Hope Notes 12/17/15

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

One of the things I enjoy most during the Christmas season are the lights.  On Christmas trees, on houses, draped over bushes and wrapped around porches.  They give a festive glow to the outdoors, and inside they make everything seem cozy. I love to turn off all the house lighting and have the tree and our manger be the only source of illumination.  Because, of course, nothing makes the lights look prettier than darkness!  I know that Christmas can be painful for some people for any number of reasons.  You many have just lost a loved one, lost a job, destroyed a relationship or be struggling with finances.  Whatever the reason, there is hope.  You are not alone.  God is right there with you.  Remember, He sent His baby Son to earth just for you.  Born to die.  Light of the world.  That's what our Christmas celebration is all about!  Although your personal darkness may be painful, it's the perfect setting for His Light.  Alone in the darkness, His Light becomes all the more obvious and shines all the more brightly.  It's there for you – a beacon of hope for you to cling to. I invite you to go sit in a darkened room and let the lights of Christmas remind you of our own Light in the darkness.   Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

12/20 Love + Faith 1 John 4:7-10, 15-19

Kid's Program

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 day is a highlight of our year and it is exciting to spend this morning together enjoying what God wants to say through these children. And then we'll spend a few minutes looking at the last 'must-have' for Christmas.  It's an obvious one, and no one will argue with it, but where do we stand personally with this?  For Christmas (or life for that matter) to have depth and meaning and real joy, we can't do without faith and love.  Everything that matters in this world requires both of these.  Do you know God's love and are you trusting Him by faith?

 

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

 

DECEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Psalm 118:8

"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans."

                                                                                   

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 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! 

TEASER: Coming in January, we'll be talking about what the Bible has to say about the end of the world.  Look for more details coming soon!

 

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

 

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 study sheet is out. The first one for 2016 will be going out on January 10^th.

 

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.

 

COMING SOON – NEW FAMILIES FELLOWSHIP

February 19, 2016

If you are new to Hope, or maybe you missed our last fellowship back in June, you'll want to mark your calendars now for this event!  Watch for more details to come…….

 

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!

 

ROOTED CHRISTMAS PARTY – THIS SUNDAY

December 20^th

Come dress in your most festive gear and bring a $5 or less Pollyanna for the gift exchange! We'll enjoy each other's company, gifts, and some wonderful desserts as we celebrate Christmas together!

 

12/27 - No Rooted

 

1/3 - Youth Leaders Meeting - No Rooted

 

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 NOTES HELP

I'm putting out a personal plea to anyone who might be able to help me with some technical issues I'm having with the Hope Notes.  Copying & pasting the notes into Gmail causes all the formatting done on the original document to go haywire.  I'd love to have a conversation to explain things in more detail.  If you think you can offer some input, simply 'Reply' to the Hope Notes, or contact me directly at foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com.  Thanks in advance – Lois!

 

ANNUAL HCF BUSINESS MEETING

December 27^th @ 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 2016 budget and the results of the election are posted on the board by the sound booth and on the old Small Group board.  Copies of the budget are available for anyone who wants one.  If you have any questions regarding the budget, just see one of our elders before the meeting.  Please remember, everyone is welcome to attend but only partners can vote.

 

UPCOMING JOB FAIR

January 24^th

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!

 

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 envelopes and check off the correct category.  Please note that these envelopes are not for your usual Sunday offering.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 EVE SERVICE

December 24^{th 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. 

Please Note:  As we do every year, we will be taking an offering for needy families in our congregation.  Please pray and give as God leads.    

 

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 24^th which will make it super easy for you to find a place to connect and serve!

                                             

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00                Amy Fleck, Gail Blakely

Nursery 11:00               Lisa Landis, Christina Landis

Toddlers 9:00               Karen Blythe, Julia Schmidt, Leah Aureli

Toddlers 11:00             Briana Abate, Madison Winstel, Julia Neff
Pre K – K 9:00              Bill & Griffin McGinness

Pre K – K 11:00            Karen & Amanda Merriell
1^st & 2^nd – 9:00           Christmas Program – children in auditorium

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00         Christmas Program – children in auditorium

3rd - 5^th   9:00              TBD

3^rd – 5^th   11:00            TBD

Ushers 9:00                   Mike Hartwell

Ushers 11:00                Damon Briggs

Counters                      Damon Briggs, Matt Austen

Greeters                       Jon Pinero

                                     Mary LeBeau

                                     Michelle Schmidt

                                     Janice Simpson

                              

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.

 

 

He is Light,

Lois

 

 

 

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