Hope Notes 12/30/09 Happy Almost New Year!

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Even though I'm writing this in December, this is still the first official Hope Notes for 2010.  I just can't believe it!  If you can remember back a year ago (I know it's difficult!), it gives you a good block of time to think about what God has done in your life.  I am certain that there will be the times that He blessed you, the times of trial He has walked you through, the areas of growth He has pushed you into(kicking & screaming all the way), and all the ways He has taken care of you.  But, above all that, I know we can give Him thanks and praise for another year of totally undeserved grace and love!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

1/3 – Christ or Chaos (Acts 17:1-15)

Life often seems to be stuck on high speed and filled with chaos!  In our ever-increasingly busy lives, we struggle to find any way to reign in the momentum of our schedules.  But should there be a difference for those who trust Christ?  As we return to our study in the book of Acts, we'll see that there is a major difference between those who are open to God's leading, and those who decide to reject it.  The ones who receive the truth are seen using reason and conversation to continue on their journey.  Those who reject the truth are drawn to violence and chaos.  In fact, the Bible tells us that God is a God of order, not disorder, and a God of peace.  As we begin a new year, we need to allow God to untangle us from the feeling of chaos and wrap us in the rest that His peace brings.

 

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 JANUARY: PSALMS BOOK FIVE 107-150)

The Psalms are a collection of 150 songs and poems written by various authors and divided into five books. They give us a beautiful glimpse of God and His undying love for us. They have provided comfort and encouragement to believers for years. 

 

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 12/30.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

"SOUPER BOWL" SOUP & CHILI COOK-OFF

Sunday, January 31, 2010, 12:15 pm

Everyone

Wear your favorite sports team attire (any sport!)

Folks will vote for their favorite dish

Cook-off Entrants

Guidelines:  Soup or Chili

One entry per person or family, please (either soup or chili, not both)

(Cook-off sign-up sheet will be out Sunday, January 3^rd)

Must bring 15 copies of recipe to place with dish

Please mark crock pot with entry ingredients

Crock pots will be plugged in during service

Prizes awarded!

Other items needed:  breads, salads, kid's menu items. A sign-up sheet will be out Sunday, January 3rd for these items.

 

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 or mail.
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

 

SMALL GROUPS

No new study sheets will be coming out for awhile as we take a break to celebrate the holiday season. 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.

 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING – THIS SUNDAY

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.

 

DEACONS/LEADERSHIP TEAM NOMINEES

The list of nominees is set for Deacon Team and Leadership Team.  Please prayerfully consider God's leading as we prepare for our annual business meeting and vote on appointing these folks to these offices. 

Leadership Team Nominees (need 90% affirmative vote by those partners present at the meeting)

Tom Albright, Bill Berry, Damon Briggs, Bill Murray

Deacon Team Nominees (need 67% affirmative vote by those partners present at the meeting)

Tom Albright, Bill Berry, Damon Briggs, Tony Dariano, Mickey Dariano, Rob Devereaux, Wendy Devereaux, Pat Harkin, Franne Harkin, Brian Rainey, Charlotte Zediker.

 

GREETERS NEEDED

If you are the friendly sort and would like an easy way to serve at Hope, this is for you!  We have a monthly rotating schedule of teams.  See Bill Berry to volunteer.

 

 CHILDREN'S CHURCH NEEDS

Donations of any flat bottomed juice boxes would be greatly appreciated.  You can give them to LaTosha Briggs.

 

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.

                     

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

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS ARE:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Wendy Lynch

                            

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   LaTosha Briggs & Maurice Brazelis (T)

                              Bob & Lisa Mousley (I)

                              Bill McGinness & Isaiah Owens (C)

                              To Be Announced (P)

GREETERS:             Helen Mastalski & Mike Hartwell

COUNTERS:             Karen Blythe & LaTosha Briggs

CLEANERS:             Sissel Salayda

TOY CLEANERS:      To Be Announced

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:          Kathleen Toomin (1-6)

 

 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

 Janet Welsh – Cervical spine surgery on January 7^th.  Please pray for relief from pain, strength, and peace.

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 

 

God is With Us,

Lois

 

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

 

 

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