
Let’s be honest. When speaking about times in which we honor mothers, it should be every day. It’s the least we could do for them living us the gift of life and raising us to be the people we are today. But it is special that a day is set aside to remember, honor and uplift the mothers and motherly figures in all of our lives.![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/05/51169184805_c6b2c131e3_c.jpg)

With Mother’s Day always falling on a Sunday, it has become a tradition in many households to spend Mother’s Day morning at church. Tons of them would be there anyway, but there’s just something different in the air on Mother’s Day, spending it with other mothers and the kids who turned them into mothers. Like a handful of other holidays, Mother’s Day was an unfortunate casualty of the pandemic in that we, as a church body, had to spend it separately in our own homes.

Some were in lock down with their mothers, others lived far away and couldn’t see them, but coming back together for it this year felt like no time had passed. Seeing the smiling faces of the Hoboken Grace moms and their families as they entered the doors reminding us how important this type of communal experience is and how we’ll always find a way to celebrate.

If you attended in-person service this past Sunday, you might have noticed the special coffee station we had set up just for this occasion, as well a photo station for family pictures and a gift of Hoboken Grace mugs given out to all the mothers. So many mothers and motherly figures showed up that more were given out than anticipated, showing how eager everyone was to get out of the house and be with family and friends during this wonderful day.

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Mother’s Day at Hoboken Grace

The decision to get baptized is an awesome one. It represents one of the most important steps of faith we can make. But how does the process start?

To help answer questions people may have about it, our story team recently sat down with Roman. He’s one of our online care pastors who supports and guides people who are thinking about baptism.

We were also able to hear from Cristina who was recently baptized about why she wanted to take the step and what it meant to her.

Check out their stories below!

**Roman Talks ‘What is Baptism’**

Being baptized is an incredible picture that symbolizes the spiritual rebirth that has happened to a person who has decided to follow Jesus and Him only. It’s beautiful and very much a joyful moment that we get to share with God and with those around us.

For those who have decided to trust in Jesus and to follow Him with their whole lives, being baptized is one of the next steps of faith! This can sometimes seem intimidating at first for a variety of reasons. If you are wanting to get baptized, we highly encourage you to take our What is Baptism class that will greatly inform you about what being baptized means.

You may still have specific questions about baptism! There is no shame in asking questions because many people have questions about baptism. We encourage you to ask those questions at [What is Baptism!](https://hobokengrace.com/baptism/) We host this class every 1st Sunday night of the month. Currently, this class is being done over zoom at 8pm.

During the class you can expect to hear in-depth knowledge concerning baptism that is found in the Bible. This is important because we want to better equip you with the biblical understanding of baptism! If we have a quick conversation, it’d be nearly impossible to talk about without missing crucial aspects, so our goal is to be intentional by providing class.

One question that is often asked is “Can anyone attend the class?”. Absolutely! Whether you have placed your faith in Christ yesterday or years ago, it doesn’t matter! We’d love for you to attend because if you haven’t considered getting baptized yet, there is no reason to wait! If you have placed your faith in Chris, you are ready to be baptized! That is amazing news because you don’t have to reach some level or acquire any other prerequisite.

Often, people ask or think things like, “Well… I think I need to mature in my faith or grow in my relationship with God just a little bit more… And then I’ll get baptized. Does that seem right?” My answer to that is no. God doesn’t require any other qualifications other than trusting in Him to be your Lord and Savior. Another common question that people ask is, “Do I need to be baptized to be saved?”. The answer to that one is a big no. The physical act of being baptized does not save you. From what we read in the Bible, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus and in him alone.

There are also many times when people come to me and say that they were already baptized as a baby. If you told me that today, what I’d say to you is that I’m glad that your parents wanted the best for you. I have no doubt that they wanted you to have a relationship with God and to be raised in the church. They wanted good for you. But as we read the Bible, we believe the scriptures make it clear that being baptized is something that only people who have put their faith in Christ do. Knowing that, we see that we are commanded by God to be baptized. This is an amazing opportunity to witness so many others that you are His now and forever!

