Hope Notes 5-29-2008

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Many of the small groups have wound down for the summer. Are you feeling the loss of connection? Well, let's get busy and fill that void! Invite some people over for a cookout, maybe go out for some mini-golf, have a game night or whatever appeals most to you. We need to be deliberate in meeting new people and strengthening old friendships so that we can continue to be a warm and friendly church that is so good at connecting with one another!

SUNDAY SERVICE

Unexpected Help (Nehemiah 2:1-10)

What am I going to do now? This is such a common question in our lives - especially when we feel like we're stuck in a bad situation. Sometimes, we think we know a solution, and sometimes we have no idea. In times like this, we can feel desperate or even depressed. But Nehemiah had a similar situation, and God provided help for him in a way that no one would ever have expected. That is sometimes how God works so that we know it is His work to help us, and so that we will live by faith, even when it looks like we have no way out.

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 JUNE - GENESIS

Genesis means "beginnings" and that's what this book is about! It tells of the creation of the universe and how God brought us into this world. It also tells of how sin intruded into the world and ruined what had been a perfect relationship between God and His most prized creation - us. Genesis tells of another beginning, too. It tells how God began to work out His plan for our salvation through His chosen people.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

GRIEF GROUP- FRIDAY

May 30 @ 6:00

The last meeting of the Grief Group until September will be a dinner held at Lorraine Otis' home. Reminder: Anyone needing Christian grief reading material for someone can contact Lorraine at lorraineotis@comcast.net.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Friday June 27th @ 7:00

Join us for an old fashioned ice cream social at Dolores Incarvite's house (217 Davistown Rd. Blackwood NJ). There's nothing better than eating ice cream.....unless it's sharing it with your friends and playing some fun games as well! Be sure to sign up and let us know what you will be bringing!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Adult Picnic - July 26th at the Baumiester's

Family Picnic - August

Harvest Crusade - October 3rd to 5th

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

20-SOMETHINGS BIBLE STUDY THIS FRIDAY

Meets May 30th and then every other week. 7:30 at Brad & Karla Hopkin's home.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

"Do I Have to Live Stressed Out?"

Join us this week as we continue on with our 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 yields a great return for your week!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FOOD SHOWER

June 8th

It has been brought to our (Deacons) attention that there is a family at Hope going through a difficult financial situation. We are scheduling a Food Shower for Sunday June 8th. Please bring any non-perishables or food gift certificates to church. Let us show the love of Jesus to this family as they continue to trust the Lord with their needs and look for employment.

GIVING REPORT

Average weekly giving in May was $2289. Average weekly giving for the year is $2325. Both of these are a little behind our annual target of $2400/week. We all need to keep this in prayer as we look forward towards land opportunities and our potential growth!

BILL McGINNESS

Now is the time to help support Bill as he ministers with the Saints Prison Ministry softball team. The prison mission field is ripe for the harvest; many of these young men have never been shown the love of Christ before, and every summer there is a great response to the gospel message. Please prayerfully consider supporting Bill financially as he needs to raise $1000 (and we've collected about $450 so far), and the deadline is quickly approaching. Just write Bill's name on the envelopes provided in the back and make the check payable to Hope.

HARVEST CRUSADE

October 3rd thru 5th

There are some wonderful opportunities available for us here at Hope to be a part of the Harvest Crusade. You can be a part of the "Follow Up Team" that receives all the cards for people who made decisions for Christ at the crusade in our local area. You will then have the opportunity to call these people and invite them to Hope. Al Lewis & Ellen Jones are heading up the Follow Up Team. If you would like to be a part of this, contact Al at lewis@voorhees.k12.nj.us with any questions.

In addition, there are classes available for those who would like to be ushers or counselors at the crusade.

A sign up sheet is in the back of the church for anyone interested in any of these opportunities.

Contact Lois Hartwell (foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com) or Karen Jones with any questions regarding the Harvest Crusade. We need to have these positions in place by June 1st.

WEST VIRGINIA MISSION TRIP

September 18th thru 21st

Make a difference in someone's life this fall. Consider a long weekend mission trip to Chestnut Ridge, WV. Cost of the trip is $225/person. This includes your meals, lodging, and construction materials. You will be helping a family or local church in need. See Mike or Lois Hartwell with any questions. Sign up sheet in back of church - please sign up by June 1st.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: Carole Baumiester

LAMB'S MINISTRY: Matt Headley, Katie Ott (T)

Jenn Headley, Rachael Goeggel (I)

Debbie Bradshaw, Erin Sweeney (C)

Al Lewis & Jamie Medlar (P)

GREETERS: Pat & Joan Roselli

COUNTERS: Kathy & Carole

CLEANERS: Jess

PRAYER REQUESTS

Mike Elliott - For his mom as she undergoes a double mastectomy 6/9. for a sense of peace for her and her family as she travels this road.

June Elliott - For an easy transition for Chandler & Adison as the family prepares to move.

Building - For God's leading to be made clear as we at Hope pursue different options on a new church home. Please keep praying for God's direction with the synagogue, as well as with the land!

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

He Alone is God,

Lois