This past Sunday we concluded our series “Chemistry” and challenged ourselves to not simply learn how to love, but to practice it. In order to facilitate this we laid out a process for us to walk through as we move forward. The process calls us to create a plan.

It begins with understanding where we are in our love for those around us. This doesn’t require a romantic relationship. You can identify any relationship. From there you begin.

When you look at what we’ve talked about, these four fundamental elements of love, how are you doing? On the worksheet rate your relationship as it pertains to these four areas.

Rate the four in order of strength (1 to 4 with 1 being the weakest):

Character  
Commitment  
Chemistry  
Intimacy

Next, write out a dream for the lowest two (Write it as if it is true of you from the perspective of the other person).

Example: My wife truly knows me. She’s aware of my flaws, my passions, my fears and my love. We have a deep and intimate connection.

When you have the dream written. Write out three action steps for each of the two areas.

Example:  
I’m going to share my heart in one way every day when I get home.  
I’m going to express my passion for her with one action every week.  
I’m going to be honest about how us not being able to have kids is impacting me.

Finally, ask someone besides your spouse to hold you accountable.

Now put this plan somewhere for you to review this on a weekly basis personally.

Example: I review it every Thursday before I leave work.

The more we can keep this fresh on our mind the better we will become at truly loving those around us the way Christ has loved us. Enjoy!

[Relationship Worksheet](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/03/Relationship-Worksheet.pdf)

Chemistry in Action

Let’s face it, we all probably have over 500 contacts in our phones if not more. Of those 500 we probably have about 5 people that we contact every day. Those people know us inside and out. They know our dreams our struggles, our favorite times and our worst times and our good qualities and not so good qualities. These people are our best friends but more importantly they are our advisors. It’s great to have this core group of people we can go to for support, but what about our kids? Do they have at least five other adults in their life that can provide guidance and give input as they grow up?

When your kids need to talk, who do they talk too? Beyond their friends and beyond you as a parent, will they have other adults they can talk too about important stuff like school, girls, boys, parents, the future, God, faith and other issues that may arise?

This person could be a teacher, a neighbor, a coach, grandparents, an aunt or uncle…anyone that you know personally that wants to invest in your child. Ask them if they’ll spend some time getting to know your child, and even pray for them regularly. And then watch what happens!

Top 4

This past fall we spoke about the [World Hope Organization](http://www.worldhope.org) and their efforts to bring aid and keep people safe during the devastating Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone. We also provided our community a chance to support these efforts and collected over $27,000 which was then matched by a matching donor.

We recently received an email of thanks from World Hope informing us that our support assisted in making it possible to “ship 9 containers, full of medical supplies and water equipment, to Sierra Leone, from the UK and Michigan. While each container costs approximately $10,000 to ship and be released through customs, the containers hold more than $2.5M worth of supplies!”

World Hope has been documenting their efforts in the fight against ebola and you can check out a video about the containers [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPI1SjnxcX0). We are excited grateful that our community has been able to be a part of these incredible efforts. We want to thank everyone for their support and prayers.

Progress in the fight against Ebola

But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what is says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. (James 1:22, NLT)

We fool ourselves all the time. Who reading this has made a plan in the past to spend time with God, read the bible, pray more and prioritized work, friends, tv, sleep? We are fooling ourselves to think that we need these things more than we need God.

For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in the mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. (James 1: 23-24, NLT)

When we choose other things over God, we forget what He looks like, we forget why it matters to know Him. The things we choose over God, become more important and dictate our time and attention. That is how we get caught up in the things of this world.

But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free (God’s word), and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (James 1:25, NLT)

By choosing to focus on God as a regular practice, you will begin to experience the blessing that James is talking about. We want that for you. That is why we’ve highlighted several ways you can begin to focus on God more in your life with the [Experience Growth worksheet](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/02/Experience-Plan.pdf). We encourage everyone to choose 1 – 3 way(s) to practice focusing on God in your life and share your experience with us.

Experience Growth

2019 Dinner Groups resume the week of January 7th and new groups launch January 21st. You can sign up for a Dinner Group now! Dinner Groups are a great way to find a place to belong, start building community by engaging with God, all while having fun.

Here are 5 reasons we think you should join us for dinner in 2019:

**1\. Dinner is planned**

It is nice to know that you have one less dinner to plan each week. In 2019, we ate over 2,400 meals together. Dinner groups meet weekly, share a meal together and open conversations that lead to spiritual growth. Each group does dinner in their own way. Some groups order in, some take turns cooking, others do potlucks or go out. When you sign up, the leader will let you know how they organize dinner.

**2\. Consistent encouragement**

Whether it’s spending daily time with God, serving the community, being baptized, or another milestone, Dinner Group members encourage each other to take that next step. We are all at different points in our journey. Taking a step of faith can be intimidating, but you don’t have to take that step alone. You will have people rooting for you as you move forward and people who have your back when you fear you might fail. Dinner Group gives you a front row seat to watch the faith of others in action. Your faith will grow as you see Him at work in the group.

**3\. No long-term commitment needed**

The majority of our Dinner Groups run all year long. You are welcome to join any group. All of our new groups start on a 10-week trial. Brand new groups created for those engaging dinner group for the first time. These groups are a perfect way to form new relationships with others who are also trying this out for the first time. Be assured, you are not the only one who is new.

**4\. It is a chance to be real for once**

We are always going through life trying to fit in. A lot of the time that means we have to “fake it ’til we make it.” Dinner Groups are a place where you can let your guard down and be authentic. Often we hear Sunday’s conversation and think, “This is just for me!” Then we go to group to find out that we are all dealing with similar struggles. It helps to know that others are facing the same difficulties, or have already walked through them.

**5\. Find family in Hoboken**

The strongest families are forged by sharing a meal around a table. People have traveled from all over to call Hoboken home. As a result, Hoboken Grace is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. It’s around these tables that you will establish and deepen relationships with people God has uniquely made and placed in your life. Your Dinner Group will grow together — enduring trials and making memories, just like a family.

We saved you a seat. Will you join us?

_To find a Dinner Group that is right for you,[ visit here.](http://hobokengrace.com/dinnergroups/dinnergroups/#join)_

5 Reasons To Sign Up for a Dinner Group

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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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