Hope Notes 11/12/15

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Those of you who have been through a trial or a storm will be familiar with what I'm about to describe.  You know that golden moment when you first awaken, before you remember the things that are weighing heavy on your heart?  You feel light and free.  Then slowly the stones of fear, worry, uncertainty or anxiety begin to drop onto your heart.  The unpaid bills – plunk.  The serious illness – plunk.  The troubled relationship – plunk.  And before you know it, your heart feels heavy. Sometimes it feels like a mist clouding over the joy in our souls.  God doesn't want us to be weighed down by these things. He holds every one of them in His hands.  When we surrender our troubles to Him, our hearts can feel just as light as they do in those early morning moments before we are fully conscious. Don't let those stones accumulate and weigh you down.  Don't let that shroud of mist settle over your soul. Some verses to help us do that - "Cast all your cares on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7), "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You" (Psalm 56:3), "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (Isaiah 26:3)  Scripture is just filled with verses like this.  When you feel those stones falling into place and the mist creeping in, grab your Bible and replace them with the Truths in His Word.

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

November 15 – Tomorrow's Hope

Birthdays are wonderful.  We get to celebrate someone by honoring the day they were born, and many times, by giving gifts.  When a loved one passes away, one of the hardest moments is the first birthday that goes by without them around.  We all want those precious to us to stay with us.  Since Hope is a church made up of people who are dear to us, some of this carries over.  We talked last week about our mission – the unique calling of God on our fellowship.  This week, we want to look at what Hope looks like 'down the road'.  Specifically, we want to take some time and thing about being intentional so that our church will keep serving and sharing long after we are unable to keep doing it ourselves.  Can we pass on God's work to others and see God do greater things year after year after year?

 

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

 

NOVEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Proverbs 27:19"

"As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."

                                                                                   

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

7:00 pm

We have finished with our regular Bible study in 1Corinthians for the year.  We have the workshops running from 10/28 – 11/18.  We have nothing going on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (11/25) and we will be taking a break during the month of December. Our kids programs will be following the same schedule.  This gives everyone a chance during this busy season to focus on their families and all the activities the holidays bring!  We'll all catch our breath and then jump back into things in January! 

 

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS

October 28^th thru November 18^th

We are breaking out into workshops at church for Wednesday nights. Didn't get a chance to sign up?  Join us anyway!!

 

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!

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

                                                                                                                   ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

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*****

  

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!

MISSIONARY MOMENT

Hey there, Hope family – we have an important mission need….

Our missionaries to Uganda, Africa, Kelly and Josh Hallahan (and their 4 children) are facing a serious monetary issue. Kelly and Josh have recently lost several monthly supporters due to unemployment, aging and death. Because of that, their financial support has dwindled and needs to be increased.   Their support has dropped to a critical level; if it doesn't improve Josh said there is a real possibility they will be sent home this summer. God called them to Uganda and we would hate to see them have to leave Uganda and return home without completing their current commission for Christ.

 Brothers and sisters, this is OUR Hope family. Their brother Dave is our Youth Pastor and their parents worship with us here at HCF. Please pray and search your hearts. If you can pledge a monthly amount to keep them doing God's work, or even bump up your current support a few dollars that would be a true blessing.

 Here is where you can learn more about the Hallahan's mission:  thehallahans.blogspot.com     

 Here is where you can pledge how God leads to their mission: www.wgm.org/hallahan  

 

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!

                                             

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!

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00                Melissa McGinness, Lesley Russell

Nursery 11:00               Lorraine Koch, Lynn Shute

Toddlers 9:00               Elizabeth Staley, Yesenia Marquez

Toddlers 11:00             Jason & Kristy Straub, Katherine DellaRova
Pre K – K 9:00              Pat & Elisabeth DellaRova

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

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00          Ann Schweigart, Debbie Davis

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

3^rd – 5^th   11:00            Kimmi Biglin, Lauren Serebransky
Counters                       Don Frazeur, Bill Berry

Ushers 9:00                   Rick Ayusa

Ushers 11:00                Joe Sambucci

Greeters                       Rick Ayusa 

                                     Patty Bunnell

                                     Paul Rochat

                                     Helen Mastalski

Wed. Night Nursery         Lauren DellaRova, 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.

 

 

Ever Praising Him,

Lois

 

 

 

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