Hope Notes 12/2/10

Dear Friends of Hope~
Have you remembered to pick up one of our new directories?  They are a wonderful source of information!  They will help you put names to faces, give you ways to contact people, let you know which children belong to what family, and give you MANY people to pray for!  I love seeing the pictures of our beautiful family at Hope. So put your directory to good use – learn people's names and then say hello to them, drop a line or make a phone call to reach out, and don't forget to pray for each other!.

SUNDAY MESSAGE
Christmas Series
This year, we're going to take a look at some of the major characters in the Christmas story and try to see how this story unfolded through their eyes.  In such familiar stories, it is often natural to make the characters into caricatures and miss out on the real human experience reflected in the story.  This Christmas season, let's take a deeper look at each character and learn from what God did in their lives on that first Christmas

 

12/5 – Mary – Overwhelmed
Luke 1:26-38
There are times when life comes at you like a flood.  Certainly, the Christmas season can fit in that category.  So many things to get done, so many things to remember, so many places to go… Does God care that our human experience is so overwhelming?  As we continue to look at the characters of the Christmas Story, we'll take a look at Mary when she finds out she is going to be the mother of Jesus.  This young lady was absolutely overwhelmed – by the fact that God was directly speaking to her, by the idea that God had this unbelievable calling on her life, and by the reality that she was completely unable to be a mother at that moment.  Yet, the Lord reassured her through an angel, and used all of it to work out the wonderful story of hope in Christmas.

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Our Christmas Eve service will be at 6:00 pm and last for less than an hour.  We will have music, carols, Scripture readings and candle lighting.  Make sure to set aside some time to come and reflect on the birth of our Savior.

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 Prayer Team with any questions.

BIBLE READING FOR DECEMBER – LEVITICUS
Leviticus is basically a list of "dos and don'ts" that helped distinguish the Israelites from the surrounding pagan nations that did not know God.  It spells out in detail how the Jews were to live and what kinds of sacrifices and offerings they were to present to God.  Although we aren't required to keep these laws today (Jesus fulfilled them for us) it is still important to understand them, for they point to the work of Christ and help us picture what His death accomplished for us.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
There will be no Bible study on 11/24 (Thanksgiving Eve)
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.

YOUNG ADULTS
Monday January 3^rd at 7:30
Attention all young adults (post High School through early thirties)!  Come and be a part of our Young Adults group.  We are making a six month commitment to meet once a month on the first Monday of each month at 7:30 right here at Hope.  We will be doing a study together and will also use this time to get to know one another.  At the end of six months, we will reevaluate and figure out what God has in store for us next!  If you are in this age category, please come and join us.  Your participation is important to the group and to Hope.

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 to attend.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

DINNER EVENT – THIS FRIDAY!
SUPPORT OUR GUATEMALAN MISSIONARY, LAUREN PUPCHICK
Basket Full of Hope Dinner/Chinese Auction
Friday, December 3^rd @ 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. Lauren will also be there!
For more details contact Lauren's sisters: Juliet @ 609-221-2264 or Jaci @ 856-625-2342.  There is also an invitation posted on our Missions Bulletin board.

CHRISTMAS PARTY / CAFÉ
Wednesday, December 8^th @ 7:00 pm (in place of Bible study)
Can you believe the Christmas season is almost upon us?  You know how quickly the calendar fills up during this time of year, so be sure to reserve this night for the café.  It's such a great time of fellowship (and food!).  Come and see what hidden talents your church family has to display!  Singers, poetry readers, story tellers, actors – all talents are wanted!  Please sign up in the back for talent and/or food.  See Liz Johnson with any questions.
Please Note:  There will be no Wednesday Evening Children's Program or Bible Study so that everyone can attend the café`.

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

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE
9:30 – 10:00 am
Have you noticed how "on time" our service has been starting?  Are you missing the beginning each week?  Sometime the details of life get in the way of making it on time.  So, for the month of December, we're experimenting with providing coffee for you so that you can have your morning cup here with us!  That's one less thing to do at home.  Come and enjoy the warm up of a good cup of coffee and some God designed fellowship with your church family.  Be on time, because when service starts at 10:00, the coffee will disappear!  At the end of the month, we will evaluate and see if it's something we want to keep doing.

NOMINATIONS & BUDGET
Our budget and the list of nominees are now posted in the back so that our partners can pray and be ready for the annual business meeting which takes place Wednesday, December 29^th at 7:00pm.  There are copies of the proposed constitutional amendment on the back table for our partners to review before voting at the meeting.  See Pastor Mark with any questions.

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
Wednesday, December 29th @ 7:00pm
Along with the voting for our nominees, our budget, and our constitutional amendment, Pastor Mark will be sharing some of what God has laid on his heart for the future direction of Hope.  We need for all of our partners to be here to vote, as well as anyone for whom Hope is home.  Come out and see what God has in store for us!
Please Note:  There will be no Children's Program or childcare that evening so that everyone can attend the meeting.

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. 
 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 only has a few more practices left following the Sunday service on 12/5, and 12/12. Please remember the final rehearsal on MONDAY, 12/20 at 7:00pm!"

 

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
Please Note:  Donations can
 be put in the wicker basket that's to the left of the kitchen door.

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

COAT RACKS NEEDED
We need someone who is handy with wood working to build coat racks for the classrooms and the youth room. Please see Glenn Johnson if you are able to help.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Beginning in January we will be adding a program for our elementary age children on Wednesday nights.  This will be meeting the same time as the adult Bible study (7:00 – 8:15).  We need a helper for 2-3s, a helper for 4-5s, and two helpers for 1st -5th.  Any volunteers should contact Jen Winstel.

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.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
SIGN-IN TABLE:	Denise Brion
LAMB'S MINISTRY:	Patti Tomasetti & Maurice Brazelis	(T)
	Brad & Karla Hopkins, Katie Ott	(I)
	Bill McGinness & Isaiah Owens	(C)
	Melissa Angel	(1st & 2nd)
	Kim Biglin & Kerry Crowley	(3rd- 5th)
GREETERS:	Mike Hartwell
	Lisa Minner
	Greg Corrado
	Lillian LaRue
COUNTERS:	Kathy Berry & Karen Blythe
CLEANERS:	Charlotte Zediker
TOY CLEANERS:	Ken & Karen Blythe

HOPES PRAYER TEAM
If you have a prayer request, please fill out a prayer request card and drop it in the offering slot at the back of the church on Sunday or use the "Prayer Request Form" on our website. If you have any questions or would like to join the Prayer Team, please contact Jim Bradshaw directly at Prayer@hopechristianfellowship.org.

PRAYER REQUESTS
Young Adults – Please pray that God would give the young adults here at Hope a heart for our new ministry so that they can grow in the Lord and forge closer relationships with each other.
Ron Brion -. Please keep Ron and his family in prayer as he begins the process of rehabilitation and developing enough strength so that he can go home.
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 Word,
Lois
 
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