Last week, we came together for Ash Wednesday Worship Night, taking time to intentionally pause, reflect, and connect with God. The evening gave us a chance to lay down whatever we’ve been carrying and let worship renew our hearts as we kicked off the Easter season together.

For the first time, our middle and high school students in the Vibe Band led us in worship, and seeing them in action was such a special moment!

There was something powerful about filling the room with our voices in worship, celebrating God together, and starting this season with Him at the center.

Check out some photos of the night!

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Ash Wednesday Worship Night

Last Friday, we hosted our very first Night to Shine right here in our space and it was truly an unforgettable night. 

Night to Shine is a worldwide prom celebration, launched by the Tim Tebow Foundation, created to honor individuals with special needs and give them a night where they are seen, celebrated, and treated like royalty.

We welcomed over 70 incredible guests and had more than 160 volunteers who came together to create a night filled with joy, honor, and unforgettable celebration.

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When asked why Night to Shine is so meaningful, Ana High, our Equip Director shared:

“When we first found out our son had Down syndrome, I never once felt alone. We’ve always been surrounded by a loving family and a community that embraced and loved Cael from day one.

Being able to host an event like Night to Shine through Hoboken Grace Community Church and introduce the special needs community to our church family has meant even more than I ever imagined. While we were fortunate not to feel lonely, that’s not everyone’s story in the special needs community. At Night to Shine, guests were welcomed, loved, thoughtfully planned for, and truly celebrated. Those are not things that are always a given for individuals with special needs, which is exactly why this night matters so much.”

And her prayer going into the night?

“My heart and prayer for the night was that every guest would feel truly loved. Loved enough that when they heard they were wonderfully and fearfully made, they would believe it. Loved enough that when they heard that Jesus loves them and that their lives have purpose, those words would settle deep into their hearts and stay with them long after the night was over.”

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It truly was all hands on deck from early planning, to setup, to the night itself. Every team played a role, from building the registration website and creating signage and décor, to designing a high-energy dance floor experience. Dinner Groups handmade paparazzi signs and even dedicated their group times to helping prepare the space. One of our staff members, Sarah, spent nearly 12 hours creating balloon installations that completely transformed the space.

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From the moment guests arrived, they were treated like royalty.

Their names were announced one by one as they walked the red carpet. Crowds cheered. Cameras flashed. Handmade signs read “You Shine” to “You are a Rockstar.”

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The red carpet crowd brought together students from local high schools and colleges, 20 police officers, Hoboken Grace attendees, and community members from all walks of life - people of every age and background united to celebrate and honor our guests!

One by one, individuals were cheered for who are often overlooked. 

One beautiful moment captured the spirit of the night: a guest arrived with his tie untied, and a police officer jumped in to help tie it for him before he stepped onto the red carpet.

It was a picture of what the night was all about - dignity, care, and going the extra mile.

James, our Equip Assistant, shared what it was like to see so many people serve:

“Seeing 165 people say ‘yes’ to serving was nothing short of powerful. It was a true picture of the body of Christ coming together, with everyone playing a part. Some held cameras, some opened doors, some danced, and some helped with crowns and tiaras.

Every volunteer, from every walk of life, stepped in wherever they were needed. With that many hands and hearts, we were able to love our guests even better than we could have imagined.”

The entire evening was filled with intentional moments, each one designed to make every guest feel truly seen and celebrated. Each of our guests got a tiara or crown and our volunteers didn’t simply hand guests their crowns, they carefully placed each one on their heads. A small gesture, but one that said: You are seen. You are valued. You are royalty.

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One moving moment of the night came when a parent shared that this was the first time their son had ever been invited to something on his own, not just along with his parents. Being able to welcome him into a space where he could be fully included, celebrated, and part of the special needs community was a powerful reminder of why this night matters.

Another special part of the night was watching guests connect and make new friends, allowing them to feel a sense of belonging and community.

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At the end of the night, Pastor Chris shared the truth about God's love with everyone, reminding each guest that they are royalty in God’s eyes - deeply loved, seen, and valued. For many, it was the first time hearing that truth, a powerful way to close an unforgettable evening.

