Hope Notes 1/15/09

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I'm looking out my window and watching the world be transformed by the falling snow.  All the drab looking leaves and dirt have a fresh layer of white on them.  I know it will probably be gone by afternoon, but it's nice for now!  Then I thought about how God takes all the "drab & dirty" stuff away and makes our sins "as white as snow" (Is 1:18).

 

SUNDAY SERMON

1/18 – COMMUNION – Jesus Walked in Our Shoes (Psalm 22)

Jesus came to this earth and experienced real life.  He knew the joys of friendship and the pain of betrayal.  He understood the sting of rejection and criticism.  David pours his heart out to God in this Psalm, but we see in the New Testament that he is also speaking for the coming Messiah.  Both Jesus and David faced similar struggles in their lives – ones that many of us face as well.  Maybe you thought that the Lord doesn't understand what you're going through.  He does – He walked in your shoes!  And His path of pain led to life for all of us!

 

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 JANUARY - 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.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

FOCUS ON MARRIAGE

Saturday, February 28 from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

St. Matthew's Baptist Church in Williamstown is partnering with Focus on the Family for a LIVE Simulcast event that will allow participants to see their marriage through God's eyes.  The following speakers & performers are participating:

Dr. Gary Smalley, Dr. John Trent, Gary Thomas, Beth Moore, Dr. Del Tackett, Jeremy Camp (special music guest)

Prices to attend the event are as follows:

UNTIL JANUARY 16:    $35/individuals     $59/couples

AFTER JANUARY 16:    $40/individuals    $69/couples

For more information contact tfeggans@stmatthewsbc.com or call Tanya Feggans at 856-629-4614, X278.

 

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.

 

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!

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER

January 25^th @ 4:00 pm

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.

 

THIRSTY LAMBS

Our Children's Ministry goes through juice boxes like lightning!  We would really appreciate any flat bottomed, clear liquid juice boxes for our supply.  See Debbie Bradshaw.

   

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Wendy Lynch

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Lenny Little, Katie Ott (T)

                              Aaron & Amy Schnaars (I)

                              TBA (C)

                            

GREETERS:              Charlotte Zediker

                               Mike Elliott

COUNTERS:              Bob & Bill

CLEANERS:               TBA

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Amy Patterson - For her mom's battle with foot surgery that went wrong. For a quick recovery.

Kaila Gillin - For her grandmom who is in the hospital.

Joe & Lisa Anysek - Joe's grandmother, Anna, had a stroke and is in ICU.  Pray for quality of life and to be spared from suffering.  Also for her salvation.

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 

 

Grateful for His Care,

Lois

 

 

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

 

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