With prayer, music and a dedication litany, New Hope Advent Christian Church held its first worship service at Temple B’nai Israel on Sunday morning.
After dissolving in 2023 and regrouping in a residence, the newly formed congregation launched worship services into a larger facility.
Rev. James Messick of Oswego, New Hope pastor, presided.
“There’s a new church in town!” says Charlotte Dillon, New Hope board chair. Dillon and Larry Solomon, board vice chair, welcomed congregants to the service. Dillon said in a prepared statement, “It is with deep joy that we have watched the gifts of our body of believers unfold over this past year, which has made our church happen.
“We function collaboratively and with great care for one another. We look forward to what God has in store for us in the unfolding of our new church,” Dillon said.
She thanked Marilyn Katz, Temple board chair, for supporting the new congregation. “(Katz) welcomed us with open hands and heart to this place of worship and service,” Dillon said. Other supporters cited by Dillon were Mark Woolfington, Aurora University chaplain and pastor, Church of the Highlands in LaGrange; and Bill Norwood of Chicago, superintendent, Central Region, Advent Christian General Conference.
Guest preacher on “We are so Grateful” was Rev. Steve Epting, pastor of Hope community Church in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. “I’ excited for what New Hope is going to do,” he said. Referring to New Hope’s transition, he noted “process is not always easy. You kept shaking off dirt to survive. When bad things happen, people of God don’t shrink, they grow.”
Rev. Epting, accompanied by his wife Felicia, presented Dillion with an envelope containing an “investment” collected from his congregation for New Hope.
Pastor Epting led the congregation in a litany dedicating New Hope for ministry. Other guest speakers were George Griswold, president, Prairie States Conference, Advent Christian General Conference and David Dean, pastor, DeKalb Advent Christian Church. Participating in a live stream of the service were congregants in Florida, California and Aurora.
After communion and a benediction led by Pastor Epting, a fellowship time with refreshments closed the service.
The public is invited to 10:30 a.m. Sunday services at the Temple, 400 N. Highland Ave. in Aurora.
The Advent Christian Prairie States Conference welcomed the new church into the conference at its triennial meeting in Memphis, Tenn., March 14-15. Eight New Hope members attended.
—Al Benson