Hope Notes 9/2/2010

 

Dear Friends of Hope~

I know January is considered to be the start of the new year, but for many people September and back-to-school is the true beginning.  This week marks the launch of a whole new year for many children, teachers, and parents.  New faces, new challenges, and new opportunities to reach out to others in the name of Jesus.  Let's remember to pray for all those who are going off to school, whether this be their first year in kindergarten or their final year of college!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

9/5 – At a Standstill (Acts 28:30-31)

Some of the most frustrating times in our lives are the times where we are just waiting.  We all are (to some degree) people who want results.  Especially the results that fit our plans!!  But being a believer often calls for us to be patient.  As we close our study in the book of Acts, we see Paul faced this type of zone in his life as well.  He sat for two years at a standstill.  And we'll see that he is not the only character in Scripture who had to wait.   A huge step in our spiritual growth is learning how to wait when we don't want to and growing in our trust in God's timing in our lives.

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.

 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.

 

YOUTH GROUP (ROOTED)
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.

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!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

SENIOR HIGH – REVGEN – THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, Sept. 5^th

Sr. High will meet and the church and be LEAVING at 9:00 AM for Frenchtown, NJ to attend RevGen 2010. Gates open at 11:00 and concerts start at 1:00. Please bring money for lunch and dinner or pack food to leave in the car. For more info, please contact Steph Mulder at (856) 745-0932 or check out www.revgen.org.

 

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.

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

GET READY FOR SMALL GROUPS

Sunday, September 12^th will be our Small Group kickoff day.  We'll be doing them the same way as last year, so please continue to pray and think of who God may be laying on your heart to reach out to and put together a good mix of people.  You don't need to have anything "set" before the kickoff; this is just a reminder of what's ahead.

 
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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

URGENT REQUEST

Studio, small apartment, or room for rent in the nearby area needed by October.  Hoping to keep the monthly rental at no more than $500/mo.  Please contact Donnamarie Manall at 856-628-0511 if you know of anything available. 

 

GIVING UPDATE

 We averaged $4522 per week in the month of August.  Year to date, we are averaging $3843 per week, which is above our annual target of $3500 per week. We thank the Lord for His provision, and for the generosity and faithfulness of His people.  In the next year, we will definitely have a need to increase our target to fulfill God's call for us as a ministry, so it is very encouraging that the Lord is moving on everyone's hearts to begin moving that direction already.  Please continue to prayerfully and sacrificially give as God prompts so that we can be an amazing part of God's redeeming work!

 

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.

 

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!

 

RIVER SHARKS TICKETS

Please help us to not have to "eat" the cost of these tickets!  How about purchasing some for a fun night with your family?

There are 18 River Sharks baseball ticket vouchers available, good for any game during their regular season (until mid-September), $13.00 each (includes ticket and food voucher).  First come, first served.  A great family evening to enjoy baseball – every seat is a good one!  See Liz Johnson to purchase.

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:          Kylie Ott
LAMB'S MINISTRY:     Patty Tomasetti & Maurice Brazelis    (T)
                               Karla & Brad Hopkins & Katie Ott       (I)
                               Kim Lawlor & Erin Sweeney              (C)
                               Kathleen Toomin & Janet Welsh        (1st & 2nd)
                               Anne Owens                                   (3^rd- 5^th )
GREETERS:                   Rob & Wendy Devereaux

                               Helen Mastalski & Mickey Dariano
COUNTERS:                  Carole Baumiester & Karen Jones
CLEANERS:                   Kathleen Toomin
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

Cheryl Stoothoff:

 Gia Vega - 20 years old. Diagnosed with leukemia in Dec. 2009. Going through intense chemo tests and treatments. That God gives her strength and courage to endure and grants her complete healing.
Virginia Stoothoff- to find a good job suited for her. She's been out of work for 2 months.
Charles Hardin - newly diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, liver cancer and pelvis. Chemo causing painful side effects. Blessing to him and his family. For God's will, comfort, peace and no suffering.

 

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

Overwhelmed by a Relentless God,
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!