Hope Notes 7/2/09

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Many churches kind of "shut down" over the summer, but Hope is still going strong!  There are still plenty of opportunities to get together and have fun, to grow spiritually, and to come worship our Lord.  I love how we plan things to keep us connected, even when the formal groups that meet are on a break.  That's just another way we know that people and relationships are important at Hope!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

7/5 – A Bridge From Your Past to God's Plan (Acts 9:20-31)

Everyone has a past.  Most of us have some things we regret – stuff we'd like to do over if we could.  Many people believe that their past is also their prison.  They have been told (or they just believe) that the mistakes they have made are unrecoverable.  But the Bible is about the redeeming work of God in the lives of people.  No one is beyond His reach or His ability.  In this passage, we'll see how God set about putting Paul's past behind him for the sake of the great plans God had for Paul.  So let's be reminded that God can build a bridge from my past to His plan!

 

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 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

 

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

 

HOPE'S 5^TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE / BBQ

Sunday July 19

Our special day is almost here!  Mark your calendars so that you don't miss a minute of it!

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!

Signup sheet on the back table.  Questions?  Contact Liz Johnson at liznglenn@verizon.net.

 

TEEN TALENT NIGHT

June 29^th

Watch for more details 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

 

GIVING REPORT

Giving for June averaged $288/week, which is down from our annual average, but still above our target of $2700/week. 

 

BENEVOLENT NEED

Wow - we received $971.00 last Sunday towards helping our family in need!  If you didn't have the chance to give, you can simply mark an envelope "benevolent" and drop it in the offering box. There is still time for it to go towards this need.

 

CROSSROADS

Anyone in the 20 something range (high school graduates through early 30's) 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. 

 

CHURCH DIRECTORY UPDATE - UP AGAINST THE DEADLINE!

Help us get everyone's updated information and pictures!

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.

 

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:       Delores Incarvite

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   John & Dawn Brazelis (T)

                              Sharon Rainey, Sharon Sambucci (I)

                              Julia Murray, Justin Incarvite (C)

                              Natalie Davis (P)

GREETERS:              Rob & Wendy Devereaux

COUNTERS:             LaTosha Briggs, Karen Blythe

CLEANERS:              Charlotte Zediker

TOY CLEANERS:       Melissa McGinness

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Lillian LaRue 7/8

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Dan Watson - For his father, Rueben, facing possible prostrate and lung cancer.  Also, for him to be saved.

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.

Dorothy Haines - Unspoken.  For Jim Fleming, who is doing well.  For Faith, who is still under watch and will be getting the help she needs in Trenton.

Tom Albright - Praise that he is doing well after surgery!  Also, for God to lead him to a replacement vehicle for work.

 

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 

 

Redeemed by His Blood,

Lois

 

God's plan always brings God's provision!   (M. Ott)

 

 

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