Hope Notes 3/21/13

Dear Friends of Hope~

If you've been listening to Pastor Mark during announcements, you've heard him mention about the seating situation at Hope.  Let's take this Sunday, which is the week before Easter, to practice doing what he has asked us to do.  Don't be shy – come on up to the front rows and fill them in.  You'll get a great view of the worship team and Pastor Mark.  Make sure to scoot in towards the center of the row, so that the outside seats are open and available.  This makes it easier for our Ushers to walk someone to their seat.  From the visitor's point of view, it is MUCH easier to slip into an aisle seat or a seat in the back than to walk all the way up front and climb over people's laps!  We don't want to make anyone uncomfortable or cause our Ushers to have a difficult time seating people.  SO – let's do it!  This Sunday – practice makes perfect!  It's not that hard.  J

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

March 24 – Escaping the Lion (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Have you ever been so frightened that you were literally frozen in place?  Fear can take the strongest among us and drain every bit of our strength.  And none of us are immune; being brave doesn't mean we don't feel fear…. It just means we don't let fear tell us what to do.  Since this is such a universal and powerful reality, our spiritual enemy loves to use fear to drive us away from hope and health.  As we run for 'safety', we find ourselves stepping into one trap after another.  Peter describes this satanic strategy by using the imagery of running from a lion.  Let's see how we can escape the lion!

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE   

March 29^th @ 7:00 pm

Our service commemorating Good Friday is going to be an extra special one this year.  It will include Communion, of course, but we will also be having a Passover 'demonstration'.  There are many tie ins between the Jewish and Christian ceremonies. Come observe the richness of these traditions and learn more about the Jewish faith.

 

5^th SUNDAY TEEN PRAYER

Our normal time of prayer in the Youth Room for our teens has been moved to the 1^st Sunday in April (4/7) since Easter falls on the regularly scheduled 5^th Sunday this year!  Make sure to mark your calendars so that you can come and spend some time in prayer for our teens and their leaders.

 

SATURDAY NIGHT SERVICE

We will be previewing our Saturday night service in April and May.  We're trying this out to see if it works for us and we'd love for anyone interested to come out and be a part!  We will start the service at 7:00pm on Saturday evening April 20^th and May 18^th.   It will be the same music and message as Sunday morning (an identical service) but there will be no other programs happening on Saturday night (no nursery or children's classes).  After we try it out a few times, we'll have a better idea if this is a way for us to reach more people and see if we can handle the challenge!

 

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.

 

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

MARCH CHALLENGE VERSE

James 1:19-20

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

 

MARCH PRAYER PROJECT 

For our Nation 

That God's power and Spirit would move in the hearts of the people, bringing those who don't know Him into a relationship with Him, that He would stir the hearts of His people to live following His lead…. That God would work in our leaders (political and otherwise) and that our nation would turn in our hearts to Him… for those who are in desperate need in our nation, and for those who think they need nothing!

 

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS

Workshop Wednesday classes are coming up soon!  We are excited to be able to offer this again.  Signup sheets will be out in April for the various groups.  More information to follow……

 

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

Hard to believe, but our Small Groups will be winding down in April! Start planning now with your group to find a way to stay connected over the summer.  You might want to have a Game Night or a backyard BBQ here and there just to stay in touch.  Meanwhile, make sure to keep picking up your Study Sheets and attending all your meetings so that you can enjoy every last bit of fellowship!

 

SMALL GROUP SAMPLER

If you didn't get to be a part of our Small Groups this term, don't despair! We will be doing a Small Group Sampler for 3 weeks in August.  It will be open to anyone who wants to participate, and all you'll have to do is sign up for the weeks you're available.  We will schedule the Small Groups and assign everyone to a different group each week.  So if you sign up for all three weeks, you'll get to mix with three completely different groups.  Then, as we set out to form groups in September, you'll be one step ahead in the process because you'll have met lots of other people in a small group setting!

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 - We've spent several weeks talking about doing hard things. Hopefully you've seen the potential you have to do hard things, but if you're still wondering "What can I do?" we'll address that exact question this week.

 

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 at Grow Group - Can You Lose Your Salvation? That's the question we will be looking at. Use Bible verses, other people's opinions, or whatever other information you can get your hands to help you arrive at an answer. Feel free to use Heb. 6:4-6 and Rom. 8:29-39 as a starting point

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

EASTER EGG HUNT – THIS SUNDAY!

Pre-K / Kindergarten / Toddler Classes

We're having a special celebration and egg hunt for our little ones!  Parents, you can drop off and sign in your children as usual, but you will pick them up in our Youth Room.  If you have any questions, contact Franne Harkin.

 

DIRECTORY UPDATE

God has blessed us with so many new faces at Hope that we need to make an update to our church directory.  This is not a brand new directory complete with pictures; we will simply be adding some pages with all the new names and numbers.  If you are not in our directory or need to make a change to your existing information, this is your chance! Information sheets are on the table in the lobby.  Sheets will be there throughout March.  Contact Lois Hartwell with any questions foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

LANDSCAPING DAY – THIS SATURDAY!   

Saturday, March 23^rd

9:00 am till …….….

Come on out and help us get our grounds ready for Spring!  If you don't have a green thumb, don't worry.  We can always use help with things like raking, sweeping, and weeding.  Bring your own gardening tools and stay however long you can.  Contact Brad Hopkins with any questions.

 

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 & brownie mix, packaged cookies, crackers,

          pretzels. 

          Non-refrigerated beverages such as juices, Snapple, or water.  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                          Karla Hopkins, Charlotte Zediker

Toddlers                         Ardra Jarvis, Joyce James, Prisca
Pre K – Kindergarten    Craig & Tina Campana
1^st – 3rd                         Kathy Mayfield, Madison Toomin

4^th & 5^th                         Mary LeBeau, Dylan Ott
Counters                        Kathy Berry, Carole Baumiester
Greeters                         Art Muhlbaier
                                       Lucy Muhlbaier
                                       Jeanne Wurst

                                       Charlotte Zediker
                                     
Wed. Evening                 Desiree

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

 

The Grave Cannot Hold Him,
Lois

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