Hope Notes 9/29/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
I always feel a little sad as I watch the leaves fall to the ground.  What makes them give up their grip on the branch and flutter to the earth?  Do you see how they sometimes fall without even a breeze to make them let go?  It's because they are slowly dying, their hold on the tree loosening a little more every day.  The branch doesn't let go of them; the leaves are the ones who "let go".  So it is with us and our heavenly Father.  We are the ones who begin "dying" as we slowly loosen our grasp on the Father.  It's a slow process – so slow that we may not even realize it's happening until one day we find ourselves on the ground, wondering how we got there.  "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

SUNDAY MESSAGE

10/2 – God Will Fight For You – 2 Samuel 5:17-25

Have you ever been surprised at the attacks you face in your life?  Maybe you weren't expecting to be attacked at all because you were doing the right thing – and suddenly, because of that, you're under attack. Or maybe what stuns you is the ferocity of the attack you're facing.  Life has plenty of battles to fight, and life as a believer has even more!  David experienced that reality soon after becoming king.  He had finally realized God's promise of ruling over Israel, and suddenly, the Philistines rise up to take him down.  As we watch David's approach to these battles, we can learn about our own battles.  And in the end, the good news is that we can have God fighting for us just like David did if we'll trust Him and follow Him just like David did

 

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 OCTOBER – JOHN
How would you respond if someone were to ask you, "Who was Jesus and what should He mean to me?"  If you're looking for answers to that question, look no further than the Gospel of John.  Written by "the disciple whom Jesus loved", the Gospel has one main purpose:  to foster faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God. 

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 – THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, October 2^nd @ 1:30pm

Calvary Bible Church, Delsea Dr., Deptford
We invite you all to come and be blessed by the Baptism ceremony this Sunday.  It is such a special time for those who have chosen to make a public proclamation that they belong to Jesus and that He has washed them clean!  It is always a very touching and joyous occasion! 

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 GROUPS
Small Group study sheets are out! 
Registration forms for small groups should be turned in by Sunday to Damon Briggs.
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...  Anyone having trouble getting plugged into a Small Group can see Damon Briggs; 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

SEPTEMBER GIVING UPDATE

For the month of September, we averaged $4255 per week which is a little above our weekly giving target of $4000 per week.  This brings our annual average weekly giving to $4226.  We are so thankful for each person who sacrifices and faithfully gives so that this ministry can flourish and reach out for the goals God has for us.  Please continue to pray for God's provision for our ministry, and for each family who is a part of our church family

 

DISTRACTION FREE ZONE
We are asking your help in keeping our worship service as free from distractions as possible in order to better focus our hearts and minds on what the Lord has for us.  Please be sure all cell phones are silenced and, if you need to get up during the service, please sit in the back or on the side of the auditorium.  These simple things can go far in giving our worship experience the reverence it deserves.  Thank you!

 

SPILLS STRATEGY
Oops!  Did your drink get knocked over during service?  Never fear – all you need to do is slip out the back and grab a greeter.  He/she will take care of it for you!  If you can't find a greeter, we do have a bucket with some towels in the storage closet out in the lobby.  Just grab a towel or two and throw it down on the spill.  We can deal with the intense clean up after service.

 

NOMINATIONS FOR DEACON AND ELDER CANDIDATES
This Sunday Pastor Mark will have the forms for partners to nominate partners for these roles.  More information regarding the process is on the forms.  Forms must be turned in to Pastor Mark by November 6^th.

 

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

FOOD PANTRY
THANKSGIVING BASKETS
We are beginning to gather the makings of a yummy Thanksgiving Dinner for families in need.  Please bring cranberry sauce, stuffing, canned sweet or white potatoes, rice or potato side dish mixes, canned french fried onion rings, etc.  We already have plenty of vegetables.  We can also take some refrigerator/freezer items such as frozen turkeys or Pillsbury biscuits. 
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	Naidona and Brian Ott
TODDLER	Judy Gottshall and Abbey Harkin
PRE-K THRU K	Franne Harkin
1ST -3rd	Lisa Landis
4th - 5th	Kimmie Rice
GREETERS:	Greg Corrado
	Dorothy Haines
	Helen Mastalski
	Wendy Lynch
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

Can't Live Without Him,
Lois

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