Hope Notes 1/21/10

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

An unsolicited shout-out for Wednesday night Bible Study……..

Adding to the great testimony that Karen gave on Sunday, I would just like to say how wonderful it has been to see Wednesday nights packed out for Bible Study.  Even though it's cold, it's the end of the day, it's quite the drive (for some), and there are lots of other things pulling at us to stay home – we are there.  And God meets us there as well.  If you've ever thought that the Old Testament was dry, come on out and see how alive and relevant it is!

 

SUNDAY SERMON 

1/24 – An Adventure with God (Acts 18:1-17)

So what exactly is the difference between an adventure and an ordeal?  Many of the same elements are associated with both ideas.  Certainly, if given the choice, we'd all choose the adventure instead of the ordeal!  But do we have that choice?  In essence, the difference between the two experiences is the outlook of the person on the journey.  A person on an adventure embraces the uncertainty and the twists and turns, believing that the whole experience is worth it.  As we continue in Acts, we'll see that Paul is on an adventure with God.  He could have looked at his circumstances and been weary and worn from all the uncertainty, but in the story we'll see today, we can understand that his outlook of faith was well founded

 

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!

 

YOUTH GROUP ICE SKATING – THIS SUNDAY!   

This Sunday, Jan. 24th, we will be meeting after church for pizza and then going ice skating at Hollydell Ice Arena (601 Hollydell Drive, Sewell, NJ 08080; 856-589-5599). Cost is $14 ($9 for skating and $5 for lunch). Parents, please pick your kids up at the skate arena by 2:45pm. Any questions, please contact Chris M. at (856) 745-0522 or cbmulder@comcast.net.

 

"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.

 

YOUTH GROUP HANG TIME

Sunday February 7^th

12:00 – 3:00 pm

Come on out and hang with us at Norm Angel's house!

 5 Hunters Creek Circle, Mullica Hill

 

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

 

NEEDS TEAM MEAL MAKERS

The Needs Team is looking to compile a list of those who would be willing to make the occasional meal for families in situations where the delivery of a prepared dinner would be a tremendous blessing.  Just see Lorraine Otis or contact her at lorraineotis@comcast.net or call at 686-1557. You will be contacted to see if you are available when a need arises.  Meals can also be made at anytime as well and put in the pantry freezer. Just see anyone on the Needs Team (Bill Murray, Ken Blythe & Lorraine).

 

 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:   John & Dawn Brazelis (T)

                              Matt & Jenn Headley (I)

                              Tina & Craig Campana (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:          Denise Brion

 

 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.

 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 

 

He is our Healer,

Lois

 

 

 

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

 

 

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