Hope Wesleyan Church - Independence, Iowa

Today we start a new sermon series titled "The Disconnect"We say we believe in God—but does the way we live reflect what we say we believe?We believe in Jesus, but do we truly know Him? We know God loves us, yet we worry and doubt. We believe He is working, yet wonder where He is. We receive forgiveness but struggle to forgive. We justify sin, hide our faith, and convince ourselves we don’t really need the church.There’s often a disconnect between what we believe and how we live.The Disconnect confronts those gaps with the truth of Scripture—challenging us not just to believe in God, but to live like we believe Him.Jesus gives one of His most unsettling warnings in Matthew 7:21–23: it’s possible to believe in God, talk about God, even do things for God—and still not truly know Him.They called Him Lord. They pointed to their accomplishments. They looked religious. But Jesus exposed the disconnect between outward belief and a genuine relationship with Him.Faith isn’t simply knowing the right words, attending church, or doing good things. It’s about knowing Jesus—and being known by Him.What if the greatest danger isn’t rejecting Jesus…but believing we know Him when we really don’t?We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Jesus teaches us to stop building our lives around temporary things and put God first.Invest in what lasts. Earthly possessions fade, but heavenly treasure has eternal value. Your money reveals your heart. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You can't serve both God and money. Eventually, one will become your master. Don't let worry control you. If God cares for the birds and flowers, you can trust Him to care for you. Put God's Kingdom first. Instead of being consumed with getting more or worrying about having enough, seek God first and trust Him to provide. Live one day at a time. Don't allow tomorrow's worries to steal today's faithfulness. Main Theme:  What you put first reveals what you trust most. Jesus calls us to put God ahead of our possessions, finances, security, and worries.Key Verse:  “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

The world says, "Hold on tightly to what you have." God says, "Trust Me enough to let it go." In 2 Corinthians 9: 6–15, Paul reveals a kingdom principle that turns human thinking upside down: those who sow generously reap generously. God doesn't bless generosity because He wants something from us—He blesses generosity because He wants something for us. As we trust Him with open hands, He supplies, multiplies, and uses our lives to meet needs, produce thanksgiving, and bring glory to His name. The Blessing Principle reminds us that generosity is more than giving—it's an act of faith in the God who always provides.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Today we welcome to Hope the leader and front man of Denver Bierman and the Mile High Orchestra, Denver Bierman.  Denver and the MHO bring a sound to Christian music that is truly their own. This Nashville-based, horn-driven band blends big band, jazz, funk, pop, and gospel into an energetic style they call “power funk.” Since forming at Belmont University in 1999, they’ve performed around the world, from churches and conferences to national television and even the Olympic Games.But behind the big sound is an even bigger purpose. Denver sees music as a ministry—a way to encourage the Church, inspire musicians, and remind people of the hope, grace, strength, and love found in Jesus Christ. The mission is simple: use the gifts God has given them to connect people with His love, grace, and mercy.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644***Audio from this service was used with expressed permission from Denver Bierman with intent to publish to multiple platforms***

Jesus saw the crowds—but He saw more than faces. He saw the hurting, the wandering, the forgotten, and the spiritually lost. Matthew 9:35–38 tells us that when Jesus looked at them, He was moved with compassion because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He didn't see interruptions or problems—He saw people desperately in need of a Savior. And then He turned to His disciples and said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Seeing People Through the Eyes of Jesus challenges us to look beyond appearances, see the spiritual need around us, and allow the compassion of Christ to move us from simply noticing the lost—to loving them, praying for them, and reaching them. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service. Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Everyone wants a blessed life, but God begins where most people never expect. Before He blesses what we do, He calls us to surrender who we are. In Romans 12:1–2, Paul urges us to place our entire lives on God's altar—not as a one-time sacrifice, but as a daily act of worship. As our minds are renewed and our hearts are transformed, we begin to see life, money, relationships, and purpose through God's eyes instead of the world's. The path to God's best doesn't start with getting more—it starts with giving Him everything. The Starting Point of a Blessed Life is a life fully surrendered to the One who changes us from the inside out.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

The world doesn't need more hidden faith—it needs followers of Christ who shine. In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus calls His people the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves what is good. Light pushes back the darkness. Our faith was never meant to stay private; it was designed to transform the world around us. As we continue Exploring Faith in 3D, discover what it means to live a faith that can't be ignored—a faith that shines so brightly that others see Christ and glorify the Father. It's time to Shine Bright. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 