Now after you get baptized, what happens next? Well, there is nothing special with the water that we use or the tub that you get dunked in. You won’t suddenly start behaving perfectly in everything you do… But you will have just announced to everyone on stage that you are proud to be His son or daughter. You will have publicly declared that He is truly good and worthy of following as Lord of your life! Him saving you is the best thing that has ever happened! From that moment on continue to seek Him first in all that you do and you will grow in your relationship with Him just like you and I grow in our relationships with those who we love.

**Cristina’s Baptism Experience**

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

Amazing! I’m in awe of what God has done and is doing for us if we simply trust Him. I could not articulate the overwhelming feeling at that moment; yet, assuredly I felt God’s presence and still do. You can feel God’s spiritual awakening that is happening within you and around you as you’re being renewed. It’s a glorious feeling!

Story Team: Who was up there with you?

Yvette , Dana, Rachel, Kelsey, and Megan.

Yvette is one of my best friends who also is my sister, and she has demonstrated what it is to love like Jesus by her generosity and uplifting character.

Dana is my close friend ever since I started attending Hoboken Grace 4 years ago. We were acquainted when I joined a dinner group then our friendship flourished into something better than I anticipated.

Dana suggested I serve on the Hoboken Grace Kids‘ worship team along with her. I felt unequipped for the role; however, Dana graciously encouraged me to take that step of faith and for that I’m forever grateful.

Rachel is a remarkable leader that led me into tithing, continuing to serve along with the Grace Kids’ team members, and her noticeable efforts to ensure those that serve remain engaged in the community is inspiring. I’m grateful for sharing my reservations with Rachel, who intentionally listened and provided an enlightening perspective.

In every Hoboken Grace Kids’ team huddle I’ve attended, Megan vividly welcomes team members and consistently creates excitement on our current and upcoming Grace kids’ events.

Kelsey epitomizes what it means to be “All in”! It’s great to see how she steps into faith wholeheartedly and is loving to all serving on Hoboken Grace’s worship team.

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

Trust God and go all in without reservation in Jesus’ name!

Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism, and why was it important to you?

My first attempt of taking the step of baptism did not go as I planned. About 3 years ago I was preparing to get baptized at the second service, then it was interrupted by a fire alarm evacuating members outside the building; therefore, canceling service/baptisms for that day.

I was experiencing anxiety at the time and insecurities as to why this could be happening resulting in my decision to not step into faith after I was invited back for the next baptism. I continued to serve and attend service with my reservations of baptism in mind.

Every baptism I viewed and was a part of, I felt His Spirit and would burst into joyful tears after seeing others stepping into faith. I started experiencing feelings of conviction and guilt of not fully committing to God. My self-centered thoughts shifted into Christ centered thoughts even when I felt deterred.

I asked God for guidance and commenced a relationship with Him and He delivered! God has been renewing my mind and spirit throughout my path to faith which felt like an obstacle course before.

I needed to be all in so baptism was the next important step to faith for a relationship of trust with God. Well, God’s plan were greater than my thoughts were and now I’m finally baptized!

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

I’m grateful that I have been blessed with my best friend and family who are supportive to my journey. Thank you to the Hoboken Grace team for being part of God’s mission of reconciliation.

To the future baptized readers (see what I did there), ask about baptism and go all in today!

Learn more about ‘What is Baptism’ [here](https://hobokengrace.com/baptism/).


What is Baptism?

A few weeks ago, Pastor Chris spoke about tapping deeper into the spiritual well which we do by coming together again as a church family. As we encourage people to return to church and get back into community, Hoboken Grace is expanding in-person services, using the Lawn for more connection opportunities, and promoting in-person serving and teams again. We are seeking to love each other well through connecting in-person again in a safe and responsible manner. 

The Story Team recently sat down with one of our own to speak to Al from the Photography Team to discuss how he was able to serve this year and what it has been like since he’s returned to serving in person. 

Story Team: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Al: I’m from England originally. We’ve been in the US for 5 ½ years now. We left England close to 10 years ago and moved to France for a few years, mainly for my wife’s job, and then had the chance to come to the US. We started coming to Hoboken Grace a few weeks after moving over here and liked it straight away.

Story Team: Why did you join a team?

