Hope Notes 11/10/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
How do you feel when God suddenly changes something in your life?  It could be a situation, a job, a relationship, or something as simple as your schedule for the day.  You know how it goes – you have everything all planned out and then a monkey wrench gets thrown your way and everything gets all messed up.  If it's just your day's activities that are affected, you can usually roll with it.  But what about when it's something bigger?  Do you see it as a Divine interruption or a Divine invitation?  Many times when God "interrupts" us, He is actually trying to get our attention and is inviting us to join Him in a different venture.  I've been trying to examine the interruptions and see if I can find God's hand in it; and then try and accept His invitation for change.  It is not easy, but when I do manage to regroup and go His way, it is rewarding in ways you can't imagine.  Give it a try!

SUNDAY MESSAGE
11/13 – Handling Success – 2 Samuel 8

Take a minute and think about what you'd do if you had just become more successful than you've ever imagined.  What would you do?  How would you handle it?  Sure, it's a problem that most of us would like to have, but thinking through something like this helps us confront the reality of what we believe and what matters to us.  As David realizes success after success, let's notice what he does with his success.  And let's settle in our hearts that every victory and every accomplishment will be cause to give glory to the Lord for the way that He has blessed us.  The alternative is to do what we all do most of the time…. Make it all about us.

 

UPCOMING PRAISE SERVICE

November 20^th

Every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, we hold a Praise Service here at Hope.  It's a time to reflect on the goodness of God and what He is doing in our lives and in the lives of others.  Even if you feel you don't have much to be thankful for right now, make sure you come out to this service!  You will be blessed and encouraged beyond measure.  Don't miss this!

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 NOVEMBER – JUDGES
Although God had performed many miracles for Israel, somehow they forgot about God and fell into idolatry.  They paid the price in the form of invasions and oppression.  The book of Judges tells of a succession of leaders called "judges" whom God used to free His people from their harsh overlords.  It reminds us that God loves to show compassion to His People when they come to Him seeking forgiveness. 

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.

 

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. 

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. We now have childcare available.  We will have a schedule so that everyone can volunteer to take a week and keep the childcare going.  See Pastor Mark or Dana for more information.

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.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

SMALL GROUPS
Small Group study sheets are out and in the back of the auditorium, or you can print a copy right from our website!  At 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 still looking for a Small Group to plug into can see Damon Briggs; he will help you get connected!

 

YOUNG ADULTS SCAVENGER HUNT – THIS FRIDAY
November 11 @ 6:00

Awesome Scavenger Hunt and Pizza at church!  Get ready for a great time!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Christmas Café – Wednesday, December 21^st
More details to follow.

YOUTH NEWS

 

YOUTH GROUP IS BACK!!
Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30
We are excited to be starting up our Youth Group program again!  This is a great mid-week boost for our teens to stay connected, grow in the Lord, and have a fun time with each other!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

WELCOME TO DAVE AND LEAH
We are pleased to announce that Dave Hallahan was voted in unanimously as our Youth Pastor at our Business Meeting last Sunday!  We want to extend a warm welcome to Dave (and his fiancée, Leah) as he begins to partner with us and lead our teens.  Let's be sure to keep Dave and Leah in our prayers as we encourage and support them here at Hope.

 

DIRECTORY PICTURES
Beginning this Sunday make sure you come to church looking extra "nice" and get your picture taken for the latest edition of our Church Directory.  We are blessed to have many new faces, and it will be a real help to be able to look people up and put a face to the name!  You can take a minute before or after worship and have your photo taken.

 

NOMINEES MEETING
Sunday November 20th

Pastor Mark and Mike Hartwell will be holding a meeting for all nominees considering accepting a nomination for Elder Candidate and for Deacon immediately following the service in the youth room.  This meeting will be to give all nominees a chance to be informed about the offices they have been nominated for and to prayerfully consider their willingness to commit to the requirements for that role.  All current Deacons and Elders are encouraged to attend as well.

 

HOPE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP PHONE LINE

We are planning to discontinue the church phone line in the near future. We currently have the phone line as a machine where people leave messages, but we feel like there are several other ways to reach the church (email, facebook, in person, mail) that do not have the type of cost involved with maintaining a phone line.  SO we're going to try discontinuing it.  If it becomes an issue in the future, we will revisit installing a landline at the church.

 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Practice for our Children's Christmas Program is being held on Sundays during the worship service.  Once again we are inviting the 6^th graders to join our program to help us make it even better!  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 every Sunday to practice so that they can be a part of the program!

 

CHRISTMAS EVE
Please take note that there will be no Christmas Eve service this year.  With Christmas falling on a Sunday, it's just logistically too difficult to do a service like that on Saturday evening followed by another service on Christmas morning.  We'll simply have one very special service on Sunday morning!

 

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

Deadline this Sunday, November 13^th

Please make sure you bring your food donations by this Sunday.  We are still open to names of families who could use a basket this year.  Please contact someone on the Needs Team (Mike Hartwell, Lorraine Otis, Karen Jones, Al Lewis, Charlotte Zediker) with any names or questions you might have.

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!

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

We are looking for people who are passionate about children to help us staff our Wednesday night kids program for the upcoming semester (January - April).  We need a teacher and helper for the 2-3 year olds, and for the 4-5 year old classes.  We also need someone to coordinate our volunteer nursery on Wednesday nights.  Contact Jen Winstel at jenwinrn@comcast.net  or Pastor Mark to volunteer.

 

VBS PROGRAM 2012

We are asking for anyone who is interested in helping us coordinate a VBS program next year to see Pastor Mark right away.  We will need teachers and helpers for sure, but at this point, we need to start by speaking with whoever would be willing to oversee the whole program.  We could use a few people to team up for this role, so if you're interested in exploring this opportunity, let Pastor Mark know.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Saturday, December 10th
Represent Hope Christian Fellowship at a table at the Williamstown Santa Saturday and Craft Bonanza to be held at Williamstown High School (700 N. Tuckahoe Rd.)  This huge Christmas craft fair attracts people from all over.  Volunteer to man the table and talk to craft-goers about our church.  We don't expect you to be an expert in everything, but just to be willing to come and talk to people about your experience with HCF.  Volunteers can be teenagers and up!  Sign up by one hour time slots on the sign-up sheet in the resource room.  Whether you sign up for one hour or the whole day; any time you can give is greatly appreciated!  Also looking for volunteers willing to set up the table and take it down.  See Ellen Lewis with questions.

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 -                       Karla & Brad Hopkins
Toddlers                        Dawn & John Brazelis
Pre K – Kindergarten    Claire Orsino
1^st – 5^th                           Christmas Program Practice
Counters                        Rick Mounce & Damon Briggs
Greeters                        Rob Devereaux
                                      Wendy Devereaux
                                      Mickey Dariano
                                      Lucille Franchetti
Wed. Evening                Franne Harkin & Cheryl Gotshall

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 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

Worshiping the King,
Lois

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