Hope Notes 8/20/15

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I heard an ad on Christian radio the other day for either a book or a dvd that explained evidence of the exodus.  It kept talking about how scientists and archeologists had concrete evidence that the exodus had taken place.  That's all good and cool and everything…………but for some reason this thought immediately popped into my mind – "We don't need evidence, we need faith."   Sure, I could take this book or dvd and make people check it out to prove to them that what the Bible says is true.  I could certainly use it as proof positive that I am not making things up – the exodus really happened!  But to me, the idea that we need to dig up more and more evidence cheapens what God's Word tells us.  Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Why do we need confirmation, documentation, information, affirmation, and a corroboration when we already have God's Word telling us the Truth?!  If we truly put our trust in God and in His Word, then we shouldn't need more evidence – perhaps just a little more faith.

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE 

August 23 – The Burial (John 19:31-42)

There are some things you should just keep to yourself.  Stuff like your opinions on other people's preference of music or style.  But some things shouldn't be kept secret. We do a wedding ceremony in front of witnesses; in fact, it is legally required.  As we look at the account of Jesus' burial, we're going to see one of the first "undercover" followers of Jesus.  He shows up to help bury Jesus, and John makes a comment about his approach to following Jesus.  Are we afraid of people finding out that we follow Jesus?

 

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. 

Join us for August Family Nights during the month of August!

 

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

 

SMALL GROUPS

September will be upon us before you know it and now is the time to begin thinking about Small Groups!  Let's take the month of August to pray about starting or joining a Small Group.  Think about who to ask, along with where and when to meet. It's so easy – you can facilitate the group or just offer your house as a hosting site. Contact Damon Briggs for further information at damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com.  First study sheet will be going out on 9/27.

 

SMALL GROUPS FACILLITATOR / HOST MEETING

In preparation for the kickoff of our small groups, we want every facilitator and host to join us for a meeting on September 20th.  We will be holding the meeting twice, once after each service that morning in the kitchen.  Pastor Mark will be talking about how we want small groups to run and answer any questions you have.  We want this vital ministry in our church to get off to a great start and for every host and facilitator to have all the info they need.

 

AUGUST FAMILY NIGHTS

HCF SUMMER PICNIC –THIS WEDNESDAY

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.

 

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

26:  Summer Picnic

 

HIGH SCHOOL RETREAT

September 11-13

We will be going to Ocean City, NJ for our annual High School Retreat. Registration forms are available outside of the youth room or on our website. The cost is only $50! Be sure to kick off the new school year blues with another awesome retreat in Ocean City!

 

YOUTH GROUP KICK OFF

MARK YOU CALENDARS!!!!

September 20th will the official start to our new year. Our middle school and high school groups will be meeting at the church on Sundays from 6:30-8:30 all year long! Come out for another amazing year as we grow closer together and closer to God!

 

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.
For those interested in going, your deposit is due by August 30th to reserve your spot. Keep your ears and eyes peeled for another meeting in September!  See 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/HCFHopeKids

                                                         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

KIDS 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.  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. Signup sheets for volunteers are in the lobby.  Contact Brenda Hallahan at bhallahan@verizon.net.

Some links about their amazing year around program:

http://kidsalley.org/

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

 

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

 

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!

 

PRAYER TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Prayer is one of the most effective ways to touch hearts and change lives.  It is vital to our Christian walk.  We have a prayer ministry that receives the requests of those in our congregation and prays for them.  If you have a heart for prayer and would like to be a part of this team, contact Bill Berry at billandkathyberry@comcast.net for more details.

 

KIDS ALLEY CONVOY OF HOPE

Saturday, September 19^th from 12:00 – 4:00

Just a reminder to SAVE THE DATE to help with the carnival games. There is now a signup sheet in the lobby for possible volunteers and an informational meeting to be held on Sunday, August 30^th between services to learn more details. Contact Brenda Hallahan @ bhallahan@verizon.net.

 

CLEAN UP CREW

Looking for a few volunteers that attend 2nd service on Sunday to pick up trash after the service. See Ken Blythe for details at kblythe99@gmail.com.

 

COFFEE MINISTRY

We need at least two helpers to set up and take down the coffee station on Sunday mornings.  Contact Karen Blythe at kblythe99@gmail.com if you can help.

 

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                Lorraine Koch, Lynn Schute

Nursery 11:00               Amy Fleck, Gail Blakely

Toddlers 9:00               Briana Abate, Yesenia Marquez

Toddlers 11:00             Jason & Kristy Straub
Pre K – K 9:00              Craig & Tina Campana

Pre K – K 11:00            Jennifer & Samantha Edwards
1^st & 2^nd – 9:00            Nina & Michelle Abate

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00          Ann Schweigart, Helper TBD

3rd - 5^th   9:00              Mary LeBeau, Chelsea DeWalt

3^rd – 5^th   11:00            Kimmi Biglin, Patti MacAdams
Counters                        LaTosha Briggs, Barb Frazeur

Ushers 9:00                   Bruce Clark

Ushers 11:00                Bill Berry

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.

 

 

Believing Without Seeing,

Lois

 

 

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