Al: I’m a photographer, so I’m part of the Communications Team at Hoboken Grace. I had never really heard of a church having photographers, never mind a photo team. I saw a photographer in one of the services and got in touch with someone from the team and said if you have a need, let me know if I can help. I’ve been on the team about 5 years now and it’s just been great. 

Story Team: Have you been able to serve during the pandemic?

Al: Early on, all of us were figuring out how to do things, how to adapt, how to change things. We started photographing as much as we could to represent the online activities. There’s a picture of my daughter sitting in front of our TV with some soft toys next to her that’s been used a fair bit. I guess we were all photographing what was around us before we could really get out and interact with other people. We did a little bit for promotions, the Threshold series. But it’s way more limited – normally we’d be photographing every Sunday and those connection events. Going from that it was suddenly really quiet.

Story Team: So you’ve found some ways in the beginning to continue to serve. Is it getting better now that we’re doing more things in person?

Al: Yeah, absolutely. When the Lawn started up, we started photographing that as we would normally do for services at 301 Garden. It’s great that we had that space and services which gave us some kind of “back to normal” ability to serve. 

The other photographers went back to in-person services certainly before I did. We were talking as a family as to what we were comfortable with but I didn’t believe that was the right approach. Comfort shouldn’t be our primary goal and characteristic, but there’s also an element that I didn’t want to do something that my family wasn’t happy with. 

It’s been a case for me of wanting to love best, and that includes my family alongside service and trying to understand what God wants. I don’t think He wants family division or for me to step away from family and them to feel like they’re being put at risk by something that I’m doing.

Story Team: Of course! Everyone went through the same thought process. There were so many questions and no one had any answers. What ultimately made you decide to come back to in-person services?

Al: My wife and I started conversations about if there was a point we wanted to consider going back as a family. I photographed the Christmas Exchange, which was the first time I had been into 301 Garden since February or March last year.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/04/Al-Blog-Op1-1.jpg)

Story Team: What was that like?

Al: I had photographed the event 3 or 4 times before, and I knew it was going to be well organized. I know how good the leadership are in terms of loving the community. I felt privileged as a photographer to be able to record those moments and see the sheer joy and amazement on people’s faces. 

Those are really special moments and they’re not easy to photograph since they happen so quickly. It’s like photographing baptisms. I genuinely feel privileged to be up there and close to those moments of real life experience. On Sundays, I love photographing as much as I love being in the service. It doesn’t feel like work – I love being able to give something if I can. 

Story Team: What did it feel like your first time coming back to in-person service? 

Al: Going there in person, the difference struck me more. I loved being back to serve, and initially it was missing serving like I had before – I’ve always been part of a team and it was great to be back alongside them, particularly on Easter Sunday. I realized how it’s a different experience. The songs and the Starting Point promo visuals – I thought it was amazing. It was a really special time to be there and I realized how much I appreciated it. I also realized I had my first hug from a non-family member for the first time in 12 months! In some ways, it’s the small steps, but it does feel pretty significant to be there. 

Story Team: So what does your wife think about coming back to services?

Al: She very much appreciates the family experience of us all going together. Going all together on a Sunday and bringing our daughter makes it a communal experience for us as part of the bigger church. She also loved being able to take our daughter back and see her attending Grace Kids. Seeing our daughter start to understand Jesus and who He is and sometimes the wisdom that she brings is an incredible part of our church experience now. Our daughter is already asking to go back, and which day it will be!

Story Team: What would you say to someone who is debating whether or not to come back to in-person service?

Al: I think we should try to figure out what’s the most loving thing to do. For me and for us as a family, it was the right time for us to start going back in. I fully expect a lot of people will be struggling coming out of this. I’m sure it’s affected us in ways that we don’t realize. It seems like great timing – as people are seeing the world returning to elements of normality. 

But other people may feel pressured to go back into situations they don’t feel ready for, and that’s going to be difficult. We have to stand by each other. We have to respect each others’ views and differences. At the same time, if we see someone who would benefit from getting back into community more than they have been, we can try and encourage them in the right ways.

Story Team: Anything else you want to talk about?

