Hope Notes 3/28/13

Dear Friends of Hope~

I've always wonder what non-believers are celebrating on Easter.  (I wonder the same thing at Christmas!)  I decided to look up some of the major symbols of Easter.  Two biggies – the eggs and the bunnies – are ancient symbols of new life.  For a believer, this is new life in Christ.  I guess for a non-believer it would be a symbol of the new life coming up from the earth during springtime.  I'm sure we could come up with double meanings for just about all the other symbols………..except for one.  I'm talking about the cross.  For Christians, this is a powerful reminder of how Jesus conquered death when He rose from the dead.  I have no idea how to translate this one for a non-believer.  At Easter, the cross is no longer seen only in churches.  It is on display, for all to see, in supermarket candy aisles, on cards at Hallmark, and on all kinds of decorations for sale at Target.  I don't know how anyone can ignore it.  The cross is bare and the tomb is empty because Jesus Christ is risen.  This is the cornerstone of our Christian faith.

 "Without the Resurrection, the most eloquent sermon is empty; sin still holds us captive; and our faith is nothing more than wishful thinking." (1 Cor. 15:13-14, 17) C.Stanley

 

SUNDAY MESSAGE

March 31 – EASTER SUNDAY – Risen With Christ (Colossians 3:1-4)

Everyone falls.  It is just a reality of life.  When you're learning to walk, you fall.  When you are trying to ski, you fall.  Even in our lives, when we're trying to go forward and grow, we fall.  The story of Easter is not a story of avoiding the fall.  It is the promise that we can rise again.  Every year, we mark this unbelievable anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  In fact, every week that our church meets on Sunday, we acknowledge His resurrection on a Sunday.  But do you realize that the Bible tells us we too are risen?  Is that truth coming to life in you?  We'll take a look at what Paul says Christ's resurrection (and our connection to it) can mean in our lives!

 

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.

Note:  There is no formal childcare for this service, however the nursery will be open (but not staffed) if you need to use it.  The monitor will be on so you can watch the service.

 

GOOD FRIDAY BENEVOLENT OFFERING

We will be taking an offering at our Good Friday Service specifically to be put aside and used as needs arise in the body at Hope.  Please prayerfully consider to give as God leads you.

 

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

APRIL CHALLENGE VERSE

Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

 

 APRIL PRAYER PROJECT 

For those who are struggling with addiction

 Many of us know the struggle personally, either from our own experience or from someone we love.  Please pray that God will use us in bringing freedom and healing to those who have faced the powerful force of addiction.  We want to be a church where the power of God is setting free those who are enslaved and bringing life to those who are spiritually dying!

 

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.

 

Next Time @ Grow Group (Apr. 8th) - Read Matthew 6-7. Jot down any notes, questions, thoughts or applications that come to mind while reading. We will discuss what God has for us in these two chapters.

 

MISSIONS TRIP UPDATE

We currently have EIGHT senior highers signed up. There are a total of TWELVE spots. After March 31^st, those final four spots will be opened up to those who are currently in 8th grade. If you are in grades 9-12 and want to go on the mission trip and have not yet told Dave Hallahan, you must do so ASAP. The final four spots will be given to the first four people who contact me after the March 31st deadline.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

DIRECTORY UPDATE

LAST SUNDAY TO GIVE US YOUR INFORMATION

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

 

IMMEDIATE HOUSING NEED

There is a family at Hope who has someone close to them in need of a room (cheap) to rent.  He is a student in Philadelphia who has been left homeless due to unusual circumstances.  This should be a short term situation – either through May or perhaps the summer.  This is an excellent opportunity to show this young man the tangible love of Christ.  If you are interested, please contact Ken Blythe (Needs Team Captain) at kblythe99@gmail.com or 856-237-5373.

 

VOLUNTEERS FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEEDED

We are in need of a few volunteers to help us with our Elementary Class (1st-5th grades) and our Pre-school Class (3-5 year olds) on Wednesday nights for the months of May and June.  We will provide curriculum and any resources needed.  If interested in this opportunity, see Pastor Mark right away! 

 

YOUNG ADULTS CAMDEN OUTREACH – THIS SATURDAY

Saturday, March 30

We will meet at the church at 10:00 am to make the lunches.  A great big THANK YOU to our church body – the signup sheet for donations was 100% filled!

 

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    Franne & Abbey Harkin
1^st – 3rd                         Patty & Rich Bunnell

4^th & 5^th                         Anne Jefferson
Counters                        Bill Berry, Damon Briggs
Greeters                         Art Muhlbaier
                                       Lucy Muhlbaier
                                       Jeanne Wurst

                                       Charlotte Zediker
                                     
Wed. Evening                 Dawn Brazelis

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

Tony Dariano – His grandson Christopher still battling drugs; in the hospital with kidney failure. Wants to go to Teen Challenge for rehab (walked out once before).

 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

 

He is Risen!
Lois

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