Hope Notes 10-25-2012 (Mark's Version)

Hi Everyone!

Lois is away this week, so I thought I'd send a note out for Hope Notes this week.  I have been so excited to meet new people each week and to see the way God is changing people's lives right in front of our eyes.  Those of you who are faithful parts of Hope – you are such an encouragement to me and to our whole church and I count it a privilege to serve the kingdom of God with you!  As we rush toward the holiday season, let's do all we can to be present and available for all that the Lord wants to do at Hope.  And please make sure you mark December 30^th on your calendar – we will be talking through our vision for 2013 and really re-formatting our organizational structure, so if you're a part of Hope, I really need you to be there.

 

This week, we'll be sharing communion together, and we'll be looking at our example (in Jesus) of how to suffer well.  I know it isn't a very popular topic for us to think about, but it is a reality in our calling as followers of Jesus.  Don't miss this Sunday and find out what God wants to do in your life as we gather together.

 

This weekend is our Marriage Conference.  Dana and I went to the Love and Respect Conference in March and really appreciated the practical and powerful information – especially since it is based on some simple truths from God's Word.  Isn't that the way God always works – something simple but profound transforms us as the light bulb goes on in our head!  So if you're coming, make sure you're at church at 6:00 on Friday evening to fellowship and grab some snacks and desserts (the conference starts at 6:45).   We'll be done Friday night around 10:15.  Then Saturday, the continental breakfast will start at 8:00 am (conference to begin at 8:45) and will finish up around 1:30.  If you can't make it, please pray for God's work in our lives.  And if you still want to come, you can – but let us know if you're planning to come as soon as you know!

 

I hope that you are a part of the amazing stuff that is happening on Wednesday nights.  Our kid's ministry is going strong.  Our youth group is basically exploding.  And our Bible study is week in and week out a great discussion as we learn together through 1 Corinthians.

 

Please keep in mind that we'll be starting our new 'prayer huddle' on Nov 4^th (that's NEXT week!) at 9:30 for all workers each Sunday morning.  So if you're on in any capacity (worship team, tech booth, greeter, kids ministry, etc), meet us in the youth room at 9:30 and we'll join hands and take 5 minutes to pray together before we go out to work.  Now, as I write this, I realize that Nov 4^th is also a "change your clock" Sunday, so make sure you get that taken care of or you'll be an hour early!

 

For all of our worship team (musicians, singers, sound, lights, video, words ministry), don't forget that we're getting together on Nov 10^th for a worship workshop.  We need you there as we talk through the how's and why's of what we do.  We'll have breakfast and lunch together (get your lunch orders in to Dana!) and enjoy our day together as we discuss and share what God is doing through these vital ministries at Hope.  If you aren't involved in these areas, but would like to be – see Dana right away.  We'd love to invite you to be a part, and you can explore what it's all about on the 10^th, but we definitely need to order a lunch for you, so see her right away.

 

Lots of stuff is happening for Christmas – the kid's program is already in preparation, so make sure your kids are there weekly so they'll be ready.  And we need to find out who is interested in an adult Christmas choir (high school and up) so sign up right away so we can know if we have enough interest to move ahead.  Our kid's program is on December 16^th during the Sunday morning service, and we're looking forward to having lots of family join us.  But if you're thinking "I don't have kids and I can't take the craziness of that day" – please don't skip the day!  We need our Hope family to help us welcome so many visitors and to open our arms to them in a way that allows God's invitation to them to feel alive and real.  We need you here, so make plans to join us.  And don't forget about our Christmas café (Wed night 12/19) and our Christmas Eve service on December 24^th.  With all that's going on at Hope for Christmas, I know we'll enjoy the time celebrating together.

 

One last thing (actually two)….  Don't forget that I need your small group registration forms and your nomination forms.  You can still be working on putting together a small group – you can actually start meeting even if your group isn't full, and be working on adding more people as you go.  But please get me a form with the names of those in your group right away.  I love that our church empowers our people to put together a small group on their own – really recognizing that the Spirit is alive in each of us and counting on our people to follow His lead!  And while we're on that concept, we need our partners to get their nomination forms in by 11/4 (to me!) so that we can notify those who are nominated.  We'll have a nominees meeting on 11/11 for all those nominated, so keep that in mind.

 

OK – I don't have a list of who is on for our different roles this week, so do me a favor and look at your schedule.  Make sure you know when you're on (maybe write it on your calendar) and be ready to serve when it's your turn.  We give everyone lots of time 'off' so that when you're on, you're ready to knock it out of the park.  Thanks so much to all of you who serve so faithfully and with such good hearts!  Hope wouldn't be all that it is without our heart of service towards one another.

 

Hope everyone has a wonderful day and that we don't miss any opportunities to reflect our amazing Savior!

Pastor Mark