Hope Notes 5/9/13
Dear Friends of Hope~
"May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience." (Colossians 1:11) This verse is not directed at mothers in Scripture, but I think it is a great verse to pray for all moms. I think it covers everything that a mom faces in her life. Patience is required in large doses on an hourly basis for moms with small children. Moms with tweens and teens know how difficult it can be navigating the waters of adolescence. Even moms of adult children need patience; their role as a parent changes from directing to guiding. And it's hard to watch those young adults leave the nest and make their own lives – often with heartbreaking choices along the way. I am so thankful that God makes His strength, power, and patience available to us. I truly believe that moms (and dads!) would not be able to make it through that journey of parenthood without relying on the Lord. So, when you are at your wit's end, remember where your source of strength comes from, and take a moment to ask Him for an extra dose to get you through!
SUNDAY MESSAGE
May 12 – MOTHER'S DAY – A Healthy Family (James 1:19; Hebrews 10:24; Philippians 2:3-4)
As we celebrate the gift of motherhood and of the wonderful mothers in our lives, it reminds us of the value and importance of the family. So much of who we are is formed in what we experience from our family background. Today's popular thought is that a family can look like anything and be healthy, but God designed it to operate in a specific way. The church should be a place where healthy families thrive. Let's take a look at some distinctive Biblical truths that define a healthy family.
SATURDAY NIGHT SERVICE – NEXT WEEK
Our next Saturday night service will be at 7:00pm on May 18th. 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 giving it a try a few times, we'll have a better idea to see 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
MAY CHALLENGE VERSE
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS
7:00 – 8:15
We will be putting our study of 1Corinithians aside for spring and breaking into individual classes. The groups offered are shown below. We want to be sure we have enough books for everyone, so please sign up right away! Classes begin May 8th. Childcare is provided.
The Land Between (Bob Baumiester)
Meets in 1st-2nd Grade Classroom
Author Jeff Manion explores the way in which the Israelites' reactions to leaving Egypt, but not yet being in the Promised Land, can provide insight and guidance on how to respond to God during our own seasons of difficult transition. These situations offer our greatest opportunity for spiritual growth. God desires to meet us in our chaos and emotional upheaval, and he intends for us to encounter his goodness and provision during these upsetting seasons.
Sun Stand Still (Damon Briggs)
Meets in Pre-School Room
Does the brand of faith you live by produce the kinds of results in your life that you read about in the biblical stories of men and women of faith? Author Steven Furtick challenges you to believe that the audacious faith that we see in the Bible, the faith that caused a man to pray and see the sun stand still in the sky, is the same faith we can claim for ourselves today.
Too Busy NOT to Pray (Mike Hartwell)
Meets in Prayer Room
The urgent need for prayer is clear, but busyness still keeps many of us from finding time to pray. True prayer, prayer that changes us and allows us to participate in God's work in the world, can't happen on the fly. In this book, Bill Hybels takes a look at the struggle each believer faces to slow down in this fast paced life and spend some time in conversation with our amazing God. We each need that deep connection with our Lord everyday; this book gives us the tools to do just that.
The Basics of Christianity (Steve Jones)
Meets in Coffee Room
Whether you are a new Christian, or a long time believer, this study provides the opportunity to explore your faith and God's Word for yourself. In this study, each one of us will be able to see for ourselves what God says about some of the basic issues of being a Christ follower. From eternal security, to the inspiration of the Bible, to the person of Jesus Christ, we'll tackle issue after issue and learn how to study God's Word and know what it says from first-hand experience.
Do I Have to Live Stressed Out (Pastor Mark)
Meets in Auditorium
We all face stress. It surrounds us every day. It is constantly poured into our lives in various forms. But what should a child of God do with that? We will take a look at why we live stressed out, and how to turn from the choices that will keep us there. This study will begin by looking at God's promises for our lives – what He wants us to experience. Then we'll take a practical look at some of the ways we turn from what God has provided and live in less than what He wants us to have.
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
YOUNG ADULTS FIESTA DE MAYO
Monday May 19th @7:00 pm
Calling all young adults (high school grads thru early 30's)! We're having our annual fiesta/dinner and you don't want to miss out! We go all out for this event – lots of Mexican themed decorations, food, goodies, and maybe even a sombrero or two! Of course, we will have games and enjoy each other's fellowship as well. You can sign up to bring different items on the signup sheet out in the lobby.
