hope notes 6/4/09

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I am so thankful our God is the God of absolutes.  Absolute truth, absolute love, and absolutely unchanging.  The world in which we live is full of compromise, gray areas, and vague "wisdom" that changes with the wind.  I am so glad that our God has given us His Word to be our plumb line by which we can measure everything we come across.  No other religion has that.  And, contrary to public opinion, I do not find that restricting - I find it amazingly freeing!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

6/7 – But How Will They Hear?  (Acts 8:26-40)

Certain objections about Christianity seem to just circulate.  One is that the idea of a single way to heaven is too limiting and illogical.  The reasoning goes that there are some who will die and go to hell never having a chance to hear the message.  The story of the early church in Acts helps us understand the goodness of God in this area.  There was a man who really had no chance of knowing about Jesus – a man from the country of Ethiopia.  Yet when he began to respond to God's prompting in his heart, God miraculously sent him someone to explain the gospel to him, and he received Jesus.  We have the awesome opportunity to see God's goodness firsthand by surrendering to be emissaries for the gospel to wherever God sends us!

 

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

 

ROCK THE BLOCK - THIS SATURDAY

Saturday 6/6 from 1:00 - 8:00 pm

Hope's Worship Team kicks off the 1^st Annual Community Party (1:00-2:00) at Mantua UM Church, 201 Mantua Blvd, Mantua NJ.
Norris Street will be blocked off, Live Music outside all day! VBS Kickoff Table, Alex's Lemonade Stand, Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Kid's Craft Table, Puppet Show, Skateboard Park (helmets must be worn). Free Food (hot dogs, popcorn, beverages) throughout the day. Pig Roast from 5-8pm. The sanctuary and McConnell hall will be open.

 

PRAYER NIGHT
Monday June 15^th 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 5^TH 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.

 

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 16^th, 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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

WOMEN OF FAITH - September 18 & 19

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HOPE'S ANNUAL YARD DAY

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

June 14^th

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 1^st grade (must be age 4 & potty trained)

                   Primary        2^nd thru 5^th 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 14^th.  We will also let your child know if they are moving up and to what class.

 

FATHER'S DAY PICTURES

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 14^th.  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.

 

GIVING REPORT

Giving for May was $3054/wk, bringing our annual average to $3121/wk.  This is well above our target of $2700/wk and gives us opportunities to look at long term solutions to our building situation.  Please pray with the Leadership Team as we seek God's direction in all decisions we make.

 

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.

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART WALK - THIS SATURDAY

Saturday June 6^th

Join us in our annual walk for life. By participating in our walkathon you will help our ministry to continue serving women in unplanned pregnancies and their unborn children. Walkers need to get sponsors to sign their Pledge Sheets in order to raise the money needed to fund this ministry. The walk will take place June 6, 2009 at Washington Lake Park in Sewell. The registration begins at 8AM.  FREE ice cream cones, soft pretzels, and face painting for children.

You can walk if you are able, cheer them on if you are unable, and make sure to sign up to sponsor a walker!  See Wendy Devereaux or Dana Baumiester for more information.

 

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:   Lenny Little, Katie Ott T)

                              Bob & Lisa Mousley (I)

                              Bill & Nancy Murray (C)

                              Anne Owens, Jess St.Petery (P)

GREETERS:              Lillian LaRue, Charlotte Zediker

COUNTERS:             Kathy Berry, Melissa McGinness

CLEANERS:              Tracey Nelson

TOY CLEANERS:       Anita Little

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Damon Briggs 6/10

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Poppy Gillin - For Maria Murray and Heyward Gunn to know Christ.

Loraine Otis - For her granddaughter, Samantha, who is suffering with severe asthma.  Also an unspoken.

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 

 

Renewed Through Him,

Lois

 

God's purpose and plan is not dependent upon us doing everything right!   (M. Ott)

 

 

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