Hope Notes 10/22/15

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Well friends, I cannot believe that it's true………but I had to add a 'Christmas Announcements' section down near the bottom of the notes!  I can hardly stand it.  For us as a church, I totally get the need for planning our Christmas activities now.  Because…………get ready………it's only about 8 weeks away!  But out in the world, I'm just not ready for it.  The stores are putting up decorations and displaying Christmas merchandise. The autumn leaves haven't fallen off the trees yet!  Halloween hasn't even occurred!  And never mind Thanksgiving – that always gets lost in the holiday shuffle.  Why do we insist on rushing through things?  We often jump so far ahead that we miss the beauty of today.  We are guilty of doing the same thing with God's plans.  We get ahead of Him because we are impatient.  We ask, "WHY isn't He fixing things or doing things or showing me things?"  But we must remember that He is always at work in our lives.  It's just that sometimes there are things He needs to have us work on before we get to what we consider the 'answer'.  The waiting process is a vital part of growing our faith. God knows I'm not 'ready' for certain things yet; now if the world would just cooperate and know I'm not ready for Christmas things yet!

"The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him." (Lamentations 3:25)

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

This Sunday we have the privilege of having our own Jim Jefferson share God's Word with us!  He will be talking about embracing the calling God has put on our lives through looking at the life of Esther. I know this is a very personal testimony from Jim since he is obviously following God's call on his life to pursue being elected as Freeholder for Gloucester County. I am so thankful that God has placed so many willing souls in our congregation – it's tough to stand up front and lay it all out there for everyone to hear. I personally cannot wait to hear what God has been doing in Jim's life and to hear how we make sure we are following God's call on OUR lives! 

 

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

 

OCTOBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Psalm 55:22

"Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken."

                                                                                   

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

7:00 pm

Study on 1Corinthians

Join us in the auditorium for a mid-week spiritual boost.  Studying God's Word and connecting with each other is vital to our Christian growth.  Come feed your soul!  Childcare is provided.

 

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS

Coming October 28^th thru November 18^th

We are going to be breaking out into workshops at church for Wednesday nights. You can find signup sheets for the groups listed below in the lobby.

 

GRIEF GROUP

Lorraine Otis & Nance Reeves

After losing a loved one how do you pick up the pieces of your life?  Based in the Psalms this workshop encourages us to walk through grief with the LORD, look at all the ways grief impacts us, cope with the emotions, and find hope in His promise.  "This is my comfort in my distress; that Your promise gives me life."  Psalm 119:50 

 

LOST & FOUND

Nick DellaRova

How many times have you heard someone described as a "good person?"   What, exactly, is the formula for "good?"   Well, God gave us His side of the equation, which was called the Law.   But we have not been able to hold up our side of the equation, which is perfect obedience.  In this study we will look at selected passages of Scripture that will highlight our relationship to the Law, and God's transforming grace that makes both the Law and Salvation perfect through Christ.

 

THE CASE FOR A CREATOR

Steve Jones

Former atheist Lee Strobel has discovered that science, far from being the enemy of faith, now provides a solid foundation for belief in God. New scientific discoveries point to the incredible complexity of our universe, a complexity best explained by the existence of a Creator. This DVD study, based on the book "The Case for a Creator," invites us to encounter the evidence in a compelling way.

 

NOTE:  We will be having Christmas Choir rehearsals at church concurrently - all teens and adults are invited to join us for a workshop or for choir.

 

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

GET IN A SMALL GROUP!

Many of our small groups are up and running, but we still have room for you!  There are a few groups that have posted on our Small Group Bulletin Board (next to the Prayer Room), and you can sign up if one of those groups fits you. You can also still form or register a group as well, or post a group on the board to invite more members to sign up.  If you've been part of a group before, you know how incredibly God uses them.  More details on Hope's small groups can be found on the yellow info sheets in the Resource Room. Study sheets can be picked up in the Resource Room or downloaded directly from our website. See Damon Briggs with any questions or contact him at damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com. 

 

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

 

YOUTH GROUP

Our middle school and high school groups meet 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!

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

 

TRUNK OR TREAT

Saturday, October 31^st from 4:00 – 7:00

For the second year in a row we will be opening up our church and our car's trunks to the neighborhood as we offer candy and refreshments on Halloween night in the church parking lot.  We are once again asking everyone to come up with a theme for their car and correlating costumers for their group. We had a blast last year and can't wait to do it again! Make sure to save the date and keep an eye out for more information to come. 

