church Beliefs
We believe in the Triune God, the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We believe every person is a beloved child of God.
We believe in the Church as the community called to be instruments of God’s presence and coming reign in Jesus Christ.
We believe in the Bible as God’s revealed Word.
We believe in the final triumph of God’s reign of compassion, justice, generosity and peace
Ministry of the Laity
The ministry of all Christians in Christ’s name and spirit is both a gift and a task. The gift is God’s unmerited grace; the task is unstinting service. This service includes participating by membership or leadership in the church’s committees and work groups. This involves all the daily workings of a church.
Here are some opportunities for service at New Hope. If you are interested in becoming involved in any of our committees or need more information about the committees, please contact Nancy at the church office (515-278-2097).
Administrative Council
According to the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, the Administrative Council is the group that "shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. It shall also provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life. It shall envision, plan, implement, and annually evaluate the mission and ministry of the church."
Ad Council meets the Fourth Thursday of the month.
Bridges
This committee’s goal is to maintain and increase membership and by serving and moving our congregation’s ministry forward. They lead the effort in creating outreach events for our local community.
Bridges meets as needed.
Care Ministries
The Care Ministries Team wants to walk with you when you are going through a difficult time. Whether it is a scheduled surgery or an unexpected challenge in your life, we want to be there to listen, pray and care for you.
Care Ministries Team meets as needed.
Christian Education
The primary functions of the Christian education committee are as follows: to evaluate how the Christian education ministry fits into the general purpose of the church, evaluate and recommend curriculum for all programming.
Christian Education meets as needed.
Finance and Stewardship
This committee is responsible for providing other committee with annual budget planning and guidelines.
Finance and Stewardship meets the Second Tuesday of the month.
Missions
This committee has general oversight of promoting and coordinating all missions activities within the Church
Missions meets as needed.
Nominations
This committee is responsible to recruit members to serve on the various church Committees each year and to fill any vacancies that may occur during the year.
Nominations meets as needed.
Special Events
We create special event committees that are formed for the sole task of planning and executing a special event at New Hope. Currently, we have 4 main areas where we have special event teams (Harvest Dinner, Rummage Sale, Garlands of Gifts, and Vacation Bible School). These teams only meet for a few months leading up to the annual event occurring.
Special Event teams meet as needed for their event.
Staff Parish Relations
The Staff-Parish Relations Committee is the administrative unit in a local church where staff and congregational interests are integrated to focus on the mission of the church.
SPRC meets the Fourth Sunday of the month.
Trustees and Memorials
The Board of Trustees is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the church buildings and other properties
Trustees/Memorials meets the First Monday of the month.
Worship Design
This committee provides and coordinates support for all worship related activities, through the work of coordinators, staff members, and volunteers
Worship Design meets the First Thursday of the month.
Brief Timeline History of New Hope United Methodist Church:
1st year history - 12/14/1964 – Survey was conducted to see who would be interested in becoming charter members of the new church. 144 families totaling 535 persons indicated a desire to become charter members
Naming the church - In the early months of 1965 it was the hope of the committee that our new church would serve the community in such a way that “new hope” would emanate from that fellowship hence the name “New Hope” was adopted as the official name of the church.
May 1965 - First congregational meeting held in the Grace Methodist Church Basement. Attending the meeting was Rev. Basil Grimes, Joe and Joan Clay, and Vernon and Mildred Doty.
June 1965 - First worship service held at 8:00 a.m. at the extreme east end of the church property by a large oak tree. Minister at this time was Reverend Basil Grimes.
July 1965 - Ground breaking ceremony – approximately 30 people attended
September 1965 - First indoor service of the New Hope congregation was held in the Acanthus Lodge.
February 1966 - Consecration Sunday for the new building.
Fall 1989 - New sanctuary began. First Sunday in new sanctuary, March 4, 1990.
March 1996 - First Hand of Luke meal prepared, serving meals at Central Iowa Shelter & Services on the 14th of each month.
Fall 1999 - TGIW (Thank God it is Wednesday) children’s program started
Fall 2000 - B.L.A.S.T. was organized (Believing, Learning, Assisting, Serving Teens). Jr. & Sr. High youth groups.
April 2004 - Groundbreaking of New Life Center.
May 2004 - Dedication of the Ruby Chapel – In Memory of Ruby Wells.
October 2005 - Contemporary Worship begins in the New Life Center.
August 2011 - Johnston “River of Life” ministry begins at Beaver Creek Elem School.
April 2017 - Johnston “River of Life” charters as a new United Methodist Church for Johnston, Iowa
March 2020 – The mortgage was paid off. Began our first Parking Lot services due to Covid-19.
New Hope Pastors:
1965-1967: Rev. Basil Grimes
1967-1970: Rev. Bill Trembly
1970-1978: Rev. Dean Fullerton
1978-1982: Rev. Romaine Barber
1982- 1984: Rev. Egon Gerdes
1984-1997: Rev. Robert (Bob) Cook
1997-2014: Rev. Neil Cross
2010-2018: Rev. Craig Ferguson, Outreach Pastor
2014-2019: Rev. Jon Gaul
2019-2024: Rev. Lilian Gallo Seagren
2024-2026: Associate Pastor Wendy Zadeh
2024-Present: Pastor Amy Johnson
