Hope Notes 5/8/14

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I read something the other day that literally made me sit back in my chair and stop reading until I could process what I'd just seen.  Maybe you have already know this / thought about this, but I never did.  The thought never once crossed my mind.  What was so shocking to me?  The fact that Eve was the first mother.  Oh I can hear you saying, "So big deal, of course she was!"  But it blew me away.  I only ever think about Eve in terms of the story of the garden and the fall.  Motherhood never entered the picture.  Naturally, this led me to ponder all sorts of things.  (Because that's what I do – I ponder.)  I won't bore you with every thought that flitted through my brain, but let me just say this: For SURE she didn't have a Mother's Day celebration!  I am so thankful that we have a day set aside to honor our moms (and dads).  Even though the Bible tells us to honor them every day, we don't.  So be sure to take the time this Sunday to do something to honor your mom or to commemorate her memory.  And don't forget those special women in your lives who have been 'like a mother' to you!  An encouraging word mixed with an expression of love goes a long way in making moms feel special!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

May 11 – Mother's Day - A Healing Home (1 Thessalonians 4:9; Genesis 2:18; Ephesians 4:32; Hebrews 12:10-12)

As we turn our minds to the gift of motherhood, we're going to take this opportunity to look at the potential of our homes.  People regularly talk about 'family' and 'home' as the most important things in their lives.  Unfortunately, many homes are not healthy or hopeful places.  Living with a bunch of other people day after day can generate conflict and hurt.  While our hearts cry out for homes that are healing, too often they are dysfunctional and disconnected.  So let's talk about what a home should be and could be when it is operating in the way it is designed!

 

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.

 

SMALL GROUPS

The last study sheet for our Small Groups went out Sunday, April 20^th. We will resume the study sheets again in September as always!

 

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. Franne and Liz will use the 1st & 3rd Mondays to pray over the summer; all ladies are welcome to join. 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

 

SPRING CAFÉ

Wednesday May 14^th @7:00

Our café is always a hit!  Come, sit back and enjoy!  It's so much fun to get together in a 'café' atmosphere with snacks and goodies as we are entertained by our friends at Hope!  Don't be shy – if you'd like to share a talent, just sign up on the sheet in the lobby.  Everyone can bring a snack or dessert to share. Contact Kim Biglin or Kathleen Toomin for more information.

 

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.

Please Note:  The breakfast will not meet 5/10 due to Mother's Day weekend.  See announcement below.

 

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.

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.

 

SMALL GROUPS

Our Small Groups will resume in September. 

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

ROOTED WEDNESDAYS

Wednesday evenings at the church.

 

GROW GROUPS

Meets at the Hallahan's house at 7:00 pm thru May.

 

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

 

GIVING REPORT FOR APRIL

We averaged $5521 per week in the month of April which brings our annual average weekly giving to $6114.  How awesome is our wonderful Lord in providing abundantly more than our target of $5600 per week.  We are grateful for each sacrifice and generous heart.  It also turns out that we needed this kind of generosity to begin this year with some unexpected and significant expenses popping up.  We'll continue to trust our Lord to provide for each need for our church and for each part of our church family!

 

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

 

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                         Sara Cartella, Anki Hill

Toddlers                        Kara Ott, Jenna Gaventa, Abbey Harkin
Pre K – Kindergarten    Linda Landis, Madison Winstel
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.

"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 His Care,

Lois

 

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