Al: this year, I’ve been very challenged to adapt my rhythms and made some changes that have been very positive for my interactions with Him. He’s been challenging me on a few specific things – making the changes while you’re in transition rather than waiting to get back to something else.

Story Team: Any good tips for what’s worked for you to keep your rhythms?

Al: I revised my morning routine around the Morning Show. As much as I occasionally want to go back to bed, I try to have a bit of “God time” in the morning. It gives me time to get things done, and I read through the passage every day before the morning show. I’ve also been journaling pretty consistently for the past few years now and I recommend that to everybody. I’m terrible at understanding my own feelings and emotions and thoughts. Just writing those down is really helpful. 

If I’m struggling to pray, or my mind is wandering, then I’ll just pray in writing. I’ll just write thoughts that become prayers. And if I hear anything that I think God is saying, I’ll write that down as well. It’s also really interesting now to look back a year ago and look through my thoughts early on in the pandemic. It gives me more clarity on how I’m relating to God. When I read back through my prayers and how I’m addressing God, that can be interesting in and of itself. 

Story Team: As you go forward to the rest of this year, what are you most looking forward to in terms of serving and attending in person?

Al: I love being part of this team. I’ve photographed some of the connection events already and Sundays and the Easter Egg Hunt of course and I’m looking forward to doing more. 

I’m also hoping we can recruit more people. I like training, I enjoy sharing the experience, knowledge, and skills. I think we can use that as a bit of connection as well, or an opportunity to invite other people to connect with the church. I’d love to explore more how we use our photographs on social media and other potential forms. I’m trying to think more about artistic creativity in general and how that sits with our faith and ways we can encourage each other to be more creative. 

Register [here](https://hobokengrace.com/register/) for in-person services!


Coming Back Together

As part of the Home Initiative, we are always looking for ways to better love and support our community. One of these ways is through the Hoboken Grace Counseling Center. 

One of the Center’s counselors, John, recently spoke with the Story Team to talk about his personal/professional background and the long journey to finally make the Center a reality. To learn more, click [here](https://hobokengrace.com/counselingcenter/).

**Story Team:** Hi John! For those who do not know what the Hoboken Grace Counseling Center is or are just now hearing about it for the first time, can you explain a little bit about it? 

**John:** The Hoboken Grace Counseling Center goes along with the mission of the church, which is to help people find their way back to God. The Center provides licensed and professional mental health care built on a foundation of Christianity and faith. 

We see people on many different levels, including individual, family and marital therapy. We also do addictions therapy. Right now, we are able to meet the need, and that is really powerful, but it is growing quickly and so we are looking to expand in order to ensure that we can provide access to as many people as possible. 

**Story Team:** What is your professional background? 

**John:** I’m a licensed professional counselor in the state of New Jersey. I have a master’s degree from Alliance Graduate School of Counseling, which led me to receiving a license in mental health care and the ability to implement Christian-based values into the counseling sessions, if chosen. 

That important combination—which a lot of other colleges simply don’t provide—allows us to meet the requirements of an officially licensed center while also adding the critical piece of faith as part of our sessions for those who are seeking or would like that. 

**Story Team:** How did you get involved with creating this center specifically for Hoboken Grace? 

**John:** It’s a pretty amazing story. The counseling center has been a dream of mine and Pastor Chris’s for probably 8 or 9 years now. As I was seeking what that would look like, I was in prayer with God and through Him I was led to the idea of becoming a counselor myself. I sat down with Pastor Chris and he quickly reaffirmed this path without me saying much! 

This was all based on my passion to help, listen to and love people. We looked into it and noticed there were not a lot of Christian-based counseling centers in our area, and so we thought about what that could look like here in Hoboken. 

I ended up completely changing careers and Hoboken Grace came along side me in doing so. They were with me the whole time as I went back for my degree, including all of the necessary work in the clinical world to achieve the required number of counseling hours. Throughout that time, we developed the plan of creating something that we could offer through Hoboken Grace. 

Over the last year, we’ve been able to officially launch the program and it’s been very exciting! 

**Story Team:** What is it that makes the Hoboken Grace Counseling Center different from other centers in the area? 

**John:** The really big piece to that is the truth that there really aren’t many Christian-based counseling centers in the New York/New Jersey area. I can only think of a select few and prior to us there were no centers like ours in Hudson County, let alone in our local area of Hoboken. 

