Hope Notes 5/12/16

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

After a mind boggling conversation with my daughter regarding gravity and space and all kinds of scientific facts about our planets, I came across this verse: "He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing." (Job 26:7)  Geography and science aside, doesn't that verse blow your mind?!  I'm not a very scientifically minded soul; I never really thought all that much about exactly HOW the earth stays in place and why we don't fall off it!  I just figured God was holding it all together.  I never imagined there would be a verse to corroborate my we all know 'God created the heavens and the earth', but there's something different about the reality that earth is just dangling there in space, kept in place by God's mighty hand.  (Yeah, yeah I know…….gravity and all that!) Truthfully, I never think to go much further than Genesis for a biblical description of creation.  But take a look at the following two verses: "It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above. When I call out the stars, they all appear in order." (Isaiah 48:13) and "The north and the south, you have created them…."  (Psalm 89:12)  Once you start reading about creation, the Bible will lead you to verse after verse.  This gives a (non-scientific) girl like me great joy. I don't need to know all the facts and figures that create the universe we live in; I just need to know the Creator!

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

The Proverbs Path – Exploring the Everyday Wisdom of Proverbs

5/15 – Seven Things God Hates (Proverbs 6)

You've probably heard that "God is love". That comes from a letter the apostle John wrote that wound up in the New Testament.  That saying can give the impression of a God who is always gentle and soft.  But did you know that there are things God hates?  If God is Almighty King and judge, wouldn't it be important to know what these things are?  As we continue traveling through the book of Proverbs, let's look at a list of behaviors that God hates.  Maybe you are being tricked in tot thinking that these things are no big deal.

 

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

 

MAY CHALLENGE VERSE

Ephesians 4:15

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."

                                                                                   

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

7:00 pm

Join us as we dig into 1Corinthians and gain a deeper understanding of God's Word and its application to our daily lives.  Childcare is available.

 

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

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. We will resume our regular study sheets in September.

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 would like 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!

 

UPCOMING YOUTH GROUP SCHEDULE

May 15th - Youth Group (6:30-8:30)

May 22nd - Youth Group (6:30-8:30)

May 29th - No Youth Group

May 30th - Lunch @ Chick-Fil-A in Mantua (details coming

 

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 

CHURCH BUSINESS MEETING

Sunday, May 22^nd

We will be having a meeting for all partners on Sunday May 22 at 10:30 am (between the morning services) to vote on a change to the budget. This is a huge victory for us as a church. We are celebrating together as a church family the chance to take the step of allowing us to have our youth pastor and kid's pastor full-time!  Thank you to each one who continues to faithfully sacrifice and give so that the work of God's kingdom can move forward full force here at Hope.

 

The vote will be a yes or no vote on raising our current weekly giving target to $7375.  Currently weekly giving is almost $200 more than this new target, and our church history tells us it will be higher by the end of the year. More info can be found on the "Business Meeting Information" sheets in the resource room.  You are also invited to see any of the elders with questions. All are welcome at the meeting even though only partners can vote.

 

ENVELOPES FOR DESIGNATED GIVING

If God has laid it on your heart to give a little something extra for His kingdom, we have provided envelopes for you to do so!  These are not for your usual Sunday offering; they are for you to use if you'd like to give to a special project or ministry.  The envelopes are in a wall mounted bin next to our regular offering slot.

 

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.

 

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!

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEEDS

Our elementary age Sunday School classes are looking for both teachers and helpers to serve. Please contact Matt Russell for more information.

 

FAMILY PROMISE MINISTRIES MEETING

Sunday, June 5^th

We are gathering a team to serve in Family Promise Ministries, which helps homeless families in Gloucester County get back on their feet.  We would be working in conjunction with other churches to help these families by providing meals, shelter, and transportation.  If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please sign up on the signup sheet in the lobby.  Pastor Mark is holding a brief informational meeting on Sunday, June 5^th at 10:30 in the 3^rd-5^th grade classroom.  The purpose of this meeting is to give everyone an idea of what is involved in this ministry and set up a time to talk further for those who are ready to serve.

                                             

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Faith DeWalt, Jeanne Wurst

Nursery 11:00      Amy Fleck, Gail Birney      

Toddlers 9:00       Elizabeth Staley, Yesenia Marquez, Julia Schmidt

Toddlers 11:00     Jason & Kristy Straub, Leah Aureli
Pre K – K 9:00      Pat & Elisabeth DellaRova

Pre K – K 11:00    Jennifer, Samantha, & Ryan Edwards
1^st & 2^nd – 9:00     Kathy Porch, DJ Briggs

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

3rd - 5^th   9:00      Faith DeWalt, Mary Kearney

3^rd – 5^th   11:00     Michelle Schmidt, Christy Tomasello

Ushers 9:00          Bob Kerr

Ushers 11:00        Damon Briggs

Wed. Nursery       Jeanne Wurst, Julia Schmidt       

Counters              TBD

Greeters               Rick Ayusa

                             Patty Bunnell

                             Paul Rochat

                             Helen Mastalski

                                    

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.

 

 

In Awe of our Creator,

Lois

 

 

 

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