Hope Notes 03/04/10

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

We sure are growing at Hope! More seats are being filled, more children are walking by on their way out to Children's Church, more youth are filling up the center seats, and Wednesday night Bible study has lots of new faces!  This is all a wonderful thing and yet it presents the problem of trying to keep up with getting to know everyone.  We're big on being a family here at Hope; let's make every effort to welcome into "the fold" those new faces we are seeing!

 

SUNDAY SERMON 

3/7 – Earthly Realities in Eternal Work (Acts 20:1-12)

It would be nice if living for the Lord washed away the harsh realities of this life.  But of course, it does not.  We are faced with the challenge of trying to keep eternity in focus while constantly being distracted by the issues of this life.   If living in a monastery is not an option for you, then looking at the life of Paul should be an encouragement that it isn't necessary to disconnect from the world in order to serve the Lord.  Sure, there are details of this life that we will have to deal with – but ultimately, even in those regular, normal life struggles, we can be seeing God accomplish His unbelievable, eternal work in our lives!

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

April 2^nd at 7:00 pm

Please join us for this special service.  It will be a time of Scripture, music and communion together as a church body.

 

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 MARCH – 1^ST CHRONICLES

If you crave history about God's people, this is the book for you!  It was written after the Exile when Jews were allowed to return home from Babylon. The unknown writer (many think that Ezra the scribe was involved) wanted his people to understand why such hard times had overtaken them, so he used history to show how their forefathers' lack of faith in God led to disaster.  The book makes many crucial points regarding the sovereignty of God and how He oversees the order of history so that His will is done.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

 7:00 – 8:15pm

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

 

BOWLING NIGHT

Sunday, March 14 

5:00-7:00pm

Brunswick Zone, Deptford NJ

$8.00 per person, includes 2 hours bowling, shoe rental, pizza, soda, and the greatest fellowship money can't buy!

Please sign up on the back table at church.

 

PASSOVER SEDER

Friday March 19^th 7:30

Our friends at the synagogue have invited us to join them for a model Passover Seder which begins at 7:30. They have also invited us to join them for a Sabbath service immediately before at 7:00 pm in the chapel.  Everyone is welcome to attend one or both services.  We would like to get an idea of how many to plan for, so please sign up right away in order for us to set up enough tables and have enough food for everyone to participate.

 

SOFTBALL SIGN UP

Open to Men and Women.

Season starts in Mid April.

Must be 15 years old before the end of the season (Mid-July) to play.

Competitive, 15-Team League. Games played on week nights (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays).

Signup sheet on back table.

Get the old glove and cleats out and join in the fun!

See Lenny Little for details:

 609-634-9132 littlemanlenny@yahoo.com

 

YOUTH GROUP (J.U.I.C.E.)

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!

 

SMALL GROUPS

Study sheets are always 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

 

GIVING REPORT

The giving for February was $3489 per week, which exceeds our target of $3300 per week.  However, YTD we are averaging $3211 per week, which is just slightly behind where we want to be.  We are thankful for the sacrifice and faithfulness of everyone - especially with all the weather related issues in these first two months.  We have big challenges ahead with the building opportunity and the radio program, so we are asking God to provide even beyond our target for this year!

 

BABY BOTTLES

Please remember to pick up a baby bottle and fill it with your spare change.  Those nickels, dimes, and quarters really add up! 

Choices of the Heart will use every bit of it to help their ministry. The filled bottles should be returned by March 7^th.  See Wendy Devereaux with any questions.

 

HELP NEEDED FOR PRIMARY CLASS

We need of a teacher for the 1^st & 2^nd grade class as well as the 3^rd-5^th grade class.  Helpers are needed for both classes. Please see Anita Little if you would like to help.

 

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).

 

 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:       Denise Brion

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Chris & Stephanie Mulder (T)

                              Dwight & Becky Lein (I)

                              Bill McGinness & Isaiah Owens (C)

                              Anita Little & Joel Tambucci (1^st & 2^nd)

                              Kim Biglin & Kerry Crowley (3^rd – 5^th)

GREETERS:             Rob & Wendy Devereaux

COUNTERS:            Jeff Toomin & Ken Blythe

CLEANERS:             Charlotte Zediker

TOY CLEANERS:      Briggs (March)

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                    Sissel Salayda (Infant – Kindergarten)

                              Melissa Angel (1^st – 5^th Grade)

 

 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

Radio Program – For God's guidance as we work on making the decision about continuing the radio program or not.

Building – For God's direction and clarity of leading as we explore the options in establishing a permanent home for 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 

 

 

Ready to Serve,

Lois

foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com

 

 

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.

 

 

Faith is a moment by moment decision.  (M.Ott)