Hope Notes 3-27-2008

Dear Friends of Hope ~

What a tremendous blessing it was to see our church packed to overflowing with people on Easter Sunday! God is so faithful; when we do as He asks and follow His call, He just pours out the blessings. What a beautiful thing to see hearts touched and lives changed on Easter morning.

SUNDAY SERVICE

The Antichrist Revealed (2 Thess 2:1-4)

Are we in the last days? Paul gives us some clear teaching about the end times and specifically about a man that we often call the "antichrist". This passage makes it clear whether we are in the tribulation or "Day of the Lord". This person will act in certain ways that are easily visible and identifiable. An understanding of this teaching will help us feel the urgency of sharing our faith. We don't need to live in fear and dread, but we should live in an awareness of the coming return of our Lord. Paul didn't want the Thessalonians to be unsettled, and we too can find security and comfort as we study what is written about the last days.

CD'S AVAILABLE

Please remember that our services are available on CD immediately following the service for FREE! Pick up a copy for yourself or for anyone they want to share Hope with. Pastor Mark's messages are also available on our website, www.hopechristianfellowship.org.

BIBLE READING FOR APRIL - 2 John, 3 John, Jude

2 John stresses that our love for one another and for God will show itself most when we obey God's commandments. It warns against false teaching and wordly thinking that wants to deceive us into walking away from our faith.

3 John is bit of encouragement for all of us to continue to live out our faith and to treat servants of God with the kindness and hospitality due them.

Jude warns the church against following immoral teachers and those who teach false doctrine. Jude calls us to persevere in the face of whatever opposes our faith, and he helps us to endure by reminding us of the promise of our final reward.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

COMMUNITY CLEAN UP / BUILDING FUNDRAISER

April 19th 9:00 am (April 26th Rain Date)

Come out and join Hope as we raise money for our new building. This is a great family activity which will help our community as well as our building fund! Get ready to get dirty and pick up some trash! Trashbags, rakes, and gloves provided. Sign up sheet on Activities Board. See Poppy Gillin for more information. 856-401-0553

MEN'S SKEET SHOOT

Sunday April 20th 2:00 - ?

Come join us at the Piney Hollow Shooting Range in Williamstown for an afternoon of fellowship and fun! We will go out to lunch afterwards. Sign up sheet is located on the Activities Board in back. See Ray Gillin with any questions.

RIVERSHARKS FAITH & FAMILY NIGHT

May 10th 5:00 - ?

Campbells Field in Camden

Fireworks pre & post-game. Christian bands pre-game & during 7th inning stretch. Rob Baumiester (Bob and Carole's son) and his band, Compelled, will be playing! Sign up sheet located on Activities Board in back. We have a limited number of tickets reserved at $11/person, so sign up right away. Money is due to Wendy Lynch ASAP.

CO-ED SOFTBALL

Hope is forming it's first official softball team! There will be no games scheduled for Wednesday nights or weekends. Practices will be held mainly before the season begins. These things will make it easier for you to be a part of the team and not take away from your commitments to church and family. The sign up sheet is in the back of the church. See Damon Briggs with any questions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Becoming a Contagious Christian Workshop - May and June

Ice Cream Social - June

Adult Picnic - July

Family Picnic - August

Harvest Crusade - October 3rd to 5th

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

We are moving forward in our study about living free from enslavement to stress. The last issue we explored was about how making a decision to leave conflict unresolved adds to our stress. If you have missed a few weeks, or have never been a part, don't miss another week! We meet at Pastor Mark's house, and for those who need to bring their children, they can play in the basement while we study from 7:30 to 8:30 (sharp!). A small investment of an hour can mean so much to your week!

20-SOMETHINGS BIBLE STUDY

Kickoff on Friday, April 11th @ 7:30 pm

You don't want to miss the "opening night" of our Bible study! After our time of study, we will be enjoying an evening of fellowship, games, and food. If you would like to bring a game that would be great!

This study will be meeting every other Friday at Brad & Karla Hopkin's home,

208 Landing Rd. Hilltop, NJ (228-5845). Anyone in this age group is welcome to come, whether you are single, married, have kids or not!

GIRLS OF HOPE BIBLE STUDY

We will be meeting on Fridays for the month of March. Thank you!

GRIEF GROUP

The next meeting for the Grief Group at Lorraine Otis' home is April 18th.

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

HELP NEEDED

Charlotte Zediker could use some help putting siding on the shed in her backyard. Glenn Johnson is organizing a work team of men who would be willing to put in some time on a Saturday in the near future. Contact Glenn at 856-853-7303.

WEB SITE LAUNCH

Our church website has a new look! Take some time to check it out - knowing what is on our website can give us confidence in using it as a resource for ourselves and as a tool to share Hope with others. See Steve Jones with any questions or comments.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: Dolores Incarvite

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

Helen Mastalski, Meagan Tareila (I)

Natalie & Dustin Davis, (C)

GREETERS: Mike Elliott

COUNTERS: Damon and ?

CLEANERS: Poppy

PRAYER REQUESTS

Ed Yost - Just diagnosed with liver cancer. Please pray for all the treatments he will have to go through.

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

Our God Reigns,

Lois