Hope Notes 8/14/14

Dear Friends of Hope ~

On any given day (or evening) you might find me in my yard enjoying a stroll.  In the winter, spring, and fall I happily saunter along – taking in the sights and sounds of God's outdoors.  The summer, however, is a totally different story.  I creep slowly through certain areas, stop and look before venturing further along, and often wield a long stick in front of me.  What accounts for this behavior?  Why do I no longer feel the freedom to simply walk?  It's because I'm on the constant lookout for spider webs. My 'spidey radar' turns on when the weather gets warmer and doesn't shut off again till we've had a few frosts.  I hate this.  One single, sticky strand is enough to cause me to do the 'dance of fear' and flail around like a lunatic.  It's a fear totally out of proportion to the danger involved.  It's also a small example of how fear can run wild when we don't adhere to the biblical principles of trust and faith in God.  God tells us to 'fear not, do not fear, and do not be afraid' numerous times in Scripture.  And guess what?  Even if God only said it one time, it would still be true!  We need to hold on to that and live like we believe it!  I don't know exactly how to apply that to my irrational web fears, but I'm going to try!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE  

August 17 – Safe Sheep (John 10:1-10)

Do you have a security system for your home?  People set these alarms each night and whenever they are not home so that the safety of the house is automatically monitored – signaling when anyone enters who shouldn't be in the house.  Jesus uses a similar picture to talk about the safety of those who follow Him.  He describes a shepherd keeping his sheep safe both night and day.  He guards the door – and doesn't have to sneak around – because he is in charge of the sheep.  The thief comes with other intentions.  Jesus promises life 'to the full' to all those who are His sheep.  He will keep them safe and lead them in a way that brings abundant life.

 

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 vile; 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 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!

 

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

 

SAFETY ISSUE

For the safety of all our children at Hope, please do not let them climb in the trees out in front of our building.  It has been brought to our attention that those limbs are the kind that can snap without warning.  We don't want anyone getting hurt!

 

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

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                         Sara Cartella, Anki Hill

Toddlers                        Karen Blythe, Jenna Gaventa, Madison Winstel
Pre K – Kindergarten    Craig & Tina Campana
1st & 2nd                      Kathleen & Cheyenne Toomin

3rd - 5th                       Kimmi Biglin, Nance Reeves
Counters                       LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness
Greeters                        Ken Blythe

                                      Ellen Boales

                                      Diane Beardsworth

                                      Dolores Baade
                                     

                                                                                               

Wed. Evening Nursery   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

Jim Jefferson – Traveling all week with Saints Prison Ministry.  Please pray that hearts would be receptive to God's Word.

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

 

 

Feeling Free,
Lois

 

 

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