Hope Notes 8/25/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
"Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord…" Ps 114:7  Well, our earth was trembling earlier this week, that's for sure!  You know what I was thinking?  I was thinking that, no matter how much I wanted it to stop; there wasn't a thing I could do to make it happen!  There was never a clearer example of how very little control I have over anything.  It is God who sets the moon and stars in place, who holds back the seas, who gives light to the sun, and who keeps our earth firm beneath our feet.  How could we have any illusions that we then have control over the events of our day to day lives?  I guess I kind of liked being reminded of Who is ultimately in charge, and boy, am I glad He is!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE
8/28 – An Opportunity to Go Backwards (2 Samuel 4)

"One step forward and two steps back…"  No matter how familiar that saying is, it doesn't seem like a good recipe for making progress.  A net move backwards almost never feels like a good thing.  But as we walk through our lives as believers, we are continually offered (through temptation) an opportunity to go backwards.  Somehow, the master deceiver makes it seem like going backwards is desirable.  But of course, it isn't.  In this story, David is faced with a very similar situation to the death of Saul.  And he again has the opportunity to act in his flesh instead of acting by faith in the Lord.  A huge part of growing in our faith is facing these opportunities to go backwards and rejecting them!

 

UPCOMING SPECIAL SERVICES

9/11 Memorial

This will be a day to reflect and remember what happened to our country, as well as what God taught us through the events of that day.  Bob Rice will share his testimony about his own personal experience during the months he was at Ground Zero.  He has some items to display from NYC, the Pentagon, and Shenksville.

Many people may be looking for something of substance to do on this day to commemorate the events of 9/11.  If we keep our eyes open, God may use us to invite anyone who will need this type of memorial. And for all of us, it is a good time to remember how God walked with us through those days of chaos and turmoil.

 

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 AUGUST – 1THESSALONIANS
We all need Hope.  In this book, the apostle Paul gives us a slightly different take on the word hope.  The ultimate hope is that Jesus is coming back.  Does that mean we hope He comes, but we're not sure?  Far from it! The kind of hope Paul talks about in this letter is a rock solid assurance that God always keeps His promises, including His promise that Jesus will return to earth in order to reward all those who live for Him.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY – PUPPET SHOW!
7:00 – 8:15 pm
In place of our usual Bible Study, the children's class will be presenting a Puppet Show!  Everyone is invited to attend.  Don't forget to bring your family and friends!  We'll have our café tables set up for your enjoyment and will be serving refreshments after the show.  Our kids have put a lot of effort into this; let's be sure to come out and support them.

BAPTISM CEREMONY
Sunday, October 2^nd @ 1:30pm
Anyone who has trusted Christ but still needs to be baptized is welcome to be a part of this service.  We'll be setting up two classes for those who want to be baptized.  If you want to be baptized, you will need to attend both classes.  If you're interested, please see Pastor Mark to get a book to be read before those classes begin.  Dates will be weeknights in the weeks before 10/2, with exact dates and times to be announced soon!

 

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
Meeting Twice a Month Beginning in September!
Meets the 1^st and 3^rd 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

 

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.

 

CHURCH PICNIC
September 18th
It's almost time for our annual picnic!  The festivities will begin immediately following worship.  Get ready for an awesome time of fellowship, games, food, and fun!  Hope will provide burgers, dogs, and beverages.  Sign up to bring a dish or dessert to share.  (Signups should be out 8/21 or 28)  We will also be looking for some volunteers to help with games.

 

SMALL GROUP KICK OFF
September 18
Small Groups are vital to the body of Hope.  We are a family and need to stay connected with one another.  Since that's a little hard to do just seeing each other after church or Bible study, we need to get plugged in to a Small Group.  They are just one of the ways in which we can form deeper relationships as we learn and grow together.  We will be discussing and kicking off the group formation process 9/18. 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ladies Fellowship Luncheon   October 8th

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

DOGGIE SHOWER – THIS SUNDAY
Sunday August 28^th
If you signed up to bring an item to the Doggie Shower for Kim Biglin, please remember to bring it with you this Sunday!  If you have any questions, please contact Kim at KimmiB@comcast.net or Lorraine Otis (Needs Team) at lorraineotis@comcast.net.

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!

HELP FOR THE PUPPET SHOW
If you are willing to lend a hand with our Puppet Show on Wednesday, August 31^st, please sign up in the Resource Room to bring a treat to share and/or to help clean up.

FESTIVAL HELPERS
Saturday, September 10^th
We will have a table set up at the Woodbury Heights Annual Anniversary Celebration with information on Hope Christian Fellowship.  We are looking for some volunteers to help man the table!  More details will follow.  There is a signup sheet on the back table.  See Ellen Lewis with any questions.

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.

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	Sharon Rainey & Sharon Sambucci
TODDLER	Dawn & John Brazelis
PRE-K THRU K	Bill McGinness & Isaiah Owens
1ST -3rd	Lisa Fiorile
4th - 5th	Anne Owens
GREETERS:	Al Lewis
	Lorraine Otis
	Charlotte Zediker
	Diane Beardsworth
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
Youth Group – Please pray for God to provide the right youth pastor and the right team of people around him.
Kids Ministry Director.  Please pray for God to connect us with 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

Radically Trusting Him!
Lois

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