Hope Notes 02/04/10

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

"Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…" Isaiah 1:18  That's the verse that keeps coming to mind as I look out at all this snow we've been having.  The snow can be blindingly white; is that how clean we are in God's sight?  And what about the dirty mess that's under the snow?  You know how it looks when it starts to melt; all brown and yucky.  I know that God has washed me clean.  I think the dirty mess is there simply as a reminder to me of how my flesh continues to dirty up my life and to keep me striving to live the way God already sees me.

 

SUNDAY SERMON 

2/7 – The Holy Spirit in Believers (Acts 19:1-7)

We hear so much discussion about the Holy Spirit today in the church.  It can get confusing! What does it mean to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit?  When do we "receive" the Holy Spirit?  In this story, we will see that Paul came across some believers who had not yet received the Holy Spirit.  There is a specific reason for this, and we can learn from this story some foundational truths about the Holy Spirit and His work in each of us as well as the teaching from Scripture on how He is at work today in the church.

 

CD'S AVAILABLE

Please remember that Sunday's worship service is available on CD immediately following the service for FREE!  Pick up a copy for yourself or for anyone you would like 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. If you would like to participate, just show up!  Contact Jim Bradshaw at

spaceheadjim@yahoo.com with any questions.

 

BIBLE READING FOR FEBRUARY – MARK

The Gospel of Mark pictures for us the Son of God in all His power – complete with nineteen miracles – but also paint a very human portrait of the Savior.  We see that Jesus deeply felt human emotions:  disappointment, weariness, wonder, affection.  We also see Jesus as a servant, both of His heavenly Father and of the people around Him.

 

 

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

 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 HANG TIME – THIS SUNDAY

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.
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

 

JANUARY GIVING REPORT

For the month of January, we averaged $2989 per week.  Our target for 2010 is $3300 per week.  Please pray that the Lord will allow us to meet and exceed our goal for this year so that we can continue to minister effectively and to grow as God as planned!  If you haven't made a personal decision to give to the church that you attend, please take some time to seek the Lord in prayer and come to some commitment on what God would have you sacrifice to give in support of His work!

 

SOUPER BOWL SOUP & CHILI COOK OFF WINNERS!

Chili – Anne Owens

Soup – Dana Ott

Congratulations, ladies!  Get ready to share those recipes!

Thanks to all who participated; it was a really fun time.

 

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).

 

NEW FEATURE – HCF BOOK CLUB

"Healing is a Choice" – Steve Arterburn

This is a wonderful book about the ten choices we can make to find true and deep healing from the wounds of life and the ten lies that stop us from making these choices.  Steve Arterburn also wrote "Every Man's Battle" and is the found of Women of Faith.  He runs New Life Ministries and has touched the lives of countless hurting people.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Kylie Ott

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

                              LaTosha Briggs & Judy Gotshall (I)

                              Fran Harkin & Liz Johnson (C)

                              Joe & Lisa Anyzek (1^st & 2^nd)

                            Kathleen Toomin (3^rd – 5^th)

GREETERS:             Lillian LaRue & Charlotte Zediker

COUNTERS:            Melissa McGinness & Kathleen Toomin

CLEANERS:             Kathleen Toomin

TOY CLEANERS:      Ken & Karen Blythe (February)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:          Linda Landis

 

 HOPE'S PRAYER TEAM
If you have a prayer request, just drop it 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, 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

Helen Mastalski – God's protection for her family. 

Lisa Anyzek - Unspoken

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 

 

God is Able,

Lois

 

Note:  If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list. Any correspondence for Hope Notes goes to foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com.

 

 

Don't expect creation to give you what only the Creator can.

                                                                                M.Ott