
The reason I became a counselor was to be able to provide a Christian outlook while encouraging others through life’s struggles and misconceptions. I wanted to navigate with people how to prevent the things that I had experienced a good deal in my own life and how to look to God for answers.

Two questions I get asked many times over by clients are, what are the pieces in my life that I need to eliminate and why and where are they are coming from? Our recent ‘Habit Forming’ series and in particular, this [past message](https://youtu.be/qONo0LgGIJU) on “put-offs” and “put-ons,” has touched a bit on this topic. As pastor Anthony pointed out, Ephesians 4:22-24 tells us that, “you were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (NIV).

We all have things in our life that we need to put off and we are called to seek God for truth and direction regarding what to “put on.” However, in the world we live in, with so many lies of who and what we “should be,” it can be tough to identify the truth. This is a piece I begin to work through with my clients in the beginning counseling sessions. We first need to unearth the lies, emotions, and actions that are harming and preventing us from experiencing what God wants for us.

Going to counseling myself has been extremely helpful in gaining insight into my own life. It is not always the genetics of how we are born that can create these habits and struggles, it is also our environment. It is also created by those who surround us, whether by choice or circumstance. This was important for me because it was not just identifying my negative thoughts and behaviors, I was also seeking out the root cause of them. If you do not pinpoint and pull that root from your life it will regrow over time.

I realized that amid the struggles I had growing up, I learned to ruminate on the negative and to run from them. Sure, people would tell me to fight, but what they showed me was to run and play the victim. Now, I am not saying that all the things I experienced were my fault. I was bullied relentlessly as a kid just because I didn’t fit the exact norm. I don’t believe I deserved this, but how I reacted to it was the biggest factor. I left schools and even a church as a kid because of situations of bullying. I believed the world was against me and the lie that God was against me. However, in God’s word it tells us the opposite. Isaiah 41:10 states “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV).

Though I was brought up in a Christian household, that doesn’t mean I was always taught how to act and think in the ways of the Lord. Sometimes I was too focused on the “why me” mentality to see that the Lord was with me and through Him I could find guidance and comfort. I recently heard someone say that the Lord never tells us that if you follow Him bad things will not happen. Instead, throughout His word He tells us that when we follow Him, amidst our struggles, He is with us! Meaning we will still have struggles, but what do we do when they come? For me to understand this, I had to identify the learned behaviors and thoughts of my environment that helped create my negative outlook on the world and on God. Then I had to replace them with God’s actual truth.

My encouragement for others as they are trying to navigate the “put-ons” and “put-offs” of life, is to walk through it with someone. It can be a lot more daunting trying to go at this alone. I leave you with one of many passages in Proverbs that affirms this truth: “Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers” (Proverbs 24:6).

_John is a licensed professional counselor whose clinical experience currently includes, but is not limited to, counseling individuals and groups from a variety of backgrounds with depression, anxiety, identity and relational issues, spiritual conflict, life transitions, grief and loss, trauma, and addictions._

_For more information on counseling services at Hoboken Grace you can visit_ [_counselinghoboken.com_](https://www.counselinghoboken.com/)

To listen to Sundays message on “putting off” and “putting on” click here: <https://youtu.be/qONo0LgGIJU>


Stepping Into Who God Created Us To Be


RightNow Media has been a resource we’ve offered here at Hoboken Grace for a number of years and you might not even know that it’s a FREE resource offered to you as well! RightNow Media is like an online Netflix filled with studies on scripture and teachings on relationships, parenting, finances, and more! Plus, there is an entire library of fun and safe children’s videos. There are over 10,000 on-demand videos available to you and your family completely free!

We thought it might be fun to look back on 2022 to see which studies and videos our Hoboken Grace community is engaging with. Sometimes God communicates to us through felt needs in the church and when we as a church come together, He can use us collectively to help people find their way back to Him.

So thanks to RightNow Media and the power of data, here are a few of the Hoboken Grace “favorites” and what we’re watching as a church on RightNow Media.

The Top 10 Bible Studies on RightNow Media

1\. The Gospel of John: Part 1: Tony Evans  
2\. The Book of 1 Corinthians – Jennie Allen  
3\. The Book of Hebrews – Derwin Gray  
4\. The Comeback – Louie Giglio  
5\. The Book of Colossians – Louie Giglio  
6\. The Acts of the Apostles – Louie Giglio  
7\. Get Out of Your Head – Jennie Allen  
8\. The Joy of Generosity  
9\. Shouts in Silence: God is in Control – A Study in the Book of Esther – Beth DeFazio  
10\. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry – John Mark Comer

The Top 10 Kids Episodes

1\. Superbook  
2\. Theo  
3\. Yancy’s Little Praise Party  
4\. BOZ  
5\. The Pilgrim’s Progress  
6\. VeggieTales  
7\. The Slugs & Bugs Show  
8\. Friends and Heroes  
9\. Bible Unearthed  
10\. Owlegories

One of our goals and prayers is that as part of the Hoboken Grace family, you would continually grow in your relationship with God. We hope these recommendations help to strengthen both you and your family!

If you haven’t yet signed up for a free account of RightNow Media, you can do so [here](https://app.rightnowmedia.org/en/join/hobokengrace).


RightNow Media: A Free Resource To Enrich Your Faith


_To sign up for Re|engage, click [here](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/groups/dinner-groups/1-monday-7-30pm-reengage)_

For many of us, as we embark on the journey of finding our spouse, we dream of a beautiful wedding surrounded by family and friends, finding a new home together, starting a family, and accomplishing dreams along the way.

The reality is that life sets in and things may not always go as planned or hoped for. Whether you’ve been married for one, fifteen, or twenty-five years, you’ve probably come across situations with your spouse that shake your understanding of marriage or make you wonder if you really know your spouse well. We know that marriage has its challenges and incredibly joyous moments, but have you wondered what marriage can look like when it’s built on an unshakable foundation?

If we consider the vows we made to our spouse, along these lines “to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part”, we’ve made a lifetime commitment to someone! If a certain commitment in our lives is a priority, shouldn’t we invest time in ensuring that it has the proper attention? Our marriages should take that priority and we should invest in it.

God has designed marriage to be a supportive, loving, life-giving relationship that mirrors His own unconditional love for us. Re|engage will help you better understand that design and learn how to apply it to your own marriage. Even if your marriage is good, this is an opportunity to make it great. If you are struggling, there is hope!