Jesus teaches that the secret to a fruitful, joyful, and faithful life is staying closely connected to Him.  Jesus is the true vine, and His followers are the branches.  Branches that remain connected to Him bear much fruit; apart from Him they can do nothing.  God lovingly prunes His people so they become even more fruitful.  Remaining in Christ means obeying His Word and living in His love.  Jesus' greatest command is to love one another as He has loved us.  He calls His followers friends, not servants, because He has revealed the Father's heart to them.  The world may reject Christ's followers just as it rejected Him, but the Holy Spirit will testify about Jesus and strengthen them. Main Theme Stay connected to Jesus, and your life will bear lasting fruit through love, obedience, and dependence on Him. Key Verse      "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." — John 15:5We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Psalm 95 is a joyful invitation to worship God, followed by a serious warning to listen and obey Him. Come with joy, singing and thanksgiving because God is the great King and Creator of all things.  Bow before Him in humility because He is our Maker and we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.  Don't harden your hearts like Meribah and Massah, where the Israelites rebelled against God in the wilderness.  Learn from Israel's failures—unbelief and disobedience kept that generation from entering God's promised rest. Main ThemeTrue worship isn't just singing—it includes listening to God's voice and responding with faithful obedience.Key Verse"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..." — Psalm 95:7–8We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

The gospel was never meant to stay where it was comfortable. In Acts 16, God redirects His servants, opens hearts, breaks chains, and transforms lives. A wealthy businesswoman finds faith. A demon-possessed girl is set free. Two beaten prisoners sing in the darkness, and a jailer discovers salvation before dawn. It's a story of pain, purpose, and redemption that reminds us of one powerful truth: God doesn't wait for perfect people or perfect circumstances. He still uses broken people to accomplish His perfect plan.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Saul was absolutely convinced he was right. Armed with certainty, passion, and religious conviction, he set out for Damascus determined to stop the followers of Jesus. He believed he was serving God. He believed he was defending the truth. He believed he knew exactly what he was doing.But he was wrong.In a blinding moment on the road to Damascus, everything changed. The man who thought he could see was struck blind. The man who came to arrest Christians became a follower of Christ. The man who opposed Jesus came face-to-face with the risen Lord.Acts 9:1–22 reminds us that sincerity is not the same as truth. Sometimes the greatest obstacle to God's work in our lives is the assumption that we already have all the answers. But when Jesus confronts us, our pride gives way to humility, our certainty gives way to faith, and our lives are forever transformed.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 

The church was growing, the gospel was spreading, and lives were being changed. But as the church expanded, a conflict arose. Some people were being overlooked, and the unity of the church was at risk.What could have become a division became an opportunity for growth.Instead of ignoring the problem, the believers responded by serving. Faithful men stepped forward to care for those in need, allowing the church to remain united and focused on its mission.Acts 6:1–7 reminds us that God often uses challenges to create opportunities for ministry. When we choose service over selfishness and helping over complaining, God can bring growth out of conflict.Because when God's people serve others, the church grows stronger, needs are met, and the gospel moves forward.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 

The early church was marked by extraordinary unity, generosity, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers gave freely, not out of obligation, but from hearts fully surrendered to God.Then the story takes a startling turn.Ananias and Sapphira appeared generous on the outside, but their hearts told a different story. They wanted the recognition of sacrifice without the reality of surrender. In a moment that shook the entire church, God revealed that this was never about the money—it was about integrity before Him.Acts 4:32–5:11 reminds us that God is not looking for impressive appearances; He is seeking surrendered hearts. True generosity flows from genuine worship, and true devotion begins with honesty before God.Because in the end, it's not about the money—it's about complete surrender.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

On an ordinary day at the temple gate, a man who had never walked sat begging for help, expecting nothing more than a few coins. But God had something greater in mind. When Peter and John arrived, they offered no silver and no gold—only the power of Jesus Christ. In an instant, the man’s life was transformed. Weak legs were strengthened, hopelessness gave way to joy, and a forgotten beggar became a living testimony to the power of God.The crowd was amazed, but the miracle pointed to something even greater: Changed People Change People. Peter and John had been transformed by the risen Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Because their lives had been changed, they became instruments through whom God changed someone else. Acts 3:1–10 reminds us that when Jesus changes a life, that transformation doesn't stop with us—it flows through us, bringing hope, healing, and new life to others. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 

The room was quiet—then heaven moved. A sound like a rushing wind filled the house, and tongues of fire rested on ordinary people as the Spirit of God came in power. Fear gave way to boldness, and those who once hid now stood and proclaimed the mighty works of God. The crowd was amazed, confused, and cut to the heart. As Peter preached, one question rose above the noise: “What must we do?” And the answer changed everything—repent, believe, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit fell, the Church was born, and thousands were changed forever. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

