Hope Notes 4/29/10

Dear Friends of Hope~
Are you looking forward to the little taste of summer we are going to get this weekend? I know I am!  Even if it gets chilly or rainy again next week, we will have that "summer sampler" to hang on to.  That's how it is with God.  He gives us things to hang on to when we are weary or discouraged.  What things?  Well, how about all His promises that can be found in His Word, or recalling what He has done for us in the past, or comfort in the fellowship of believers?  He never leaves us alone in the chilly rain without that promise of warmth to come!

SUNDAY SERMON

5/2 – Prejudice and Pride (Acts 22:21-23:5)

Ideally, we would never make a judgment before we knew all the facts.  We would never let our pride blind us to information we didn't want to hear.  But most of us struggle with this.  It is difficult to be fair minded and humble in a world that is anything but.  However, these qualities can be used to catch us in traps of lies and deception.  As Paul interacts with the crowd that

wants to kill him, we see their prejudice and pride on display – keeping them from hearing the news they desperately need.  If you have been too proud to walk the path you need to – or if you've been premature in making decisions about what is right or wrong to do – take this morning and let God speak to your heart!

CD'S AVAILABLE
Please remember that Sundays 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 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 MAY – 1 JOHN

The apostle John wrote this letter to help his readers stay away from sin.  He tells us that our holy lives testify to our relationship with Christ and that we are to live to please God.  John also assures us that we can be forgiven when we blow it.  In other words, if you're a Christian, your life should show it – but you have a place to turn for help if you mess up.

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

YOUTH HANG OUT – THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, May 2^nd immediately after church until 3:00

This will be a great time of fun and fellowship with friends!  Please bring $3.00 for hoagies/drinks.

LADIES DAY OUT (Hosted by God's Gals Thursday Night Bible Study)

Saturday, May 15

Cost: $30.00 per person

Includes a ticket for Brandywine River Museum (original Wyeth works, and more), and lunch at SpecialTeas Tea Room in Chadds Ford, PA. Leave Hope at 9:00 am, return around 3:00 pm (car pooling)

Signup sheet on back table

HOPE SPRING CAFE

Wednesday, May 19, 7:00 pm (in place of Bible Study)

The café is designed for an evening with our church family to share our talents and enjoy one another.  If you would like to sing, dance, do a magic act, or maybe even just read a special poem then this is the place for you!  We will have tables set up so that we can enjoy a dessert or snack as we chat with each other and take pleasure in the different acts.

Sign up to bring a dessert or a snack, and see Kim Biglin to sign up for the talent portion.  Don't forget to bring a friend or family member to enjoy the evening!

Signup sheets are on the back table.

CAMDEN RIVERSHARKS FAITH & FAMILY NIGHT

Saturday, June 26 @ 5:35 pm

Tickets:  $13.00 each - includes game ticket, hot dog, chips and soda.

Tickets will be on sale at Hope mid-May.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Men's Chip N' Putt and Lunch

WOMEN OF FAITH

September 10 & 11, 2010

Wachovia Center in Philadelphia

MENS FALL RETREAT
September 19, 2010
Lake Champion, NY
Start planning for our fall Men's Retreat. We will have a great time of worship, seminars, and fellowship geared to having our lives Christ centered. We need to register under the same group name in order to lodge at the same building. Sign up online at www.priorityone.org and use Goeggel as the group name.

Cost: Early registration is $195 (postmarked by or registered on-line by June 30th). Middle price period is $215 (by July 31st). After that the cost will be $235. Registration cost includes all on-site sessions, lodging for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and all meals plus use of all facilities. Gift Shop and snack bar will be open periodically at extra cost.
A signup sheet will be located on the back table.

For more information contact Michael Goeggel and/or check online at www.prioityone.org.

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
Our Small Groups have finished for the summer.  We will start them up once again in the fall.  Now is a great opportunity for everyone to connect less formally and enjoy hanging out with their small group at gatherings over the summer, or to invest in some new relationships. Have a barbeque or find something to do together that spurs the connection and relationships that God desires for us to enjoy!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

APRIL GIVING REPORT

Our giving for the month of April averaged $4709 per week which is well above our current target of $3300 and our proposed target (for purchasing the building) of $3500.  This brings our annual average for 2010 to $3659 which is also above both targets.  Thank you for your faithfulness and for your sacrifice!  This is a strong sign that the Lord is opening the door for us to move forward in purchasing the building.  Please pray that the Lord will continue to pour out these resources in abundance at Hope! 

 

RADIO MINISTRY UPDATE 

We are now considering whether God wants us to continue with the radio ministry as well.  That decision will come down to finances and man-power.  We would need to have about $450 per week available and the Lord would need to bring us someone who can oversee that ministry administratively for us to be able to move forward. We have signed on for one more month at the discounted rate. We will continue to trust that the Lord will lead clearly in this decision as He always does when we leave it in His hands!

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

HOPES PANTRY DONATIONS REQUEST – MAY

Thank you for how generous everyone has been in giving to the pantry!

We are looking for pasta sauce, and side dishes like mac & cheese, instant potatoes, rice dishes, etc.  Please remember to check expiration dates. 
See anyone on the Needs Team (Lorraine Otis, Bill Murray, Ken Blythe or Bill Berry) for information. Please be sure to check expiration dates on all items. Thank you!

HCF BOOK CLUB
Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel
This is a phenomenal book with a wonderful outlook on how to parent like God parents us. Its great resource for parents with children of all ages.

THIS WEEKS WORKERS:
SIGN-IN TABLE:          LaTosha Briggs
LAMB'S MINISTRY:     Lenny Little & Kara Ott (T)
                               LaTosha Briggs (I)
                               Kim Lawlor & Erin Sweeny (C)
                               Melissa Angel & Emily Tambucci (1st & 2nd)
                               Anne Owens & Jess St.Petery (3rd 5th)
GREETERS:                   Mike Hartwell & Helen Mastalski
COUNTERS:                  Carole Baumiester & Karen Jones
CLEANERS:                   Jess St.Petery
TOY CLEANERS:          Lenny & Anita Little
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
CHILD CARE:                Judy Gotchall (Infant Kindergarten)
                               Kathleen Toomin  (1st 5th Grade)

HOPES 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

Al Lewis His friend Rob needs the Lords direction & provision with his job situation.

Erin Sweeny Her sister Donna is in the hospital pregnant with twins and experiencing premature labor. Praying for her to make it to full term.
John Salayda For Gods protection as John serves in Iraq and for Gods peace over his family as they await his return.
Radio Program For Gods guidance as we work on making the decision about continuing the radio program or not.
Building For Gods 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

My God is Able!
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.

 

Don't let time wash away our certainty in the promises of God. (M.Ott)