Ministries

Our Oak Lawn food pantry is one of the ways New Hope shows up for neighbors week after week. We serve about 45 families each week — roughly 2,300 people a year — and we're open to everyone. No membership, no questions about your faith.

Visit the Pantry

Regular hours: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

We're open to everyone. No membership or answering questions about your faith required.

Help Keep the Shelves Stocked

Our community pitches in some pretty great ways:

● Fresh produce rolls in through the summer from generous gardeners and the Oak Lawn community garden.

● The Oak Lawn Public Library drops off donations monthly.

● Schools pitch in when they're in session.

Donations may be dropped off at the church Monday-Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00pm or on Saturday from 10:00 am to Noon.

If your school or business is interested in hosting a food drive, please contact: pffoodpantry@gmail.com

You may also donate online through Vanco.com, and we will do the shopping.

Hours: Varies

Life gets complicated, and talking to the right person can change everything. New Hope is home to several licensed therapists who offer private counseling right here in our building. Because they work out of a church rather than a standalone practice, they're able to keep their fees significantly lower than you'd find elsewhere.

Each counselor has their own specialty and their own schedule. Whether you're carrying something heavy or just trying to find your footing, there's someone here who gets it — and who genuinely wants to help.

Meet the Therapists

Sunday School is where kids learn the big stories of scripture and learn they are beloved children of God.

Classes include a short lesson connected to scripture and hands-on activities that help it stick (art, drama, and creative projects). It’s designed to be engaging, age-appropriate, and joyful, giving kids a foundation for lifelong faith.

Meets: Tuesdays at 9:30AM

The Blanket Committee turns yarn, conversation, and steady hands into something that carries comfort. We give dozens of handmade blankets to people who are hospitalized, homebound, or in long-term care — and to anyone in our church family going through a difficult time.

Around 50–60 blankets leave this group every year, each one made with care and sent somewhere it'll actually mean something.

If you knit, crochet, or just want to show up and be useful with good company, Tuesday mornings have a seat with your name on it.

Tuesdays from 9:30AM-Noon

On Tuesday mornings, a group gathers to take care of the building and each other. They handle cleaning, and the never-ending “something needs fixing” list that comes with a church home.

And then they sit down together with a cup of coffee and talk, building years-long friendships.

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you’re not alone. New Hope provides a safe and quiet place to find support and your footing.

Meetings

Mondays: Alcoholics Anonymous: Noon | Gamblers Anonymous: 7:30 PM

Tuesdays: Alcoholics Anonymous: 10AM & 7PM

Wednesdays: Al-Anon: 1PM & 7PM | Alcoholics Anonymous: 8:15PM

Fridays: Alcoholics Anonymous: 1PM & 7:30PM | Overeaters Anonymous: 7PM

Saturdays: Alcoholics Anonymous: 10AM

Contact: Raymond Schwartzkopf / raymond@newhopeoaklawn.org

Meetings: Monthly on varying nights

New Hope's youth group is learning faith is more than just showing up on Sunday. They're out there doing things that matter like Community Easter egg hunts, Trunk or Treat events, mission trips, and retreats.

A mission trip is in the works for 2027, and the next retreat is right around the corner. If you've got a teenager who's curious, restless, or just looking for a place where they actually fit in, this might be exactly what they need.

Meets: The Third Sunday after Service

Peace Synergy is a place for people who want to be instruments of peace in Chicago’s southwest suburbs and the world today. The group focuses on education and practical next steps around current events — sharing information, hosting conversations, and helping people participate in civic life with clarity and care.

Meets: Quarterly

The Women’s Luncheon is built around connection, shared meals, and small service projects that put love into action. Some gatherings include projects like making cards for people who are shut-in or hospitalized — simple reminders that people aren’t forgotten. Meetings happen a handful of times throughout the year, and the vibe is warm, easy, and relationship-centered.

Meets: The third Wednesday of each month at XX time

Once a month, a New Hope cook team prepares and delivers a meal to neighbors staying at Beds Plus, a local shelter near 85th & Cicero. The goal is to provide a steady rhythm of care: cooking, serving, and showing up with dignity and kindness.

Three times a year, New Hope gives you the opportunity to step away from the business of daily life and head somewhere a little quieter — Tower Hill camp.

● The Youth Retreat gives teenagers room to breathe, think, and figure out who they're becoming.

● The Intergenerational Retreat brings the whole community together. — usually at Tower Hill camp — for worship, hiking, shared meals, and the kind of time together that's hard to recreate on a Sunday morning.

● The Women's Retreat is returning this fall after a bit of a hiatus, and it's already something people are looking forward to.

Dates and registration will be posted here as they're confirmed. If you want to be the first to know, sign up for our newsletter.

Once a year, Jazz Night brings people together for music, joy, and generosity. The event supports needs that matter at the moment — sometimes it’s the church or a specific mission. It’s a great example of New Hope’s style: community-first, creativity, welcoming, and fun.