The disciples stood on the edge of something world-changing, but before the mission could begin, Jesus gave them one command: wait. In Acts 1:4–11, the risen Christ calls His followers not to rush ahead in their own strength, but to remain in expectation for the promise of the Holy Spirit. The room was filled with anticipation. Heaven was about to move. The Spirit of God would soon come with power, boldness, and fire to transform fearful followers into fearless witnesses. And as Jesus ascended before their eyes, their mission became clear—to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. This is the story of waiting before the breakthrough, anticipation before the outpouring, and the unstoppable mission that begins when the Holy Spirit takes hold of ordinary people. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 

Two weary travelers walked the road to Emmaus with heavy hearts and shattered hopes. Discouragement clouded their steps. Disappointment filled their words. The One they trusted had been crucified, and all they thought they knew seemed buried with Him. But on that dusty road, Jesus drew near. He met them in their sorrow, walked with them in their confusion, and opened the Scriptures until the fire of hope began to burn again. Then, in the breaking of bread, their eyes were opened. What began in grief ended in assurance. The risen Christ was alive!  He had been with them all along, and everything had changed. When Jesus draws near, discouragement gives way to hope, disappointment gives way to faith, and weary hearts are reignited by the assurance that He is risen indeed! We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 

Today we welcome guest speaker Alex Kremer. Alex is a full-time Pastor and Bible teacher at Atlantic Gospel Chapel in Atlantic, Iowa.  His message focuses on the promises made by God in the Old Testament that we see come to fruition in the New Testament. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service. 

All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. The risen Jesus gives a clear command: GO—make disciples, baptize, and teach. Carry the gospel to every nation, every neighbor, every corner of the world. But this mission was never meant to be done alone. We are called as one people—different lives, one purpose—moving forward together, strengthened by His authority and sustained by His presence. “I am with you always.” We are not just sent. We are sent together. What is your Next Step?We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service. 

Today, we explore the call to go—to tell, to share, and to live out the message of Jesus in everyday life. This is more than a moment; it’s a mission. A calling to be His hands and feet, to love boldly, serve faithfully, and point others to the hope we’ve found in Christ. Evangelism isn’t just for a few—it’s for all of us. Wherever you are, God is already at work, inviting you to join Him in reaching others, building relationships, and making an eternal impact. The question isn’t whether God is sending us. It’s whether we’re willing to say: Send me. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service. 

Today we welcome missionaries to Sierra Leone, Geoff & Carrie Jo Cain. Carrie Jo is an emergency room RN from Minnesota, certified in newborn resuscitation, who grew up in Sierra Leone and speaks fluent Krio. She serves with World Hope International, leading child and maternal health programs including Helping Babies Breathe, CHAMPS, and care for Ebola survivors.During the 2013 Ebola crisis, while many evacuated, Carrie Jo chose to return to Sierra Leone permanently—training rural health workers in infection control, managing care centers, coordinating critical medical supplies, and helping design a culturally appropriate burial program that helped slow the spread of the disease. Her work has equipped hundreds of health workers and continues to save lives today.Carrie Jo now serves as the Global Partners Health Ministries Coordinator, working alongside the Director of Global Partners Health Network to strengthen and expand the The Wesleyan Church’s global health impact. In this role, she builds bridges between medical ministries around the world—fostering collaboration, awareness, and shared learning among healthcare teams and supporters. Based in the U.S., she travels internationally to connect with mission hospitals and health programs, helping link field needs with the resources and engagement of the North American church.Her passion is to see the global Wesleyan health community flourish—united in compassion, excellence, and Christ-centered service for those in need. Carrie Jo is supported in her work by her husband Geoff, who serves stateside, and their daughter Rebecca, who attends Houghton University.https://wesleyan.my.site.com/donorportal/s/fund/a1s3t000005PDgRAAW/carrie-jo-cainWe would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.

