Hope Notes 1/9/14

Dear Friends of Hope ~

"The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it……...." (1Cor. 11:23-24)  How many times have we heard Pastor Mark say this verse as we prepare to celebrate communion?  I read a devotion that pointed out the fact that not very often do you see the words 'betrayed' and 'thanks' in the same sentence, much less in the same heart.  That really struck a chord in me.  Jesus knew exactly what would happen that night and yet He still gave thanks.  He found a way to be grateful.  Can we do that?  Can we give thanks with a grateful heart, even in the midst of a storm – even as we stand on the precipice of trouble, knowing what is to come – can we give thanks?  Jesus' example not only says we can, it says we should.  Anyone can thank God in the light, but we need to be able to thank God in the darkest of dark.  Let us keep that in mind as we face the difficult times of life and make the choice to reflect on our blessings and give our God the thanks and praise that He alone is worthy of.

 

SATURDAY EVENING & SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

Spirit and Truth (John 4:15-26) - COMMUNION

Have you ever heard the expression, "It's not what you know… it's WHO you know."?  Some people believe that the way the world works is to reward connection more than competence.  And experience does indeed seem to bear this out.  Knowing someone almost always carries more weight than being qualified.  As Jesus continues to talk to the woman at the well, he is explaining this truth in a spiritual sense.  She can't understand how she can have water that satisfies her thirst forever.  And Jesus leads her to the place where she understands that life and hope come from knowing Him!

 

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

 

JANUARY CHALLENGE VERSE

Philippians 2:3-4

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

 

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 starting back up again after the holiday break!  Our next study guide will be out in the Resource Room January 12^th.  Don't forget, you can also print it straight from our website!

 

NEW FAMILIES LUNCHEON

Sunday, January 19^th

Are you fairly new to Hope?  Would you like a chance to meet some other new families?  Hope's Leadership Team is throwing a 'welcome luncheon' just for you!  As our church grows, it gets harder and harder to connect with everyone.  We want you all to know that we are glad you're here; we want you to know that your presence at Hope matters.  Please join us for lunch after the service.  All you need to do is sign up on the sheet in the lobby so we know how many to prepare for.  Contact LaTosha Briggs (usafinancial2000@hotmail.com) 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. See Steve Jones with any questions.

 

MEN'S MORNING PRAYER MEETING

Every Friday at Church

6:00 am – 7:00 am

A fellowship of praying men contending for His will done on earth as in heaven.

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

GROW GROUPS

January 13

Do Christian beliefs really fit in the world in which we live? Come out for the next four meetings as we discuss ways to bolster our faith and learn a few ways to defend what we believe with special guest Mike Harkisheimer (aka Hark).

 

ROOTED WEDNESDAYS

January 15

Our youth group is called Rooted. You probably knew that, but do you know why? Come out this week as we take a look at being rooted in Scripture.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP

We here at Hope are looking into the possibility of forming a 12 step Christian recovery support group to help those struggling with addiction. We are also looking for anyone who is involved in recovery, has knowledge of recovery and would be able to help us start this group. If you are interested in helping or attending, please contact Liz McCool at 856-423-7919 or email her at irelandljm@netscape.com.

 

BIBLE READING GROUP

Tom Mariner is putting together a group for anyone interested in reading thru the Bible this year in a six month period (about 7 chapters/day).  It's a challenge but will be a blessing to those willing to join.  If you are interested, email Tom at TMAccurate@Aol.com or text 856-693-3138.

 

CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTO SESSIONS

We have so many new families who are not represented in our current directory that we are going to make a new one!  A directory is a great way to get to put names and faces together.  You know that person you keep saying hi to but don't know their name?  Just run home and check your directory!  Every Sunday in the month of January, Kristy Straub will be taking family photos immediately following the service.  You do not need to be a partner of Hope to be in the directory.  Contact Lois Hartwell (foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com) 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.  Family Life is offering a special promotion for this conference.  From January 6 to 27, the rate for each couple is only $149.99.  Hotel reservations & costs are separate.  Signup online at www.familylife.com and use the group name HopeWoodbury to get the discount.  Don't miss this chance to invest a weekend into your relationship - spend some time focused just on the two of you and get some powerful training from God's Word about God's design for marriage. 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.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM

We are still in need of a teacher for the 3-5 year old group.  We will be unable to have a class for these children until we find someone willing to teach.  Please contact Jen Winstel @ jenwinrn@comcast.net if you are interested in helping.

 

NURSERY HELP NEEDED

God has been blessing us with lots of little babies here at Hope; we just need some more hands to care for them!  We need 3 more nursery workers for the 2014 schedule. Please contact Alicia Heverly (lilfeet21@hotmail.com) if you are willing to volunteer.

 

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                          TBA

Toddlers                         Rebecca & John Jacobs, Natalie, Abbey
Pre K – Kindergarten     Karen & Amanda Merriell, Megan Foster
1^st & 2nd                        Patty & Rich Bunnell

3^rd - 5th                         Mary LeBeau, Dylan Ott
Counters                        LaTosha Briggs, Carole Baumiester
Greeters                        Dan Gotshall

                                      Cheryl Gotshall
                                      Katrina Mariani
                                      Greg Corrado                           

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

Franne Harkin – Her 4 year old great niece Farrah Murray has been in the hospital on dialysis since Christmas. (Kidneys shut down due to ecoli.) She finally shows improvement. Please continue praying for healing.

Kids Ministry Director – A praise for answered prayer as Matt Russell takes the position as our Children's Director.  Let's remember to keep him in prayer as he moves forward in leading this ministry.

"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

 

With a Grateful Heart,
Lois

 

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