Hope Notes 12/13/12
Dear Friends of Hope~
This Sunday is our Children's Christmas Program. For me, it's one of the 'musts' that signifies Christmas is coming. It always puts the Christmas message into my heart and helps me focus on the spiritual side of the season. Isn't that funny? Maybe the thing that shifts your focus is a Christmas choir, a Christmas sermon, or even Linus' reading of Luke in A Charlie Brown Christmas. But for me, it's that children's program! So come on out and get ready to receive a dose of Christmas in your heart. Not only will you be blessed, but you can be a blessing to all those friends and relatives of our little ones who might never step into Hope on any other occasion!
SUNDAY MESSAGE
December 16 – Kids Program – His Mother's Son (Is 7:14; Gen 3:15; Matt 1:18-25)
We always enjoy this Sunday each year – the day our kids put on their Christmas program. Without a doubt, there is a special place in our hearts for our children – especially for our moms! And we'll take a few moments to continue our walk through some of the long standing predictions about the birth of Jesus. In fact, it may have been easy to miss the way some of the prophecies talked specifically about Him being his mother's son. While it may seem like a meaningless use of words to describe a coming child, we'll find that it really was quite profound. And we'll see why this arrangement was necessary to bring the Savior to the world.
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.
PRAYER HUDDLE
9:30 – 9:35
The prayer huddle is open to anyone who would like to come pray - but it is specifically intended for those who are serving on that Sunday. So if you're scheduled to be in kids' ministry, greeting, in the tech booth, on worship team, or any other ministry role for a given Sunday, join us at 9:30 sharp to pray together for God's power in each of us. We can do all things through Christ, and nothing of worth without Him, so let's come together each Sunday to ask for God's Spirit to fill us and use us!
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.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
DECEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE
1 Corinthians 15:57-58
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Please remember to post what God is doing in your life as you consider the challenge verse for the month. It is such an encouragement to see how God is working in all of our lives!
DECEMBER PRAYER PROJECT
For our marriages
That the Lord would do a work in our homes, starting with the relationships between husbands and wives and that the enemy would not gain traction trying to divide and frustrate this sacred relationship that God ordained as the foundation of our families and our church. Not everyone is married or is called to be married, but for those who are married at Hope, there is a desperate need for those relationships to be growing and moving in a healthy direction.
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.
Please Note: There will be no Bible Study 12/19 since we will be having our Christmas Café!
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 1st – 5th 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
BASKET OF HOPE EVENT – THIS FRIDAY
December 14th @ 7:00 pm
Join us for a very special event to raise money for Proximos Pasos Girls School in Guatemala. Our missionary, Lauren Pupchik, the Child Sponsorship Coordinator will joining us from Guatemala to share her story and show us how we can make an impact in the lives of the 125 girls who attend the school on the base of Agua Volcano in Guatemala.
Refreshments and Dessert will be served. There will be over 40 baskets full of great items just in time for Christmas that you can bid on. Chinese Auction tickets and 50/50 raffle tickets will be for sale at the door.
SPECIAL NOTE: If you can't afford a ticket………….Lauren would like to invite you to come on out anyway! It's more important to her that you are there to hear about the girls and the school that are so close to her heart.
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 taking a break for Christmas and will resume again in the new year. Look for the new small group study sheet to be out in the beginning of January. If you're a part of a small group, make plans to re-start again in the new year. And if you're not in a small group yet, consider joining one or starting one with some of your friends at Hope!
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.
Please Note: Rooted will be taking a break over the holiday season. They will resume meeting again in January 2013.
