Hope Notes 10/28/10
Dear Friends of Hope~
Just about every day I go into our back yard and walk down into the woods. My eyes drink in the colors of the leaves, my ears hear the crunch of acorns beneath my feet, and my nose gets a whiff of that distinctive "autumn" smell. I love how God has given us a world full of beauty to be enjoyed by ALL our senses! Not only did He create this world for us, but he gave us the gifts of sight, sound, and smell to enjoy it with! Take some time today to thank Him for His generosity.
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!
10/31 – PERSEVERENCE
Romans 5:3-5 & Galatians 6:7-10
Every person who has ever lived has faced at least one moment when they felt like giving up. The hill was too steep, the storm was too strong, the night was too dark, and they just wanted to wave the white flag and collapse. But life doesn't work well when we give up. And the Christian life is actually designed to need perseverance. There are so many verses in God's Word that teach us about our need to keep going in spite of all that we face. We learn how to let God's power fill us, we learn how to trust Him, and we learn that we can be deceived into thinking that we won't make it. The truth for all of us is that refusing to call it quits is exactly the prescription for renewed strength and hope. To fulfill our call as a church, we must embrace this reality on the path God has for us!
UPCOMING SERVICES
11/7 – OUR WEST VIRGINIA MISSIONARIES
Be sure to join us as we welcome back Jeff & Lisa Sickler, our World Servants missionaries based in West Virginia. We took a mission trip there a few years back; it was an awesome experience for everyone. We are eager to hear as they share what God has been doing with their ministry. This Sunday is also the Potluck Supper, so we will have a chance to stay around and fellowship with each other AND the Sicklers!
11/14 – MESSAGE FROM DWIGHT LEIN
We will have the privilege of having one of our own share his gift of teaching with us! Dwight has been a part of Hope for about two years and has worked as a pastor and youth pastor for many years. We look forward to hearing Dwight share what God has laid on his heart through the Word. This will also be a special Sunday for our worship team since they get to sit back and enjoy worship led by Glenn's band mate and friend, Rick Sawyer.
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.
UPCOMING SPECIAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT STUDY
November 10th 7:00-8:15 pm
Tonight we'll be watching a very compelling DVD regarding the stars that the wise men saw which led them to find Jesus. Through the miracle of modern computer technology, we'll be actually able to see for ourselves what the skies looked like to the wise men, and what made them understand that a king had been born to the Jewish people. You won't want to miss this exciting night!
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
THANKSGIVING POTLUCK DINNER
Sunday, November 7 – Immediately After Service
Don't miss the chance to have some good food and even better fellowship with each other! There is a BIG signup sheet in the back so that you can fill in what type of dish you would like to bring. Head on back to sign up your family and get in on the feast!
YOUNG ADULT FELLOWSHIP
Friday, November 19th @ 7:00 pm
We're inviting all of our young adults (anyone who has graduated from high school all the way through their early thirties) to a fellowship and game night! Bring a dessert or snack if you can; we'll have coffee and drinks, plus some extra snacks. Pastor Mark and Dana will take some time during the evening to talk through a tentative plan for moving forward as a Young Adults Group. Our heart is to pull this group together and see if God directs us to start having regular get-togethers. We'd love for every young adult at Hope to be there to give their feedback!
DINNER EVENT TO SUPPORT OUR GUATEMALAN MISSIONARY*
Basket Full of Hope Dinner/Chinese Auction
Friday, December 3rd @ 7:00 pm
Cost $25/person & $1.00 for each auction ticket
Special Guest Mirna Perez, Director of Proximos Pasos Girl's School
Here's your opportunity to do work on the mission field without even leaving your home! Make a difference in the lives of 125 Guatemalan girls by supporting this event and helping to raise the $15,000 needed to finish building their Christian school.
The dinner is being held at Scarpinato's Catering, 333 Preston Ave, Voorhees, NJ.
