Hope Notes 12/4/14

Dear Friends of Hope ~

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Are you a conformer or a transformer?  I know there is a series of wildly popular movies and action figures called 'Transformers'.  In the interest of full disclosure, the only thing I know about them is that they are some sort of science fiction characters.  So I feel safe in saying they most likely have not been 'transformed by the renewing of their minds' lol!  That led me to thinking about whether or not I am a transformer vs. a conformer.  It's so easy to get pulled into the ways of this world.  A little sidestep here, a little desensitization there, and before you know it we are walking right alongside the general population.  It's so important to keep our minds renewed so that we can know what God wants for us.  How to do that?  It's so simple – just read His Word and pray. Seek His counsel.  God will always reveal His ways to us; He doesn't want us stumbling around in the dark.  He gave us His Word as the perfect tool for knowledge, wisdom, renewal, and transformation.  Our part is to thank Him for it and get busy using it!

 

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 7 – JOSEPH (Matthew 1:18-25)

Vacation should be a lot of fun.  But how many times do vacation plans blow up?  Something comes up at the last minute and everything is suddenly thrown into chaos.  We've waited for months for this relaxing get-away, and now it is filled with stress.  The Christmas story of Joseph is pretty similar to this – he had plans for his life.  He was engaged to a godly woman and was preparing to start his life with her and begin a family.  But suddenly, his plans were completely overturned – Mary was pregnant.  You can imagine the confusion and panic that would come.  How did Joseph deal with this dramatic and unexpected change in his 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

 

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.

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

 

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 17^th

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 21^st

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 24^th, 28^th, 31^st, and January 4^th.

 

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

 

HCF GIVING LETTER

Pastor Mark had copies of this letter available at last Sunday's service; in case you missed it we have included an attachment to this edition of Hope Notes.  This letter addresses some financial concerns that have arisen, as well as some of the changes ahead for 2015. 

 

HOPE TEE SHIRTS

Just in time for Christmas - 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

December 28^th

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. 

 

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

ANGEL TREE – Please leave your angel gifts and stockings under the tree.

ROBIN'S NEST – Please leave all Robin's Nests UNWRAPPED gifts in the box provided.

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

Thank you so much for your participation!  All gift items for Angel Tree and Robin's Nest must be at the church by Sunday, December 14^th.

 

CHRISTMAS CANTATA

Sunday December 14th

Hallelujah Light Has Come

Rehearsal on 12/10 @ 7:00pm and Dress rehearsal on 12/13

 

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE

Wednesday, December 24^th

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. 

 

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM REHEARSALS

Continued Sunday morning rehearsals through 12/13

12/14 – Preschool and Toddlers rehearsal after morning service.

12/17 – Elementary dress rehearsal @ 7:00 pm.

 

HOPEKIDS! CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Saturday, December 20^th @ 6:00pm

Sunday, December 21^st @ 10:00 am

Tell all your family and friends to join us for the HopeKids! Christmas Program.  Our elementary kids will be sharing their Christmas extravaganza, The Secret of Snowflake County. Our toddler and preschool class will be present their production, "Where's Baby Jesus?" Both shows are sure to unlock the secret of the true Christmas spirit in all of us. As always, the performances are free, but this year we will be collecting items for Cathedral Kitchen in Camden, a Christian meals ministry which serves the homeless of Camden. Donations of cleaning items (such as paper towels, Lysol wipes, sandwich bags and SOS pads) or new white men's socks will be collected at each performance. 

 

OPPORTUNITES TO SERVE

 

NEEDS

Used kitchen set at no cost.

Dependable car available at no cost.

If anyone can help meet these needs, please contact Ken Blythe at kblythe99@gmail.com.

 

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                       Bill Berry, Don Frazeur
Greeters                        Rick Ayusa

                                      Patty Bunnell

                                      Frank Caranci

                                      Helen Mastalski

Wed. Evening Nursery  Amanda Esposito, 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

Second Service – We're targeting adding a second service sometime during the first three months of 2015.  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.

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

 

 

Transformed by His Word,
Lois

 

 

 

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