Hope Notes 9/13/12

Dear Friends of Hope~

Last Sunday we sang "I Have a Father".  It contains the lyric "He knows my every thought".  We have sung that song numerous times, but for some reason that lyric really got in my head and heart this time.  God knows every single thing we think.  The things we think deliberately and even the things that just sneak into our heads.  Is that scary or comforting to you?  I guess it could be scary, considering some of the things that go through our minds!  But I look at it as more of a comfort; He knows our deepest thought life, our every worry and anxiety; nothing is hidden from Him.  And………He loves us anyway!  He loves us in spite of all that!  None of it is a surprise to Him.  None of it shocks Him.  None of it will ever cause Him to turn His heart away from us. "…..because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you".  (Hebrews 13:5)  I think that is one glorious promise!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

9/16 – Small Groups at Hope

There are many instructions in the New Testament that tell every Christ follower to care about one another.  We are told by Jesus that our identifying mark is that we 'love one another'.  Paul tells us to 'bear one another's burdens'.  Seeing this become a reality in our lives is always a deliberate choice – it doesn't just happen by drifting along through life and relationships.  We're going to dig into the Word of God today to look at some of these callings from God to each of us.  Then, we'll talk about some of the ways we try to purposefully do them at Hope, including our plan for small groups.  These groups at Hope probably form differently and operate differently than any other small group you've seen.  They spring from our heart as a church to include everyone, and to find a way to genuinely and deeply care for one another.

 

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

Our Youth Room is 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

SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Colossians 3:1-2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

 

SEPTEMBER PRAYER PROJECT 

For our small groups – that God would bring together groups of people in our church who will learn together, share their lives, pray and care for one another – and that God would move those who are on the sidelines into action so that the work God has for each of us will be multiplied.

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

7:00 – 8:15

Be sure to come out and join us for our Bible study on I Corinthians.  Don't miss this mid-week spiritual boost; there's nothing like diving into the Word of God to keep you grounded in His Truths.  Childcare is provided.

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

7:00 – 8:15

Keep Jesus fresh in your child's mind and heart!  We have classes for children ages 3 – 5 and for those in 1^st – 5^th grades.  Nursery is provided for infants thru age 2.

 

YOUNG ADULTS

7:30 in Youth Room

First and Third Monday 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 provided.

WOMEN'S PRAYER GROUP

7:00 in Prayer Room

First and Third Monday of every month

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

SIGHT AND SOUND TRIP

Friday October 19

This is not a Hope sponsored event, but still something you might enjoy.  Connie Matthews is getting a group together to go see "Jonah" at the Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster PA.  Cost is $100 and includes round trip bus transportation, lunch at Shady Maple, shopping at the Rockvale Outlets, and admission to the show.  Bus leaves Woodbury at 11:00 AM.  Call Connie at (856) 848-8248 for information and reservations.

 

MEN'S BREAKFAST

Second Saturday of Every Month

8:30 am

PLEASE NOTE:  There will be no breakfast in September due to the Women of Faith conference.  The breakfast will resume as usual on October 13^th.

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 KICKOFF – THIS SUNDAY

September 16^th

Get ready to begin meeting with your Small Group – our first study sheets will be out this week!  Our church depends on the connections, caring, and spiritual interaction that happen in a small group.  Our goal is for every adult to be a part of one!  Be praying and seeking the Lord's direction for your part in this important component of our church family life!  See Pastor Mark if you need help finding a group to plug into.

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.

 

SR. HIGH OCEAN CITY RETREAT – THIS WEEKEND

September 14 - 16

Our Sr. High will be going to Ocean City, NJ with Sicklerville UMC. Make sure you are all paid up and have your list of what to bring.  Contact Dave Hallahan for more details.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

WHO WANTS BIRTHDAY CAKE?!

Sunday, September 16^th

Our very own Connie Matthews will be turning 75 on 9/14.  She wants everyone to share in her birthday joy!  Cake will be handed out immediately after service in the Youth Room.  Come and take a piece home for a special treat!

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING

Sunday September 30th

Immediately following worship, there will be a meeting with Anita Little and Franne Harkin in the Youth Room for all Sunday School Teachers and anyone interested in learning more about this ministry.  We will enjoy some lunch together and then have our meeting.  There will be a signup sheet in the Resource Room for food.

 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Attention Parents! Fall is back in full swing, which can only mean one thing here at Hope - it's time to start practices for our Kid's Christmas Program! This is a BIG day for our whole church family so mark your calendars now for Dec.16th! Beginning on October 7th, we'll be starting practices during the first half of class for our Toddlers and Pre-school children. Be sure to have your little ones in class promptly and as regularly as possible so they can learn the songs and scriptures well. The Elementary Class will also begin practices on Oct.7th, but will be practicing after service from 11:30 - 12:15pm in the youth room, ending promptly on time every week! Again, we'll be opening up the Elementary Class to include our 6th graders - so keep that in mind. More information will be coming in the weeks ahead, but if you have any questions please see either Dana Ott (Elementary) or Kara Ott (Toddlers/Pre-school) or email at danaott@hopechristianfellowship.org.

 

HOPE'S PAPARAZZI 

Don't be concerned if you see a photographer lurking about over the next month or so.  It's just our very own Kristy Straub taking pictures that we can use to bring our website up to date.  We are revamping our website and it will be great to have some current photos posted. 

 

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 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!

 

YOUNG ADULTS OUTREACH

Our Young Adults will be doing the Camden Outreach the last weekend of September.  If you can donate anything to help them with all the lunches they need to make, it would be greatly appreciated!  Water, bread, fruit, etc. Donations need to be in by Sunday, September 23^rd.   See Jess St.Petery with any questions.

 

TRASH SERVICE

If you're looking for an easy way to help at Hope, this is for you!  We need someone to take our trash cans to the curb on Wednesday evenings (perfect for anyone who comes out to Bible Study) and to bring them back in again on Thursday morning (perfect for anyone who lives nearby).  Anyone willing to help can contact Bob Baumiester at 856-328-3188 or coolbumsted@yahoo.com.

 

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                          Kacy Maska, Kristy Straub

Toddlers                        Rebecca & John Jacob, Abbey Harkin, Richard
Pre K – Kindergarten    Beth Fox, Heath Gravenor
1^st – 3rd                         TBA

4^th & 5^th                            TBA
Counters                        Bill Berry, Jim Bradshaw
Greeters                        Tony Dariano
                                      Mickey Dariano
                                      Dorothy Haines
                                      Diane Beardsworth
Wed. Evening                 Lucy Muhlbaier, 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 Pat Harkin directly at Prayer@hopechristianfellowship.org.

PRAYER REQUESTS 

Bob Rice – For his HS classmate, Chrissy Reeves Breder, who is currently recovering from surgery for colon rectal cancer. The cancer was removed and had not spread. She will be undergoing 6 months of chemo next. She has a very positive attitude and is requesting prayer.

Tania Avant – Her landlord has filed for eviction. Please pray for God to provide financially in order to avoid eviction and help with food until social services gets approved in Oct 2012.

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

Jesus is Lord,
Lois

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