7/30/09 Hope Notes

Dear Friends of Hope ~

It's summer vacation time again and people are off having fun with their families or maybe just relaxing with a well deserved break from work.  I can't help but always think about how God never takes a vacation from US, although it would certainly be understandable if He wanted to!  Let's try and keep coming to church if possible; maybe try out someplace new if you're away on vacation and can't come to Hope.  God will meet you wherever you are!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

8/2 – The Seeking are Sought (Acts 10:1-23)

In churches today, it is popular to talk about "seekers".  That is, those who are not yet believers, but who are seeking the Lord and moving toward that moment of faith and decision.  However, that term is a bit of a misnomer – the Bible presents the process of coming to Christ as beginning with God seeking us!  In fact, it would be more accurate to talk about those "seeker ministries" as being ministries for those who are being sought (by God).  In the story we'll look at in Acts this morning, we'll see the first Gentile believer come to Christ.  But it will be clear that, while Cornelius is seeking after the Lord, it is God who is sending the truth to Cornelius.  What a blessing to know that God is seeking after each person in this world and drawing "all men to Him."  Our prayer is that each person will respond to God's tug at their heart, and that the Lord will use US in the process.

 

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. 

 

PRAYER TEAM'S 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 JULY - 2 CORINTHIANS

2 Corinthians gives us a picture of what a heart for ministry is like.  Paul pours out his heart about his own ministry, his motives for that ministry, and the suffering he faced as a result.  In the end, it becomes clear that it is Paul's love for Christ and for the Corinthians that motivates him to sacrifice himself for the Good News.  This letter gives us a great example of the kind of motivation we need if we want to reach others for Christ.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

We will be taking a small break from Genesis as we enter the month of August, giving Pastor Mark a much needed rest.  Be sure to come support those who are faithful in sharing what God has laid on their hearts.  Each week we will hear a different message as God speaks to us through them.  We will have Steve Jones, Rob Devereaux, and Damon Briggs coming up.

Study is from 7:30 - 8:30 pm every Wednesday.  Childcare is available.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

SMALL GROUP KICK OFF

9/13

Mark you calendars!  More info to follow.

 

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

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

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

OUR KID'S MINISTRY IS EXPANDING

Wow! God has blessed Hope with many "little lambs".  We need to add a fifth class so that we can have more room in each class and better age groupings.  Anyone interested in teaching the new 1^st & 2^nd or 3^rd thru 5^th grade classes can contact Anita Little (856-783-7168 or alittle71@yahoo.com ).  Of course, we are always looking for help in the nursery, toddler, and preschool classes!

 

FANTASY FOOTBALL

It's free and just for fun.  It's open to anyone who wants to be a part; you can team up or go solo.  Draft is planned for 8/8.  Sign up on back table.  See Jeff Toomin with any questions 856-848-5687.

 

CROSSROADS

Anyone in the 20-something range (starting with high school graduates) be sure to see Melissa McGinness with your name, phone number, and email address.  We want to be sure to keep everyone in the loop about what's happening and start connecting with other young people at Hope.

 

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.

 

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:       Denise Brion

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

                              Matt & Jenn Headley (I)

                              Liz Johnson, Fran Harkin (C)

                              Jeff & Kathleen Toomin  (P)

GREETERS:              Rob & Wendy Devereaux

COUNTERS:             Glenn Johnson, Jeff Toomin

CLEANERS:              Sissel Salayda

TOY CLEANERS:       Melissa McGinness

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Poppy Gillin, 8/5

 

 HOPE'S PRAYER TEAM
You can have people praying for you and your loved ones throughout the week. Just drop your requests in the box near the door on Sunday or email Jim Bradshaw during the week at spaceheadjim@yahoo.com.

He will get your requests to the team. If you would like your request to appear in the Hope Notes, just let Jim know.  If you want to be a part of this ministry, send Jim your email address and he will add your name to the team.  Please remember, anyone is welcome to join us for prayer at 9:15 on Sunday mornings whether they are on the team or not.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Ed Yost - For God to provide all his needs as he waits for a liver transplant.  For Dot Yost's health and hearing problems.

Donnamarie - For Aunt Lillian's heart problems.

Lisa Anyzek - For Byron Gartland, a thyroid cancer survivor who is scheduled for checkup/scans on August 6 & &.  For peace and comfort as he and his family wait for results.

John Brazelis - For John to find a job. Anyone who might be able to help, please contact him at 856-469-5034.

Small Groups - Please pray as the Leadership Team considers what, if any, changes or additions we should pursue.  Small Groups need to be a powerful spiritual and relational force at Hope.

 

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 

 

Knowing He is Able,

Lois

 

God is always more concerned with our character than our comfort.

 

 

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