Baptism Sunday at Hoboken Grace is always a special occasion. We love to celebrate and are honored to be part of the journey when someone takes the next step in their faith.

It is so amazing to see someone publicly pronounce their commitment to Him and the rebirth and transformation they are expressing by washing away their old selves and arising from the water renewed.

As we always say at Hoboken Grace, it doesn’t matter where you are or what you’ve done, God is pursuing you exactly as you are. Chelsey discovered this herself and realized she didn’t need to make a huge change or reach a certain level of perfection before she took the next step of faith. She decided to come to Him and take the step of baptism exactly as she was and she was so glad she did.

The Story Team recently spoke to her about her experience.

Story Team: What was the feeling like when you were baptized?

Chelsey: After getting baptized I honestly felt new and had so much joy in my heart. I haven’t felt so happy and alive as I did when I rose up from the water. I felt sad and stressed with everything going on my life before, but I felt so good after getting baptized. I have so much faith and God has blessed me so much.

Story Team: Who was up there with you?

Chelsey: My mother and father were up there with me. They have always been part of my life and leading me to right the path to follow Jesus.

Story Team: For another Hoboken Grace community member who may be thinking about taking this step, what would you say to them?

Chelsey: If you feel it in your heart, do it! Don’t do it because someone else tells you. You’re doing this for God and yourself, you’re committing to this big step.

Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism?

Chelsey: Before taking the step of baptism I didn’t want to get baptized because I felt I would continue sinning. Then I spoke to Anthony and he explained to me about the real meaning of getting baptized. I was scared for a couple of years because I was afraid of making the same mistakes all over again. But this year I felt a lot of things good happen and God had blessed me so much. Going to church and listening to the word of Christ has touched me so much. I have stopped so many bad habits and I prayed, worshiped, and attended church more. I decided It was time for me to get baptized because I felt it in my heart; I had no doubt, I believe in Him!

To learn more about baptism and how you can take this step of faith click [here.](https://hobokengrace.com/baptism/)


Step Into Faith

Kim and her family thought they had found a home in Hoboken, they had purchased a condo, their kids were settled into school, and the whole family was plugged in at Hoboken Grace. Everything was going according to plan, when suddenly life took an unexpected turn, and Kim’s husband’s job found them all uprooting and moving to the Dominican Republic five years ago. 

In addition to the language barrier and cultural differences, they had a hard time finding a local church, and nothing existed that was similar to Hoboken Grace. Most of the churches were traditional Catholic and Spanish-speaking. They managed to find a small English-speaking church but the traditional Catholic services and lack of connection groups, children’s programs, or community events were a far cry from what they had come to love about Hoboken Grace. 

Kim wondered if this new place would ever feel like home and she longed to feel connected again. They made the most out of it and even helped create a Grace Kids–like class for the children at their new church, but it wasn’t quite the same. Then, the pandemic hit and they struggled further to make connections and navigate their new community. The shutdown completely limited their options for spiritual engagement and their local church stopped holding services. 

Although the pandemic seemed like it would make some local connections harder, it did provide unexpected ways for Kim and her family to reconnect with the church family they had left behind. Hoboken Grace’s virtual services, dinner groups, and Grace Kids programs, suddenly gave them opportunities to find their home in Him, no matter where they were. 

The Story Team recently spoke to Kim about her experience and the impact these virtual connections have had on her and her family. 

Story Team: You turned to Hoboken Grace once your local church stopped holding services. What did you find?

Kim: We had kept up with Hoboken Grace after we moved and we would often listen to the services online, but when the shutdown happened and Hoboken Grace expanded their virtual options, we were excited to be able to engage more. Ever since March, the kids and my husband and I have been listening to the messages every Sunday. 

Then in the fall I joined a 10-week virtual women’s dinner group and in January, my husband and I joined Re/Engage virtually which has been great. I have also had an opportunity to serve virtually by joining the Analytics Team at Hoboken Grace. 

We’ve got a nice system now where we can attend church virtually as a family. The kids participate in Grace Kids, then we all watch church live together and it feels like we’re fully engaged and attending church again together. 

Story Team: Why was it important to you to join a virtual dinner group?

Kim: As Pastor Chris says, if you just hear the message on Sunday but you’re not putting it into practice and changing things, there’s not much point. When I lived in Hoboken and attended dinner groups before, they were always such a great place to talk through things and put the messages into practice. So, I was looking forward to being able to do that again and was happy to also join Re/Engage to get my husband more plugged in as well.

Story Team: What was your experience like having been in an-person dinner group before and now joining an all-virtual one? Did you feel like you were able to make good connections and build relationships?

Kim: I think that of course there’s something nice about being live, but everyone was very supportive and everyone was open to talk things through. And now with the Re/Engage group, I feel we are very connected and everyone in our Re/Engage group is so supportive and honest and we have felt really comfortable opening up to them. 

Story Team: How have you been able to develop community through your various virtual group experiences this year? 

Kim: I felt like I immediately got a support network. When you have people praying for you, you immediately feel like there’s people out there who care about you and who you can talk openly to. It seems like in today’s world it’s hard to talk about your beliefs and spirituality so it’s amazing to have people who share that and a space where you can openly discuss what you’re feeling and thinking spiritually. And not only people who are listening to you, but also holding you accountable and helping you apply it your life. So, it’s great to have that outlet and people in your life who are praying for you, supporting you, and encouraging you. 

It seemed like it would be difficult to make a connection virtually but being involved in the groups, serving virtually, and watching live services, I feel like I’m making more and more connections. 

Story Team: How important has it been for you guys to have these connections now that you are away? 

Kim: Now that there’s an opportunity to do so much more online, I feel like we’re part of the church again. Being able to interact with the community again has been so nice. Hoboken Grace has evolved so much since we lived in Hoboken five years ago and it’s been great to reconnect and see the growth. 

Story Team: How have your personal rhythms and relationship with God grown through these connections?

Kim: Being able to be in a group and also find a way to serve has brought me deeper and pushed me to take different steps on my own spiritual journey. It started with just deciding to watch live and attend virtual service regularly. Then I was like, I should join a dinner group. That led me to serve as well. Those steps helped me grow spiritually and helped my personal rhythms. It helps you stay connected with God and your daily rhythms expand as you get more involved. 

Story Team: When your local church opens up again, do you plan to stay connected to Hoboken Grace?

Kim: It will be interesting to see how things evolve. We may be moving soon, either to another country or maybe back to Hoboken, and if we do that, I’ll definitely be reconnecting to Hoboken Grace. But in the meantime, I will probably do both. We have been able to bring some of Hoboken Grace to our local church by helping to establish a kid’s program and I have fostered a lot of relationships here that are important. But I think in some way I think we’ll always stay connected to Hoboken Grace. Having so many options to connect virtually right now really makes me feel like I’m part of the community. It’s been great to see people attending virtually from all over the country and world. I’ve seen people online from the Philippians, all over the US, and everywhere. So, it’s great to see the technology evolve and everything that Hoboken Grace has done to be able to support that happening.

Story Team: Why would you encourage others to join a dinner group right now?

Kim: I think for anyone who is looking for a sense of community and to connect with other people in general, but to also connect spiritually and be able to talk about God, groups are such a unique forum to do both. I would tell people it’s so easy and welcoming. You will feel like you’re connecting from the very first meeting. I know it can be hard to make the decision or you debate it for a while, but when you finally do it you will feel instantly connected and welcomed and glad you made the choice to do it. I’m so happy to be able to stay connected even though I’m abroad and I hope others will find that connection too. 


Home is Where He Is


Every Sunday at Hoboken Grace is a special one, but there is something about those times when Pastor Chris brings out a bottle of champagne that adds a little more cause for celebration. That’s right, Baptism Sundays!

