Hope Notes 10/6/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
Wow – all I had to do was read Pastor Mark's first line in the message description and what entered my mind was "If it's the thought that counts, then imagine what God must have been thinking when He gave us the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ!".  What WAS He thinking?  He knew what a sinful and weak bunch of humanity we would turn out to be.  He knew we certainly weren't going to do anything to DESERVE that gift.  He knew what that gift would cost Him.  And yet, He chose to give it to us anyway!  "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" Psalm 8:3-4  How appropriate that we remember that gift with Communion this Sunday.

SUNDAY MESSAGE

10/9 – Good Motives Fall Flat – 2 Samuel 6:1-11

COMMUNION

We've probably all heard that, when it comes to gifts, "it's the thought that counts."  But is that true?  Maybe it should be true, but there are plenty of instances where there is no doubt that the thought didn't count for much.  Still, there's something inside us that wants this concept to be true.  And when it comes to life, or to spiritual matters, we really hope that sincerity and good motives will be enough.  But what we'll see in the story of David today is that the best intentions do not offset wrong actions.  We are definitely in a better position to learn from mistakes if we have good intentions, but it does not mean that what we do will automatically work.  David learned this lesson the hard way, and God recorded this story so that we could all learn from his experience instead of having to learn it on our own.

 

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. 

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
Our Children's Program runs at the same time as Bible study.  We currently offer classes for 2-3 year olds, 4-5 year olds, and 1st thru 5^th graders.  We don't have a nursery as of yet, but we are praying that the Lord will move in some of our folks to organize childcare for our infants on a rotating basis.

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 and in the back of the auditorium.  As our Small Groups begin meeting, 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 still looking for a Small Group to plug into can see Damon Briggs; he will help you get connected!

LADIES FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON – THIS SATURDAY
Saturday, October 8^th 12:00 – 3:00!
All "ladies" ages 13 and up – bring a friend and come enjoy 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.  See Liz Johnson or Lois Hartwell with any questions.

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

YOUTH GROUP - YOUTH PASTOR UPDATE

Please pray with us as we explore the possibility of having Dave Hallahan be our youth pastor.  We're asking our entire church to lift this in prayer during the month of October.  With our youth group on hiatus, we are trusting that God will lead in our church and in Dave's life as we look for His guidance in this situation.  It is exciting to think that God may be answering our prayers and moving us forward to a focused and powerful ministry to our teens.  As part of this process, we are planning the following two special Sundays:

 

YOUTH HANG OUT AT PASTOR MARK'S
October 16^th

After the Sunday service, we are inviting all our teens to come to Pastor Mark and Dana's house to hang out and have some fun with Dave and his fiancée Leah.  We'll provide pizza for lunch and, weather permitting; we'll play some games in the backyard.  What we need is for every teen that is able to come out and join us.  Pick up time for parents is 3:30pm at Pastor Mark and Dana's home (6 East Ave, Clayton, NJ 08312).  Note:  We will need a couple of vehicles after the service to help us get the teens to Clayton!

 

SPECIAL CHURCH SERVICE & LUNCH

October 30th

We will have the privilege of having Dave speak for our morning service.  This will be an amazing Sunday, because in addition to having Dave share, we'll have the privilege of having Compelled come and lead worship for us that morning!  You won't want to miss a minute of the service.  Following the service, we're inviting everyone to stick around for a simple lunch together.  We're asking each church family to help us with this lunch by bringing a soup, a chili, or some sandwiches.  And of course, we'll need those desserts as well!  Make sure to mark your calendars right now so you don't miss out on the blessings (or the food)!!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

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	Denise Brion & Pam Fein
4th - 5th	Mary Lebeau and Kylie Ott
GREETERS:	Greg Corrado
	Dorothy Haines
	Helen Mastalski
	Wendy Lynch
COUNTERS:	Carole Baumiester and Kathy Berry

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
Nikki Babli - For her good friends, Andrea and Shaun.  Shaun is dealing with many tests while they try and determine if/where he has cancer.  They are a young married couple, only 28.
Youth Pastor – Please pray for God's clarity and leading in our church and in Dave Hallahan's life as we move forward in acquiring a Youth Pastor.
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.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Ephesians 6:18

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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