Re|engage is a class that meets weekly and covers 8 different marriage principles over a period of 16 weeks. Together, you and your group will work through the 16-week curriculum and learn how to effectively communicate, resolve conflict, and grow closer to your spouse. As you work through the content and learn applicable skills to practice in your marriage, your group will come together to hear testimonies from couples whose marriages have been transformed and gain insight from others in a small group setting.

Hear from Chelsea and Greg who have taken re|engage and the impact it’s had on their marriage:

“Greg and I have been together for over 7 years and married for 2 years. Re|engage has encouraged us to be more patient with each other and has given us a safe space where we can communicate more openly. One of the biggest challenges for us as a couple has been navigating conflict with grace and humility. Re|engage has provided us with tools to do just that. Ephesians 4:2-3 says “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” We learned that handling conflict well gives us an opportunity to strengthen our marriage. Through this process, we learned to love well—with patience, gentleness, humility, grace, and most importantly how to ask each other for forgiveness. Going through this process in community made all of the difference, especially knowing that we were not alone in our walk.”

_To sign up for Re|engage, click [here](https://hobokengrace.churchcenter.com/groups/dinner-groups/1-monday-7-30pm-reengage)_


Have You Ever Wondered What God’s Design Is For Marriage? 


Recently, groups from Hoboken Grace had an opportunity to serve at three local nonprofits, which have been long-time partners of Hoboken Grace. We wanted to share the experience of a few people just like you who embody the phrase-

**We don’t just live here, we love here!**

There are several organizations doing great work around Hoboken. If you want to learn more about the Hoboken Grace partners, you can email [partnerships@hobokengrace.com](mailto:partnerships@hobokengrace.com).

**Lunchtime Ministry (LeighEllen Z.)**

“If they are asleep, let them sleep, and they can eat when they wake up.” A simple instruction that embodies the non-profit Lunchtime Ministry: a place that provides a warm meal and a peaceful place to spend the morning, striving to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

I recently had the opportunity to serve at Lunchtime Ministry with members of my Dinner Group. When we arrived, one of our first ways to help was to organize the supply room where supplies and various donated items live. As we were organizing, guests came and asked for a variety of items: razors, t-shirts, soap, etc. Right away it became evident how vital the ministry is in providing items for guests that I often take for granted (and how much the organizing helped to make it easier to find the items for guests quickly!)

Later we were able to help serve the meal to guests. During the meal, each guest was handed a plate as they sat at their tables, restaurant style. It stood out as a simple way that members of a community that are often passed by were able to be served and given personal attention.

As I reflected on our time serving, it was especially meaningful to volunteer together with my Dinner Group. Dinner Group is about sharing life together and serving alongside each other allows us to put aside our busy schedules and make new experiences together. Dinner Groups also strive to create community; what better way to do this than to serve together in the community, meet new friends, and be a visible example of God’s love?

If you’d like to see this inspiring ministry firsthand, you can always volunteer at Lunchtime Ministry Monday-Thursday, 8:00AM-12:00PM. You can sign up to volunteer at [volunteers@stmatthewtrinity.org](mailto:volunteers@stmatthewtrinity.org) or read more at ​​<https://www.stmatthewtrinity.org/lunchtime-ministry>. Hope to see you there!

**Hoboken Shelter (Sean C.)**

This summer, I arranged with Reverend Forbes a day for the Hoboken Grace Partnership Team and members from my dinner group to come out and serve at the Hoboken Shelter. We had six volunteers and spent three hours helping serve dinner, sort and clean the kitchen and pantry, and break down and clean up after dinner.

The shelter has an early and late dinner option for the community, where they feed hundreds of individuals. Did you know the Hoboken Shelter serves over 400 meals a day? Both groups seemed to enjoy the company of our group and we did our best to make sure they were happy with their experience. We were also able to pick up cups and towels that were on the “wishlist” of needs the shelter had at that time. Jake from the shelter helped manage the process and was a great resource for helping our visit’s productivity.

I felt Hoboken Grace and the shelter got a lot out of the experience and would be great to keep it going. It was awesome to hear how one person from my dinner group explained to the rest of our group how fulfilling it was for them the following week.

The Hoboken Shelter is located at 300 Bloomfield Street. You can learn more about their programs and volunteer opportunities by visiting <https://www.hobokenshelter.org/>.

**The Open Door (Megan L.)**

Since joining the Partnerships Team I have been learning about and meeting with Hoboken Grace’s local partners. I have been fortunate to be partnered with The Open Door, and recently had the privilege of volunteering at their Thanksgiving Conversation Night. The Open Door provides English, TASC, and computer classes to immigrant families in New York and New Jersey. They hold conversation nights throughout the year for their students to give them a chance to engage further in English conversation and practice what they’ve learned thus far.

This was my first time visiting The Open Door and I was very nervous going into a Conversation Night. I wasn’t sure what to expect and how helpful I would be, being that I don’t speak any Spanish. I went with one other member from the Partnerships team who also does not speak Spanish but could understand well, and also a coworker who speaks Spanish fluently. So we all came into the night with a range of experience.

The night began with a message from the Pastor of the Church that their West New York location is held in and he gave us a message in English and Spanish. From there, we moved to make our plates for the dinner, which was done as a potluck Thanksgiving Dinner, so all the food was provided by members of the Open Door. Once we made our plates, we were divided into groups to engage in our Conversations. We were split up based on the students’ levels, so I was placed with students in a much higher level class while my coworker was placed with students still in the beginning level. The staff provided us with a list of questions to engage the students on. Initially starting the conversation was a little awkward as it took some time to tell where exactly my group’s English was at, however, once the conversation got going I felt as if I didn’t even need to refer to the list. I could tell the students were excited to share their stories and converse in a way they probably don’t get to very often. It was really eye-opening to learn their stories, hearing what brought them to the Open Door and how it has helped them in their lives in America. It was also a great learning experience to figure out how to word my questions and answers in a way they would understand best. Leaving the night I felt as if I built connections with people I wouldn’t have normally thought I could.

The Open Door holds frequent conversation nights for their students and I think it is a wonderful thing to be a part of. Coming from someone who does not speak Spanish, and went into the night quite nervous, there really is someone for everyone to engage with there. They have locations in NY and NJ, you can learn more about them at <http://www.theopendoornjny.org/> .

To learn more about our partnerships, head to <https://hobokengrace.com/partnerships/> where you can see our local and global partners. You can also email [partnerships@hobokengrace.com](mailto:partnerships@hobokengrace.com).


