Hope Notes - Happy New Year!

Dear Friends of Hope ~

As we turn the final pages of our 2008 calendar, we may find ourselves wondering what 2009 has in store for us.  While there is no way for us to know in advance all that lies ahead, our heavenly Father does.  Let us keep this in the front of our minds, and rest in the calm assurance that He has a plan and a purpose for every single thing that will come into our lives.

 

SUNDAY SERMON

1/4 – The Fear Factor (2 Timothy 1:7; Acts 4:23-31)

Christianity is based in faith.  That seems pretty obvious.  Yet so many Christians try to live out their faith while living in fear.  Fear is the opposite of faith; living in fear will short circuit our faith.  Does the Bible have anything to say about how we should deal with fear?  We want to take this morning and look at how a believer should face fear and find the way to a life that is not enslaved to it!  If you or someone you know are constantly facing fear or living under its weight, this is the start of a wonderful journey into the freedom that Jesus offers you.

 

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. 

 

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER TIME

Our Sunday morning prayer time is open to everyone. We start 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 DECEMBER - EXODUS

Exodus describes how God freed Israel from slavery in Egypt and prepared the Jewish nation for the Promised Land He had pledged to Abraham centuries before.  It also introduces us to a remarkable man named Moses whom God would use in a way that nobody, not even Moses himself, was prepared to believe (anyone remember the Ten Commandments?).

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

Join us as we take a few weeks to continue the topic we will begin on Sunday morning about living above our fear.  Study is from 7:30 - 8:30 pm every Wednesday.  Childcare is available.

 

LADIES' BIBLE STUDY

The Thursday morning Bible study at Debby Bolser's house will resume on January 8^th.  We meet every other Thursday morning from 9:30 - 11:30.

 

CROSSROADS

Studying "The Search for Significance"

Our group for the 20 - 30 year age bracket will begin meeting again at the McGinness' house on January 9 at 7:30 and meet every other week thereafter.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

LADIES SCRAPBOOK NIGHT

January 8^th 6:30 - 10:00 pm

Our Ladies' Scrapbook Night will resume the first Thursday in January and continue to meet on the first Thursday of every month at Debby Bolser's house.  Come and join us!

 

FAMILY BOWLING

February 22 from 5:00-7:00 pm

Cost is $8/person. Toddlers up to age two are free.  Includes bowling, shoe rental, pizza and soda.  Look for Sign Up Sheet soon!

 

A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

February 13 - 15, 2009

Hershey Lodge

PO Box 446

Hershey, PA  17033-0446

1-800-437-7439

We are getting a group of married couples together to experience this amazing marriage seminar. You can register by phone or email -

(www.familylife.com/groups/HOPEHANDS).  The cost is $89/person if using our group code 12332.  This is good up until 10 days prior to the event (about 1/30/09).  If you register 10 days or fewer, the cost per person is $129.  See Melissa McGinness with questions.

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GIVING UPDATE

We averaged $3014/week for the month, which is well in excess of our target of $2400 for 2008.  This helped us exceed our target for the year, with an annual average of $2413 for the year. Thank you to everyone who helped us meet our goal!

For 2009, we have set the target for weekly giving at $2700.  We know this is a step of faith in these uncertain times, but we believe that God will continue to move in the hearts of those at Hope to sacrificially and generously support the work we've been called to do! 

 

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER

January 25th

This is an opportunity to get to know a family from Hope by having a meal with them.  Everyone who wishes to participate will sign up as either a Host or Guest family.  Those who do not care which they are, host or guest, can leave both checkboxes empty on the sign up sheet, and then we will have some options for filling in needed slots.  Families and/or individuals will be paired up, and the Hosts will prepare a meal [or order pizza] at their homes for the mystery Guests.  Although they will be told how many adults/children they will be preparing for, no host will know 'who's coming to dinner', and guests will receive driving directions to their mystery family at church on 1/25. 

This is sure to be a wonderful time of fellowship with each other as we get to know new families and make new friends.  Be sure to sign up and be blessed!

Any questions, call Bill Murray (856-848-4295)

 

HELP WANTED

Are you wanting to help out but don't know where to plug in?  Just let Pastor Mark know that you are available, and we will direct you to the places where we need you! 

