Hope Notes 9/19/13

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I love fall and am eagerly waiting for it to begin in earnest.  Right now, there is just the smallest smattering of leaves across our backyard and all the trees have the slightest tinge of gold.  Occasionally I will find a small waxy, ruby red leaf on the ground.  I don't know what bush/tree it comes from, but it's always the first to turn. Just yesterday I found acorns scattered under the trees by our woods. God is giving me signs that point to the arrival of autumn; I know this because I am eagerly looking for them and therefore I don't miss the clues.  But I often miss what God is trying to show me or tell me in my daily life.  If I don't have my heart open and my ears tuned to hear His slightest whisper, I will miss the clues He is giving me on what He wants me to do, or see, or learn.  We all need to go through life eagerly looking and listening for the often subtle signs from our Savior.  That way, we won't miss out on God's best for our lives!

 

SATURDAY EVENING & SUNDAY MESSAGE

September 22 – Spreading the Word (John 1:35-51)

When you find a really good deal, are you the kind of person that wants to keep it to yourself?  Or do you try to spread the word?  Maybe it depends on whether spreading the word will reduce your chances to take advantage of that deal!  As Jesus' story begins in the gospel of John, we find Him calling some disciples.  It is interesting to find that some of the disciples came to follow Jesus because someone spread the word about Jesus to them.  Let's take a look at how sharing our story of Jesus can change the lives of others – and perhaps much more!

 

SATURDAY EVENING SERVICES

We will be having service on Saturday evenings most every week through December.  However, there are a few times where there will be no Saturday evening service!  Here they are:

September 29^th, October 6^th, November 24^th, and December 15^th.

 

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

 

SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Psalm 27:13-14

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

7:00 – 8:15

1Corinthians

Make sure you set aside time to come and study God's Word mid-week.  This helps keep you rooted in Scripture and connected to each other.  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.

 

GOD'S GIRLS

Women's Bible Study – Bible Bus Stops

This study meets the 1^st and 3rd Monday of each month from 7:00 – 8:30pm.  There will be discussion and reflection on the Proverb of the Day taken from the One Year Bible. It's like riding the bus; jump on and off anytime you are available!

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

SMALL GROUPS 

Small groups are now forming!  Please prayerfully connect with those on your heart. Small groups are made up of 8-12 adults who meet together every other week.  They discuss the small group study sheet (available in the resource room or on our website) and pray for one another.  Find some people you are close to or some that you want to get to know and ask what their plans for small group are.  Don't forget to stop at the signup table and look at the free agent list; you can always fill spots in your group with people from this list.  REGISTER your group (even if it isn't full), by filling out a registration form and giving to Damon Briggs. If you make additions after you turn in your form, just let him know!  Our first study sheets will be out 9/22. 

 

WOMEN'S LUNCHEON

Saturday, October 5^th, Noon – 2:00

If you are in the 9^th grade and up………come and join us for a Salad Bar Luncheon!  Bring a friend or family member!  We will have a great time of fellowship, testimonies, and get-to-know-you games.

"Fixin's" are needed for the salad bar (Hope will provide the lettuce and beverages).  Signup sheets are in the lobby – one to let us know who's coming and one to bring some "fixin's".  Contact Liz Johnson with any questions.

 

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.

 

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.

9/18 – Come out as we continue our "When in Rome" series.  We'll be taking a look at some passages from Romans 2 and 3, seeing who is good and who isn't.

 

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.  Join us at Dave and Leah Hallahan's house for a night of fellowship and discussion.

 

5^TH SUNDAY PRAYER

September 29^th

Join us after the service in the youth room to lift up our teens in prayer.

 

GROW GROUPS/YOUNG ADULT COFFEE HOUSE

Monday, September 30^th 

Months with a 5th Monday are the worst! It means an extra week until our next Grow Groups or Young Adult meeting. NOT ANYMORE! Join us on Monday the 30th for our first 5th Monday Coffee House! There will be food, drinks, and live music all for FREE!! Bring out some friends and join us for what is sure to be an awesome night!!

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PARTY

Sunday, September 29th

Attention Elementary Students (1-6th grade)

School has started so that means fall is here....which means it's time to start thinking about our Christmas Show! In just 2 weeks we'll be having our Christmas Party during the morning service where we'll talk about this year's program and get to know your teaching team. Of course, we'll have Christmas goodies to get us in the mood!  Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 29^th – you don't want to miss this!

Parents: More information will be handed out that morning so be on the lookout.

 

NOMINATIONS

We are starting our nomination process for deacons and elder candidates - forms will be out this Sunday. Partners should nominate men for elder candidates (Leadership Team) that they believe have demonstrated spiritual leadership at Hope and have the spiritual qualifications listed in the Bible.  We're looking for help on our Deacon Team so let's nominate men and women who have a passion to serve the body of Christ and who will help us function well as a team.  Please remember that only partners can nominate. Be sure to pick up a form for a complete explanation of not only the process, but also the requirements. You can see Pastor Mark with any questions and give your completed form to him.

 

WOMEN'S MINISTRY FACEBOOK

Our Women's Ministry now has its very own facebook page!  Simply type "God's Girls Women's Ministry at Hope Christian Fellowship" in the search bar and 'like' our page.  You will receive notifications of what's happening in our Bible Bus Stop study and any upcoming special events.  Just one more way to stay connected!

 

LOST AND FOUND

We have some 'lost' serving dishes and utensils left over from Sunday's picnic.  Please come to the kitchen and take them home.  We also have some coats that have been on our coat rack since last winter!  Please stop by the rack and see if one of them belongs to you.  We would love for these lost coats to find a home!

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

MEALS MINISTRY

One of the ways we serve the body of Christ here at Hope is by providing a meal when certain situations come up.  Sometimes it is a happy occasion, like the birth of a baby.  Other times, there has been a surgery or illness that makes receiving a meal a relief and a true blessing.  If you have the time and the availability to provide a meal and deliver it, this would be a great ministry for you!  Having a list of reliable people means each person would only be called on every so often.  There is a signup sheet in the lobby.  Contact Carole Baumiester (needsministry@gmail.com) with any questions.

 

FOOD PANTRY

We want for every family to be able to start the day with a good breakfast!  Please help stock our pantry with breakfast items such as hot & cold cereal, pancake mix, syrup, etc.  We are also in need of boxed macaroni & cheese, salt & pepper, and condiments.

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                          Don & Alicia Heverly

Toddlers                         John & Dawn Brazelis, Madison Winstel
Pre K – Kindergarten     Kim Lawlor, Erin & Ryan Sweeny
1^st – 3rd                         TBA

4^th & 5^th                         Kim Biglin, Kerry Crowley
Counters                        Bill Berry, Mike Hartwell
Greeters                         Art Muhlbaier
                                       Lucy Muhlbaier
                                       Jeanne Wurst

                                       Charlotte Zediker
                                     
Wed. Evening                 Melissa McGinness, 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!

"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

 

Attuned to His Whisper,
Lois

 

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