Hope Notes 3/24/16

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Deviating from my usual opening to give a little Easter Service 'Public Service Announcement'.  This Sunday we will most likely experience a much larger attendance than our usual Sundays.  As the regular attenders, let's make an effort to take on the perspective of our visitors.  What does that mean?  Well……..think about the church experience from the eyes of someone who may not be used to attending church.  Do you think they want to walk ALL the way up front to find a seat?!  No way!  Do you think they want to wander aimlessly through the building looking for bathrooms or the nursery?  Of course not.  So let's be considerate and scoot ourselves up front and into the middle of the rows.  This makes it much easier – not only on our guests, but on our ushers as they search for seats once the service gets started.  And let's keep our eyes open for anyone who looks 'lost' and ask them if they need some help.  One of Hope's hallmarks is that we are a friendly church.  We want everyone to feel comfortable and welcomed so that they can relax and truly enjoy our Easter service!

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

3/27 – Empty Tomb (Matthew 28:1-8)

EASTER

This is the day we celebrate together the most powerful and transformational event of all time: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Many think this is just a fable meant to teach us some philosophical truth.  But those who were closest to Jesus did not believe that; in fact, they were killed because they wouldn't back down from their testimony that He had risen.  Today, we're going to start with an account of that morning in Matthew's gospel.  What we'll see is that these friends of Jesus did not expect Him to rise again.  And that will lead us to ask about our own presumptions and ideas about what Jesus is like.  Are you misunderstanding God?

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE - TOMORROW

Friday, March 25^th @ 7:00 pm

Join us for this special service as we commemorate Good Friday.  We'll have readings from all four gospels that tell the story of Jesus' death.  We'll also have special music and share communion together.  As is our custom, anything that comes into the offering that night will be distributed to individuals or families in need. Good Friday is such a special part of the Passion Week and we don't want anyone to miss it so mark it on your calendars now!

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

8:30 – Prayer Room
Do you have a heart for prayer? Our Sunday morning prayer time is open to everyone. We pray for the services that morning and for the needs in the church. If you would like to participate, just show up!  Questions?  See Bob Baumiester.  "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

MARCH CHALLENGE VERSE

Proverbs 4:23

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

                                                                                   

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

7:00 pm

We're back with regular Wednesday night Bible study! The first two weeks will be the Exodus video (Patterns of Evidence).  If you know anyone who has questions about whether or not the Bible is true, this would be a great video for them to see!  Once we've finished these two weeks, we'll dive back into 1 Corinthians.  Our Hope Kids Hangouts will be restarting too, so keep an eye out for info on that. 

 

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.  Contact Dave or Leah Hallahan at dmhallahan5@gmail.com.  Childcare is provided.

Please Note:  Young Adults is now working on a 'semester' schedule, therefore there will be no Young Adults for the month of April.  We will resume again in May.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP

 

HCF COED SOFTBALL TEAM

HCF teams with our brothers of Pitman Methodist.  You must be 15 years old before the close of the season (mid-July) in order to play.  Our season runs from April through July.  Games are played on week nights (except Wednesdays) at 6:30, 8:00, or 9:00.  There is a signup sheet in the lobby if you are interested.  See Lenny Little with any questions.

 

SMALL GROUPS

After our last small group study sheet on April 17th, we will be taking a break from official 'small group season' through September, which means we will not be putting out small group study sheets during that time.  However, if your small group wants to continue meeting through the summer, here are some recommended studies you can do together. These books are readily available on Amazon or at Christian Book Distributors.

Unoffendable - Brant Hansen

Don't Waste Your Life - John Piper

Principle of the Path - Andy Stanley

One of us is Crazy - Tim and Joy Downs

Search for Significance - Robert McGee

 

GOD'S GIRLS WOMEN'S GROUP

Mondays at 7:00

The Bible tells us we are wonderfully made - but why do our emotions seem so complicated? That's what we'll be talking about as we resume meeting this Monday.  We will begin studying Patsy Clairmont's book, "I Second That Emotion." Join us as we learn what makes us tick, and how God

wants us to respond to the crazy emotions we all share. Signup sheets are in the lobby, or contact Mary Lebeau (316-6301/marylebeau@verizon.com) for information.

 

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!

 

UGANDA MISSION TRIP

July 2016

Hope Christian Fellowship is sending a team to Uganda to work alongside the Josh & Kelly Hallahan this July!  Dave Hallahan, Jim Jefferson, Anne Jefferson, Jess St.Petery and Patti Tomasetti will be raising funds over the next several months before heading to Uganda from July 8-22. The cost is about $3,200-4,000 per person. There will be several fundraisers coming your way over the next couple of months. In the meantime, the team would appreciate your prayers!  If you would like to and are able to donate to their trip you can do so by visiting their GoFundMe page. https://www.gofundme.com/83hyz9rg. If you have any questions see any of the team members!

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS

 

GO ZONE

Go Zone is our Sunday Morning kid's service, planned especially for 1^st - 5^th graders.  Our goal is to encourage the kids to live with their focus on "GOing for GOD, GOing for GROWTH, and GOing FOREVER!" This service includes worship, games, and exploring important biblical truths in fun and creative ways before heading off to Sunday school.

Follow HopeKids! Ministries on Facebook at:  facebook.com/HCFHopeKids

                                                                              ANNOUNCEMENTS 

 

BUILDING INFO

Please note:  Due to some repairs being made to our back entrance, the rear doors will be closed Thursday, March 31^st at 4:30 pm thru Sunday, April 3^rd at 7:30 am.  Please use the front doors for entry to the church.

 

HCF NEW DIRECTORY

April is picture month!  Look at your calendars and pick a Sunday that you'd like to be photographed for our new directory.  We'll be taking individual & family every Sunday throughout April.  Our goal is to have everyone included (you don't have to be a partner!) so that we can all place faces with names.  Contact Lois Hartwell @ foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com 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. 

 

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 4 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.

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!

 

PANTRY NEED

Our pantry is pretty bare – now's your chance to donate all kinds of non-perishable food! Our freezer could use a good stocking up as well. The only thing we don't need is vegetables.  Helping to stock our Food Pantry is an easy way for you to minister to those in need.  Contact Karen Blythe at kblythe99@gmail.com with questions.

                                             

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00                Leah Hallahan, Lauren Czyzewski   

Nursery 11:00               Melissa McGinness, Bethany Pineda

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            Rich & Patty Bunnell

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00          Lisa Fiorile, Charlotte Zediker

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

3^rd – 5^th   11:00            Kimmi Biglin, Lauren Serebra

Ushers 9:00                   Bob Baumiester

Ushers 11:00                Bill Berry

Counters                       Kathy Berry, Wendy Devereaux

Greeters                       Art Muhlbaier

                                     Lucy Muhlbaier

                                     Charlotte Zediker

                                     Jeanne Wurst

                              

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.

 

 

The Tomb is Empty,

Lois

 

 

 

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