For those of you running a team at Hope, be sure to let Pastor Mark know when you need help so that we can put people in place to fill that need!

 

NURSERY SUPPLIES NEEDED

We are looking for items to furnish our nursery - changing table, crib, etc.  If anyone has things they can donate, see LaTosha Briggs.

   

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       TBA

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   TBA (T)

                              TBA (I)

                              TBA (C)

                            

GREETERS:              Charlotte Zediker

                               Mike Elliott

COUNTERS:             Kathy & Carole

CLEANERS:              TBA

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

June Elliott - For God to provide an affordable home in the West Deptford school district in the very near future.  For John & Sandy Elliott that the Lord works in their hearts.

Erin Sweeney - For family on her dad's side.  Her uncle died on Christmas Eve from cancer.

Seeking Employment - Bill Berry and Mike Hartwell.  Pray for doors to open for a job and for patience as they wait & search.

Building - For the Lord to direct us as to how to best use the building He's provided, including what work to do and where to spend money.  Also, continue to seek God's direction in the search for a permanent home for us.

 

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 

 

Our God Reigns,

Lois

 

 

God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him!

 

Note:  If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list.

Mens's Breakfast

Jim Herr, founder of Herr's Potato Chips, will be the guest speaker at a men's breakfast at Fellowship Bible Church in Mullica Hill, located at the intersection of Jackson & Breakneck Roads, on Jan 3.  He is an internationally known active servant of the Lord, and is well known as an excellent speaker, and his sharing should be of great value to men who are panting after God.  Sign-up cut-off is 12/30, and head count is very important for those preparing the food.  PLEASE plan on attending, and call Bill Murray at 856-848-4295 so you can be included in the head count. 

Congratulations Brad & Karla!

WELCOME BABY AVA MAE HOPKINS!!!

 

We just got a call from "Pop Pop" Baumiester that little Ava Mae was born at 11:30pm on Christmas Eve!  She is wide-eyed and beautiful - of course - and weighed 7 lbs 5.4 oz.  Karla ended up having a C-section so she will be at Lady of Lourdes for a few days.  Please keep them all in your prayers and have a wonderful Christmas!!

Hope Notes - Merry Christmas !

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

 

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM PASTOR MARK & DANA

To Our Church Family at Hope ~

We want to express our deepest and sincerest gratitude to each one of you for your generous and heartfelt gift this Christmas.  We are overwhelmed by your generosity, and want each of you to know how much we are thankful for you this Christmas.  God has truly blessed us with a church family that cares for us and supports us in so many ways.  We are excited to see what the Lord has in store in 2009 and looking forward to sharing that adventure with all of you!

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

December 24^th @ 6:30

We will be having a short service for everyone who wants to come and celebrate Christmas together as a church.  We'll read the Christmas story, have some music and prayer.  We won't be long (maybe 45 min), but it will be a great time to help us all keep Christ as the center of Christmas!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

12/28 – Dealing with the Dead Zone (Acts 1)

Christmas is over, and the week in between can be a great time for relaxing, visiting family, or just enjoying the leftovers!  But sometimes, we can lose direction when we go from a hurried pace of life to a slower pace.  Spiritually, as we face a new year, we have to understand what we should be doing as we hit those times in our lives that feel like "dead zones".  When we don't seem to be making any progress, or there isn't any particular crisis we need to address, what should we do?  The disciples faced this type of a zone after Christ ascended and before the Day of Pentecost.  Let's look at how they occupied themselves so that they were ready for the next step in their calling.

 

COMING UP

First Sermon of the New Year - January 4, 2009

We'll be talking about how fear can grip our lives and sidetrack us from what God wants us to enjoy.  We'll take a look at what the Bible has to say about fear and then we will take a few Wednesday nights to dig a little deeper into the topic. 

 

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. 

