Hope Notes 11/12/09

             

Dear Friends of Hope ~

To me, fall has always been the most beautiful season.  All the glorious colors and textures of the leaves.  The leaves go from green to all shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown.  The textures range from soft and supple, to slightly leathery, to crumbly and crunchy.  You can look up and see all of this, or look down and see the same thing.  How can all these scientists observe the wonder and beauty of fall and continue to believe that there is no Creator God?  We have a Creator whose love for us extends even to something like showing us a touch of His artistry painted on the canvas of fall!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

11/15 – Being Wronged So God Can Open a Door (Acts 16:16-40)

God is certainly a God of justice.  The abuse and injustice that fills our world is a constant weight on His heart.  He works to right wrongs and to expose the wrongdoers so that the victims are rescued and the perpetrators are punished.  However, that is not God's only work in unjust situations.  He also uses those situations to do amazing things in the lives of His people.  God is the only one who can take a wrong and make it profoundly good.  Throughout the Bible, we see story after story of God's ability to use the unjust treatment of His people as a catapult to unbelievable and impossible good.  In Acts, Paul and Silas are treated unfairly, unjustly, and quite harshly.  Yet, we'll see that God uses exactly this wrong against them to open a door of opportunity.  Are we willing to suffer being wronged and watch God use that for His purpose in our lives?

 

UPCOMING SERVICES

11/29 Special Communion Service with music and sharing that will bring our hearts and minds to focus on how God has provided an answer to the mess of our lives.

12/24 Christmas Eve Service

We will have our Christmas Eve service at 6:00.  This is a shorter service with special music and readings from Scripture.  It's a beautiful way to keep our focus on the birth of Lord.

 

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 NOVEMBER - ZECHARIAH & MALACHI

The last two books of the Old Testament.  Zechariah tells of God's secret to our success - "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit," says the Lord Almighty.  Malachi pictures God as One who desires to communicate with His people. It gives a glimpse of OT history and how changes were needed to prepare the way for the Messiah. 

 

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.

NOTE: There will be no Bible Study 11/25 or 12/23.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

WEEKEND TO REMEMBER MARRIAGE SEMINAR

February 12-14, 2010
Hershey Lodge
PO Box 446
Hershey, PA 17033-0446
1-800-437-7439
We are getting together a group of married couples to experience this amazing marriage seminar. You can register via phone, mail, or online.
Register for the conference by 12/30/09 and take advantage of the early bird rate of $89/person, or $178/couple.  In order to make hotel reservations and receive the discounted room rate of $115/night, you must call the hotel directly at 1-800-437-7439. See Melissa McGinness with any questions.

Our Group Name is:  HOPEHANDS

Our Group Link is: www.familylife.com/group/hopehands

SMALL GROUPS

Our fourth cycle study sheets are out (11/15) and on the back table.  Make sure to take one and work on it before your small group meets.  Watch for reminders each time a new cycle study sheet is put out.  In addition, you can now go online and print out a study sheet from our website.

NOTE:  The small group process is still going on.  There are new people who will be coming and others who haven't yet connected with a group.  If your group has room, be sure to include other people.  Keep targeting between 8-10 people for your small group.

 

YOUTH GROUP (J.U.I.C.E.)

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.

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

OFFICE FURNITURE

Bob Baumiester has some office furniture available at no cost for anyone willing to come pick it up.  There are office chairs, cabinets, and tables.  See Bob for more information.

 

NEW FEATURE – MARK'S BOOK CLUB

Forget about Oprah!  Beginning this month, Pastor Mark will be sharing with us books he has read that he feels are exceptionally well done and important for our spiritual growth.

The current selection is "The Prodigal God" by Timothy Keller.

Keller uncovers the essential message of Jesus in his most familiar parable. Within the parable, Jesus reveals how God's grace is poured out on not only the morally bankrupt, but also on the morally upright.

 

 ISRAEL TRIP

There is an opportunity to tour Israel with other churches on April 12-20, 2010.  The cost of the trip is $2650 including all taxes and fees; breakfast & dinner daily; 7 night's accommodations in four-star hotels, a fully guided tour of Israel with on-site Bible teachings, Communion & Baptism. On-site Bible teachings will be by Denny Barger, founding pastor of Calvary Chapel Southern Ocean County, NJ, along with other pastors from the area. At this point we're just looking to see the level of interest, so if you are interested or need more information, see Rick Mounce for the details.

