Hope Chapel

03/28/2026

HOLY WEEK 2026
Join Hope Chapel at our new location!
1009 Maple Ave. Elmira, NY 14903

Maundy Thursday
April 2, 2026 @ 5:30 pm

Good Friday
April 3, 2026 @ 1:30 pm

Resurrection Sunday
April 5, 2026 @ 9:30 am

* Hope Chapel is a ministry of the Sisters of Hope.

01/30/2026

"We often confuse unconditional love with unconditional approval. God loves us without conditions but does not approve of every human behavior."
~ Henri Nouwen

This piece of wisdom of Henri Nouwen is so important today. Many have confused the concepts of unconditional love with unconditional approval. We need to distinguish the difference between loving the person and condoning harmful behaviors. To love someone does not mean that their actions also have to be accepted.

Jesus taught us in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This is unconditional love - Jesus came, died, and rose again so you might have everlasting life.

In contrast, Psalm 97:10a says, “O you who love the LORD, hate evil! …” 1 John 1:5-6 goes on to say, “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” A reminder that we need to put aside who we once were before accepting God into our lives.

If you struggle with sin, remember God loves you. If you have a friend or family member who is stealing, lying, etc., not approving of those inappropriate behaviors, does not mean that they aren’t to be loved. We can disagree on politics, the news, parenting styles, finances, etc., but we can still love the person!

Finally, remember that just because God has unconditional love for you, does not mean that He will approve of your sin. Repent of your sin, love God, and love your neighbor.

—

01/29/2026

Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:19-21,
[19] “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…”

Knowing this, we realize how apt Thomas Aquinas words were, “The things that we love tell us what we are.”

What do you love?
Where is your heart?
What do you treasure?
If someone close to you was to describe you, what might they say?

Take a moment today to examine what is important to you. Think about what needs to be realigned in your life. Do you struggle with addiction, infidelity, unrighteous anger, perfectionism, impulsiveness, etc.? Do you spend more time on social media than with God and your loved ones?

Remember: God is near you and able to help you navigate through your life. Psalm 145:18 teaches us, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Consider realigning your life and start by loving God and then loving your neighbor…

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01/27/2026

Today, we remember…

Today we remember all of those who lost their lives in the Holocaust. May it always be a day to pause, be still, and remember.

01/25/2026

Please note that our Warming Station for those experiencing homelessness is open extended hours during inclement weather. This Warming Station is designed to support those who are unhoused. The Homeless Shelter is also open 24/7 at 160 High Street. Meals are provided for individuals in the Shelter and Warming Station. Thank you for your concern for those experiencing homelessness this winter. If you would like to help, we are in desperate need of men's gloves and hats. Donations may be brought to our Samaritan Center or ordered online and shipped directly to us. https://ow.ly/Bprl50Y3mIY

01/23/2026

Join us in praying…

On this day of prayer for the unborn, we join with Christians around the world in praying for life from conception to natural death, that the sanctity of life would be defended at all stages.

01/13/2026

Interesting discussion on the bioethics of end-of-life from Anglicans for Life. Get your free virtual ticket today!

Do you know someone who is dealing with a terminal illness or nearing the end of life? You can learn a lot to help them at the Life Forum. Www.AnglicansForLife.org/LifeForum

01/08/2026

What calling or meaning have you found for your life? Remember, no matter how difficult life may be, God will be with you through your troubles!

Micah 7:7-8 (ESV)
[7] But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
[8] Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

Proverbs 21:21
[21] Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

“Be brave. Don’t be afraid of your weakness, because in Christ crucified, you can do everything.”
~ Catherine of Siena

01/07/2026

Did you know there is a special blessing service for your home on January 6 - Epiphany: The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles? Many chalk their doors and use holy water in their homes to ask God for evil to pass over it just as the Israelites placed lambs blood over their doors during their time as slaves of the Egyptian Pharaoh.

See below a simple service you can do at your home…

Upon entering the house [or at the front door]:

Priest/Head of Household: Peace be to this house.
All: And to all who dwell herein.
Priest/Head of Household: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.

During the next prayer, the room is sprinkled with holy water and incensed.

All:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.

After this is completed:
All: From the east came the Magi to Bethlehem to adore the Lord; and opening their treasures they offered precious gifts: gold for the great King, incense for the true God, and myrrh in symbol of His burial.
Priest/Head of Household: Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead and lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
All:For the kingdom, the power, and glory are yours, now and forever.
Priest/Head of Household: All they from Saba shall come
All: Bringing gold and frankincense.
Priest/Head of Household: O Lord, hear my prayer.
All: And let my cry come unto Thee.
Priest/Head of Household: Let us pray. O God, who by the guidance of a star didst on this day manifest Thine only-begotten Son to the Gentiles, mercifully grant that we who know Thee by faith may also attain the vision of Thy glorious majesty. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Priest/Head of Household: Be enlightened, be enlightened, O Jerusalem, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee– Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary.
All: And the Gentiles shall walk in thy light and kings in the splendor of thy rising, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon thee.
Priest/Head of Household: O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
All: Amen.

After the prayers of the blessing are recited, walk through the house and ask God to bless each room by sprinkling with Epiphany/holy water and incensing it.

Take the blessed chalk and first write the three initials of “C” “M” “B” connected with Crosses, over the inside of your front door (on the lintel, if possible). Then write the year, breaking up the numbers and the year so that they fall on both sides of the initials. It should look like this, for example
20 C+M+B 24
The initials stand for “Christus mansionem benedicat” (“Christ bless this house”).

This is reflected in the prayer typically said by the priest/head of the household when marking the doors with chalk

Priest/Head of Household: Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord God almighty, this home, that in it there may be health, purity, the strength of victory, humility, goodness and mercy, the fulfillment of Thy law, the thanksgiving to God the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. And may this blessing remain upon this home and upon all who dwell herein. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

01/05/2026

The Warming Station, located at 160 High Street, Elmira, will be open for those looking to get out of the cold from 8:00pm – 8:00am. Individuals will have to complete a short packet, and breakfast, warm drinks, and to-go meals will be provided.