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A Night of Love, Joy, and Celebration for Our Special Needs Community

A few weeks ago, over 200 of our team members gathered here at our space for our annual Team Gala, and it was such an incredible night!

From the moment the doors opened, our space was filled with laughter, conversation, and the kind of connection that reminds us why we love serving together. Team members reconnected over great food, met new friends, shared stories from the past year, and of course… hit the dance floor.

The night was a celebration in every sense - celebrating what God has done this past year, celebrating the lives impacted, and celebrating each of you who serve so faithfully.

Thank you for serving alongside us. We truly couldn’t do this without you.

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If you’re interested in learning more about the different opportunities we have to jump in and serve on a team, [click here](https://www.hobokengrace.com/#teams). 


A Night Celebrating Our Team

NEXT is a 10-minute introduction to Hoboken Grace where you can explore who we are and find out what your next step should be. It takes place after every service on Saturdays and Sundays in our 'Connect Room' on the 1st floor.

To learn more about NEXT, we sat down with Rebecca to hear how it impacted her life and led to some amazing steps!

**What led you to find NEXT after service one day?**

It’s funny, because months previous to attending the service and stopping by NEXT, I had emailed Hoboken Grace a pretty lengthy message with a series of questions about the church, it’s theology, etc etc. At the time, I was “church shopping” as my then boyfriend (now husband) and I felt it was time to make our way back to our faith. I had fired off similar emails to a few different churches in the area. What really struck me was Anthony’s comically short response to my drawn out email. Ha! He explained how he thought that God was giving me “little nudges”, and that I should simply pop by on Sunday and see what they were all about.

**What was your experience at NEXT like?**

At the time, I considered talking to “church people” an intimidating experience, so I was bracing myself for an awkward conversation when I walked in and saw Pastor Anthony sitting there. It was nothing of the sort. It was a quick, disarming conversation, and I left feeling validated. Anthony gave me a really awesome book to take home, and encouraged me to keep coming on Sundays. My husband and I poured over the book together over the next few weeks, and it was an amazing turning point for us.

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**Were your questions and concerns answered?**

Yes! NEXT put me at ease, and it was one tiny step out of my comfort zone. Leaving NEXT, I had a moment of clarity. I realized only God had the answers I was looking for, not people, and so I felt motivated to dive deeper.

**How have you found community or become more connected after NEXT?**

NEXT was really the jump off for me feeling safe and ready to become more involved with Hoboken Grace. Shortly after that, we started attending Sundays regularly. From there, I felt an itch to serve, so I began looking for ways to get involved. Around that same time, I met a friend who invited me to be in their dinner group. Finally, the opportunity to serve on Sundays fell into my lap. Eventually, I stepped into the role of Family Support Leader for the Grace Kids program, and it was a wonderfully fulfilling adventure.

**What would you say to someone who is considering NEXT?**

Just go. No one bites, and we literally pray for you and this moment to happen! I think everyone at Hoboken Grace is genuinely eager and ready to meet you where you’re at. Just be yourself, and give yourself the chance you deserve to deepen (or start) a relationship with Jesus.

*To join us for NEXT, head to the glass Connect Room in our first-floor lobby after any service on Saturdays or Sundays. Just look for the NEXT sign or stop by one of our welcome desks, our team would be happy to point you in the right direction.*


So, what is NEXT?

Sometimes God grows our faith through big moments.

And sometimes, it happens in smaller moments, like showing up, saying yes, and learning to walk out our faith alongside others.

For Matt and Linnea, it began simply by coming to church together. About a year later, they heard a message about moving from being an observer to a participant and they decided to take that step. Right there on their phones, they signed up for a dinner group. After service, they connected with our teams and chose to start serving together in Grace Kids.

They didn’t know it at the time, but those small choices would go on to shape their relationship, their faith, and eventually their family.

Serving together became a turning point. It deepened their walk with God and strengthened their relationship with each other. Sharing a purpose, learning how to support one another, celebrating wins, and growing through challenges side by side created something special. Linnea describes it as rocket fuel for their relationship.

