Living Hope Connect Groups
When you visit Living Hope, you’ll find a friendly, welcoming place to hear of God’s love for us through Jesus.
Connect Groups are a vital part of that ministry at Living Hope. We want to do more than be a friendly church. We want to be a church of friends. Connect Groups are where those friendships are made.
When you share your life with a community of fellow believers, we call that “fellowship.”
The Bible tells us, “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3).
Just as God gave his Son to unite with us, we share our lives to spread the good news that God is united with humanity!
United to God by his love, we are inevitably united to all those for whom Christ died.
God did not design human beings to face life on their own. Instead, he intended for believers to be woven together in a community so that they might encourage one another they walk the often-difficult path of life.
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Service
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Study
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Social
Types of Connect Groups
Service
Eager to reflect God’s love, Christians find ways to support the church, its members, or our local community.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
Study
Our pastors equip facilitators with discussion-based studies on the timeless Word of God.
"We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives." (Colossians 1:9).
Social
Friendships grow through experiences, strength is renewed for service, and our understanding of God’s grace deepens. Even in rest, God is honored!
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31)
Fall/Winter 2025
Connect Groups
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Project 1517: A Podcast Discussion
Think book club but with a WELS pastor led podcast, The Notable Podcast by WELS pastors Jonathan and Timothy Bourman. Listen prior to meeting, take notes, then discuss when together and grow in study and discussion of God’s Word.
For: All ages
Cost: Plan to bring a snack to share while we share insights from the podcast
Time: Weekly on Thursdays at 6pm for one hour
Location: The Rathje’s home in Chester
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Gab for the Gospel
Come practice evangelizing and spreading the Gospel to prepare for talking to people outside the church family. We’ll discuss common issues and conversation frameworks to combat possible negative reactions with people you know. Also, grow closer with your church family members.
For: Anyone..introverts and extroverts! No matter what you think of your skillset, both are uniquely equipped to share Jesus and his gospel. All ages would maximize the fun!
Cost: None
Time: Every other Tuesday from 4:30-5:30pm (Oct 7, 21, Nov 4).
Location: The Ashmore’s home in Powhatan
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Lettuce Meet for Brunch
Meet on Sunday after church for brunch. An opportunity to try a new restaurant in the area and get to know each other better.
For: Singles, Couples, Men/Women
Cost: $25-30/plate
Time: Oct. 19 + Nov 2; noon — 2 pm
Location: The Boathouse at Sunday Park + Oceano, Midlothian
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Virginia Trailblazers
Hike beautiful VA on two Saturday afternoons on a variety of terrain
For: all able-bodied individuals
Cost: None
Time: Oct 18 + Nov 8; 1pm start
Location: Blue Ridge Tunnel trailhead + Fluvanna Heritage Trail
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Parkside PALS (Parents and Littles Social)
Get outside for two Saturdays at the best playground parks RVA has to offer for conversation while kids play
For: Families with playground-aged kids; empty-nesters to lend a hand or break off to enjoy the connected trails
Cost: None
Time: Oct. 11 + Nov. 8; 10 am — noon
Locations: Taylor Farm Park (200 Whiteside Rd, Sandston); Hugenot Park (10901 Robious Rd, Richmond)
Presentations
August 10 presentation
A video recording of the first, 10-minute presentation given to the congregation at the end of the August 10 Sunday worship service.
August 24 presentation
The final Connect Group presentation.
August 17 presentation
The second of three presentations.
Frequently asked questions
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We realize that Sunday worship is not really designed to develop friendships among Christians. Sunday worship proclaims and applies the gospel to the entire congregation. Sunday worship is too large a group and too short a time for you to get to know everyone on a personal basis.
If we only rely on Sunday worship and study to grow connections between people, our congregation will becomprised of members who do not have very personal or very deep connections with each other.
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Each Connect Group may have up to 15 people. This number is specifically chosen not to be too big or too small. If too small, then some people might feel too much pressure to carry on the activity or conversation. If too large, then some people might be left out, or the larger group will inevitably split up into multiple groups or simultaneous conversations.
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Connect Groups are member-created and member-led.
Each Connect Group has a designated Connect Group Leader who creates and coordinates the group by communicating dates, times, and any potential activities with the group. This is done by submitting a Connect Group Planning Form, available above!
Two individuals serve as Connect Group Coordinators, who serve by checking in with Leaders, making group information available, and helping ensure each Connect Group is operating according to its function.
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Any given Connect Group takes one of three forms—Study, Social, or Service. These forms allow some general direction to the group, while keeping the specifics intentionally open.
A group may target a specific age or station of life (a young professionals group, a young families group, a retirees group, etc.). A group may beby activity (a group that meets to play at the park, or go golfing, or go out for coffee, or make/exchange baked goods, or discuss books, etc.). Or a group can be made up of different people of different ages who meet together simply to spend time together. But none of these are necessary in the formation of a group. The Connect Group coordinators would be thrilled to help generate or refine an idea.
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No. In Connect Groups, we want you to talk about life, not the Bible or church. While encouraging or helping other Christians in their faith is always a good thing, we place Connect Groups and worship/group bible study as separate things.
Connect Groups are a way we enhance what is done together in corporate Bible study and worship. We will continue to emphasize Sunday morning Bible study as the opportunity to grow closer to God’s Word.
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Everyone is busy, and we want to be sensitive to that. Connect Groups are intentionally designed to fit any number of possible schedules.
At the same time, we believe these relationships are something worth committing to and sacrificing for. We also know that some of you may already have family connections in the area or have relationships in the congregation that extend back decades, and we do not want to diminish any of that. We recognize, however, that Living Hope has been blessed with many new people inrecent years who do not always have deep connections in the area. This is a chance for you to show love and friendship to them.
In other words, Connect Groups are an opportunity for us to consider others ahead of ourselves.
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Connect Groups are a newer model, so don’t feel unsure if this is your first time being exposed to this. We want Connect Groups to be embraced as a tool in nurturing the Christian life at Living Hope.
Think of it like this: Christians often call each other “brothers and sisters in Christ” or “friends in Christ.” Connect Groups are a way to bring vibrant life to this truth. You invite your dear family and friends over to your home, you talk with them, you eat with them, you spend time with them, you help them through life by giving of your attention and time. Connect Groups treat other Christians at Living Hope just like you treat your own family and friends—with Christ’s eternal love.