Hope Notes 3/1/12

Dear Friends of Hope~

Even with the extra day, the month of February just flew by! I didn't really pay any attention to the fact that we had an extra day until the day actually came and went.  Now I feel like God gave me the gift of a whole additional 24 hours to fill; a gift that won't come around again until 2016 (which, btw will fall on a Monday).  And what did I do with His gift?  NOTHING!  Nothing special, that is.  Nothing to acknowledge or commemorate the day.   Only God could throw a whole extra day into our calendar year.  It blows my mind to truly make sense out of it.  Lesson learned – EVERY day is really a gift from God; the fact that He allows us to take even another breath is a gift.  I may have "wasted" my bonus day, but I am determined not to waste any more of His daily gifts to me!

  SUNDAY MESSAGE
3/4 – Running or Taking a Stand (2 Samuel 15:13-37)

We all wonder what we would do in the face of real danger.  Would we stand or would we run?  Before we actually come face to face with a situation like that, it is really difficult to know what we would do.  But many of us do have to face struggles, challenges, and even dangers that are different from an outright threat to our life.  What is our response in these day to day trials?  Do we run from them and try to ignore them, hide from them, and pretend they don't exist? Or do we face them in faith – trusting in the strength of the Lord to meet the challenges that rise to meet us?  In our study about David's life, David has been in a mode of ignoring the challenges in his life.  As a new threat rises, let's see how he chooses to react to this one – and how it can teach us about our choices in these moments.

 

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.

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY PRAYER TIME

All Sunday School and Nursery teachers/helpers are invited to come join us in the Toddler Classroom every Sunday from 9:40 – 9:45 for a time of prayer before the children begin arriving.

BIBLE READING FOR MARCH – LUKE
Written by a physician, Luke outlines the life of Christ in far more detail than any of the other three Gospels.  Modern, secular historians have checked the accuracy of Luke's record and have come away impressed – he just didn't make any historical errors.  But, far more than history, Luke's Gospel records the central point in the history of God's relationship to us – the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ – and emphasizes the importance of prayer and the role of the Holy Spirit.  

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

 

BOWLING NIGHT
Sunday, March 11
5:00 – 7:00pm
This is a great even we host every year – you can meet folks and make new friends, and get to enjoy time with your family!  Brunswick Lanes, Rt. 47, Deptford (near Wal-Mart).  $5.00 /person for shoe rental and two hours of bowling.  Sorry, no age discounts -- anyone who bowls pays $5.00.  Watching and cheering on is free!  Signup sheet is in the Resource Room. 

 

WOMEN'S WEEKEND – LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

March 30^th – April 1^st

Calvary Chapel of Delaware County is taking part in the Women's Weekend at Sandy Cove in North East MD.  The program includes sessions led by Debbi Bryson and Sherri Youngward, workshops, activities, and prayer.

For more information, contact CCDC at 610-459-8111 or www.ccdelco.com.

 

HCF SOFTBALL TEAM

If you can put on a baseball glove, a pair of cleats, and swing a bat – the HCF Softball Team needs you!  We have a co-ed team; open to anyone who turns 15 or older before April. See Lenny Little with any questions.  Signup sheet is in the back.

 

HCF BLOCK PARTY

Saturday May 19^th

It's not too early to mark your calendars for this special day!  This is the first of two main outreach events for our community this year. 

We're going to need 'all hands on deck' to make this a success, so we wanted to get that date out to everyone right now so that we can save the date on our calendars.  In the next month, we'll be asking for help in all kind of areas, from food, to games, to give-aways, to vendor or crafter tables, to parking and setup and cleanup.  There is more to do than we've ever done before, but we are excited for what God is going to do as we reach out to our community on that day.  Keep watching for more information in the coming weeks!

 

ITEMS NEEDED FOR BLOCK PARTY

We are in the planning stages for this big event and there are a few items we are looking for right now:

Several 10 x 10 tents

                             Carnival type games

 

If anyone has these items available, please let Pastor Mark of Dana know.

