Hope Notes 11/14/13
Dear Friends of Hope ~
I am fortunate that God has found a place to use me that I truly enjoy – writing these Hope Notes! My church family is kind enough to often respond to these little opening paragraphs with similar stories or a big chuckle at something I've said. You have no idea how encouraging that is! It is both a blessing and a 'curse' to know that people are actually reading this. I mostly prefer to pretend that no one besides me is privy to my ramblings! If I stop and think about it, I will censor what I say. And here's the thing – I don't want to do that because what I'm saying is not really coming from me. People often ask me, "How do you think of what to write about?" The answer I always give is that God lays it on my heart; He just drops these thoughts into my brain and then I type them out. So, you see, to censor that would be like restricting or editing what God is giving me! I know for absolute certain that, on my own, I could not come up with something week after week. I've been doing this for years and that would be way too many topics for my feeble brain to put forth! So, let this be the place where I make sure to give all the glory to God and to express my gratefulness to Him. I am thankful that he has placed me in an area of service where I not only don't have to but CAN'T do it all on my own strength. That keeps me dependent and leaning on Him – which is the best place to be!
SATURDAY EVENING & SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE
November 17 – Who Is More… Who is Less? (John 3:22-36)
The star of the show… the center of attention… the Big Man on Campus. Human ambition always pulls us towards trying to be a big deal. When praise comes our way, we like it. When others look up to us or think we're something special, it makes us feel good. But the story of John the Baptist challenges that idea in each of us. Many came to this powerful man and tried to ask him to step into the spotlight. But John had a different concept about his influence. He wanted people to look past him. Is it possible to be in a position of tremendous influence, power, and fame, and use it for an eternal and worthwhile purpose?
UPCOMING PRAISE SERVICE
Sunday, November 24th
No Saturday Evening Service!
This is a special worship service that we do every year to focus on the things our God has done in our lives and on all we have to be thankful for. In reality, it would take much more time than one Sunday morning service to tell our stories and express our gratitude for all the blessings God has placed into our lives. Even if you feel you are not in a 'thankful place' – come! I promise you will not leave with a heavy heart; it is always so uplifting and encouraging to hear and be reminded of what God is doing!
SATURDAY EVENING SERVICES
Our Saturday evening services continue and seem to be growing! Please remember that there will be no Saturday evening service on November 24th and December 15th.
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
NOVEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight."
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.
PLEASE NOTE:
There will be no Bible study or any other programs on November 27th (the night before Thanksgiving).
On December 11th, Adult Bible study will move to the Youth Room since the Preschool/Toddler class will be practicing for the Christmas Program in the auditorium.
On December 18th, we will divide our Adult Bible study into a few groups in two separate classrooms so that the Elementary class can practice for the Christmas Program.
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.
GOD'S GIRLS
Women's Bible Study – Bible Bus Stops
This study meets the 1st 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
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. See Steve Jones with any questions.
MEN'S MORNING PRAYER GROUP
Every Friday at Church
6:00 am – 7:00 am
Join us for a time of prayer, intercession and lifting up our hearts together with our brothers. "Call unto me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things that you know not of."
YOUTH NEWS
CAMDEN OUTREACH – SENIOR HIGH
Saturday, November 30th
Don't forget – this outreach is for you guys, too! Join in with our Young Adults and make a difference in the lives of those in need in Camden.
ROOTED CHRISTMAS PARTY
Friday, December 13th
It's almost that time of year! Come out from 7:00 – 9:00 pm for a night of Christmas fun and games as we celebrate Christmas together. Be on the lookout for more details
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 (11/20) – Come out as we take our last look at our "When in Rome" series for the year 2013.
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.
Grow Groups (11/25) - We'll be wrapping up our Surrender series by looking at what it means to surrender ourselves. This will be our last Grow Groups of 2013 so be sure to come out.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
GREETERS MEETING – THIS SUNDAY
Sunday, November 17th
Attention all Greeters or anyone interested in becoming a Greeter! Pastor Mark is having a meeting after worship to go over the call of Greeters here at Hope. Whether you are already on our Greeters Roster, or are just wondering about it, this would be the time to find out exactly what being a Greeter is all about!