When somebody in our church family makes the life–changing commitment to God through the act of baptism, we celebrate and come together knowing that this is a journey in which they are not alone. A couple of weeks ago, Sophia was one of two members of our family who were baptized, and the story team spoke with her about what made the experience so meaningful to her.

Story Team: What was the feeling like after you were baptized?

Sophia: After I came up from under the water, I felt weightless, as if all my burden was taken on by someone else. I felt an overwhelming peace.

Story Team: Who was up there with you?

Sophia: My two daughters, my husband, my sister, my niece and my mom.

Story Team: For another Hoboken Grace community member who may be thinking about taking this step, what would you say to them?

Sophia: This is one relationship that you will find faithfulness and unconditional love. Who wouldn’t want that? When you give your life to Him, you will forever rest in His loving presence.

Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism?

Sophia: Because He had been working in my favor, I wanted to relinquish control of my life in His hands. I need Him to show me the path forward, moment by moment so that I can stay close to Him and do things His way.

Story Team: Anything else you’d like to share?

Sophia: I am just so happy to be a part of His family and cannot wait to see how He plans on using me. I am honored and humble to be called His child.

To learn more about baptism and how you can take this step of faith click [here.](https://hobokengrace.com/baptism/)


Sophia’s Commitment

When Addison moved to Hoboken in 2013 from North Carolina, he had no idea that decision would change his life and ultimately, help to change the lives of others as well. Although his time here was brief, it has had lasting implications that will now reverberate for years to come. 

Like so many others, Addison came to New Jersey for a job in New York City out of college. He found Hoboken as many of us do, after a chance apartment search that had him walking the streets of Washington Street and appreciating the charm and vibrance of our little mile square city. 

He made his new home here, but a sense of longing to connect deeper with the community led him to seek out more and he eventually found Hoboken Grace. He said he quickly fell in love with the vibes and mission of Hoboken Grace, drawn to the sense of acceptance and welcoming he felt, and nourished by the music, messages, and people who made up the church family. 

New Jersey also gave him another unexpected, and life-changing gift in the form of his future wife. When they started dating, she also began to attend Hoboken Grace and she too fell in love with the community it offered. Addison and his wife left Hoboken and moved back to North Carolina in 2018 but they never forgot their time in New Jersey and the impact that Hoboken Grace had on them. 

Addison’s grandfather was a Christian and devoted himself to giving to God. He was also a prolific investor, investing in property and other real estate in North Carolina. He even purchased a piece of land that he had dreamed would one day house a church. After many years of waiting, he finally saw that reality and a church and Christian school were built on that land. 

In 2019, at the age of 91, Addison’s grandfather’s long and remarkable life came to an end after a long cancer battle just six weeks after his beloved wife also unexpectedly passed away. Addison’s family said that, “Mama went up to heaven six weeks before dad to make sure it was ready.” 

When sorting though the estate, Addison and his family discovered that his grandfather had designated that 10% of his assets be given to churches even before anything went to his children or grandchildren. In keeping with his wishes, Addison’s mother asked Addison for input about which church should receive anything. Addison said it was a “no-brainer” and that he knew that Hoboken Grace should be on the list. 

When the church initially received the generous donation, there was uncertainty about where it had come from! We began to investigate the origin and soon uncovered Addison’s involvement.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/02/Image-from-iOS-6.jpg)

We learned of his time with Hoboken Grace and the lasting impact it had on him and his wife and how it led to this generosity on behalf of his grandparents.

Though they had never been to Hoboken Grace, they still demonstrated their faithfulness to God and giving to His mission, even after they passed. 

I recently interviewed Addison about these amazing events and why he felt compelled to ensure his grandfather’s legacy would contribute to the legacy of Hoboken Grace. 

**Story Team:** Tell me a little about your time with Hoboken Grace and what your experience was like here?

**Addison:** When I first started going to Hoboken Grace, I just loved the whole vibe; the messages, the music, I even got on a soccer team with some of the people from church. My then girlfriend, and now wife and I both just really enjoyed attending. When we moved, we hated leaving and missed it so much. My wife says she still gets emotional thinking about the baptisms and how they were celebrated, it was always just so moving to see. When it came time to make the gift, it was a no-brainer that the first church on the list for me was Hoboken Grace. Because of the impact that you guys had on our lives when we were up there, and I knew the church was still doing great things, we just wanted to contribute and be part of it in some small way, but I wish we could have done even more. 

**Story Team:** You guys left Hoboken before the launch of the Home Initiative but the endowment your grandfather gave is being earmarked for the Home Initiative. How did you learn about the Home Initiative and why was it important that the money went towards it?

**Addison:** During my time up there, Hoboken Grace was meeting in two different locations. When you think about my grandfather who loved to give to churches and was passionate about building churches, it just made sense that it would go to help Hoboken Grace find a permanent home.

**Story Team:** When Hoboken Grace first received the endowment, they initially weren’t sure where it came from or why and upon investigating, they discovered your connection and time with Hoboken Grace. What about your time here made an impact on you and why did you feel it important to give in this way?

**Addison:** I think there’s so much to be said for the way Hoboken Grace does things. I just loved the “come as you are” mindset they have and how accepting it was of people from all walks. They always made me feel comfortable and encouraged and it was a great place to be. I miss it and haven’t found a church quite like it since. 

**Story Team:** During your time here, how did Hoboken Grace impact you and your wife’s walk with God?

**Addison:** It was the ability to go to a place to be encouraged to live a good life, the morals and the values they teach, and how to stay true to the word. It was so uplifting and encouraging. 

**Story Team:** After hearing about the Home Initiative and how your family’s contribution will go toward that, what is your hope about how that will have an impact? 

**Addison:** I hope the gift encourages the church to know that other people support the mission and goal to put down roots in Hoboken, even stronger roots than you already have. By being able to establish that primary home it will help the church focus on other things that matter and better serve the community and spread the Word. I also think about all the events and outreach things the church does and how great it would be to have a space to do those in. When you’re able to give and pour into the community the response is so strong. Hoboken is such a cool place and my wife and I miss it. So, the idea that you guys are there and will be there a long time to just love on that area is so great to know. 

I don’t feel like we are deserving of a story by any means, but the idea that my grandfather’s small gift will have a greater impact and be used this way and possibly inspire others to give is so cool. It’s crazy to see my grandparent’s legacy will continue to have an impact even years after they passed.

I hope the next time we are up in New Jersey we can visit Hoboken Grace and see for ourselves how the church is growing and changing! 


Creating a Home in God


When I first heard about [FPU](https://hobokengrace.com/fpu/), I was immediately intrigued – a Biblical way to manage my money? Sign me up. I wasn’t in debt and I’d always considered myself responsible with money, I just never really had a plan. My budget was whatever felt convenient at the time and I was haphazardly saving for this elusive thing called retirement — a far away place and time that everyone told me I needed to prepare for, without telling me how. So when I took FPU, I was ecstatic to find out that it was a proven, step-by-step plan for budgeting and wealth building.

I’ve since taken FPU four times — and not because this program is difficult to understand or hard to follow. Actually, it’s quite the opposite. FPU is built on baby steps, with each step representing a milestone in your financial journey. As I move through the steps, I find something new to focus on, something that’s more relevant to my life now.

I also keep taking FPU because it gives me the freedom to say yes to God. There have been many times I’ve felt the nudge to do something bold but couldn’t because of money. We often feel nudges — to move, to give, to quit a job, to downsize, to upgrade, to take that trip, to start that company. I now live a life free to follow the path God intended for me and can say yes to Him every time.

