Hope Notes 11/20/14

Friends of Hope ~

Thanksgiving has the misfortune of being nestled between Halloween and Christmas.  It is almost always overlooked by the public in general.  Americans spend the most money every year on Christmas, followed closely by Halloween.  This I don't understand at all!  Halloween???  But anyway, let's just say the retailers don't have much time to donate to a holiday that requires little or no spending.  Recently, they don't even bother to stay closed on this special day.  They brush off this 'puny holiday' where all we do is gather with family, eat, and possibly remember something to be thankful for.  Instead, let's rush to the stores and start the Christmas spending frenzy.  Well………this is not so at Hope.  We honor this holiday be setting aside a Sunday to give praise and thanks to our God for all He has done for us.  We take time to be with our families.  This service gets our mind focused on the truly important things – faith, family, friends, fellowship, and gratitude.  If this is your first Praise Service at Hope, you are in for a real treat!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE 

November 23 - Praise Service

Each year, our nation takes time to purposefully give thanks.  As believers, we wholeheartedly support this concept, so we come to this season of Thanksgiving with full hearts!  This Sunday, we'll take the service to give praise and thanks to our wonderful Lord.  Of course, there will be music.  But there will also be an opportunity for people to speak up and offer their thanks as we meet together. Don't miss this unique service and the blessing that it always is to each of us.

 

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 1^st & 2^nd grade classrooms during the coming months in order to accommodate the Christmas Choir rehearsals being held in the auditorium.

Note:  There will be no Bible Study November 26^th.

 

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 28^th

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

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 – THIS SATURDAY

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 & 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.  There is a white 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. Gifts are to be WRAPPED with the angel attached to the front.

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 are blue angels on the Angel Tree with examples of gifts you can purchase for the children being sponsored by Robin's Nest.  Gifts need to be new and UNWRAPPED and placed in the donation box.  No stuffed animals or weapon type toys.

Special Note:  Gift wrap and tape are items that are desperately needed by Robin's Nest!!

All gift items for Angel Tree and Robin's Nest must be at the church by Sunday, December 14^th.

Contact Wendy Devereaux, Dawn Blair, or Grace Brown with any questions.

 

CHRISTMAS CAFÉ

Wednesday, December 3^rd @ 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 24^th

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

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

LEAF RAKING – THIS SATURDAY

Saturday, November 22^nd

Time to get our yard cleaned up a bit before winter hits!  If you're looking for an easy way to serve, just show up at 10:00 with a rake, leaf blower, extension cords, and anything else that will make those pesky leaves disappear!  Contact Dolores Baade with any questions at 856-723-3346

 

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!

 

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                          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                        LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness
Greeters                        Rick Ayusa

                                      Patty Bunnell

                                      Frank Caranci

                                      Helen Mastalski

Wed. Evening Nursery  No Wednesday night programs (Thanksgiving week)

 

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 Retreat – Pray for our middle schoolers and our youth team as they spend some time on retreat in Ocean City, MD.  May their hearts be touched and lives changed as they hear what God has to say to them.  Also for traveling safety.

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

 

 

Beyond Thankful,
Lois

 

 

 

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