Hope Notes 7/30/15

Dear Friends of Hope ~

What do you think about astrology?  What do you say when someone asks you 'what sign are you'?  It might sound silly or picky to some, but I hate when someone asks me that or makes reference to my birthday and therefore my sign.  I don't want to answer because then it seems like I agree with or follow astrology.  I don't want to claim ignorance, because I DO know, and I don't want them to declare my sign and then launch into all my supposed personality traits.  Well I finally came up with a good answer!  Want to know what it is?  I simply say the sign of the cross, or the sign of the icthus (Christian fish).  I tell them I don't follow the stars, I follow the One who MADE the stars.  Genesis 1:1 tells us 'In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."  Verse 19 plainly states, 'He made the stars'.  Psalm 147:4 says "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.'  Isn't that a great response?! Maybe some of you have already thought of that and I'm just a little late getting on the train!  But I wish I had known that years ago when the dance company I was in did a number in which the opening called for each of us to walk across the stage carrying a different astrological sign.  I refused to do it and could only say I didn't believe in astrology.  I wasn't able to make the connection between my faith and their belief system.  I wish I had thought to make my sign the Christian fish or a cross……………and then walk boldly and proudly across that stage.  So I'm sharing this little story with you all today with the hope that maybe it will give some of you an easy answer when that annoying topic comes up!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE 

August 2 – VBS CLOSING – Raising Good Kids

We are bringing one of our favorite weeks of the year to a close today.  Vacation Bible School is a big deal at Hope because kids are a big deal to us.  Jesus said "Let the children come to me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to ones like this."  And as our kids put on their closing program, we're going to open up the Bible and take a look at what it has to say about raising good kids.  There is no shortage of advice from our world, but the best wisdom comes from our Creator who knows what we need to do for our kids.

 

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

 

AUGUST CHALLENGE VERSE

Proverbs 16:25

"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

Please Note:  Our Bible Study will be on hiatus until fall.  Look for August Family Nights coming up!

 

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.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

AUGUST FAMILY NIGHTS

SUMMER CAFÉ – THIS WEDNESDAY!

August 5^th 7:00 – 8:30

Want to share a talent with the folks at Hope?  Our Summer Café is a great place to do just that!  Sign up and let us know what you'll be doing.  Don't forget to sign up to bring a snack or dessert. Contact Barb Frazeur at dwfrazfam@verizon.net.

 

FAMILY GAME NIGHT

August 12^th 7:00 – 8:30

Get the whole family (yours and your Hope family!) together for our Game Night!  Bring a favorite game to share; bring an extra game for kids if you can.  Please sign up so we know how many tables to set up.  You can also sign up to bring a snack like brownies, cookies, or mini soft pretzels.  Contact Miriam Marquez mmarqz78@gmail.com.

 

MOVIE NIGHT – GRACE CARD

August 19^th 7:00 – 8:30

"When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God. Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God's grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD ... and never underestimate the power of God's love."

Join us for an old fashioned movie night, complete with freshly made popcorn and movie theater type snacks and candies!  Contact Deb Caranci debcaranci@gmail.com.

HCF SUMMER PICNIC

August 26^th 6:00 – 8:30

The cap off to our August Family Nights is our picnic!  This is a great evening of good food and good fellowship with our church family.  We have lots of fun activities for the little ones right on up to the adults.  Come out and reconnect with old friends and make some new ones!  All you need to bring is a side dish or dessert.  We take care of everything else!  Look for a sign up to be out shortly.  Contact Melissa McGinness melissamcginness007@comcast.net.

 

YOUNG ADULTS PICNIC – THIS SATURDAY!

Saturday, August 1^st @ 1:00

Meeting at Hospitality Creek for a great day of fellowship, food, and fun!  Young Adults is for anyone who has graduated high school up through early thirty's!  If you fall into that category, come and join us! 

 

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.

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

AUGUST

5:       Summer Café

12:     Family Game Night

13-15: Mission Trip*

19:     Movie Night

26:     Summer Picnic

*Youth Mission Weekend (8/13 - 8/15)

We still have a few spots open for any teens who are looking to serve with us for the weekend. We'll be serving with Choices of the Heart, Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and the city of Camden. The cost is only $30!

