Thursday, June 11, 2009

hope notes 6/11/09

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

June is such a commemorative month.  There always seem to be an abundance of graduations (and weddings). Now we graduate from pre-school, kindergarten, 8th grade, high school, and college.  That's a lot of ceremonies! We even have our children here at Hope graduate to their next grade in Children's Church.  So how about "graduating" to the next level in our spiritual lives?  Do something that moves us forward - commit to reading from God's Word each day, or to reading longer each day, have a deeper prayer life, witness to someone, or simply try living our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God everyday.  June is the perfect month to step it up and move ahead!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

6/14 - Transforming a Life (Acts 9:1-19)

How far gone do you have to be to be too far gone?  What line do you have to cross before there is no hope for you?  Humanly speaking, we think of lost causes all the time.  The line is different in one person's mind than it is in someone else's mind.  But down deep it seems to make sense that there is a point at which we are beyond help.  Yet the story of the gospel is a story of redeeming hopeless causes.  We see one such stunning transformation in Acts 9, when God takes one of the biggest enemies of the gospel, and transforms him into one of the most powerful missionaries of the gospel of all time.  Let's be awed by the transforming power and the unimaginable reach of the Redeemer!

 

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 JUNE - 2 KINGS

Continuing the history begun in 1 Kings, this book lets us witness the spiritual deterioration of Israel & Judah.  Despite the miracle God worked through Elisha & Elijah, both Israel & Judah abandoned their faith and were taken into captivity by warrior nations.  The book ends with Jerusalem in ruins and Solomon's temple demolished - a far cry from the glory days when David ruled his people in godliness.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

COUPLES DEVOTIONAL BOOKS

We have a 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! 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

Come and join us as we look through the book of Genesis.  Study is from 7:30 - 8:30 pm every Wednesday.  Childcare is available.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

PRAYER NIGHT - THIS MONDAY
Monday June 15th at 7:00 pm

The Leadership Teams wants to invite you to an evening of prayer.  If you have a concern on your heart we would love to pray with you.  We will take people one at a time so that you can feel free to share.  Come and be ministered to as we focus our hearts together before the throne of grace.

 

HOPE'S 5TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE / BBQ

Sunday July 19

This is a special day for Hope Christian Fellowship as we celebrate five years together as a church.  We are planning a special service filled with lots of music, testimonies, and a PowerPoint show featuring pictures of Hope throughout the years. 

 

Immediately following the service, we will venture outside for a picnic.  Hope will provide hot dogs & burgers, rolls, and drinks.  We are asking everyone to bring a side dish or dessert to share.  We're planning lots of games and activities, so get ready for some fun!

NEEDED FOR 7/19 ANNIVERSARY SERVICE & BBQ

We are trying to locate the following items rather than renting them for our BBQ.

*Canopies and/or Carports

*Barbeque Grills

*Large Drink Coolers (like the ones sports teams use)

*Outdoor Games (volleyball & net, badminton, kickball, etc)

There is a sign up sheet on the back table.

 

WOMEN OF FAITH - A GRAND NEW DAY!

Friday 9/18       Day Session 10:00 - 3:30 / Evening Session 7:00 - 9:00

Saturday 9/19   Day Session 9:00 - 5:00

Cost                 $99.00 (includes all 3 sessions and box lunch on Friday                                                                                   

                        and Saturday.  Suggestion:  Share a ticket with a friend)

Special musical guest Steven Curtis Chapman. 

Speakers include Anita Renfroe, Marilyn Meberg, Patsy Clairmont, Luci Swindoll, Lisa Harper, Nicole C. Mullen, Sheila Walsh, Lisa Welchel, Allison Allen.

Lower Level Seating in Section 120.    

Optional hotel room in NJ available for Friday night.  Four persons per room @ $38.25 each.

Sign up sheet on back table.  Contact Liz Johnson liznglenn@verizon.net for more information.                                

