This week’s message dives deep into the reality of encountering the Holy Spirit—not just as a comforting presence, but as a God who challenges, equips, and sends.

Dr. David Wilkinson, who holds doctorates in both physics and theology, brings a unique lens to Pentecost and the person of the Holy Spirit. With warmth, wisdom, and global perspective, he explores how the Spirit is not merely an abstract idea or a reserved experience for the ultra-spiritual, but the personal presence of God with us—here and now.

In his message, Dr. Wilkinson makes four key observations:

1. Encountering the Holy Spirit is encountering the personal God.
   The Spirit is not an impersonal force but the personal presence of God who longs to be known and experienced by us.

2. Encountering the Holy Spirit is uncomfortable.
   The Spirit doesn't just console; He convicts. The Holy Spirit disturbs our complacency, pushes us beyond comfort, and calls us into transformation.

3. Encountering the Holy Spirit pushes us into mission.
   From the very first Pentecost, the Spirit’s presence is tied to witness. We are empowered not for private spirituality but for public love and bold mission.

4. Encountering the Holy Spirit is for all.
   No one is excluded. The Spirit is not limited by age, background, status, or culture. This is the God who pours Himself out on all flesh.

Dr. Wilkinson also encouraged us to live in “holy anticipation,” making room for the Spirit not only in our services, but in our homes, relationships, and witness to the world.

1. What’s one way your view of the Holy Spirit has changed or deepened after this message?

2. Have you ever felt “uncomfortable” because of something the Spirit was leading you to do or confront?

3. In what ways do you see the Holy Spirit calling you into mission in your everyday life?

4. Who in your life needs to hear that the Holy Spirit is for them too?

The Holy Spirit is not a reward for spiritual elites—it is a gift promised by Jesus the moment we believe.

This week, Pastor Vicki teaches from Ephesians 1 and John 16, focusing on what it means to be sealed by the Holy Spirit. A seal represents ownership, protection, and permanence. When we say yes to Jesus, the Spirit marks our lives, offering assurance, conviction, guidance, and power.

This message invites listeners to reflect: Where are you in your understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit? Are you skeptical, uncertain, or longing for more? The Spirit isn't meant to be a mystery we avoid—but a daily reality we embrace.

You are not alone, and you are not powerless. You are sealed, assured, and empowered by the Spirit of God.

From the message handout:

1. Where are you right now, as far as your understanding of the Holy Spirit?

   • I am not sure about the Holy Spirit. I’m skeptical.

   • I know the Holy Spirit exists, but I haven’t felt him at work in me yet.

   • I think I’ve felt His work in my life, but I’m not sure how to describe it.

   • I know He’s working in my life, but I’m afraid of what others might think if I start talking about it. He’s working in my life, and I’m hungry for more.

   • I know He is at work in my life and I’m fully embracing it.

2. What does it mean that we are sealed by the Spirit as believers?

3. What are some practical ways we experience the power of the Holy Spirit as individual believers?

4. The Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation.
   If you have said yes to Jesus as Savior, do you have complete assurance that you will spend eternity with Him? Why or why not?

5. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and guides us in the right direction.
   How do you define conviction? Do you experience it?
   Have you been led by the Spirit? How do you experience the Holy Spirit guiding you?

6. The Holy Spirit gives us power to do what God calls us to do.
   How has the Holy Spirit called you to do hard things?
   When is the last time the Holy Spirit called you to get out of your comfort zone?

7. The Holy Spirit helps us become the people God designed us to be.
   Is there evidence of the Spirit growing fruit in your life?
   Are you intentionally working to become more like Jesus?

What Are You Waiting For?
This week’s message focuses on the meaning and significance of baptism, through the lens of Acts 22:6–16—Paul’s account of his transformation and baptism.

Pastor Vicki begins by asking a personal question: What has been your experience with baptism? In Scripture, baptism is a powerful and public response to the saving work of Jesus—a visible expression of new life and a covenant made with God. Across multiple passages (Acts 2, 8, 16, and 22), we see a consistent pattern: when people meet Jesus, they respond with immediate, wholehearted obedience. Baptism is never delayed. It’s a next step of surrender.

Pastor Vicki reminds us that baptism is both sacrament and symbol—a mystery of God’s grace at work and a declaration that our lives now belong to Jesus. She explores what it means to enter a covenant with God and why it’s so important to make that commitment public. As Paul recalls in Acts 22, he is told, “What are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name.”

So today, we ask you the same question:
What are you waiting for?

1. What has been your experience with baptism?

2. What did you notice about the New Testament baptism passages that were shared in the message? What did they have in common?