Since we’re very much about loving community, we’re always reviewing how to do this at an affordable price and to love our community as best we can. To help achieve those things, we’ve worked to make it available to those who are not able to travel or want something more local through both in-person or online sessions. 

**Story Team:** What are some of your overall goals and missions for the future of this center? 

**John:** Our constant mission will always be helping people find their way back to God, and this is just at another level when we look at that mental health piece. So that is the ultimate mission that we have, but we are still early in the God’s plan. 

We are a smaller counseling center at this time, but we are growing! As we do that, we’re going to bring in more professionals to be able to provide that full opportunity to love our community. We also constantly evaluate the therapy areas that are most in demand so that we continue to meet needs as they change as well. 

**Story Team:** For those who might be reading this and wanting to take those first steps into going to the Hoboken Grace Counseling Center for their needs, where can they find you and how can they get started? 

**John:** Visit our website at hobokengrace.com/counselingcenter. We also have it on our app under “engage.” You’ll find all sorts of information on our goals, next steps and the application needed if it is of interest to you. There’s also a sliding price scale for those who may need financial assistance. 

For the application, just fill it out and then you will be contacted by a counselor for an introductory hello! That helps us to get a little more information about your specific needs to figure out what is the best program fit for you.


Impact Through Counseling

Baptisms at Hoboken Grace are always powerful moments. We love to celebrate and are honored to be part of the journey when someone takes this next step in their faith.

It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’ve done, God is pursuing you exactly as you are. Shivonne and Fiorella recently discovered this themselves and realized they didn’t need to make a huge change or reach a certain level of perfection before they took the next step of faith. They decided to come to Him and take the step of baptism exactly as they were!

The Story Team recently spoke with them about their experience.

**Shivonne**

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

Shivonne: A huge celebration, inside and out! Taking this step in front of a church community that truly comes together and celebrates baptism with such joy and energy was a feeling I would have never imagined or even associated with a baptism. It was such a remarkable experience and day!

Story Team: Who was up there with you?

Shivonne: My son Easton, his dad, Jason, and my best friend, Olesia, all joined me on stage.

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

Shivonne: Thinking about taking this step is all you actually need to take this step. That’s the sign. That’s it. For 2 years, I delayed my baptism looking for additional signs that I was ready. They never happened. What actually occurred was Pastor Chris reminding us all that faith is a ‘step first’ process. It wasn’t a sign. It was simple logic.

Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism, and why was it important to you?

Shivonne: Being Baptized signifies so much for me. I grew up Catholic and had been attending church, sporadically, since childhood (and at many points in my life, not at all). When my son was born, I knew that before I planned his Dedication, I needed to reconnect with my own faith so that committing my son to Christ would be more than a checkbox. For me, that meant stepping out of my 39-year religious comfort zone and into an entirely new ideaology. When I did that, I found Hoboken Grace. Attending service at Hoboken Grace for the first time, I new this was my vessel. Soon after, my son was dedicated and my own baptism here was the next important step in this renewed faith journey!

**Fiorella**

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

Fiorella: I got very emotional, but in a good way. I wanted to scream and say “thank you!” to God! I felt extremely grateful to Him for all he has done!

Story Team: Who was up there with you?

Fiorella: My husband, my one year old son, my parents and sister.

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

Fiorella: Follow your heart! If it has crossed your mind, it’s most likely because it’s in your heart to do it, so don’t be afraid. I was troubled by so many questions and doubts in mind, but in the end I followed my heart and I’m so glad I did!

Story Team: What made you take the step of baptism, and why was it important to you?

Fiorella: I’m so grateful to God, I can’t even explain the feeling of gratitude I feel for all He has done for me. And I feel I want to get closer to Him and engage with Him.

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

Fiorella: I’m also grateful for the pastors and all the people I’ve met in Hoboken Grace, and for all the opportunities to help people who were once lost, but not anymore!

