Hope Notes 11/17/11

Dear Friends of Hope~

If you're lucky, you might get to see a Thanksgiving decoration or two this week.  The world gives such a short window to this season of thankfulness.  We leap from Halloween to Christmas in the blink of an eye.  For believers, thankfulness is something we feel every day (hopefully!) and so Thanksgiving takes on much more of a spiritual overtone.  I guess that's why I feel so miffed when society barely acknowledges the holiday.  However – I am never disappointed by our own church!  We make it a point to dedicate the Sunday before Thanksgiving as a time to acknowledge publicly or privately all that we have to be thankful for and for everything God is doing in our lives.  If you've been one to breeze over this holiday in the past, let this year be the one where you stop and truly reflect on all your blessings.  You will find it makes Thanksgiving much more than just the beginning of Christmas shopping!

SUNDAY MESSAGE
11/20 – Praise Service

Each year, we set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving to come together as a church family and give God praise and thanks for all He is and for all He's done.  Join us this Sunday for a time of worship and sharing God's goodness together.  We'll give you an opportunity to publicly thank the Lord, or to just give Him thanks in your heart.  And there's no doubt it will be an incomparable blessing to you as we kick off this week of Thanksgiving!

 

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 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!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

YOUTH NEWS

 

YOUTH GROUP
Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30
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

 

PLEASE NOTE:  There will be no Wednesday evening activities on 11/23, the night before Thanksgiving.

 

DIRECTORY PICTURES
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 – THIS SUNDAY
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.

 

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!

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SECTION

 

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!

 

NEEDS

We're putting finishing touches on our Christmas program and need a few items to make it complete. If anyone has a cut out lawn Nativity (those wooden looking silhouettes) that we can borrow for the program, please let us know. We're also looking for a park bench. If you have either of these items and are willing to share, please contact Anita Little as soon as possible. Reach her by phone 856-373-2090 or email (alittleshopper@gmail.com) by December 4.

 

PICTURES

Who has left their mark on your life? During the Christmas program this year, we'd like to honor those people who have left a godly legacy in your family. This could be a grandparent, aunt or uncle, parent or even a non-relative that has passed, but who has made a difference in your family's Christian walk. We're putting together a slideshow to be presented during one of the songs in the Christmas program and would love to include a picture of your loved one. If you're interested, please give a picture of your loved one to Melissa McGinness or email it to her at melissamcginness007@comcast.net. Deadline for pictures is 12/11.

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

 December 7^th – Toddler and Preschool practice in auditorium on Wednesday night.  (Adult Bible study in Youth Room)

December 14^th – Elementary program practice in auditorium on Wednesday night.  (Adult Bible study in Youth Room)

December 18^th – Children's Christmas Program during our morning service.

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!

 

CHILDCARE HELPERS FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Our Young Adults meet the 1^st and 3^rd Monday of every month.  Those who have small children are often unable attend.  Come be a blessing to these couples and this ministry – volunteer to take a turn in the Nursery!  Let Pastor Mark or Dana know if you can help.

 

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
Informational Meeting 11/27

Pastor Mark would like to have a meeting right after our morning service for anyone who might be interested in being part of the team to coordinate VBS next summer.  Attending the meeting doesn't mean that you are committing to the program, but simply that you have an interest and/or some questions.  If anyone is interested in attending this meeting, please 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 atlorraineotis@comcast.net

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                        Bill Berry & Mike Hartwell
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 our new Youth Pastor, Dave Hallahan, as he beings the task of ministering to our teens, planning programs for them, and moving forward with God's call on his life here at Hope.
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

Ever Thankful,
Lois

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