Hope Notes 9/22/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Our family spent the last week relaxing together on our first vacation in four years.  It was a wonderful time of refreshment and reconnection.  But, you know what?  I really missed my church family!  Just one Sunday away makes me feel "out-of-the-loop" and with a little empty space where all the friendly hugs and greetings usually go.  It is such a blessing to be part of a church that truly does make you feel like family.  My hope and prayer for each and every one of you would be that Hope is the place you can call home and know that you have a place here in the body of Christ that no one else can fill.

SUNDAY MESSAGE

9/25 – Foundations for a Leader – 2 Samuel 5:1-16

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a famous monument in Italy.  It is certainly beautiful and ornate. But its fame comes from the simple fact that the builder did not have a strong enough foundation to keep it standing straight.  Left to itself, it would have eventually fallen over.  A seemingly simple oversight has very predictable and visible consequences.  And for every calling in our lives as believers, we need a foundation that is strong as well.  It begins (like it did for David as king over Israel) with hearing and following God.  Our relationship with Him is the first step.  But as we go forward, there are other key parts to the foundation of our lives.  And the choices we make here will have a dramatic impact on the stability and success of the work we do.   Will we be trustworthy….will we live in courage….will we build wisely for the future?  Let's look at David's example of what to do (and what not to do!).

 

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 SEPTEMBER
Psalms 42 – 72
The Psalms give us a beautiful glimpse of the nature of God, of His undying love for us, and of wht true love for God is like.  If you need comfort and encouragement, the book of Psalms is a great place to find it!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY
7:00 – 8:15
You don't want to miss our study of 1Corinthians!  The Christians at Corinth were like so many of us today – they knew Christ, but they still needed His cleansing! Gathering together midweek to dig into God's Word is key in staying connected to our church family and to our Lord.  Childcare is provided.

BAPTISM CEREMONY
Sunday, October 2^nd @ 1:30pm
First class is this Thursday, 9/23 at 7:00 at Pastor Mark's house.
Anyone who has trusted Christ but still needs to be baptized is welcome to be a part of this service.  There are 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. 

 

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 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

 

SMALL GROUP
We would like for everyone who is a part of Hope to help us expand our sense of community by helping us form small groups.   We'll take a look at how the Bible emphasizes God's plan for us to grow and be healthy through relationships within our spiritual family. For our small groups to work, we need each of you to embrace our core values of inclusion, teamwork, relationships, and even sacrifice.  We need YOU to help us form the community God calls us to.  Anyone having trouble getting plugged into a Small Group can see Damon Ott; he will help match you up with a group!

 

LADIES FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON
Saturday, October 8^th 12:00 – 3:00
This is not an "old ladies luncheon"!  This is meant for everyone age 13 and up!  Bring your girl friends and be prepared to be blessed with good food, good company, and a good Word!
It's time for our ladies to spend some time enjoying each other's company!  This is our opportunity to catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and just reconnect as the women of Hope.  We will be having a special devotion by Linda Phillips.  Linda is the sister of Joy, our missionary in Africa. Please sign up in the Resource Room to let us know if you can bring a dish to share and how many we need to prepare for.  See Liz Johnson or Lois Hartwell with any questions.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
The children will be practicing on Sundays this year.  Practices will begin for the elementary (1^st-6^th grades) on September 25^th.  We're again inviting the 6^th graders to join our program to help us make it even better.  Our Toddler and Pre-school classes will be working together and will begin practicing on October 9^th.  We all love to have the kids on stage for the program (which this year will be on December 18^th), so please make sure they are at church each Sunday to practice so that they can be a part of the program that day. 

 

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 - SEPTEMBER
It's time to make some Back-to-School treats!  We are collecting baking supplies such as cake mixes, brownie mixes, flour, sugar, vanilla, cupcake liners, 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!

MEALS MINISTRY
Needs Team is updating the Rotating Meals Ministry list.  We could use some other willing hearts to prepare the occasional meal for a family during a time of need.  Anyone who would like to be added to this list please see Lorraine Otis or contact her at lorraineotis@comcast.net.  

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	Sue Quinn and Lucy Muhlbaier
TODDLER	Becky and Tori Lein
PRE-K THRU K	Linda Landis and Linda Ellison
1ST -3rd	Lisa Landis
4th - 5th	Kimmie Rice
GREETERS:	Mike Hartwell
	Emily Hartwell
	Matt Austen
	Lisa Minner
COUNTERS:	Bill Berry and Mike 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

He is Ever Faithful,
Lois

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