Hope Notes 11/13/1

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I was thinking about the expression people use when they are nervous or upset – 'my stomach is tied up in knots'.  It's a fairly good description of what fear can do to us.  Our emotions can run wild in complicated knots.  Sometimes it can feel almost impossible to untangle them.  But there is a simple truth – you cannot have fear braided tightly together with faith.  If you have a knot, it's a guarantee that faith is not wound up in there as well. Fear and faith simply cannot coexist.  Want to get rid of the fear?  Scripture tells us that 'perfect love casts out fear' (1John 4:18).  If you are afraid of facing a person or situation in your life, God's love can help you put your fears to rest.  Untangling a knot, whether a physical or emotion one, requires patience.  I know that when I try and unwind it myself, I usually create a more convoluted mess.  Trusting God to do the untangling is sometimes difficult, but it's the only way to go!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE 

November 16 – Predictably Unpopular (John 12:37-43)

Fads will never stop showing up.  From the latest in fashion or hairstyle, to the latest way of talking, to the latest style of popular music, something fascinating will spread like wild-fire only to disappear as quickly as it showed up.  One thing all fads have in common: they somehow capture a large following quickly – feeling almost universally accepted.  Jesus came to earth as the Son of God, yet somehow He was not popular or accepted.  The prophecies of the Old Testament actually spoke about the rejection Jesus would face.  As His followers, we will face the same resistance and rejection that He did, since ultimately what we are sharing with our world is Him!

 

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 2014

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 1^st & 2^nd 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 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

 

Turkey Bowl

Friday, November 28th

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

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL RETREAT

November 21^st -23^rd we will be taking our Middle School youth group down to OC Maryland for the Alive 2014 Youth Retreat. Register before Halloween for a discounted price! See our website or Dave Hallahan for more information.

 

ROOTED MIDDLE SCHOOL

Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30

 

ROOTED HIGH SCHOOL

Sundays from 6:30 – 8:30

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO COLLEGE ROAD TRIP, THERE IS NO ROOTED THIS SUNDAY!

 

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

 

GUATEMALA TURKEY TROT

Saturday November 22^nd

Lauren Pupchik (our missionary in Guatemala) is holding a 5K walk/run at Washington Lake Park to raise funds to send children living in poverty to Wisdom and Grace Christian School in Guatemala.  Any individual or family who would like to participate may give a $50 tax deductible donation at www.wisdomandgrace.org/give. Not able to walk that day?  You can still show your support through your prayers or a general donation in any amount this Thanksgiving season.

 

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

Sunday, November 23rd

This year, HCF has chosen to participate in ANGEL TREE – a ministry for children who have a parent in prison.  Watch for a Christmas tree in the lobby with lots of yellow angels on it. Each angel you take with you represents one present for a child (about $15-20).  Gift desires are stated on the angel so you know what the child wants. It's EASY and it's FUN!

Note:  To spread the Christmas joy even further, we are asking if anyone knows of a family with children who might want to be recipients of Angel Tree gifts. (They don't need to have a parent in prison.)  Contact Wendy Devereaux, Dawn Blair, or Grace Brown with any questions.

 

CHRISTMAS CAFÉ

Wednesday, December 3^rd

Here's 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.  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 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. Every child is welcome to be a part! Make sure your children are here each Sunday so they can be a part and they are ready to perform. 

Performance dates are December 20^th at 6:00pm and December 21^st at 10:00 am.

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

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.

 

RIDE NEEDED

We have a woman named Sandy (newcomer) who is looking for a ride to church.  She lives in the Gloucester County Housing near Wal-Mart on Cooper St.  She has asked that you contact her directly if you can help (856-845-5348).  Thank you from our Needs Team!

 

NEEDS MINISTRY

A family member (female) of one of our attendees is in desperate need of a room to rent.  If anyone can help, please contact Ken Blythe on our Needs Team at kblythe99@gmail.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

Brrrrrrrrrr…..it's extra cold in our freezer because it's almost empty!  Donations of hot dogs, hamburgers, frozen dinners, etc. 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                          Jessica & Carmen Marquez

Toddlers                        Dawn & John Brazelis, Tori Shute
Pre K – Kindergarten    Kim Lawlor, Megan Foster
1st & 2nd                      Go Zone Christmas Program Rehearsal

3rd - 5th                       Go Zone Christmas Program Rehearsal
Counters                        Lois Hartwell, Barb Frazeur
Greeters                        Rick Ayusa

                                      Patty Bunnell

                                      Frank Caranci

                                      Helen Mastalski

Wed. Evening Nursery  Melissa McGinness, Joy Hamilton

 

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

 

 

Unraveled by the Savior,
Lois

 

 

 

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