Hope Notes 4/9/15

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I love bird nests and birdies.  I believe this love was passed down from my mom; I have a few bird nests that were hers.  She spray painted one very tiny (real) one gold and every year I place it on our Christmas tree. I have others that are not real, just woven or made from china. They have little eggs in them – some are stone, some are jeweled, some hand painted.  I love all the Bible references to birds and nests.  I found 16 relating to nests and even more mentioning birds. I've been thinking about nests because our nest is a little emptier; our little birdie has spread her wings, gotten married, and is building her own nest with her husband!  But I'm loving watching what happens when God steps in and shakes up our nests!  It forces us to try something new, to grow, to trust Him with all the changes. He shakes our nest to get us out of our comfort zones. Think of all the things that can shake up your nest – new babies, babies leaving, new relationships, failed relationships, new jobs, job losses, illness, etc.  You get the picture.  But through ALL of this we have our God.  He is our refuge, our protector, our source of strength.  He doesn't just swoop by, give the nest a good shake and then run off.  He is right there beside us.  Psalm 91:4 says "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."   We are His little birdies and we need not fear when our nests are shaken!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE 

April 12 – Rejected with Jesus (John 15:18-16:4)

When someone is hitchhiking, the stereotype is to see them alongside the road with their thumb in the air.  This is the universal sign asking for a ride in the direction that road leads.  Wouldn't it be ridiculous for someone to be alongside a road heading north but asking for a ride south.  Maybe they would find a very kind soul who would be willing to turn around for them, but the chances are that they wouldn't.  It is impossible for two people going in two different directions to travel together.  Any combined journey must point towards a common destination.  This reality is true spiritually too.  Jesus tells His disciples that the world will not be friendly to them because their direction is dramatically different.  Are you prepared to face rejection because of and with Jesus?

 

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

 

APRIL CHALLENGE VERSE

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

 

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.

Please Note:  The last night for Kid's Club will be April 22^nd.

 

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

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

 

THINK PINK – LADIES NIGHT OUT

Tuesday, May 12^th @ 7:00 pm

Come on out for an evening with guest speaker Sue Duffield.  You can expect an evening filled with comedy, music, and a message on "The Navah – the Holy Habitation of Christ in Every Woman".  Of course, the evening just wouldn't be complete without dessert!!  Please bring a 'pink' dessert to share. We will be taking a love offering for Sue. There will be cd's and books available for purchase. Signup sheet is in the lobby.  See Lorraine Otis with any questions.

 

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

 

SPRING RETREAT

Apr 17^th – 19^th

GET UP! and get yourself out to the Delanco Camp for our Spring Retreat. This event is for all students in middle and high school. Register your child at Delanco.org, but make sure you see Dave Hallahan first for a discount code to bring the price down to $45. You may also see Dave with any questions you may have.

 

NEW MEETING TIMES

As our adult Bible study and Wednesday night children's programs transition into their summer schedules, youth group will be getting a new look as well. For the five weeks between Mother's Day and Father's Day (5/17, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7 and 6/14) our middle school and high school will be meeting together on Sunday nights 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

 

MARCH GIVING UPDATE

We averaged $7447 per week for the month of March.  This brings our annual weekly average to $6362 which is above our target of $5850.  Praise the Lord for His provision for our church and thank you all who have given so graciously to help us catch up!  For our special projects, we are about a third of the way in the gas conversion project (we need $15k and we have so far about $4500) and we have $1000 towards our emergency fund (we need $10k).  Please keep these two special projects in prayer, and give thanks with us for how the Lord is moving our people to sacrifice and support His work at Hope

 

ENVELOPES FOR DESIGNATED GIVING

Sometimes, God lays it on our heart to give a little extra for His kingdom.  He may have provided the financial means for it or just the nudge in our hearts.  In order to help make this easier for you as the giver and Hope as the receiver, we have some new envelopes in a wall mounted bin next to our regular offering slot.  If you'd like to give to a special project or ministry, just use one of these envelope and check off the correct category.  Please note that these envelopes are not for your usual Sunday offering.  See Lois Hartwell with any questions.

 

SEND SOME CHEER

Lorraine Otis' mom has recently moved into an assisted living place.  Mary is a frequent attender here at Hope and so we thought it might be nice to send her some cards to let her know we are thinking about her and praying for her as she makes this transition.  You can send any cards to:

Mary McGinley / 752 Cooper St. #212 / Woodbury, NJ  08096

 

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS AVAILABLE

There is a couch (in great shape), a queen size bed & mattress, lamps, and various kitchen & household items available if anyone needs them. Items are only available through this weekend.  Contact Heath Gravener at heathgravener@yahoo.com for more information.

 

MISSION BOARDS

Check out our newly decorated Mission Boards (thanks Joyce!) – they've been updated and decorated to reflect a more current snapshot of our missionary's lives.  Oh!  Fun fact – the colors of the borders on each board represent the flags of the countries or states in which our missionaries serve!

 

SAINTS PRISON MINISTRY

Did you know that we have two missionaries right here at Hope?  They give generously of their time, sacrificing time they could spend relaxing or with their families.  Instead they minister to those in prison.  Their mission field is not on the barren plains of Africa; it is on the softball diamond!  Saints Prison Ministry travels to various prisons and engages the prisoners in a friendly game of softball.  There is prayer, sharing, and the gospel is proclaimed.  If you would like to help support this ministry, you can offer up your prayers and/or help financially.  Our guys have to pay their own way for any expenses incurred while traveling, etc.  If you feel led to help in this way, just make a donation by writing out a check to Bill McGinness or Jim Jefferson.  They each need to raise $1000.00.  Thanks so much!

 

BAPTISM SERVICE

Wednesday, June 3^rd

Depending on response, we are scheduling our next baptism for June 3^rd.  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.

 

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 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

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                        Don & Alicia Heverly, Sara Cartella, Anki Hill

Toddlers 9:00               Karen Blythe, Amanda Mills, Julia Schmidt

Toddlers 11:00             John & Dawn Brazelis, Madison Winstel
Pre K – K 9:00              Linda Landis, Pat DellaRova

Pre K – K 11:00            Karen & Amanda Merriell, Megan Foster
1^st & 2^nd – 9:00            Rich & Patty Bunnell

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00         Kathy Porch, Madison Toomin        

3rd - 5th                       TBA
Counters                      Lois Hartwell, Barb Frazeur

Greeters                       Frank Caranci

                                     Ken Blythe

                                     Lisa Minner

                                     Connie Matthews

Wed. Evening Nursery Dana Ott, Kylie Austen

 

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

Prayer requests, anyone??

 

"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

 

Taking Shelter Under His Wings,
Lois

 

 

 

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