Hope Notes 10-4-2007

Dear Friends of Hope ~

This Sunday is Communion Sunday.  We strive to make this service a special time to remember all that Jesus did for us on the cross.  The concept is so mind-blowing, it's hard to really take it all in.  Having a time set aside to focus and meditate on His love that led Him to the cross is important.  Make sure you are here to be a part of it.

 

SUNDAY SERVICE - COMMUNION SUNDAY

Ways to Fail  (1Thess 2:6b-12)

If there were a college course on "How to Fail", would you take it?  Maybe you feel like you could teach it?  Paul was accused of being a failure in his ministry.  But Paul knows better - he remembers that, as believers, we are "approved by God".  Then, he begins to point out the things he would have to be doing to fail in his witness for Christ.  If we allow these things to fill our lives, our testimony for the Lord is guaranteed to fail.  Instead, as the "approved" ones, we should leave any focus on these things behind and continue to serve the Lord as He leads.

 

UPCOMING COMMUNION SERVICES

November 25th

 

BIBLE READING FOR OCTOBER - MATTHEW

The gospel of Matthew presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the centuries-old promise that a Messiah would save the Jewish people.  There are about sixty references to Old Testament prophecies throughout the book, and we see many instances where Jesus fufilled those prophecies, thus showing Himself to be the Messiah the Jewish people had been waiting for.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP  

 

MARRIAGE CONFERENCE - A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

11/30 - 12/2

This conference is an amazing tool to improve a good marriage, help one that's in trouble, or prepare engaged couples for marriage.  Meeting at the Crowne Plaza in Plymouth Meeting, PA.  Cost is about $160/couple.  For those interested in staying at the hotel, there is info on the registration forms with a special rate.  Contact Melissa McGinness for more details - Melissa.McGinness@bluebell.ppde.com.   You can register through her or online using our "group number".

 

REVOLVE TOUR FOR TEEN GIRLS

November 2nd - 3rd

Wachovia Center

A fun, high energy environment where girls hear the message of God's love and grace.  Hot topics include "Keeping it Real; Inside & Out", "Secrets to Real Beauty", "The Truth About Guys", and "The Inside Scoop on Relationships".  Performing artists Natalie Grant, Hawk Nelson, and KJ-52 are featured along with other artists and guest speakers.  This is absolutely an event you don't want to miss!  Tickets go FAST, so be sure to sign up right away - friends are welcome!

Cost of package:  $80.00

Includes your ticket and an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn in Cherry Hill.  Please bring additional money to purchase lunch and any T-shirts, books, etc.

See Lois Hartwell for if you have any questions or need further information.

 

FALL FESTIVAL / HAYRIDE

Please note a change in the date. Due to a scheduling change from Washington Lake Park, the festival has been moved from the 13th to the 20th.

October 20th from 10:00 - 3:00

SIGNUP THIS SUNDAY AT CHURCH!!

Our fall festival begins at Duffield's Farm Market in Washington Township with a hayride.  We're off to the pumpkin patch to pick pumpkins!  Cost of the hayride is $6.50.  At 11:00 we'll be heading down the road to Washington Lake Park (Pavillion B) for games, crafts, and light refreshments.  You may want to pack a bag lunch.  Each child participating will need to bring a bag of candy.  Pumpkins to decorate are optional.   Contact June Elliot (384-7786) with any questions.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

November 11 - Fellowship Dinner/Operation Christmas Child Project

December 6 -    Ladies Christmas Extravaganza

December 14 - Adult Christmas Party

The Activities Team is looking for your input!  If you have any activities you would like to participate in, contact Lorraine Otis at lorraineotis@comcast.net, and let her know your ideas. 

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - GENESIS

At Pastor Mark's house 7:30 -8:30 pm

We start at 7:30 to give everyone a chance to make it from work, and we end promptly at 8:30 so that we can all head home and get the rest we need for the next day.  Don't plan your fall schedule without making time for this mid-week oasis!   Childcare is provided.

 

SMALL GROUPS

We offer a variety of Small Groups here at Hope.  We have groups for men, women, teen girls, teen boys, and an assortment of groups teaching on specific topics.  You can pick up a flyer with full descriptions on the front table, and contact the leaders with any questions.  NOW is the time to plug in and get connected!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

GIVING

Thanks to everyone's generosity last Sunday in the benevolent offering, the need was met.  Also, our September giving rebounded from our slight lack in August.  We averaged $2461 towards our $2200 budget, and were able to save extra for our building fund!

 

HELP NEEDED

Doleen Pierce needs help moving on Saturday, 10/20 at 9:00 am.  As a single lady in our church, we need about four or five men to help her.  Contact Doleen at 856-423-3908.

 

LUNG CANCER DONATIONS

Did you know lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths?  Lorraine Otis is collection donations towards the annual SJ Lung Cancer walk that supports the Lungevity Foundation - the only foundation whose funds go SOLEY towards research for a cure.  Look for information on the front table and see Lorraine if you are able to make a donation.

 

DEACONS AND DEACONESSES

We need to start praying about nominations for Deacon and Deaconess for the upcoming annual business meeting.  These are men and women who take the lead in serving the body, specifically in the physical needs of the church and it's people.  They are involved in taking care of the church property, the finances, the benevolent needs, and other service capacities.  We need you to nominate partneres of Hope that you feel are qualified according to 1Timothy 3.  Only partners of Hope can nominate or be nominated, and only partners can vote at the business meeting.  If you want more information on becoming a partner at Hope, see Pastor Mark or pick up a copy of our constitution bylaws on the info table.  See Bob Baumiester with nominations.

 

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

We would like to put together Thanksgiving meals for families in need at Hope and for those connected to people in our church.  If you know of a family in church who needs this type of encouragement, see Pamela Fein and let her know.  These families will be our first priority.  Then, if there is a specially needy family you know personally who would need this type of help, let Pam know about them too.  If we can, we will help them as well.  Once we have a list of names, we will put out a sign up for people to supply & deliver these meals. 

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

Projector:    We need help with the words for the worship songs.  See Melissa McGinness.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:        Natalie Davis

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Lenny Little, Kara Ott (T)

                                     Helen Mastalski, Meagan Tareila (I)

                                     Damon Briggs, Erin Sweeny (C)

GREETERS:                   Charlotte Z.

COUNTERS:                  Bob and Bill

CLEANERS:                  Lillian LaRue

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Bernie & Peggy Kemp - For safety as they travel to Idaho next week for an extended visit.

Karen Jones - For complete and speedy recovery from complications due to her recent surgery.

Don Baysinger (Naidona Ott's dad) - For upcoming cancer treatments

Employment Needs - Mike and June Elliot - a full time job for Mike (one is pending at FedEx) and a part time job for one of them in the mean time! Doleen Pierce will need a job that she can physically do once her rehab is complete.

 

Help us to remember to pray, Lord.  Not just for these specific requests, but "in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Ph 4:6

 

Covered by His Blood,

 

Lois