Hope Notes July 23, 2009

Dear Friends of Hope ~

What a wonderful celebration we had last Sunday!  The Lord gave us a picture perfect day with blue skies, balmy breezes and no humidity.  All those who worked so hard to make this a success deserve a round of applause.  We had great food, music, games, and fellowship.  A great big "THANK YOU"   to all - those who planned, set up, tore down, grilled food, played music, and made it possible for us all to enjoy ourselves to the fullest.

 

SUNDAY SERMON

7/26 – No Such Thing as a Hopeless Case (Acts 9:32-43)

COMMUNION

As things get progressively worse in our lives or in the lives of those around us, there is some line that gets crossed when we start to believe that this is a hopeless cause.  Sometimes, that is the only logical conclusion there is.  As we celebrate the independence of our country, we remember that history shows us many examples of people overcoming impossible odds to do unlikely things.  No one thought that a bunch of disorganized colonist had a chance against the greatest army in the world.  But God was with those colonists and provided the freedom we all enjoy today.  As we continue in Acts, we'll see how the early church learned about God's power in hopeless cases.  Let's hold fast to the hope we have in the Lord and not surrender it in the middle of circumstances that seem to be impossible!

 

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

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

 

TEEN TALENT NIGHT

July 29^th    7:30 - 8:30

Come on out and see what our teens can do; come and enjoy their many talents!  It's also an opportunity to support our teen programs with a box for donations for that night - everything that comes in will go towards our teens.  Feel free to bring a snack/dessert; however our teens will also be supplying goodies for all to share.  Contact Becky Lein with any questions.

becky.lein6@gmail.com  or 856-521-4233.

 

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:       LaTosha Briggs

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

                              Matt & Jenn Headley (I)

                              Kim Lawlor, Erin Sweeney (C)

                              Melissa McGinness, Anita Little (P)

GREETERS:              Rob & Wendy Devereaux

COUNTERS:             Glenn Johnson, Jeff Toomin

CLEANERS:              Kathleen Toomin

TOY CLEANERS:       Melissa McGinness

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Lisa Landis 7/29

 

 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

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.

Becky Lein - For her mom, Judy, as she recovers from disc surgery.

Doleen Pierce - An unspoken for her and her son, Scott.

Debby Bolser - For her nephew, Logan, who is now in prison and for his family as they learn to cope.  For her sister, Roberta, who is leaving for Milawi 7/24 on a mission trip to minister to people with aids.

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 

 

Claiming Eternity!

Lois

 

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

 

 

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