Hope Notes 4/2/09

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

We've got one more encouragement for you (do you sense the reoccurring theme?) - this week take it upon yourself to encourage someone who may have become overwhelmed with life's circumstances.  It shouldn't be too hard to find someone who is dealing with financial difficulties, relationship problems, job situations, illness, or any other number of frustrations.  Reach out to them with a friendly word of concern.  Find out how you can specifically pray for them.  Better still; invite them over for an evening of conversation and support. In other words, love them like Jesus!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

4/5 – A Ministry of Serving (Acts 6:1-7)

Christianity is a very upside down type of organization.  Most of the time, people like to be in charge so that others can serve them and do their bidding.  But followers of Christ are taught that the greatest among us should be the servant of all.  In that respect, we are very different, because we aspire to serve one another.  In the early church, this was such a birthmark, that as challenges arose, the church swiftly called out believers to lead the charge in serving the body of Christ.  And serving isn't just for leadership – each one of us is called to serve one another in love.   In doing this, we truly follow the example of our Lord, who did not come to be served, but to serve!

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

April 10^th @ 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!

 

A REQUEST FROM PASTOR MARK

With visitors expected, we want to encourage our church family to be more aware of moving UP from the back of the auditorium, and IN from the ends of the aisles.  We need to have a sense of consideration for new folks, and we need to work together to make the chairs we have feel like more!  The only way we can do that is for us to move forward and to squeeze in as much as possible.  Thank you!

 

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 APRIL - HEBREWS

Being a Christian can be hard.  If you have ever felt like giving up on your faith. or wondered if it wouldn't just be easier to go back to your old way of life, the book of Hebrews can help you find the strength to keep going

Many of the believers to whom the book of Hebrews was written had become Christians from a Jewish background, and they were surprised by how hard it was after they accepted Christ.  You can learn what they learned - the way of Christ is better in every way, even if it costs you a little in this present life. 

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH 

 

COUPLES DEVOTIONAL BOOKS

We have a new devotional book for married couples out on the back table.  Pick one up for you and your spouse so that you can feel the benefit of spending time together in God's Word, being in prayer together, and making the Lord the center of your relationship. Invest some time in your marriage and in your connection with the Lord and watch how He blesses you!  You won't have to invest any $money$ because the books are FREE!

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 scheduled for Monday evening May 4^th and May 11^th 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

5^TH 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

 

LAWN SIGNS

Please stop by the back of the church and pick up a lawn sign for you yard.  This will be a great way to reach out to your neighborhood during the Easter season when many people are looking for somewhere to spend Easter Sunday. But there's no reason the signs can't stay up all year round as an invite to Hope! 

 

BUMPER STICKERS

Look for Hope Christian Fellowship bumper stickers sometime after Easter.  This will be a great visual for people to be introduced to Hope.  Think of all the people you'll reach as your drive, sit at traffic lights, or even when your car is parked somewhere.  But remember…..you are an "advertisement" for Hope, so watch the road rage! J

 

MARCH GIVING REPORT

We averaged $2854/week for the month of March, which is more than our target of $2700/week.  That brings our weekly average for the year to $2923/week.  We are so thankful for the faithfulness of God's people in giving to meet the needs of Hope and helping us save towards a permanent home.

 

TREADMILL NEEDED

Tom Albright is looking for a good treadmill at a reasonable price in order to help him with his physical rehab and recovery process. If anyone is interested in bartering, Tom has an above ground 15 x 30 pool to trade.  It's in great shape, the filter & pump are only a year old, but it may need a new liner.  Contact Tom @ 856-456-3580.

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES
A great big thank you for the awesome response from our family at Hope.  We raised $1310.39 from the baby bottles we collected.  Think of all the little lives that will be saved!

 

PART TIME JOB POSTION

Manager of Volunteer Services to the newly forming Programs Dept. at the Food Bank.  Looking for someone with strong communication and customer service skills.  Applications with resume should be submitted to kvalente@foodbanksjs.org by April 13^th. 

 

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)

                              Sharon Rainey, Sharon Sambucci (I)

                              Bill & Nancy Murray(C)

                              Anne Owens, Jess St.Petery (P)

GREETERS:              Bill & Nancy Murray

                              

COUNTERS:             Sissel Salayda, Kathleen Toomin

CLEANERS:              Lillian LaRue

TOY CLEANERS:       LaTosha Briggs

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Lisa Landis 

 

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.

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 

Because He Lives,

Lois

 

 

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