Dear Friends of Hope~
After Tuesday's torrential downpour, I stepped outside Wednesday morning to a world that had been washed clean and bright. The sky was a brilliant blue, without a cloud in sight. The grass and the leaves on the trees were such a vibrant green; I haven't seen color like this all summer! The best part was the air – cool, clean, and breezy. Absolute perfection. When the storm is raging, everything looks dark and grey. Oh, but afterwards……….….sometimes we are graced with a rainbow and the promise of a gorgeous day to follow. You know where I'm going with this, don't you? Those storms in our lives that just flatten us are followed by God's 'rainbow' - His covenant of grace for us. When we surrender our storms to Him we can be certain that, at the end of the trial, we will be washed clean, alive and vibrant, renewed by His Spirit and strengthened by His love.
SATURDAY EVENING & SUNDAY MESSAGE
August 18 – In the Beginning (John 1:1-5)
Dating can be challenging. As you meet people, you try to get to know them and they try to get to know you. But as this dynamic unfolds, you realize that they may be editing themselves a bit, just like you could be editing yourself. However, if the relationship goes forward, you often discover that they aren't quite who they seemed to be at first. As we begin our journey through the powerful book of John, we see the apostle starting by talking about who Jesus is. Before he gets to the story about Jesus' life on earth, John makes sure that everyone knows the real Jesus. We'll look past people's opinions about Jesus, and see what the Bible says about Him!
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
AUGUST CHALLENGE VERSE
Proverbs 26:17, 20
"Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own. Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down."
WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAMS
7:00 – 8:15
We are putting our study of 1Corinithians aside until fall. Small Group Samplers will be meeting on Wednesdays during August in lieu of Bible study.
Coming August 28th - A special Worship Wednesday!
MARRIAGE GROUP
Coming in September! Pastor Mark and Dana will be leading a short tem group on marriage at the church this fall. The group will meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday nights of September, October, and November at 7:00pm. Begin praying about if this is something God is calling you to do in order to strengthen your marriage. A signup sheet will be out soon.
SUMMER WITH SISTERS/WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Mondays at 7:00 pm
July29th thru August 26th
A five-week study of the book of Ruth, led by our own Kim Rice. Come out and learn what the book of Ruth, a remarkable woman of the Bible, has to teach us about living as a woman in today's culture. A sign-up sheet is at the information table. (The Women's Prayer group will not meet during this time period.)
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.
Please Note: This program is not running over the summer.
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.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP
PRIORITY ONE MEN'S RETREAT
September 12th – 15th
Steve Sonderman (author, national men's leader) will be challenging us through the long weekend, and the activities at this beautiful Lake Champion facility are crazy fun! Go to www.priorityone.org and enter Stephen Jones-HCF as the group name when you register.
SMALL GROUP SAMPLERS
August 7th, 14th, and 21st
Just a reminder that these Small Group Samplers
will be happening in lieu of all our regular Wednesday night programs. If you were not able to participate in the Samplers – don't worry! Our regular Small Groups will be forming in September, so you won't have to wait long to get involved.
MEN'S BREAKFAST
Second Saturday of Every Month
8:00 – 9:30am
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 you are willing to help set up – we meet in the kitchen at 7:00am. See Steve Jones with any questions.
ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC
September 8th
You don't want to miss this! Immediately following our morning worship service, we make our way outside and spend time eating and enjoying each other's company! Signup sheets are in the lobby for help with setting up or bringing food. We need plenty of volunteers to make this event run smoothly – if you'd like to help contact Anita Little at alittleshopper@gmail.com or 856-373-2090.
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.
Please Note: Youth Group & Grow Groups are taking a break over the summer. We will keep you informed of our upcoming summer events!
BEACH DAY
Saturday, August 17th
Meet at the church at 9:00am. Bring money for beach tags ($5) and lunch. Of course, don't forget your bathing suit and towel! We will return around 4:00pm. Contact Dave Hallahan with any questions.
ROOTED SUMMER SCHEDULE (Details will follow)
August 21st – Youth Leaders Meeting
August 23rd – Jr. High Game Night
August 28th – Worship Service
ANNOUNCEMENTS
JOB OPPORTUNITY
There is a part time job opportunity in the Pitman area: Donna Brady, a friend of Hope, is looking for an aide to ride with her on her school bus driving run. Approximately 4 hours a day. If you are interested and want more information, please contact her at (856) 582-7346 or (856) 430-0701.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY MEETING
Sunday, September 15th
There will be a brief meeting for our 1st – 2nd grade teachers in the classroom. Contact Kathleen Toomin if you have any questions.
SAINTS PRISON MINISTRY
The season of ministry is winding down for our own prison missionaries here at Hope. But that doesn't mean you can't still help them out through prayer or a financial donation. 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. They count on our prayers and our contributions to help them in doing the Lord's work. You can contact each individual to find out what their current need is. Any checks should be made payable to the individual.
OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE
WEDNESDAY EVENING KID'S PROGRAM
Starting September 4th
We are in need of a teacher and a helper for the ages 3 thru K class from September thru December. Please contact Jen Winstel at jenwinrn@comcast.net or 609-254-1176 if you would like to volunteer or have any questions.
NURSERY
We have a few 'holes' in our Nursery Schedule. Specifically November 3 & 10. If you can help fill these spots, please contact Don or Alicia Heverly at Lilfeet21@hotmail.com or 609-923-0806.
SIGNUP SHEETS OUT
Signup sheets for the HELPING HANDS (Ken Blythe) and BUILDING PROJECTS (Brad Hopkins) ministries are now out in the lobby. These are both 'as needed' areas of ministry. Anyone willing to volunteer – please add your name to the list!
FOOD PANTRY
Please help! Our freezer door was left open and we lost all our freezer items!
We are in need of the following items for our pantry:
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 Charlotte Zediker, Ellen, Boales, Ryan Winstel
Toddlers Ardra Jarvis, Joyce James, Prisca
Pre K – Kindergarten Bill McGinness, Isaiah Owens, Rachael S, Angel N
1st – 3rd Patty & Rich Bunnell
4th & 5th Anne Jefferson
Counters LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness
Greeters Frank Caranci
Deb Caranci
Wendy Lynch
Diane Beardsworth
Wed. Evening None during Small Group Samplers
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!
"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
Washed Clean,
Lois
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