Hope Notes 3/15/12

Dear Friends of Hope~

I was sitting outside the bank yesterday staring at the row of shrubs in front.  I noticed two lone daffodils sticking up over the evergreens.  I wondered if there was a second layer of dirt on top somehow – how else could they appear over the bushes?  Curious, I got out of the car and went over to look.  There was no hidden second row; they had simply pushed their way up from the ground, through the bushes, and over the top.  They had to be at least 2 ½' high!  They didn't fall over because they were supported by the evergreens.  Such tenacious little flowers!  I admired their determination to bloom, no matter the hindrance they faced.  How persistent are we in the face of obstacles?  If I liken myself to those flowers and the Lord to the evergreens, then I must conclude that we can overcome difficulties and "bloom", but only with the support and strength of our Lord.

SUNDAY MESSAGE

3/18 – Playing Chess with God (2 Samuel 17)

Moves and counter moves – chess is definitely a game of strategy!  You try to anticipate what your opponent will do and use your moves to overcome theirs.  Or you work to go on the attack and make the other side react to what you're doing.  Either way, you feel like playing the game is a battle over strategies and control.  Some people try to play a game like that with God.  They think they can out-maneuver Him.  They gather their strategies and wisdom and put their plan into action, thinking that they will gain control of their lives or circumstances.  In our story of David's life, we see Absalom and his men thinking exactly that way.  They are confident that the discussions they are having will guarantee Absalom's security and success as Israel's new king.  But we'll see that they couldn't win at this game when they were playing against God!

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
Friday, April 6th at 7:00
Please join us for our Good Friday service this year.  It is a special time when we get together as a church to remember Jesus' sacrifice for each one of us.  We will have Communion and share for about an hour together in music, scripture readings, and prayer.  We will also be taking a benevolent offering for the needy. Don't miss this powerful evening on the weekend that we commemorate together the death and resurrection of our Savior!

 

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

 

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

Our small groups are finishing up for this season.  They run through the end of April - the last study sheet will be out on 4/29.  Please make sure your small group is getting your last meetings in and that you're there!  And then take these summer months to keep up with each other on a less formal basis.  It is also a great opportunity to connect with a few others outside of your small group. 

 

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.  Registration forms are located in the Resource Room.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

RESOURCE ROOM GOODIES
Don't forget to check out all the reading material we have available for FREE in our Resource Room.  If you're looking for something to help you grow closer to the Lord, this would be a great place to pick up some books or devotionals.  This quarter's "Daily Bread" devotionals have just come in and are ready for the taking!

 

HOPE'S MISSIONARY BOARDS

Want to learn more about Hope's missionaries and find out how to connect with them?  Check out our new missionary bulletin boards, located in the hallway outside of the children's classrooms.  Continue to check back every so often for new information and updates.

 

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 – THIS SUNDAY

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. 

 

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!

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING KIDS PROGRAM

Our Wednesday night kids programs are coming to an end for this year at the end of April and will restart in September.  The Leadership Team is working on a plan for the kids on Wednesday nights for May and June.  If anyone is interested in taking this ministry to our preschoolers (3-5yrs) or elementary kids (1st-5th grades), please let Pastor Mark know right away.

 

CHURCH SPRING CLEANING DAY

Saturday, March 24^th 9:00 – 12:00

In anticipation of Easter Sunday (and all our visitors!), we will be sprucing up Hope inside and out! 

Outside:  mulching, weeding, general clean-up.  Inside: windows.  Please bring gloves, wheelbarrows, any lawn tools you like to use, and a willing heart. There is no sign-up; just come and give as much time as you are able!  See Brad Hopkins or Glenn Johnson for further information.

 

CHILDRENS' MINISTRY TEACHERS NEEDED

We are in need of two teachers ASAP for the 1^st-3^rd grade class.  Please contact Anita Little if interested at alittleshopper@gmail.com or phone 856-373-2090.

 

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

We are in need of the following items:

Pop Tarts

Applesauce

Cereal Bars

Coffee

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 -                       Nicole Babli, Mallory Pantaleo
Toddlers                        Ardra Jarvis, Joyce James, Sammy Swedo, Adeyemi O.
Pre K – Kindergarten    Franne Harkin, Maurice Brazelis, Jake Gotshall
1^st – 5^th                           TBA
Counters                        Kathy Berry, Carole Baumiester
Greeters                        Mike Hartwell
                                       Matt Austen
                                      Lisa Minner
                                      Emily Hartwell
Wed. Evening Workers  (N) Damon Briggs, Katrina Mariani (4-5) Charlotte Zediker

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

Good Friday & Easter Service – Please pray and prepare for our services as we work together to make sure our visitors feel like we are ready for them and happy that they came.  Also, remember our kids' workers for that day – the ministry to our children on Easter is unbelievably important!

Lauren Pupchick – Our missionary is asking for prayer as she returns to Guatemala on March 21^st; she has been feeling a lot of spiritual warfare and would ask like our prayers for strength and victory in Jesus' name as she goes forward.
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

Humbled by the Cross,
Lois

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