Hope Notes 7/28/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Over the past few weeks, one theme has been presenting itself over and over again – relationships.  What about them?  Well, I guess the main thing is how important they are.  And knowing how important they are, is it any wonder that Satan tries his best to destroy them?  We need to guard our hearts and nurture those relationships.  And what better place to form them, but at our church!  It is vital that we connect with one another, pray for one another, encourage one another, and create bonds that go beyond the casual Sunday morning chit chat.  "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three stands is not quickly broken" Ecclesiastes 4:12

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE
7/31 – The Momentum of Fighting (2 Samuel 2:10 – 3:5)

Slamming on the brakes in your car for a sudden stop lets you feel the fight we have against momentum.  Trying to stop all that steel from crashing into the obstacle in front of you is not easy and sometimes feels like it isn't going to happen.  But we face the reality of momentum in other areas of our lives too - whether spiritually, relationally, financially, or any other part.  It even seems senseless to keep making those choices, but somehow, we get drawn in again because we've been living in a mode that keeps going even while we're trying to stop.  After David is crowned king, the fighting between his men and Saul's men continues – even though Saul is dead.  As we look at this story, we'll see what it takes to bring destructive choices to an end in the face of our momentum.

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!  Coming up next week - Praise & Worship Night!

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

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.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Church Picnic             September 18^th

Ladies Fellowship Luncheon   October 8th

Baptism Ceremony                Early October

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
Our Youth Group will be "on hiatus" as we wait for God's direction and provision for our teens.  We want to express our gratefulness and our gratitude to Chris and Steph Mulder for the work they have done with our youth.  Their love and dedication leaves an imprint on the lives of each and every one of our teens.  We appreciate their generosity of spirit in giving so much of themselves to the youth of Hope.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

NURSERY MEETING – THIS SUNDAY
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!

QUICKBOOKS
We are currently looking for anyone with some knowledge of QuickBooks who might be interested in helping our treasurer.  If you are interested, please contact Pastor Mark, Damon or LaTosha Briggs.

 

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	Naidona & Brian Ott
TODDLER	Jenn & Matt Headley
PRE-K THRU K	Tina & Craig Campana
1ST -3rd	Pam Fein & Denise Brion
4th - 5th	Kimmie Rice
GREETERS:	Rick Mounce
	Judy Gotshall
	Katrina Mariani
	Emily Hartwell
COUNTERS:	Bill Berry & Mike Hartwell
WEDNESDAY EVENING:	Dana Ott

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
Youth Group – Please pray for God's leading and provision for our Youth Group.
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

Jesus is Lord,
Lois

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