Hope Notes 7/31/14

Dear Friends of Hope ~

It's a running joke among my family and friends that I am an 'alien'.  I won't bore you with all the reasons why they say this (or maybe I'm just afraid to reveal them!), but suffice it to say there is enough evidence to support this theory.  Even my family doctor has expressed this opinion, completely based on his own observations!  But I have decided I am in good company.  In 1Peter 1:1 and 2:11, Peter addresses fellow believers as 'God's elect, strangers in the world' and 'aliens and strangers in this world'.  In John 17:16, Jesus Himself says, "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world".  I doubt Peter and Jesus were alluding to any weird physical characteristics that would qualify believers as aliens.  They were referring to the fact that Christians are called to live apart from the corruption of this world; to be 'in this world but not of it' (Romans 12:22).   We need to remember that this earth is not our true home and that our time here is but a drop in the bucket.  Our eyes and hearts should be fixed on our eternal home in heaven.  That mindset should keep us focused on not getting wrapped up in the things of this world, but making our decisions in light of eternity.  So………….being an alien doesn't sound so freaky now, does it??!!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

August 3 – Standing Out (1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13)

VBS Closing Program

We bring an exciting week of Vacation Bible School to a close this day.  Our kids will treat us to some of what they learned and we'll get to join in the fun!  We'll also take a look at the theme of this year's VBS – that when we feel like a reject or an outsider, God sees us as someone who is worth choosing and using.  We spend a lot of time trying to make sure our kids know they are loved and valuable.  We want to keep them safe and secure.  But the best possible thing we can do is to show them that God knows us better than just seeing us from the outside.  He knows the value we have from the inside out

 

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

 

AUGUST CHALLENGE VERSE

Psalm 101:3

"I will not look with approval on anything that is vial; I will hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it."

 

AUGUST WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ARE FAMILY NIGHT

7:00 – 8:15 pm

Lots of fun for the whole family! Look what's coming up:

 

August 6 – Circus Night

Join us in the auditorium for jugglers, clowns, circus snacks, etc!

 

August 13 – Movie Night

God's Not Dead (http://www.godsnotdeadthemovie.com/synopsis)

To Save a Life   (http://www.tosavealifemovie.com/index.php)

The Lego Movie (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1490017/)

You can take your pick of which movie you'd like to see!  More details to follow.

 

August 20 – Game Night

All kinds of family friendly games!

 

August 27 – Picnic

We'll be grillin' and you'll be chillin'! Signup sheets will be forthcoming so that you can let us know how many people to prepare for and also to volunteer to bring sides or desserts.  We will also be needing help with setting up tents, tables, and manning the grill. (See details in Opportunities to Serve)

 

WEDNESDAY EVENING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM

7:00 – 8:15

Join us for Family Nights (above) through the month of August!

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 – ON HIATUS FOR THE SUMMER

Women's Bible Study

For women high school age and up.
We will be starting 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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

NEEDS MINISTRY CARDS

We know that sometimes it's hard to come and ask for help.  So our Needs Team now has some yellow cards where you can request help (financial, food, physical, etc) for yourself or for someone else.  Just pick up a card in the Resource Room, fill it out, and drop it in the Prayer Box.

 

BUSINESS MEETING

August 10

We will have a quick business meeting after church to vote on the amendment to the constitution (copies available in the resource room).  Should be a very short meeting with just a simple vote.  If you have any concerns regarding this amendment, please discuss with an elder right away!

 

BAPTISMAL SERVICE

September 3^rd (Wed night)

If you are interested in being baptized, please see Pastor Mark.  We'll have two classes in the weeks leading up to this baptismal service

 

HOPE FOR RECOVERY

Tuesdays at 7:00 pm

Please Note:  We will NOT be meeting during the month of July!

A Christian based, 12-step approach for those struggling with addictions of any kind.  The group is a safe and confidential place for men and women to find strength and HOPE through sharing and fellowship. Contact Liz McCool with any questions at irelandjim@netscape.com.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

NURSERY

We have a need for at least three more people to help in our Nursery.  God has blessed us with so many babies – we just don't have enough hands to give your little ones the attention they deserve.  If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact Alicia or Don Heverly at lilfeet21@hotmail.com.

AUGUST FAMILY PICNIC

Wednesday August 27th

We will need some help setting up tents and tables for our family picnic as well as volunteers to man the grill!  Contact Kathleen Toomin atjktoomin.98@comcast.net if you are willing to lend a hand or have any questions.

 

MEALS MINISTRY

Here at Hope we like to take care of our people!  When we know someone who recently had a baby, has an illness in the family, or any other occasion where having the burden of preparing a family dinner removed would be a big help – we like to take care of that for them!  If you would be interested in occasionally making or delivering a meal, contact Pat Nolan at pationolan@comcast.net.

 

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP

We'd love to have people come and pray with us for the needs of the church and for God's power to be at work in our morning service.  You don't have to commit to coming every week, but our elders are asking those who are able come and join us!

 

FOOD PANTRY

We've been giving out LOTS of food – what a blessing it is to be able to help ease the burden for so many families!  But that means we are in need of a major restocking for our pantry! Any donations would be greatly appreciated!

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                         Alicia & Don Heverly

Toddlers                        Karen Blythe, Diane Beardsworth
Pre K – Kindergarten    TBA
1st & 2nd                      Patty & Rich Bunnell

3rd - 5th                        Deb Caranci, Dana Farrell
Counters                       Bill Berry, Mike Hartwell
Greeters                        Ken Blythe

                                      Ellen Boales

                                      Diane Beardsworth

                                      Dolores Baade
                                     

                                                                                               

Wed. Evening                Family Nights!

 

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 Bill Berry directly at billandkathyberry@comcast.net.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

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

 

 

In this world, but not of it!
Lois

 

 

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