Hope Notes 12/31/14
Dear Friends of Hope ~
We had a bit of a Christmas disaster here. The day after Christmas we had an emergency dismantling of our Christmas tree due to a spider infestation (YUCK) and an abundance of shedding pine needles. Why on earth would a tree that was being given a quart of water per day for three weeks be dying and dropping needles to beat the band??!!! Well, when the tree was taken down, we found that the water container was cracked. Essentially what I had been doing daily was pouring a quart of water right on down into our carpet!!!! I will leave the results up to your imagination. Suffice it to say things are STILL not right!
In thinking about this, I made the correlation between US being spiritually thirsty and how Jesus is the 'living water'. But when I was looking up the verses that corresponded with that, I found one that kind of blew me away. I don't remember ever actually seeing this verse - "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water." (Jeremiah2:13) Isn't that cool? God really gave me exactly the right verse! Our Christmas tree was in a broken cistern. No matter how much water I gave it, the water ran right out. I don't want to forsake the only source of living water. I don't want to be a broken cistern, which is sure to happen if I make it myself. I want to be totally dependent on the Lord to give me what I need – physically and spiritually. If I do this, I won't wind up a moldy mess like my carpet!
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE
January 4 – Believe in Me (John 12:44-50)
In 1938, a radio personality pulled off one of the most famous hoaxes of all time. Orson Welles turned the broadcast into a fake news show and reported on Martians invading the earth. The story goes that many people believed this was actually happening and panicked. Of course, it wasn't true, and all the chaos and fear were based on a lie. But their emotions, words, actions, and decisions resulted from what they believed. In the gospel of John, Jesus often talks about believing in Him. And He tells us what this kind of belief means for each person who puts their trust in Him. Are these results happening in your 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
JANUARY BIBLE VERSE
Colossians 4:2
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
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 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
January 5th - After Holiday Party, bring a white elephant gift.
January 19th & February 2nd - Craft Night, bring scrapbooking supplies to make a devotional.
February 16th - New Study Begins, details coming soon.
All women high school age and up are invited! Contact Jennifer Nolan at jnolan1962@yahoo.com to be added to our email list for updates and info.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP
MOVIE NIGHT
Wednesday, January 7th
We're starting our Wednesday evening programs for 2015 off with a Movie Night! We'll be watching 'Unstoppable' which explores why bad things happen. Our children will be watching 'Frozen'. Childcare is not available.
Note: All regular activities will resume January 14th.
NEW FAMILIES LUNCHEON
Sunday, January 18th
We will be having a luncheon for those of you who are fairly new to Hope immediately following the morning service. It's a great time to get a chance to meet each other – Sunday mornings are just too hectic to be able to connect in a meaningful way. Be on the lookout for a signup sheet coming soon!
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.
Note: A new Small Group Study Sheet will be out for this coming Sunday - all Small Groups can begin meeting in the two week window following this Sunday.
YOUTH NEWS
ROOTED MIDDLE SCHOOL
Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30
ROOTED HIGH SCHOOL
Sundays from 6:30 – 8:30
Note: Over the holidays there will be no Rooted on January 4th.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
January 7th – Movie Night in the auditorium
January 31st – Camden Outreach
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
THANK YOU
From Pastor Mark and Dana: We wanted to express our deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the gift that the church gave us for Christmas! It was very encouraging and extremely helpful. And many others gave individual Christmas gifts as well. Words cannot express how thankful we are for our church family and for the ministry to which God has called us. We love each of you and thank God for your partnership with us as we serve Him!
BAPTISM SERVICE
Wednesday, February 11th
We're planning a baptism service dependent on response. We'll need a sufficient number of people interested in order to go ahead with the service. As always, there will be two classes leading up to it. See Pastor Mark if you have any questions.
MARRIAGE CONFERENCE
February 13th – 15th ♥
What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your spouse than to get away to the Hershey Lodge for a weekend! Family Life puts on this event and it is an awesome opportunity to focus on each other. The leaders share lots of personal stories and plenty of Bible based teaching on God's design for marriage. Whether your marriage is amazing or facing some struggles, don't miss this chance to build what God has given you. Rooms fill up quickly, so don't wait - register and reserve a room today!
Cost - $99.99 per person (registration) plus $119 per night for Hershey Lodge accommodations.
Conference begins Friday night at 7 pm and ends on Sunday at 1 pm.
Register on ww.familylife.com
Group Code is HopeWoodbury
Call Hershey Lodge to reserve a room at 800-437-7439
See Dave Hallahan or Matt Russell for more info.
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.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
CHRISTMAS UN-DECORATING
January 3rd @ 9:00 am
It's not as much fun as decorating for Christmas, but we still need to do it! Anyone who is willing to volunteer please mark your calendars and help us put Hope back to 'normal'. Contact is Bob Baumiester.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEEDS
With the upcoming addition of a second service, we will be needing more help in our classrooms. Please contact Matt Russell at mruss800@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.
The 3rd – 5th grade class is in immediate need of teachers and helpers. Contact Mary LeBeau at marylebeau@verizon.net if you can help!
The Toddler class is in immediate need of a teacher. Contact Kara Ott at karajoellxo@gmail.com if you can help.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Our Building Team is looking ahead to winter and hoping to put together a list of volunteers to come clear our sidewalks when it snows. If you would be willing to do that, please contact Brad Hopkins at 609-502-0510 or Bob Baumiester at 609-458-7777.
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.
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 have been getting extra requests for food. This has left us with a shortage for baby food, freezer items, tuna fish, canned goods, soup, pasta and sauce, etc.
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 Nicole Babli, Lisa Landis, Christina Landis, Nina Abate
Toddlers John & Rebecca Jacob, Natalie Mariani
Pre K – Kindergarten Bill McGinness, Isaiah Owens, Angel Nolan
1st & 2nd TBA
3rd - 5th Mary LeBeau, Angel Nolan
Counters Kathy Berry, Carole Baumiester
Greeters Greg Corrado
Sharon Sambucci
Georgia Perrong
Katrina Mariani
Wed. Evening Nursery None – Movie Night
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
Second Service – We're targeting March 1, 2015 as the Sunday to begin having two services. Lots of planning and work to do to make this possible. Please pray for God's leading, provision, and strength!
Financial Projects – We have two big needs for 2015. Looking at approximately a $15,000 cost to change from oil to gas in order to save thousands of dollars each year. We also need to replenish our emergency fund of $10,000 (we used almost all of that to address vandalism and theft issues this past year). Please pray as we ask the Lord to provide funding in both of these areas.
"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
Thirsting for Living Water,
Lois
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