Hope Notes 7/14/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Has the vibe at Hope felt a little different this past week?  We've missed Pastor Mark and Dana, along with Kylie, Kara, Dylan, and Dustin!  God has been blessing them with a much needed and well deserved break, spending relaxing time together as a family.  Thankfully, we have those who are able and willing to step up and do what's needed to keep Hope running smoothly.  We've had a few of our men to lead us, and we still had awesome worship music!  But nothing takes the place of those six very special people and the empty spots they fill in our church and in our hearts.  Welcome home!

SUNDAY MESSAGE
7/17 – Good Sadness (2 Samuel 1:17-27)

Is it OK for a Christian to be sad?  Is a sad Christian someone who isn't living by faith?  Sometimes we get the idea that being a good Christian means never having a bad day or feeling blue.  Certainly, part of the fruit of the Spirit is joy, and that is always available to us.  So what do we do with those emotions that flood our hearts when we face loss or sorrow?  David wrote a song to mourn the loss of Jonathan and Saul.  And from what he writes, we can learn about how to embrace and express sadness and grief without losing our ability to walk by faith and find joy in the midst of sorrow.

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 JULY – OBADIAH & JONAH
Obadiah is the shortest book in the OT!  He prophesies disaster on the nation of Edom for its mistreatment of God's people.  This little book assures us that God is looking out for us and that He is the One who will punish those who persecute us.  The book of Jonah tells the story of the Prophet Jonah's fate when he disregarded God's instruction to warn the pagan city of Nineveh about the coming destruction.  When God calls someone to do something, however, He sees that it gets done!  Read and find out what happened to Jonah.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
7:00 – 8:15 pm
Throughout the summer, we will be treated to a variety of speakers and worship on Wednesday evenings.  It is always a blessing to hear the things that God has laid on another's heart as they come and share.  It's important that we "do not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Heb 10:25)  Sometimes it's a little harder to get to church mid-week in the summer, but we need to come and support each other.  Get ready to be blessed!  Bob Rice will be sharing July 20^th.

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.
Note:  We will not be meeting in July, but will resume as usual in August!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

YOUNG ADULT BBQ/POOL PARTY – THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, July 17^th

If you are a Young Adult (18-young 30's) at Hope, please join us for a BBQ/Pool Party on Sunday, July 17th right after church at the Landis' home. If you can bring a side dish, dessert, or drink, that would be great!  Get ready for some great food and fun!  Of course, don't forget your bathing suit and towel!  See Pastor Mark, Dana, or Lisa Landis with questions.

Lisa's address is: 230 Maple Avenue, Hilltop, NJ 08012.  GPS it or see one of us for directions.

 

VOW RENEWAL CEREMONY & RECEPTION
Saturday, August 13^th @ 11:00
Tereshea and Chris Daniels would like to invite the body of Hope to share in their joy as they renew their vows and have their long-awaited wedding reception!  Come and get ready for a great time!  (Anyone interested in helping can contact Debbie Bradshaw)

 

WOMAN OF FAITH
September 9-10
We have purchased 31 tickets to attend the Women of Faith Conference at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA.  Price of the (2) day tickets is $89.00 per person.  This includes admission to 2 full days of conference activities (speakers, drama and musical guests) and boxed lunches.
Note:  Tickets are first come /first served and will be reserved once the 1^st payment of $30 is paid July 10^th.  Make checks payable to Hope Christian Fellowship and b ring your payments to Melissa McGinness.

If you have questions you may contact Hope's group leader Melissa McGinness at MelissaMcGinness007@comcast.net or 856-481-4364.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME…..♫♫♫
Our guys are doing great!  Be sure to check the weekly calendar in the Salt & Light for game dates and times, then come on out and support our team!

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 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

WEDNESDAY EVENING KID'S PROGRAM MEETING
Sunday, July 24^th
Jen Winstel will be having a brief meeting immediately following worship for anyone who is interested in teaching/helping with our Wednesday night kid's ministry in the fall.  September is creeping up on us and we need to make sure we have all the classes covered so that we can continue with the program.

 

NURSERY MEETING
Sunday, July 31^st
Pastor Mark will be having an informational meeting for parents of Nursery infants, Nursery workers, and anyone thinking about being involved with the Nursery on Sunday mornings or Wednesday evenings.

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 – JULY & AUGUST
We're collecting breakfast items for the pantry!  Please bring in things like cereals, hot cereal mixes, pop tarts, granola bars, pancake mix, maple syrup, bottled juices, etc. 
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!

HELPERS NEEDED
We need some helpers to lend a hand over the summer with our Wednesday Evening Children's Program.  Please contact Franne Harkin at fhark7@yahoo.com if you can donate some of your time.

TEACHER NEEDED
We are in need of a teacher for the 4^th – 5^th grade class.  If you can help, please contact Anita Little at alittleshopper@gmail.com.

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	Sue Quinn & Lucy Muhlbaier
TODDLER	Judy Gotshall & Abbey Harkin
PRE-K THRU K	Bill McGinness & Isaiah Owens
1ST -3rd	Lisa Landis
4th - 5th	Kylie Ott & Janet Welsh
GREETERS:	Rick Mounce
	Judy Gotshall
	Katrina Mariani
	Emily Hartwell
COUNTERS:	Rick Mounce & Damon Briggs
WEDNESDAY EVENING:	Mary & Scott Lebeau

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

With a Thankful Heart,
Lois

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