Serving Together


_To check out the full 2022 Impact Report, click [here](https://www.flipsnack.com/hobokengrace/impact-report-2022/full-view.html)._

Together, we were able to love and serve our community in so many impactful ways in 2022.

We have also seen God powerfully answer our prayers this year. Whether it was through people taking the step of baptism, using our family to help people find their way back to God, or through the development of our new space. It’s amazing to see how much God has accomplished through our family and we can’t wait to see how He continues to move in 2023!

To celebrate, here’s a look back at some of our favorite photos from 2022!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/51834294341_0b2aa43c1b_o.jpg)

At Hoboken Grace, we’re about more than just Sunday! Creating community is so important and one of the ways we do that is through our connection events. From coffee and food crawls, to trivia, to sporting events, we had so many fun ways to get connected in 2022\. We had 87 connection events held this year and are so grateful for the friendships and memories that were able to take place through all of our different events!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/51964760723_23ec7b6a27_o-1.jpg)

We completed the Home Initiative, closed on our very first permanent location, and our plans were approved by the city! We have seen God move so powerfully through this journey with our new building and answer so many prayers. We are so excited for all that is to come with our new community center and how we will be able to display the love of Christ to our community through our new space.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/51997260666_fddb4ff820_o-1.jpg)

We had over 4,000 people be a part of our Easter Egg Hunt this year! Although we had some rain, it didn’t stop us from having a great time!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52011507958_82a0a913d6_o.jpg)

This Easter was a super special and fun service, filled with a few different surprises! It’s not every Sunday that we have a breakdancer on stage with our band covering an Encanto song!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52286579283_6b6bb5cede_o.jpg)

Dinner Groups are at the core of Hoboken Grace. They provide a place for community, connection, and spiritual growth. We had 332 first time dinner group members, which is a huge celebration! We also had 59 dinner group leaders and 2,228 total dinner group gatherings this year!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/51881096115_b9a33d48ac_o-1.jpg)

Throughout the year, we gave people the opportunity to share their stories right upstairs at 301 Garden. It is so impactful getting to hear people’s stories on Sundays about how God is working and moving in their life.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52173042263_138a0d41e8_o.jpg)

VIBE and the Quad have grown exponentially this year! We are able to provide a safe environment for middle-schoolers and high-schoolers to connect, have fun, and either start or deepen their relationship with God. We are so excited about how God is moving through these groups, especially at this impactful age.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52513577490_5cea2766db_o-1.jpg)

Every Sunday at 301 the band beautifully leads us all in worship. We are so thankful for the all the hard work and energy that they put into every service and how we get to worship God through the songs they sing!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52513367784_8247473048_o.jpg)

At Hoboken Grace, our mission is to help people find their way back to God. It is incredible to see that we had 748 first time guests, over 29,000 adults who attended in person and over 18,000 people who watched live online! We can’t wait to see what next year brings!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52011923415_93ec471317_o.jpg)

Sundays are always extra special when we get to celebrate baptisms together as a church and this year we had over 40 baptisms! We are so honored to be a part of this moment of those who took this step of faith with us. We can’t wait to see how they will continue to grow!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52317597439_5f6d9e5ee3_o-1-1.jpg)

This year, we did something we’ve never done before at Hoboken Grace. We had our directors on stage one Sunday where they were able to share all about the teams they lead. Our staff has grown significantly this past year and we can’t wait to see all that God has in store for our team this upcoming year!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52481777026_e579ac795c_o.jpg)

We are so grateful for all those who serve on a team to make Sundays and beyond what they are! We had 154 people join a team this year!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52367685991_2c84a57018_o-1-1.jpg)

We had so many great conversations this year, one of them being our ‘Enjoying God’ series. Not only did the messages leave a lasting impact, but we also had a lot of fun with this series! Each week we did something special, whether it was handing out ice cream to everyone on Sunday or filming our announcements while eating hot wings, jet skiing, or rock climbing! We kept everyone laughing and on their toes… especially Pastor Anthony!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52448649115_aab35d2c03_o.jpg)

Oh … and we had food trucks too!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52405002383_11d391ab93_o-1.jpg)

At Hoboken Grace we believe we don’t just live here, we love here! Giving back to our community is so important to us and one way we do that every year is through our 1Day Hoboken. This year we celebrated our 12th annual 1Day! Things looked a little different due to the weather, but our Bridge Events team did an amazing job at rolling with the unexpected as we turned our 1Day into 2 days. We had over 650 people come together to love our city in not just 1 day, but 2 days!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52465398071_a502cfc223_o-1-1.jpg)

We had so much fun up on the fourth floor as Grace Kids had their annual Mega-Awesome Costume Party! It is one of the cutest Sundays of the year, as our Grace Kids dress up in adorable costumes!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52555436051_779e443d5f_o-1.jpg)

We celebrated another year of loving our community this Christmas, by ensuring that no child in our city goes without a gift at Christmas. Through our Christmas Exchange, over 1,300 children were able to receive gifts. We are so grateful for all of our donors, volunteers, and the Bridge Events Team that worked so hard to make this event possible!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52542687424_0d742576d9_o.jpg)

We kicked off our first Sunday in December with our annual Grace Kids Christmas concert! The stage filled with kids from two years old up to our fifth graders, as they sang our favorite Christmas songs! Even for those that don’t have kids, it brought a smile to everyone in the audience.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52527999833_df6802ed90_o.jpg)

We celebrated the holiday season and our ‘Awkward Family Christmas’ conversation with ugly Christmas sweaters, fun photo backdrops, Christmas sweater giveaways, lots of Christmas lights, and an amazing original song from our band!

We can’t wait for another amazing year ahead and to see how God continues to move in and through the lives of our church family.

_To check out the full 2022 Impact Report, click [here](https://www.flipsnack.com/hobokengrace/impact-report-2022/full-view.html)._


2022: A Year Of Celebration And Impact

Christmas is a time for joy, celebration, and connecting with those we love and those we are related to. Whether you’re catching up with old friends, chatting around the dinner table with your extended family, or making small talk with strangers, the season is full of opportunities for conversation. But sometimes, these interactions can feel superficial or unfulfilling. If you want to make the most of your conversations and connect with others in a meaningful way, read on for three tips to upgrade your holiday chit-chat.

### **Narrow the scope of your question.**

Avoid questions that are too broad, such as:

“How are you doing?”

“What’s new with you?”

