Hope Notes 1/6/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
The beginning of a new year always seems like a good time to make a fresh start with things, doesn't it?  I don't like to make resolutions because you then "resolve" to do/not do something and, to me, resolving usually means doing it on your own strength.  More like "sucking it up" or "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps".  It doesn't sound like it includes the Lord.  But God can certainly help you make a fresh start with anything.  A great place to start would be in spending time with Him.  Talk to Him in prayer, read His Word, seek His guidance.  Just don't "resolve" to do it on your own; ask Him for help and see how He begins to work things out for you!

SUNDAY MESSAGE
1/9 – Shallow Solutions for Deep Problems (1 Samuel 16:14-23)

If you bought a new home, and found out it was infested with termites, what would you do?  Would you try a fresh coat of paint or new carpets or furniture to deal with the problem?  Of course not!  You'd want to deal with the actual problem.  No amount of redecorating would bring peace of mind until you really addressed the termites.  But it is becoming more and more common for people to just 'paint over' the deep problems in their life.  Of course there is no real relief from this approach, but without any sense of how to address the deeper needs, we settle for fixing the stuff we can.  As we continue to look at the story of David, we see that Saul had some real spiritual problems.  But instead of turning to the Lord and returning to faith, he sought out the limited comfort of having some music played.  This only made his problems worse.  Let's not take Saul's route with the challenges we face!

 

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 # 1 
We want to do everything we can in 2011 to make our ministry to young people effective and powerful.  We want to grow in our ability to minister to our young people - from nursery through pre-school through elementary through teens through young adults.  In the last year, we've undertaken several growth projects in these areas, and we need to see those (as well as long standing ministries) get better and better.  Our greatest calling to share hope has to be in the spot where it is the most effective - and that is with young people.  We cannot simply wait until they grow up and hope to reach them then - we need to be faithful as a church in ministering and directing our passion to the young people God has brought to Hope!  Part of this goal is that we are looking and praying for God to bring us a middle school director to work with Chris and Steph and the youth team.  Another important role that we're looking to fill is a Kid's Director to oversee all our kids' ministries.  Pray with us that God will fill these spots for us in 2011!  Look for Goal #2 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 7:00 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.

 

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
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

By His Grace Alone,
Lois
 
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 Hopenotes Email.