Hope Notes 1/13/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Don't let the cold and snowy weather keep you from experiencing the warmth and fellowship you will find at Hope!  It's cozy warm in our sanctuary, we have hot coffee waiting for you, great worship music, and a message from the Lord Himself brought to us through Pastor Mark!  I know it's hard to leave your comfy bed, but don't let the enemy hold you back.  He doesn't want you to warm your souls with the love of God's people OR listen to His Word! So throw back the covers, put on your warmest coat, and come on out!

SUNDAY MESSAGE
1/16 – David and Goliath (Part 1) (1 Samuel 17:1-32)
If we had a choice in our life between facing big problems or little problems, we would all probably choose to face the little ones.  But life doesn't give us that choice.  And so big problems show up in our lives – huge hurts, large challenges, devastating losses, and overwhelming struggles.  Knowing God should have an incredible impact on those experiences for us.  But does it?  In the first part of this famous story, we'll see many people who know God, but only one that actually trusts Him.  And we'll apply that lesson to our lives.  What challenges are you facing?  Is your faith in God giving you confidence and courage like David, or are you melting in your heart like the rest of the Israelites?  Today, let's put our trust in the God of David and face the challenges in our lives in His power!

 

BENEVOLENT OFFERING – THIS SUNDAY
We will be taking a benevolent offering for a person in financial need in our church.  We would ask each person to prayerfully consider what God would allow them to give to this need in addition to what they give to support Hope.  We know our Father can and does meet the needs of His children through each child of God who is willing to be a part!

 

MESSAGES 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 JANUARY – PROVERBS
ONE CHAPTER PER DAY
The book of Proverbs is filled with some of Solomon's best wisdom, all of it spelled out in practical, easy-to-understand terms.  He covers friendship, controlling anger, knowing God, laziness, pride, temptation, money – just to name a few.  If you struggle with a particular temptation or have a question about living right, you will most likely find some real help in Proverbs!

 

HOPE'S GOALS AND VISION FOR 2011
In order to continue moving forward as a church, we want to ask everyone to pray with us for the vision God has given us for the coming year.  There are many things we will do in this year - as always - but there are a few areas we feel we need to give special attention and energy so that we will be effective in our call to "share God's redeeming work with everyone we can!"

 

GOAL # 2
In order to function as a church and not be handicapped, we have identified two key practical areas that are needs.  We need passionate committed workers and volunteers in our various ministries.  If Hope is your church, we need your help!  Look around and see what we're doing and where we might need help.  Then find out how to pitch in!  We need your help in making Hope a friendly place - so reach out and welcome people.  Get to know new folks or people you've never gotten to know before.  We need help with our technical ministries - the projection media and the sound system.  We need help in our children's ministries.  There are plenty of places to help - formal or not.  You can help us by picking up trash you see or by stepping in for someone when they're sick.  We also need faithful, sacrificial givers.  Money is not eternal, but without it, ministry is choked out!  We need each family who is a part of Hope to give each week to the needs of the church as God allows and leads.  We don't pass a plate to remind you to give - it has to be a personal determination and commitment between you and the Lord.  So please support our church as God has instructed in His Word and make the investment of something temporal (money) have an eternal impact!   Look for Goal #3 coming next week…………

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.

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.  The elementary classes will begin in January

WOMEN'S PRAYER GROUP
Meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Prayer Room at church.  All women are invited to attend.

YOUNG ADULTS
Meets the 1^st Monday of every month at 7:30 in the Youth Room at church.  Anyone who has graduated high school up to their early thirties is welcome.  See Pastor Mark or Dana for more information.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

SMALL GROUPS – STUDY SHEETS OUT THIS SUNDAY!
It's time to get back in the groove and meet with your Small Groups again!  If anyone hasn't plugged in to one of these groups yet, just contact Damon Briggs at briggsd@mitchellandness.com and he will get you connected with a group. 

WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
February 25 thru 27, 2011
Pastor Mark & Dana would like to invite you to join them for this weekend of relationship building.  It's a wonderful time of connecting and improving your marriage.  If this weekend isn't good for you, there are still other locations and dates for the conference that can be found on their website.  Any of their conferences in 2011 can be signed up under our group rate ($159 per couple).  In addition to registering with Family Life online or by phone, each couple will need to make hotel reservations for the weekend at the hosting hotel (or another area hotel).  The contact info for the hotels is listed with the registration information on the website.
To register, simply log on to http://www.familylife.com/groups/hopenj  and signup as a part of our group.  Our group name is "hopenj".  You will automatically receive the discounted rate.  After you register for the conference, call the hotel and reserve a room as well.  .  If you sign up for the Hershey conference, we'll be having a meeting on the Sunday before we go to give everyone some idea of what to expect. Then, get ready to spend the weekend with the one you love, building your relationship as husband and wife!

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!  Contact Chris or Stephanie Mulder at cbmulder@comcast.net for more information.

ANNOUNCEMENTS.

 

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR GLENN JOHNSON'S MOTHER
Saturday, January 15 at 1:00pm
A memorial service will be held for Glenn's mom, Sarah Johnson at the First Methodist Church of Moorestown, on the corner of Camden Ave and Pleasant Valley Avenue.

 The family is requesting no flowers - instead, contributions to the Music Ministry of the First Methodist Church.

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES
The 3rd Annual Choices of the Heart Baby Bottle Campaign has just started. Be sure to pick up a baby bottle and fill it with coins, bills or a check. They are due back February 6th. Choices is a crisis pregnancy center that helps women keep their babies by providing counseling, ultrasound tests, family services and community education.

 

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE
9:30 – 10:00 am
Be sure to come and join us for a good cup of coffee and some fellowship before services!.

 

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS FOR JANUARY
How about some steamy hot liquids to chase away the chill?  Canned or dry packaged soups, hot chocolate mix, specialty teas and coffees?  Maybe even some hot mulled apple cider!  Of course, any other canned/packaged goods are always welcome.  Just be sure to check the expiration date.
Please Note:  Donations can be put in the wicker basket that's to the left of the kitchen door.

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

Do you want to truly feel like you are a vital and connected part of Hope?  Just find a place where you can serve!  Here are some ideas!

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
Want to help us with the most effective and powerful ministry at Hope?  Join in as part of our Kid's Ministry!  Here's what to do:
          Nursery
                   Contact Brain or Naidona Ott
                   856-589-2047 or ottbraint@netscape.net
          Toddlers & Preschool
                   Contact Franne Harkin
                   609-458-2124 or fhark7@yahoo.com
          Elementary
                   Contact Anita Little
                   856-783-7168 or alittleshopper@yahoo.com
          Wednesday Night Program
                   Contact Jen Winstel
                   856-782-7798 or jenwinrn@comcast.net
Just pick where you would be most interested in helping and give that person a call. They will fill you in on the current needs and tell you whatever you need to know!

SOUND AND MEDIA TEAM
Our Sound and Media Team can always use more helpers!  Don't be scared; they will train you.  Contact Steve Jones for sound at jones.stephen.d@gmail.com or Jim Bradshaw at spaceheadjim@yahoo.com for media.

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.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
NURSERY	TBA
TODDLER	Becky & Victoria Lien
PRE-K THRU K	Franne & Pat Harkin
1ST & 2ND	TBA
3RD – 5TH	TBA
GREETERS:	Rob Devereaux
	Wendy Devereaux
	Mickey Dariano
	Lucille Franchetti
COUNTERS:	TBA
CLEANERS:	TBA
TOY CLEANERS:	TBA

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
Dr. John Lawson -  He is a wonderful doctor and Christian. Please pray for him, his family and 2 young sons as he battles cancer.
Dan Rozinski – For his brother, Dave, who is beginning another round of chemotherapy.
For God to lead in finding us a Middle School Leader and a Kids Ministry Director.  Please pray that God to brings us to the right people at the right time and let Him have His work in all of this!
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.

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

Warmed by His Love,
Lois
 
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