ROOTED CHRISTMAS PARTY
Friday, December 21st, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Join us for our 2nd annual Christmas Party! We will once again do a white elephant gift exchange with a $5 maximum on all gifts. Bring something used from your house or spend no more than $5 on a gift. We will play games, share snacks and exchange gifts. Any questions contact Dave Hallahan.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FREE CHRISTMAS TREE
Jeanne Wurst has a 6 foot artificial Christmas tree available free to whoever could use it. Contact Jeanne at: crazycat05@comcast.net
LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED
Matt Austen is looking for a low cost place to live in the Glassboro area for his next semester at Rowan. (The closer to Rowan, the better) He would need to live there from mid-January to mid-May. If you know of anything that would be helpful let Matt know so he can look into it. You can reach Matt by text, cell, or email. (856) 776-8979 or mattausten18@comcast.net.
*****CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS*****
YOUNG ADULTS CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 17th at 7:30
If you're a high school graduate all the way up through your early 30's, you're a Young Adult and we want you to join us for our annual Christmas party! Even if you haven't been to our regular meetings, come on out for the games, the food, the fellowship, and tons of fun! There will be a gift exchange, so please bring a wrapped gift (no more than $5) to exchange. Feel free to bring a snack or dessert if you'd like, but don't feel pressured to do so. Just come and enjoy!
CHRISTMAS CAFÉ – THIS WEDNESDAY
December 19th @ 7:00 pm
(In place of Bible Study & Youth Group)
You don't want to miss our Christmas Café. We have desserts and beverages to enjoy while being entertained by all those in our Hope family who want to share their talents with us! It's an awesome way to get in the Christmas spirit. Please sign up to share your talent – singing, instruments, dance, readings, etc. All those coming are asked to bring a snack or dessert to share. Beverages provided.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
6:00 – 7:00
Our Christmas Eve service is such a relaxed, special time. If you have an hour to spare this night, make sure you come on out to Hope. We realize that people may have family traditions or obligations and can't make it out, but we sure hope you can. We have special readings, music, and the all important candle lighting ceremony to really get you in the Christmas spirit!
CHRISTMAS CHOIR
Rehearsal Schedule
Only one rehearsal left - December 22 (Saturday)! We will be presenting our mini cantata during the December 23rd service. If you have any questions, please see Dana or email her at danaott@hopechristianfellowship.org).
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE
Saturday, December 15th
This Saturday is our final practice before we present our Children's Program on Sunday the 16th. Toddlers thru Pre-School are practicing from 10:30 – 11:15. Elementary kids will be practicing from 11:30 – 2:30. A lunch snack will be provided.
If you have any questions please see either Dana Ott (Elementary) or Kara Ott (Toddlers/Pre-school) or email at danaott@hopechristianfellowship.org.
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
December 29th
Our Young Adults will be doing their "5th Saturday" Camden Outreach – distributing sandwiches to those in need. There's a signup sheet in the back for volunteers to donate bread, snacks, fruit, water bottles, etc. They are also accepting hats, gloves, scarves, and coats. Food can be dropped off in the kitchen and there are big, red buckets in the Resource Room for the hats, etc. All donations need to be in by December 23rd. See Jess St.Petery or Ryan Herrero with any questions.
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
Thank you for all the donations we've been receiving. Our pantry is nice and full! See Karen Jones with any questions regarding the pantry.
Please remember to check the expiration dates and leave 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 Naidona & Brian Ott
Toddlers Judy Gotshall, Abbey & Lauren
Pre K – Kindergarten Bill McGinness, Rachael S & Isaiah Owens
1st – 3rd Lisa Fiorile
4th & 5th Kim Biglin, Kerry Crowley
Counters Bill Berry, Mike Hartwell
Greeters Al Lewis
Lorraine Otis
Wendy Lynch
Charlotte Zediker
Wed. Evening Christmas Café – 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
Lorraine Koch – Please pray for Kristen Dorsey's husband and two small children, along with the rest of her family as they grieve their loss. Kristen succumbed to cancer December 7th.
Bob & Lisa Mousley - Pray for Mike and Jean Franks. Mike had a massive heart attack and has had several surgeries (with major complications).
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!
Preparing My Heart,
Lois
Note: If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list. Any correspondence for Hope Notes goes to Hopenotes Email.
posted by Hope Christian Fellowship at
5:50 AM
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