Hope Notes 11/26/15
Dear Friends of Hope ~
I like this time of year when the clocks have been turned back and night settles softly on the homes and towns. The early darkness beckons us to turn on our buttery yellow lights earlier than usual. I like serving dinner in the quietness and coziness of a warm kitchen while twilight wraps around the windows. It makes me feel safe and content, tucked away inside. On the other hand, this early darkness makes my husband feel trapped. Add to that the fact that it also turns quite cold once the clocks are turned back and he is not a happy camper. He would much rather spend an hour or so outside after coming home from work, and be able to run an errand without stepping out into a bitter cold, black night. I know God is not the creator of this time change, but He IS the one who created the darkness and the light. "I form the light and create darkness…" {Isaiah 45:7} I am so glad we don't live where the sun shines continuously or where the darkness lasts all day for months at a time! So…..what is YOUR preference? Do you embrace the time change or fight against it? No matter your choice, remember all 24 hours belong to Him! "The day is yours, and yours also the night…." {Psalm 74:16}
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE
Christmas Series – Christmas MUST-HAVES
Each year as Christmas rolls around, we find ourselves noticing some 'hot gifts' for that year. Those products which have just the right amount of cool and buzz and that come on the scene at just the right time to be considered the 'must-haves' for that Christmas season. But many of those gifts soon wind up in storage or even in the trash. What about the lasting must-haves of Christmas. Let's talk about the stuff we need for Christmas (and every day).
November 29 –Thankfulness + Humility (Luke 17:11-19)
Do you think being thankful is simply saying 'thank you' or that it involves something more? Do you feel the pull of our culture into the swirl of 'faster' and 'more'? While getting more and going faster promise to deliver a fuller life, it often leaves us feeling more and more empty. What is this all about? At Christmas, one essential skill for your soul is thankfulness. And you can only be truly thankful when you are also humble. Let's look at some people who met Jesus and had great reason to be both!
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 will be on hiatus from November 25th through 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!
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.
NOTE: YA will be taking a break for December - the next meeting will be Monday, January 18th at 7:30.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP
2ND ANNUAL TURKEY BOWL
Friday, November 27th
Black Friday used to be for digesting turkey and shopping. Now it's for showing off your athleticism and gaining personal pride by destroying your competition!
Join us for the second annual Hope Christian Fellowship Turkey Bowl Championship! Men of all ages are welcome! We will split into two teams at the church and enjoy some friendly(ish) competition. Be there by 9:30 to get in your stretching.
In order to better utilize your lateral quickness, or at least to take advance of your lack of lateral quickness, we will be playing at Woodbury High School. See Dave Hallahan for any questions.
SMALL GROUPS
Small Groups are a fantastic way to connect on a more intimate level with the body of Hope. It's never too late to join a group, or even to start up a new one! Check out our Small Group Bulletin Board next to the Prayer Room. 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.
NOTE: Our last small group study sheet for 2015 will be out on December 6th. The first one for 2016 will be going out on January 10th.
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
WEEKEND TO REMEMBER MARRIAGE CONFERENCE
February 12-14, 2016
Just a reminder – if you'd like to join Pastor Mark and Dana for this awesome conference, you might want to take advantage of the special deal going on right now!
Family life is running a special on registration 'gift cards' which can be given (or bought) to pay for a couple's registration to the weekend. Normal price is $300 but it's on sale for $150 right now. Go to www.familylife.com and click on 'shop' and then "Black Friday Sale' to see this deal. Info sheets are available in the Resource Room.
ANNUAL HCF BUSINESS MEETING
December 27th @ 10:30
This year our business meeting will be held between the two services. It will be extremely brief since we have already done the voting on officers and need only to vote on our budget. The proposed budget and the results of the election will be posted on December 6th. Please remember – everyone is welcome to attend but only partners can vote.
UPCOMING JOB FAIR
January 24th
If anyone is looking for a place to serve at Hope, you can see anyone on any of our deacon teams (posted on the Sound Booth) or you can talk to anyone who is currently serving in the ministry you are interested in. Additionally, if you are interested in launching a new ministry, you can speak to any of our elders and give them a brief description of your idea so that it can be considered and coordinated. We will be having a January Job Fair, which will make it super easy for you to find a place to serve. Please be in prayer about where God would lead you to serve!
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 1st/2nd 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*****
'THE STORY' – OUR CHRISTMAS CANTATA
December 13th
We are thrilled to celebrate the Christmas season this morning with our choir and this special presentation. The Christmas story is part of a big story that God has been writing throughout history, and this musical and video presentation will take us all on a journey through that very narrative.
KID'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
December 20th
There is nothing that represents the Christmas season more fully or fills it with more joy than the Sunday that our kids sing about Christmas and Jesus! This is a great opportunity to invite your friends and family to come here our little ones as they proclaim the true Christmas message.
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
December 24th from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
This is such a special service – music, readings from the gospel, and candle light. It gives us all a moment to sit and breathe in the miracle of Christmas.
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. They have recently lost several monthly supporters due to unemployment, aging and death. They are behind over $2000/month and are looking for God to provide through those who have pledged but not yet been able to give, as well as looking for new people who will commit to supporting. Please join them in prayer for God's provision with this need. If you feel led to give, see the link shown below.
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! Special Note: We will be hosting a 'Job Fair' on January 24th which will make it super easy for you to find a place to connect and serve!
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
Nursery 9:00 Sara Cartella, Anki Hill
Nursery 11:00 Karla Hopkins, Carole Baumiester
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
1st & 2nd – 9:00 Children's Christmas Rehearsal
1st & 2nd – 11:00 Children's Christmas Rehearsal
3rd - 5th 9:00 Faith DeWalt, Mary Kearney
3rd – 5th 11:00 Kimmi Biglin, Lauren Serebransky
Counters Mike & Lois Hartwell
Ushers 9:00 Bob Baumiester
Ushers 11:00 Brad Hopkins
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.
Out of Darkness,
Lois
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posted by Hope Christian Fellowship at
6:33 AM
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