Hope Notes 4/21/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Easter Sunday is almost here.  What a glorious time of celebration for Christians!  No other religion serves a living God and worships a risen and returning King!  In anticipation of a greater number of people who will want to come and celebrate with us, we are asking that all regular attenders of Hope please move towards the front and into the center of the rows. We want to make our visitors feel as comfortable as possible AND make it easier for our Greeters to seat them.

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE
4/24 – EASTER – A Fresh Start (John 20:1-9, 19-21)

Easter is the biggest celebration in Christianity.  Some have taken to celebrating with chocolate and candy.  Others make sure that they are in church on Easter, even if it is one of the only times they are in church all year.  But do we see what Christ's resurrection really offers to our lives?  It is the ultimate picture of the fresh start God offers to each of us.  A new life from death – freedom from our past – and hope for a future that has meaning and worth.  Jesus had twelve disciples who really needed a fresh start after his crucifixion.  We'll take a look at three of them and what they did with this opportunity.  And we'll be reminded that no matter what our lives have included to this point, Jesus can give us the hope of a fresh start.

 

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
We are almost finished with the book of Genesis!  Make sure you continue coming out on Wednesdays – you don't want to miss the end after all the time we've spent studying the first book of the Bible! 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT KIDS PROGRAM
7:00 – 8:15
Our Kid's Program ends April 27th.  After that, our children will be meeting in the auditorium so that the adults can participate in the Workshop Wednesday classes held in the classrooms.  There will be movies to watch, snacks, and activities for the children.  (Helpers are needed.  Please see "Opportunities to Serve" at the end of Hope Notes.)

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 just about over!  You may want to use this "free time" to keep up your connection with your group with the occasional get together – maybe a BBQ or a game night, etc.  We will be starting up again in the fall.

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 –THIS FRIDAY
Jr & Sr High
Friday, April 29 – Saturday, April 30
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

 

MISSIONARY UPDATE
Josh and Kelly Hallahan (our missionaries to Uganda, Africa) have reached their goal and are 100% funded and ready to leave for Africa on May 15^th!  They are super excited and wanted to share this with us and to thank everyone at Hope for being a part of their team!

 

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 HELPERS
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.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR STREET FAIR
Friday, May 6^th from 11:30am – 2:00pm
 Hope will have an information table at the Lunch Munch Street Fair in Woodbury. We need people to sit at our church's table for one of two different shifts and talk to parents and children who stop by and ask questions. We would love to have groups of 2-3 people at the table at a time. If you're interested in signing up, please contact Ellen Lewis at 856-346-1978 or at ellenpjones@comcast.net.

 

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:	Karen Jones & Kathy Berry

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
Janet Muhlbaier – For her nephew, Barry, who has just been told he has incurable brain cancer and only a short time to live.  He is a believer with a wife and five children.
Kathy Berry – For God's peace and comfort as Kathy and her family mourn the loss of her father.  Also for safe travel as her extended family comes together to celebrate his life in memorial.
Erin Sweeney – For her friend Chris who has a concussion. Please pray that he gets better soon.
Josh and Kelly Hallahan – For our missionaries as they prepare to leave for Uganda, Africa May 15^th.
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

The Tomb is Empty!
Lois
 

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