Hope Notes 3/10/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Time once again for your friendly public service announcement – don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed this Saturday!  Otherwise, you will show up for church an hour late and we will all know who forgot to set their clocks!  And yes, I know you "lose" an hour's sleep, but consider that your sacrificial gift to the Lord.  A very small sacrifice in light of everything He has done for US!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE
3/13 – No Holds Barred (1 Samuel 22:6-23)

"How could anyone do that?".   What a common question!  It is hard to understand how people can come to the place to do some of the unimaginable evils that happen in our world.  We'd all like to believe that there are lines we'd never cross.  We know we have our own struggles, and we even understand that our struggles may not be 'acceptable' to others.  But we think we know ourselves well enough to know that there are things we'd never consider doing.  What we'll see in the story of David and Saul is that our flesh is an unbelievable force in us.  It can take even the most sincere and devoted follower of Jesus and turn their life into a wreck.  Once we have a solid grip on the insatiable hunger of our flesh, we are less surprised when others fall and more gracious to them when they do.  We also are more wary of engaging our flesh by playing with stuff we need to avoid!  We'll use this opportunity to just ask the Lord to deliver us each day from the pull and the power of our flesh.

 

MESSAGES AVALIABLE
 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 MARCH - RUTH
The book of Ruth describes a young Gentile woman of faith, loyalty, humility, and wisdom, whom God chose to be adopted into His family and to become the great-grandmother of King David……and consequently a direct ancestor of Jesus.  Ruth's story proves that God isn't as concerned about bloodlines and family backgrounds as He is about faithfulness to Him.

MISSIONARY UPDATE
Josh, Kelly, Caleb and Seth Hallahan
Missionaries with World Gospel Mission
Kampala, Uganda

·         As of today 3.8.11 they are 90.4% funded and only need 21 more people @$30/month to reach 100%

·         They have plane tickets reserved for Sunday May 15th to fly to Uganda pending reaching their goal 100%.

·         Prayer Request - Heritage International School and Kampala International Universities need your prayers that God would continue to work in the lives of the students and that these students would enter into a real relationship with Him.

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 running for our 2-3 and 4-5 year olds as well as our elementary (1^st thru 5^thgrade) children.  Classes meet in the same rooms as those age groups meet on Sundays. For more info, contact Jen Winstel at jenwinrn@comcast.net.

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

FAMILY BOWLING EVENT
Sunday, March 28, 5:00-7:00pm
Get ready for an evening filled with fun, fellowship, and BOWLING at Brunswick Bowl in Deptford.  Cost is $8.00 per person which includes shoe rental, pizza and a pitcher of coke per lane. Money will be collected at the door of the bowling alley by Franne Harkin or Anita Little when you arrive.  Signup sheet is on the back table.

 

SOFTBALL TEAM
Got an athlete's foot? Then the Hope Softball team could use you! The team is forming for the 2011 season. We will sign both males and females, age 15 and up to one year contracts. Sign Up sheets are on the back table. Please see Lenny Little for more details.

SMALL GROUPS
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.

 

YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS – ROOTED
"Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Col. 2:7

 

YOUTH SERVICE PRACTICE & PIZZA
Saturday, March 26th
Meet at church at 5:00 for pizza then practice for youth service

 

YOUTH SERVICE

Sunday, March 27th
Meet at church at 8:45am.

 

Upcoming Events / More details to follow:
SR HIGH CAMP OUT

Friday, April 8
Boys at Mulder's / Girls at Angel's

30HOUR FAMINE/LOCK IN
April 29
Jr. & Sr. High
http://www.30hourfamine.org

 

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

 

INFORMATION MEETING
March 20^th
The Leadership Team will be having an information meeting for the partners and friends of Hope on 3/20 after the morning service.  With all the renovation work on the building coming to an end, we wanted to update everyone on what was spent and what was accomplished.  We also want to share a little bit about the issues to keep in prayer as we continue to grow as a church.  There are some decisions ahead about which we'd like for everyone to join with us in prayer! 

 

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS
Denise Tigner has a large amount of yarn in various colors and patterns, along with many knitting and crochet needles.  They are available FREE for anyone who might be interested.  Contact Denise at tigner12@verizon.net. 

 

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
We really need some freezer meals!  Please consider making a double casserole next time you make one for your family and bring the extra to Hope. If you are willing to contribute something, please contact Lorraine Otis at lorraineotis@comcast.net.  Thank you!
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?  Then 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 Brian or Naidona Ott
                   856-589-2047 or ottbriant@netscape.net
          Toddlers & Preschool
                   Contact Franne Harkin
                   609-458-2124 or fhark7@yahoo.com
          Elementary
                   Contact Anita Little
                   856-783-7168 or alittleshopper@gmail.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.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
NURSERY	Naidona, Brian, & Katie Ott
TODDLER	Jim & Debbie Bradshaw
PRE-K THRU K	Tina & Greg Campana
1ST & 2ND	Melissa McGinness
3RD – 5TH	Kimmie Rice
GREETERS:	Al Lewis
	Lorraine Otis
	Charlotte Zediker
	Pat Schug
COUNTERS:	Carole Baumiester & Lois Hartwell

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
Ott Family – For peace and comfort as they say goodbye to their grandmother, Eva Ott.
Middle School Leader & Kids Ministry Director.  Please pray that God leads 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

Seeking Him,
Lois
 

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