 

MEN'S BREAKFAST

Second Saturday of Every Month

8:30 am

Come and join us for a delicious breakfast and a good time of fellowship/sharing with the men of Hope.  Feel free to bring a friend!  Open to men 18 and older.  If anyone would like to help set-up and/or prepare, we meet in the kitchen at 7:00 am. See Bob Rice with any questions

 

SMALL GROUPS – STILL GOING STRONG!
Study sheets are located 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!

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.

 

YOUTH RETREAT

April 20th-22nd @ Delanco Camp.
Early registration is $95.00.  Any registration within a week of the retreat will be $125. Students who attend five Wednesday night meetings from February through the retreat will receive $25 towards their registration fee and those who attend ten meetings will receive $50. More information can be attained through contacting Dave Hallahan (dmhallahan5@gmail.com or 856-340-8519) or from Delanco.org.  Be sure to register all students with Dave. A down payment of $45 will be required at time of registration.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FEBRUARY GIVING

Our giving for the month of February was $6039 per week which brings our annual weekly giving average to $5082.  We are so thankful for God's provision and for the faithfulness and sacrifice of our church family.  There is no doubt that the Lord has great plans in store for us this year as we go forward together for His Kingdom!

 

REFRIGERATOR NEEDED

We are looking to replace one full freezer in our kitchen with a large refrigerator.  If anyone has one that they would be willing to donate to the church, please let one of our deacons know.

 

WEBSITE LUNCHEON

Sunday March 18^th

We are going to hold a lunch meeting after church on March 18th for anyone who is interested in helping us with our church website.  We want to make our website everything it needs to be in order to help those checking out our church get a good feel for who we are and what we're about.  If you have experience with websites, or are a writer or photographer or graphic designer, we'd like you on our team.  The lunch will be a chance for us to gather everyone interested and organize so that we can keep our website fresh and informational. Coming to the lunch doesn't mean you are committed, but we are praying that God will draw together the right team to work together on this powerful tool.  Please sign up on the signup sheet in the back. See Pastor Mark or Dana with any questions.

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES – DUE SUNDAY
This is our last chance to get those baby bottles filled with change!  If you'd rather keep it simple, you can just write a tax deductible check made payable to Choices of the Heart and slip it into the bottle.  The bottles are due back by March 4^th; however Wendy Devereaux will take them at any time and make a delivery to Choices herself. 

 

DIRECTORY PHOTOS

Prints of the church directory photos are available for those of you who are interested!  To order, visit http://syllipsiphoto.smugmug.com/Children-Families/Hope-Christian-Fellowship-2011.  You can also contact Kristy Straub for additional information at syllipsiphoto@gmail.com, or text/call 856-217-7233.

 

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.

 

FOOD PANTRY

Our food pantry has been given a good housecleaning and is ready to go!  All expired food has been tossed and we find that we are low on the following items:

v  Pasta Sauce

v  Peanut Butter and Jelly

v  Boxed Macaroni and Cheese

v  Complete Meals in a Box

v  Canned Fruit

Please remember to check the expiration dates and put all donations in the basket located outside the kitchen door.

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 -                       Sue Quinn & Lucy Muhlbaier
Toddlers                        Erin Lenord, Luke Sweigart, Tampha Hill
Pre K – Kindergarten    Linda Landis, Linda Ellison
1^st – 5^th                           TBA
Counters                        Mike Hartwell, Rick Mounce
Greeters                        Mike Hartwell
                                       Matt Austen
                                      Lisa Minner
                                      Emily Hartwell
Wed. Evening Workers  (N) Anita Little, Anne Jefferson (4-5) Connie Matthews

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

Tom Albright – Please keep Tom and his family in prayer as they say goodbye to his Mother; a loss felt here on earth, but a homecoming in heaven.
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!

"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

Indebted to Him,
Lois

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