Chester Church Aims To 'Rekindle Hope' In Community For Christmas

It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of year, but it may be hard to see that in the midst of shootings, wars, terror and myriad other horrors going on around the world.

Some may feel that all hope is lost, but what does hope even look like?

That’s the mission of Mendham Hills Community Church in Chester Township this holiday season.

The church, long known for its spectacular Christmas Eve services, is making the holiday season just that – a season of what hope truly looks like.

“This is a story, the birth of Christ, that we’ve heard a million times,” Pastor John Isemann said. “The truth is, for many, it’s lost its edge a bit.”

That’s why, in part, the church’s Christmas Eve service is more than just a message. It will be the conclusion to a story that lasts all month, beginning Sunday, Dec. 6, titled “The Thrill Of Hope.”

Each week the message will follow a character who has lost hope, whether it’s the loss of a child, or someone who has fallen to addiction, culminating on Dec. 24 with a performance that explains the gift of hope brought by the birth of Jesus Christ.

“People are walking around these days, looking around, saying ‘there’s no hope in this world anymore,’” Isemann said. “For hundreds of years before the birth of Christ people believed there was no hope, and then He finally shows up and everything changes.

“Our goal with this series is that the characters would resonate with people in our community, to show them that with Christ there is hope no matter what they’re going through,” Isemann said.

As the Christmas Eve service invitation states, Mendham Hills looks to “rekindle a childlike anticipation about a God who is still active, near, and in control. Remember your childhood thrill of hope on Christmas Eve? Hope can still be thrilling, especially when it is found not in a feeling, but in a manger.”

Mendham Hills Community Church offers two Sunday morning services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. at 480 Route 24 in Chester Township.

Free tickets for either of the two Christmas Eve services at 4 and 6 p.m. can be reserved by clicking here. Find out more about the church here.