Thirdly, I keep taking FPU because I don’t deserve it. Let me clarify: I don’t deserve a new pair of shoes just because I’m upset I lost a big client. I don’t deserve to drive a Porsche because I work so hard during the week. I don’t deserve to buy a house because I’m tired of apartment living. I don’t deserve anything I haven’t earned! I’ve learned this, and yet I still find myself walking down the shoe aisle. Like everything else that is Christ-like, living financially free is not the norm. People will convince you that you deserve to feel good, regardless of the consequences. Taking FPU provides a community of people who are living against the grain alongside you. It’s a place to share your struggles and the triggers that make you want to spend, spend, spend. FPU keeps me accountable, and reminds me why it’s so important that I tell my money what to do, not the other way around.

If you’ve taken FPU in the past, chances are you’ve already put what you learned into practice. But taking the class a second — or third or fourth — time enables you to go even further, building upon step after step. The first time I took FPU I learned how to budget. The second time I figured out what an emergency fund should be. The third time I completed my emergency fund, and now I am learning how to invest for retirement. It’s a concept that is no longer elusive to me at all, and something you should absolutely prepare for. Let FPU show you how…

**Our latest set of FPU classes launched this week and registration is closing soon! Click [HERE](https://hobokengrace.com/fpu/) to find a class time that fits your schedule!**


Why I Took FPU Four Times (When I Wasn’t Even in Debt!)

In 2020, Hoboken Grace was able to remain a stable rock for our communities even in the midst of so much unpredictability. God worked through the challenges and trying times to provide bright spots in the darkness. We are extremely humbled to see all that He has accomplished and are so thankful for the efforts of each and everyone one of you who we share and build this home with. 

Here is a look back at some of the most impactful moments!

We kicked off the year with the Home Initiative in an effort to establish a permanent worship space and community center in Hoboken. Who could have expected that the shut-down would happen before we were able to even have our official launch and Commitment Sunday? Despite that, we were overwhelmed by your faithfulness to the mission and what God has done with your generosity. More than $2.8 million dollars has been raised with a total commitment of $10.5 million dollars pledged so far. We are well on our way and it will eventually allow us to impact Hoboken and our local community in bigger ways!

Take a look back at Vision Nights and the launch of the Home Initiative here:

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/vision-nights/>

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/what-a-night/> 

In March, the shut-down began and Hoboken Grace made the transition to virtual services, dinner groups, and team meetings. There was definitely a learning curve and the transition wasn’t easy at times, but we quickly got our bearings and by Easter, the church hit its digital stride. Although the annual Easter Egg Hunt was unable to happen this year, the Easter Service still had a huge impact, and the Easter season was especially meaningful and poignant, given the circumstances many of us found ourselves in this year. The Worship Team and countless Hoboken Grace volunteers, staff, and leaders banded together to pull off a particularly creative and special virtual Easter service. Check it out here! 

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/creativeeasterexperience/>

Dinner Groups were affected early by the shut-down as they were forced early-on to adopt a virtual platform. Our tireless Dinner Group leaders and the church staff worked to support the groups as they made the transition. With that support, existing groups were not only able to continue, but groups were also able to grow as the need for new virtual groups became vital. Dinner Groups held 82 in-person and virtual connection events, had 1,529 online meetings, and there were 232 first-time group attendees! To see how Dinner Groups flourished in the middle of the pandemic check out this blog: 

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/common-people-common-table-common-goal-online/> 

In May it became apparent that the virus wasn’t going away as quickly as hoped and we began to realize that some members of our community were suffering from some of its many effects. We wanted to step in and offer assistance whether it be financial help, job seeking assistance, food, or emotional support via impact phone calls, counseling, or connection. We set up the Home Response Plan in order to help those local small business and individuals in our community who were in need. Read about these amazing programs here:

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/home-response-plan/>

One of the best virtual experiences to come out of the quarantine response this year was ‘Anthony and Chris in the Morning.’ The show launched in late Spring and has been a huge hit all year! There were laughs, inspirational moments, and opportunities to dive deep into the Bible. All of it from a refreshing perspective and in a way that only Pastor Chris and Anthony can deliver. 

Catch the live shows online every morning on the app at 8am! You can read more about the launch of the series here: 

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/anthony-chris-in-the-morning-finding-the-light/>

In the Summer, things began to open up a little and the church sought safe ways to begin meeting in-person again. Soon, we were able to host indoor services and add outdoor services at the Lawn! The Lawn, which was made possible by the Home Initiative, turned out to be a major lifeline for our community. In addition to outdoor service, it was used to hold connection events, community engagement events, and team meetings. By adding two options for in-person services and still offering online services, we were able to come together and spread the message of God’s love with our family, wherever they were this year. Learn more about our plan for ‘three ways to engage’ here:

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/three-ways-to-engage/> 

Come September, one event that we weren’t sure would be possible this year was 1Day Hoboken, our annual impact event. This year we needed a community impact day more than most years but it seemed insurmountable to be able to pull it off safely and still have the same level of effectiveness. God once again proved He is bigger than the virus and 371 volunteers joined in to make 1Day a huge success!

<https://hobokengrace.com/1day/> 

November was a month with many special events, Team Link was held virtually in the middle of November and was a great success. 105 people joined teams this year and many of them got connected through Team Link. Learn more about how to join a team here: 

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/five-common-questions-joining-team-2/> 

To celebrate the leaders of those teams as well as all our leaders, Hoboken Grace holds an annual Fall Team Gala. It was yet another event this year we weren’t sure would be possible but as we had found over and over this year, with God all things truly are possible and we were able to hold the gala in November at The Lawn. It was a huge hit and a wonderful celebration of our many leaders! 

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/fall-team-gala/>

We all needed a little Christmas this year. One event that is synonymous with spreading the Christmas spirit at Hoboken Grace is the Annual Christmas Exchange. Despite the difficulties, we were able to pull off an incredible Christmas Exchange which brought the joy of Christmas to more than 1,000 local children! 

<https://hobokengrace.com/blog/spreading-joy-the-2020-hoboken-christmas-exchange/>

This is just a highlight reel of the amazing work that God has done in our community this past year. When we look back on this year, we recognize there has been a loss for many people in many ways, but we also want to celebrate the wins. God won the day and triumphed over our circumstances to bring amazing change and impact us as a church family, as well as help us to impact those around us. To learn more about all that God has done this year at Hoboken Grace, check out our 2020 [Impact Report](https://hobokengrace.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=9dfae6ab97d25cbc5ab67e78d&id=bb1d920e12&e=d62036fff0) to see all that He has done! 


Hoboken Grace in 2020

As Christmas Eve approached, a rainy weather forecast had us all a little worried about whether we’d be able to host the outdoor service at The Lawn, but the rain held off and the temperature warmed up too!

As everyone gathered to celebrate Him (safely and socially distanced!), the feeling of the night was just perfect. Several Christmas trees–each lit with beautiful soft white lights–dotted the space and illuminated a nativity scene. Large posters displayed a welcome letter to our community and the lyrics to ‘O Holy Night.’ To make things even better, there was just enough snow still left on the ground to create a fun winter mood. The Lawn would invite us all to worship one last time in 2020!

The band opened with ‘Joy to the World’ and we sang His praises for the rest of the night with ‘O Come All Ye Faithful,’ ‘Noel’ and, of course, ‘O Holy Night’. These songs just never lose their spiritual and emotional power!

Pastor Chris spoke about the humble birth of Jesus and how it was not some grand show or spectacle that all the world could see. It was something much different; a birth in a stable. Then, we fast forward and it is not until about 30 years later that we hear much more about Jesus’ life, teachings, and miracles. That was quite an unexpected story and timeline for the Savior of the world! 

That may not be what we would expect for Jesus, but it’s not often that God’s timeline matches our own expectations. This was especially true for many of us in 2020\. It was a year with many unexpected occurrences and delayed plans, but that is OK! 

