Hope Notes 4/14/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Did you see how, in just one week, the trees have gone from having that soft hazy aura to tiny green buds popping out all over?  It never ceases to amaze me every year how what appears to be dead, dark branches come to life once again.  I don't think it's any coincidence that we celebrate Jesus resurrection during the season of re-growth and new life.  I love how God offers us the newness of spring to remind us of His greatest example of resurrected life – His Son's triumph over the grave.  The breath of hope we feel as this new season unfolds is microscopic compared to the hope we have in Jesus and the new life He brings to us!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE
4/17 – Lessons Re-learned (1 Samuel 25)

Summer break is one of the most anticipated parts of each school year.  Students finally can set aside studying and relax.  But one result of taking the summer off is a need to re-learn some of the stuff from the previous year when it is time to start school again.  It is a frustrating experience to realize that you need to go back and refresh the concepts that you had already mastered!   As believers, it is very normal to experience this in our spiritual journey.  The Lord teaches us something, and we learn how to walk by faith through real hardship or struggle.  But somewhere down the road, a similar situation shows up and we backtrack.   We'll see this in David's life as he interacts with a man named Nabal.  And we'll see that God doesn't mind sending along help when the lessons of our past slip our minds.

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
Friday, April 22^nd at 7:00
We are having a Communion Service to commemorate Good Friday.  It will be a time of special music, scripture readings, and prayer.  We will also be taking a benevolent offering for the needy. The service is planned to take about an hour.

 

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 APRIL – 1 PETER
The apostle Peter gives us some strong encouragement to stand tall for Christ, even when we have to suffer for it.  Chris suffered before us and far worse than us, he reminds us, and Christ will enable us to live godly lives even in awful circumstances.  In addition, Peter stresses the practical aspects of our faith, including holy living, love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and being a witness for our faith.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS

Look for something new and exciting coming to Wednesday evenings during May and June!  We will be taking a break from our regular Bible study and offering four classes. We will have a marriage class, a parenting class, a basics of Christianity class, and a class on finding personal significance.  Each class will be based on a book study and Wed nights will be a discussion of what we are learning through our reading.  We want to invest this time into helping our church family grow in these very important areas.  We'd like to invite everyone to choose one class, and sign up right away!  We need to order materials so they are ready for the class.  Don't miss this opportunity to gain insight, help and encouragement in these important areas of spiritual growth!

Note:  There will be no classes on May 25^th due to our Spring Café event.

 

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

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME…..♫♫♫
Softball season is upon us. Be sure to check the weekly calendar in the Salt & Light for game dates and times.  THEN come on out and support our team!

SMALL GROUPS
Small Groups are meeting!  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

 

30HOUR FAMINE/LOCK IN
Jr & Sr High
Friday, April 29 – Saturday, April 30
Hunger kills another child every 10 seconds. Every day, nearly 8,000 kids under age 5 die because of hunger-related causes. Some starve. Some get sick — and their hungry bodies are just too weak to fight. Every year, thousands of students around the world unite and fast for 30 hours raising money for World Vision to save lives. The fast starts on Friday at 12:30 after lunch. Youth arrive at 6pm for Lock-In at church (games, fun, community outreach, and sleepover). Saturday night we will have communion at 6pm and "break the fast". For more info, check out www.30hourfamine.org. If interested in participating or donating, please contact Steph Mulder at (856) 745-0932 or cbmulder@comcast.net. Thanks so much!

 

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

 

CLEAN UP REQUEST
Please take a minute to look around and pick up any trash by your seat before you leave worship.  It's so easy to forget that empty coffee cup or water bottle. We all need to take care of our church and keep Hope "spic n span"!

 

SAINTS PRISON MINISTRY

SPM is a unique prison ministry that reaches inmates with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through athletics. Statistics show that the vast majority of prisoners will not attend a traditional religious program.  However, inmates will gladly attend sporting events at which a gospel message is shared. Our own Bill McGinness participates in this ministry every summer and needs to raise $1000 in order to do so.  You can help him reach this goal through prayer and/or financial contributions. Checks can be made payable to Bill McGinness.

 

SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITY

 Handi*Camp (for people with disabilities) is looking for staff members (paid positions): Not all positions involve physical care for campers. They also need cooks, counselors, and prayer partners. 

Check out their website at www.hvmi.org.  Contact Brian Robinson for more information about any of these opportunities at brobinson@hvmi.org; 717-859-4777.  

 

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE
9:30 – 10:00 am
Come and join us for a good cup of coffee and some fellowship before services.  It's such a nice way to start your morning!

 

FOOD PANTRY NEEDS FOR APRIL
We are in need of some dry goods – cereal and pasta, to be exact!  Please remember to check the expiration dates on the packages before you drop them off.  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!

WORSHOP WEDNESDAY CHILD CARE
While the adults are having their workshops in the classrooms, our kids will be in the auditorium having activities, watching movies, etc.  We need some volunteers to help the leaders keep a watchful eye on things.  Please sign up for whichever week you can help.  See Franne Harkin for more information.

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

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.

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!

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
NURSERY	Karla & Brad Hopkins
TODDLER	Judy Gotshall & Damon Ott
PRE-K THRU K	Bill McGinness & Isaiah Owens
1ST & 2ND	Melissa Angel
3RD – 5TH	Kim Biglin & Kerry Crowley
GREETERS:	Mike Hartwell
	Lisa Minner
	Linda Murray
	Lillian LaRue
COUNTERS:	Bill Berry & Mike 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
Anita and James Williams – Prayers needed.
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

Anticipating His Triumph,
Lois
 

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