MARRIAGE CONFERENCE
February 14 – 16th
We're getting a group together to go to the Family Life "Weekend to Remember" conference in Hershey, PA. The cost is $89/per plus hotel costs (register separately). This is a great opportunity to invest some time as a couple in your marriage and also to get away for the weekend! Signup online at www.familylife.com and use the group name HopeWoodbury to get the discount. See Pastor Mark with any questions.
BED FRAME NEEDS
There is a need in the body of Hope for two twin size bed frames and box springs. The metal type is fine. If anyone can help with this, please contact Ron Patterson at 856-655-4134 or rpatterson28@gmail.com.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Don't be shy! Jump in and get engaged in some spiritual conversations via social media stuff like facebook and twitter. We'd love for you to share your thoughts and your spiritual journeys so that we can walk through life a little more 'together'. Share something you're thankful for, share what God is doing in your life through the challenge verse, share what you learned at our last service, etc.
*****CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS*****
CHRISTMAS CAFÉ
Wednesday, December 4th @ 7:00 pm
Enjoy a night of desserts, fun and fellowship as we kick off the Christmas Season. Sign up to sing, play an instrument, share a story or testimony, or some other gift the Lord has given you. Please bring a dessert to share. The church will provide coffee, tea, etc. This is for EVERYONE – no youth or kids programs will be running – we're all together in the auditorium! If you have any questions, please contact Kimmi at 881-4877 or Kimmi_B@comcast.net.
CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
Saturday, December 21st @ 7:00
Sunday, December 22nd @ 10:00
Be sure to invite your family and friends to come see our kids share the real Christmas story through this fantastic program! See Matt or Kelli Russell with any questions.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The shoeboxes are here!! We've made it extra easy for you to participate this year – all you need to do is pick up a shoebox and the information brochure and you're all set! Once you choose the age and sex of your child, you are ready to fill their box with Christmas joy. All boxes need to be returned to the church no later than Sunday, November 17th. See Wendy Devereaux with any questions. "Every shoebox offers an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a hurting child." (Franklin Graham)
OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
Specific Need: We are in need of a helper for the 3rd – 5th grade class November 20th.
If you can help with this, please contact Jenn Winstel at jenwinrn@comcast.net.
COAT DRIVE / GIVING WARMTH
We will be collecting new and gently used the weekend of November 16th & 17th. These coats will be AVAILABLE FOR FREE on Sunday, November 24th following our morning worship service. We ask that you please hold your donations until the drop off dates shown above as we do not have the space to store the coats. See Lisa Minner with any questions.
FOOD PANTRY
Current pantry needs: Hot and cold cereals, peanut butter & jelly, and freezer items such as burgers, hot dogs, entrees, etc.
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 Brian & Naidona Ott
Toddlers Rebecca & John Jacob, Natalie
Pre K – Kindergarten Linda Landis, Madison
1st & 2nd Kathleen & Cheyenne Toomin
3rd - 5th Kimmie Rice
Counters Bill Berry, Mike Hartwell
Greeters Rick Ayusa
Frank Caranci
Helen Mastalski
TBD
Wed. Evening Kristy Tomasello
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
Anonymous -Please lift up Bryan Brittingham and the 150th Engineer group serving a year in Afghanistan
Chris Bunnell – For his mentally challenged ex-classmate who has an abusive family. Also for someone Chris knows who has been taken from his parents and is in an orphanage.
Christianna Chimeng – For a young Christian woman who has been abandoned by her husband; raising 6 children on her own. Husband returned to Nigeria Africa and has not been supporting his family financially. She is bout to be evicted and children placed in foster care. Please pray for her and for God's conviction on her husband's behavior.
Debbie Bradshaw – For their son Daniel to come back to the Lord. Also for strength and patience for Debbie since she is responsible for her parents' care, health and general living situations.
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 – We are thankful that Matt Russell has stepped in to run our Children's Christmas Program! Let's keep him in prayer as he takes the lead in 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
Giving Glory to Him,
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.
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9:46 AM
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