Hope Notes 7-24-08

Dear Friends of Hope,

Oh boy, we are surely right in the middle of the "dog days of summer". It seems like, no matter how much I water them, my plants just keep drooping. It makes me think of how Jesus is our Living Water………He is the only thing that can keep us from spiritually drooping! Be sure to drink deeply from His Word every day so that you are continually refreshed!

SUNDAY SERMON

A Hunger for God's Word & Worship (Nehemiah 6)

It had been a long time since the Jews had "been to church". In this part of the story, Ezra the priest holds a service for all the people. Suddenly, they are reminded of all that made Jerusalem precious to them. A hunger that they didn't even realize was in their souls had been filled. In the busyness of our lives, we can often live starving spiritually for the truth of God's Word and for the time we need to be joined together in worship. Let's return to a passion for the food that our souls need.

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 9:15 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

THIS SATURDAY !!

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. Call Bob or Carole with questions (228-3188).

CHRISTIAN BRASS CONCERT – THIS SUNDAY

Ted Zimmerman and The King's Brass [an excellent Christian Brass orchestra: http://www.kingsbrass.org/] is playing at the Ocean City Tabernacle [550 Wesley Avenue, Ocean City, NJ], Sunday July 27^th at 7:00 pm.

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

Small Groups Fair - September 7

Women of Faith - September 12-13

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

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)

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: Carole Baumiester

LAMB'S MINISTRY: Sissel Salayda, Drew Ott (T)

John & Jackie Salayda (I)

Damon Briggs, Erin Sweeney (C)

Melissa McGinness, Anita Little (P)

GREETERS: Dorothy Haines

Emily Naylor

COUNTERS: Karen & Lois

CLEANERS: Jess

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

Thankful for the Cross,

Lois

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