Hope Notes 3/17/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
It's Communion Sunday this week at Hope.  Add that to your list of reasons NOT to miss worship!  We get to have coffee, fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, meet new people, sing along with our great worship team, listen to Pastor Mark share God's Word, AND partake of the Lord's Supper together.  What's not to love? ♥ Don't let anything stand in your way of coming to church.  That's just what the enemy wants – to keep you isolated at home where you will miss all the blessings that God has to offer you!

SUNDAY MESSAGE
3/20 – Seeking God's Plan for You (1 Samuel 23:1-13) COMMUNION

Any person who claims to be a Christian is announcing an intention to follow Jesus.  Unfortunately, all Christians don't actually do that.  And even those who are trying to follow God's plan can get confused and twisted up in knots over trying to figure out what God wants them to do.  Looking at David's life in this passage will help us to see some general truths about how to seek God's direction for our lives.  David is not in a position of strength or certainty here, but he does indeed get specific direction from the Lord for the decisions he has to make.  One of the big keys to hearing from God on His plan is a heart that is ready to follow whatever He directs.  We'll see that God is patient and direct in guiding us as we look to Him.  And we'll celebrate together the example of our Savior who submitted to His Father's will for us!

 

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.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY
7:00-8:15pm
Please Note:  Bible study will be held in the Youth Room this Wednesday, March 23^rd, so that our teens can practice for the Youth Service.
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 27, 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.

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 SLEEPOVER  

Friday, April 8
At Chris & Steph Mulder's house!

 

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 – THIS SUNDAY
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 PARENTS
We need your help!  Please be sure to keep your children (including teens) out of unsupervised rooms at church, especially during the services.  This applies to Wednesday evenings and any special events we have as well.   We appreciate everyone's help in this matter!

 

FEBRUARY GIVING

We averaged $4218 per week in giving during February.  We give thanks to the Lord that this exceeds our weekly target giving of $3900 and brings our annual weekly average to $4355.  Clearly, the Lord has more in store for us as we grow, and it is so wonderful to see God bring the resources to enable us to keep moving ahead.  Pray with us that the decisions we make will be directed by the Lord and that everything that is done at Hope will bring glory to Him!

 

LAWN SERVICE NEEDED
We at Hope are in need of a good lawn service.  If you know of any, please give referrals to Glenn Johnson.  Note:  They need to be a licensed business, not just someone who does it on the side.

 

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!

CHURCH WORKDAY
Saturday, April 2^nd 9:00-Noon (Rain date April 9^th)
It's spring cleaning time!  We need help to clean up our property, throw down some mulch, and plant flowers!  The more hands we have, the quicker the work will go.  See Glenn Johnson if you can help.

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	Helen Mastalski & Pat Schug
TODDLER	John & Dawn Brazelis
PRE-K THRU K	Franne & Pat Harkin
1ST & 2ND	Nidia Marshall
3RD – 5TH	Emily Hartwell & Kara Ott
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
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

His Promises are True,
Lois
 

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