 

PRIORITY ONE MEN'S WEEKEND RETREAT

September 25-27 in North Bay, MD

Early registration cost is $185 and must be completed by June 16.  We need to register with the same group name in order to stay in the same facility.  After June 16th, registration cost will be $210.  This includes all on-site sessions, lodging for Friday & Saturday nights, and all meals plus use of facilities.  Our annual retreat is always a wonderful time of spiritual growth and male bonding!  Sign up sheet is in the back.  See Mike Goeggel for more information.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 
J.U.I.C.E. NEWS

"JUICE is moving up in the world...one hour up.  For the summer months, JUICE will be meeting at 5pm instead of 6.  The new juice time will be Saturdays 5 - 6:15 pm starting JUNE 20th and continuing throughout the summer.  Come out and join the fun!!  (There will be no youth group on July 4th)."

 

ROOM FOR RENT

Ray and Poppy Gillin have a large private room for rent in their house. It is currently furnished but furniture can be removed if needed...$600 includes all utilities, full use of the house and 3 meals per day.  This would be perfect for a college student, or perhaps a senior citizen who would enjoy not being alone.  Contact Poppy at qpoppygillin@gmail.com.

 

CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE

We're updating the Church Directory with the goal of having printed copies in hand for Hope's 5th Anniversary on July 19. There will be a sign up sheet in the back during the month of June for everyone to fill out and/or update their contact info. Bill & Nancy Murray will be taking photos before and after the service.

HOPE'S ANNUAL YARD DAY - THIS SATURDAY

Saturday June 13, 9:00 - 12:00

Help us spruce up the grounds!  We will be doing some planting, weeding, and general yard care.  Bring gloves, rakes, shovels, and chainsaws.

 

CHILDREN'S CHURCH PROMOTION SUNDAY - THIS SUNDAY

June 14th

It's that time of year when we "promote" our children to their next grade level in Children's Church.  Just to remind you of the age and grade requirements for each class:

                   Infants         0-2 years

                   Toddlers       2-3 years

Children       Pre-K thru 1st grade (must be age 4 & potty trained)

                   Primary        2nd thru 5th grade

Here's how it works:   Whatever grade your child will be moving up to come September is the grade level they should move up to on June 14th.  We will also let your child know if they are moving up and to what class.

 

FATHER'S DAY PICTURES - DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY

Attention all Fathers!  Please send ONE digital picture of you with your children attached to an email to Matt Headley at mpheadley@hotmail.com no later than June 14th.  Please include the following:  First and last name of dad and all children.  If you can't send a digital picture, please contact Matt via email to make other arrangements.  We will incorporate these photos into a special presentation for our Father's Day service 6/21.

 

HOPE PANTRY UPDATE

The Needs Team is revamping the pantry plan.  Use the shopping list as a guide, but the team will now accept individual items for the pantry.  You can still fill a box if you wish, but individual items can be placed in the "Food Box" located in the back of the sanctuary.  This way, if you see a great sale, you can pick up an item or two for the Food Box!

 

TESTIMONIES NEEDED

Would you be willing to write a short testimony for our website?  It's a wonderful way to share what God has done for you and to bring encouragement to others. Think of all the people who click onto the site when they are looking for a church, or just searching for answers.  You never know how God will use your words to help others.  You can send your testimony to Rick Mounce at rick861@mac.com.

 

SAINTS PRISON MINISTRY

This ministry evangelizes and disciples inmates through sports.  Bill McGinness is an active volunteer of the ministry. While we may not all be able to go to the prisons, play softball with the prisoners, and share Christ with them, we can support Bill through our prayers and financial donations.  Any financial support needs to be turned in to Bill before the end of June.

 

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 people in your neighborhood.  You never know who might be looking for a church home!

 

BUMPER STICKERS

Our bumper stickers are here!  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

  

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Wendy Lynch

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Sissel & John Salayda T)

                              Helen Mastalski, Jackie Salayda (I)

                              Bill & Nancy Murray (C)

                              Anne Owens, Jess St.Petery (P)

GREETERS:              Lillian LaRue, Charlotte Zediker

COUNTERS:             Sissel Salayda, Kathleen Toomin

CLEANERS:              Tracey Nelson

TOY CLEANERS:       Anita Little

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Liz Johnson, 6/17

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

For those in our congregation facing job losses.

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 

 

God is Able,

Lois

 

The fulfillment of God's promises to us may not come in the way we expect……..but they WILL come!   (M. Ott)

 

 

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.

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