Hope Notes 3/31/16

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

My grandmother was a silversmith – she made beautiful jewelry out of silver.  Did you know that silver in its raw form is not the smooth and shiny metal we see in finished pieces of jewelry? It has many impurities that need to be removed.  Seeing silver before and after the refining process makes the following verse really come to life.  "For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver." (Psalm 66:10)  Silver is refined by going through intense heat, which causes it to melt.  The impurities rise to the top and the silversmith scrapes them away; over and over until the silver is pure.  You know where I'm going with this!  God is our silversmith, our Refiner.  He allows us to go through intense heat (trials) in order to strengthen our faith and build our character.  In times of trials, we should draw closer to Him and lean on His strength and wisdom.  This process makes us 'clean and shiny'. Only when we are clean and shiny can we reflect our Refiner's image!  Isn't that cool?!  All of us are either going through a trial now, have just come out of a trial, or have a trial headed our way. Let us remember that our trials have a purpose bigger than what we can see.  They are allowed by our Father's loving hand to refine us, not define us!

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

The Proverbs Path – Exploring the Everyday Wisdom of Proverbs

4/3 – Who Do You Listen To? (Proverbs 1)

Have you ever been at a party where everyone is talking at once and it is hard to hear the person you're talking to?  Some people say it's hard to even think when it is that noisy.  Lots of noise and talking can actually become a barrier to communication.  The answer is to go to a place with less noise so that you can tune into the person you're actually having a conversation with.  In life, there are many 'voices' talking to us every day.  An abundance of commentators, reporters, and other TV personalities give us advice.  Then we have family and friends who are ready and eager to weigh in on our choices.  As we start looking at practical advice from the book of Proverbs, we'll see that it is wise to choose carefully who will have your attention and who will be able to influence you.

 

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

 

APRIL CHALLENGE VERSE

Acts 1:8

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

                                                                                   

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. 

 

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 goes 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 after both services 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.  Directory Information Forms have been emailed to our entire Hope Notes list so you can simply fill them out and send back to me, or you can bring it to church and drop it in the Offering Box. There are also forms on a clipboard in the lobby, or you can fill one in when you register for your picture.  Contact Lois Hartwell @ foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com with any questions.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Kids Alley has two positions available for this summer:

Summer Camp Director will work from June 13^th thru August 4^th.  This person needs a minimum of 1-2 years of college, must be energetic, fun loving, organized, a good communicator, have a love for sharing Christ and provide a fun and safe environment for children and youth.  Salary: $13.00- $15.00 an hour

Summer Camp Staff will work from June 27^th thru July 29^th.  Must be 18 years or older. Some children and youth ministry experience helpful.   Possible flex scheduling.  Camp is held in Haddon Heights and various other churches. Camp includes Vacation bible school element and field trips.

Pay rate is $10.00 an hour.

Background check required for both positions.  All candidates should send a resume and/or letter of interest to brendah@kidsalley.org or call 856-546-1098.

  

BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN UPDATE

So far this year, the Choices of the Heart Baby Bottle Campaign has brought in over $45,000.  In 2015, our church raised $2311.6.  As of March 29, 2016 we raised $1579.18.  We gave out 125 bottles.  There are still 56 bottles 'missing'.  If you forgot to bring yours in, go ahead and bring it to church!  You can leave it on the table in the back, or hand it to Wendy Devereaux.  We will make sure it gets to Choices.

 

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               Amy & Brooke Mariner, Katherine DellaRova

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 & Patty Bunnell

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

3rd - 5^th   9:00             Mary LeBeau, Nance Reeves

3^rd – 5^th   11:00           Anne & Jim Jefferson

Ushers 9:00                 Bob Kerr

Ushers 11:00               Joe Sambucci

Counters                      Kathy Berry, Wendy Devereaux

Greeters                       Paul & Donna Hoffman

                                     Lisa Minner

                                     Patti Tomasetti

                                    

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.

 

 

Being Refined by Him,

Lois

 

 

 

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