On Middleborough Road in Essex, Maryland, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church is known for a simple Sunday rhythm: Traditional Communion and Family Contemporary Communion alternate at 10:00 a.m. The same hour opens with Kidz Bible Zone in the sanctuary, where an opening song and children's sermon lead into children's activities. Pastor Eileen Kelley Warner serves as interim minister. Hope's work extends through the week as well, combining worship, Christian learning, prayer, childcare, youth service, and support for people grieving a loved one.
Two Communion Traditions at 10:00
Hope's Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m. Traditional Communion and Family Contemporary Communion alternate from week to week, giving the congregation both forms of its Sunday worship at the same morning hour. Individual prayer is offered at the altar rail 15 minutes before each Sunday service throughout the year. This opportunity includes anointing and laying on of hands for healing, as well as prayer for divine guidance, forgiveness, or a blessing.
Office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The office is at 1901 Middleborough Road in Essex, with the church phone number (410) 686-7587 and the general email info@hopeelca.org.
Kidz Bible Zone Begins in the Sanctuary
Hope Sunday School is called Kidz Bible Zone and meets at 10:00 a.m. in step with the main Sunday worship. It begins in the sanctuary with an opening song and a children's sermon. Children are then escorted to special activities, giving them a shared opening with the congregation before they continue in their own groups.
All Stars Learning Center at Hope
All Stars Learning Center is an outreach of Hope with a mission to provide a safe and affordable pre-kindergarten program as well as before-school and after-school care. Its staff are committed to teaching Christian fundamentals, providing a quality education, and serving the community in Christian love.
- The center is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Pre-K serves children ages 3 to 5, with five-day, three-day, and two-day schedules from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- The summer program includes children from three years old through fifth grade.
- The Before and After School Care Program serves school-age children enrolled at Middleborough Elementary School and children who can be transported to the center.
Staff escort children enrolled at Middleborough Elementary School to and from the center, supervise them at all times, and encourage them to begin homework in the afternoon. Weather permitting, children are escorted outdoors to the Learning Center playground for at least half an hour each day. Children already enrolled in Pre-K can also use the Before and After School Care Program.
The learning experience combines math, science, social studies, literature, language development, pre-reading and pre-writing skills, music, and art. Children also work on social skills, behavior management, and understanding feelings and emotions. Quiet time, active play, individual activities, and group activities are all part of the daily schedule.
C-4 and Vacation Bible School
The C-4 Youth Group stands for Caring Christians Communicating Christ and welcomes students in grades 6 through 12, ages 11 through 18. Its activities include retreats, service projects, hosting bands, indoor and outdoor events, and participation in larger youth gatherings. The group meets at varying times for special activities. Confirmation and youth group meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the choir room.
Vacation Bible School is held for one week each summer for children ages 4 through 12, providing a concentrated period of Bible teaching and activities for younger children.
A Community Centered on Prayer
Hope is a praying church and gives prayer a central place in congregational life. The Prayer Chain is made up of people who commit to praying for others each day; each partner decides how many people to include and receives periodic updates. Volunteers make Prayer Quilts, which are blessed by the congregation and brought to people who are seriously ill or dying as a sign of God's never-failing love.
The weekly Prayer Group meets Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the pastor's office for personal sharing, group prayer, and Bible study. A periodic healing service brings together silence, singing, Bible reading, prayer, and Holy Communion. Prayer Walking asks pairs to walk through their neighborhood, quietly praying for the people, homes, and businesses they encounter and asking to see the community through God's eyes.
Study, Music, Quilts and GriefShare
Wednesday Bible study takes a deeper look at the scriptures read in worship. The 10:30 a.m. gathering is in the choir room, while the 7:00 p.m. gathering is on Zoom. Both are led by Pastor Eileen. Choir practice is Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the choir room, and Hope's Quilters meet Monday from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the same room.
GriefShare is Hope's 13-week support ministry for people who have lost a loved one. Each weekly session combines videos with grief experts and real-life stories followed by small-group discussion, creating space for encouragement, comfort, and shared understanding. Registration is free, with a $25 charge for the accompanying book.
Grace, Word, Sacraments and Service
Hope's faith statement centers on God coming to us in grace through faith in Jesus Christ, through the preaching and teaching of God's Word and through the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. Its mission is to worship God as Creator in the fullness of God's revelation in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. That mission includes celebrating faith, growing in faith and God's Word, and reaching out in service to the community.
Hope is a member congregation of the Delaware-Maryland Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Sunday gathering remains the center of a wider life that includes study, education for children, youth service, intercession, support for bereaved people, and practical care for families in Essex.
On Middleborough Road, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church brings worship, learning, prayer, and service together in one community, with each part connected to its mission of faith and care.