Hope Notes 10/21/10

Dear Friends of Hope~

Did you see how nice the front of our building looked last week?  A big THANK YOU goes out to all those who came out and helped with the landscaping and labor!  You know those of us who come to church regularly just love Hope and probably don't even think about what the building or grounds look like.  I know I don't.  But we need to stop and take a look around – see the property through the eyes of a first time visitor.  First impressions really do make a difference.  Now the outside of our building reflects the love and care that goes on inside our building!

 

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!

 

10/24 – DEPENDENCE - COMMUNION

Ephesians 2:8-9; Matthew 6:9-13; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

When you fill out your taxes each year, you are asked to list your "dependents".  These are people who by their position in life and abilities are unable to care for themselves and so are depending on you to provide a means for them to live.  Most of us, when we have a choice, would rather be independent – able to do our own thing, and not reliant on anyone else.  But the Bible teaches that the only way to life is to live completely dependent on the Lord.  This is a humbling truth, but it is also the pathway to power and peace.  As we remember in communion that God did everything for us in salvation, let us not only be thankful, but also instructed on the need for us to live dependent each day.

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

 

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!

 

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 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

 

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 1^st & 2^nd and 3^rd-5^th 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

 

BUSINESS MEETING FOR PARTNERS – THIS SUNDAY

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.  However, the following is a list of projects that we felt couldn't wait and needed to be undertaken right away.  Our goal is to have them done before December to address the cost savings of increasing energy efficiency and to make the building more presentable as we head into the Christmas season.

Classrooms, Foyer, Halls – HVAC                Windows replaced                Auditorium lighting                Alarm System                New Exterior Doors                Rear Glass Doors                Front Glass Doors (use 2nd set to replace exterior) Please continue to pray about these expenditures.

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. 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 

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.

HCF DIRECTORY

We are updating our church directory and want to be sure everyone who wants to be a part of it is included. Fill out the sheets on the back table if you would like to be in the new edition or if your information has changed. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A PARTNER IN ORDER TO BE IN THE DIRECTORY!

 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:     Lenny Little & Kara Ott          (T)
                                 Naidona, Brian, & Katie Ott     (I)
                                 Becky & Tori Lein                   (C)
                                 Melissa McGinness                 (1st & 2nd)
                                 Kimmie Rice                          (3^rd- 5^th)
GREETERS:                Rick Mounce

                                 Judy Gotshall

                                 Katrina Mariani

                                 Dorothy Haines
COUNTERS:               Jeff Toomin & Ken Blythe
CLEANERS:                Helen Mastalski
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

Please pray for the decisions to be made regarding repairs & improvements to our building.
Please pray for God's guidance in nominating our future Leaders and Deacons.

 

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

Covered by His Blood,
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