Hope Notes 3/25/09
Dear Friends of Hope ~
Last week our encouragement was to take a look around, see who's missing, and then reach out to them. This week let's do a flip-flop. Look around and see who's NEW and then reach out to them! During the Easter season, people who don't normally attend church will show up. Let's make them feel welcome and show them the warmth that is part of Hope.
SUNDAY SERMON
3/29 – Whom Will You Serve? (Acts 5:27-42)
Maybe when you read that question, you would like to answer that you'd rather not serve anyone! Being a servant or a slave is certainly not high on most people's list of dream jobs! But spiritually speaking, we all serve someone. We give our lives to pursuits and goals, and then we hope to achieve some level of living that is worthwhile and meaningful. Many people in our world choose to serve worldly goals and listen to the direction of our culture. The disciples are confronted with a demand that they serve these as well. But their response is that they will choose to serve the Lord. In deciding to live for heavenly goals and eternal things, they certainly weren't popular with the leaders of their society. But their example is a challenge for each of us to follow in their choice to serve the kingdom of God.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
April 10th @ 6:00 pm
Join us for an hour of special music and readings focusing on the story of our Lord's sacrifice for us, followed by Communion. We will also take an offering for needy families (just like our Christmas Eve offering). We want to take the opportunity to honor the Lord's sacrifice by sacrificing ourselves for the needs of others.
EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE
This will be a service filled with music and a gospel presentation celebrating Christ's resurrection. This promises to be one of the most powerful services we've ever had at Hope; you don't want to miss it!
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 MARCH - HOSEA
In one of the more powerful life illustrations in the Bible, God used the prophet Hosea's straying wife to teach Israel that they were committing spiritual adultery. Just as Hosea's wife lusted after other men, so did Israel lust after other gods. Hosea scolded the people of Israel as an "unchaste wife" for taking part in idolatry and for approaching their relationship with God half-heartedly. That message holds true today: God isn't interested in our sacrifices as much as He desires 100% of our hearts.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
EASTER DEVOTIONAL BOOKS
40 Day Devotional books ("Blessings of the Cross" with several authors including Billy Graham and Max Lucado) are still available for anyone who wants to catch up on the daily readings and prepare their hearts in remembrance of this powerful day.
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.
BAPTISMAL SERVICE
Sunday May 17th @ 1:30
Calvary Bible Church - Deptford
There will be a baptismal service for any believer who has not yet followed the Lord in believer's baptism. Liz and Glenn Johnson will host a lunch between the morning service and the baptism for all participants and their families. Preparation classes for anyone who wants to be baptized are scheduled for Monday evening May 4th and May 11th at Pastor Mark's house. This is a wonderful and special time in any believer's life. Although we know we are a new creation in Christ when we accept Jesus as Savior, there is something powerful about feeling the water wash over you and make you "new". Anyone who is interested should see Pastor Mark to sign up.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP
UPCOMING EVENTS
WOMAN'S TEA - Saturday, May 16
5TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE & BBQ - Sunday, July 19
SPRING FEST 2009 - FREE CHRISTIAN CONCERT
Saturday, April 18 @ 3:00
Christian Community Chapel presents a variety of bands, food, and fellowship for the entire family! One of the featured bands is "Compelled" (with Bob & Carole Baumiester's son). Event is being held at 211 US Highway 206, Hillsborough, NJ.
SPRING CAFÉ
Wednesday, April 22 @ 7:30
We are looking for singers, performers, poetry readers, etc. to help make our Spring Café a wonderful evening of entertainment. Kim Biglin is in charge of coordinating talent. See Liz Johnson for more information.
HOPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP YOUTH GROUP - J.U.I.C.E
Meets every Saturday from 6:00 - 7:15pm
Anyone in grades 6 thru 12 is welcome to come on out and get to know Jesus and each other way better! We have lots of fun, so don't miss it!
Contact Becky Lein with any questions (856-521-4233).
2009 HOPE CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM
Season begins in mid April and can run through August.
Games are played Monday thru Friday (excluding Wednesdays).
Game times are 6:30, 8:00, and 9:30 on Fridays only.
Slow pitch with 6'-12' arc.
You must be at least 15 years old before the end of the season in August.
Sign up sheet is on the back table. See Lenny Little with any questions.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HOPE CLEAN UP DAY - INSIDE & OUT !
Saturday, April 4, 9 am - noon
Its spring, and time to get the grounds at Hope looking their best. Many hands make light work - young and old! Plans are to rake the property, mulch the flower and shrub beds, trim shrubs, and any other clean-up work that needs doing. We will also be cleaning the floor, painting, and doing any other inside jobs to help spruce up our church! Bring rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and any other gardening tools you like to use. Don't forget cleaning supplies for the inside, too. Please sign up on the back table if you are available to lend a hand. Any questions, see Glenn Johnson or Jeff Toomin.
HOPE HAS A FREEZER!
Feel free to bring in some "heat-and-eat" meals for folks needing a helping hand (right now there are several pasta dishes in the freezer). Please use the labels available on the door to label your meal with the date, ingredients, and cooking instructions. Coming soon - shopping lists and grocery bags to help fill our food pantry.
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:
SIGN-IN TABLE: Wendy Lynch
LAMB'S MINISTRY: Lenny Little, Katie Ott (T)
Bob & Lisa Mousley (I)
Liz Johnson, Fran Harkin (C)
Anne Owens, Jess St.Petery (P)
GREETERS: Karen Blythe
Dorothy Haines
COUNTERS: Sissel Salayda, Kathleen Toomin
CLEANERS: Lillian LaRue
TOY CLEANERS: Ken & Karen Blythe
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
CHILD CARE: Karen Blythe
PRAYER REQUESTS
Dave Bolser - His sister, Kathy (age 48) has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Joan Roselli - For healing for her broken wrist.
Tom Albright - As he recovers from emergency abdominal surgery.
Tina Campana - As she grieves the death of her father.
Brian & Naidona Ott - PRAISE on the birth of baby Vienne, and for their family as they adapt to their newest arrival!
Erin Sweeney - For Mr. Wilder who had surgery on his appendix.
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.
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
His Death was Enough,
Lois
Note: If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list.
posted by Hope Christian Fellowship at
7:33 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home