Hope Notes 9/16/10

Dear Friends of Hope~

We've added a new section to Hope Notes right before the Announcements titled "Youth Announcements".  Praise God that we have so many things going on for our youth that we need a whole section just for them! This should make it easier for parents and kids to find out at a glance what's going on.  We are so thankful for Chris and Steph Mulder and all those who help with our Jr. & Sr. High kids. After looking over their activities, I've decided I really want to be a "youth"!!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

CORE VALUES SERIES

Each week through the end of October, we'll be revisiting the core values of our church.  These are characteristics of this particular church that we believe are vital to pursuing our mission of "Sharing God's Redeeming Work with Everyone We Can"!  For us to be an effective team, we all need to be on the same page about these core values, so let's take some time and let God draw us together for His Kingdom!

 

9/19 – SACRIFICE - COMMUNION

Matthew 16:21-26

What are you willing to sacrifice?  That is a hard question for each of us.  In our world today, we put the label "sacrifice" on so many convenient gifts or token actions. But the idea of sacrifice is one where giving costs us dearly – so dearly that our hearts scream "NO!"  So what are you willing to sacrifice? Or more importantly, what would motivate you to sacrifice?  Jesus shows us His heart by heading toward a costly gift fully aware of the enormous personal price.  As He shares this with His disciples, they react just like we do to the concept: "How can we avoid that cost?"  But Jesus says that sacrifice is not just for Him, but for everyone who wants to follow Him.  At Hope, the success of our ministry for the Kingdom of God will depend on each person's willingness to lay it all on the line for the cause of Jesus Christ.

 
CD'S AVAILABLE
Did you know 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.

 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 SEPTEMBER – JEREMIAH

Jeremiah gave some of the strongest warnings in the Bible to the leaders of Israel, telling them to return to God's ways or face horrible judgment.  He predicted both the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jews' seventy years of captivity.  Yet he also prophesied the restoration of the Israelites to their homeland.  Jeremiah understood how hard it can be to stand for what is right.  This book is an encouragement to persevere, even if what we have to say to our friends, family, and authorities about God isn't popular.

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.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT KIDS PROGRAM

Running from 7:00 – 8:15

We are starting up our program for 2-3yr olds and 4-5 yr olds.  The classes will meet in the same rooms as those age groups meet on Sundays.  We are thrilled in taking this step forward for our children. However, in order to do this, we need one teacher and one helper for the 2 and 3 year old class.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Jennifer Winstel at 782-7798.

 Soon, our elementary children will begin practicing their Christmas program on Wed nights during the same period.  Then, in January, we'll add a program for that age group on Wed nights.  We'll need some more teachers and helpers once we get to January (for all age groups) so please pray about being a part of what God is doing for our kids at Hope!

 

WOMEN'S PRAYER GROUP

 1st and 3rd Monday of each month, starting Monday, October 4 @  7:00 pm in the Prayer Room at Church.  All women are invited!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

LADIES MAKE & TAKE CRAFT NIGHT

Thursday, October 21 @ 7:00-9:00 pm at Hope

Make 3 hand-stamped/ decorated greeting cards.  All materials will be provided.

Please sign up on the back table so that the materials can be purchased and prepared.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Potluck Dinner After Service

Sunday, November 7 

 A Thanksgiving theme – details to come!

Sign-up sheet will be posted in October.

 

Christmas Party/Cafe

Wednesday, December 8, 7:00 pm (in place of Bible study)

Singers, poetry readers, story tellers, actors, any talent, wanted!  Watch for sign up info to come.

 

YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS - ROOTED

"But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water." Jeremiah 17:7-8

 

YOUTH GROUP
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.

 

JUNIOR HIGH – FUNPLEX TRIP

 Saturday, Sept. 25th

1:00 – 6:00 pm

Cost $12

Don't miss this!  We will meet at church at 1:00 and head out to FunPlex in Mt. Laurel for an afternoon of "Extreme Fun".  Cost includes unlimited Go-Karts, Laser Tag, Bumper Cars, Foam Frenzy & Motion Simulator, Free Fall, Mini Golf, Tilt A Whirl, Kiddie Go- Karts, Bumper Boats, and Outdoor Grand Prix Go-Karts. Help with transportation would be greatly appreciated!