The cross was real.  The tomb was sealed.  The silence was deafening.But death was not the final word.On the third day, the stone was rolled away — not to release a defeated body, but to reveal a living Savior. Jesus did not simply rise as a memory or an idea. He rose in power. He walked. He spoke. He showed His scars. He ate with His disciples. He stood alive in the very places fear once ruled.The resurrection is not just about an empty tomb.It’s about a living Christ!Alive — not only then, but now!Alive — bringing hope where there was despair, light where there was darkness, and life where there was death!We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

It began with a kiss in the garden. Torches flickered. Swords clashed. Friends scattered. Jesus was arrested under the cover of night, led from one trial to another — accused, mocked, struck, and condemned. False witnesses spoke. Crowds shouted. A governor washed his hands. And the One who could have called down angels… stayed silent. He carried His cross through jeering streets, climbed a hill called Golgotha, and was lifted between earth and sky. This was not a tragedy spiraling out of control. It was a rescue unfolding on purpose. Arrested. Tried. Crucified. Not because He was powerless —but because He chose to save us. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Today we continue our series of sermons entitled "Easter People". This series delves into the encounters Jesus had with individuals on his journey to the cross. These people did not actively seek Jesus out; instead, He met them where they were.He swore he would never fall.When others hesitated, Peter spoke boldly: “Even if everyone else leaves You, I won’t.” Loyalty was his language. Courage was his claim.But courage sounds different in the dark.In the courtyard of the high priest, beside a charcoal fire, the questions came — small, simple, dangerous. “You were with Him, weren’t you?”And three times, the fisherman who once walked on water said, “I don’t know the man.”Then the rooster crowed.In a single moment, confidence collapsed into conviction. Strength gave way to tears.Peter’s denial isn’t just a story of failure — it’s a mirror. A reminder of how quickly fear can silence faith… and how even our worst moments are not the end of the story.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Today we continue our series of sermons entitled "Easter People". This series delves into the encounters Jesus had with individuals on his journey to the cross. These people did not actively seek Jesus out; instead, He met them where they were.He sat by the roadside, blind and forgotten.But when Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by, something inside him refused to stay silent. He cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”The crowd told him to be quiet.They tried to silence him.But he only shouted louder.Because sometimes the miracle comes to the one who refuses to give up calling.Bartimaeus couldn’t see Jesus —but he believed Jesus could see him.And that faith changed everything.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Today we continue our series of sermons entitled "Easter People". This series delves into the encounters Jesus had with individuals on his journey to the cross. These people did not actively seek Jesus out; instead, He met them where they were.She came to the well at noon — alone.An outcast in her own town. A woman with a past. Five husbands, a broken story, and a reputation that kept her walking to the water when no one else would be there.But that day, someone was waiting.A Jewish rabbi who shouldn’t have spoken to her, Jesus the Messiah. A man who crossed cultural lines, social barriers, and personal shame with a simple request: “Give me a drink.”Then Jesus offers her something she never expected.“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again… but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”Living water. Not drawn from a well, but flowing from God Himself—water that satisfies the deepest thirst of the human soul.What begins as a quiet conversation at a well becomes a moment of transformation… as a woman who came in shame leaves with hope—and runs to tell her entire town about the man who knew everything about her, and still offered her life.Today we step into that powerful encounter at the well… and discover the living water that only Jesus can give.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Today we continue our series of sermons entitled "Easter People". This series delves into the encounters Jesus had with individuals on his journey to the cross. These people did not actively seek Jesus out; instead, He met them where they were.A young man comes running to Jesus with a question that has echoed through the centuries: What must I do to inherit eternal life?He has done everything right—kept the commandments, lived a good life, followed the rules. Yet something is missing. Jesus looks at him and gives an answer he never expected: Sell everything you have. Give it to the poor. Then come, follow me.In that moment the question isn’t about rules anymore… it’s about the heart.The man walks away, burdened not by what he lacks—but by what he cannot let go of.And Jesus turns to His disciples with a warning that still challenges us today: it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven.Today we explore a question that confronts every one of us: What are we holding onto that keeps us from fully following Christ?We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644

Today, we commence a new sermon series as we approach Easter Sunday. This series delves into the encounters Jesus had with individuals on his journey to the cross. These people did not actively seek Jesus out; instead, He met them where they were. A Pharisee. A ruler. A man with status, certainty, and answers — except for one question that wouldn’t leave him alone: Who is Jesus?In the darkness, Nicodemus hears words that shake his world: “You must be born again.”He doesn’t understand. Not yet.But the man who first came in secret will one day step into the light — publicly honoring the very One he once questioned.Nicodemus is the story of a soul moving from curiosity to courage...from fear to faith.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 

When the music played and the pressure rose, everyone bowed.Everyone — except three men who chose the fire over compromise.In  Daniel chapter 3, the furnace was heated seven times hotter. The threat was real. The flames were not symbolic. And their answer was steady: “Our God is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, we will not bow.”They were thrown in bound.But when the king looked again, he saw four men walking in the fire — and one looked like the Son of God.Uncertain times will test what we believe.The heat will reveal where we stand.But the story of the fiery furnace reminds us:God may not keep us from the flames —but He will meet us in them. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