It’s important to remember that even in this age of instant things, we can and should rest in God’s timeline. It’s important that we challenge our traditional thinking and let go of expectations that are rooted in our own desires and wants. What if we changed our expectations so that they are focused on where we will be in 30 years instead of where we will be tomorrow? 

We were encouraged to learn from Jesus’ story, and refocus ourselves so that we are looking at where we are going instead of thinking about where we are now. We should be focused not on just the circumstances of today, but on a life that includes a relationship with Him! 

It was a powerful Christmas Eve discussion that each of us should think about in the days, weeks, and years ahead. You can still catch the online message [here](https://hobokengrace.com/podcast/christmas-eve-2020/) if you were unable to make it.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a happy New Year! See you in 2021!


Christmas Eve at the Lawn: A Night to Remember!

The Hoboken Christmas Exchange is an amazing event that shows just how much a church community can accomplish when it comes together to help others. It was the sixth annual event, and more than 1,075 children received gifts, including toys, clothing, books and other necessities. God is doing great things!

It was a truly joyful time filled with laughs and tears, and also a unique event that required a range of safety precautions to ensure the use of PPE and appropriate social distancing. The emotions were summed up nicely by a mother of one the recipients, so we thought it would be nice to share her thoughts with everyone:

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity and willingness to give, especially with this year’s unprecedented hardships and health concerns,” said Tina. “I want to thank all of the Hoboken Christmas Gift Exchange donors and volunteers for their selflessness and thoughtfulness, and may God watch over you and your families to keep you safe!”

No child should go without a Christmas gift, and the Hoboken Christmas Exchange is part of our effort to achieve that goal. This year, it was especially important that we commit to this given the challenging circumstances faced by so many.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2020/12/50712163381_a55265bb28_w.jpg)And we stepped up! Gift donations came in from 425 different people and nearly 200 volunteers contributed to help make the event possible. Families throughout Hudson County are rejoicing as their children will experience a Christmas morning filled with joy.

We are also so grateful for the partnership of several organizations that helped identify families in need, including: the Hoboken Housing Authority, HOPES CAP, TRUE Mentors, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County, In Jesus Name Charities and the Hoboken Police Department.

The Hoboken Housing Authority is one of the key partners and we’re pleased to be able to share their feedback as well:

“Running from your bedroom to the Christmas tree is one of those memories that I think many of us cherish as we look back at our childhood,” said Danny Perez, Resident Services Coordinator at Hoboken Housing Authority. “We can’t just stand by and hope that other children have that experience too. It takes action, and so we are proud to partner with Hoboken Grace to make Christmas special for these families in our community.”

As Christmas now approaches, we can celebrate all that God has provided through this event and the impact it will have on our community. It’s a great example of our motto: “we don’t just live here, we love here!”

Thank you to all involved and we can’t wait to see the how He guides this event, our community and our church moving forward!


Spreading Joy! A Recap of the 2020 Hoboken Christmas Exchange

When we’re young, we write Christmas lists with everything we think we need to be happy. As we get older, we begin to expand those lists to include life goals, status symbols, career prominence, and other achievements we feel we need in order to feel that Christmas-morning-level joy in life. But how often do we take that list to God or include Him in our plans and dreams? And if we do take that list to God, are we asking Him for short-term wants or things that truly matter?

This Christmas season we are walking through a new series, “All I Want for Christmas is…” which poses the questions, what are we asking of God, and what would change in our lives if He actually granted those things? Do the things we ask for matter to Him (hint: yes!)? And are we even asking Him for the right things? 

Lists come with expectations, but if we’re honest, circumstances are almost always beyond our full control. And so, in most years, we may find that our wishes and plans fall short of what we hoped we would do or obtain. What if it’s because we’re trying to achieve those dreams on our own or seeking out the wrong things? 

What’s on Your List?

In the first conversation of the series, “[What’s on Your List](https://hobokengrace.com/podcast/whats-on-your-list/)?” we talked about what we’re asking or hoping God will do this Christmas. Are they material or relational things? Are our lists focused on the right things? 

Pastor Chris discussed how many people in Jesus’ day had a wish list for the Messiah that was focused on all the wrong things. Because of this, He didn’t meet expectations the way people had planned, and so they could not understand why Jesus had arrived or the importance of the things He accomplished. In reality though, the things He did and promises He fulfilled were even better than they could possibly imagine! 

Jesus teaches about what actually matters and that the most important thing in our lives is our relationship with God. This relationship is above any earthly wish and it provides true happiness and Christmas joy. 

Make a Joyful Noise

This week, we also enjoyed the time-honored tradition of watching the Grace Kids Christmas Concert. Extra creativity was needed in order to create a virtual event this year, but it was just as joyful and heartening to see the kids performing and helping commence the holiday season. The kids helped spark some Christmas warmth with their adorable renditions of Little Drummer Boy, Born Is The King (It’s Christmas) and Joy to the World. 

It was wonderful to see their smiling and sometimes mischievous faces (for those a little too excited or nervous about performing! Ha!) as they sang out His praise and celebrated the reason Christmas exists, to honor the birth of our Savior! 

The holidays are a magical time, full of family, community, good feelings, and the joy of giving. As we head into this special season together, let’s remember what really matters and that the true happiness of Christmas is found in the promise that Jesus brings. When we include Him on our wish lists and ask for the things that really matter, we can find true happiness.

If you missed the beginning of the series, be sure to jump into the Hoboken Grace app or [website](https://hobokengrace.com/podcast/) to watch.


All I Want for Christmas is…


We recently wrapped up the “God is For Us” series here at Hoboken Grace. The end of a series is always a great time to reflect on the full conversation as it encourages us to think more deeply, or differently about what God was teaching us.

This week we sat down with longtime Hoboken Grace member John to discuss how this latest series impacted him and changed his perspective on past challenges he has faced. John’s powerful message is one that all of us can learn from and think back on as we strive to remember that God is for each and every one of us.

**_Christian:_**

John, we’ve been going over this profound idea that “God Is For Us.” What learnings from the series have you been able to take with you on days beyond Sunday in an effort to bring that message into your everyday life?

**_John:_**

This series has been really interesting because each conversation has really applied to different moments of my life and how God has worked through them. It’s made me reflect on my past and think about how God was there at some pivotal moments.

Growing up I was bullied a lot. Made fun of, picked on, and it really dictated who I was. There were a lot of moments in that time where I doubted that God was for me, and even doubted that He would even want to be for me, because I didn’t like myself.

**_Christian:_**

That really shows the difference between hearing “God Is For Us” and thinking of it as a nice, comforting thought, but then living your life, going to school and sometimes you don’t really see it or feel it.

**_John:_**

Exactly. And the aspect of doubt was how could He be for me when so many people seemed against me? They made me feel like I was not normal, and I would then seek acceptance elsewhere.

Because if I didn’t like myself, then how could God like me? I dealt with this question for a long time. When I was younger it was the bullying and my escape was running to my bedroom after school and using my imagination to get away from the pain. As I got older my outlets changed. Partying was a great distraction and everyone else seemed to be doing it. I was also pursuing dangerous relationships. These things became my identity and helped to numb the feeling that I still didn’t like myself.

So, it’s interesting…as I’ve listened to this message about how God has always got our backs and goes before us, I look back at these parts in my life where I was running away from myself and God because of the circumstances. I see now that He was there, He was pursuing me! There were things that happened where I know that it was God looking out for me. So even in the moments where I was not living life for Him, because I just didn’t see the point, He never abandoned me, and He had not forsaken me.

**_Christian:_**

In those darker moments, did it feel like a giving up on God type of thing?

**_John:_**

Yeah. I mean I didn’t necessarily give up on God. I had accepted Him into my life when I was 16. But it’s funny…in those moments where I was still really struggling, I figured I still needed to do things that others were doing to be accepted, but there’s a lot of emptiness in that. I thought each time I did those things, that God would abandon me, but He never did. Instead He just kept coming for me, which then lead to me to realize that He has a plan for me.