—

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


The Power of Baptism

Easter is always a special time at Hoboken Grace. This year was particularly meaningful because in-person Easter services were cancelled last year during the Pandemic. In order to ensure maximum attendance, but also safety and social distancing, we offered an unprecedented 7 in-person services this weekend! There were 2 on Saturday night and 5 on Sunday. There were also online services and a special virtual service on Good Friday. 

It was an extraordinary celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus which brings the hope and promise of new life in Him. In order to honor that new life found in Him, 6 people were baptized this weekend at 6 of the services. It was so powerful to see those 6 people publicly profess their faith and announce their rebirth to their lives in Christ. 

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/04/51095254381_6e21f85678_w.jpg)The space was set up slightly different this weekend with intimate tables throughout the room to maximize attendance but ensure social distancing. This, along with the 7 total services allowed us to welcome over 900 people at 301 Garden. The Worship Team, Production Team, First Impressions, and all the other [teams](https://hobokengrace.com/serve/), staff, and volunteers, worked tirelessly to deliver this incredible experience to all who attended. Grace Kids welcomed 185 children this weekend at the various services and there were special online services which were joined by 582 people. 

This weekend was also the launch of our new series called Starting Point. Pastor Chris spoke about how we all have a point in our lives where our idea of religion or concept of God started. Our idea of God may be influenced by our culture, our upbringing, and our personal experiences. But we may not really know who God actually is. This new series will explore those questions, doubts, and misconceptions we may have about faith and how to restart our faith with the right framework. 

Pastor Chris said that Jesus’s resurrection proved He was who He said He was and set Him apart from the different gods of the time. It showed He kept His promises and He came to do something special. There were so many misconceptions about Jesus and God back then and there are still questions and false ideas that exist today. This new series will explore those things and get to the heart of who God really is.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/04/51096053075_5c802682ff_w.jpg)

This entire Easter weekend was such a powerful testament to how we can continue to impact the community and those around us with the love of God. We are opening up our doors again in an extensive way but also safely. The tremendous success of the events surrounding Easter this year are proof of that commitment and the efforts of all of our staff, teams, and volunteers who help to make it all happen. We are looking forward to what God will continue to do this year as we begin to get back to a more normal version of life. Easter was just the first step and we are so excited for what is to come!


Resurrection, Rebirth, and Restarting!


The Saturday of the Easter Egg Hunt Easter was a gorgeous, sunny day and the Hoboken Grace staff and over 180 volunteers who gave of their time, were all excited to be there. This year’s hunt was particularly meaningful as we had to cancel the hunt last year due to the pandemic.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/03/EEH21-SCREENSHOT_2.jpg)

This year the hunt looked slightly different due to the extra safety measures we took to make sure the event could happen safely for all the volunteers and attendees. One of the biggest changes was to create multiple individual hunting pads where children could hunt in small groups and remain socially distanced, versus the massive hunt area free-for-all of years past. It was a new system we implemented but it went off seamlessly! Every single child was able to hunt and have a great time and all the families had a wonderful experience. So many fun memories were made, the kids had a blast, and everyone was safe and cared for.

Over 1650 people attended for a 78% attendance rate of those who registered. It was awesome to see that we could still have such an amazing impact on the community but also keep everyone safe. I worked the event for the afternoon shift helping coordinate the hunt area and I spoke to so many families from the community who had attended in years past. Everyone I spoke to was so grateful the hunt had returned, so many expressed how much they missed it last year, and how much it meant to them to be able to come back. People thanked us and every attendee was understanding and patient with the new protocol that took slightly longer to ensure safety. It was so well organized that the wait times were minimal, everything was incredibly efficient, and every single child who came through, got to hunt and collect as many eggs as they wanted.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/04/51079841683_4b715cb40c_w.jpg)In addition to the egg hunt, there were multiple stations of photos with the Easter Bunny and fun Easter backdrops, we gave away over 300 “Hunt to Go” gift bags for every child, and there was an arts and crafts station. There were also bins throughout the event filled with eggs for people to guess the correct number to win a prize. 421 people made guesses and every bin was won with a perfect guess made for each bin.

Every attendee and volunteer had an incredible time and we were all feeling the infectious energy and excitement. It was unbelievable to see how far we’ve come in one year! Even with the threat of Covid still lingering, the success of this huge event is a testament to Hoboken Grace and all of our people who are committed to the mission of impacting our community with God’s love and doing it in a safe and responsible way.

