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!

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