“How have you been?”

“How’s school/work?”

These questions set the other person up to give you a pretty standard response of a one word answer like “good”, “not much”, “alright”.

Instead try narrowing on your questions that will broaden their response and engage them. In dinner groups, we like to call these questions discovery based questions that are motivated by a genuine desire to understand and connect with the other person. You’re trying to find something you don’t already know.

“Who is someone that has had an impact on you this year?”

“What class are you enjoying most at school?”

“When is your next trip planned?”

“Where did you find that sweater? I love it!”

“Why did you choose to study finance?”

“How did you learn so much about football?”

Narrowing your question does two things. It shows them you genuinely care by the question you are asking them and it helps them to focus their selection and gets them out of an auto response that typically kills the conversation instantly.

Here is another common example, if you know they’ve just gone somewhere on vacation don’t ask them, “How was your trip?” ask them, “What was the best day of your trip?”, “Tell me about your favorite meal?” Heck this will even work after Christmas break when everyone is back in the office. Upgrade “how was your break?” to “what activity this break did you enjoy the most?”

Having a great conversation ultimately boils down to asking good questions. Asking good questions is a skill which means all you need to do is practice.

### **Ask another question before getting to your opinion.**

Whenever you ask a question it can be tempting to immediately rush in and share your opinion right away. Challenge yourself, hold back, and ask another question before you do. The best tip at this monument is to remain curious.

Let’s take the first question from the last one as an example:

“Who is someone that has had an impact on you this year?”

“My co-work John has been fantastic”

“Nice. What makes John fantastic?”

The great thing about this step is you can keep going. See how long of a string of questions you can ask.

### **Love the person more than your point.**

You don’t have to win the conversation. In a world of hot takes and heated opinions it can be tempting to battle back with Uncle Steve. Let me save you time and heartache. You don’t have to win. Love the person more than you love your point.

My friend Geoff Surratt recently put together a list of phrases that will work perfectly in these monuments.

1. You may be right.
2. I don’t know enough to form an opinion.
3. That’s certainly an interesting point of view.
4. I don’t actually remember.
5. I didn’t really know him.
6. That’s definitely a possibility.
7. You have a point.
8. I hadn’t heard that
9. I really don’t know
10. How about that!

Allow this season to be one that strengthens our ability to connect with those who come into our path. Whether you’re catching up with old friends or chatting with extended family, these techniques can help you create deeper connections and more enjoyable interactions with those around you. So the next time you find yourself in a conversation, remember to focus your questions, remain curious, and let go of the need to win. By following these tips, we can make the most of our conversations, strengthen our connections with others, and create community with those around us. 


Maximize Your Christmas Conversations: 3 Techniques for Having Deeper, More Engaging Interactions


Over the past twenty years in church planting I’ve experienced so many seasons; seasons of life, seasons of ministry, seasons of marriage, seasons of parenthood, and more I can’t even remember. It would be nice if they were neatly defined and packaged, but they aren’t. They’re very much like the seasons of the year. You know generally when they’re coming, but sometimes they come early, sometimes they come late. Most of the time you wake up and say, oh wow, it’s winter. Ok, it’s summer. Did fall happen? They run into and through one another leaving your wardrobe confused and often behind. Life seasons are the same.

But like your wardrobe, seasons of life require different tools, different speeds, and different priorities. You need to pack up your toddler parenting tools and get some hand-me-down elementary parenting tools. You need to restart date night. You need to get serious about your health. It’s a new season. Time for change.

But there’s no announcement and there’s no natural transition. One season just flows into the next, with no break, no memo to get the winter clothes out of storage. Which often leaves us wearing a windbreaker in the snow.

Have you ever felt like that in life? “This windbreaker worked really well a few months ago, but now, it may be the death of me!”

There was a season where I felt like I did a decent job with changing seasons. It wasn’t a long season, unfortunately, but it did exist. During that time I practiced something that I’m looking to re-establish this coming year. It’s the only thing that’s helped me navigate this with any success.

I intentionally planned season gaps.

Season gaps are not long. They are two to three-day stretches where you allow the previous season to die and you re-establish the new season. You break out of your routine, you blow it up, and you build a routine that fits the next season. I can’t transition seasons on the run. You may be able to, but I can’t. Life isn’t going to give you a season gap. You have to create it.

This is especially critical for intense seasons. When I’m running at full speed, like in Easter Season, I can’t slow down. I need to stop and start again — slowly.

Try transitioning out of the newborn phase, while running at full speed — it doesn’t work. Having a baby is chaos, and you’ll live in that chaos for a very long time if you don’t stop and rebuild at six months. You don’t need to be in chaos at the six-month mark. It’s an entirely new season and there are a lot of things you need to re-establish, but you won’t if you don’t stop.

You need season gaps. Life isn’t going to give them to you. You need to intentionally plan them. I suggest at least three a year. You know generally when seasons are going to change for you. Put in a gap. Use your vacation for this. It’s valuable.

We don’t have to find ourselves wearing a windbreaker in the snow. We just have to be intentional about changing wardrobes.

I share this with you now because the week after Christmas is the best gap if you don’t fill it with things to do. Christmas is a blitz in a lot of ways. Take a few days, blow up the Christmas rush and the past season, rebuild the routine, and head into a new season!


Valuing the Reset


Talk about an awkward family Christmas, this was it. The worst Christmas ever. I truly believed my family was beyond hope. I was shocked, embarrassed and so unbelievably sad that this was how we would spend our Christmas. How could this happen ON CHRISTMAS EVE? This couldn’t really be my family. This couldn’t really be happening.

That Christmas Eve, my mom called me and told me she was going to end her life. My mom had struggled with alcohol and anxiety for some time but the depression and pills were not something I was aware of until that night. She was in so much pain and I didn’t know. I knew she was not happy but I didn’t know the severity of it until she called me that night in complete desperation wanting to end it all. It was terrifying to say the least. Fortunately, she did not take her life. Instead, she was checked into a mental health facility where she would stay for 2 weeks.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/IMG_2376.jpg)

That Christmas, my family spent Christmas in a painful and awkward existence. We all tried to move through the day. We put on smiles for each other and for my nieces and nephews. We did all the things my mom would do on Christmas but inside we were heartbroken and lost. Christmas was my mom’s favorite holiday and she wasn’t there. We were not even allowed to visit her. I scrolled on social media looking at all my friend’s pictures and videos of their time with their families. It seemed so beautiful and pure which was so different from the darkness my family was experiencing. I couldn’t post pictures of us laughing and enjoying ourselves. I was envious of what I thought others had; a better family than mine. Why did my family have to be so broken? Why did I have to come from such a broken family?