For more details contact *Lauren Pupchick's* sisters: Juliet @ 609-221-2264 or Jaci @ 856-625-2342. There is also an invitation posted on our Missions Bulletin board.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
HOAGIE SCAVENGER HUNT
Saturday, November 13th
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
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. Simply make sure the parents sign their children in/out and give pagers to any new parent just in case there is a problem during class. You would need to be there by around 9:45 am and stay after service until all the pagers are returned. Contact Kim Lawlor at 856-384-8087 if you are able to help.
HELP NEEDED FOR PRIMARY CLASS
We are in need of helpers for the 1st & 2nd and 3rd-5th grade class. Please see Anita Little if you would like to volunteer.
NURSERY NEED
Praise God for some volunteers! We now need just 2 adults and 3 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
NOMINATION PROCESS – FORMS DUE THIS SUNDAY
As before, it takes 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. You can nominate a man for both Leadership & Deacon. Please remember that only partners can nominate or be nominated, and only one form may be filled out per partner. 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 31st and should be given to Pastor Mark.
TD BANK AFFINITY MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
We're Almost to our Goal!
We recently joined TD Bank's Affinity Membership Program, which provides Hope Christian Fellowship the opportunity to earn annual cash contributions. There is no cost to the church or the congregation. TD Bank contributes a percentage of the annual balance in every one of our members' accounts. Checking, savings, money market, CDs and retirement accounts are all included! We just need 50 households in the program in order for us to receive a contribution. We currently have 37 households signed up for the program. That means we need to get at least 13 more households to signup. We need to exceed 50 in order for the cash contributions to keep accumulating. If we go below 50 households, the earnings will stop until we get back to 50 households participating.
All you need to do is make TD your bank! If you already have accounts at TD Bank, simply have those accounts linked to the Hope Christian Fellowship Affinity Membership Program. On Sunday, there will be sign up forms on the back table for those that didn't get a chance to sign up previously. Also, we are not limited to just our church family. If you have any friends, family or colleagues that currently bank with TD, ask them if they would be willing to link their account(s) to Hope Christian Fellowship Affinity Membership Program. The church will NOT have any access to any account information linked to the program. For more information on this program, see Damon Briggs.
ADULT CHRISTMAS CHOIR
Adult Christmas Choir will begin practicing on 10/31 so mark your calendars! Practices will be from 11:45-1:15pm each Sunday afternoon with the exception of the following dates: 11/7, 11/14 and 12/19. If you have not picked up a practice CD, please see Dana Ott. Choir books have arrived and will be on the right side of the stage this Sunday - feel free to take one home and begin to familiarize yourselves with the songs - just be sure you don't lose it! Looking forward to a great season of celebrating Jesus' birth in song!
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Keep in mind that the Toddler and Pre-school classes will be practicing for their Christmas program each Sunday morning during the worship service. Please have your children here as much as possible over the next few months so that they can learn the songs and verses well! Also, the Primary Class (1-5th) is meeting each Wednesday night during Bible Study (7:00 until 8:15 sharp) to prepare for their program.
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?!
Please Note: Donations can be put in the wicker basket that's to the left of the kitchen door.
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
SIGN-IN TABLE: Kim Lawlor
LAMB'S MINISTRY: Judy Gottshall & Damon Ott (T)
Sharon & Chris Rainey (I)
Pat & Franne Harkin (C)
Nidia Marshall (1st & 2nd)
Ray Gillin (3rd- 5th)
GREETERS: Rick Mounce
Judy Gotshall
Katrina Mariani
Dorothy Haines
COUNTERS: Jeff Toomin & Ken Blythe
CLEANERS: Helen Mastalski
TOY CLEANERS: Anita & Lenny Little
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
Ron Brion - Released from the hospital last Friday after suffering two heart attacks and undergoing a catheterization procedure. Please keep Ron and his family in prayer as he struggles with setbacks and begins the process of rehabilitation.
Please pray for God's guidance in nominating our future Leaders and Deacons.
Please pray for God's direction in putting together a group for our Young Adults.
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
Standing on His Promises,
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.
God is not able to work through us until we allow Him to work in us. M.Ott
posted by Hope Christian Fellowship at
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