Hope Notes 2/12/15

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Valentine's Day ♥ is coming up this weekend. Traditionally, it's a day marketed for 'couples'; a romantic sort of day.  Therefore, it can either be a day that makes you feel loved & treasured, or a day that slaps you in the face because you feel alone.  I would encourage anyone who feels alone/unloved to remember this:  God loves each one of us with an unfailing, unconditional, everlasting love. God's love is called 'agape love'.  Proverbs 19:22a tells us, "What a person desires is unfailing love."  So there it is.  There is the love that we desire; agape love.  This is a love you will never find on earth in a human being.  Not in your husband, your wife, your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your children, your friends.  None of us are capable of loving the way God loves.  I know you won't be given candy or flowers from God, but what you receive from Him is far more precious and priceless than any token of love here on earth.  

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE 

February 15 – The Way (John 14:4-11)

To open a safe, you need the right combination.  You can try as many different variations of numbers as you'd like, but until you get the one and only combination that actually works, you'll never get into the safe.  There are many examples of exclusively right answers in our world.  You expect that there is only one way cars are traveling in your lane on the road, and only one correct birthday for each person.  Our culture would like to convince everyone that the way to God is not like this – that there are many ways to find peace and life and hope.  But Jesus taught something dramatically and pointedly different.  He is the way.  What does that mean for people who don't have a relationship with God, and what does it mean for those who do?

 

COUNTDOWN TO TWO SERVICES

March 1^st 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 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 GROUP

1^st & 3^rd 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 16^th: 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. 5^th 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

 

YOUTH REVIVAL @ SUMC – THIS SUNDAY

February 15^th

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.

 

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

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES

The Choices of the Heart baby bottles are here! Simply take home a baby bottle as a reminder to pray for the unborn and fill the bottle with spare change or a check made out to Choices of the Heart. Choices is a local crisis pregnancy center that supports women who choose to keep their babies through free pregnancy tests and  Ultrasounds, with ongoing counseling & group support. They also offer post-abortion services, help for male partners, and high school prevention education. All bottles are due back March 8^th.

 

GREETER MEETING

Sunday, February 22^nd

There will be a short Greeters' meeting immediately following worship.  See Deb Caranci with any questions.

 

BUMPER STICKERS & DECALS

Deadline this Sunday!

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.

 

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 1^st/2^nd grade classroom.  Enter through the rear doors. Contact Hope4Recovery@yahoo.com with any questions.

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

 

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:

1^st & 2^nd grade / Lisa Fiorile at Lfiorile@hotmail.com

3^rd – 5^th grade / Mary LeBeau at marylebeau@verizon.net  

Pre-K & Kindergarten / Lauren DellaRova dellarova@verizon.net

Toddler class / Kara Ott at karajoellxo@gmail.com

 

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                        Melissa McGinness, Lesley Russell, Faith DeWalt, Lorraine Roch

Toddlers                       Karen Blythe, Jenna Gaventa, Madison Winstel
Pre K – Kindergarten   Kim Lawlor, Megan Foster
1st & 2nd                     Rich & Patty Bunnell

3rd - 5th                       Brittany Bley, Michelle Schmidt
Counters                      Lois Hartwell, Barb Frazeur
Greeters                       Ken Blythe

                                     Delores Baade

                                     Ellen Boales

                                     Lorraine Koch

Wed. Evening Nursery Paul Hoffman

 

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

 

Loved by the King,
Lois

 

 

 

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