 

TRUNK OR TREAT CANDY NEEDS

Last year we had over 300 trick or treaters, and this year we are expecting even more!  We want to plan ahead by having plenty of reserve candy, in the event that we run out.  We will have a bucket located in the lobby for anyone who is willing to donate a bag of candy to the cause! Thank you in advance! 

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                            ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

UPCOMING HOPE ELECTIONS

It's that time of year again when we need to begin praying about who God would lay on our hearts to serve as deacons and elder candidates. Purple voting forms are in the Resource Room along with a listing of current officers. Please remember that only partners can vote or be voted for!  Just a reminder – we are VOTING not nominating.  A list of partners and current officers is posted on the board by the sound booth.  Every single vote counts; we need your participation!  Forms must be completed and returned to Pastor Mark by Sunday, November 1^st.

 

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.

 

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.

 

*****CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS*****

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Sunday, October 25^th KICK OFF

Please stop and pick up a FREE shoebox for the first 100 people. (You can also use a plastic box or a regular shoebox from home.) We have a pamphlet that tells you how to select your child by gender and age. Remember – you can TRACK where your shoebox goes by paying the $7 shipping online and getting tracking info. These children are changed by the love of God they see through your gift selections. We encourage you to write a note to your child and select gifts carefully so that they inspire and surprise. Be one of the first 100 and get a free gift to start filling your shoebox!  See Wendy Devereaux or Joyce James for more information. Shoeboxes are due back to Hope by November 15^th.

 

CHRISTMAS CHOIR

Christmas Choir is right around the corner! We will be performing "The Story-The Musical" which is based on the book by Max Lucado with music written by Nichole Nordeman. It's more than just the story of Jesus birth in Bethlehem - it's the bigger, beautiful story of God's redemptive plan from Genesis to Revelation. Choir practices will begin on Wednesday, October 28th from 7:00 - 8:15 pm and run for 7 weeks. The performance date will be Dec.13th for both the 9:00 and 11:00 services. See Dana Ott with any questions or for more information!

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

 

CONNECTING AND SERVING AT HOPE

There are so many places to connect and serve here at Hope.  Keep your eyes on this section to be aware of all the different opportunities for you to effectively serve at Hope. There truly IS 'something for everyone' and we want to make it easy for you to know all the different options!

 

SET UP FOR TRUNK OR TREAT

October 31^st

Need help setting up and taking down two tents. Will be starting at noon.  Take down will be at 7:15 pm.  Contact Ken Blythe at kblythe99@gmail.com if you can help.

 

CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

We are in need of teen/adult volunteers to help with the 1-5th grade children's Christmas program!  If you are interested please contact Matt Russell as soon as possible!

 

MOVING NEEDS

Jeanne Wurst will be moving to National Park, NJ on October 24^th.  Everything will be packed, but she needs some help with the actual move.  Anyone with willing hands and pickup trucks can contact Don Frazeur from our Needs Team at dwfrazfam@verizon.net and he will coordinate things for Jeanne.

 

MEDIA TEAM

Our Media Team is currently looking for someone interested in helping with the projection portion of the service.  You know……the words and pictures we show up front on the screen!  If you think you'd like to help out just stop by the Sound Booth and let any one of our people know.  And don't worry – they will make sure you get the training you need!

 

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

Helpers needed to set up and take down the coffee station on Sunday mornings.  Contact Karen Blythe at kblythe99@gmail.com if you can help.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00                Faith DeWalt, Jeanne Wurst, Katherine DellaRova

Nursery 11:00               Don & Alicia Heverly

Toddlers 9:00               Amy & Brooke Mariner

Toddlers 11:00             Rebecca & John Jacob, Natalie Mariani
Pre K – K 9:00              Linda Landis, Libby LeBeau

Pre K – K 11:00            Lauren DellaRova, Prisca Ogunkanmi
1^st & 2^nd – 9:00            Rich & Patti Bunnell

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

3rd - 5^th   9:00              Deb Caranci, Dana Farrell

3^rd – 5^th   11:00            Kristy Tomasello, Michelle Schmidt
Counters                        Kathy Berry, Karen Jones

Ushers 9:00                   Bob Baumiester

Ushers 11:00                 Brad Hopkins

Greeters                        Paul Hoffman     

                                      Donna Hoffman

                                      Lisa Minner

                                      Mickey Dariano

Wed. Night Nursery          Michelle & Julia Schmidt

                              

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.

 

 

Waiting on the Lord,

Lois

 

 

 

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