Hope Notes 5/15/14

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Are you familiar with the fruits of the Spirit?  Take a look at Galatians 5:22-23 for a refresher.  I read something the other day in my devotion that really got me to thinking.  Author Ray Stedman said, "Joy is love enjoying itself; peace is love resting; patience is love waiting; kindness is love reacting; goodness is love choosing; faithfulness is love keeping its word; gentleness is love empathizing; and self-control is love resisting temptation."  I'm STILL rolling that around in my head!  If we take what he says, then it would seem that all the qualities of a life controlled by the Spirit are expressions of the first one – love.  Does that mean that if we can master 'love', we can reap the benefits of the rest?  I don't know, but I do know that 'love' can be a difficult thing.  Even though God commands us to love our enemies, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to love Him above all else – how often do we fail at this?  'Love' is the key.  And as believers, we have the ability to love as God does.  1John 4:19 says, "We love because He first loved us."  So – we can do it – we just need to tap into that resource living inside us and let our lives become a reflection of the love He has for us!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

May 18 – Cast the First Stone (John 8:1-11)

While most of us make mistakes in our own lives, we are often very sure about what other people should do.  We can actually trick ourselves into feeling better about our failures by focusing on people who are doing 'worse'.  We don't even have to know the people we're talking about – we can speak in general terms about how bad our world is getting and shake our heads in despair.  But this story from Jesus' life really gives us an example of Jesus' response to those caught in the chains of sin.  As followers of Jesus, let's take a deep look at the implications of this story so that we can reflect Him as we interact with our sinful world (and our sinful selves).

 

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 from 9:15 – 9:45 am in the Prayer Room. We pray for the services that morning and for the needs in the church. If you would like to participate, just show up!

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

MAY CHALLENGE VERSE

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

"And we urge you brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

 

MAY DAILY CHALLENGE PROJECT

See if you can find some way to help a person in need.

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

7:00 – 8:15

For the upcoming Wed nights (May 21- June 18) Pastor Mark is going to be talking through some 'Rubber Meets the Road" topics.  We'll be stepping out of our normal Bible study in the book of 1 Corinthians to tackle topics like abortion, gay marriage, and God's role in evil.  Childcare is provided.

 

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY

June 25^th thru July 23rd

Workshop Wednesdays are coming! Topics and teachers will be coming, but plan to be a part!

 

AUGUST WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

We are planning a month of Family Nights in August - a chance to spend some time with your church family as a FAMILY!  Each night, we have a different event that you can participate in as a family.  From game night to movie night to a picnic (complete with games) we're going to have a blast.  More info coming...

 

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

For women high school age and up.
Last study will be May 19th. We will start up again on September 15th with an exciting new study!
Be on the lookout for monthly events over the summer. Contact Jennifer Nolan at jnolan1962@yahoo.com to be added to our monthly email list for updates!

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

NEW FAMILIES LUNCHEON

Sunday, June 22^nd

God just keeps blessing Hope with new families!  If you just recently starting coming to Hope, we'd like to invite you to a luncheon immediately following the service on June 22^nd.  Our Leadership Team and staff want to welcome you to Hope and get to know you a little better.  You don't need to bring a thing – just yourself!  There is a signup sheet out in the lobby.  Please sign up so that we know how many to plan for. 

 

HCF SOFTBALL LEAGUE

Root, root, root for our ball team!  Games are played on week nights.  Fields are in Sewell and Pitman.  Come on out and support our players!  Look for the schedule in the Salt & Light or contact Lenny Little for details 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.

 

SMALL GROUPS

Study sheets for Small Groups will resume in September as always!

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

ROOTED WEDNESDAYS

Wednesday evenings at the church.

 

CAMDEN OUTREACH

Saturday, May 31^st @ 10:00 am

For the first time our Camden Outreach will be open to all of the Young Adults and Youth Groupers. We'll meet at the church to make the lunches and then deliver them to Camden. We are setting our bar high and aiming to make twice as many lunches as normal!

NOTE: This event is mandatory for all planning to go on the mission trip this summer. We will also be going miniature golfing afterwards (free for all who help make sandwiches).

