Hope Notes 3/3/16

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

How do you feel when you pray for something and it seems like God just isn't 'listening?  Take heart, my friends, because I want to reassure you that God's silence is not evidence of His absence.  Did you get that?  His silence does not mean He is not listening, or is not with you!  That's a really important truth to hold on to. I know it can FEEL that way, but just keep repeating the above to yourself.  In Deuteronomy we are told God will never leave us or forsake us.  Scripture is also filled with verses regarding God hearing our prayers.  Here's just a couple:  'Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.' (Isaiah 65:24) and 'For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer' (1 Peter 3:12) There are many different reasons why God may not 'answer' our prayer just as we want……..but that's a whole other topic!  Let's just start by being comforted with the knowledge that our heavenly Father is always listening, always present, and always loving. 

 
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

3/6 – Making an Appeal (Esther 7)

Have you ever had to deal with a decision someone else made without your input?  Those moments can be filled with fear, frustration, and disappointment.  If it is someone in charge of you, you can feel helpless over your own life.  In Esther's story, the king has made a decision that will affect Esther and her entire nation.  She has decided to make an appeal to him about this decision, hoping that he will change his mind.  As we look at this story, we can learn about how to live in faith when we need to ask someone to reconsider their decision and to trust God with the outcome.

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

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 are taking a short hiatus from our usual Bible study during the month of March in order to have some special events. We'll have our Baptism Service on 3/9 and then have our Worship Night on 3/16.  You can read more about them in detail under the Announcements.  There is no activity on 3/23 as we prepare for our Good Friday service the 25^th.

 

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.

 

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

Small Groups are a fantastic way to connect on a more intimate level with the body of Hope. 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. 

 

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!

 

ASCENT 2016

March 18^th – 20^th

Our middle school and senior high are invited to join us for a retreat to High Point Camp in Geigertown, PA. Registration forms can be found outside of the youth room or by contacting Dave Hallahan. Please note that the form has indicated a price of $125. All students who have filled out a registration form and deposited $30 will only have to pay a total of $60! Get those forms in ASAP! See Dave with any questions.

 

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 

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 pictures before and after the 9:00 service.  Our goal is to have everyone included (you don't have to be a partner!) so that we can all place faces with names.  We are also looking for people to help take the pictures.  You don't need to be a professional – we just want to have nice pictures that will help us recognize each other!  We hope to have two photographers each Sunday to help move things along quickly.  Your help is greatly appreciated, even if you can only do one Sunday!  Contact Lois Hartwell @ foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com or simply hit 'reply' to the Hope Notes.

WORSHIP NIGHT

Wednesday, March 16^th @ 7:00

What could be better than a whole hour of our Worship Team blessing us with their ministry of music?!  Music speaks to the heart in a special way; it conveys God's majesty and love and tells of His grace and mercy.  If you are feeling weighed down by the world, just come and spend this evening with us.  I guarantee you will walk away with a lighter heart.  If you are feeling so blessed and grateful for all that God has done for you, come and sing your praises to Him.  Hearts can be touched and lives changed listening to these beautiful worship songs.

 

ROOMMATE WANTED

Looking for a reliable woman to share an apartment with in the Deptford area.  Reasonable rent.  Please call Linda at 609-828-6230.

 

PAINT NITE - UGANDA FUNDRAISER

Saturday, March 5^th @ 7:00 pm
I wanted to make all three of you aware of a fundraiser we are planning for the Uganda mission trip. March 5th we will have a Paint Nite with McArt Studios fundraiser at the church. It will be $35/person which includes admission to the event, a canvas, and painting materials. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Uganda mission team.

 

CALLING ALL POTENTIAL TEACHERS

If you are someone who has taught adults (especially in church settings), Pastor Mark would like to invite you to a brainstorming session for Hope.  We will be meeting on Wednesday night, March 23 at church at 7:00 pm and discussing ideas on how to maximize the teaching gifts we have in those God has brought to be a part of Hope.  Our elders will take the input and look for God's leading in any new or improved teaching forums for our church!  Any questions, see Pastor Mark.

Please Note:  There is a signup sheet in the lobby.  If you are interested in coming, please sign up right away so that Pastor Mark knows how many are coming.

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES – DUE THIS SUNDAY

We've got one more week to fill up those bottles! The babies whose lives were saved and helped by your generosity thank you! Bottles are due back by March 6^th.  You can return your bottle to Wendy Devereaux at the table in the back, or give it to any deacon or elder.

 

UPCOMING BAPTISM

Wednesday, March 9^th @ 7:00 pm

Be sure and join us for a meaningful evening as we watch our brothers and sisters in Christ be baptized.  Hear their powerful testimonies to what God has done and is doing in their lives.  This is a sacred night that we are privileged to share in.  It is always so encouraging to see people humble themselves, admit their need for cleansing, and become 'new creations' in Christ!

 

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!  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.

 

NEW DIRECTORY

We will soon begin putting together a new directory for Hope - God has grown our congregation and we need to keep up! We have many different areas to serve – taking pictures, organizing, helping with sign ups, inputting data, designing forms, etc. Anyone interested in helping with this endeavor, please contact Lois Hartwell at foolsforchrist7@yahoo.com or simply hit 'reply' to the Hope Notes. 

                                             

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00                 Faith DeWalt, Jeanne Wurst    

Nursery 11:00               Don & Alicia Heverly

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           Kathy Porch, Madison Toomin

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00         Kelly Louis, Lucy Muhlbaier

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

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

Ushers 9:00                  Rick Ayusa

Ushers 11:00                Dan Rozinski

Counters                      Matt Austen, Bill Berry

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.

 

 

Turning to Him,

Lois

 

 

 

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