Hope Notes 3/20/14

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

We have communion this Sunday.  I don't know about you, but the closer it gets to Easter, the more real the communion symbolism becomes to me.  I know it probably shouldn't be that way – EVERY time we have communion it ought to feel that way.  But sometimes I just can't even take it in because I can't wrap my head around everything that went on at that Last Supper.  God's love for us is so big and so amazing that my feeble flesh can't grasp the magnitude of His sacrifice for us.  So, I don't know why it is, but during the Easter season it is easier for me to feel like I have more than just a glimmer of comprehension.  Maybe it's because our hearts and minds are more turned towards the cross throughout that time.  Whatever the reason, perhaps you feel that way too.  So for SURE you don't want to miss the chance to celebrate communion this Sunday and reflect on the incredible sacrifice God made for us all.

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

March 23 – Bread for Food (John 6:41-59) COMMUNION

In the time of Jesus, bread was the basic food for everyone.  Having a source of bread meant survival and health and life!  While it is difficult for us to imagine not having bread (except maybe in a snow storm!), in those times, it was not a given that every family would enjoy the sustaining nourishment of bread.  Jesus continues using this picture in talking about the life He came to offer.  He has some things to say that have been confusing to many, and some things that have been offensive.  But ultimately, what we understand is that Jesus is the bread of life come down from heaven!

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Friday, April 18th

We will be having a Good Friday service this year at the same time as always (7:00 pm) and this year there will be music, Scripture reading, and communion.  We'll reset the auditorium to seating in the round and reflect on the amazing gift that God gave in His Son Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  This is a time you don't want to miss!  We would like to offer childcare for the preschoolers, so if anyone is interested in serving the church family that night in this way, please let Matt Russell know.

 

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

 

MARCH CHALLENGE VERSE

Philippians 3:13-14

"Brothers I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

 

DAILY BIBLE READING CHALLENGE

Pastor Mark has thrown down a challenge!  He is challenging everyone to read their Bible every day during the month of March.  It can be a chapter a day (like the book of Proverbs) or it can be simply picking up a copy of The Daily Bread in our resource room and reading the corresponding passage each day.  There are online resources and reading plans available on many sites (one of the most popular is www.bible.com where you can download the app and pick a daily reading plan).  But however you do it, find a way to spend some time each day reading God's Word for yourself!

 

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

 

HCF SOFTBALL LEAGUE

It's hard to believe that baseball season is right around the corner with all this cold and snow, but it is! We'd love you to join our team!  It's an awesome chance to meet and fellowship with not only Hope's family but other churches in our area.

Hope Fellowship's softball team is open to our guys and ladies. You must be 15 before the start of the season. Games are played on week nights; usually once or twice a week (6:30, 8:00 or 9:30). Fields are in Sewell and Pitman. Season runs from April to mid July.

Contact Lenny Little with any questions at littlemanlenny@yahoo.com.  

 

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

 

ROOTED WEDNESDAYS

Stay tuned…….

 

GROW GROUPS

March 24^th

Grow Groups is back on 3/24. We will meet at the Hallahan's at 7pm.

 

GROW GROUPS / YOUNG ADULTS

March 31^st

Bring your competitive spirit and your appetite as we enjoy a night of games (both classic and new) as well as some delicious treats.

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS

ATTENTION PARENTS

For security reasons, we will be asking parents to sign their children in and out of their classes on Sunday mornings starting this Sunday. We want to ensure the safety of each child - every single Sunday so please doesn't forget! 

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY CONFERENCE – THIS SATURDAY

Saturday, March 22^nd

Children's Ministry Workers! You are invited to a Children's Ministry Conference here at the church on Saturday, March 22^nd from 9:00am-2:00pm. It'll be an awesome and unifying time as we discuss where our Children's Ministry is headed and what the next few months will look like.  We'll also take time for training and group discussions.  Breakfast and lunch will be served.  You won't want to miss it!  

Please Note: if you are thinking about being a part of our team for this amazing ministry, join us for this day.  We need helpers and teachers in many different age groups – there's sure to be a place for you to plug in!

 

SAVE THE DATE for VBS!