Just a couple years earlier, I had come to know Jesus and had experienced so much healing and hope. I wanted this for my family but instead it was just pain and brokenness. It felt like such a weight.

But that Christmas, Pastor Chris preached on how God is working to bring hope into the darkness that exists in our world and in our lives. And he said something that I will never forget. He said, not every Christmas has to have joy but every Christmas can have hope. Those words breathed life into our situation. That Christmas was not filled with joy but that didn’t mean it had to be void of hope. I can be in pain but still hold on to the hope of what God can do. I have come back to those words so many times. Our hope does not have to be placed on whether or not our family is healthy or full of joy. He is my family. He is my father. And my hope is from Him and who He says I am.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/IMG_5625.jpg)

A year later, Christmas looked much different. That year, my mom got healthy! She had started painting again and planting flowers. She showered her grandkids with love, entertained family, and baked until there were absolutely no canisters left for her amazing Christmas cookies. She was happy and whole. She had come back to God! That year my mom and I began to pray together on the phone. I was able to talk to her about my life and we developed the best relationship we had ever had.

The truth is that even in the most hopeless situations God can move mountains. Even when it seems that there is no light in the darkness, God can make a way. If this is you this Holiday season, I see you friend! You are not alone. Draw near to Jesus and let him comfort you. Believe that He can do the impossible. Your Christmas doesn’t have to look pretty or ideal! Families are messy but we don’t have to be ashamed or embarrassed. We live in a broken world so not every Christmas will have joy but take heart because every Christmas can have the hope of Jesus Christ.


Finding Hope In Every Christmas


When thinking of the Christmas season at Hoboken Grace, one special tradition that we look forward to all year is our Grace Kids Christmas concert! It is one of the cutest Sundays of the year, as the stage fills with those who are a part of our Grace Kids program, from two years old up to our fifth graders!

After practicing the hand motions and lyrics each Sunday at Grace Kids as well as rehearsing at home, the kids are led on stage by our Grace Kids teachers, ready to sing your favorite classic Christmas songs!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52542876635_2e0fb46f74_o-2.jpg)

Families and loved ones all gathered excitedly in the audience as they proudly watched their kids on stage! However, even if you don’t have children, our kid’s Christmas concert is something that is sure to bring a smile to everyone in the audience!

The parents weren’t the only ones excited to see their kids. As the children got on the stage, many found their parents straight away and were eagerly waving to them during their songs as well as spotting their siblings behind them!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52543763563_ec49cec013_o.jpg)

This year, our song list included Angels We Have Heard on High, Jingle Bells, Go Tell It On The Mountain, O Come All Ye Faithful, Joy To The World, Silent Night, and Born Is The King. Our opening song had an extra layer of fun to it as the toddlers and twos were waving around red and green ribbons.

Students from our clubhouse (grades K-5) did a wonderful job as they confidently read passages from the Bible as the younger kids entered on stage! One student in particular, did an amazing job as she boldly read one of the readings, not even knowing English in March of this year.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52547620551_23c45583c0_o-1.jpg)

There was no better way to kick off the first Sunday of December than by having our annual Grace Kids Christmas concert! We hope the kid’s concert rang in the Christmas season for all who were there Sunday morning!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/12/52542686404_996b393b44_o.jpg)

_To learn more about Grace Kids, click [here](https://hobokengrace.com/kids/)._


The 2022 Grace Kids Christmas Concert!

This past Sunday, we started a 2-week conversation called Finish Strong. Pastor Chris introduced us to ways to really take a hold of the Christmas season and how to give well.

We talked about how it’s not only better to give than to receive, but that it’s more than that. In fact, scripture tells us that generosity is where true life is found.

We really believe that – so much so, that we’ve decided to change the date of Giving Tuesday!

**Quick History Lesson**

Black Friday has been an American tradition ever since the 1950s. It’s the day after Thanksgiving and marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

With the advent of e-commerce, Cyber Monday was introduced in 2005 as an online equivalent to Black Friday and unsurprisingly, 2020 was the busiest shopping day of the year, even overtaking Black Friday.

Perhaps with a slight feeling of guilt, Giving Tuesday was then invented as a reaction to all that shopping. Giving Tuesday started in 2012 as a global generosity movement and is set as the day after Cyber Monday. 

**Putting Giving in its Rightful Place**

I love Giving Tuesday – it’s a day where I get to see all of my friend’s favorite causes and find out about nonprofits that they’ve been involved with that I didn’t know about before.

But if we believe that giving is better than receiving, surely giving should come before all the shopping!

So this coming Tuesday will be Hoboken Grace’s Giving Tuesday and I invite you to start the holiday season strong by engaging in Giving Tuesday – engaging it strategically and wisely.

If you already have causes you support – that’s fantastic! If you would like some ideas, here are two ways you can get involved.

**Hoboken Christmas Exchange**

The [Hoboken Christmas Exchange](https://hobokengrace.com/christmas/) is something we do every year. We want to make sure that no child is left without a gift this Christmas and have a program to match families that need a little extra help with those that can. 

Follow the link above to find out more information, including how you can volunteer and/or be matched with a family.

**Christmas Offering**

As a church, we support more than 12 [local and international organizations](https://hobokengrace.com/partnerships/) that seek to love others in the name of Jesus. Every Christmas, we open a special Christmas offering to allow people to give directly to those organizations. In addition to our partnerships, this years Christmas offering will also fund the continued buildout of our local community center.

To give to the Christmas Offering, simply go to our App or click [here](https://hobokengrace.com/give/) and then, under the “Reference” dropdown, choose “Christmas Offering”.

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving and that out of an abundance of contentment and gratitude, you’ll be overwhelmed with generosity – and in that, you’ll find true life!

Vinny

Director of Financial Health & Stewardship


True Life!


Two Sundays ago, things looked a little different, as just one minute into our first service of the day, we were all caught by surprise when the fire alarm went off! This can be a normal occurrence during off-hours for testing, as it’s been an ongoing issue with the building, but were surprised when they decided to go off during service!

We have a Sunday evacuation plan and practice fire drills with the kids but you don’t know how it will happen in real time. We are so grateful for how smoothly everything ran as our teams led everyone out safely in only 6 minutes! Our Grace Kids team were the champions of the day as they executed their evacuation protocol in an organized, calm, and quick manner!

