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!

 

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