Hope Notes 01/14/09

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Now that we've gotten into 2010 (are you used to writing '10 yet?) let's do all that we can to make this year one where we make people feel welcome at Hope.  We need to make sure we look around for new faces and go up to them with a heartfelt welcome.  We also need to look around for faces that may have been missing for awhile and have returned.  Let them know we notice that they are back.  And don't forget those familiar faces we see every week; sometimes we tend to let them fade into the woodwork because they are such a familiar sight.  But they like to be noticed too!

 

SUNDAY SERMON

 1/17 – Open to Anything (Acts 17:16-34)

In today's world, it seems that the most celebrated quality is "open-mindedness".  Upon closer examination, this is really not a very truthful description.  Open-minded seems more and more to mean that certain ideas and behaviors that were once rejected are now accepted.  However, if you have other ideas or behaviors that don't fit this mold, you are "closed-minded".  A truly open person will seek the truth, no matter what it is.  In Acts, Paul finds himself in Athens with a group of people who love to intellectually explore possibilities.  Paul uses this openness to bring them the truth.  Some prove themselves to truly be open by receiving the truth – while others find the truth interesting, but not compelling.  If our world truly is "open-minded" – why don't we (like Paul) just take them the truth?

 

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.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

YOUTH GROUP - NEW DAY AND TIME

Our Youth Group (J.U.I.C.E.) will now be meeting on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 beginning January 13^th.  Note that this coincides with Bible Study.  This is a great mid-week touch point for our youth – a spiritual "shot in the arm" to get them through the week.  Please make every effort to get your kids here; you won't regret it!   

 

"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

Our newest set of study sheets are out; pick one up and get ready to rejoin your Small Group!  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

 

MISSIONARY UPDATE

Our missionary from Guatemala, Lauren Pupchick, visited us last Sunday.  The following is the thank you note she sent to us:

Hi Pastor Mark,

Thanks again for allowing me to share at church today. Please let the church family know I am ever grateful to them for being used of God to meet my financial needs. I received $2048 today!!!!  What a mighty God we serve. Please tell them thank you for being a part of a miracle in my life today.

Your Sister in Jesus Christ,

Lauren

NEEDS TEAM

We have a list of families who are in need of meals.  If you are able to make a meal, simply contact someone on the Needs Team, let them know you will make a meal, and tell them what day would be most convenient for you. At this point you may be asked to contact the family directly to set up a drop-off time.

Meals are Needed For:
Naidonna & Brian Ott & family
Janet Welsh
Karla & Brad Hopkins
Needs Team:

Bill Murray, Lorraine Otis, Ken Blythe

FOOD PANTRY

Just one week left to take advantage of Shop Rite's semi-annual Can-Can sale and stock up on canned soups, veggies, and meats for the pantry!

 

CHILDREN'S CHURCH HELP NEEDED

The Infants & Toddlers classes are in desperate need of teachers and helpers.  They recently lost five people and that puts a big vacancy in their schedule.  Let's all pitch in and give a little bit of time to help this ministry; we don't want to leave few people doing much work!

 

 CHILDREN'S CHURCH NEEDS

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

 

 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.

 

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.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Kim Lawlor                            

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   To Be Announced (T)

                              Helen Mastalski (I)

                              Lisa & Linda Landis (C)

                              To Be Announced (P)

GREETERS:             Helen Mastalski & Mike Hartwell

COUNTERS:             To Be Announced

CLEANERS:             Helen Mastalski

TOY CLEANERS:      To Be Announced

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:          Pamala Fein

 

 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

Lisa & Bob Mousley – For comfort as they grieve the loss of Lisa's mom, Toni Zimmerman, who went home to be with the Lord this week.

 Janet Welsh - Please pray for relief from pain, strength, and peace as she goes through a long & difficult recovery from cervical spine surgery.

Youth Group – For the Lord's direction and guidance.  For our young people to make it a priority to come.

Building – For God to continue opening/closing doors as we seek to establish a permanent home for Hope.

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 

 

Created by Him,

Lois

The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you. (Unknown)

 

 

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