It was a very frustrating time because even knowing this, I still ran and made choices where I was still seeking acceptance in worldly things instead of God.

**_Christian:_**

That’s interesting. We hear a lot about the “wrath of God” and about punishment in the Bible. We become fearful of that. That if we were to ever go against God then why would He stick with us?

**_John:_**

I do believe that we can’t escape the consequences of our mistakes, but God is always there as well. And when I think about God planning the way, there were choices I made in my life like the pursuit of unhealthy relationships that interfered with His plan and that I knew God would not want for me.

But every time I pursued a lifestyle and relationships that I knew in my heart God would not approve of, something would happen and a door I was trying to walk through would close. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t do what I wanted, but eventually I came to the conclusion that God was not wanting me to do that thing, whatever it was. He was trying to keep me safe.

**_Christian:_**

Do you often feel that God is still opening and closing doors in your life right now? What would you say to somebody that maybe doesn’t know if what they are experiencing is a sign from God or just a coincidence?

**_John:_**

During ‘God Is For Us’ we talked a lot about doubt. This aspect of having something tangible to see and believing that if God is for me…then show me something. Prove it.

I chose to change careers about 8 years back. This was because I started feeling restless and wasn’t sure what to do with my life. I was comfortable with my job and enjoyed a lot of it, but all of a sudden there was something missing.

I started having conversations with God and began to deepen my relationship with Him. Over time, I began to realize that there were certain things I had to remove in order to become closer to Him, so, I started doing that.

As that was happening, in one of my conversations with God about what was next for me…this idea of becoming a counselor came into my mind. It made sense because one of the things I love to do the most is to be there for people. That’s because I didn’t have that in my own life with all of the bullying and all the stuff that just made me feel less than.

But, I initially pushed away the thought of being a counselor because I was unsure of whether it was me or God who was making the plan.

It just so happened that soon after I was sitting down with Pastor Chris and I was telling him where I was at mentally. His response to me was “have you ever thought about becoming a counselor?” In the moment, I actually didn’t recall the conversation I had with God, but I told Chris I thought it would be cool and so he said, “when are you going to start?”

I began to panic about what appeared to be a drastic change and said “with going back to school and licensing, I thought it would have to be at least a year!”

**_Christian:_**

Couldn’t just pack up your things and be a counselor tomorrow, right?

**_John:_**

Right. But as soon as I stepped out of that meeting and was waiting on the bus to get to work, I remembered the conversation with God and felt “this is what I’m meant to do!”

I stepped on the bus and began to cry because I believed I was going to have to leave my community which had become my family and head somewhere far away from them in order to go back to school.

But I was later comforted knowing that God uses people to speak His message a lot of the time. As a counselor, I could play a very tangible part in reaching others with His message.

I felt ready to do that because I had been having regular conversations with God myself. It always helps to develop that voice within yourself first in order to develop a relationship with Him and better understand His plan for you.

For me, that ultimate plan was that He wants to send me out to love others. Which is also His plan for everyone!

**_Christian:_**

It’s like the concept of paying it forward. You want to be there for people.

**_John:_**

That’s right. When I talk to people I ask them to listen and constantly be in conversation with God in order to receive wise counsel. But on top of that, I tell them that they have to start stepping forward and be proactive in their relationship with God. We spoke earlier of this idea of seeing signs of God. We often have to step forward in our faith in order to experience those signs.

As I started to walk towards God, He started opening doors. I sat down with the church, told them about my counseling dream and they promised to walk alongside of me and support me through the process. God was walking with me and ahead of me. But if I didn’t take steps forward myself in faith, I wouldn’t have been able to see those doors open.

That’s the powerful thing for me and how I know He’s always been there. That doesn’t mean I don’t still struggle or have doubts, but as I look back at my past and see how God was there during all of these trials, I know that God is for me. He is for each of us!


How It Started vs. How It’s Going

The greatest moments are found in the things we regain. In a year of so much loss, there was a lot we thought wouldn’t be possible and yet many great things unexpectedly still happened. Perhaps those things had to be reworked or re-imagined in order to meet new requirements, but even those slightly modified life events are welcome blessings this year!

The Lawn was one such way that the church found to bring our community together. A multi-purpose space, and an extension of the Home Initiative, The Lawn served as an outdoor church, event space, and gathering spot for our community this year. 

Among the many things The Lawn provided, it also gave us an opportunity to hold the annual Fall Team Gala. The Gala is an event that gives back and celebrates those in our church who tirelessly give of their time by serving on one of our many teams.

Initially, Pastor Chris said he was unsure whether we would be able to hold the Gala this year. A large-scale, socially–distanced event in an outdoor setting during a month when cold weather and rain are an ever-present threat, seemed impossible. But is anything impossible for God? So, the Gala was planned for a Saturday in early November and we all waited to see what would happen. 

The evening of the Gala was, thankfully, unseasonably warm. Pastor Chris said to those in attendance, “If there was any doubt that God is for us, just look at this day He has given us!” The weather was amazing and The Lawn made for a perfect location to come together safely and celebrate our hard work and service this year. 

There was amazing food, Burrito Bowls from Burrito Joint, Gringos Taco Truck, and Mozzarepas. There were also lots of fun lawn games like Cornhole and giant Jenga and lively music. But the best part by far, was seeing all of our friends from the other teams and coming together to celebrate a challenging, but rewarding year.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2020/11/yLTa3U4Q-2.jpeg)So many teams have had to modify their service by serving virtually or in a socially distanced manner, while some teams have had their service put on hold as their normal service roles have not been happening. Other teams are working over-time in the face of dwindling team size due to people moving or some members being unable to serve right now. And some teams are serving at The Lawn and 301 Garden on a weekly basis to bring an in-person experience back to our community.

With all these changes and service looking so different this year, it was wonderful to still be able to celebrate that service at the Gala. The Gala looked differently than past years, some would argue possibly better, being more festival in atmosphere, than semi-formal event. But regardless of how it occurred, the fact is that it did occur and in a year of so much loss and cancellation, the event was even more special and encouraging to the attendees because of it. 

If you’d like to attend the Team Gala next year get on the list by joining a team! Now, more than ever we need people to join teams! For instance, do you enjoy writing? The Story Team that writes blogs like this one is in need of passionate writers. And there are so many other opportunities to serve and bring a talent or skill that can be useful to one of our many teams! To learn more about Teams and how you can serve this year and be part of next year’s Team Gala, visit <https://hobokengrace.com/teams/>. 


Fall Team Gala

Just like the early church, we’re called to the same mission of helping people find their way back to God. But in order to fulfill that mission, everyone is called to engage in it.

At Hoboken Grace, several teams, in-person and online, do their own small part. While some roles are more visible, like serving in the band or greeting people, others are much more behind the scenes — making coffee, setting up tables and chairs, taking photos, writing stories. Each role is just as essential, and each team depends on each other — like different parts of the body working together.

[Joining a team](https://hobokengrace.com/teams/) is a great way to meet people with similar interests. And it’s an easy way to pick up new skills.

In the meantime, here are five questions you might have.

**What’s the time commitment?**

With many teams at Hoboken Grace, there’s bound to be one that fits your schedule. While most teams serve on Sunday mornings, there are also many opportunities to serve during the week. There are ways to serve both in-person and online! Some teams are more flexible than others — for example, while the Writing Team meets throughout the month, team members can write on their own time. (As long as they meet deadline, of course!)

**How will I know which team is the right fit?**

In choosing a team, it’s often helpful to think about your gifts. Also, what do you love doing? What makes you feel alive?

