Hope Notes 1/29/15
Dear Friends of Hope ~
"Is it possible that every act of service is actually an act of worship?" This was a question posed by a fictional character in a book I'm reading. It made me put the book down on my lap and begin a process of deeper investigation and application which is still going on. I think this question is especially valid in light of what we have been talking about at church. Service and worship. And this fictional story brought the two together. Isn't our God amazing at how He uses so many different means to drive His message straight to our hearts? I want you to join me in pondering this. The dictionary defines service as 'an act of helpful activity' and worship as 'adoring reverence or regard'.
Can you imagine the possibilities? How many times a day do we have the opportunity to serve as defined by Webster? To offer each one of those up as an act of worship to our God gives a whole new meaning to them. On the flip side, how many times a day to we turn away from a chance to serve because we are busy, preoccupied, or lazy? If we decide that service equals worship, then we are shamefully depriving our holy God of the worship He deserves. Think about it………….
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE
February 1 – Love One Another (John 13:31-38)
COMMUNION
We hold 'last words' to be sacred. When someone is passing from this life to the next, the last things they have to say hold special importance. There's no time for petty thoughts or trivial concerns. So we place extra weight on what is said. As Jesus speaks with His disciples on the night before His death, He speaks about what is most important to Him and what He wants them to remember. The command He gives sums up what should characterize His followers. Do Jesus' words indict His church? Do they challenge us? Is loving one another like Jesus the 'norm' for Christians today?
COUNTDOWN TO TWO SERVICES
March 1st 2015
This is our big day – we begin having two worship services! We'll have one at 9:00 and one at 11:00. We're excited to see where God leads in this new venture. Here's a brief rundown of the new times for our basic pre-service activities:
Ø Prayer Huddle (for both services) 8:40-8:45 am Sundays
Ø Prayer Time - 8:30 in prayer room
Ø Teachers in Class/ Greeters at Posts - 1st service 8:45, 2nd service 10:45
Ø Worship Team Morning Run Through - 8:15 am
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
FEBRUARY BIBLE VERSE
Psalm 118:5-6
"When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
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 GROUP
1st & 3rd Mondays 7:00 pm – 8:40pm
God's Girls Group is a warm welcoming place where women are cared for and loved. It is a place to grow closer to the Lord and one another. We offer Bible Studies, Special Events, Retreats, Outings, and Outreaches. All women at Hope are welcome; feel free to bring a friend! Childcare is provided. Contact Jennifer Nolan at jnolan1962@yahoo.com to be added to our email list for updates and info.
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 2nd: Craft Night! Bring scrapbooking supplies to make a devotional.
February 16th: Bible Study begins! NOT A FAN "Becoming a completely committed follower of Jesus" is a 7 session study sure to challenge and grow you alongside your sisters in Christ. Sign up on the signup sheet in the hallway.
February 22: (Sunday 2:30pm) 9th Annual Mall Walk for the Homeless! Flyers with more info are in the resource room or contact Michelle Schmidt at LegalShell@yahoo.com.
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 "STARTER GROUPS"
Small Groups are a vital part of getting connected with others and forming deeper relationships than a quick 'hello' on Sunday mornings. If you are new to Hope or you've been coming to Hope for some time now and haven't been able to get plugged into a small group, then the Small Group "Starter Group" is the opportunity you've been waiting for! The starter group will be meeting every Thursday night in the month of February at 7:00PM at the church; that equals four sessions. This group will give you an introduction to small groups in terms of how they work, and hopefully after the four weeks, you will feel empowered to connect with others attending the starter group to multiply and start your own small group. The first session will be Thursday, Feb. 5th at 7:00PM. If interested in attending, please sign up on the sheet located on the table right outside of the sanctuary so that we will have an idea of how many people to expect at the first session. If you have any questions, please contact Damon Briggs at damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com.
