Hope Notes 11/3/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
It's time for my public service announcement again – please remember to turn your clocks back this Saturday evening before you go to bed!  For those of you who like to think of it this way, you will get an "extra" hour of sleep. Personally, I like it when we turn the clock back.  I like having it get dark earlier; it's nice and cozy inside at dinnertime, you can settle in and feel all tucked in!  I also like that it gets light earlier; then it doesn't seem like you're getting up in the middle of the night!  Whatever your preference, just be sure you've got the time right so you don't miss out on any part of our Sunday worship at Hope! 

SUNDAY MESSAGE
11/6 - Included and Overwhelmed – 2 Samuel 7:18-29

Humility is not exactly very appealing to us.  Actually, it is appealing to us in others, but we don't want to humble ourselves.  Yet anyone who gets a glimpse of Almighty God has no choice but to know how little they are in comparison.  David feels this reality when God responds to his desire to build the temple by making eternal promises to David and his family.  David lifts up praise to the Lord, and cries out in humility before God.  He is about to go on an amazing eternal journey because of God's greatness and faithfulness.  But it is a journey he would have never experienced if he hadn't first humbled himself before the Lord.  Are we willing to humble ourselves before God?  And if we are, what impact will that have on our lives?

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. 

 

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. 

WEDNESDAY EVENING NURSERY
We now have a list of volunteers for our nursery.  Thank you to these ladies who are willing to step up and serve where there is a need!

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.
Please Note:  Our next Young Adults meeting (11/7) will be our first with child care provided!  If anyone in this age group has been waiting for us to set up child care so they can come out and be a part, please come out on 11/7.  We will have a schedule that night so everyone can volunteer to take a week and we can organize childcare as an ongoing part of our Young Adults meeting.

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
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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

PARTNER'S BUSINESS MEETING – THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, November 6th

We will be having a church business meeting for all of our partners after the service on Sunday November 6.  We will be proposing to take Dave Hallahan as our youth pastor, and to pay him part time.  Please continue to pray through this issue as we finish up the month of October and prepare for our meeting.

 

NOMINATIONS FOR DEACON AND ELDER CANDIDATES
Due this Sunday!
We need for our Partners to nominate Partners for these positions.  Nomination forms are in the Resource Room.  Informational sheets on Deacons and Leadership/Elder positions are located right next to the Nomination forms. Forms must be turned in to Pastor Mark by November 6^th.

 

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 BASKET NEEDS
We are asking the body of Hope to be our eyes and ears in order to help the Needs Team come up with a list of families here at church who could use a little help with some Thanksgiving food.  If you know of anyone who could benefit from a Thanksgiving basket, please see someone on the Needs Team (Mike Hartwell, Lorraine Otis, Karen Jones, Al Lewis, Charlotte Zediker).  Thank you!

FOOD PANTRY
Thanksgiving Baskets
We have families to feed and still not much food!  Please help!
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 designated spot in the back of the auditorium.  All donations must be brought in by Sunday November 13^th.

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 -                       Sharon Sambucci & Pat Schug
Toddlers                        Rebecca & John Jacob
Pre K – Kindergarten    Kim & Ryan Lawlor
1^st – 5^th                           Christmas Program Practice
Counters                        Rick Mounce & Damon Briggs
Greeters                        Rob Devereaux
                                      Wendy Devereaux
                                      Mickey Dariano
                                      Lucille Franchetti
Wed. Evening                Anita Little & Liz Johnson

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

Encourage One Another,
Lois

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