Hope Notes 11/2614
Dear Friends of Hope ~
We've had some crazy weather lately, haven't we? One day it was 70 and sunny, then another day it was sunny but in the 30'3. That made me think how something as simple as sunlight can be so deceptive. Standing in my back room looking out at the brilliant dappled light that floods our backyard, I truly had no way of knowing whether the temperature was warm or cold. It LOOKED so inviting and golden; in reality it was super cold when I stepped outside. I think this is how the enemy operates. Scripture tells us he comes 'disguised as an angel of light' (2Cor 11:14). He likes it when he can make us believe that something bad is really something good for us. He likes to prey upon our desire for instant gratification; we often want something that will satisfy us right now, never stopping to think about the long term effects. He loves to entice us with 'just this once' or 'you deserve this' or 'you're not hurting anyone'. When the truth is that it's NEVER just this once, we DON'T deserve anything, and we often wind up hurting not only others, but ourselves as well. So, the next time you see that sparkly sunlight – test it. Open the door and actually feel the air before you run outside in your bathing suit in the middle of a cold snap! It goes without saying (but I'm saying it anyway) that we need to do the same thing when it comes to something all nice and sparkly that the enemy places in front of us!
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE
Five Faces of Christmas (Christmas Series)
We're going to look at five characters from the Christmas story in the gospels and see what we can learn from putting ourselves in their shoes.
November 30 - HEROD (Matthew 2:1-18)
The popular picture of Christmas is warm and filled with smiling faces. We can believe that almost everyone likes Christmas. But of course, there are many reasons people actually hate Christmas. Perhaps someone does not believe in God and resents the spiritual connection. Or maybe they are offended by the 'commercialization'. Or they are of a different religion and refuse to participate in anything that focuses on Jesus. In the Christmas story, there is someone who is threatened by Jesus' birth and takes steps to eliminate that threat. King Herod stands as an example of anyone who knows about Jesus, but is so self-involved that they cannot see the promise and the hope – even though they know the basis of Jesus' claims. What threatens you about Jesus' work?
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
NOVEMBER BIBLE VERSE
Jeremiah 33:3
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
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.
Note: Bible Study will be meeting in the 1st & 2nd grade classrooms during the coming months in order to accommodate the Christmas Choir rehearsals being held in the auditorium.
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 1st – 5th 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
1st & 3rd 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
TURKEY BOWL – THIS FRIDAY
Friday, November 28th
9:30 – 12:30
Black Friday used to be for digesting turkey and shopping. Now it's for showing off your athleticism and gaining personal pride by destroying your competition!
Join us for our first ever Hope Christian Fellowship Flag Football Turkey Bowl Championship! Men of all ages are welcome! We will split into two teams at the church and enjoy some friendly(ish) competition.
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. Study sheets can be found in the Resource Room or downloaded right from our website. 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
BOWLING
Wednesday, December 17th
Come to Brunswick Lanes in Deptford from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Cost is $5.00 per person - includes your shoes and two hours of bowling. For Middle and High School.
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Sunday, December 21st
6:30-8:30
It's our FOURTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY! We'll have our normal hijinks - ($5 white elephant gift exchange, 'the Grinch') and some new twists! For Middle and High School.
Note: Over the holidays there will be no Rooted on December 24th, 28th, 31st, and January 4th.
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
IMMEDIATE NEED
A family member of someone at Hope is in need of a caregiver from 7:00pm to 7:00 am over the next few days (from tonight through Sunday). The home is in Runnemede and the woman is nearing the end of her life. If you or anyone you know is interested in filling this paid position, please contact Jenn Bradley right away (609-970-1948).
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 Hope4Recovery@yahoo.com with any questions.
*****CHRISTMAS INFORMATION*****
PROJECT ANGEL TREE & ROBIN'S NEST
This year we have two opportunities for you to share come Christmas love with those in need. ANGEL TREE – A ministry for children who have a parent in prison. Look for the white Christmas tree in the lobby. All 18 of the children now have 2 gifts each! We have 18 'stocking angels' up on the tree to be filled; please take one and fill a stocking for a child.
ROBIN'S NEST – One of NJ's most successful children's service agencies located in Glassboro dedicated to providing professional family counseling, in-home treatment and group home care. There is a large donation box for UNWRAPPED gifts for the children and families they serve in our area. The caretakers receive your gifts at a Santa's Workshop to be given out at Christmas.
A list of items needed is by the box - socks, gloves, scarves, hats, TOYS (no stuffed animals or weapon toys), batteries, T-shirts, team sweatshirts, gift cards (put in envelope or small box, please) and CD and DVDs. They really need wrapping paper, tape, gift bags, and bows.
All gift items for Angel Tree and Robin's Nest must be at the church by Sunday, December 14th.
Contact Wendy Devereaux, Dawn Blair, or Grace Brown with any questions.
CHRISTMAS CAFÉ
Wednesday, December 3rd @ 7:00
Here comes Hope's official annual kick off to the Christmas season! Come be a part of this festive evening; share some treats, some fellowship, and some talent! Signup sheets are in the lobby. There are no kid's programs or youth group; everyone is in the auditorium! Bring a snack to share. Contact Kimmi Biglin with any questions.
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
Sunday December 14th
Hallelujah Light Has Come
Here at Hope, we love to celebrate the Christmas season with music! This year, we are including our adults with a Christmas Cantata. Make sure you are here to be blessed with the sounds of this special Christmas season!
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Wednesday, December 24th
Christmas Eve is always special at Hope. Join us from 6:00 – 7:00pm for our candlelight service. It's a night to be together as a family, therefore no childcare is provided.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REHEARSALS
Both pre-school (3-5 year olds) and elementary (1st-5th grades) are putting together songs and speaking parts for our Christmas celebration. Rehearsals take place every Sunday morning immediately following the Go Zone from now until December 13th. Make sure your children are here each Sunday so they can be a part and they are ready to perform.
Performance dates are December 20th at 6:00pm and December 21st at 10:00 am.
OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE
CHRISTMAS DECORATING – THIS SATURDAY
Saturday, November 29th
Calling all Christmas elves! Want a fun way to serve? Then come on over to Hope at 9:00 this Saturday and get ready to transform our auditorium into a Christmas wonderland! Stay as little or as long as you like. The more hands we have to help, the quicker things get done.
NURSERY HELP
Our nursery is overflowing with babies! We need to add more helpers in order to provide adequate care for our little ones. If you can rock a baby, we need you! Contact Don or Alicia Heverly if you would like to volunteer – lilfeet21@hotmail.com.
URGENT NEED FOR TEACHER
The Toddler class is in immediate need of a teacher! Please see Kara Ott or contact her at karajoellxo@gmail.com if you are able to help.
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
During the holiday season, we are sure to get extra requests for food. Any donations would be 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 Vicki Kaminski, Faith DeWalt
Toddlers Karen Blythe, Jenna Gaventa, Madison Winstel
Pre K – Kindergarten Karen and Amanda Merriel
1st & 2nd Go Zone Christmas Program Rehearsal
3rd - 5th Go Zone Christmas Program Rehearsal
Counters LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness
Greeters Rick Ayusa
Patty Bunnell
Frank Caranci
Helen Mastalski
Wed. Evening Nursery Christmas Café – Everyone in auditorium
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
Children's Christmas Program – Let's keep all the children, their parents, and the helpers in prayer as they prepare; it's a big job but it has a big result!
"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
Warmed by the Son,
Lois
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posted by Hope Christian Fellowship at
12:35 PM
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