Hope Notes 2/21/13

Dear Friends of Hope~

This Sunday we have the baptism after our morning worship service.  If you've never been to one, let me strongly encourage you to come.  Aside from the fact that it is nice for those being baptized to see their church family supporting them, it is a tremendous blessing to everyone who comes.  Hearing what God has done in their lives and seeing His transforming power at work is awesome.  Watching as Pastor Mark dips each person into the water and seeing them come up 'washed clean' never gets old.  The symbolism is both reverent and inspiring.  I guarantee you will be lifted up, encouraged, and renewed simply by being there.  I consider it a privilege to be a part of this experience and am thankful that we can be there!

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

February 24 – Leading or Lording (1 Peter 5:1-4)

How much power do you have to have in order to effectively lead?  In our society, leadership is often thought of as coming from a place of strength.  In truth, you only lead by influence.  Any time you have influence, you are leading in either a positive or negative way.  Peter addresses leadership in the church, and by extension, spiritual leadership in general.   He says that the real prize for leaders awaits those who are examples and lead from a heart of passion and compassion.  As we look at the type of leaders we should have in our church, let's all be challenged in the places we are leading or will lead in our lives.

 

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

FEBRUARY CHALLENGE VERSE

Colossians 4:6 "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

 

FEBRUARY PRAYER PROJECT 

For the people God is bringing to Hope

Let's pray together for people who are new in our church family, that God will lead them and use us to welcome them and make them feel at home.  Let's also pray that God will guide them through the sometimes difficult and scary process of getting integrated and involved!  And let's pray for those that haven't come yet, but are being invited by the Lord through so many different means to join us at Hope.

 

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

HCF SOFTBALL TEAM

Softball Season is here again. The Hope softball team will join forces with our brothers, Pitman Methodist, in the Gloucester County Christian League, for the 2013 season.

We are looking for men and ladies, age 15 or older, to come out and join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for fellowship, fun and exercise. Season starts April 8^th. Sign Up sheet is in the back. See Lenny Little if you have any questions.

 

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 Group study sheets are out! You can pick one up in the Resource Room or download one direct from our website. If you aren't in a small group yet, you need to begin right away exploring God's path for you by looking at the free agent list, and talking to people God puts on your heart about forming or joining a group.  Our small group year runs through the end of April, so there's still a lot of small group time left!  Don't miss out!

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.

This Week @ Rooted (2/27) - Very few of life's tasks offer an immediate payoff. Unfortunately, we've been trained to only chase the things that please us in the here now. This week we'll talk about doing hard things that do not show an immediate effect, but have eternal impact.

 

GROW GROUPS SR. HIGH STUDY

2^nd and 4^th Monday Evenings

If you are between 9^th – 12^th grades, this is an awesome opportunity to grow closer to each other and closer to God.

This Week @ Grow Group (2/25) - After an awesome kick off two weeks ago we are back in action! This week we will be taking a look at Matthew 5. Take some time and read this chapter before you come out and jot down some notes, thoughts, or questions that come up during your reading.

 

SPRING RETREAT

Our Jr. and Sr. High will be heading to Delanco Camp for our first retreat without any other churches. The cost is only $40 and a permission slip can be picked up on the sign-up table or printed off of the Rooted Facebook page. See Dave Hallahan for any questions.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

BAPTISMAL SERVICE

February 24^th – 1:30

Calvary Bible Church, Deptford

Be sure to come support those in our church body who are making their outward profession of faith and being baptized!  It is a source of encouragement and comfort for those being baptized to see familiar faces from Hope.  It is also a huge blessing for those who come!  Don't miss this chance to come and hear what God is doing in the lives of fellow believers.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

NURSERY

Could you help us out?  Once in awhile, the scheduled worker(s) need to unexpectedly cancel their day for Nursery duty.  We'd like to have a list of back up "substitutes" willing to jump in just for that day.  If you think you would be willing to do this, please contact Alicia Heverly at lilfeet21@hotmail.com.

 

COFFEE TEAM VOLUNTEERS

Do you enjoy your morning cup of coffee at our café? How about taking a turn helping to clean it up afterwards?  It won't take but fifteen minutes of your time! Contact Tony Dariano if you are interested at anthony.a.dariano.sr@reagan.com.

 

PRE-K / KINDERGARTEN CLASS

This class has DOUBLED IN SIZE over the past few weeks!!  That means that one adult helper is just not going to cut it!  We are so thankful for the children God has brought into our classrooms – now we just need to find some adult helpers to minister to them!  If you feel led to help, contact Franne Harkin at fhark7@gmail.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 Carole Baumiester or contact her at needsministry@gmail.com.          

 

FOOD PANTRY

We've been busy cleaning out the pantry and have come up with a good list of what is needed.  

·         Canned fruit, canned puddings, jello, cake mix, brownie mix, packaged cookies, crackers, pretzels.

·         Non-refrigerated beverages such as juices, Snapple, water, etc. No soda please.

·         Ground beef, hot dogs, meat, and poultry for our freezer.

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 one of the most effective and powerful ministries at Hope?  Join in as part of our Kid's Ministry!  Here's what to do:

          Nursery
                   Contact Don or Alicia Heverly at Lilfeet21@hotmail.com 
          Toddlers & Preschool
                   Contact Franne Harkin at fhark7@gmail.com
          Elementary Grades 1-2
                   Contact Kathleen Toomin at jktoomin.98@comcast.net
          Elementary Grades 3-5

                    Contact Anne Jefferson at annemarie523@juno.com

          Wednesday Night Program
                   Contact Jen Winstel at 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 Brian Ott for sound at Brian Ott at ottbriant@aim.com or Jim Bradshaw at jimbradshaw3@gmail.com for media.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery                          Jason & Kristy Straub

Toddlers                         Kara Ott, Sammy Swedo, Abbey Harkin
Pre K – Kindergarten     Bill McGinness, Isaiah Owens, Rachael Swaggart
1^st – 3rd                         Lisa Fiorile

4^th & 5^th                         Kim Biglin, Kerry Crowley
Counters                        TBA
Greeters                         Frank Caranci
                                       Deb Caranci
                                       Wendy Lynch

                                       Diane Beardsworth
                                     
Wed. Evening                 Don & Alicia Heverly

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

Paul Hoffman - Vincent Greco (Donna Hoffman's father) in the hospital for testing b/c he keeps fainting.  Also please pray for his salvation.

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

 

Safe in His Arms,
Lois

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