Hope Notes 11/7/13

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Confession – I like doing dishes.  In fact, I look forward to it.  On the rare occasion when there are some dishes left for the next morning, it makes me happy to start my day doing them.  I have a tiny obsession with dish liquid; there are so many great smelling ones out there!  There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a big ole' stack of dirty dishes, choosing a dish liquid scent to match my mood, and then settling in with a sink full of warm soapy water to make everything sparkling clean! Plus, there is the bonus of a nice, clean kitchen when I am done! Such a great return for so little effort! 

 

Don't you find that we often rush through things just so we can be finished?  We don't stop to enjoy the process.  We just want to hurry up and get there.  But we never really WILL be 'finished'.  There will still be dishes to do again tomorrow (yay!).  So it is with our Christian experience.  We need to slow down and be in the moment with our Lord.  Enjoy the process of growing – reading Scripture, praying, worshipping, and having fellowship with other believers.  Be patient with ourselves and each other as we endeavor to learn what God is teaching us.  Accept the fact that we never will be finished with striving, growing, yearning, struggling, etc. until we stand before our God in heaven.  Next time you're doing dishes, stop and take a moment to join me in finding pleasure in that process.  And make sure you pick a good smelling detergent!

 

 SATURDAY EVENING & SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

November 10 – Responding to Light (John 3:19-21)

Light is so much harsher when you've been in the dark for a while.  If you've ever worked the night shift and tried to sleep during the day, you probably know the intensity of mid-day light when you've just woken from a deep sleep in a darkened room.  Jesus talked about spiritual darkness and light.  We all live in a world that loves darkness instead of light.  And sometimes, we as followers of Jesus Christ feel that way too.  Jesus talks about why and about the answer to this awful and destructive trap.  How will you respond to the light?

 

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 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

 

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.

 

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

 

LADIES AT HOPE WE HAVE EXCITING NEWS – THIS THURSDAY

Thursday, November 7^th 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Debbi Bryson is coming to speak to the ladies of Hope!  She is the author of the book our Ladies Bible Study is doing.  When she heard about how blessed we have been through this study, she felt led to come and visit!  We are so glad to have this opportunity for her to share with us.  Come on out and enjoy this incredible blessing God has given to our Women's Group! 

 

SMALL GROUPS 

Small groups are up and running! Small groups are made up of 8-12 adults who meet together every other, discuss the small group study sheet (available in the resource room or on our website), and pray for one another.  If your group still has some openings, 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. See Steve Jones with any questions.

 

MEN'S BREAKFAST SPECIAL PROJECT – THIS SATURDAY

Saturday, November 9^th

This month our men will be meeting for breakfast as usual and then building manger scenes. These are the large, white plywood renditions you may have seen gracing people's front yards during the holiday season. It's a great way to proclaim the true meaning of Christmas!  Cost is $25 each.  If you are interested in building one (or more), contact Steve Jones at jones.stephen.d@gmail.com so he can purchase the required supplies.

 

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

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.

 

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 - We're back in Romans and looking at Chapter 5 and the greatest gift we've been given.

 

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 - Last meeting we looked at surrendering our stuff, this week we'll look at surrendering our status for something better than God has for us.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

GREETERS MEETING

Sunday, November 17^th

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!

 

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.

 

HOPE CONNECTS WITH SOCIAL MEDIA

If you enjoy socializing and connecting through comments, tweets, and 'likes', you can now add Hope to the mix!  How great to be able to integrate our church and our spiritual journey together into the fabric of those interactions!  It's as simple as 'liking' our facebook page (Hope Christian Fellowship), following our twitter account (HCF_Woodbury), and adding your input/feedback to the discussions going on.  As a bonus, it helps us be public in our witness and testimony about our faith and our church.  God just may use it to bring others to Him and to be an encouragement to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  For sure it will help us speak into each other's lives as we walk through our daily routines.

 

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

 

CHRISTMAS CAFÉ

Wednesday, December 4^th

Mark your calendars NOW for this fun event!  The body of Hope gets together for some café style coffee & desserts, fellowship, a little talent sharing, and lots of fun!  Look for a signup sheet to be out soon……

 

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.

 

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 17^th.  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

Is there anyone out there who might be willing to fill in as a helper on an 'as needed' basis?  Sometimes our volunteers don't show up and we need a last minute fill in.  If you are willing to be pulled out of Bible Study occasionally to help, please let Jen Winstel know.

 

COAT DRIVE / GIVING WARMTH

We will be collecting new and gently used the weekend of November 16^th & 17^th.   These coats will be AVAILABLE FOR FREE on Sunday, November 24^th 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                          Jeanne Wurst, Lucy Muhlbaier, Ryan Winstel

Toddlers                         Rebecca & John Jacobs, Natalie, Abbey
Pre K – Kindergarten     Bill McGinness, Isaiah Owens, Rachael and Angel
1^st & 2nd                        Kathleen & Cheyenne Toomin

3^rd - 5th                         TBD
Counters                        Bill Berry, Mike Hartwell
Greeters                         Rick Ayusa
                                       Frank Caranci
                                       Helen Mastalski

                                       TBD
                                     
Wed. Evening                 Grace Brown, Liz Johnson

 

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

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

 

He is Holy,
Lois

 

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