 

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER TIME

Our Sunday morning prayer time is open to everyone. We start 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 DECEMBER - 1 CORINTHIANS

Paul's first letter to this church tackles all sorts of problems - pride, sexual immorality, infighting, and drunkenness at communion services.  Christians in the church there had continued to take part in some of those sins even after their conversion.  Paul wrote to them to correct both their thinking and their behavior.  They were like many of us today - they knew Christ, but they still needed His cleansing.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 

 

SPECIAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

NOTE:  There will be no Bible Study on 12/31 - study will resume on 1/7.

 

LADIES' BIBLE STUDY

The Thursday morning Bible study at Debby Bolser's house will resume on January 8^th.  We meet every other Thursday morning from 9:30 - 11:30.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

LADIES SCRAPBOOK NIGHT

January 8^th 6:30 - 10:00 pm

Our Ladies' Scrapbook Night will resume the first Thursday in January and continue to meet on the first Thursday of every month at Debby Bolser's house.  Come and join us!

 

A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

February 13 - 15, 2009

Hershey Lodge

PO Box 446

Hershey, PA  17033-0446

1-800-437-7439

We are getting a group of married couples together to experience this amazing marriage seminar. You can register by phone or email -

(www.familylife.com/groups/HOPEHANDS).  The cost is $89/person if using our group code 12332.  This is good up until 10 days prior to the event (about 1/30/09).  If you register 10 days or fewer, the cost per person is $129.  See Melissa McGinness with questions.

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

BLOOD DRIVE

Monday December 29^th 1:00 - 7:00 pm

The synagogue is sponsoring a blood drive.  Call Grace at 845-0540 for an appointment. 

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

December 28^th

We will have our business meeting after a brief break following the morning service.  We'll give some updates on our progress this year, and a sense of our vision for 2009.  We'll also have a time for any questions or concerns that our partners may have. Partners should be prepared to vote for the Leadership & Deacon Team positions as well as the annual budget.

 

HELP WANTED

Pre-School Class - Two more teams needed to fill out our teaching rotation.  If anyone can help, please contact Debbie Bradshaw (856-417-3242).

Media Team - Looking for people with computer or video skills, some creativity, or just a willingness to learn!  See Matt Headley or Dylan Albright for more info.

 

NURSERY SUPPLIES NEEDED

We are looking for items to furnish our nursery - changing table, crib, etc.  If anyone has things they can donate, see LaTosha Briggs.

   

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       June Elliott

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Liz Johnson, Kylie Ott (T)

                              Ray & Poppy Gillin (I)

                              Linda & Lisa Landis (C)

                            

GREETERS:              Bill & Nancy Murray

                              

COUNTERS:             Bill & Bob

CLEANERS:              Jess

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Colette Bleistine - Twenty year old only child of George & Nancy Bleistine (friends of Pam & Dan Rozinski).  She is in the hospital awaiting a lung transplant due to complications from her cystic fibrosis.

Seeking Employment - Bill Berry and Mike Hartwell.  Pray for doors to open for a job and for patience as they wait & search.

Building - For the Lord to direct us as to how to best use the building He's provided, including what work to do and where to spend money.  Also, continue to seek God's direction in the search for a permanent home for us.

 

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 

 

Our God is With Us,

Lois

 

 

God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him!

 

Note:  If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list.

Hope Notes 12/18/08

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Come and celebrate Christmas Sunday with us as we give praise to the One who left His rightful place in heaven and stepped down to earth to show us His love. If you've been unable to attend for awhile, this is the perfect Sunday to come out and worship with us! God is right here, waiting to greet you with open arms………..and so are we.

SUNDAY SERMON

12/21 – Too Late for Redemption? (Luke 2:1-7)

When is it too late for someone to turn their life around? It is easy to say that it is never too late, but for many, real life doesn't seem to bear that out. Do we know people that need to be "redeemed" but quietly believe that they'll never be redeemed? Maybe there are people in our church or people we know who have given up on ever turning their life around. But the message of Christmas is that Jesus steps in when the world says there is no more hope and brings life and healing and forgiveness against impossible odds. On this Christmas Sunday, we want to celebrate and turn our hearts to the Rescuer for us all by seeing what He can do for a man rejected and disgusting to his own people, a God follower who fell hard, and a dying sinner.

