HOPE NOTES - HAPPY EASTER

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Easter and springtime are intertwined for me.  Waiting for all that seems to be "dead" to come to life again is part of springtime. We know the truth; underneath all that brown and scraggly landscape lays fresh, new green life.  As Christians, we also know the Truth; that although our Savior appeared to be "dead", He was very much alive!  It is that promise of life returning that we celebrate every spring and every Easter.

 

SUNDAY SERMON 

4/4 – EASTER – A Wide Open Invitation (Luke 14:15-24)

Have you ever thrown a party?  Most of the time, this process begins with sending out invitations, and deciding WHO will be invited.  Normally, we pick people to invite who we like – or who like us.  It would seem ridiculous to invite those who hate us or are determined to destroy us.  Yet, Easter is a time that reminds us how God invites us all – those who like Him and those who don't – those who are for Him and those who are against Him – to come and find life, peace, rest, and joy.  Just like any good invitation, the host is the One who bears the cost of this event.  He is inviting each of us today to experience the healing and restoration that only He can give.  No matter what your life has been like up to this point, there is hope for you in the story of Easter.

Thief on the Cross

Betrayer

Denier

Fishermen

Tax Collectors

Sinners – women in adultery

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

April 2^nd at 7:00pm COMMUNION

Join us for an evening of reflection and music as we remember together the events of this day in the passion of Jesus.  We will be reading together the story from Scripture and sharing songs that remind us of the great price that our Lord paid for our salvation.  We will also join together in celebrating the Lord's Supper.  Our service will be less than an hour, but it will be the perfect way to kick off the Easter weekend!

 

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 APRIL – 2 CHRONICLES

This book continues a "theological history" of God's people, taking it from the reign of Solomon through the death of King Josiah and to the proclamation to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.  2 Chronicles also gives us several examples of the power of prayer, even in difficult circumstances.

 

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

3rd FRIDAY NIGHT COFFEEHOUSE

Friday April 16^th at 7:30 pm

Mantua United Methodist Church will host Hope Christian Fellowship's Worship Team, opening with "Defined by Grace". Free admission and free refreshments. Come out and join us for a night of worship, praise and fellowship. Directions will be available soon on the back table.

 

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

 

MONTHLY GIVING REPORT

Our giving for March averaged $3617 per week, which brings our annual average to $3336.  It is encouraging to see the consistent stewardship of God's people! Our current target is $3300 - but our proposed target for purchasing the building is $3500.  Remember that we are using April & May as a barometer to see if we can raise our giving to consistently be above the new target so we can move ahead with purchasing the building. If you break it down, it's really not that much extra if everyone just gives a little bit!  Keep praying and see if God leads us to sacrifice a bit so that we can go forward with giving Hope a more permanent home.

 

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.

 

HOPE'S FREEZER IS EMPTY

 If you are willing to make a dish in a freezable throwaway container you can be sure you to bless someone when the need arises!  Please see Lorraine Otis or e-mail at lorraineotis@comcast. You can also see anyone on the Needs Team (Bill Murray, Ken Blythe or Bill Berry) for information.  Food donations are always appreciated as well. 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.  It's great resource for parents with children of all ages.

 

LAWN SIGNS

Please stop by the back of the church and pick up a lawn sign for you yard. This will be a great way to reach out to people in your neighborhood.  You never know who might be looking for a church home!

 

BUMPER STICKERS

These are a great way for people to be introduced to Hope.  Think of all the people you'll reach as your drive, sit at traffic lights, or even when your car is parked somewhere.  But remember…..you are an "advertisement" for Hope, so watch the road rage! J

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS:

SIGN-IN TABLE:       Kim Lawlor

LAMB'S MINISTRY:   Jim & Debbie Bradshaw (T)

                              Helen Mastalski & Katie Ott (I)

                              Tina & Craig Campana (C)

                              Jerry & Sheri Elliot (1^st & 2^nd)

                              Natalie Davis & Justin (3^rd – 5^th)

GREETERS:              Rick Mounce & Pat Roselli

COUNTERS:             LaTosha Briggs & Karen Blythe

CLEANERS:              Helen Mastalski

TOY CLEANERS:      Bill Murray

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

CHILD CARE:                     Linda Landis (Infant – Kindergarten)

                           Lisa Landis (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

Lorraine Otis - For Nancy Jagielski who needs healing from cancer, and peace & strength as she goes through treatment. Also for her faith struggle.

Edward Brazelis - For Ronald Sherman who suffers with severe kidney stones.  For Kathie & Joe Flanagan who suffer from alcoholism.

John Salayda – For God's protection as John serves in Iraq and for God's peace over his family as they await his return.                                

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 

 

 

 

The Tomb is Empty!

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)