Hope Notes 9/17/09

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

There is so much going on at Hope!  Make sure to take the time and look through this week's Hope Notes……………there have been many changes and additions.  We are blessed to attend a church filled to overflowing with people, activities, and God's Spirit.

 

SUNDAY SERMON

9/20 – Who Is Leading You? (Acts 12:24-13:12)

There are times in our lives when the battle between wanting to do what is right and being pulled toward doing what is wrong is very evident.  We see it as clearly as if it were happening on a battlefield in front of our eyes.  At other times, it is more difficult to tell whether we are being pulled in a good or bad direction.  In this passage of Acts, we'll see people who were clearly allowing the Lord to lead them.  But we'll also see people who are led astray by the enemy and his workers.  As we study this story, we will find that there are tell tale signs for us to know who is leading us.

 

Please remember that we will close our service on Sunday with some brief feedback (mostly raising hands to indicate positive, negative, or neutral feelings) regarding the possible radio ministry.

 

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 SEPTEMBER - REVELATION

This book, written by the apostle John while banished to the island of Patmos, contains some amazing and even frightening images but it also trumpets the promise of our final reward for sticking with Christ despite everything.  It also promises ultimate victory and points to a time and place where there is no more sin, no more death, and no more suffering.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

7:30 - 8:30 pm

Think the book of Genesis couldn't possibly relate to us and the world in which we live?  Think again!  Genesis means "beginnings" and that's just what this book is about.  It describes a loving God who made all things perfectly, but also tells about the beginning of sin and how it ruined what had been a perfect relationship between God and man.  Isn't that still happening today?  Join us as we continue our study on the book of Genesis. Childcare is provided.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

SMALL GROUPS

Start praying NOW for small groups to form under the Spirit's leading. We are looking for new relationships to flourish as God directs and for existing relationships to grow even deeper.  We need to bring others along with us to bind together as a group and so "fulfill the law of Christ".  (Gal 6:2)

 

YOUTH GROUP

All 6th thru 12th graders, here's something you don't want to miss!  In youth group on Saturday nights at 5 pm, we're talking about "Can we know that the Bible is true?"  This is a powerful question with huge impact.  If you've ever talked to someone who questions Christianity, or if you've ever had questions yourself, we're looking at historical and scientific evidence that will help you with those questions!  For more information, see Dwight Lein or Brian Ott.

 

WOMEN OF FAITH - A GRAND NEW DAY - THIS WEEKEND

Let's remember to pray for our ladies as they travel to Women of Faith.  You know the enemy will be in high gear doing all he can to prevent them from going and receiving God's blessing!

Contact Liz Johnson liznglenn@verizon.net for more information.                                

 

PRIORITY ONE MEN'S WEEKEND RETREAT

September 25-27 in North Bay, MD

Money is now due.

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.

 

MEN'S BREAKFAST

Saturday October 10 @ 9:00 am

Save the date!  We will be meeting at Nifty Fifty's Diner.  More details to follow.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ROSH HASHANA

Beth Israel will be having their Rosh Hashanah service this Sunday at the same time our service is going on. Please be considerate about the noise level when dropping off your children in the classrooms and use the front doors to enter and exit the building.  Also, parking may be an issue, so please consider parking on the street.

 

ADULT CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Brief Meeting After Church 9/27

In order to gauge the interest in putting together a choir for a Cantata on 12/27, we will have a quick meeting immediately following the service.  Practices would begin on October 11 after morning service until about 1:15pm. 

 

SONG SHOW PLUS MINISTRY

Ever wonder how the words to our Praise Songs get on that big screen?  Looking for a FUN & EASY way to serve at Hope?  Well then, this is it!

It's a very simple process to get the lyrics, announcements, and Bible verses on screen. No experience needed. Hands on training is provided.  You can make your own schedule.  If you'd like to serve, you would simply come to the Worship Team practice at 5:00pm on Saturday to put things together, and then be at church by 9:00am Sunday to do a trial run. 

Please contact Joe Anyzek @ janyzek@verizon.net or 456-2172 for more information.

 

NOMINATIONS

Once again it's time to begin praying about nominations.  Partners can nominate partners for Deacons (men and women) or Leadership Team (men).  We're asking all our partners to nominate everyone they feel should serve in these offices.  Ten separate nominations are needed for a man to be presented for a vote for Leadership Team, and five separate nominations are needed for a man or woman to be presented for a vote for Deacon Team.  On the back of the nomination form is a list of current officers; attached are a list of qualifications and roles of each office.  Nominations are due to Pastor Mark by November 1^st.

NOTE:  If you are not a partner and want to be, please fill out a partner form, read through our constitution, and give the filled out form to Pastor Mark. 

 

TO AIR OR NOT TO AIR?

Hope FM Radio Ministry

All of us who hear Pastor Mark preach on Sunday morning know how life- changing the messages are.  The question is do we want to share them with others?  We are coming to a decision point on whether or not Hope Christian Fellowship will go on the air with a 30-minute, weekday radio program of Mark's sermons on Hope FM.  But we still need to hear from you.  We also need your continued prayers and input as we choose to give this a six month try or let it pass by.  This Sunday we'll briefly hear more about the choice from Steve Jones. 

 

CHURCH CLEANING VOLUNTEERS

The Building Team is looking to put together a group of volunteers to come on the 3^rd Thursday of each month (after 6:30pm) to help clean.

Cleaning would involve dusting, dry mopping, vacuuming, and maybe cleaning the windows. We would like to have enough people so that we can have rotating teams.  That way no one would have to come every month.  Jess St.Petery will have a sign up sheet on the back table.

 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Hard to believe, but Hope is gearing up for our annual Kid's Christmas program!  Please be on the look-out for practice CD's and an information letter that your pre-school or elementary children will be bringing home on Oct.4th!  Save the date for Dec.20th to see Hope's kids perform!  The practices will be held on Sundays (during church) beginning on Oct.11!

 

SEPTEMBER PANTRY NEEDS

Canned Vegetables please.

 

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:   Bill McGinness & Carla Bittner (T)

                              Ray & Poppy Gillin (I)

                              Julia Murray & Justin Incarvite (C)

                              Natalie Davis & Justin Incarvite (P)

GREETERS:              TBA

COUNTERS:             Carole Baumiester & Karen Jones

CLEANERS:              Lillian LaRue

TOY CLEANERS:      LaTosha Briggs

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Dana Ott

 

 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

Mike Goeggel - For his friend, Edward Phillips, who has a brain tumor and is scheduled for additional testing in October.

God's Leading - We are seeking God's direction for our building situation and for the possibility of a radio ministry on Hope FM.

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 

 

Bowing Before Him,

Lois

 

God is never disabled by the plans of man. (M. Ott)

 

 

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