Hope Notes 9/30/10

Dear Friends of Hope~

In putting together this week's Hope Notes, I realized how much our church depends on teamwork. I don't know why it never really "clicked" with me before, but we really are a team here at Hope!  I always think of us as a family, which we are, but even families have to work together as a team.  Things just function much more smoothly when we do.  Having never really played sports, I never felt like I had the team mentality. But knowing we are a team at Hope makes me think in an entirely different way when I hear things like "Take one for the team" or "Whose team are you on?" or "Work together as a team".  Now I know that MY team is Hope Christian Fellowship!

 

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!

 

10/3 - TEAMWORK

1 Corinthians 12:4-27

Wouldn't it be cool to be on a team that wins the championship?  Maybe you've had that experience in your life at some level, or maybe you've just witnessed the joy of those on a winning team.  Coming together as a team and battling through all that comes against you to finally reach your goal together is a deeply satisfying experience.  God has called us to team up as a church for our cause.  In fact, the Bible tells us that He specifically designed us to work together, and when we don't, we really are handicapped!  At the core of who we are as a church is the concept of teamwork.  We can't afford to have anyone sitting on the sidelines, because as God's Word tells us, we are less effective at what God has asked us to do when people choose to sit out!  We want to come together and share the load as a team – by God's plan and design - so that we are able to do the best possible job for Him.

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 OCTOBER – NUMBERS

As its name suggests, Numbers presents us with a lot of numbers – census figures taken when Israel wandered in the desert for forty years after rejecting God's instruction to enter the Promised Land.  This book shows the importance of faith and obedience in a believer's life.  It also shows the grave consequences for unbelief and disobedience. 

 

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

7:00 – 8:15

The adults aren't the only ones who could use a spiritual boost in the middle of the week!  We are thrilled that we now have a program currently running for ages 2-3 and 4-5. Classes meet in the same rooms as those age groups meet on Sundays. 

Our elementary children will be practicing their Christmas program on Wed nights during this time frame. Then, in January, we'll add a program for that age group on Wed nights.

 

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.

 

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.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

HOPE FACILITY WORK DAY

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

We will be doing inside and outside projects.

Many hands, light work!  No sign up, just come out and help.

 Contact Glenn Johnson at 856-287-5307 or liznglenn@verizon.net.

 

CHILDREN'S SIGN IN TABLE

Here's an easy way to serve!  We are looking for volunteers to sit at our Sign In Table for the 2-3 and 4-5 year old classes.  See Kim Lawlor for more details.

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT KIDS PROGRAM

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

 

HELP NEEDED FOR PRIMARY CLASS

We are in need of helpers for the 1^st & 2^nd and 3^rd-5^th grade class.  Please see Anita Little if you would like to volunteer.

 

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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPECIAL NEED COLLECTION THIS SUNDAY

A relative of someone here at Hope is set to deliver her baby girl shortly and doesn't have any of the "baby essentials".  She is in need of things like a car seat and various other baby equipment in addition to diapers, bottles, wipes, clothing, etc.  If you have anything at home or feel led to purchase something for this mom-to-be, please bring the items to church this Sunday.  There will be a designated spot for you to drop them off.

TD BANK AFFINITY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM – THIS SUNDAY

 We've joined TD Bank's Affinity Membership Program, which provides Hope Christian Fellowship the opportunity to earn annual cash contributions.  We're thrilled with the ease of participating in this program and that there is no cost to the church or the congregation.  TD Bank will contribute a percentage of the annual balance in every one of our members' accounts.  Checking, savings, money market, CDs and retirement accounts are all included!  And, there is no limit on the amount of our potential contribution!  We need 50 households in the program in order for us to receive a contribution.  All you have to do is make TD Bank your bank, if it not already.  If you already have accounts at TD Bank, simply have those accounts linked to the Hope Christian Fellowship Affinity Membership Program.  The church will NOT have any access to any account information linked to the program.  A TD Bank representative will be here next Sunday, October 3rd to help answer any questions and to help with linking existing accounts or opening new ones for anyone that would like to join the program.  For more information on this program, see Damon Briggs.

 

SEPTEMBER GIVING

Our average weekly offering for September was $3673 per week with an average of $3826 per week for the year to date.

 

BUSINESS MEETING

Sunday, October 24^th

Immediately following our morning service we are calling a meeting in order to approve significant capital improvements to our building. The Leadership Team has several large projects we want to undertake now that we own the building.  We will be listing these projects along with their associated costs and asking our partners to approve this expenditure so that we can address these needs. 

 

NOMINATION PROCESS

We are starting our nomination process for Deacons and the Leadership Team - forms will be out this Sunday.  As before, it will take 10 nominations to put a man on the ballot for Leadership Team and 5 nominations to put a man or woman on the ballot for Deacon Team.  A man can be nominated for both Deacon and Leadership Team but will need to choose just one to serve on if elected. Please remember that only partners can nominate or be nominated. Be sure to pick up one of the bright yellow forms for a complete explanation of not only the process, but also the requirements.  Forms are due by October 31^st and should be given to Pastor Mark.

 

ADULT CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Calling all singers!! Christmas isn't too far away and we love to celebrate Christ's birth here at Hope.  If you were involved in the adult cantata last year, or would have liked to be, here's your chance to jump in! There will be a sign-up sheet on the back table for the next 2 Sundays - 9/26 and 10/3. Also, we will have a short information meeting following the Sunday service on 10/10 where practice dates/times will be determined and practice CD's will be given out.  We need to gauge interest so we can order books and find clarity as to how the Lord is leading. This choir is open to all high-school students and up! For more information, see Dana Ott.

 

KIDS CHRISTMAS PRACTICE

Believe it or not, it's time to begin practicing for our Kid's Christmas Program! Our Elementary Class (1st-5th graders) will begin practicing on Wednesday nights starting on 10/6 from 7:00-8:15pm during Adult Bible study/Youth Group. The kids will be receiving practice CD's and lyric sheets at the first practice so please make every effort to have your elementary child attend, and to also be at the weekly practices.  The Christmas Program practices for Pre-school (4-5 yrs.) and Toddler Classes (2-3 yrs) will remain on Sunday mornings during their regular class time and will begin in October as well. More information on those classes will follow soon! Mark your calendars for 12/19 which is when the Christmas program will be performed during our Sunday morning service.

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 – OCTOBER

Paper good are the focus for October – how about toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, napkins, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, baggies, etc?!

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
SIGN-IN TABLE:          Denise Brion
LAMB'S MINISTRY:     John & Dawn Brazelis                  (T)
                               Linda & (Lisa Landis?)                  (I)
                               Lisa Landis                                  (C)
                               Melissa Angel                              (1st & 2nd)
                               Bill Murray & Kylie Ott                  (3^rd- 5^th)
GREETERS:                   Rick Mounce

                               Judy Gotshall

                               Katrina Mariani

                               Dorothy Haines
COUNTERS:                  Kathy Berry & Karen Blythe
CLEANERS:                   Charlotte Zediker
TOY CLEANERS:         Anita & Lenny Little
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 - Pray for Dave as he recovers from surgery and for Debby who is scheduled for surgery on 9/30. Also for Dave's sister, Kathy Hopson, who recently had her second brain surgery.  She is not doing too well and has been told she will not be able to return to her job.  Finally, for Dave & Debbie's upcoming move in October.

 

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

His Joy is my Strength,
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!