hope notes 7/1/10

Dear Friends of Hope~

Doesn't the 4^th of July seem like such a perfect summer holiday? There are picnics, swimming, parades, and fireworks.  To me it seems like the beginning of summer, but the sales person at Wal-Mart told me that the back-to-school supplies come out the following week.  What?!?  Why are we always rushing things and getting ahead of ourselves?  Even more important, why are we always rushing God to hurry up and fix things or letting ourselves get ahead of Him on the path of our lives?  Things go so much better when we let Him work in His time and follow Him instead of running ahead.  Now, if we could only get Wal-Mart to step back and hold off putting out those school supplies till maybe…..August??

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

7/4 – 4^th of July

Freedom Forever (John 8:34-38)

We live in a nation that proclaims freedom.  Today, we celebrate the birth of this country by the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  But is the freedom we celebrate and discuss in America true freedom?  It certainly seems like the global standard, but Jesus speaks of freedom in a different way.  His description of TRUE freedom is what comes from "the Son".  What type of freedom makes us "free indeed"?  Jesus tells us that genuine freedom sets us free from sin, from deception and lies, and from death itself.  Are you free indeed?

 

UPCOMING TEEN SERVICE

August 8^th

Get ready for an extra special blessing as our teens take over the service!  A worship service that is youth driven and directed gives us a fresh glimpse into the hearts of our teens.  "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1Tim 4:12

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 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 JULY – MICAH & NAHUM

The prophet Micah condemned the sins of idolatry, witchcraft, dishonesty, corruption, and treachery.  He offered hope for a repentant people when he prophesied of the establishment of a righteous kingdom, the coming of the Messiah, the restoration of Israel, and the victory of God's will over every opponent.

Nahum predicts the destruction of Nineveh.  Sadly, the repentant residents of Nineveh didn't stay repentant very long, and soon fell back into all kinds of sin, including the brutal plunder of some of their neighbors.  The book of Nahum assures God's people that He will repay those who persecute or harm His people – but in His own way and in His own time.

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

MEN'S CHIP N' PUTT & LUNCH

Saturday July 10^th 11:00 am Tee Time at the Golf Farm in Voorhees.

Cost: $15.00 per person-includes lunch immediately following the chip & putt!

Bring your own clubs (chipper and putter) or clubs will be provided. Teen boys 7^th grade and up are welcome to join the men!

Signup sheet on the back table. See Tom Albright with any questions.

 

HOPE'S ANNUAL PICNIC – MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW!

Sunday July 18^th Noon – 5:00pm

We're having our annual picnic right here on the church grounds.  You won't want to miss this!  There'll be plenty of food, fellowship, games, and a Moon Bounce for the kids!  We are in need of side dishes, desserts, canopies and tarps, coolers, and of course – helpers!

Please sign up on the back table to let us know who is coming and what you can bring/do to help.

SPECIAL NEED:  We are in need of a large tent to be used for the picnic July 17 & 18.  If anyone has one or knows a contact person, please tell Glenn Johnson.

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. 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!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

JUNE GIVING REPORT

We averaged $3867 per week for the month of June.  This does not include a special gift from a family to sponsor the "Reaching the Heart" radio program for the month of July.  This average is well above our new budget number of $3500 per week.  Our annual average giving per week to date is $3770.  Praise the Lord for His provision for our ministry and a special thank you to everyone who remains committed to sacrifice and give as God leads!

 

CLOSING SCHEDULED

We are scheduled to go to closing on the purchase of our building at 9:30am Thursday, July 1^st.  Please keep us all in prayer as we take this step of faith on the path our Lord has put us on!

 

HOPE'S LIST CLASSIFIEDS

Be sure to pick up this month's classified ads!  Listing sheets for next month are available on the back table.  Listings are for one month unless renewed.  New listings are due the last Sunday of each month.  See Wendy Devereaux with any questions.

 

SAINTS PRISON MINISTRY

The Saints traveling softball ministry is in full swing again!  Their big crusade to Michigan begins in mid-July.  This ministry shares the love of Christ and gives the Gospel message to prisoners across the nation through something as simple as a ball game!  Our own Bill McGinness is once again giving his time to work with SPM.  He needs to raise $950 in support as quickly as possible.  If you feel led to give, just make a check payable to Bill and drop it in the offering box. 

 

WINDOW A/C UNIT NEEDED

If anyone has a 12,000-18,000BTU window air conditioner they would be willing to donate, it would be a tremendous help.  It would allow us to move some units around and cool all the classrooms effectively.  Please see Brian Ott if you can help!

 

RADIO MINISTRY UPDATE

We are going month by month at this point, trusting the Lord to provide the financial support and the manpower to produce the show.  We are scheduled to end our show at the end of July, so we're going to be putting out a short ad at the end of the program to ask people to go to the website for a special announcement or update on the status of "Reaching the Heart".  On our website, we will share with our listeners that we are in need of financial support to continue running the program and that without it, we will be finishing our show at the end of July.  As we said before, we need $450 per week to offset the costs of air time and production.  For now, unless the Lord provides through someone at Hope or through someone in our listening audience, we'll be done airing shows at the end of July.

HELP NEEDED FOR PRIMARY CLASS

Praise God we now have enough teachers!  We only need one helper for the 3^rd-5^th grade class.  Please see Anita Little if you can help..

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEEDS

·         We are in need of a teacher in the Toddler class.

·         Our juice boxes are all gone!  Between Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, they just fly out of here!  Donations of juice boxes would be greatly appreciated.

See Franne Harkin if you can help with either of the above.

HOPES PANTRY DONATIONS REQUEST – JULY

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

This month is an easy one – how about some boxed puddings and dessert mixes?  Instant or Cook n Serve.

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

Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Marriages are under constant attack by our enemy who would love to confuse us and make us feel alone and frustrated in our relationships.  Dr Eggerichs does a fantastic job of explaining some of the basic needs of husbands and wives and how they create misunderstanding and confusion.  Men, if you've ever been confused by what your wife wants, this is the book for you!  Ladies, if you've ever wondered why you can't get through to your husband, you need to read this book!  Learning these truths and living them out will transform your marriage into the wonderful relationship God intended for you when you fell in love!

 

LAWN SIGNS

Please stop by the back of the church and pick up a lawn sign for your yard. This is a good 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 WEEKS WORKERS:
SIGN-IN TABLE:          LaTosha Briggs
LAMB'S MINISTRY:     Jim & Debbie Bradshaw        (T)
                               Helen Mastalski & Katie Ott   (I)
                               Franne Harkin & Liz Johnson (C)
                               Anita Little                          (1st & 2nd)
                               Anne Owens                        (3^rd- 5^th )
GREETERS:                   Mike Hartwell & Helen Mastalski
COUNTERS:                  Karen Jones & Carole Baumiester
CLEANERS:                   Jess St.Petery
TOY CLEANERS:         Karen & Ken Blythe
WEDNESDAY NIGHT
CHILD CARE:            TBA                               (Infant Kindergarten) 
                               TBA                               (1^st thru 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 9:15 on Sunday mornings whether they are on the team or not.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Dave & Debby Bolser – For their house to sell. For Debby's brother Ed, who has a chronic and extremely painful condition with his veins.  His recent surgery did nothing to help and he is discouraged, depressed, and in pain.

Ed Brazelis – For Cathy Fox who has Stage 4 brain cancer and for Tom Magnum who has throat cancer.
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

Free from My Chains,
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 the wind of your emotions blow you off course from where God wants you to be.  (M.Ott)