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
February 1st – No High School Rooted
YOUTH REVIVAL @ SUMC
February 15th
Instead of our normal High School youth group we will be joining Sicklerville United Methodist Church at their building from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. If you need a ride please let Dave know ASAP so that one can be arranged for you.
CAMDEN OUTREACH
January 31st
Meet at the church at 10:00 am to prepare bagged lunches. We are taking hats, scarves, and gloves as well as the lunches to those in need.
SUPER DODGE BOWL
January 31st
All Middle School and High School students are encouraged to join us at Gloucester County Christian School for our dodgeball tournament. There is a $10/person cost to cover the pizza, soda and prizes. The tournament should run from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. If you need a ride we will be leaving the church at 3:00 pm.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS
ATTENTION ALL HOPEKIDS! MINISTRY WORKERS
We will be having a meeting at the church on Thursday, February 12th from 7:30 - 8:30 for ALL children's ministry workers to go over everything involved with the upcoming change to two services. This will be a great chance to hear the heart of leadership in regards to the future of HopeKids! and to have any questions answered that you may have. Please join us on the 12th!
GO ZONE
Go Zone is our Sunday Morning kid's 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
GOD'S PROVISION
God has blessed us with a gift of $3000 towards our gas conversion project. This is a great start towards this project and the investment will mean that we can direct more of our money towards ministering to people and meeting needs. We thank God for the heart of sacrifice and generosity and pray that the Lord will continue to pour out His blessing on us as we work together to meet this and every other challenge that He puts in front of us!
JANUARY GIVING REPORT
We averaged $5875 per week for the first month of the year which is a great start to the year! Our weekly target giving for this year is $5850 so we're thanking the Lord for the faithfulness of each person who has given sacrificially and generously to what God is doing at Hope.
BUMPER STICKERS & DECALS
Get your thinking caps one! We are conducting a church wide search for a slogan to use on our upcoming new bumper stickers and decals! Think about a short phrase that best describes Hope – something that will catch people's attention and perhaps lead them to our doors! There is an "IDEA SHEET" in the lobby for you to jot down your thoughts, or you can send any ideas to Lois Hartwell at foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com. Deadline is February 15th.
BAPTISM SERVICE
Wednesday, February 11th
Classes for the baptism are as follows:
1st Class – Being offered again this Saturday, January 31st @ 5:00 at Hope.
2nd Class – Sunday, February 8th immediately following the service.
If you have questions, email Pastor Mark at markott@hopechristianfellowship.org or see him at church.
Please Note: There will be no Kid's Ministry this night – all children will be in the auditorium during the baptism service.
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 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
Are you ready to let go of strongholds? Have you tried and tried on your own with no success?
Hope for Recovery is 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. We meet in the 1st/2nd grade classroom. Enter through the rear doors. Contact Hope4Recovery@yahoo.com with any questions.
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
WEDNESDAY EVENING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
We are in urgent need of a helper for the 3-5 year old class. Please contact Jenn Winstel if you are able to help at jenwinrn@comcast.net.
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 following classes are in immediate need of teachers & helpers:
1st & 2nd grade / Lisa Fiorile at Lfiorile@hotmail.com
3rd – 5th grade / Mary LeBeau at marylebeau@verizon.net
Pre-K & Kindergarten / Lauren DellaRova dellarova@verizon.net
Toddler class / Kara Ott at karajoellxo@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.
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.
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 Carole Baumiester with any questions or if you are interested in helping with our pantry. Thank you!
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
Nursery Don & Alicia Heverly, Sara Cartella, Anki Hill
Toddlers Dawn & John Brazelis, Tori Shute
Pre K – Kindergarten Tina & Craig Campana
1st & 2nd Kathy Porch, Madison Toomin
3rd - 5th Kimmi Biglin, Nancy Reeves
Counters LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness
Greeters Ken Blythe
Delores Baade
Ellen Boales
Lorraine Koch
Wed. Evening Nursery Needed
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
Serving Him,
Lois
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