As the Associate Director of Grace Kids, Megan’s first instinct was to check all the classrooms to make sure the leaders knew what to do, but by the time she got to the rooms, the teachers had already followed the protocol and were ready to head outside to the safety zone! Even members of the Grace Kids teams who work outside of the classroom were immediately ready to offer extra hands! In fact, all of our teams were incredibly encouraging as they held open doors with a smile and told the teams what a great job they were doing! Parents and guardians patiently waited as the team had to follow protocol and expressed immense gratitude for the way everything was handled.

It even ended up being an opportunity for guests and families to connect while they were waiting outside to get cleared to go back into the building! Although we had to cancel our first service, we were still able to have our two other services! It was amazing to see our 11:00 am packed, including welcoming back those returning from the 9:30 am service. Our Grace Kids team also welcomed back returning families for the 2nd service.

We are so grateful to our teams for how they handled the unexpected that Sunday! That morning also reminded us of the importance of having our own space! Join us as we continue to pray as we move through the process with our new community center. Every Thursday morning at 7:30 am we are coming together in person at 409 14th Street to pray for our new building. We’d love for you to join us!


Celebrating In The Unexpected

We chatted with some of our staff about what it’s like working for Hoboken Grace. It takes all sorts of people with different talents and strengths to make what we do possible! From production to graphic design to operations (and much more), there are a lot of working parts! We are so grateful for everyone on our teams who each play such an important role to make our Sundays and beyond possible! As we heard from our staff, they shared with us their favorite part about their job and what it’s like working here.

_Sarah N_– “I was told by a dear friend when I joined staff at Hoboken Grace that it was going to be hard and would be a battle but the greatest thing about being on the front lines of the battle is that we have a front seat to see all that God is doing and how lives are changed. She couldn’t have been more spot on. My favorite thing about working on this team is that I get to see how God pursues people and truly transforms lives.

My second favorite is working with incredibly talented individuals that use their gifts to love others. In the tiniest ways and in the grand ways – they remind me why we serve and encourage me to follow well. No day is ever the same – we go big and I love it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have stayed in Hoboken or the NY area this long, but this is home. And my experience of community and team has made it so.”

_Megan L_– “My favorite thing about working for Hoboken Grace is the healthy community that is established in this work environment. No one working here has come just because they needed a job, it’s truly a labor of love. That carries through in all our day-to-day tasks, meetings, and outside the work environment as well. It’s been really reassuring and inspiring to work in such a healthy space, especially one that is consistently growing and encouraging.”

_John M-_ “God has utilized Hoboken Grace for me to follow him and my heart on my path to loving others. After revealing His purpose for me to change careers, go back to school and become a counselor, I had apprehensions. However, Hoboken Grace came alongside and supported me through my entire journey from school to my clinical work and eventually accomplishing my dream of creating Hoboken Grace Counseling Center. They encouraged me to place my faith in God and trust that He will provide. Life hasn’t always been easy for me and all I have ever wanted was for others not to feel alone. I want others to know they are loved and allow them to be seen and heard. Becoming a counselor and working for Hoboken Grace has allowed me to do this very thing.”

_Meghan H_– “There’s a lot to love about my job at Hoboken Grace; from a graphic design standpoint I’ve been able to develop skills and explore new processes with far more freedom than I have anywhere else, and I love how focused we are in serving our city/local communities. But above it all, my coworkers are absolutely my favorite part of this job. I’ve had a fair number of roles in wildly different fields before this, and there is something so special about working in a place where the people around you not only care about doing their jobs well, but also care about the lives/wellness of those around them, beyond the 9-to-5\. We spend around a third of our lives at work, so to be in a place that is in many ways an extension of my community has been a huge blessing (especially over the last few years.)”

_Tony B_– “I have really enjoyed working at Hoboken Grace since I first started about a year ago. The people are unlike any other. Everyone challenges each other to do the best they can not just professionally, but personally as well! I have personally grown since joining staff, and have loved seeing my team and others grow as well.”

_Rachel K_– “I was in a completely different field before coming to Hoboken Grace and throughout my job search, I was praying to be open and trust wherever God was leading me in this new chapter. I felt a strong nudge to want to do something more meaningful, but I didn’t know what that looked like. I had been a part of Hoboken Grace for three years, but I hadn’t given much thought to working for a church. I am so grateful God led me here. I love being a part of a work environment where we are all on the same mission and not just any mission, but the most meaningful one! I love being part of such an encouraging and caring team as we get to grow together personally, spiritually, and in our roles!”

If you’re interested in learning more about working for Hoboken Grace, check out our [career page](https://jobs.gusto.com/boards/hoboken-grace-752e4702-d777-4871-adac-45e4c7ecf93b)! As we have been growing, so have our opportunities to be a part of our team! We currently have openings for full-time and part-time positions, as well as internships! We’d love to hear from you and to have you join us in the mission of helping people find their way back to God!


Working at Hoboken Grace


This fall at Hoboken Grace, we have been working through a conversation about how God delights in us and that we can delight in Him. If I am honest, I hadn’t really thought about this idea even though I now see so many passages in scripture pointing clearly to this idea.

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) – “Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

The series began to click for me last week as I used a grilling vegetable wok, which was a Christmas gift, for the first time. I know, you probably aren’t following this leap, but stick with me.

I am a man of habits, tracing back to my time growing up working on a farm. Farming involves a lot of schedules, seasons, and keeping a routine. Naturally, I carried those habits forward in Hoboken, even though life looks different. I enjoy my schedule and my rhythms. I like routines and structure. Now, back to the grill wok. I had always grown up just grilling vegetables directly on the grates so when I received the gift, I politely said thank you to my parents, but then didn’t use it for 10 months. A gift specifically chosen by someone who knows me, a gift chosen because they thought it would bring delight in my life, sat in a cupboard. After using it once, I have now used it each week with new concoctions and it really does bring me joy! I couldn’t believe I had slept on something I now love for so long.

Thinking back about other gifts, I found this pattern. My wife Erin gave me an Apple Pencil on one occasion, and slippers on another. My mother-in-law gave me an Instant Pot and a Nutribullet. My sister gave me a set of hot sauces I had never heard of, but ended up being fantastic. Apparently, tools used for cooking are a real growth opportunity for me. In each circumstance, I let the gift sit around collecting dust because it was outside my routine or what I was used to. The people who know us best like to give us good gifts, even if we don’t ask for them.

