Hope Notes 11/25/09 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

             

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Do we have the best Worship Team or what!!?  I was so blown away on Sunday during our Praise Service.  They sound so GOOD!  We are fortunate indeed to have such talented servants of the Lord willing to share their gift of music with us.  It takes a lot of time and practice for them to learn new songs in addition to polishing up the old ones.  They are willing to make that sacrifice so that we can be blessed every Sunday.  THANK YOU WORSHIP TEAM!

 

SUNDAY SERMON – COMMUNION SUNDAY

How many times have you felt "unworthy" of God's love?  We know all the mistakes we've made and how often we've just flat out turned the wrong way.  It is normal for us to look at our lives and hope to clean them up before we go to God.  However, that is not God's way.  Today we will be celebrating together the Lord's Supper.  We're going to look at how the Lord interacted with His disciples on the night He was betrayed.  He took time at this supper to address some of the issues in their lives - essentially telling them that He knew all about their mess, and that He had the perfect answer for it.  This celebration we will share is meant to bring hope - not condemnation.  We've all blown it so many times - but Jesus went to the cross knowing our mess perfectly - and giving us the only solution that can bring hope!

 

UPCOMING SERVICES

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

No Bible Study this week – Happy Thanksgiving!

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 on 12/23, or 12/30.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

J.U.I.C.E. ACTIVITY

Saturday, December 5^th

We will be meeting at Gloucester County Community Church at 6:00pm to hear Reggie Dabbs speak. He is a dynamic speaker with a fantastic testimony!  You don't want to miss this; it is sure to be a time of blessing, encouragement, and 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 fifth cycle study sheets are out (11/29) 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

 

APARTMENT FOR RENT

John and Dawn Brazelis know of a 3 bdrm, 1 bath apartment in Glassboro for rent for $1495 per month.  If anyone is looking or knows of someone who could use a place, please contact them for more info (856-226-3032

 

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 – PASTOR MARK'S BOOK CLUB

"Fresh Start" by Doug Fields (Youth Pastor at Saddleback)

 With the new year approaching it's a good time to talk about getting a fresh start. This book examines how we get stuck in our lives and some of the relational steps we can take to get unstuck.  By engaging the Spirit's work, each of us can have a fresh start no matter what we've faced!  I believe it is a book with a ton of hope for anyone who is struggling in their walk. Although he covers some heavy topics, Doug Fields' writes with a light style so it's an easy book to read.

 

 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.

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

Sunday – 1/03/10 

Attention all partners – we need you!  Immediately following the morning worship we will have our annual business meeting.  We need to vote on the budget and officer appointment decisions for the upcoming year.  Your input is valuable.  Please don't miss this.

 

                         

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.

 

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

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. 

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Kara Ott

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Lenny Little & Kara Ott (T)

                              Sharon Sambucci (I)

                              Fran Harkin & Liz Johnson (C)

                              Kid's Christmas Choir Rehearsal (P)

GREETERS:              Rob & Wendy Devereaux

COUNTERS:             Carole Baumiester & Karen Jones

CLEANERS:              Tracey Nelson

TOY CLEANERS:      Anita Little

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                   No Bible Study

 

 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

Erin Sweeney – For the family of Pastor Scheiber, who passed away last week.

Lorraine Otis – For her parent's health.

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 

 

Abundantly Thankful,

Lois

 

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

 

 

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