Hope Notes 12/03/09

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I can't believe the Christmas season is upon us already.  There will be so many things to look forward to at Hope to put us in the spirit. And by "the spirit" I don't just mean the holly jolly cookie baking, gift buying, decorating frenzy many people fall prey to.  We get enough of that in the world around us every day!  While we do have some of that here at Hope, we also focus on the spiritual side of Christmas.  What it means to us to have the God of the universe step down onto this earth as a tiny baby born in a manger. Come and listen to the messages and the music of Christmas!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

12/6 – Mary's Visitor (Luke 1:26-38)

What type of person does God use to do amazing things? We picture someone who has it all together and has figured out who they are and how they will live.  Our natural tendency is to imagine a person with a healthy sense of self-worth and a shining testimony.  But God shows us in the stories of the Bible that He chooses to use regular ordinary people.  He sees the ones no one else would choose – He sees their weakness and brokenness and all the mess of their life – and He decides to do powerful and fantastic things through those people!  As we look at the life of Mary, we'll see that she had no expectation for God to use her in such an unbelievable way.  Yet God chose this young teenager to be the mother of the Messiah – God's Son, Jesus!

 

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 DECEMBER – JOEL & AMOS

Joel had something to say about judgment on the people of Israel for their halfhearted attitude about God.  But he also had a lot to say about the blessings God wants to bring to those who repent and serve God with everything they have.

Amos warned that, as God's chosen people, Israel faced more certain judgment than their pagan neighbors simply because they were called to live by a higher standard.  Yet Amos also spoke of hope when he prophesied a future restoration for the people of Israel.

 

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 on 12/23, or 12/30.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

J.U.I.C.E. ACTIVITY – THIS SATURDAY

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

 

NEW FEATURE – HCF 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 

 

DECORATE HOPE FOR CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 5^th 9:00am – 12:00

Join the deacons as they decorate the church building for Christmas! If you have any Christmas decorations you are not using, consider giving them to Hope (or even just to borrow for this season).  We have a lot more building to decorate this year (entrance, hallways). This is a great time to get involved and to meet others from Hope!

 

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.

We are excited about our Kid's Christmas Program coming up on Dec. 20th during our morning service! If your children are involved in this program please be sure that they are at the upcoming dress rehearsals.  Since it will be the only time they are able to practice on the "big stage", these practices are extremely helpful and important! If you have any questions, please see Dana Ott.

 

Elementary Class (1st-6th Grade) Wednesday, December 16th at 7:00pm

Toddler/Preschool Class (3-5yr olds) Saturday, December 19th at 10:30 - 11:15am -  

Elementary Class (Final Dress Rehearsal)

Saturday, December 19th at 11:30am - 1:00pm -

 

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:       LaTosha Briggs

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

                         Sharon Sambucci (I)

                              Fran Harkin & Liz Johnson (C)

                              Kid's Christmas Choir Rehearsal (P)

GREETERS:              Karen Blythe & Dorothy Haines

COUNTERS:             Carole Baumiester & Karen Jones

CLEANERS:              Lillian LaRue

TOY CLEANERS:  Melissa McGinness

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

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

Lorraine Otis – For her mom Mary's peace and comfort as she grieves the loss of her husband.  Also for her whole family.

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 

 

Reaching for the Hem of His Garment,

Lois

 

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

 

 

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