 

NEEDS TEAM REQUESTS

Benevolent Offering

We will be taking up a benevolent offering this Sunday for some substantial needs in the church right now. Please pray about helping your brothers & sisters in Christ that are in need.

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

Wednesday 12/30 @ 7:30

This is the time for all partners to find out what's been happening at Hope, to voice any concerns, and to vote on designated issues. 

 

CHURCH CLEANING DAY

Saturday, November 14 / 9:00 – 12:00

It's time to spruce up our place of worship!  Anyone who can give an hour or two (or longer!), please meet us at church at 9:00 am.  The more, the merrier and the faster we will get done.  Please come and help us!  See Jess St.Petery with any questions.

                         

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

Pamala Fein, along with the Hope Needs Team, is coordinating food baskets for families in need.  Family "nomination" forms are on the back table.  If you know of a family in need (families within Hope given first priority), complete a form and return it to Pamala Fein or Liz Johnson by November 15^th.  Baskets will be delivered in time for Thanksgiving Day.

 

PANTRY NEEDS

Immediate Pantry Needs (For Thanksgiving Baskets): Stuffing, cranberry sauce, turkeys, hams, pie fillings, pie crust mixes (boxed), cake mixes and frosting. We have plenty of vegetables.

 

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

These are a great way 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

 

CHRISTMAS INFORMATION 

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

We will have our Christmas Eve service at 6:00.  This is a shorter service with special music and readings from Scripture.  It's a beautiful way to keep our focus on the birth of Lord.

 

CHRISTMAS FAMILY PHOTOS

We need your pictures to make this a success!  Won't it be fun to look back and laugh at how funny we all looked years ago?  Deadline is November 22.

As part of our Children's Christmas Program we would like to run a slideshow of photos from our Hope families.  Please give us one photo from a long ago Christmas and one from a recent Christmas. Digital photos would be best, but we can also accept hard copies to scan and return. 

Email any digital photos to Lisa Landis at lblandis@mail.widener.edu or Jess St. Petery at jstpetery@yahoo.com.  Hard copies can be given to them at church.  Please be sure to include your names with the photos.

Pictures need to be in by 11/22/09.

 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Sunday, December 20^th.

Be sure to save the date and invite your friends and families out to come and see Hope's kids perform!  Practices will be held on Sundays during church.

 

ITEMS NEEDED FOR CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

We need to build a stable and manger for the Christmas program.  The stable should be about 6 feet high.  Anyone who would be interested in constructing, donating materials or helping in anyway should contact Anita Little ASAP.  You can find her at church, call her at 856-783-7168 or email her at alittle71@yahoo.com.

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS NEEDED

Tacky, Christmas themed men's ties.  Elf costume.  Old fashioned crocheted slippers. 

We need a picture of Yogi Bear & Boo Boo - maybe 20x20 - just large enough so that we can identify them.  Anyone willing to do a quick painting…….or maybe someone has an old poster??

If you have any of the above, you can give them to John or Sissel Salayda.

 

ADULT CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Practice is after church from 11:45 - 1:15 and runs through December 13.  We will skip November 8 & 29.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Kim Lawlor

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

                              Matt & Jenn Headley (I)

                              Craig & Tina Campana (C)

                              Kid's Christmas Choir Rehearsal (P)

GREETERS:              Rob & Wendy Devereaux

COUNTERS:             LaTosha Briggs & Karen Blythe

CLEANERS:              Helen Mastalski

TOY CLEANERS:      Anita Little

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                   Lorraine Otis

 

 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

Joan Roselli -Dave (brother-in-law) suffering with severe pain and internal bleeding. Readmitted to hospital. Pray for doctors to find out the cause and for healing.

Lillian LaRue - For peace and comfort as she grieves the loss of her mother.  For wisdom in making decisions.

Small Groups - For God to lead and direct people to their various Small Group. For Small Groups 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 

 

Can't Live without Him,

Lois

 

The grace of God is not about the merit of man.  (M. Ott)

 

 

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