Hope Notes 10/3/13

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Yesterday I was driving down one of those winding 'country' roads.  It was quiet, peaceful, and lined with trees.  I was enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the ride when suddenly a car on the other side flew around the curve dangerously close to MY side of the road.  My heart accelerated at a pace that matched the other vehicle's speed!  I realized that I had no idea of what was coming around that bend and no way TO know until I actually rounded the turn.  That is exactly how it is with life.  We never know what's waiting for us just around the bend.  That is something only God Himself knows and that is why we need to rely exclusively on Him to guide us through life.  We only see what's right in front of us.  He sees the whole road. I don't know about you, but I am extremely thankful that we serve an omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God! 

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

No Saturday Evening Service

To Tell the Truth

2 Tim 4:3-4; Matt 7:15-23

Falling prey to someone else's lie can make you feel vulnerable, weak, and even scared.  You thought you could tell when someone was telling you the truth and when someone wasn't!  But too often, we are led astray by people we care about, people with powerful personalities, or people who tell us what we like to hear.  Church is no different.  We can find a teacher that we like to listen to or read and not even realize that they are spouting deceptions spiritually.  This is more and more of a problem as we approach the return of Christ, and we need to be equipped to sort through the noise.  We're going to look today at the issue of false teaching today and see how Jesus tells us to look for it!

 

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: 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

 

OCTOBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Ephesians 4:1-3

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

 

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! 

 

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.

Rooted Wednesday (10/9) – Join us for our "When in Rome" series as we continue our journey through the book of Romans.

 

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.

Grow Groups (10/14) - What are you holding on to? Come and find out as we start a study on Surrender! All 9th - 12th graders are welcome to join this study 7:00 – 8:30pm at the church.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

SEPTEMBER GIVING

For September we averaged $5034 per week which brings our annual weekly giving average down to $5218.  This is still below our annual weekly giving target of $5400 per week.  Please pray that the Lord will pour out His blessing on our church in this area and that each of us will be able to give sacrificially to His work here at Hope!

 

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.

 

*****CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS*****

 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Practices are starting now!  Parents, get your kids involved! Bring your kids straight to their Sunday School classrooms at 10:00 am. Their teachers will take them to the Youth Room for practice at 10:30 am every Sunday morning. Please pick up your kids in the Youth Room after church. The Christmas Program will take place Saturday, December 21st at 7:00 pm and Sunday, December 22nd at 10:00 AM. Mark your calendars NOW and be sure to invite your family and friends!  See Matt or Kelli Russell with any questions.

 

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

PRAYERS FOR RENTAL NEED

A family of four is looking for a place to rent in the Deptford/Woodbury area as soon as possible. This family is a friend of Hope so please keep them in your prayers for God to provide this need and give direction. If you know of something that is available, please contact Pastor Mark at markott@hopechristianfellowship.org. Thank you!

 

JOSH AND KELLY HALLAHAN

WORLD GOSPEL MISSIONARIES

KAMPLAL, UGANDA

Just a little follow-up on Josh & Kelly's visit here back in August.  They are trusting the Lord to provide for their financial needs so that they can return to the mission field in Uganda.  Perhaps you made a pledge to support them and haven't gotten around to filling out the information on the prayer card. Or maybe you wanted to help, but just couldn't afford to do it at the time. Did you take a prayer card, place it on the fridge with good intentions to pray but life just got ahead of you?  Now's your chance to get back on track!  They need prayer warriors as well.  You can sign up to receive weekly or monthly prayer updates.  Please prayerfully consider supporting their ministry – through prayer or monetary donations.  Every little bit helps and adds up quick!  These are easy ways for us to participate in what God is doing – all from the comfort of our living rooms!  See Wendy Devereaux with any questions.

 

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                          Lucy Muhlbaier

Toddlers                         Kara Ott, Sammy Swedo, Abbey
Pre K – Kindergarten     Linda Landis, Linda Ellison, Ryan Winstel
1^st & 2nd                        Kelly Louis

3^rd -  5^th                         Anita Little
Counters                        Lois Hartwell, Carole Baumiester
Greeters                         Art Muhlbaier
                                       Lucy Muhlbaier
                                       Jeanne Wurst

                                       Charlotte Zediker
                                     
Wed. Evening                 Art & Lucy Muhlbaier

 

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

 

He is my Guide,
Lois

 

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