Hope Notes 2/7/13

Dear Friends of Hope~

The Bible has lots to say about compassion, but what does the world say?  I looked it up in the dictionary and it read as follows – "a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. Mercy, tenderness, heart".  Doesn't that sound like our God? I love that even the dictionary's definition of compassion perfectly describes one of God's attributes!  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

Lamentations 3:22-23

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

February 10 – Smells Like Jesus (1 Peter 4:7-11)

COMPASSION SUNDAY

Scientists tell us that our sense of smell is our second strongest memory.  If we get a whiff of a Christmas tree or our favorite meal, it can take us back to another time in our life in powerful and emotional ways.  A familiar cologne or perfume can remind us of someone, and sometimes it can almost feel like we are with that person again.   Peter talks about some character traits of those who have been with Jesus in this passage.  It's almost like being close to Jesus makes us smell like Him.  And people around us will notice whether or not He's rubbed off on us.  

 

COMPASSION SUNDAY

February 10^th

This Sunday will be a chance for anyone who has this on their heart to be able to sponsor a child through Compassion International and reach out to them in the love of Christ.  There won't be any big sales pitch or pressure; we're simply going to present the opportunity and allow you to respond as the Spirit leads!

 

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

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 in Youth Group

A lot of us often use "Well, I did my best….." as an excuse when we have failed to meet someone's expectations. But what would it look like if we actually started doing our best? If we surprised people by going above and beyond what was expected of us? This week we'll talk about pursuing excellence instead of excuses.

 

GROW GROUP

We are kicking off our Sr. High study on Monday Feb. 11th. If you are between 9^th – 12^th grades, this is an awesome opportunity to grow closer to each other and closer to God. Our first discussion will center around dating and specifically dating people of other religions.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ROSE PETAL OPEN HOUSE "PROM 2013"

February 9^th & 10^th / 10:00am – 3:00 pm

If financial difficulties are keeping you from purchasing a dress for your Prom, The Rose Petal is generously offering one free gown to each girl who comes to their Open House. The event will be held at Beacon Academy Pre-School, 570 Egg Harbor Rd, Washington Township, NJ.  Must come in person to claim your gown.  Check out their Facebook page or contact them at therosepetal@comcast.net.

 

NEEDS TEAM MEETING – THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, February 10^th

There will be a 10 minute meeting in front of the kitchen doors immediately following the service.  This is for the Needs Team and those who volunteered to assist the team.  See Ken Blythe with any questions.

 

BAPTISMAL SERVICE

February 24^th – 1:30

Calvary Bible Church, Deptford

This church is kind enough to let us borrow their building for our event, and it is always a great blessing to be there for this service.  Anyone interested in being baptized should see Pastor Mark right away.  This is for those who have trusted Christ as their Savior by faith and are ready to give a public testimony of that faith.  We will be having two required classes at Pastor Mark's house on 2/12 and 2/21 at 7:00 pm to prepare for this event - anyone who wants to be baptized should plan on being there for both classes.  Pastor Mark will have a book to give to each participant very soon so that everyone can come to the first class already prepared.

 

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

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 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@yahoo.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                          Nicole Babli, Lisa Landis

Toddlers                         Dawn & John Brazelis, Madison
Pre K – Kindergarten    Beth Gravenor, Heath Gravenor, Megan Foster
1^st – 3rd                         Kathleen Toomin

4^th & 5^th                         Kimmie Rice
Counters                        LaTosha Briggs, Lois Hartwell
Greeters                         Frank Caranci
                                       Deb Caranci
                                       Wendy Lynch

                                       Diane Beardsworth
                                     
Wed. Evening                  Patrick & Jennifer Nolan

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

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

 

Serving the King,
Lois

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