Hope Notes 12/15/11

Dear Friends of Hope~
I thought I'd put out a little bit of info entitled "Reverse Visitor Etiquette".  Usually, whenever we expect to have a higher-than-usual amount of visitors, we would encourage everyone to move towards the front and middle of the auditorium.  This enables our visitors to stay closer to the back and sides, which is more comfortable for most guests.  However, THIS WEEK we would encourage you not to be possessive of your "up front" seats;  instead let all the friends and family who have come to see their children in the Christmas Program sit nice and close so they can take pictures and enjoy the presentation.  Of course, all other Visitor Etiquette still applies!  Look around to make sure you welcome those new faces and are there to offer help to anyone who looks lost or confused!

SUNDAY MESSAGE

12/18 – Kid's Program – Legacy of Love (1 John 2:15; 4:23)

What gifts are we giving this Christmas?  Our kids are giving us a great gift this morning by presenting their Christmas program for us this Sunday.  The Christmas season always hits full stride when we reach this moment, and we have been looking forward to this for quite a while.  But it is more than just the adorable kids and our great love for them!  What they present this morning has deep meaning.  Our elementary kids will present a program centered on the idea of leaving a legacy for those who come after us.  And this Christmas is an opportunity like that for each of us.  Is there a gift you can give your loved ones this Christmas that will be more than just a present?  Something that will last so much longer?  Let's see what God can do in our lives to make us a blessing to those we love!

 

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 DECEMBER – PHILIPPIANS
Joy is the overriding theme of this book – joy in the blessings of God showered on His people.  Yet joy has little to do with circumstances; when Paul wrote this book he was sitting in a Roman prison.  Paul was a great example of living joyfully while enduring a harsh situation.  His letter to the Philippians is affectionate, warm, and full of encouragement.  Philippians proves that joy has nothing to do with our circumstances, but only with our commitment to the work of Christ.

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.

Note:  There is no Bible Study 12/21 so that we may all enjoy the Christmas Café!

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

 

YOUNG ADULTS CHRISTMAS CAROLING AND PARTY – THIS MONDAY

December 19^th at 6:00

We will meet at the church at 6:00 for some Christmas caroling and then gather together at 7:00 for our Christmas party!  Don't worry if you can't make the caroling; be sure you still come to the party.  Please bring a snack to share and be sure to have your game face on for some Christmas fun!

 

CHRISTMAS CAFÉ – THIS WEDNESDAY

Wednesday December 21^st

We will be holding our annual Christmas Café in place of Bible Study this Wednesday.  It's a great way to get in the spirit of Christmas – we set up the round tables, sit with each other and enjoy some delicious holiday treats.  Entertainment is graciously provided by different members of our very own Hope family!

 

SMALL GROUPS
Small Group study sheets are 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!

Please Note:  Our Small Groups will be on hiatus during the Christmas season, so we will not be putting any new study sheets out.  Feel free to meet and celebrate the holidays with your group if you so desire!  Next study sheet will be out January 8^th.

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!  See Dave Hallahan with any questions.

 

"POST CHRISTMAS" CHRISTMAS PARTY

Friday, December 30^th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Come dressed as your favorite Christmas character from any Christmas movie.  There will be prizes for best dressed and most creative costume!  Also, please bring a gift for the White Elephant Gift Exchange.  It can be something you already own, or purchase with a $5 MAX limit.  The goal is laughter, not awesome presents!  See Dave Hallahan with any questions.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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!

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

Wednesday, January 4th at 7:00pm

We will be having our annual business meeting in place of Bible Study.  All partners are strongly encouraged to come and vote for our Leadership/Elder and Deacon candidates.  Anyone interested in finding out more about where we've been as a church in 2011 and where God is taking us in 2012 is also encouraged to come.  Although being a church is a spiritual thing, we also have business to take care of and this is when we do it!

 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SECTION

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARENTS
Sunday December 18

Next Sunday is our Kid's Christmas Program!! Parents of Toddlers and Pre-school children please have your children here next week at 9:00am. You can take them directly to their regular classes.  Kara (with her helpers) will be gathering them to get a "sound check" on the big stage one more time before the service starts. Parents of 1st-6th graders should plan to arrive no later than 9:30am. That class will be meeting in the Youth Room to warm up on a song or two and then get ready to go! Thanks for your help in being on time for this special day!"

 

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 still in need of a helper for our 4-5 year old classes and a teacher/helper for our 2-3 year old classes.  Please search your heart to see if God is calling you to help with this ministry.  We would hate to have to cancel these classes due to lack of help.

Contact Jen Winstel at jenwinrn@comcast.net  or Pastor Mark to volunteer.

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY MEETING
Sunday, January 15^th
We are in need of a few new teams for the Toddler and Pre-K/Kindergarten classes for the upcoming year.  We will have a quick meeting with all Toddler and Pre-K/Kindergarten teachers and helps, along with anyone who might be interested in serving this ministry.  We will be meeting the Toddler Room.  Contact Franne Harkin (fhark7@yahoo.com) with any questions.

 

VBS PROGRAM 2012 MEETING
January 8th
We are excited that so many people showed an interest in coordinating VBS at our first meeting!  We will have another meeting immediately following the morning service January 8^th.

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 -                       Nicole Babli & Mallory Pantaleo
Toddlers                        TBA
Pre K – Kindergarten    Linda Landis & Linda Ellison
1^st – 5^th                           Christmas Program
Counters                        LaTosha Briggs & Lois Hartwell
Greeters                        Rick Mounce
                                      Judy Gotshall
                                      Katrina Mariani
                                      Rick Ayusa
Wed. Evening                Christmas Cafe

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
Joy Phillips – (Our missionary in Africa, and her sister Linda) For safety and God's protection as they endure the hardships of the Sudan while sharing God's love with the Sudanese December 10-17.
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

Serving a Risen Lord,
Lois

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