A Warm Welcome to Our New Interim Pastor, Jeff Hopson
We are delighted to announce that as of October, we now have a new interim pastor who will be making our Presbytery his next spiritual home.
Jeff Hopson grew up in a family of four kids (the Four J’s) on a registered Hereford ranch in northeastern New Mexico. Harry and Lindit’ (Lindita: little Linda) taught ‘the Four J’s’ that ‘we are just as close to God riding a horse through a pasture….as sitting in a cathedral’. He still believes that.
Blessed with an amazing life, he was the only kid in second grade. Each school was a little larger until graduating from Oklahoma State (in Poli Sci; yes, he was in politics awhile; don’t kid him about that too much, please!).
In April of 1983 he ‘heard a Call’ to seminary and in 1987 graduated from Pittsburgh Theological where he was hired and then mentored by Dr. Michael Wenning, very influential in ‘coloring Jeff’s call’ into pastoral ministry.
Starting in Washington Presbytery (south of Pittsburgh) he eventually served five churches in southwest Pennsylvania. He served as solo pastor, interim pastor, and designated pastor helping congregations see and live into the futures that God was calling them toward. During this time, Jeff also completed his Interim Pastor training. After 21 good years in PA, he headed to Stockton, California where he served first as designated pastor and then solo pastor at the United Church of Christ. After a decade in Stockton (and an amazing sabbatical during this time, upon the occasion of his thirtieth anniversary of ordination) he felt a ‘call to come home’; his heart really is in Pennsylvania.
But it turned out the Spirit surprised him, not for the first-time mind you, and he was called to Lincoln, Nebraska where he served as an interim pastor at Heritage Presbyterian Church for three years. Still determined to make it back to PA, he ‘found’ the position of Interim Pastor open at Central Presbyterian Church, Downingtown. He was fascinated, transfixed even, inspired by the spiritual maturity and bold faith he found. He then felt the Spirit saying: ‘this is it. Come Here!’ and he has just finished a two year tenure as Interim at Covenant PC, Scranton, PA.
On his ‘move west’ he learned of you fine and faithful folks at FUPC ‘Vegas. Since returning to this Enchanted Land is ‘coming home’ for Jeff….he is thrilled, THRILLED….to be here with you now for this season ahead!
Jeff loves preaching, leaning on storytelling to engage listeners, and pastoring; he sees himself as a people person. One of his favorite experiences of church is ‘feeling tension come down as Hope is lifted’. He believes in a steady and stable hand while ‘walking shoulder to shoulder’ with members, sharing in ministry together.
In his spare time, he loves reading, writing, travel, great music (wondering where he can find a fine symphony close by?) and can’t wait to introduce you to his amazing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Jayce. Jeff is more than excited to now call New Mexico home! He looks forward to meeting each of you personally and he can’t wait to introduce you to his favorite puppy: Jayce!
New Book-based Sunday Class Starting October 12th – Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People
by Rev Natie Bolz-Weber
Starting Oct. 12, the Sunday morning Bible-based class for adults and youth will be discussing the book Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People by Rev Natie Bolz-Weber.
Bolz-Weber is a prominent American Lutheran pastor, public theologian, and bestselling author celebrated for her unconventional approach to faith and spirituality. Born in 1969, she grew up in a conservative Christian family but later forged a unique path shaped by her life experiences and academic pursuits. Bolz-Weber attended the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado, where she earned her Master of Divinity degree. Her formal theological education equipped her with the scholarly tools and critical perspective that would inform her groundbreaking ministry and writing.
She is the founding pastor of the House for All Sinners and Saints, a congregation in Denver known for its inclusivity and vibrant community. Her literary works candidly address topics such as faith, doubt, addiction, and redemption, resonating with readers seeking authenticity. Among her other books are “Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint” (2013), a spiritual memoir that chronicles her journey from addiction to faith and “Shameless: A Sexual Reformation” (2019), a bold reimagining of Christian sexual ethics.
In “Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People,” Bolz-Weber offers a raw, honest, and often humorous meditation on grace, brokenness, and the unlikely ways that holiness can emerge from imperfection. Through candid storytelling and self-deprecating wit, she explores the idea that saints are not flawless individuals, but rather ordinary people who stumble, fail, and still become vessels of God’s love and compassion.
The book is structured around the liturgical calendar, using feast days and stories of biblical and modern “saints” to illustrate how grace disrupts our expectations. Bolz-Weber challenges readers to see divinity in the most unexpected places and people, emphasizing that God’s love meets us in our messiness.
The book is available in paperback new from Amazon for $10.63 or used for as little as $1.76; from Alibris new for as little as $$6.95 or used for as little as $.99; and from AbeBooks used for as little as $3.84, all prices plus shipping. Richard Lindeborg can order a new copy sent directly to you from Amazon with no shipping charge.
This series will run through Nov. 16. Class sessions are on Sundays at 8:45 a.m. in the session room or on Zoom through the same link as the worship service.
Reading Assignments
(pagination in the hardcover and paperback editions are the same)
Oct. 12—A Conversation with the Author, pp. 203-211; Chapters 1 and 2, pp. 3-19
Oct 19—Chapters 3-5, pp. 22-49
Oct 26—Chapters 6-9, pp. 53-79
Nov 2—Chapters 10-12, pp. 93-127
Nov. 9—Chapters 13-16, pp. 129-161
Nov 16—Chapters 17-19, pp. 163-189
Celebrating 155 Years of FUPC Las Vegas!
Come Join Us for Worship!
Please feel welcome to come and join us any Sunday at 10:30 for Worship in person, or by Zoom.
Zoom details:
Meeting ID: 573 920 0081
Password: 191496
To join the meeting via computer, go to this link: Join us on Zoom
To join the meeting via phone (no computer needed) dial 312 626 6799 and enter the meeting ID and password when asked.
Note that this is a Chicago number and long-distance charges may apply
- If you haven’t been on Zoom before, you’ll see instructions for downloading the Zoom app and allowing your camera (if you have one) and microphone to be used by Zoom, and then the meeting will open.
- If you are new to Zoom, we recommend going to the link above sometime before the event so that you can get the Zoom app set up ahead of time. It takes a few minutes.
- If you have the Zoom app, you can use the link above or you can just open the app, click Join, and enter the meeting id.
- The meeting ID for all public church events is 573-920-0081.
