Hope Notes 8/23/12

Dear Friends of Hope~

Do you like where you are in your life right now?  If things are good and everything is going along smoothly, you just might wish you could hit the pause button and keep things the same. Change is overrated, right?  Or maybe you would like to hit rewind and go back in time to change a few things; a chance for a do-over.  There are some who would definitely like to hit fast forward and get out of the difficult situation they're in; move past the pain more quickly and put it all behind them.  Well, the remote control to our lives is definitely not in our hands!  It's in the hands of the One who made us, and I for one am thankful that it is.  God is the Author of our lives and only He has the wisdom, the power, and the authority to move us through our lives and write the ending to our story.  He may leave us in a dark time for what seems an eternity to us, or take us through a sweet time far too quickly.  But He knows best; He sees our future and knows the exact moment we will step into eternity with Him.  Who better to guide us through our lives!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE – CORE VALUES

Core Values describe what we hold dearest and value most as we try to accomplish our mission of sharing God's redeeming work with everyone we can.  We are going take a look at three concepts that encompass the heartbeat of Hope and how these three ideas are central to us.

 

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.

 

OVERFLOW ROOM OPENING

September 9th

Our Youth Room will be open as an "overflow" space in order to give us extra seating for any Sunday that is filled to near capacity.  The video feed will be live from the start of the service, so anyone who is willing or interested in using the overflow space can find a seat there as soon as the service starts.  As another option, everyone is welcome to join us in the auditorium for worship (since we're all standing anyway) and then those without a seat can make their way to the overflow room when the message begins. 

 

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 Pat Harkin 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.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

AUGUST CHALLENGE VERSE

Ephesians 4:2-3 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

 

AUGUST PRAYER PROJECT 

For our children – those who are growing and learning, those who have wandered away, those who are making poor choices, those who are caught in the enemy's web – For our Kid's ministry at Hope – our workers, and for God to lead us to the right person to be our Kid's Ministry Director, and for our kids each week to know Jesus and to understand His love for them - that God would prepare them for a life lived in His power and by His direction!

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

7:00 – 8:15

You don't want to miss this week's Worship Night!  Come prepared to be blessed with an evening of worship music, sharing, and prayer.  There will be no Nursery this evening.

YOUNG ADULTS

7:30 in Youth Room

We've got an exciting summer coming up! For the months of June, July, and August, our group will only be meeting for the FIRST Monday of every month, but we'll have an activity the LAST weekend of every month!

Anyone who has graduated high school up to their early thirties is welcome. See Pastor Mark or Dana for more information. Childcare is available.

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY – SUMMER WITH SISTERS

7:00pm

Our ladies' Bible study will meet every other Monday throughout the summer.  There is a sign up and the first week's worksheet on the sign up table in the lobby for anyone interested in joining. The group will be meeting in the Prayer Room.  See Kim Rice with any questions.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

NEW FAMILIES FELLOWSHIP – THIS SUNDAY

August 26^th

Our Leadership Team is hosting a New Families luncheon here at Hope for families who have begun attending within the past year. So many new families have been visiting lately that we want to set aside some time specifically to get to know one another.  We value relationships and are excited to have this opportunity to make these connections by fellowshipping with each other.

If you forgot to sign up – don't worry – come anyway!  We don't want you to miss out!

 

WOMEN OF FAITH

September 7^th and 8^th

7-10pm and 9am-5pm

Wells Fargo Center

Philadelphia, PA

Discounted tickets have SOLD OUT!  You can register on your own for the conference by going to http://www.womenoffaith.com/events/philadelphia.  Tickets are still available for $99/person or $89/person for groups of 10 or more.  Cost does not include lunch.  Do you have any questions?  Please contact Melissa McGinness at melissamcginness007@comcast.net or via phone at 856-906-8742.

 

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

It's really not too early to start praying and think about forming a small group in September.  Our church depends on the connections, caring, and spiritual interaction that happens in a small group.  Our goal is for every adult to be a part of one!  More specific info will be given at our Small Group kickoff on September 9^th.  In the meantime, we'd like everyone to be praying and seeking the Lord's direction in anticipation of this important part of our church family life!

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.

 

JR. HIGH GAME NIGHT – THIS FRIDAY

Aug. 24th 7:30 – 9:30

Come on out to Hope for a fun night of games!  Bring friends!  Also please bring a snack/drink to share.

 

KICK OFF PARTY

Sept. 2^nd

We're going to kick off our new year of youth activities immediately following the church service until 1:30pm. Bring a change of clothes and be ready to play some games!

 

SR. HIGH OCEAN CITY RETREAT

September 14 - 16

Our Sr. High will be going to Ocean City, NJ with Sicklerville UMC.  The cost will be $90 as long as a $30 deposit is received by September 1^st.  Another $30 will be donated to each student by the church. The final $30 is needed by the start of the retreat. Registration forms are on the sign-up table near the resource room.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

LOVE & RESPECT MARRIAGE CONFERENCE

October 26-27

We're planning a Marriage Conference right here at Hope in October on Friday night and Saturday morning.  It will be a low cost and powerful way to build each and every marriage in our church.  This is an opportunity you do not want to miss out on.  Mark your calendars now and look for more information to follow!  "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Eph 5:33

 

FREE APEX DVD PLAYER

Out of box, but barely used.

Contact Liz Johnson 853-7303 or liznglenn@verizon.net.

 

FREE TWIN MATTRESS

Very nice Twin mattress/box spring and frame with casters available for anyone who needs it!  Contact Ken Blythe @ kblythe99@hotmail.com.

 

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!

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

We are in need of a teacher and a helper for our 3-5 year old class for the fall semester (Sept – Dec).  We just got the new curriculum for this class, but we have no volunteers to lead our little ones!  Please contact Jen Winstel (jenwinrn@comast.net) if you are interested.             

 

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

The following is a list of our most needed items:

Canned fruit, tea bags, hot or cold cereals, pancake mix, pasta & sauce, mac & cheese, instant potatoes, peanut butter, canned veggies, soup, condiments.

Of course, any food donations are always welcome!  See Karen Jones with any questions.

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 and Joyce, Sammy and Adeyemi
Pre K – Kindergarten    Kim Lawlor, Ryan Sweeney, Claire Orsino
1^st – 3rd                         TBA

4^th & 5^th                            TBA
Counters                        Melissa McGinness & Lois Hartwell
Greeters                        Mike Hartwell
                                       Emily Hartwell
                                      Matt Austen
                                       Lisa Minner
Wed. Evening                  Worship Night – No Nursery

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 Pat Harkin directly at Prayer@hopechristianfellowship.org.

PRAYER REQUESTS 

Tania Avant – Please pray for her landlord to be understanding of her difficult financial situation and not file for eviction and notice with the housing authorities.

Bob and Lisa Mousley – For Joyce Smith, who was in a severe car accident and has had multiple surgeries on her foot and leg. Still having complications and needs more surgery to try to save her foot and leg. 

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

God is in Control,
Lois

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