 

UGANDA MISSION TRIP

July 2016

In July 2016, we have the opportunity to bring a team of Hopers to Uganda to work alongside the Hallahan family. As a church, we have supported Josh, Kelly, and their family through our prayers and finances but we are very excited to be able to get our feet on the ground with them in Uganda. Get with Dave Hallahan for further information.

 

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/HCFHopeK

                                                                                                           ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

ONLINE GIVING OPTION

It's easy and convenient!  Simply go to our website and click 'Online Giving'.  You have the options to set up recurring donations (like automatic bill pay), or give one time donations as well.  The amount and frequency are up to you.  This will allow many of us to be intentional and faithful in our support of Hope.  Contact Damon or LaTosha Briggs with any questions.

 

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 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. 

 

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.

 

MISSIONARY MOMENT

 

KID'S ALLEY CONVOY OF HOPE

Saturday, September 19^th from 12:00-4:00pm

Local Kids Alley Outreach Mission Event

HCF is joining with several other local churches for a fun event with the youth of Camden. Sponsored by Kid's Alley, the event is called the Convoy of Hope. It will be held at Whitman Park in Camden.  We need about 20 volunteers total so we can set-up and run 4 carnival games for the event. Possibly other duties as needed.  Kids Alley is responsible for the "Kids Zone" which will include the following:

Craft table, face painting, temporary tattoos, clowns and a carnival type game.

Can the kids count on your help? PLEASE SAVE THE DATE.  More details to follow on supplies that are needed and more exactly what HCF is doing that day to help. Sign-up sheets will be out in August.

 

Some links about their amazing year around program:

http://kidsalley.org/

https://www.facebook.com/kidsalley?ref=search

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

 

YOUNG ADULT/TEEN HOME MISSION TRIP

Saturday, August 15

Our teens and Young Adults are joining forces to go and serve the homeless in Camden.  You can help by signing up to bring supplies for making lunches.  Needs to be brought in by Sunday, August 9^th or Wednesday, August 12^th at the latest. 

 

CONNECTING AND SERVING AT HOPE

There are so many places to connect and serve here at Hope.  For a little change of pace, we are going to spotlight a different ministry each week or so and also list any immediate needs (if any) in that area.  There truly IS 'something for everyone' and we want to make it easy for you to explore all the different options!

 

BUILDING TEAM

Our Building Team takes care of our church home. There is a lot of regular maintenance that goes on, plus many special projects and seasonal needs (gardening, snow removal, etc.).  You can join up as part of our regular maintenance crew or sign up for special projects as they arise.  Contact Ken Blythe for more info at kblythe99@gmail.com.

 

URGENT NEED FOR TODDLER'S CLASS

The Toddlers' Class is in urgent need of two new teaching teams (one adult and one teen, or two adults) for the month of August.  We love being able to provide this class for every service, but we won't be able to do so if this need is not filled. If you are interested in serving, please contact Kara Ott at karajoellxo@gmail.com or 856-397-8965.  Please join us in praying for this need to be filled so that we can continue to provide childcare for our toddlers.

 

IMMEDIATE NURSERY NEED

Still in need of at least one more volunteer.   Contact Alicia Heverly if you can help at Lilfeet21@hotmail.com

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00                Leah & Dave Hallahan

Nursery 11:00               Karla Hopkins, Carole Baumiester

Toddlers 9:00               Kit & Emily Foster

Toddlers 11:00             TEACHERS NEEDED, Prisca Ogunkanmi
Pre K – K 9:00              Bill & Griffin McGinness, Libby LeBeau

Pre K – K 11:00            Lauren DellaRova, Samantha Swedo
1^st & 2^nd – 9:00            NO SUNDAY SCHOOL - VBS

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00          NO SUNDAY SCHOOL - VBS

3rd - 5^th   9:00              Faith DeWalt, Mary Kearney

3^rd – 5^th   11:00            Kimmi Biglin, Nance Reeves
Counters                        Kathy Berry, Melissa McGinness

Ushers 9:00                   Mike Hartwell

Ushers 11:00                 Don Frazeur

Greeters                        Ken Blythe      

                                       Delores Baade

                                       Ellen Boales

                                       Lorraine Koch

                              

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 Contact Us Form on our website.  http://www.hopechristianfellowship.org/contact/.  If you have any questions or would like to join the Prayer Team, please contact Bill Berry directly at billandkathyberry@comcast.net.

 

 

"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

 

Worshipping the Creator,
Lois

 

 

 

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