As I read through Scripture, a passage in Luke 11 really stood out to me, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Can you imagine a Father who wants to give you good gifts? Not just the gifts you ask for, but also what you really need and what deep down you really desire.

I think about the gifts I missed from my Heavenly Father because they didn’t fit nicely in my plan, in my routine. God gave me the gift of deep friendships because I went to a Dinner Group, which just felt like more time out of my week. God changed my view of contentment as I gave more of what I had to Him. As I engage God on this journey, I find that He gives me what I need, when I need it. Not before, not after, but at the right moment – like a great guide. When I use these gifts, I experience the joy of what God has for me and how much He loves me. God also experiences delight in seeing His child follow His will in our lives.

As you follow your normal routine this week, listen for where God may be speaking to you outside of your normal routine. Pay attention to what He is communicating through reading Scripture. God is faithful and will be there with you even if it feels uncomfortable.

Have a great week, and let me know how you see God moving as you engage this conversation or try something different.


Good Gifts!


As we are moving through our ‘Enjoying God’ conversation, Pastor Chris has been challenging us to see God in new ways. We are being reminded or learning for the first time that God delights in us and that He wants us to enjoy Him too!! We asked some of our staff how their relationship with God or view of Him has shifted throughout this series. Whether they are seeing God in a different way, experiencing something new with God, or putting one of Pastor Chris’ weekly homework assignments into practice- let’s see what some of our staff have to say!

_Vinny H._ :

“It’s been transformational in how we experience God as a family, especially our 8th grader who attends the service and listens to the Sunday conversations. Our prayers together have become a lot more authentic and it’s helped to remind us that God is a person that’s close to us that we can talk to on a daily basis. As I’ve spent less time asking God for stuff, I’ve been able to remember all the ways He’s already been present and working in my life… that in turn and just reminded me that He’s in control, He loves me and I don’t need to worry anyway.”

_Igor M._ :

“What I have been experiencing during the ‘Enjoying God’ series is how practical it has been. With Pastor Chris’s weekly homework assignments I have been able to put into practice what I have learned in the conversations throughout the week. The homework has been of great help in my walk with God!”

_Megan Y._ :

“I’ve been making more connections between the things that I enjoy that I previously felt were “apart from God” to Him. I’m realizing that they’re not “apart from Him” at all and that He brought those things into my life for a purpose. He wants me to have the joy that comes from them and He’s allowing me to meet new people and either grow from them or to be a light into their lives through shared interests. It’s so great to remember that He is in all of it!”

_Yuli F._ :

“The ‘Enjoying God’ series has reminded me to come to God as I would a friend. To share my celebrations, laughs, and trials with Him, instead of listing things for Him to fix.”

_Rachel K._ :

“I have been trying to keep up with doing the “homework” Pastor Chris has been giving us on Sunday which has really helped me to be intentional with God! It has helped me to apply all that I’m learning throughout this conversation to more than just Sunday and to bring it into my everyday conversations with God. I am excited to see the change over time as I continue to ask these new questions, change the way I talk to God, and how I see Him!”

We can’t wait to see the impact our ‘Enjoying God’ conversation will continue to have on our relationship with God going forward and we hope everyone can leave this conversation knowing what it is like to delight in God and remembering how much He delights in us!


Staff Picks: Enjoying God In New Ways


This year was our 12th annual 1Day Hoboken, where we take one day to bring together as many people as we can to accomplish as much as we can for our city! 1Day may have looked a little different this year due to the weather, but that didn’t stop us from loving our community in the best way we could.

Our 1Day Hoboken turned into 2 days of 1Day! We had over 650 people serve with us for different civic and nonprofit organizations across our city! The projects that we did around Hoboken throughout those two days will impact our neighbors for months to come!

Although the outdoor projects for 1Day Hoboken got postponed to the following weekend, we were still able to make a big impact by completing 7 indoor projects across Hoboken! Some of our projects included organizing and cleaning at the American Legion Veteran’s home, preparing meals to serve at the Hoboken Shelter, cleaning refurbished computers for under-resourced communities at Computers4People, and cleaning at Lunchtime Ministries and the Symposia Community Bookstore!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/10/52405002383_11d391ab93_o-copy.jpg)

The team at the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps was so grateful for our help! They said what our team was able to do in just that one day would’ve taken them weeks to do! It’s amazing the significance one day can have and we are so grateful to have been able to come together to impact our community!

The second day of 1Day was just as strong, as our other volunteers came together to complete some of the originally planned outdoor projects! We had hundreds of people all around Hoboken painting curbs and fences at the Hoboken Housing Authority, weeding and gardening at the Community Gardens, and organizing and cleaning at the Community Food Bank. It was amazing to see the new friendships being formed while serving together and the contagious joy of everyone who was a part of 1Day!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/10/52405001338_cba856e5bd_o-copy.jpg)

At Hoboken Grace, we believe _we don’t just live here, we love here_! It’s incredible to see the impact of just ~~one~~ two day(s) of service and what can happen when we come together to love our community! We are so grateful for the hard work the Bridge Events team put into planning our 1Day this year and for all of those who served with us at this special event!


Rain Turns 1Day Into 2Days!

I grew up in the suburbs of southeast Pennsylvania in West Chester about 40 minutes from Philadelphia. As a result, I never experienced living in a city before coming to Hoboken to attend Stevens Institute of Technology, nor did I experience how my faith would adapt to these circumstances. It was not the balancing of academics or the homesickness of PA that was a problem but I wondered if I could make new friends and also wondered where I would go to church.

The first night at Stevens was one of anxiety and sadness. I missed my girlfriend, I missed my bed, I missed my friends at school, and I missed the suburban environment. I did not realize how much my life was going to change.

Although I was frightened and worried about what the city environment could bring, I ended up making relationships that would change my perspective on the very things I was worried about. One day, I was walking around my school and found Stevens Christian Fellowship (SCF). I wanted to get integrated with faith because I needed a community and I also needed to find a Church. When I was growing up, it was so important to be in a faith community — that is how I made friends and grew.

I walked into Stevens Christian Fellowship and they welcomed me with open arms. Every last person in that community became and still is one of my friends and they made a lonely freshman, a loved one. As I got integrated, I found Hoboken Grace in the fall of 2019\. That week, Pastor Chris started doing a series on the book “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. Like many newcomers to Hoboken Grace, I was new to this type of unique service. On the other hand, I felt the words were speaking to me and all that I was going through. Actually, I read the entire book with another member of SCF in the weeks Pastor Chris was presenting it. It was an enlightening moment that welcomed me to Hoboken Grace.

