Hope Notes 4-10-2008

Dear Friends of Hope ~

God did it again! Isn't it amazing how He brings us the seasons every year without fail? It's not like we have to worry that spring won't come again next year, or that we've seen the last snowfall ever. Who else would have the power to do that? I cringe when I hear people talk about "mother nature"!

We serve a God who warms the earth, who brings the rain, who sends the snow, and who is still seated on the throne!

SUNDAY SERVICE

Hold on Tight - 2Thess 2:13-15

Some roller coaster riders throw their hands up in the air and scream. Others hold on with white knuckles and tightly shut their eyes. Either way, the safety harness for the ride is the primary reason they are safe. However, if it were up to their own determination to remain safe, they would probably do everything in their power to hang on. Spiritually, we face a wild ride, and Paul encourages us to "hold on" to the truth for our own safety. In the face of lies and deception that lead so many to destruction, and in the mode that eventually brings the antichrist onto the scene, the truth is the best protection we have.

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 @ 8:45 am (April 26th Rain Date)

Gloucester County Freeholders Building

Delaw & Broad - Woodbury NJ

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! Trash bags, 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 pm

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 pm

Campbells Field in Camden

Payment of $11/person is due now! Please give to Wendy Lynch.

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ice Cream Social - June

Adult Picnic - July

Family Picnic - August

Harvest Crusade - October 3rd to 5th

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

Last night, we talked about how we get distracted from the most important things by responsibilities and good things. Unfortunately, that sometimes leaves out what we really need, and builds stress in our lives. We're working hard, but just barely keeping up. If this sounds like your life, join us next week as we continue on this discussion. 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!

BECOMING A CONTAGIOUS CHRISTIAN

Monday evenings in May and June at Bob & Carole Baumiester's.

Featuring all new material with training by the authors of the study on how to effectively share our faith. Whether you are someone who has never shared your faith, or never thought about what you would say, or if you are a veteran witness who just needs to take some time to refresh and get some new ideas - this course will be powerful! It fits in with our focus for our Outreach 2008 at Hope. We are all called to be witnesses; we want to be trained on how to be good at it! Sign up sheet in the back. Times & details to follow.

20-SOMETHINGS BIBLE STUDY - THIS FRIDAY

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!

GRIEF GROUP

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

If anyone knows of someone suffering a loss who they would like Hope to reach out to, email Lorraine at lorraineotis@comcast.net and she will provide some practical & Christian grief material for them. It can be mailed directly or given to someone at church to pass on.

OUTREACH SUNDAY - May 4th

Join us on this day as we look at many of the ways God has provided for us to be a part of building God's kingdom. Maybe you've never had a hand in seeing people come to the Lord, or maybe you've just gotten away from it. In any case, this is something we all need to be a part of - come and see all the opportunities you have to share His love. Then, join in with whichever one(s) fit you best!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GIVING UPDATE

We averaged $2525/week for the month of March. This is more than our target of $2400/week. A huge "Thank You" to all those at Hope who give so generously and sacrificially so that we can continue to grow and make progress towards our permanent home. For the year, our giving average has been $2352, just slightly less than our target. Please continue to pray faithfully and give as we seek to meet our need for 2008.

LAMB'S MINISTRY NEED

Our little lambs are thirsty! Please bring in donations of juice boxes (no red juice, please). Give to Debbie Bradshaw or LaTosha Briggs.

HOPE'S TEAMS

Ever been curious as to who you should go to with a question, a need, a concern, or maybe just to volunteer for something? Well.............now you can find out! There is a list of the different Teams at Hope (Deacons, Activities, Sound, Prayer,etc) on the back table. This list will let you know what each team does and who you need to contact for any information.

DINING ROOM TABLE & CHAIRS

Jim & Debbie Bradshaw are getting rid of their light maple dining room table (with leaf) and six Windsor chairs. Come pick it up ASAP - it's yours! Call home 856-417-3242 or Jim's cell 732-379-0897.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: Natalie Davis

LAMB'S MINISTRY: Leah & Chris Sparks (T)

Amy & AaronSchnars (I)

Steve Jones, Norm A. (C)

Melissa & Marissa Angel (P)

GREETERS: Charlotte Zediker

COUNTERS: Jim & Mike

CLEANERS: Lillian

PRAYER REQUESTS

Hartwell - For Jen, the student who was hit by a car at Rowan. A PRAISE that she has been moved to a regular room.

Hartwell - For the Meade family as they grieve the loss of their father /

husband who was killed in a car accident Saturday.

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

Before the Throne,

Lois