HCF SOFTBALL TEAM
Softball Season has begun! Bring your friends and family to come root for our team. It's a fun evening of fellowship! Be sure to check the Salt & Light for the weekly game schedules. See Lenny Little with any questions.
MEN'S BREAKFAST
Second Saturday of Every Month
8:30 am
Please Note: There will be no breakfast in May – we will resume in June.
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 GROUP SAMPLER
If you didn't get to be a part of our Small Groups this past term, don't despair! We are doing a Small Group Sampler on the first 3 Wednesdays of August. The groups are open to anyone who wants to participate (whether you've been in a group previously or not) and all you need 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! Look for the signup sheet to be out in a few weeks.
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.
GROW GROUPS SR. HIGH STUDY
2nd and 4th Monday Evenings
If you are between 9th – 12th grades, this is an awesome opportunity to grow closer to each other and closer to God.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
APRIL GIVING
We averaged $5466/week in the month of April. This brings our annual average to $5331/week which is slightly less than our annual weekly giving target of $5400. We are thankful for the sacrifice and faithfulness of our church family, and invite everyone to give as God has blessed them. Every gift is an investment in the work God has called Hope to do, and we will do all we can to be wise in using that investment to its maximum potential.
HOPE'S COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
We now have a bulletin board just for Hope attendees! The board is located across from the Youth Room in the hallway. If you're a part of Hope, feel free to use the board as a place to advertise your business or services, showcase an item for sale, or place a 'help wanted' ad. We just ask that you keep things no larger than a 4x6 index card and remove when no longer relevant. Check with Wendy Devereaux if you have any questions.
SAINTS PRISON MINISTRY
Were you aware that we have our own prison missionaries right here at Hope? Bill McGinness, along with Anne and Jim Jefferson, are actively involved in the Saints Prison Ministry. Their mission is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to prisoners through athletics and to provide them with opportunities for spiritual growth. The Saints compete against inmate teams in softball, basketball, soccer and women's volleyball, and then present the Gospel to them right on the playing field. They need to raise their own support in order to participate in this ministry. Please consider helping them out with your prayers and any financial contribution you can give. Current needs are: Bill McGinness is $950, Jim Jefferson $850 and Anne Jefferson $350. Checks should be made payable to the individual.
DIRECTORY ADDENDUM
Copies of the addendum to Hope's Directory are now available in the Resource Room. Come pick one up and put it in the back of your current directory. This way, you will have contact information for those not in our existing directory, as well as any updates that have been made.
FREE GAS STOVE
We are getting rid of the gas stove in Hope's kitchen. It is available for free to anyone who can come and pick it up. Contact Brad Hopkins (609-502-0510) if you are interested.
OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE
IMMEDIATE NEED – URGENT
We have no teacher for our Pre-K class for May 12th (Mother's Day). If we are unable to secure a teacher, there will be no class for the Pre-K children. Please Note: This need is for new teachers and helpers to join our team so that those already serving can continue to serve where The Lord has placed them. Contact Franne Harkin at fhark7@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEERS FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEEDED
We are in immediate need of a helper for 1st thru 5th grades and a helper for the 3-5 year olds for Wednesday evenings in May and June. We need to have all our workers in place by May 8th. Please see Pastor Mark right away if you can volunteer your services!
VBS – COLOSSAL COASTER WORLD
July 15th – 18th
Can you believe it's time to start thinking about VBS already? There will be plenty of different options and opportunities to help. More information will be coming. Contact Anne Jefferson at annemarie523@juno.com if you'd like to volunteer to be a part of this exciting program for our children. There is a signup sheet in the lobby.
FOOD PANTRY
We are in need of the following items for our pantry:
Non-refrigerated beverages such as juices, Snapple, or water. No soda please.
Ground beef, hot dogs, meat, poultry, french fries, etc. for the 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.
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
Nursery Nicole Babli, Lisa Landis
Toddlers Karen Blythe, Diane Beardsworth, Emily Foster
Pre K – Kindergarten TBA
1st – 3rd Kelly Louis
4th & 5th Anita Little
Counters Bill Berry, Mike Hartwell
Greeters Rick Ayusa
Judy Gotshall
Helen Mastalski
Georgia Perrong
Wed. Evening Naidona Ott, Kathleen Toomin
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
Saturday Night Service – Please lift up these services as we move forward in seeing if a Saturday evening service is a good fit for us.
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!
Justified thru Jesus,
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
10:12 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home