Hope Notes 9/18/14

Dear Friends of Hope ~

While we were on vacation, I feel like all my senses were heightened.  I was so aware of God's gifts of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch.  Maybe here at home I just don't pay attention to them because I'm experiencing mostly the same things each day.  But, standing on the dock outside our little cottage on the canal, I am acutely aware of the beauty of the sunset reflecting on the water, the sharp tang of the salt air, the sound of the gulls overhead, and the roughness of the dock beneath my feet.  I take in deep gulps of the briny air, wanting to imprint it in my memory for those winter days when the air is so frosty it hurts to breathe it in. I pull out my camera and capture the sunset in all its glory so that I can look back on it and recall just how majestic it was and how small I felt in comparison.  The canal is completely silent except for the gulls.  My ears record their cries. I am so thankful that God has given us these senses along with the ability to remember, so that we can go back to them again and again when our daily lives are wearing us down.  He didn't have to do that; He could have made the world in black and white and given us no sense of taste or smell.  But He didn't.  He gave us the most beautiful world and the senses to enjoy them.  Step outside this evening when the sun is low and the birds are singing their goodnight songs.  Stand quietly – look and listen; smell the night air and feel the grass beneath your feet. Be still and know.

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE  

COMMUNION

September 21 – The Resurrection and Life (John 11:17-27)

If you've lived somewhere for a long time, you probably know some of the shortcuts and back roads that can save you time and aggravation in your travels. Someone less familiar with the area may be using a map or an app to give them directions, and if you took a turn not shown on their map, they might think you were making a mistake.  But your knowledge of the area would prove that there are sometimes better ways to travel than they thought.  Jesus talks at Lazarus' funeral about being the resurrection and the life.  This is more than empty comfort or nice words.  He is talking about both life and resurrection together – and telling them that He is the source of both.  When we talk about resurrection, we're talking about death as a prerequisite.  Jesus has told His followers that He came to bring life – now they are starting to hear that life is connected to resurrection.  Let's dig into what this means for our lives as we put our faith in Jesus.

 

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

 

SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Proverbs 19:11

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

1 CORINTHIANS / 7:00 – 8:15 pm

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.  Contact Jenn Winstel with any questions at jenwinrn@comcast.net.

 

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

1^st & 3^rd Mondays 7:00 pm – 8:40pm

Studying "Becoming More than a Bible Study Girl" by Lysa TerKeurst.  Snacks are provided; please bring your beverage of choice.  For women high school age and up.  Contact Jennifer Nolan at jnolan1962@yahoo.com with any questions.

 

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

Small Groups are a vital part of getting connected with others and forming deeper relationships than a quick 'hello' on Sunday mornings. The first study sheets will be out on September 21^st.  You can contact Damon Briggs at damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com with any questions.

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

ROOTED MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30

 

ROOTED HIGH SCHOOL

Sundays from 6:30 – 8:30

 

OC RETREAT

September 19 - 21

Our annual Ocean City retreat is right around the corner! If you are going into 9th-12th grade be sure to join us for a week of fun, worship, walking the boards, and growing closer to Jesus. Cost is $85 ($50 if money is in by Sept. 14th). Get a permission slip from the bulletin board outside of the youth room. See Dave Hallahan for more details.

 

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

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

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                          Nicole Babli, Lisa Landis

Toddlers                        Karen Blythe, Jenna Gaventa, Madison Winstel
Pre K – Kindergarten    Lisa Landis, Madison Winstel
1st & 2nd                       Lisa Fiorile, Lillian Kerr

3rd - 5th                        Brittan Bley, Faith DeWalt, Angel Nolan
Counters                        Kathy Berry, Carole Baumiester
Greeters                        Art Muhlbaier

                                      Lucy Muhlbaier

                                      Charlotte Zediker

                                      Jeanne Wurst

Wed. Evening Nursery  Linda Landis, Lisa Minner

 

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 Awe of His Creation,
Lois

 

 

 

Note: If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list. Any correspondence for Hope Notes goes to Hopenotes Email.