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL / SENIOR HIGH SPLIT

Beginning September 2014

Over the past two years God has done some amazing things in the life of our youth group. In order to cultivate an environment where God can continue to work and grow, we are seriously considering splitting into two separate programs. Beginning this September, our Senior Highers will meet on Sunday nights with our Middle Schoolers continuing to meet on Wednesday. Please keep the youth ministry, its leaders, and students in prayer as we enter this exciting period of transition!

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS

 

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.

 

READY? SET... GO!

HopeKids! has launched the Go Zone as the new name for our kids Sunday morning service! We are GOing for GOD, GOing for GROWTH, and GOing FOREVER! The Go Zone is a service entirely focused around the kids, in which we connect by playing games, worshipping with one another, and hearing a message from God's Word in fun, creative ways before heading off to Sunday school for the rest of the service.

 

IS IT A BIRD?  IS IT A PLANE? NO, IT'S OUR SUPERHERO SERIES!

Come out to the Go Zone every Sunday in May, and you can rub shoulders with some of your favorite comic book heroes! Word on the street is that Captain America, Spidey, Batman, and even The Hulk will make an appearance at the Go Zone to talk about their favorite superheroes from the Bible and how it impacts the way they "fight crime." You won't want to miss this!

 

GRADUATION!

Sunday, July 6th is Graduation Sunday for the entire HopeKids! Ministry. All students will move up to their new classes if they are of age. We will also be honoring our graduating 5th graders in the Go Zone on Sunday June 29th.  Make sure you come out to support and celebrate with them!

 

Follow HopeKids! Ministries on facebook at:  facebook.com/HCFHopeKids

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HOPE FOR RECOVERY

This group for those struggling with addiction meets weekly on Tuesdays with a start time of 7:00 pm.  Contact Liz McCool with any questions at irelandjim@netscape.com.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

MEN'S BREAKFAST WORK PROJECT

Saturday, May 17th

We will meet at the church at 8:00am and eat breakfast right away before heading off for our service project.  We will be providing some much needed home maintenance for a woman in our congregation. We use some tools - a post hole digger, circular saws, hammers, drills, impact drill, sledge hammers, levels, etc.  Please come even if you don't have the skills to wield a circular saw with precision. You will still be put to good use.  Feel free to leave whenever you need to.  RSVP to Steve Jones if you can come. 

NOTE:  If anyone needs similar help on their home and would like to be considered for help from our men, contact Steve Jones at jones.stephen.d@gmail.com and Ken Blythe at kblythe99@gmail.com.  Feel free to call if you don't use email.

 

MEALS MINISTRY COORDINATOR

We are looking for someone to take over as lead on our Meals Ministry.  This involves contacting those who are on the list for meal preparation/delivery when there is a need to provide a meal for a family in times of sickness or a new baby.  Contact Carole Baumiester at needsministry@gmail.com if you would like some more information.

 

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 some pantry staples!  We are in need of peanut butter, jelly, canned or packaged soup, and cereal. 

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. Thank you!

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery                         Charlotte Zediker, Amy Fleck

Toddlers                        Karen Blythe, Diane Beardsworth, Emily Foster
Pre K – Kindergarten    Franne & Abbey Harkin
1st & 2nd                      Kathy Porch, Madison Toomin

3rd - 5th                       Deb Caranci, Dana Farrell
Counters                       Kathy Berry, Melissa McGinness
Greeters                        Rick Ayusa

                                      Patty Bunnell
                                      Frank Caranci

                                      Helen Mastalski                                                       

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

Parking Lot – We have found a contractor to resurface our lot.  Praying for God's leading and provision for the remaining monies needed (about $10,000) to be able to move forward with the resurfacing. PRAISE!  We have already received several gifts toward our parking lot project and are excited to see the Lord provide all that we need to make this project a reality in the near future. 

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

Middle School/Sr. High Split – Prayers for our youth and their leaders as they prepare to transition to this new format coming in September.

"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

 

Loved by the Savior,

Lois

 

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