Sometimes the answer is silence.Sometimes it’s delay.And sometimes… it’s no.A door closes. A prayer goes unanswered the way we hoped. The path we mapped out  disappears beneath our feet.But God’s “no” is not rejection. It’s protection. It’s redirection. It’s a larger story unfolding beyond what we can see.We trust Him easily when He says yes. We learn to trust Him deeply when He says no.Because faith isn’t believing God will follow our plan — it’s believing His plan is better than ours.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

Anger knocks hard.It pounds on the door of the heart, insisting on justice, demanding reaction. And in Ephesians 4:26–27, we’re told something both honest and urgent: “Be angry, and do not sin… do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”Anger itself isn’t the enemy.But when we let it linger — when we nurse it, replay it, justify it — it becomes an open door. A foothold. A crack wide enough for bitterness to move in and make itself at home.The warning is clear:Feel it, but don’t feed it.Acknowledge it, but don’t allow it to own you.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 319-334-7148 

The house was full. The preparations urgent. The responsibilities real.In Luke 10:38–42, one sister hurried through the kitchen, distracted and overwhelmed. The other sat still at the feet of Jesus.Both were serving in their own way. But only one chose what mattered most.Martha was busy for Jesus.Mary was present with Him.And in a world that praises productivity, Jesus gently reminds us: the most important priority is not what we do for Him — but whether we are with Him.Because sometimes the better choiceis simply to sit stilland listen.We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 319-334-7148 

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 319-334-7148 

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 319-334-7148 

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 319-334-7148 

Oh What a King! We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.  Hope Wesleyan Church 505 4th Ave NE Independence, IA 50644 319-334-7148 

Today, our church children present “Campfire Carols.” Kaitlynn leads a group of campers into the wilderness, where they gather around a cozy campfire. Despite Kaitlynn’s warm Christmas spirit, the rest of the campers are freezing. To warm up, they sing and reflect on the significance of Christmas Carols about the birth of Baby Jesus. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning Worship Service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church and Nursery are also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148 

Join us today for a celebration of Hope Wesleyan's 100 years of providing ministry in Independence, Iowa. In 1925, a humble group of 14 believers began meeting in the basement of Rev. C.P. Carkuff’s home, laying the foundation for the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Independence, Iowa. In 1934, the church purchased its current property and, in 1937, acquired the Pleasant Hill Church building in La Porte City. Using a steel wheel tractor and trailers, they relocated the building to its present location here in Independence. Over the years, the church underwent renovations and improvements, even adding indoor plumbing in the 1950's. However, challenges arose in 1969 when the old wooden church building caught fire, forcing the congregation to return to the basement of the Pastor's home. Despite this setback, in just 10 months, a new brick church building was completed, which remains the building we still worship in today. Over the past century, our church has grown and served the Lord and our community with dedication. We would be delighted if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! It starts at 10 am every Sunday, and there are multiple Sunday School options available before the worship service. Children’s Church is also available during the worship service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would love if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! 10am every Sunday with multiple Sunday School options prior to the Worship Service. Children's Church is available during the Worship Service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would love if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! 10am every Sunday with multiple Sunday School options prior to the Worship Service. Children's Church is available during the Worship Service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would love if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! 10am every Sunday with multiple Sunday School options prior to the Worship Service. Children's Church is available during the Worship Service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

Pastor Elissa brings the message today about Jesus always being victorious. But first, Ashley Delagardelle joins us to share her testimony of the demons that once ensnared her before finding Jesus and being born again and becoming free!We would love if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! 10am every Sunday with multiple Sunday School options prior to the Worship Service. Children's Church is available during the Worship Service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

We would love if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! 10am every Sunday with multiple Sunday School options prior to the Worship Service. Children's Church is available during the Worship Service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

Focus: Remaining faithful and merciful in an age of compromiseBig Idea: In the face of deception and division, God's people are called to build themselves up, show mercy, and trust God to keep them standing.Application: Stay rooted in truth, reach out with compassion, and rely on the One who is able to keep you from falling.We would love if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! 10am every Sunday with multiple Sunday School options prior to the Worship Service. Children's Church is available during the Worship Service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148

Focus: Unmasking spiritual impostors and internal threats.Big Idea: The greatest threats to the Church often come from within—when truth is twisted and leadership is corrupted.Application: Be discerning. Test teachings and leaders by their fruit and loyalty to Christ.We would love if you could join us in person for our Sunday morning worship service! 10am every Sunday with multiple Sunday School options prior to the Worship Service. Children's Church is available during the Worship Service.Hope Wesleyan Church505 4th Ave NEIndependence, IA 50644319-334-7148.