Hope Notes 11/28/13 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I suppose I would be remiss to not write something about Thanksgiving, even though we just had our Praise Service this past Sunday.  Not to mention that you will all be receiving this on the actual day itself. I do think that most people won't read this until maybe the next day when the magnificent turkey is but a carcass and their refrigerators are full of leftovers. Personally, I wish there was more of a focus on Thanksgiving; it seems like it is just a pit stop on the race to Christmas.  My family calls me the Christmas Nazi because every year I complain about how the world doesn't even wait till Halloween is over to begin the Christmas countdown.  I gripe about all the decorations being up so early and having to listen to Christmas music before the leaves have even left the trees.  It's not that I don't enjoy those things; I just want to enjoy Thanksgiving fully before I move on to the next holiday.  Once that day is over, I am truly ready to begin shifting my focus to the celebration of the birth of our Lord – the One whom I am most thankful for!

 

SATURDAY EVENING & SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

GREAT EXPECTATIONS – CHRISTMAS SERIES

The Christmas season is full of fun and memories.  Most of us look forward to this time of year and enjoy the feelings and experiences of Christmas for weeks leading up to the big day.  But reality generally doesn't quite live up to the great expectations we have for this holiday. Is it possible that we're missing something? We live stressed, rushed, overloaded, and tense.  The big day arrives and the family gathering isn't always ideal.  Is there something wrong with us, or are we in need of a reset on how we approach this day?   We'll take a look in the coming weeks at why Christmas inspires such big hopes and how we miss out on all that it can be!  

 

December 1 – The Holiday Rush (Communion Service)

Psalm 23; Proverbs 27:12

Gearing up for Christmas can mean two very different things.  You can be revving up your excitement and the enjoyment of all that you love about Christmas.  Or you can be starting a month long sprint with and overwhelming to-do list.  Something about this time of year convinces us that we need to join the 'holiday rush'.  And so we fill our schedules and run from one place to the next, trying our hardest to 'get it all done' and to 'enjoy it to the fullest'.  But more often than not, we fail at both.  We're going to look at just two verses in the Bible today that can help us adjust the way we live through these coming weeks so that we can actually enjoy Christmas!

 

SATURDAY EVENING SERVICES

Our Saturday evening services continue and seem to be growing!  Please remember that there will be no Saturday evening service on 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

 

NOVEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Psalm 121:1-2

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

 

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: 

On December 11^th, 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 18^th, 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 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!

Please Note: There will be no meeting the third Monday of December, and our next study date will be Monday January 6, 2014.

 

 

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.

 

BOWLING

December 11^th from 6:30-8:30 pm

Put your bowling skills to the test as we head to the Brunswick Lanes in Deptford. All the bowling you want for just $5.00!  Additional money will be needed if you want food/drinks.

 

ROOTED CHRISTMAS PARTY

Friday, December 13^th

It's that time of year again! Come out for our third annual Christmas party from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.  We'll have games, food, a $5 gift exchange, and a few surprises as well!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

NOVEMBER GIVING

We averaged $5694 per week for the month of November, which brings our annual average giving to $5201 per week.  While we were well above our target of $5400 per week for this month, we remain behind on our annual average, and are praying together for God's provision as we finish this year and look forward to next year.

 

ATTENTION 1^st & 2^nd GRADE TEACHERS

New Winter Teacher Guides are now available for pick-up in the classroom.  See Kathleen Toomin with any questions.

 

MARRIAGE CONFERENCE

February 14 – 16^th

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.

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*****

 

GOD'S GIRLS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Monday, December 2^nd @ 7:00

Come join us for an evening of fun and fellowship!  We will be having a Christmas cookie exchange and a white elephant.  Open to all ladies 9^th grade and up!  Contact Jenn Nolan with any questions.

 

CHRISTMAS CAFÉ

Wednesday, December 4^th @ 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.

 

THE LIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS - CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Saturday, December 21^st @ 7:00

Sunday, December 22^nd @ 10:00 

Want to walk like a wise man this Christmas? Then head on over to this year's Children's Christmas Program! All family, friends and neighbors are welcome to share this Christmas event with us at Hope, so invite anyone who may need a little light this season.

 

Special Note: The program is free of charge. However, in the spirit of giving, the Children's Christmas Program has partnered with Choices of the Heart, a Christian pregnancy center which ministers to pregnant women and new moms. The kids at Hope will be shining some light on the mothers served by this ministry by collecting baby hygiene items before both performances. If you are able, please bring a donation of a baby hygiene item (lotions, baby washes, shampoos, diaper creams, etc) to the show. The kids will be collecting these items to donate to Choices of the Heart on Christmas Eve. Then sit back, relax and soak in "The Light Before Christmas."

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Tuesday, December 24^th @ 6:00pm

We would love to have you join us for our traditional Christmas Eve service. We know this is a busy night for many families so we make sure to keep the service to one hour.  We realize that people may have family traditions or obligations and aren't able make it out, but we sure hope you can.  We have special readings, music, and the all important candle lighting ceremony to really get you in the Christmas spirit!

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

CHRISTMAS DECORATING

Saturday, November 30^th @ 9:00am

Ready to start decorating for Christmas?  Come help make Hope sparkle with Christmas cheer!  Contact Carole Baumiester at 856-228-3188 with any questions.

 

TEACHERS AND AIDES NEEDED

 We have a need for Sunday School teachers and aides for the 3-5th grade classroom beginning in January. Teachers work on rotation, with 2 weeks in the classroom and 6-8 weeks off. We could use one to two more teachers for this age group. We would also like to have an aide in the classroom at all times. High school teens, this is a great way to minister to the younger kids! We would like to make "teaching teams" of one teacher, one aide, so if an adult-teen team is interested in working together, let me know. Thanks so much for your willingness to serve our youngest family members.

Please contact Mary Lebeau (marylebeau@verizon.net; 856-316-6301) if you're interested or if you have any questions about the program.

 

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                          Karla Hopkins, Jeanne Wurst

Toddlers                         Dawn & John Brazelis, Madison
Pre K – Kindergarten     Franne & Abbey Harkin, Maurice Brazelis, Steve Bradshaw
1^st & 2nd                        Lisa Fiorile

3^rd - 5th                         Kim Biglin, Kerry Crowley
Counters                        LaTosha Briggs, Lois Hartwell
Greeters                        Tony Dariano

                                      Mickey Dariano
                                      John Brazelis
                                      Lisa Fiorile                      

Wed. Evening                TBA

 

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

Charlotte Snobgrass – For Kayden, a 4 year old just diagnosed w/cancer. Please pray for strength for the family, healing for Kayden, and that this experience brings them to God.  Also for a co-worker's 3 day old son undergoing surgery.

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

 

In Christ Alone,
Lois

 

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