Hope Notes 3/5/09

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Okay everyone; this is your official reminder to SET YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD one hour this Saturday.  If you don't, you will miss all the wonderful worship and Pastor Mark's message!  You certainly don't want that to happen!  Don't think of it as losing an hour of sleep; focus on the extra daylight you will get at the end of the day.

 

SUNDAY SERMON

3/8 – Missing What's Right in Front of You (Acts 3:11-26)

Those shows where the magician tells you how he does the tricks are fascinating!  You watch as the magician seems to do the impossible, and then you see how he used some hidden trick to do it.  After learning the secret, it seems so simple – how could we miss it?  But many in this world are missing something much more important than a magician's secret tricks.  And God has gone to great lengths to put it right in front of their faces.  As we follow the disciples and the early church, we see that the religious leaders of the day arguing over the matter while missing the big point!  How do you miss the fact that the lame man has been healed and instead become consumed with silencing those who performed the miracle?  We need to be careful that we are attentive to the truth that God has placed right in front of us!

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

April 10^th @ 6:00 pm

Join us for an hour of worship and communion, with a focus on the story of our Lord's sacrifice for us.  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

Since we will be celebrating communion together on Good Friday, we will simply have our 10:00 morning worship service, which will be our celebration of Christ's resurrection! 

 

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) will be available this Sunday for anyone who wants to spend the 40 days leading up to Easter preparing their hearts in remembrance of this powerful day.  In order to be finished your reading on Good Friday, you need to begin with the first devotional on March 2^nd. 

 

EVENING OF PRAYER

Monday March 23^rd @ 7:00

If you are in need of strength, healing, direction, encouragement, or whatever - take advantage of this evening to have our spiritual leadership pray with you and for you.  We will try and be as direct as possible with each person so that we can spend time individually with everyone that comes for prayer.  If you have any questions, see Pastor Mark.

 

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 17^th  @ 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 tentatively scheduled for Monday evening April 27^th and May 4^th.  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

5^TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE & BBQ - Sunday, July 19

 

CHRISTIAN ROCK SUNDAY - THIS SUNDAY!!

March 8 @ 2:00 pm

Hangar 84 - 20 S.6^th St. - Vineland

A time of worship featuring Ashlyn, Praysym 5, Backwards, Reckless Oversight, and Compelled (Bob & Carole Baumiester's son Rob's band).

$10.00 admission / Children under 5 free

 

POTLUCK SUPPER

Sunday, March 15^th after service

Be sure not to miss this chance to spend some time getting to know everyone at Hope AND the chance to eat some delicious food! Sign up sheet is in the back of church. 

 

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.  See Liz Johnson for more information.

 

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 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP YOUTH GROUP - J.U.I.C.E
Come join us for our first Youth Meeting! 
     Who:  Everyone in Grades 6 - 12
     What:  A time of Fellowship and Fun centered on God's word
     Where: At the Church
     When:  Saturday, March 21, 2009
     Why:  To know Christ and each other better!
     Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00pm
We can't wait to see you there!
Please see Becky with your addresses and phone numbers so that we are able to get information to you.  All youth group info will be distributed by announcements, newsletters and calls.  Thanks so much for your support!
Becky Lein  
856-521-0344
Fax 856-210-1887
bbfine2@yahoo.com

 

FEBRUARY GIVING REPORT

We averaged $3079/week, bringing our annual for the year to $2966.  This is AHEAD of our target of $2700 and is helping to save toward a permanent building, future needs, and other ways we can advance God's kingdom at Hope!  A huge thank you to everyone who has faithfully sacrifices and gives to meet our needs.  Let's take this start to 2009 and build on it to keep moving forward and blow away our target this year by God's strength and as a testimony to His ability to provide!

 

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.

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES

Did you forget your bottle last week?  Please bring them in this Sunday and leave them on the table in back of the sanctuary or give them to Wendy Devereaux.  Thank you all for your support!

   

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       LaTosha Briggs

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Joe & Lisa Anyzek (T)

                              Matt & Jennifer Headley (I)

                              Linda & Lisa Landis (C)

                              Melissa McGinness & Anita Little (P)

GREETERS:              Karen Blythe

                              Dorothy Haines

COUNTERS:             Salayda/K.Toomin

CLEANERS:              Helen Mastalski

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Dorothy Haines - Praise the Lord and thank you all who came to Joe's service.  Thank you for all your prayers and concern.

Diane Beardsworth (new) - For Sara Bailey with lung cancer spread all over and in severe pain.  For Anna Scott dying of cancer; needs spiritual and family needs prayers.

Melissa McGinness - For the family and friends of Leslee Wilkins Quintero who just passed away (in her early 30's).  She leaves behind her husband and two small children. 

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 Eye is on the Sparrow…..

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.