Hope Notes 9/9/10

Dear Friends of Hope~

Every day there are more and more leaves scurrying across our lawn.  I love how they rustle when I walk through them.  The berries are appearing on our dogwood trees, the acorns are falling and some of the leaves on the trees are even beginning to change.  I absolutely love the fall – it's a nice, crisp change from the limp and humid days of summer.  It makes ME want to make some changes myself!  How about you?  Fall seems like the perfect time to begin (or get back to) a devotion time, deepen your prayer life, step up your attendance at Hope, or maybe find an area of service that you could fill. 

 

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!

 

9/12 – Small Group Kickoff –RELATIONSHIPS

What is the value of a good friendship – what price tag would you put on it?  God's design for each of us is to have valuable close relationships that nurture our lives.  If God's plan were for us to just know Him One on one, there would be no need for fellowship or the church.  But that is not how God has chosen to work.  He uses people in our lives to show us His love and goodness.  At Hope, we try to be very deliberate about prioritizing relationships.  This morning, we want to turn our attention to small groups and the opportunity to be a part of one.  In small groups, we'll get to know one another, pray for one another, help each other, and even discuss what the Lord is teaching us in our lives.  The Leadership Team has a plan for small groups this year that is a clear shift from our small groups in the past, so let's open our hearts to God's leading in each one of us in developing and enjoying the spiritual connection that is fostered in small groups.

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.

 

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

 

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

 

SMALL GROUPS KICK OFF THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, September 12^th is 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.

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. 

 

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.

 

FREE!!

Contact John or Dawn Brazelis (856-244-6821) if you could use a round kitchen table.

 

FOOD PANTRY MOVE

This Sunday (9/12) after service, the Needs Team will be moving our Food Pantry to the kitchen.  Makes sense, doesn't it?!  They are looking for 2 or 3 people to help.  It should only take about an hour.  Please see Ken Blythe if you are available.

 

 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:     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:                  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

 

Please pray for Bob Baumiester and Helen Mastalski and their families while they grieve the loss of their father and yet rejoice that he is with his Savior.

 

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

By His Grace Alone,
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!