Vacation Bible School will be July 28-August 1 for children 3 years old and up to 5th grade! We'll meet each night 6-8:30pm. The theme this year is Weird Animals. God filled the world with a lot of crazy creatures...including you! When kids feel weird, different, or even lost in a crowd -- nothing compares to the extraordinary love of Jesus!  So mark your calendars! We'll need plenty of volunteers to help out, so if you're interested in being a part of this amazing ministry contact Matt Russell: mattrussell@hopechristianfellowship.org.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ADDICTIONS RECOVERY MEETING

This group will be meeting weekly on Tuesdays with a start time of 7:00 pm.  Contact Liz McCool with any questions at irelandjim@netscape.com.

 

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS & TECHIES!!

Saturday, April 5th

We are planning a Workshop for Worship right here at Hope from 9:00am - 2:30pm and we want you here! This workshop is for everyone who is currently involved in our Music Ministry (Worship Team, Sound Tech Team, and Words Ministry). This day is also for anyone who is interested in exploring the possibility of getting involved - whether it's a technical position like running sound or MediaShout, or a musical role like playing in the band and/or singing! This day will include breakfast, a time of worship and teaching, some specialized break-out groups, lunch, and lots of information! Please see Dana Ott (or email her at danaott@hopechristianfellowship.org) by March 23rd with any questions or to let her know you're coming!

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES

Bottles are due this Sunday, March 23^rd!

Time to gather up the last of that spare change, cash, or even a check and get it into your baby bottles!  You'll need to bring them to church this Sunday so that we can donate the money collected to Choices of the Heart.  Thank you for your participation!  Bottles should be returned to Wendy Devereaux.

 

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'.  Find us on facebook at Hope Christian Fellowship or on twitter at @HCF_Woodbury, @HCF_YoungAdults, or @HCF_Rooted.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

CAMDEN OUTREACH

Saturday, March 29th

Our Sr. High and Young Adults take every fifth Saturday to prepare and deliver bagged lunches to the folks in Camden.  You can help them by signing up (in the lobby) to donate bread, fruit, water, etc.  Thank you!

 

COFFEE MINISTRY

Isn't it great to be able to come to church, grab a cup of coffee from our café and chat with friends before worship?  I'm sure for many that has become a Sunday morning ritual.  But what if there was NO CAFÉ??!!   Our Coffee Ministry Team could really use some help setting up on Saturday evenings.  It only takes maybe 15 minutes to do so and look at all the enjoyment it provides on Sunday!  A little effort with a big result.  If you would be willing to take a few minutes some Saturdays, please contact Jeff Toomin at jktoomin.98@comcast.net.

 

SAINTS PRISON MINISTRY

We have two missionaries right here in the body at Hope!  Jim Jefferson and Bill McGinness travel with the prison ministry's softball team to bring the gospel to those in prison.  They sacrifice their family time and finances to do this.  We can help ease their burden and support them by praying for them and giving as we feel God leading.  Each man needs to raise $1000 in order to cover their own expenses.  If you are able to give, simply write a check made payable to Jim or Bill and offer it to them.

 

FOOD PANTRY

It's time for breakfast!  We could really use some breakfast food – hot & cold cereals, toaster pastries, frozen sausage or bacon, pancake mix, maple syrup, etc.  We are also in need of freezer items like hamburgers, hot dogs, frozen entrees, etc.

Please check the expiration dates of any donations and place in the basket located outside the kitchen door. Contact Karen Blythe with any questions or if you are interested in helping with our pantry.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery                          Nicole and Lisa, Ryan

Toddlers                         John & Rebecca Jacob, Natalie Mariani
Pre K – Kindergarten     Kim Lawlor, Megan Foster
1^st & 2nd                        Patty & Rich Bunnell

3^rd - 5th                         Mary, Dylan Ott
Counters                        Kathy Berry, Melissa McGinness
Greeters                        Art Muhlbaier

                                      Lucy Muhlbaier
                                      Charlotte Zediker
                                      Jeanne Wurst                  

Wed. Evening                TBD

 

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

Sunday Morning Children's Opening – Let's keep Matt Russell in prayer as he leads in this new venture for our children.

"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

 

Washed by His Blood,
Lois

 

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