Hope Notes 02-05-009

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Today a blanket of white covers everything.  Yes it can be messy, annoying, and troublesome - but it sure is beautiful.  How did God come up with the idea of snow?  I love how it changes the way everything looks. Everyday shapes are softened and sculpted into something new by the snow.  Things that are normally dull glisten and sparkle.  How like are awesome God to create something so spectacular for us to enjoy!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

2/8 – Peter Connects the Dots (Acts 2:14-41)

Ever tell a joke that someone had a hard time understanding?  How frustrating to know the laughter they could enjoy if they could just see what you're saying!  In many conversations, we come up against this type of frustration – trying to help someone else see what seems so clear to me.  Peter stood up to speak on the Day of Pentecost to try to explain about Jesus.  He wanted to connect the dots for them so that they could see Jesus had come as the Messiah, but they had rejected and killed Him.  At the end of his teaching, Peter calls for people to repent and put their trust in Jesus.  If you've been struggling with making sense of all this Christianity stuff – join us to see how Peter explains that all of God's dealings with mankind have led to Jesus' arrival.  And if you're a believer looking for how to share your faith in a way that makes sense, let's watch how Peter explains in such a powerful way that thousands come to trust Christ!

 

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 FEBRUARY - 1^ST TIMOTHY

If a young believer needs one thing in order to live victoriously for Christ, its instruction.  In this letter, Paul gives Timothy advice on everything from false teachers, to ministering, to widows, to the duties of church servants.  Most of the advice is designed to teach Timothy the importance of living a godly life - and who among us can't use that very same advice?

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 

 

MEN'S BIBLE STUDY - THE CASE FOR FAITH

Beginning Tuesday, January 10^th at 7:00pm at Steve Jones' home in Williamstown.  Join us as we learn how to defend our faith against the questions that the world throws our way.  See Steve on Sunday so that he can order a book for you.

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

Join us as we take a few weeks to find out what the Bible has to say about living in fear…….or living by faith. The choice is ours to make!  Study is from 7:30 - 8:30 pm every Wednesday.  Childcare is available.

 

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.

 

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.  Be sure to sign up now!

 

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.

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES

Choices of the Heart is a God-inspired community and church supported local program supporting women who decide not to abort their babies. In order to help this ministry, Hope is sponsoring a Baby Bottle Campaign.  Pick up an empty baby bottle this Sunday, and fill it with your spare change (or dollars or checks!).  Even children can fill a bottle with their pennies.  The money will go to support the lives of unborn babies and to provide counseling, goods, and services.  The campaign runs through Sunday, March 1^st.  Pick up your bottle today in the back of church!  See Wendy Devereaux for further information.

 

YOUTH GROUP MEETING

Sunday February 22 - after worship

We are inviting our teens and teen parents (and anyone else who is interested) to join us for a meeting about a youth group for Hope.  We've been praying since we started for God to enable us to have a group for our teens, and this year we've made it our #1 goal.  God has led Dwight and Becky Lein to Hope and they have felt His prompting to take their 15+ years of youth ministry experience and use it with our teens.  We are very excited about this and want to start sorting out a plan with our teens and their parents.

 

PRAYER TEAM

Please don't forget to take advantage of our Prayer Team.  We have cards in the back for you to write your requests on and know that they will be prayed for.  We all need prayer, and especially in times like these where so many face difficult situations with jobs, finances, etc.

 

NURSERY SUPPLIES NEEDED

A BIG THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED TO OUR NURSERY SO FAR!! Rocking or glider chairs would be greatly appreciated to complete our nursery.  We also need a couple of vacuums for our clean up crews.  If anyone has one that they could 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:       June Elliott

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   John & Dawn Brazelis (T)

                              Bob & Lisa Mousely (I)

                              Pam & Jason Fein, M. Brazelis (C)

                              Kim Biglin & Rick Mounce (P)

GREETERS:              Pat Roselli

                              Larry/Rosetta Kemp

COUNTERS:             Salayda/K.Toomin

CLEANERS:              Nancy Murray

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Billie Ann and Rich - (friends of the Homans) Update: Gabriel Benjamin was born 1/30.  Sadly, he passed away Wednesday evening. Please pray for them as they grieve the loss of their newborn.

Hope's Youth Group - Pray that God will lead us in every step as we sort out a program for our teens.  We need His direction and strength in order to make the right decisions.  Pray that the Lord would draw our teens into this group so they can fellowship and grow together in Christ.

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

 

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 

 

In Need of our Savior,

Lois

 

 

God designed your life to need His power!   (M. Ott)

 

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