About Hope

• Church Office: 302 328-7909
• Child Care Office: 302 322-4720
• Website: www.hopelutheran-de.org
• Address: 230 Christiana Road New Castle, DE 19720
• Mission: To receive, celebrate and proclaim the Christian message of love, compassion, forgiveness of sin, and eternal life among each other and to the world
• Association: Hope is a congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (E.L.C.A.)
• Conference: Hope is part of the Delmarva Conference, which is made up of Lutheran churches in the Ocean City, Salisbury, Easton, Cordova, and Northeast areas of Maryland and the entire State of Delaware.
• Synod: Hope is a member of the Delaware-Maryland Synod. The Synod headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland houses our Bishop's office.
• Services
  Regular Schedule (Labor Day to Memorial Day)
    Worship: Sunday 8:30am and 11:00am
    Sunday Church School: 9:45am
  Summer and Single Service Schedule:
    Worship: Sunday 9:30am
• Adult Choir: Adults and Sr. High students are welcome to participate. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:30 P.M. to 9 P.M. at Hope, September through May.
• Flowers, Bulletins and Website sponsors: Congregation members sponsor flowers and/or bulletins used during Sunday worship as well as montly website hosting in memory or in honor of loved ones or for special occasions. Sign-up on the posters in the narthex.
• Greeters: At each Sunday service two people arrive at church twenty minutes early and greet members as they arrive for service.
• Nursery: Hope is currenlty looking for a part time nursery attendant.  Previously, volunteers maintained the nursery during services.
• Sunday Church School: Ages 3 through adult.  Hope Celebrates Faith Stepping Stones Program.
• Vacation Church School (VCS): A week during the summer of Bible study, crafts, music, and snacks for all ages.
• Communion Instruction: A workshop for 5th graders usually held in February. Instruction is also available for younger members who have a parent's or guardian's approval. 
• Confirmation Classes: Youth in grades 7 & 8 meet Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. September through May. These classes are designed to teach the Bible and Lutheran Catechism in a creative way.  Students learn what it means to be a part of the faith community.
• Youth Ministry: Hope's youth and their friends in grades 7 through 12 meet together 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. Sunday mornings in the youth room. Service to the community and to Hope are emphasized.
• Enrichment for Women:
  Sarah Circle meets at 7:30 P.M. on the 3rd Monday of each month at Hope.
  Mary Circle meets at 11 A.M. on the 4th Thursday of each month at the homes of members.
• L.I.F.E. (Lutherans Involved in Food Emergencies):
  The L.I.F.E. food pantry is open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. through 12 noon. Donations of non-perishable foods may be placed in the baskets inside the entrances to the church.
• Mobile Food Pantry: Through sponsorship of Lutheran Community Services, the Food Bank of DE truck is in Hope's parking lot the 3rd Thursday each month from 3 to 6 p.m. to distribute food boxes to those in need.
• Ministry of Support: Goals are to insure the financial health of the  congregation and keep open communication among members. Committee oversees financial aspects of Hope.
• Long Range Planning: Visioning and preparing for Hope's future.
• Memorial Fund: A fund set up for donations in memory of loved ones. Monies are designated by Hope's church council for specific needs within the church. Inquire at the church office.
• Mutual Ministry: Committee acts as a sounding board and addresses concerns of pastor and the congregation. (This ministry is only active when a full time Pastor is installed.)
• Property: Maintenance and update of physical structure.
• Stewardship: Goal of the committee is to educate all members on the rewards of stewardship.
• Ministry of Witness: Hope has a Calling and Caring Committee that keeps members who cannot attend worship services aware of current events and the church aware of their needs. Also, the witness program keeps the surrounding area in touch with Hope's programs and the word of God.
• Communication:
• Fellowship:
• Young at Heart Fellowship Program: A fellowship ministry for parents with children living at home?monthly activities that include soup and games night, progressive dinners in addition to service projects.
• Hospitality: Members volunteer to provide refreshment during informal gatherings after worship.
• The Anchor: Church Newsletter which is published monthly and sent to church members and friends.  Call the church office to be added to the mailing list!
• Sports Teams (inactive): Volleyball and Softball Teams which play against other church teams.