Hope Notes 4-3-2008

Dear Friends of Hope ~

As always, this is the most encouraging of seasons...........the trees begin to get that soft & hazy look as all their tiny buds appear. The birdies have returned and I watch them sweep across the twilight sky. Surely God is smiling as He watches His creation waking from the deep slumber of winter. May you feel your heart awakening to His purpose for you with a renewed sense of His love this spring.

SUNDAY SERVICE

The Antichrist Set Loose (2Thess 2:5-12)

This week, we continue our study of the antichrist, and Paul goes from discussing his arrival to detailing his work. When this man is set loose on the world, the impact will be powerful and pervasive. The antichrist works in deception and evil, and the world is swept up in his wake. The tragic consequence of this work is that so many who choose to follow the antichrist instead of Jesus will suffer God's judgment as a result of their choice. We can see foreshadowing of these events in our world today, and need to be aware of how quickly the end times are rushing towards us.

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

SINGLES FELLOWSHIP - THIS FRIDAY

Friday April 4th @ 7:00 pm

We meet at Mauricio Villalobos' home in Glassboro (267-971-3184). Also planning a Potluck/Game Night for Saturday, April 26th @ 6:00pm. Contact Kim Biglin or Rick Mounce for details.

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! 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 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

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.

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!

LADIES BIBLE STUDY - BETH MOORE

Monday April 7th @ 7:30 pm

First meeting will be a get together for everyone to meet and hang out. We'll have a quick overview of the study, hand out the books, and get some background info on Beth Moore. Meeting at Poppy Gillin's home - 24 Craig Dr. Deptford, NJ. (856-401-0553)

GRIEF GROUP

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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. If you have a truck and come pick it up ASAP - it's yours! Call home 856-417-3242 or Jim's cell 732-379-0897.

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.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: Natalie Davis

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

Amy & AaronSchnars (I)

Steve Jones, Mauricio V. (C)

GREETERS: Charlotte Zediker

COUNTERS: Kathy B & Carole B

CLEANERS: Lillian

PRAYER REQUESTS

Hartwell - For Jen, the student who was hit by a car at Rowan. She is currently in the ICU at Cooper.

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

Set Free by His Grace,

Lois