Hope Notes 8/4/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
What do you do about church when you go on vacation?  Instead of just not going, why not take the opportunity to attend a local church wherever you are staying.  It's kind of fun to slip in and catch the vibe of another church.  Although I have to admit; I can't help but compare them to our church.  I know it's "wrong', but it always makes me miss Hope, Pastor Mark, and our awesome Worship Team.  We should never take what we have here at Hope for granted.  God has blessed us with such a beautiful family-in-Christ, a pastor who is a gifted teacher of the Word, and the  best Worship Team ever!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE
8/7 – Twisted Loyalties (3:6-21) - COMMUNION

We all value true friendship.  It is a gift that God gives by His grace to bring strength to our souls and encouragement to our hearts.  And we are naturally thirsty for friends that we can count on in good times and bad – people who have our best interests at heart.  But unfortunately, people can pretend to be our friends for their own selfish agenda.  They aren't trying to be there for us; instead, their friendship is just a disguise to hide their desire to use the relationship for their own benefit.  As the story of David continues, we'll see one of Saul's generals switch loyalties – but for the wrong reasons.  But although he tries to use this situation to gain power and security for himself, God uses it to help David establish the kingdom that God had promised!

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
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 – Damon Briggs.

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING PUPPET SHOW
August 31^st @7:00

In place of our usual Bible Study, the children's class will be presenting a Puppet Show!  Everyone is invited to attend – bring your family and your friends!  We will have our café tables and chairs all set up for your enjoyment.  Refreshments will be served after the show.  If you'd like to help, please sign up in the Resource Room to bring a treat to share.

 

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

PUPPET SHOW REHEARSALS
Wednesday Evening, August 24 @ 7:00 in the sanctuary. First live rehearsal

Sunday, August 28^th from 12:00 - 3:00, Last and final rehearsal. ALL NEED TO ATTEND!  

We will have pizza and drinks for the kids and then begin rehearsal promptly at 12:00.

 

DOGGIE SHOWER
Sunday August 28^th
Kim Biglin will be getting a service dog in the near future and is in need of some supplies for her new helper.  We are asking for your assistance in meeting this need for Kim.  There is a list of all supplies needed in the Resource Room.  Please sign your name next to the item of your choice and be sure to bring it to church Sunday August 28^th.  Kim has a driver who brings her in a van and that is the day the items will be able to be loaded into the van.  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!

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.

 

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	Helen Mastalski & Pat Schug
TODDLER	Rebecca & John Jacob
PRE-K THRU K	Kim & Ryan Lawlor
1ST -3rd	Pam Fein & Denise Brion
4th - 5th	Kimmie Rice
GREETERS:	Mike Hartwell
	Lisa Minner
	Lillian LaRue
	TBA
COUNTERS:	Bill Berry & Mike Hartwell
WEDNESDAY EVENING:	Lorraine Otis

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

Thankful for His Mercy,
Lois

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