Dear Friends of Hope ~
I love photography. I love being able to capture one single moment in time. I come from the old school process of using film. I used to love standing in the darkroom, watching the latent images come to life as I swirled the photosensitive paper in the (smelly) chemicals. Now we have digital cameras and the moments we capture come to life instantly on the screen before us. What strikes me as funny is how many times your subjects will look at their image and request a do-over. Never mind that it was a real moment caught by the camera; they want it to look 'better'. I find the same philosophy to be true with many people who are waiting to either come to Christ or to deepen their relationship with Him. They want to look better, do better, BE better before they feel they are worthy of His love. If they could, I'm sure they would 'Photoshop' all their flaws away. But God does not need or want us to be perfect before we come to Him. In fact, He already SEES us as pretty much perfect. Ephesians 1:4 says, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Pretty cool, isn't it?! So don't waste any more time waiting until you look better before running to God. It absolutely isn't necessary! And really, neither are all those digital 'do-overs'!!
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE
March 29 – Jesus' Friends (John 15:14-17)
What does it take to be your friend? Maybe you're good at choosing friends and the ones you have are dependable, loyal, and fun. You may have had some bad experiences with friendship, finding that those you trusted turned out to be destructive or even creepy. When their pictures come up in your album, you hit delete! Did you know that Jesus has friends? Of course, we know about the disciples. Judas was a part of that group, identified as a 'friend'. But Jesus has more friends than just those at the Last Supper – and He tells us who they are. The great part is that you too can be a friend of Jesus!
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
April 3rd @ 7:00
Join us as we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice – Jesus taking on every one of our sins and giving His life so that we could live eternally with Him. We will have music, Scripture reading and communion that helps us to reflect on God's incredible mercy.
SCHEDULE FOR TWO SERVICES
We now have two services, one at 9:00 and one at 11:00! 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
8:40 – 8:45 for Both Services
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 8:40 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 at 8:30 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
MARCH CHALLENGE VERSE
Galatians 5:1, 13
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature. Rather, serve one another in love."
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.
Please Note: The last night for Kid's Club will be April 22nd.
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
Studying "Not a Fan-Becoming a Completely Committed Follower of Jesus"
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.
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 also contact Pastor Mark at markott@hopechristianfellowship.org with your email address and he will send you the current study sheet at the same time it is sent to our webpage. 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
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS
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
BAPTISM SERVICE
Wednesday, June 3rd
Depending on response, we are scheduling our next baptism for June 3rd. If you would like to be baptized, you can sign up starting the week after Easter. The classes will be the last two Wednesday nights in the month of May. See Pastor Mark with any questions.
NOW OR NEVER – SPRING CLEANING
There are some coats that have been hanging on our coat rack all winter and some items in the Lost & Found bin that are looking for their owners. We will put the Lost & Found bin in the lobby outside the Resource Room. Anyone who is missing a coat can please check the rack. Items not picked up will be donated. Thank you!
FREE DIAPERS
We have received a donation of two large bags of diapers in all sizes. If you are in need of some dipes for your little one, just head on over to the Nursery and take what you need!
HAVE OUR ELDERS PRAY WITH YOU
The New Testament has this wonderful ministry for the elders of a church - PRAYER. And we'd like to offer it to anyone who is in need of healing (physical or otherwise) or who needs the power of God to be at work in their lives in a special way. If you or anyone you know would like to take advantage of this ministry, contact Pastor Mark to set up a time after one of our Sunday services for the elders to pray over you.
HOPE CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM
§ Must be 15 years old before the close of the season (middle of July)
§ Teams with Pitman Methodist
§ Season runs from April through July
§ Games are played on week nights with the exception of Wednesdays (6:30/8:00/or/9:30)
§ Sign Up is on the Sign Up table in the lobby
§ See Lenny Little with any questions
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
IMMEDIATE NEED FOR KIDS ALLEY
Saturday, March 28th
Brenda Hallahan (Dave's mom) heads up this ministry that reaches out to the people of Camden and their children. They have school tutoring during the week and a service on Saturday mornings. They provide breakfast, a lesson, worship, games, and a bagged lunch. This Saturday, Kids Alley will be having their Easter Rally at Sicklerville United Methodist Church in Sicklerville, NJ. Volunteers are needed to assist with games and with the egg hunt. They also have a recurring need for people gifted in Art and for men.
Please call 856-546-1098 or email admin@kidsalley.org if you are able to help.
LIVING SITUATION NEED
We have a gentleman in our church that is currently in need of a place to stay - either temporarily or longer term. If anyone knows of someone who has a room or is looking for a roommate, please contact Frank Caranci (Needs Team Captain) at fcaranci@comcast.net.
WORKSHOP WEDNESDAY TEACHERS WANTED
Have you been thinking about leading a small group of adults in a short-term Bible study? The elders are looking for teachers who are interested in doing month-long Wednesday night workshops. If you're interested, just send an email to Pastor Mark by April 4th (Easter Sunday) with a topic, a 3-4 sentence description of the workshop, and an outline of the 4 week plan for topics and discussion each week. This will allow our elders to pray and seek the Lord's direction on each workshop and to follow His lead in selecting which workshops to move forward with at this time. We will begin signing up for workshops on 4/12.
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
FOOD PANTRY
PRAISE GOD our pantry is full! The only thing in slightly short supply is baby 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 Carole Baumiester with any questions or if you are interested in helping with our pantry. Thank you!
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
Nursery Amy Fleck, Jeanne Wurst, Gail, Charlotte Zediker
Toddlers 9:00 Kit Foster, Katrina Mariani, Emily Foster
Toddlers 11:00 Rebecca & John Jacob, Natalie Mariani
Pre K – K 9:00 Lauren & Elisabeth DellaRova, Libby LeBeau
Pre K – K 11:00 Bill McGinness, Maurice Brazelis, Sammy Swedo
1st & 2nd – 9:00 Lisa Fiorile, Nina Abate
1st & 2nd – 11:00 Kelly Louis, Lucy Muhlbaier
3rd - 5th TBA
Counters LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness
Greeters Art Muhlbaier
Lucy Muhlbaier
Charlotte Zediker
Jeanne Wurst
Wed. Evening Nursery Jeanne Wurst, Melissa McGinness
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 - Please pray for God's leading, provision, and strength as we move forward with two services!
Financial Needs – The recent bad weather has put us behind financially for the year and we need to catch up! We also need to make some progress SOON on our Emergency Fund and Boiler Replacement. Please join us in asking the Lord to provide for us in those 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
Blameless in His Sight,
Lois
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