Are you a people person who thrives on making connections? Or maybe your friends rave about your hosting abilities. The First Impressions could be a great fit. While First Impressions creates a welcoming environment on Sunday mornings (through the setup and tear-down teams, hospitality and greeting, and connection points).

Love photography, writing or video production? Or do you have social media or marketing skills? Our Communications Team works to tell the story of what God is doing in our community.

Do you love helping others? The Community Impact team works to impact those in our city, demonstrating God’s love in tangible ways (simple service, bridge events and partnerships.).

Or maybe you love working with kids. Serving with Grace Kids can make a huge impact on our city’s children — and their parents.

Perhaps you have a passion for music and/or production. Our Production Team and Band look to create an experience that engages you in-person and online every Sunday through visual, sound and lights.

**What if I’m still figuring out this whole faith thing?** 

That’s fine! Teams are a place to grow, no matter where you are. 

**Do I need to have experience for any of these teams?**

Absolutely not! One of the great things about joining a team is the opportunity to learn new skills. For example, while the Production Booth might look intimidating, most members got started without any knowledge of how the controls work. You don’t need to be a photo whiz to join the Photo Team.

**What if I join a team and then decide I don’t like it?**

Most teams start with a tryout period — no, not like an audition. You’ll get the chance to “shadow” someone on the team, learning what they do and getting a preview of what it’s like to serve. If you decide that a team isn’t a great fit, you’re welcome to give something else a try.

_Ready to serve? Sign up [here](https://hobokengrace.com/events/?sapurl=Lys1d3lqL2xiL2V2LytodGhnN2d0P2VtYmVkPXRydWU=) for Team Link happening this Sunday._


Five Common Questions About Joining a Team

Many nostalgic thoughts run through our heads when we think about the month of October. The fun decorations, parties or candy (way too much candy), and the chance to dress up as all kinds of different characters from comic books, movies and TV. Some of my favorite costumes I’ve ever had were from my childhood days. I was a frog, a rock–star, a bear, Pikachu, and then even Pikachu again in 2019\. 

In a year of uncertainty, there was one thing we could count on; Grace Kids throwing a mega\-awesome-costume party! As the weather turned quickly from summer into fall, an Ewok costume came in handy for an extra layer of warmth. But extra layers of capes and wigs were quickly forgotten as kids raced around the roof playing corn hole and tag. Our princesses and angels smiled sweetly on as an entire saga of Star Wars paraded through check-in. 

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2020/11/50530380452_31c68b6c77_w.jpg)

The baby Yoda was the cutest of them all. Superhero six-packs were prevalent, muscles flexing on tiny arms. And two Spider Men (ahem…one spider women, excuse me) couldn’t be caught as they swung their way through songs of worship and praise. All in all, a mega-awesome-Sunday yet again at Grace Kids on the roof.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2020/11/50530385057_bfa4bce728_w.jpg)The reason this October tradition continued to bring joy to our families, was because so many events have had to be modified to fit our current times. What’s the point of dressing up in your best, funniest or most impressive costume if you can’t share it with people in person? That is why it was so exciting to provide the chance for our kids to celebrate and have fun together. Sometimes all it takes is a silly costume to put a smile on their faces which in turn, puts a smile on all our faces too.


Mega-Awesome Costume Party

18 Jesus came and said to them, “All power has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go and make followers of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLV)

Last Sunday Hoboken Grace held its first ever Commissioning Ceremony. A Commissioning Ceremony for a missionary is a symbolic and powerful event that affirms the purpose the missionaries have committed to as well as the commitment their home church has made to support them, pray for them, and help them as they step out in faith. 

Pastor Chris said this was the first ceremony of this kind we had ever held at Hoboken Grace. The event was even more special given that it was initially supposed to take place in the spring but was delayed due to Covid-19\. The fact that we were finally able to conduct this important event and do so on the Lawn, a place God has provided for us to complete our mission locally, and was now being used to facilitate a global mission as well, was especially significant. 

This ceremony was for a couple at Hoboken Grace and their two small children who in the few years, decided to finally be faithful to what they felt God was calling them to and step out to become full-time missionaries in the Middle East. They are taking a tremendous step of faith leaving behind their careers, their friends and families, and the comfort of life in America to follow God into dangerous and unknown parts of the world in order to spread His message. It is illegal to spread Christianity in the predominately Muslim country the missionaries are headed to so for their safety and anonymity, we are not mentioning their names or destination country in this article. 

At the ceremony, Pastor Chris gave a brief message in which he explained the reason for the event and its significance. He also spoke about what an important endeavor the mission they were taking on is and how it relates to our belief that all people have been made worthy of love by the sacrifice Jesus made for us. He also explained how we are called to be ambassadors for Christ wherever we are, whether locally or to strangers in a foreign land like the missionaries were going to be. 

He explained that it was not just about sending them off but also about our commitment to them as a church. He said, “They are not leaving our family, they are extending our family and we must commit to stand with them and behind them and commit to pray for them consistently.”

Despite the fact that they have been delayed in leaving for the mission field because of the Pandemic, they say that they have found comfort in God’s promises and have been encouraged by His word during this time. Pastor Chris said that even though they don’t know when they will be allowed to leave and when the borders to their destination country will reopen, that whenever it happens, the scripture says over and over when referring to God’s timing, that it’ll be at “just the right time.”

The wife spoke about things she has found comfort in while they wait to go. The ceremony began with one of her favorite songs right now, Worth it All by Ben Cantelon. One particular line speaks to what they are feeling about stepping out in faith this way:

I let go of all I have, just to have all of You  
And no matter what the cost I will follow You  
Jesus everything I’ve lost I have found in You  
When I finally reach the end I’ll say  
You are worth it all

The wife said that this idea that He is worth it all is what gives her comfort in the moments when they have doubts or fears or don’t know what is going to come. No matter what the cost, they have decided to follow Him. She spoke of being a mother to two young children and the extra risk involved by taking them to the Middle East. She said she has placed them in God’s hands and knows He will take care of them. 

She also said that everything they will face will be worth it if they can just change one person’s mind over there about who Jesus is. She said that the place they are going is full of lies about Jesus and if they can undo one of those lies, it’ll all be worth it. 

The husband said that one thing the delay has afforded them is the chance to learn the local language they will be speaking. He also said that he has found reassurance from experienced missionaries who have encouraged them to stay strong. He also finds comfort in the scripture Psalm 23:5 which says, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” He said that he knows that God is preparing the table for them and even though the future is unknown right now, he knows that God is working it out in His timing.

James Sproule, the Community Impact Director at Hoboken Grace spoke about the ways Hoboken Grace is partnering with the missionaries to help them. He said that they basically created the partnership program from scratch and had never done something like this before so they took a look at what was needed and how to be helpful to these specific missionaries as well as adapt for future ones. 

He said, “Walking with missionaries is multi-faceted. It means walking with them financially, in prayer, and being basically like the best hotel concierge ever. They need to know the partnership team is there for them 24/7 and is available to support them in whatever they face and whenever they need. If they need something, like if they need to get out of the country suddenly, we have to make that happen right away. They need to know they don’t have to walk through this alone. This is all new to us but we are building it out and creating how best to support them. But we have to be flexible to follow where God leads and not only support them financially and spiritually, but practically as well.”

After Pastor Chris spoke, the elders of the church and Pastor Chris lay hands on them and took turns praying for them. Pastor Chris prayed for them to have fearlessness, gentleness, and wisdom as they stepped into a new culture and to be able to navigate their surroundings while emulating the fruits of the Spirit. He also prayed that God would open the doors for them to go and thanked God for the honor of being on the journey with them. 

Those in attendance also affirmed their commitment to pray for and support the missionaries on their mission. The entire ceremony was one of hopefulness and a wonderful example of faith and courage to follow where God leads, even if it is to a scary and unknown place. 