As time went on, I got to know Hoboken like the back of my hand and it was thanks to both the Stevens Christian Fellowship and the Hoboken Grace community. I am able to attend Hoboken Grace services, events, and groups alongside students that are going through the same things as me and that is something very special. Although I still missed my girlfriend, I introduced her to Hoboken Grace as well, and she got more involved in her own Christian community back home.

Hoboken Grace has brought me an environment that I feel has always loved me and my friends. Both pastors, Anthony and Chris, have come to Stevens and have spoken to our students, and that is very special. Now, I’m here in 2022 wondering where I would be without such an amazing faith community.


Finding A Church At The Right Time

As we head into a new season, it is the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and dive into something new! We have so many opportunities for you to step out this fall and get plugged into community! From fun connection events, to making an impact in our city, to meeting new people, we have plenty of ways to start off the fall in a powerful way! Who knows what one small step of trying something new could lead to?

**1). Join A Dinner Group**

Dinner Groups are at the core of what we do here, as they are essential in getting connected beyond Sundays! God didn’t intend for you to do life alone- you were created for community! Make sure you [sign up](https://hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups/#join) for a group so you can walk through the fall and our conversations alongside others! We have Men’s, Women’s, and Married Groups, where you will find a place to be real with one another, grow together, and form friendships!

**2). Come Out Of Your Shell**

We have a lot of exciting [Connection Events](https://hobokengrace.com/events/) coming up this fall! From our [Hoboken Coffee Crawl](https://subspla.sh/6xqmdfw/) to [The Doughnut Hop](https://subspla.sh/nx3dpj7/), there’s something for everyone – and it’s an easy and fun way to meet new people! So mark your calendars for all of our upcoming events and join in on the fun!

**3). Make An Impact In 1Day**

Our 12th annual 1Day Hoboken is right around the corner on Saturday, October 1st! Each year, we take one day to make the biggest impact possible in our city in a day completely devoted to service. There will be over 35 service projects across the city and we will end the day with a fun after-party celebrating all that’s been accomplished! Don’t miss out! [Register today.](http://hobokengrace.com/1day/)

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2022/09/51543959486_3b1d918550_o-1.jpg)

**4). Find Financial Freedom**

When it comes to giving generously, oftentimes what holds us back is anxiety over our finances. FPU is for anyone who dreams of finding financial freedom — freedom from debt, anxiety, and any sort of uncertainty about budgeting and financial planning. Join us as we engage our finances from a new perspective and pursue true financial peace! Find out more and [register today](https://www.getfinhealthy.com/fpu/)!

**5). Invite Someone To Church** 

As we head into fall and walk through our new conversation, Enjoying God, it is the perfect time to invite someone to church! You never know the potential impact you can have on someone’s life by simply inviting them to join you on Sunday!

**6). Join A Team**

Joining a team is a great way to serve others, share your talents, have fun, and meet new people! Maybe that looks like making people feel welcome each Sunday morning, as a member of the First Impressions Team. Or helping kids learn about how much God loves them through Grace Kids. You can also make an impact through photography, social media, planning events, and so much more! Check out all of our [impact teams](https://hobokengrace.com/teams/) and experience the power of serving with us this fall!

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2017/09/51995582689_659ed7a559_o.jpg)

**7). Meet New Friends**

If you’re looking to make some new friends, you don’t want to miss our [Speed Friending](https://subspla.sh/7ymtrs8/) connection event on Sunday, September 25th! There will be fun questions and icebreakers to make meeting new people enjoyable and easy!

**8). Share Your Story** 

One powerful way to impact those in our community is by sharing your story of how God has been moving in your life. God can use your story to impact others’ lives by encouraging, inspiring, and igniting their faith. Find out more about [sharing your story](https://hobokengrace.com/share-your-story/) with us!

_For more information about any of these events, groups, and other opportunities, email info@hobokengrace.com._


Stepping Out This Fall

We talked to some of our staff to find out what they are reading this summer! They shared with us why they’re reading it, what they’re learning, or what they’ve been enjoying about it!

**_Em_ _ma S._** 

“I’m reading _Hinds’ Feet on High Places_ by Hannah Hurnard and it’s actually my second time reading it because I enjoyed it so much the first time. It’s an allegory about a character named Much Afraid who is learning how to follow her Shepherd to the High Places. I love it because it beautifully explains the journey of a Christian through life – encountering trials, fears, and transformation with God. I cry, smile, and laugh all while reading this book!”

**_Luiz R._**

“This summer I’ve been reading through a book called _The Grace of God_ by Andy Stanley and it’s been a very good read so far. The title is pretty self-explanatory but it’s truly incredible to read through this book and be constantly reminded about how much God loves us. This book works through different stories from history and the Bible, presenting us with endless examples of how God has shown His grace to us time and time again, even when we don’t deserve it.”

**_Meghan H._**

“This year I really wanted to focus on building long-term routines and habits, and the book _Atomic Habits_ by James Clear was highly recommended to me (unprompted) by several different friends. I’m only in the first chapter, but it’s been a fun read so far!”

**_Tony B._** 

“I have been reading _Herding Tigers_ by Todd Henry. As the Director of the Production Team, I am leading a very creative team, and I want to improve as their team leader. This book is all about how to lead a creative team, and even only being a couple of chapters in, it has already taught me a lot!”

**_Nick L._**

“This summer I’ve been reading and enjoying _Deeply Formed Life_ by Rich Villodas who is a pastor in Queens. For those who already participate in our Rhythms at Hoboken Grace and/or Axiom, this is a great compliment to those practices as this book helps communicate how we can live contemplative lives in the city without needing to escape to the wilderness.”

_**Rachel K.**_

“I’m reading the _Meaning of Marriage_ by Timothy Keller, which I first started reading when I was single because I wanted to learn more about what a strong Christian marriage looks like and how I could date more intentionally! I wanted to be able to enter those stages of dating, engagement, and marriage with a better understanding of God’s design for marriage.” 


Staff Picks: Our Summer Reads

Blog

A Diverse, Growing, Contemporary, Community Church in Hoboken

Everything we do revolves around our mission of helping people find their way back to God. Our goal is to demonstrate who God really is and to let others know that God wants a relationship with each and every one of us.

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