Hope Notes 12/24/14

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Hopefully, by the time you read this, you will be done with the rushing around and be ready to sit back and celebrate our Savior's birth.  I truly hope that you will each find a moment of peace and reflection before the commotion of Christmas day. I like to sit alone in the dark with just the tree lights on.  Confession - I take off my glasses so that they lights are blurry.  I think they look prettier that way!  I wish that I could wrap my head around the fact that Jesus left His rightful place in heaven, stepped out of eternity and into our finite world - all so that He could be born to die for us. It doesn't make any sense to me.  It's too big, too awesome, too mind blowing.  No matter how long I sit there and contemplate, it doesn't get any easier to comprehend.  I guess when I fall before Him in heaven the full majesty and glory of it all will wash over me.  Till then, won't you join me in sitting quietly before the Lord (glasses on or glasses off), not fully understanding but still offering Him praise and thanksgiving?  May you experience the 'wonders of His love' in a whole new way this Christmas.

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.

December 28 - WISE MEN (Matthew 2:1-12)

COMMUNION

Christmas is over.  Maybe that's a relief to you or maybe it is a source of sadness.  Humanly, we experience the emotional highs and lows of life. Excitement and celebration can carry us along on adrenaline.  But when the event is over, it can be hard to keep going at that pace.  Spiritually, this can also be true.  Sunday may fill you up, but by Tuesday, you feel completely drained again.  Today we'll take a look at one more group of characters from the Christmas story – the wise men.  They showed up well after Jesus had been born.  Sometimes, that is the best time to dig deep into the reality – beyond all the hype.  What the wise men experience reminds us that God continues to work in power and that Jesus remains the promised Messiah, King, and Savior even after Christmas is all over!

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

DECEMBER  BIBLE VERSE

Luke 1:37-38

"For nothing is impossible with God. 'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered.  May it be to me as you have said."

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

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. 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

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

HOPE TEE SHIRT

Our new Hope tee shirts are here!  They will be available in the lobby for only $10.  Stylish, comfortable, and a great way to spread the word about our church!

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING - THIS SUNDAY

December 28th

We will be holding our annual business meeting immediately following our morning service. This is where Pastor Mark shares where God has taken us over the past year, and where He is leading us for the upcoming year. It's interesting to revisit our goals for 2014 and see all that has been achieved through God's provision and leading. Everyone is welcome to attend, but please remember that only partners of Hope can vote. 

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 ♥

Hope will be going to the "Weekend to Remember" marriage conference by Family Life in Hershey, PA once again.  Make plans now so that you are ready to spend this romantic and powerful weekend away with your spouse.  You can register at Hershey Lodge under the group name 'HopeWoodbury'.  More info will be coming, but have the conversation now about setting that weekend aside to look into what God has to say about marriage!

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*****

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Wednesday, December 24th

Join us from 6:00 – 7:00pm for our candlelight service.  The nursery won't be staffed, but will be open and available with a video feed from the service for anybody with little ones who needs to use it.  

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.

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.

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 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        Karla Hopkins, Carole Baumiester

Toddlers        John & Rebecca Jacob, Natalie Mariani
Pre K – Kindergarten   Bill McGinness, Isaiah Owens, Angel Nolan
1st & 2nd        TBA

3rd - 5th                 TBA
Counters         Damon Briggs, Mike Hartwell
Greeters         Jon Pinero

        Mary LeBeau

        John Brazelis

        Lisa Fiorile

Wed. Evening Nursery  None

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

By the Manger,
Lois

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