You can join in supporting these missionaries as they go. Even if you don’t know them, you can still be part of praying for them and joining with Hoboken Grace as we send them out to further the mission of helping people find their way back to God.

To learn more about what we as a church are doing to support local and global missions, check out our partnerships page at [hobokengrace.com/partnerships/](https://hobokengrace.com/partnerships/).


The Great Commission

When Covid-19 first hit and Hoboken Grace had to move to a virtual platform, one of the biggest changes came for the Band. Trying to figure out the best way to bring the worship experience online was definitely a challenge. Tony was one of the people in the band and on the production team tasked with helping out with the transition. His background in music, production, and audio engineering made him the perfect person to help coordinate the new platform and help the team adapt to the ever-changing needs of worship these last few months. 

Tony shares his experience with the early days of being fully virtual and also what is has been like with the team coming back together to worship live again. 

In the beginning of the quarantine Tony worked with the production team and band to figure out how to best bring worship to the virtual platform. 

Story Team: What was it like to transition to a virtual platform for the band and how did you guys make the decision to go from pre-recorded videos of past services to the in-the-home, videos of the team singing during quarantine?

Tony: One of our leaders in the band reached out to me before Easter and showed me a video of a band that was doing something special with their recordings and asked me if it would be possible for us to do something similar. We had our Video and Audio Team, so I thought we could figure out how to do it. So, we worked to get the songs ready for Easter but it was a monster! We had 2-3 weeks to get it done and it was definitely a learning curve for me, for our leaders, and for our Video and Audio Teams. I compiled the tracks and that is what we used to record all the videos. We quickly learned it was difficult to sync everything up and had to figure out how use a clapping sound at the beginning of the song to sync the video and audio together. We learned a lot from the Easter videos for the future, but it was a beast! I probably spent 20 hours mixing everything together for Easter. 

Story Team: What was the response to that new format and how did it change worship during that time?

Tony: We got a lot of positive feedback over those videos. The best part was hearing people say they thought it was a live recording because they came out so good. I think people really appreciated seeing the efforts of the production and music side come together to provide a really unique worship opportunity for everyone at that time. It was really great knowing I was part of that and our team really grew from that experience. It got easier going forward as we got better at it, but it was a great process to create those videos. 

Story Team: Now that the band is coming back together live, what has that been like for you guys?

Tony: I’ve loved people’s reactions to seeing the live band back together. It was especially great for the band, when we came back together, because we got to play live again and not just individually in our homes. I think that was really cool, it was so fun when we first came back together. I’ve really loved being able to merge my production background into the worship side and be able to work on things from both angles. It feels so good to serve in this way.

Story Team: How was the team dynamic during all this, at first when you guys were all separated, and now coming back together, what has that been like?

Tony: When we were quarantining, we had virtual connection events and game nights to come together and spend time with each other so it was fun to be able to connect in that way. We also have a band 

Slack channel that we use and we were always posting on there and sharing things we’d come across and different ideas. We also shared songs, and really supported each other constantly on there. Now we’ve begun to have social-distanced, in-person connection events for the team so that is great.

Story Team: What did God reveal to you over this process of being all virtual and coming back to in-person worship?

Tony: One of the things I definitely found by working with others and sharing the production process with people, who maybe didn’t have my background or experience, is that I had to learn patience and humility. Even though everyone may not have all the technical know-how or specific knowledge I had, my way wasn’t always the best way to do things. God taught me a lot of humility in collaborating with others. Just because I have a degree in Audio Engineering, that doesn’t necessarily make me the expert. I had to learn to let go a little and collaborate and allow for other people to share their ideas and gifts as well. 

Story Team: What have you seen God working out these last few months with the team and you, personally, throughout the whole journey?

Tony: As a team we’ve always really had to support each other because we play together on Sunday mornings. That need for support was really emphasized when we were recording by ourselves at home because even though it was different, it was still an act of worship recording the songs like that. The fact that we were able to put together something that could reach so many people and allow them to still worship no matter where they were, was incredible. We had some great times and even wrote a song during quarantine! 

Personally, God has been working a lot of things out with me; patience, humility, and finding time for God and my spiritual rhythms has been an ongoing process. I have had some impatience for things when I look at my life and where I think I should be professionally and personally. Everything has been frozen in time and I’ve lost some income, and because of the nature of my career, my industry has essentially shut down. I was also trying to potentially move out of my house and struggled with whether or not to do that. So, I’ve had to shift my priorities and God has really been teaching me patience and timing throughout this. 

Story Team: It seems like collaboration and teamwork has really been essential to help the band and production team get through everything and adapt to the changing needs as you went along. 

Tony: Absolutely, whenever there was a struggle, someone would reach out in the Slack channel and say, “Hey how can I do this?” and we’d work together to figure stuff out. So, it’s really been a team effort and certainly a win that we’ve been able to put all this together and do all that we’ve done. I would say most of the team would agree that it’s been an amazing experience that we were able to supply worship in the various forms and adapt to whatever was needed. 

Story Team: Yes, it’s definitely impressive how you guys were able to innovate and reach as many people as possible for whatever was needed at the time, as that’s been a moving target with everything constantly changing. 

So, what are you most looking forward to as we come back together and things start to shift to more normalcy?

Tony: I’m just really looking forward to communal worship again. The virtual stuff has been great but it’s not the same for me. I love live music and live concerts so I’ve looked forward to us finally coming together and worshiping together as a church again in-person at The Lawn and 301 Garden. Whatever we do, the band and production team is good at rolling with the punches, we have to do that every Sunday morning from one service to the next. Things never go totally as planned so we’ve always been good at adapting!

Story Team: What’s been your biggest takeaway these last few months?

Tony: I’ve learned that if you’re struggling and in the thick of it, to just take a step back. You’re probably not thinking straight in the moment with emotions and everything you’re going through and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. So just take a step back and have patience, it can change your whole perspective. Wait on God’s timing and just hit the pause button. God’s really revealed that to me through everything I was focused on and stressing over. 

At one point when I was really focused on where my life was and worried about things, I was reading through scripture and came across Romans 8:25 which says, “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.” 

That just really spoke to me and I was like wow, ok God, I get the message! I’ve gone through so much stress and it caused me anxiety and sleep issues, but ever since, I’ve been trying to step back and just let things be, I’ve felt such relief. Just having patience and letting go has been so helpful. It’s like that saying, “Let go and let God” and that’s what I’m trying to focus on now. 

To see Tony and the rest of the band you can tune in every Sunday online or register for one of our in-person services! Registration for in-person is required and opens every Tuesday at 5:00 pm for the following week. You can register by visiting the Hoboken Grace App or by visiting the website. 


Worshiping on Multiple Platforms

If you visit Hoboken Grace long enough, you’ll hear it over and over again: We don’t just live here, we love here. We do everything we can to love Hoboken and make it the best it can be. One of the ways we do that is by taking our words and putting them into action through our biggest service project of the year, 1Day! For the past decade, we’ve taken one day to bring together as many people as we can to accomplish as much as we can for our city. 

This year, Saturday morning on September 26th, over three hundred and seventy volunteers climbed out of their beds and got ready to show the residents of Hoboken how much they love them by working in teams to beautify and restore neighborhoods. Some teams planted flowers in parks, some painted railings and playgrounds, others cleaned up trash along the Hudson River, and so much more. 

“1DayHoboken is the event I wait for every year. I love to connect with our community and having my 7-year-old son be a part of this with me, is really meaningful!” – Veronica, 1Day Volunteer

When church events were canceled in the spring and summer due to the pandemic, I was afraid that 1Day would be canceled too. But Hoboken Grace’s staff worked hard this year to make sure it happened in a safe and organized way. It looked a little different with virtual volunteer opportunities and multiple launch sites as groups met at three different parks throughout the city, but the fact that it happened, goes to show how passionate our community is about serving. It’s hard not to be encouraged by the difference that we were able to make in just one day, despite the circumstances. 