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As their lives unfolded, their “yes” continued, just in new ways. Dating turned into engagement, and engagement into marriage. After their first son was born, Linnea decided to step into leading a dinner group, staying connected to community through a new season of life. Through every chapter, God continued to stretch them, reminding them that faith isn’t static, it grows as we do.

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Now, with two little ones at home, Matt and Linnea have found that walking alongside others who are raising their families with faith at the center has been one of the greatest gifts. So when it came time to bring Axel to Grace Kids, it felt like a natural next step, trusting their son to the same community they had once poured into.

Becoming parents gave them a whole new perspective. Back when they were serving, there were Sundays when they wondered what kids really carried with them into the week. Now they’re seeing the answer firsthand.

Their son comes home singing worship songs. He knows Bible stories. In those moments, Matt and Linnea are reminded that the seeds being planted during Grace Kids are taking root in real life.

And in a beautiful full-circle moment, some of Axel’s teachers are kids Matt and Linnea once served themselves in Grace Kids. Now they’re watching the next generation teach their son about Jesus.

You may not always see the impact right away, but God is always at work, weaving together moments, people, and seasons in ways that last far beyond what we can see.

To watch Matt and Linnea’s story click [here](https://youtu.be/nnCZlfzRlHE).


Full Circle Faith

If you live in Hoboken you know the rhythm.

People are busy, thoughtful and often skeptical. Many are building careers, relationships or raising young families, often carrying more than they let on. I see it in the way people pause before opening the door. In the deep breath they take. In the way they scan the room, just trying to figure out if they can exhale.

Some Sundays, I recognize myself in them.

I remember seasons in my own life when walking into a church felt heavy. When faith felt complicated. When I wasn’t sure what I believed, only that I needed something to be steady. That’s part of why standing at the door matters to me because I know what it feels like to walk in hoping you won’t be judged, fixed or pressured.

Most of the time, the moment is simple. A hello. A smile. Eye contact that lasts just a little longer than usual. I tell people, “You’re genuinely welcome here and there’s no pressure to do anything but be yourself.” And sometimes, almost as an aside, I add, “You can grab donuts too. They’re actually really good.”

It sounds small. It is small. But I’ve watched shoulders drop in that moment. I’ve seen people soften. I’ve seen relief wash over faces that looked tired before they ever stepped inside.

One of the things people love most about Hoboken Grace is the community, and I’ve had a front row seat to what that really looks like.

Late last year, I met a young woman who was visiting for the first time. She was a nurse, coming off long shifts and she arrived quietly, almost apologetically, just trying to make it in the door. I remember thinking how much courage it takes to show up when you’re already exhausted.

Over time, I watched something shift. She kept coming back. She found people who knew her name. She joined a women’s group. She started serving. And not long ago she showed up with a friend.

There was no pressure. No big moment. Just community doing what community does best, creating a place where someone can belong, heal and grow at their own pace.

Because people feel like they belong here.

We don’t do sermons here. We share messages. Conversations meant to meet people where they are, not tell them where they should be. And what I’ve learned is that belonging often comes before believing.

I believe we have a living God who is always moving even when we don’t see it. Especially when we don’t see it. And I believe He often works through moments that don’t look spiritual at all. A calm welcome. A kind word. Someone noticing you before you disappear into the crowd.

When new people join the 1st Impressions team, I tell them I have the easiest role in the church. All you really need to do is smile and help people feel like they belong here. God takes care of the rest.

In a city like Hoboken, where so much of life is measured by performance and appearance, offering a place where people can simply be human matters.

So if you’re new, unsure, skeptical or carrying something heavy, you’re welcome here.

You don’t need answers. You don’t need to rush anything. You don’t need to pretend.

Just come as you are.

And if you ever find yourself wanting to be part of creating that kind of space for someone else, 1st Impressions is a beautiful place to start. It usually begins with a simple moment.


A Welcome Without Pressure

Inside Scoop Email

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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