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

December 24^th @ 6:30

We will be having a short service for everyone who wants to come and celebrate Christmas together as a church. We'll read the Christmas story, have some music and prayer. We won't be long (maybe 45 min), but it will be a great time to help us all keep Christ as the center of Christmas!

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.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER TIME

Our Sunday morning prayer time is open to everyone. We start 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 DECEMBER - 1 CORINTHIANS

Paul's first letter to this church tackles all sorts of problems - pride, sexual immorality, infighting, and drunkenness at communion services. Christians in the church there had continued to take part in some of those sins even after their conversion. Paul wrote to them to correct both their thinking and their behavior. They were like many of us today - they knew Christ, but they still needed His cleansing.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

February 13 - 15, 2009

Hershey Lodge

PO Box 446

Hershey, PA 17033-0446

1-800-437-7439

We are getting a group of married couples together to experience this amazing marriage seminar. You can register by phone or email -

(www.familylife.com/groups/HOPEHANDS). The cost is $89/person if using our group code 12332. This is good up until 10 days prior to the event (about 1/30/09). If you register 10 days or fewer, the cost per person is $129. See Melissa McGinness with questions.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

SPECIAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

NOTE: There will be no Bible Study on 12/31 - study will resume on 1/7.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLOOD DRIVE

Monday December 29^th 1:00 - 7:00 pm

The synagogue is sponsoring a blood drive. Call Grace at 845-0540 for an appointment.

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

December 28^th

We will have our business meeting immediately following the service. Partners should be prepared to vote for the Leadership & Deacon Team positions.

LEADERSHIP TEAM & DEACONS

Nominees are posted on the bulletin board on the back table. Please prayerfully consider who they will vote to appoint to these positions.

HELP WANTED

Pre-School Class - Two more teams needed to fill out our teaching rotation. If anyone can help, please contact Debbie Bradshaw (856-417-3242).

Media Team - Looking for people with computer or video skills, some creativity, or just a willingness to learn! See Matt Headley or Dylan Albright for more info.

NURSERY SUPPLIES NEEDED

We are looking for items to furnish our nursery - changing table, crib, etc. If anyone has things they can donate, see LaTosha Briggs.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: June Elliott

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

Jennifer Headley, Rachael Goeggel (I)

Damon Briggs, Maurice Brazelis (C)

GREETERS: Bill & Nancy Murray

COUNTERS: Karen J & Lois

CLEANERS: Jess

PRAYER REQUESTS

Colette Bleistine - Twenty year old only child of George & Nancy Bleistine (friends of Pam & Dan Rozinski). She is in the hospital awaiting a lung transplant due to complications from her cystic fibrosis.

Seeking Employment - Bill Berry and Mike Hartwell. Pray for doors to open for a job and for patience as they wait & search.

Building - For the Lord to direct us as to how to best use the building He's provided, including what work to do and where to spend money. Also, continue to seek God's direction in the search for a permanent home for us.

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

Celebrating With You the Birth of our Savior,

Lois

God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him!

Note: If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list.

Hop Notes 12/11/08

Dear Friends of Hope ~

This is a day we've been preparing for and looking forward to for a long time. Each year, we enjoy our children as they perform and share their music and help us celebrate the Christmas season. We want to especially welcome all of our guests to this program and we will try to do everything we can to make this day a great day for everyone.

SUNDAY SERMON

12/14 – Kids Program – Too Down to Hope? (John 5:1-9)

Even as our world is filled with the outward signs of cheer and celebration, many in our world (and even in our lives) are filled with despair instead of joy. Maybe the busyness of the holiday season is their cover for how they feel. Or maybe they just feel like they have to fake their way through. Some even believe that it is their lot in life to never be happy. But Jesus said He came to bring us joy! Does that sound too good to be true? We'll take a brief look at someone who was suffering and had every reason to believe that there was no hope for Him. Maybe we can learn something about our lives as we look at how Jesus helped him!

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

December 24^th @ 6:30

We will be having a short service for everyone who wants to come and celebrate Christmas together as a church. We'll read the Christmas story, have some music and prayer. We won't be long (maybe 45 min), but it will be a great time to help us all keep Christ as the center of Christmas!

