Hope Notes 7-17-08

Dear Friends of Hope,

Pastor Steve Smickley did a great job with the sermon last Sunday. The Lord was gracious in providing us with such a good "fill in" while our own Pastor Mark was away with his family. But, we sure did miss them! There was a little vacant spot in our hearts for Mark as our pastor, for Dana leading worship, and for the Ott children in the sanctuary. Welcome back!

SUNDAY SERMON

Plan B to Derail Your Progress (Nehemiah 6)

Those in a battle usually don't just face one attack – a motivated opponent will persistently try to win, using one tactic after another. We face the same problem in our spiritual lives. When one attack fails, the battle is not over. If the first tactic didn't work, we will face a different one, or a more intense one. Nehemiah had already overcome long odds to being rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, but now his enemies try to lie about him and intimidate him. His response shoes that he understood the need to consistently face opposition without allowing it to derail his progress.

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, http://www.hopechristianfellowship.org/.

NEXT COMMUNION SUNDAY
August 24th

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER TIME

Our Sunday morning prayer time is open to everyone who attends. We will be starting at 9:00 am in one of the classrooms. We pray for the services that morning and for the needs in the church.

BIBLE READING FOR JULY - HABAKKUK

When they look around at the violence, the injustice, and the cruelty that happens, a lot of people wonder: Why doesn't God step in and stop it? Habakkuk complained bitterly about the same thing to the Lord. His book reminds us that God will not allow sin to go unpunished forever - but that only He has the right to decide when and how that judgment will fall.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

ADULT PICNIC AT THE BAUMIESTER'S HOUSE

Saturday July 26th @4:00

220 Landing Rd. Hilltop, NJ

Come join us for a day full of food, games, swimming, and fun! Anyone in high school and up is welcome. Sign up and let us know if you will be bringing a side dish or a dessert. Contact Bob or Carole with questions (228-3188).

FAMILY PICNIC AT ATKINSON PARK

Saturday August 16th 2 - 6 pm

This is the day to bring your whole family and enjoy spending time together! We have the baseball field reserved from 3-5pm. Pack a lunch for your family, and bring a dessert to share with everyone. Sign up on the back table.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Women of Faith - September

Harvest Crusade - October 3 thru 5

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

GENESIS

Join us at the synagogue as we pick up where we left off in the book of Genesis. For those who need to bring their children, they can hang out in a classroom while we meet in the auditorium. The study runs from 7:30 to 8:30 (sharp!). A small investment of an hour yields a great return for your week!

MEN'S RETREAT

September 11-4 in Lake Champion, NY

Set aside this weekend to find better ways of dealing with the most important aspects in your life. Think over some serious life choices in a unique atmosphere. Cost is $235. See Mike Goeggel for more information. Register online at priorityone.org. Use Mike's name in the "Group Name" field to stay with our group.

HARVEST CRUSADE

Look for Harvest Crusade hand outs on the back table. There is a guide you can use as a devotional to take your through the time until the crusade as well as bumper stickers, prayer cards, magnets, etc. Invitations will be available in September. See Lois Hartwell or Karen Jones with any questions.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FOOD SHOWER – THIS SUNDAY

July 20th

We have a family in need who could use some help in stocking their pantry. They are unsaved and friends of someone at Hope. This would be a good way to show them what being a Christian is all about. God has already used their situation to open the door of opportunity to witness to them, and to invite them out to Hope. If you feel God leading you to contribute, please bring non-perishable items or food gift certificates to church. Thank you!

BLOOD DRIVE

Monday July 28th

The Beth Israel congregation has set up a blood drive at the synagogue. If you can participate, this would be a great testimony to those we are sharing the building with! We need a few helping hands on July 27th after the service to help put some of our stuff away to make room for the blood drive.

MISSION TRIP

We have 19 people going to West Virginia to serve the community. Praise God! Perhaps YOU wanted to go, but things just didn't work out this time. You can still participate - your prayers are greatly needed and if anyone feels led to make a donation to support this endeavor it would be a big help as well. You can just mark "mission trip" on an envelope and drop it in the offering box.

BATHROOM HELPERS NEEDED

Our list of helpers has gotten very small! Anyone who would be willing to come and clean the bathrooms before service can contact Jess St. Petery. (889-0182 or jstpetery@yahoo.com)

CHURCH DIRECTORY

It's time to update our directory! If you would like to be included, or if your information has changed, please fill out the forms located in the back of church and give to Andrea Goeggel. Information needs to be turned in by July 19th.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: Carole Baumiester

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

Aaron & Amee Schnaars. (I)

Mike & June Elliott (C)

Melissa McGinness, Anita Little (P)

GREETERS: Dorothy Haines

Emily Naylor

COUNTERS: Bob & Bill

CLEANERS: Jess

PRAYER REQUESTS

Doleen Pierce – Waiting for word on receiving disability. Homeless and without a job.

Mission Trip - Please keep our "missionaries" covered in prayer as they make preparations and financial sacrifices for the trip to West Virginia.

Christopher Aaron Schnaars- Aaron and Amee's tiny boy born prematurely. He is doing well, but faces a long road in Cooper Hospital before he's grown big enough to go home!

Building - 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

Under His Wing,

Lois

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