Seeing what God has been able to do this year and the joy that some of things we lost during the pandemic are coming back again, brings us so much hope and enthusiasm for what is to come and what God can make possible with our willingness and faithfulness to help support the mission.

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2021/04/51077569582_c992f48a07_o-1.jpg)

There is so much more to come and through the Home Initiative, and our church members who have been away starting to come back to Hoboken to re-engage the mission, attend in person, and commit to making an impact in this community again through their service, means that this year will be epic and we can’t wait to see what God will do through your generosity and service in 2021\.

If this first major event of the year, the Easter Egg Hunt, was any indication of what we have to look forward to, this year is going to be unbelievable!


We love Easter so much, it’s not even bunny!

It can be tough navigating the working world. It’s specially hard these days with so much job loss, job change, company restructure, and the “new” work from home lifestyle. Working professionals will tell you that networking is key, but I bet not many people think of their church as a place where that type of networking can be done. Valentina and Anna, two Hoboken Grace members, are shining examples of what can happen when a church team brings on unexpected work opportunities. Valentina serves on the church HR team and Anna is a former Hoboken Grace intern. Serving together lead to the unexpected opportunity for Anna to work with Valentina at her job, which just goes to show how God uses people in our lives even beyond Sundays or church events. They can lead to ever lasting friendships and now work colleagues. The Story Team got to sit down with Valentina and Anna for a chat about Anna’s new work opportunity, and how getting plugged into a team can lead to some professional life changes.

Story Team:

What is the company that you now work for and what is it that you do for them?

Valentina:

So I work for DAZN, and it is a sports streaming company. I’ve been with them for about two years and we have some live events on the platform, and all kinds of content that we produce, which people can subscribe to watch. What I did is work in the HR department and manage people in the America’s region.

Story Team:

How did you two get connected for this internship that Anna is now in? Did you know each other beforehand or is this how you met?

Anna:

We both worked on the HR team at Hoboken Grace. I was just an intern last Fall, and that’s how we were initially connected. Valentina was somebody I really looked up to on the team, I definitely thought she was impressive and Lonzell always spoke very highly of her. Its kind of all happened at the right time where I was starting to look for jobs after I graduated college and Valentina was looking for somebody to fill this role. So we reconnected and that’s how we’re here today.

Valentina:

Anna did the Fall internship with Lonzell at Hoboken Grace. Obviously, it was still very much Covid times, so we only got to connect through Zoom.

Anna:

Yeah, we connected on our Zoom calls every other week, and we worked on some things together. So when she reached out to me I definitely knew she was someone I wanted to work with.

Story Team:

What does your role look like now interning with Valentina at DAZN, verses when you were working at the church? Or what expectations do you have in how it will be different?

Anna:

I’m just excited to be part of such a global and diverse company and to have the opportunity to talk with people from all around the world. It already seems like DAZN is unpredictable, in a good way, so I’m excited to get to work on a bunch of different projects.

Story Team:

For those who don’t know, could you both talk about what it is that the HR team does at Hoboken Grace?

Anna:

The HR Department is relatively new. So what we did was establish that department and make things easier for other teams that existed at Hoboken Grace in putting together policies and making easier for the employees who work there.

Valentina:

Essentially, Lonzell has been hiring interns for various departments at Hoboken Grace, and the current team supports him since Lonzell is the only staffer.

Story Team:

What advice would you give to somebody in the church family who is looking for a new work opportunity or maybe even looking for a job for the very first time?

Anna:

For me, I would say always putting your best foot forward with everyone you come in contact with. I did not think that working at Hoboken Grace would lead me to where I am right now, and I think that happened because of making a good impression. I thought working for Hoboken Grace would be a temporary thing, but it ended up leading to something not so temporary.

Valentina:

With Anna, she really embraced the opportunity and networked. She didn’t just come in, complete her internship and then leave. She was very much networking with everyone and didn’t do it from a “what’s in it for me?” standpoint. She genuinely enjoyed building the relationships.


Unexpected Opportunities

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

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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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