3. What is a covenant? What is the relationship between baptism and covenant?

4. Why is a public declaration of faith in Jesus important?

5. What is the relationship between baptism and new life in Jesus?

6. How is baptism a sacrament?

7. Explain the significance of God taking the initiative in baptism.

8. Would you consider being baptized (if you never have been) or remembering your baptism? What are you waiting for?

This week’s message centers around a vital question for the church family:
Are we intentionally leaving a legacy that honors God and makes a lasting spiritual imprint on the next generation?

Pastor Vicki opens with Deuteronomy 6:4-9, reminding us that forming a spiritual legacy is a sacred calling: loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and passing that love down to our children in our daily rhythms. She also highlights Deuteronomy 4:9, which challenges us to be mindful not to forget what we’ve seen God do—and to intentionally teach it to our children and grandchildren.

The core of today’s message is a panel conversation with two couples from our church community, each raising young children. Together, they reflect on parenting challenges, share how New Hope has helped them stay grounded in faith, and offer guidance on how the church can better support families.

From the sermon handout:

1. According to the panel, what are some of the challenges that parents today are facing?
   How can the church come alongside to support them?

2. What are some specific ways that New Hope can help young families...

   • grow deep roots in Christ as a family

   • develop strong marriages

   • grow individually as disciples of Jesus

3. While we are seeing a resurgence in Generation Z (born 1997–2012) coming to Jesus,
   the generation before them (Millennials, born 1981–1996) have left the church in droves.
   What can the older generations do to welcome Millennials back into the fold?
   According to the panel, what does their generation need most from the church?

Graduation Sunday at New Hope is always something special—and this year is no exception. We celebrate not just academic accomplishments, but the faith journeys of our students and the spiritual impact of their families, mentors, and the church community that have walked with them every step of the way.

High school senior Brindley Rhodes kicked off our message by sharing her testimony of transformation, how her individual faith matured into shared community after years of praying for meaningful connections. She reminded us that we are not just small groups scattered through a congregation—we are one unified body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–20). Her challenge was simple: take time to truly connect with one another and recognize the legacy we are all helping build, together.

Then we heard a video message from college graduate Rosie Harrison. Rosie offered powerful insights on what her generation longs to see in the church—genuine, lived-out faith. She emphasized that her peers are not interested in tradition for tradition’s sake, but in churches that prioritize justice, compassion, humility, and mercy—the kind of radical love Jesus taught and lived. She called on the church to be bold, to stand with the vulnerable, and to live out Micah 6:8 in both word and action.

After the students spoke, graduates symbolically passed red batons to the next generation—an act of spiritual commissioning. They then handed out roses to someone in their “village,” honoring those who shaped their faith. The moment was emotional and unforgettable.

Pastor Vicki Harrison concluded with a heartfelt charge to the graduates, encouraging them to live lives that truly matter by embracing:

• Passion: Find joy in your journey and live fully.

• Humility: Serve others with the heart of Jesus.

• Purpose: Let your life reflect the light of Christ and draw others to God.

She reminded us all that the greatest legacy we can leave is not material—but spiritual. Our job is to love deeply, disciple well, and trust that God is working through us in every season.

As the baton is passed, the mission continues. To our graduates: remember who and Whose you are. You will always have a home at New Hope.

1. What does it mean to you to “live a life that matters”?

2. In what ways can you live with passion, humility, and purpose this week?

3. How are you helping pass the baton to the next generation?

4. Who has been part of your faith journey—and who are you helping shape spiritually today?

In this heartfelt Mother’s Day message, Pastor Betty Bricker explores the spiritual legacy of motherhood—both biological and spiritual—through the story of the mother of James and John in Matthew 20:20-23. Known as the "sons of thunder," these disciples had a bold and passionate mother who approached Jesus with an audacious request: that her sons sit at His right and left in His kingdom. While the request may seem brash, Pastor Betty encourages us to look deeper.

This mother’s actions reveal a powerful truth: she prayed for her sons to be part of God’s kingdom and to have an active role in it. Her boldness challenges us to ask: are we praying bold prayers for the next generation? Are we spiritually parenting the people God has placed in our lives—children, friends, students, neighbors?

Pastor Betty reminds us that spiritual parenting doesn’t require a biological connection. It means being present in the lives of others, walking with them through both pain and joy, and being the hands and feet of Jesus. In doing so, we leave behind a lasting legacy of faith.

This message is a call to intentional spiritual influence: to raise others up in faith through prayer, encouragement, and example—because a spiritual legacy is the most important gift we can leave.