Wednesday, April 16th (Read time: 7 minutes)

This Week at a Glance

thursday (4/17)

  • Gather & Remember Night

friday (4/18)

Saturday (4/19)

  • 8:30a Women’s Bible Study (Hope Ministries Annex)

Sunday (4/20)

tuesday (4/22)

Things to Know:

Easter at Hope Church — It’s This Week!

Easter is almost here—and we don’t want you to miss a moment! This week is full of ways to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and celebrate His resurrection. It’s also one of the best times to invite someone to church—many people are just waiting for that invitation!  Find all the details and sign-ups HERE.

As we prepare our hearts, we’re also inviting you to pray—pray for those who feel far from God, for those who need hope, and for those who may walk into church for the first time in a long time this Sunday. Ask God to bring people who are away from Him to church on Sunday.

Good Friday Worship Service — Friday, April 18 at 7p

Make plans to attend this powerful night as we remember the love and sacrifice Jesus showed on the cross. We encourage the whole family to attend and invite others to join. Childcare will be available for children preschool and younger by request.

Resurrection Sunday — Sunday, April 20

Celebrate the risen Savior with us! We’ll start with breakfast at 10:00 AM, followed by worship service at 10:30 AM. Kids will enjoy special Easter activities while we celebrate the victory of Jesus and what it means for our lives today.

Save the Date

  • All Leaders Meeting: Saturday, April 26 at 9a
  • Men of Hope: Sunday, April 27 at 5p
  • Pursuit Worship Night: Friday, May 2 at 7p
  • Church Business Meeting: Sunday, May 4 at 5:30p
  • Women of Hope: Sunday, May 11 at 5p

Email hello@HopeChurchATL.com for information on all upcoming events!

NEeds | Prayer Requests | Celebrations

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A little more hope…

Wednesday: The Silent Betrayal

“Then one of the Twelve, the man called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, ‘What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?’ So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver for him. And from that time he started looking for a good opportunity to betray him.” — Matthew 26:14–16, CSB

It’s Wednesday of Holy Week.
We’re only a few days away from the cross, but something dark is already in motion.

Behind the scenes, Judas has made a decision—a quiet, chilling betrayal. He’s followed Jesus for years. Heard every sermon. Seen the miracles. Sat around the same table. And yet… somewhere along the way, his heart grew cold.
We don’t know his reasoning. Maybe he was disappointed. Maybe disillusioned. Maybe just distracted by something that seemed more valuable.

Thirty pieces of silver. That’s what he traded Jesus for.

It’s easy to read and think, I’d never do that. But before we dismiss Judas too quickly, maybe we need to pause and take a closer look at ourselves. Because betrayal rarely begins with a single act. It usually starts with compromise—a little drift here, a little silence there. It’s the slow fade: choosing control over trust, hiding struggles instead of confessing them, worshiping Jesus outwardly while drifting inwardly.

Drawing #Closer to God Through Self-Examination

This Wednesday is sometimes called Spy Wednesday—a reference to Judas’s secret plan to betray Jesus. But it’s not just about what he did in the shadows. It invites us to reflect honestly—not with shame or guilt, but with a quiet willingness to bring what’s hidden into the light. Where are you being tested right now?


What are you wrestling with beneath the surface?

  • Is there a part of your life where you’re struggling to trust Jesus?
  • Have you been drifting spiritually—maybe going through the motions but feeling distant inside?
  • Is there something you’re hiding, hoping no one notices?

The truth is, we all have “spy moments”—secret compromises, quiet doubts, or hidden struggles that we try to manage on our own. But Jesus doesn’t push away doubters or strugglers. He invites us to come clean—to confess, to return, and to let Him meet us in our mess.

A Wednesday Practice: Come Clean

Take a few minutes today to get alone with God. No filters. No pretending. Just honesty.

  1. Pause – Sit in stillness and ask the Spirit to search your heart.
  2. Pray – “Jesus, show me where I’ve been hiding, drifting, or tempted to betray trust in You.”
  3. Confess – If something comes to mind, don’t brush it off. Bring it to Him. He’s already paid for it.
  4. Receive – His grace is not just for the “big” sins. It’s for everything. Let Him remind you that you’re still His.

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.” — Psalm 139:23–24, CSB

Let’s draw #Closer to God by being real with Him today. Because honesty is where healing begins—and as Sunday will prove, even betrayal doesn’t get the final word.

Celebrate the Resurrection with Hope Church! Find more information about Holy Week and Easter events here.

Need to catch up on any of our Sunday messages? Find past sermon series here…

Want a laugh? Check out the Easter Announcements Blooper reel

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