Hope for New York

Times are tough, and this city-so recently flush with prosperity-now hobbles along, crippled by rising unemployment rates, sliding stock prices, and a population with ever-diminishing expectations about what lies ahead. For so many of us, even members of God's eternal city, this sea change in circumstances has made us anxiously aware of the piles of shifting sand in which we have been placing our hopes. We are convicted, not comforted, by the Apostle's words in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

There is an antidote to the pervasive feeling of powerlessness brought on by the collapse of our misplaced hopes, and we find it exemplified by God's people throughout Scripture and history: serve others. In Acts 3:6, Peter, when confronting the brokenness of man in the form of a beggar, didn't look away: "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk". He had no great wealth or earthly power as we typically know it, and he did not place demands on God. He gave from what was his 'of the moment.' Peter used his God-given power to offer this broken man a gift far greater than a few coins, and far more than he ever could have hoped for, the ability to walk.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and with it, the line between the haves and have-nots becomes ever more apparent. Though many of us may not have the same financial resources as in previous years, God has not left us in poverty. He has not left us without resources. As God's people, we have been imbued with God's Spirit, the 'Spirit of Life', the gift of love, hearts of compassion. Far more than any material riches, this offers us supernatural gifts for meeting the needs of those suffering among us - if we are willing to personally engage with them. God's Word makes the secret to living a fulfilled life clear: to be generous with our God-given gifts in service to others. "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." (Proverbs 22:9) If you're looking to grasp God's blessings to find a deeper fulfillment in life, there's no better way than to serve.

In a city with needs beyond any we have seen in years, there is no shortage of ways to serve. Hope for New York makes it easy for you to get plugged in by providing short and long-term opportunities to serve in faith-based charities throughout the city. Some of the organizations and events sponsored by Hope offer help during the holiday season by providing volunteers to serve meals, donate and wrap gifts, to sponsor Christmas parties, to name a few. This season, Hope and its affiliate ministries are suffering from a severe shortage of volunteers and, without this most important resource, a large portion of the city's needy population will be left without care.

Here you will find a list of some upcoming annual event opportunities offered by Hope for New York this holiday season. Please consider lending us a hand, on your own or with your Fellowship Group.