UPCOMING COMMUNION SERVICES

November 30th

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.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER TIME

Our Sunday morning prayer time is open to everyone. We start 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 DECEMBER - 1 CORINTHIANS

Paul's first letter to this church tackles all sorts of problems - pride, sexual immorality, infighting, and drunkenness at communion services. Christians in the church there had continued to take part in some of those sins even after their conversion. Paul wrote to them to correct both their thinking and their behavior. They were like many of us today - they knew Christ, but they still needed His cleansing.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER

February 13 - 15, 2009

Hershey Lodge

PO Box 446

Hershey, PA 17033-0446

1-800-437-7439

We are getting a group of married couples together to experience this amazing marriage seminar. You can register by phone or email -

(www.familylife.com/groups/HOPEHANDS). The cost is $89/person if using our group code 12332. This is good up until 10 days prior to the event (about 1/30/09). If you register 10 days or fewer, the cost per person is $129. See Melissa McGinness with questions.

CHRISTMAS CAFÉ AND PARTY- THIS FRIDAY !

Friday December 12^th / 7 - 9 pm

Free of charge!

What an evening we have planned! Party games, good food & drink, café performances, and lots of fun! Everyone is welcome (kids, too) - but there won't be a nursery. We supply coffee and drinks - you can sign up to bring desserts or snacks. There is also a sign up for those who would like to perform (one performance per family, please). One last thing - we need people to volunteer to help with setup/cleanup.

CONTACTS: Carole Baumiester - food, Kim Biglin - performances, Liz Johnson - decoration & setup/cleanup

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

SPECIAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

December 17^th - "Expelled" movie by Ben Stein

Starting at 7:00 pm

This movie is a study on the Evolution vs Intelligent Design debate in American education. You will be amazed at some of the leading proponents of evolution. The movie is 95 minutes; don't worry if you can't get here exactly at 7:00, just pick up on the movie whenever you arrive. Come and see what passes for intelligence in our world's philosophical circles - and see where they say a belief in evolution takes you!

NOTE: There will be no Bible Study on 12/31 - study will resume on 1/7.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BLOOD DRIVE

Monday December 29^th 1:00 - 7:00 pm

The synagogue is sponsoring a blood drive. Call Grace at 845-0540 for an appointment.

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

December 28^th

We will have our business meeting immediately following the service. Partners should be prepared to vote for the Leadership & Deacon Team positions.

LEADERSHIP TEAM & DEACONS

Nominees are posted on the bulletin board on the back table. Please prayerfully consider who they will vote to appoint to these positions.

HELP WANTED

Pre-School Class - Two more teams needed to fill out our teaching rotatin. If anyone can help, please contact Debbie Bradshaw (856-417-3242).

Media Team - Looking for people with computer or video skills, some creativity, or just a willingness to learn! See Matt Headley or Dylan Albright for more info.

NURSERY SUPPLIES NEEDED

We are looking for items to furnish our nursery - changing table, crib, etc. If anyone has things they can donate, see LaTosha Briggs.

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

December 14, 2008

DRESS REHEARSAL DATE SATURDAY 12/13 @ 11:00

NOTE TO PARENTS: All children in primary grades (2^nd - 5^th) should wear a nice pair of jeans and a long sleeved white shirt for both the dress rehearsal and the program. Preschool children are free to dress in their nicest Christmas clothes!

See Dana Ott with any questions.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE: June Elliott

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

Jennifer Headley, Rachael Goeggel (I)

Damon Briggs, Erin Sweeney (C)

GREETERS: Bill & Nancy Murray

COUNTERS: Jim & Mike H

CLEANERS: Lillian

PRAYER REQUESTS

Rose Fien - In the hospital with pneumonia.

Paul & Lynn Homan - For Billie Ann & Rich. They had a difficult time getting pregnant with their first child and are now experiencing problems with the baby. She is due in March.

Seeking Employment - Bill Berry and Mike Hartwell. Pray for doors to open for a job and for patience as they wait & search.

Building - For the Lord to direct us as to how to best use the building He's provided, including what work to do and where to spend money. Also, continue to seek God's direction in the search for a permanent home for us.

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

Celebrating our Lord,

Lois

God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him!

Note: If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list.