Hope Notes 1/8/09

Dear Friends of Hope ~

One of the things I'm thinking about for the new year is to make the choice to live by FAITH and not be FEELINGS.  The year is barely seven days old and I can already tell you - it's HARD!  Our feelings dictate so much of what we think and do.  Let's have our faith propel us out the door to worship, even when our feelings make us want to stay tucked away in our cozy homes.  You know that God is here waiting for us!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

 1/11 – Let's Pitch In (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Grown, Solid, Working

Hope is not a place where we all get together and just sit around!  We have a call from God to be sharing God's redeeming work with everyone we can.  That means we need to be busy working together for the cause of Christ.  Paul teaches us that God's plan for effective churches is that we grow together, support one another, and work together.  There are plenty of opportunities at Hope – and we will be giving you some specific ideas of where you can pitch in.  We want everyone who is a part of Hope to be using their passions and gifts to make us more effective in what we're doing!  Sometimes, that means we need a lot of "behind the scenes" work done, but without it, we would fail.  So come with an open heart and ask God where He would have you pitch in!

 

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.

 

CROSSROADS-THIS FRIDAY

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-THIS THURSDAY

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

 

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:             Jim & Mike H.

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.

Brazelis Family - In need of a car; please pray for God to provide that need for them.  If anyone is aware of a vehicle that would fit their need, please let John or Pastor Mark know.

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.

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 

 

Waiting on Him,

Lois

 

 

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

 

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