For more info, contact Steph Mulder at (856) 745-0932 or check out http://www.funplexmountlaurel.com

 

SR. HIGH BONFIRE 

Saturday, October 16th from 6:00 – 10:00

We will be roasting hot dogs & marshmallows AND watching an outside movie "To Save a Life" at the Mulder's home in Williamstown.

 

HOAGIE SCAVENGER HUNT

Saturday, November 13^th

Meet at church at 5:00 pm

Who can make the best hoagies?  After we go on a scavenger hunt for all the hoagie fixings, we'll come back to church for judging and declaring a winner!  Of course, then we will hang out and EAT the hoagies!

We need families close to church to open their house for a short visit by youth to pick up pieces of hoagies. We also need a few extra drivers to escort the kids from house to house. Please contact Steph Mulder at (856) 745-0932.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

AUTUMN CLEAN UP

Saturday, October 16^th from 10:00 – 12:00

We will be cleaning and thinning out the beds in front of the building.  We will be splitting the tall grasses – if you are interested in having any, just bring a bucket to take some home with you. 

If you can come and help, please bring gloves, rakes, and lots of energy!

 

MOVING/YARD SALE

Saturday, September 18^th from 9:00 – 12:00

Dave & Debby Bolser are leaving us to move to North Carolina. They need to clear their home and have lots of nice furniture available: Sofa bed, 2 wingback chairs, entertainment center, coffee table, wall cabinet, recliner, kitchen table with two leaves and 4 chairs, antique desk circa 1920's) and lots more.  Some furniture will not be able to be picked up until early October.

 

NURSERY NEED

 We need 5 adults and 4 teens from the youth group to maintain a 12 week rotation of 2 weeks on and 10 weeks off on Sunday mornings. Please note that anyone wishing to serve must have a background check done by the church before they can serve. If you are interested, please see Brian or Naidona Ott.

HCF DIRECTORY

 It's time to update our directory! Fill out the sheets on the back table if you would like to be included in the new edition or if your information has changed. Photos will be taken starting September 19^th.

 

 FOOD PANTRY NEEDS – SEPTEMBER

Now that school and all the craziness that goes with it (sports, meetings, etc) has started, how about donating some items for Easy Dinners for Busy Moms?  We do have plenty of soup but other non-perishables like Hamburger Helper, canned tuna, chili, or stews, pork & beans, Spaghetti-O's….you get the idea!  Anything you can do is greatly appreciated.

 

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

 

GREEN THUMBS/EYES NEEDED

Have an eye for landscape design?  We need some help in planning our front planting beds for next year.  We have to decide which plants should stay/go and what looks good where!  Here's your chance to be creative and help make the entrance to Hope look inviting as well.  Contact Glenn Johnson at liznglenn@verizon.net.

 

NOTICE TO PARTNERS

We will be presenting an amendment to our constitution to make the anticipated transition to elders as the leadership of our church.  Hopefully, we'll have that done and presented sometime in the fall.  So we are asking everyone to pray with us as we put down in words what we believe is God's direction for our ministry.  Also, we will be presenting some projects (and the associated costs) that we'd like to undertake in the building now that we own it.  Please pray for God's leading as we consider what to do and when to do it!

HELP NEEDED FOR PRIMARY CLASS

We are in need of a teacher for the 1^st & 2^nd grade class and one helper for the 3^rd-5^th grade class.  Please see Anita Little if you can help.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
SIGN-IN TABLE:          LaTosha Briggs
LAMB'S MINISTRY:     Jim & Debbie Bradshaw                (T)
                               Helen Mastalski & Chris Rainey      (I)
                               Bill McGinness & Isaiah Owens      (C)
                               Melissa Angel                              (1st & 2nd)
                               Kim Biglin & Kerry Crowley           (3^rd- 5^th)
GREETERS:                   Rob & Wendy Devereaux

                               Helen Mastalski & Mickey Dariano
COUNTERS:                  Melissa McGinness & Kathleen Toomin
CLEANERS:                   Jess St.Petery
TOY CLEANERS:         Bill Murray
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 -  Dave is having surgery 9/22 and Debby is having surgery 9/30.  Also for their upcoming move.

 

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

Forgiven,
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.

 

 

IF FEAR COMES KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR, SEND FAITH TO ANSWER IT!