Living Hope Orthodox Presbyterian Church

What are services like?
We worship in the cafeteria of an elementary school. While our worship is biblical and solidly reformed, it is simple and contemporary in feel. Fellowship: Prior to the worship service, we have refreshments available (coffee, juice and some sort of breakfast snack). Music: Our worship is contemporary in feel, and led with a variety of instruments. We aim to select meaningful and biblically faithful songs. Sermon: The sermon is solidly expository, meaning we proceed straight through the particular biblical book we are covering. The Bible is our authority, and we look to explain and apply it faithfully each Lord’s Day. We are sensitive to the redemptive-historical context of the passage and to the contemporary significance it has. Giving: We do not “pass the plate”. We do believe giving is an appropriate part of the believer’s worship, but we do not expect visitors to support our church, and we do not want to draw attention to our own giving, either. So, we have a basket in the back, near the door for people to give to the Lord’s work. Infants and Toddlers: We have a nursery available, too. But the llittle noises of infants are, to us, the music of God’s covenant. He has blessed those children with homes where He is loved and worshipped. And He has blessed our fellowship with their presence. We are a very relaxed fellowship. So unless your child is preventing others from hearing God’s word, don’t be embarrassed by their little coos. They won’t bother me at all. But if you want to free yourself up to hear the sermon, or if you feel they are a disturbance, feel free to use our nursery. Children: We have an optional children’s church for children between 4 years old and 4th grade. Children are with their parents during the music and scripture reading. There is generally a brief children’s message following the scripture reading. And then, children (3 year olds through fifth graders) are permitted to go for some age appropriate worship and instruction while their parents hear the sermon. We are currently about 50% young kids, so this generally helps the parents focus on the sermon better. But if your children are reasonably well-behaved, please do not feel compelled to dismiss them with the others. Sunday School: Our Sunday School program is carefully structured to give our children a solid grasp of the scope and sequence of God’s redemptive works as revealed in the scriptures. A child who regularly attends our Sunday School program will be exposed to the entire Bible, not just the famous stories. And he or she will also learn a significant amount of solid theology along the way. Our adult Sunday School generally consists of methodically working through a book of the Bible together and discussing it. We’d love to have you join us.

What is the community like?
We have a very friendly and welcoming community. Spread throughout Howard County, we still have many opportunities to get together and encourage one another. We have three small groups meeting at various locations in the county.

What if I'm not a Christian?
You are very much welcome. We are, of course, gospel centered. We will not make you comfortable with your unbelief, even though we will strive to make you comfortable with our community. We are a community convicted of the truth of the gospel, as it is set forth in the scriptures. So, we will be continually pressing and defending these truth claims.