As the opening prayer concluded, I grabbed my tools and set out for our designated location. Not knowing that I was assigned to help garden at one of the parks, I made a big mistake. That morning I decided to wear white shoes, not thinking about how dirty they might get, but that’s okay. Now the memories of 1Day live on my shoes and every time I see them, I’m reminded of what it looks like to serve our community.  I’ve personally never been a fan of yard work, especially when I’m doing it all on my own. Raking leaves? They’re just going to fall again tomorrow. Mowing the lawn? Nothing more fun than walking back and forth in a yard for hours. That all changes, though, when I’m doing it with friends as a service to others. It’s a great way to give back to the community that I call home, while also making new friends or catching up with old ones.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2020/10/50388090962_4fc9e9437c_w.jpg)

While we’re all trying our best to find a sense of normal, whatever that means anymore, it was great to have an event that involved the whole church family and to keep the decade long tradition alive, despite circumstances working against us. Rain or shine, pandemic or not, it is important to show love through our actions. I can think of no better way to do that than putting in a hard day’s work for the city I love. 


#1Day2020

I think I’ve spent more time outside these past few months than I have in my entire life combined. Alright, that MIGHT be a slight exaggeration, but I have been getting a lot of fresh air due to our current circumstances. Most of my meals have been eaten on sidewalks and the majority of my social interactions have been in parks. I can now add church to the list of places where I can spend some time in the sun. 

I was thrilled when I found out that Hoboken Grace was going to offer three ways to enjoy services including online and 4 in-person services, indoors at 301 Garden, and outdoors at The Lawn. I personally enjoy the outdoor setting option. As restaurants, movie theaters and gyms have all pivoted to the outdoors, so are churches. Renting out the vacant lot next to the Pilsner Hauls & Biergarten for the next few months not only gives our church family the opportunity for another way to attend services, but the ability to use the space for any outdoor event or dinner group that wants to use it. Whether it be a team huddle, a clothes swap, or a comedy event, the space is open for us and proof that even amidst a pandemic where things are uncertain, God still provides for us. 

Being able to meet for church exclusively online was a real blessing for me when the pandemic started. As much as I missed the in-person community, I also subscribed to the opinion that any time I got to worship was worth it. I am grateful that I still have the option to engage live online every Sunday, but after a while, I began to feel “Zoom fatigue” and missed Sunday morning worship service, in-person. For me there can be so many distractions at home or wherever I tune in online. For me, nothing can replace the in-person experience like the live music and the laugher heard after one of Chris and Anthony’s jokes. I’m sure they appreciate hearing the laughter in-person as well. 

I have been a greeter for a few the of the in-person services and each time, I love to look around and notice just how smooth an operation everybody puts on. The signs we hold up that say things like, “I’m smiling under my mask” are just one of the fun ways we can show love towards everybody who enters. At the outdoor service, I’ve even had the opportunity to have conversations with Hoboken residents just passing by on a run or walk with their dog, who have been curious about what kind of event we were putting on. They are people who may not have ever heard of Hoboken Grace before seeing us worship together outside. It’s just additional confirmation that no matter where we are, with God’s help, we’re still able to impact the community. 

Hopefully, one day, we can go back to the way things were, but in the meantime, it’s great to embrace these new methods of church that God is calling us to try out. You can choose your own adventure by tuning in online or registering for the in-person services. To learn more on all three options, you can visit: <https://hobokengrace.com/sunday/>. 


Reunited and it Feels So Good!

More than half of the guys in John’s dinner group didn’t join by signing up online, as some people do. They’re guys he simply met and invited. (In some cases, it took a few tries.)

“They’ll joke around, like, oh yeah, this guy tried to get me for six months before I finally joined a group,” John says. But even when it’s a joke, there’s also some truth to that.

After leading a dinner group for more than five years, John’s found that a personal invite is more effective than expecting people to sign up online. A personal invite can be incredibly impactful.

“A lot of times, people don’t feel comfortable signing up for a group after you tell them about it — they don’t know who they’re going to meet, and just having the ability to know a face before you go in can be really beneficial,” he says.

For someone like John – an extrovert who jokes that persistency is one of his gifts — inviting someone to dinner group comes naturally. But even if you don’t share those traits, inviting someone is usually easier than we make it out to be.

Here are a few steps to do just that.

**1). Strike Up a Conversation**

“A lot of times you are casually saying hi to your neighbors or hanging out with friends in your quarantine circle.”

John spoke about a recent message that Pastor Anthony gave on speaking about faith and how conversations can arise at any time or place like a BBQ, grilling, or hanging out. You never know how God may use you. You never know how God is already using you in your town, in your neighborhood, at your workplace, and in your family

“Getting to know your neighbors and colleagues is a great way to begin the conversation. The opportunities are there, you just have to look for them.”

**2). Extend an Invite**

John likes to share parts of his story to help people feel more comfortable, he often mentions that he leads a dinner group, and how beneficial that community has been in his own life. It’s a great way to meet people, he says.

Oftentimes, he’ll invite people to check out his group. It’s a way to let someone know they’re invited.

When someone expresses interest in your group make sure you have their number, John says. That way you can follow up with a text — which people are typically more responsive towards.

**3). Don’t Be Afraid to Try Again**

Don’t be discouraged if someone turns down your invitation.

“What I try to do is engage them every time I see them — just get to know them. I don’t try to push dinner groups, but maybe I’ll ask them about it a couple weeks later.”

In the meantime, build a relationship with them. Ask how they are doing, and invite them to a connection event or another outing with people from church. This can be a great icebreaker for people who have never attended.

“I invited several of the guys in my dinner group for more than a year,” says John. “And then it finally fell into place where it worked for them.”

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2018/01/IMG_5366-1024x790.jpg)

**4). Don’t Underestimate How God Can Use You**

“You never know who God is going to put in your path.”

That proved true on a recent Sunday morning when he attended an in-person service, when he started talking to someone he’d met once before. Midway through their conversation, John brought up dinner groups again.

“He was like, ‘You know, I’d actually be really interested.’” John says. He’d recently moved to the area with his girlfriend, but they broke up not long after. He didn’t know many other people, he told John.

John invited him to his dinner group, and the first night he came, he told the group he was there because of a conversation he’d had with his mom that weekend. She knew he was having trouble adjusting and suggested getting involved at church.

It was the next morning that John brought up dinner groups and extended an invitation.

“That had nothing to do with me. I just happened to be there, because God planned that. And that’s why I say you never know who you’re asking. … There are times when someone is going through something, or something’s going on, and you never know if maybe God’s been leading you to that person for a reason. Don’t think this has to happen at a church service. It can happen at any time or place during your day.”

**5). Not Outgoing? That’s Okay, Too**

If bringing people together isn’t your gift, find the person in your dinner group who’s a natural connector, John says. Encourage them to be the recruiter for your group. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the leader — it can be anyone.

Or, just try it and simply get to know someone.

**6). Build a Group Where There’s Always Room for More**

For John, dinner group isn’t just about Tuesday nights. He tries to build into his group throughout the week, whether that means inviting them out or attending a church service with them if they have never been. It’s a mindset that encourages his group to grow closer together and ensures that everyone feels welcome.

It also encourages further growth. Two of the guys in John’s group are apprenticing to lead their own group — one of them was someone John spent months inviting. They’re both great guys, with incredible gifts, says John. And once they have their own groups, they’ll be able to extend the invitation even further.

_Interested in joining a dinner group? You’re definitely invited! Visit [hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups](http://hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups) or stop at a Connection Point on Sunday. Or, want to start_ _your own group? Email dinnergroups@hobokengrace.com._


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