Hope Notes 8/18/16

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

The other day I was doing some wash and got ready to go in the basement to throw the clothes in the dryer.  I stood at the top of the stairs and listened to see if the machine was done running.  In the silence, I trotted down the steps and turned on the light once I got to the bottom.  It's a fluorescent light which takes a while to come on so rather than wait, I simply went to the washer, opened the lid, and plunged my arm in to start switching clothes to the dryer. (Mind you, it's dark in the basement.)  You can imagine my surprise when I suddenly found myself elbow deep in cold water!  I recoiled in horror and let out a yelp. The washing machine immediately started churning and gurgling.  This led to another yelp (okay, it was a shriek; don't judge me)!  Apparently I caught it at just the right/wrong time in between wash and rinse.

          What's the lesson here? Don't go down into a dark basement and thrust your arm into a washing machine without looking first!  No seriously, I think for me the lesson is that I need to be prepared.  Be mindful.  In our everyday lives we need to be prepared for anything.  We never know what's around the next corner.  Even bigger than that, we do not know when Jesus will return.  All we know for certain is that He will.  Scripture tells us this. ("At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory." Mt 13:26) We need to be prepared for his return. 

Jesus taught that our view of the future ought to be uppermost in our thinking about how we should live today. As followers of Jesus Christ, we should think often about the fact that He is coming soon and that every person must stand before Him to give an account. Therefore, we need to be sure that we live as good stewards of the time, money, and abilities God has given us. I don't want to be standing in front of our Lord unable to give a proper account of how I used what He gave me.  Like deciding I will no longer run helter skelter into a dark basement and plunge my arm carelessly into a washing machine, I must decide daily to live in preparedness, making wise choices, and keeping Jesus' imminent return at the forefront of my mind.

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

8/21 – The Power of Words (Proverbs 17)

In any superhero movie, there are almost always characters that have some supernatural or highly developed powers.  Some are good guys while others choose a life of crime.  In some ways, this is really a very simple morality playing out.  What will someone do with the power they have – good or evil?  Do you realize that you too have power?  Our words can have an unbelievable effect on those who hear them.  Perhaps you have been on the receiving end of destructive words – whether it was someone lying about you to others or telling you hurtful things in person.  Or it could be that you've received encouraging words at a time when you most needed them.  The question is what will you do with the power of your words?

 

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 in Pastor Mark's Office
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

 

AUGUST CHALLENGE VERSE

Genesis 50:20

"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

 

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS

Once again we are offering our Workshops during the month of September.  Signup sheets are in the lobby. Our HopeKids Program begins again in October; for the month of September there will be no childcare. A brief description of each workshop is listed below.

Excellence, Run with the Horses (by Eugene Peterson)

Led by Chick Dougherty

Life is difficult.  Daily we must choose whether to live cautiously or courageously.  God calls us to live at our best, to pursue righteousness, to sustain a drive toward excellence.  This guide helps us discover our destiny -- and shows us [through the life of Jeremiah] the resources God has given us to fulfill it.

More Than Just 'The Talk'

Becoming Your Kids' Go-To Person About Sex

Led by Dave Hallahan

The old ways of having 'the talk' just won't cut it anymore. Sadly, the number one place today's young people go to for answers about sex is Google. Meanwhile, kids view nearly 14,000 sexual references a year on television, and 70 percent of teenagers have encountered pornography online. If we want our children to know the truth about healthy sexuality, we need to create a comfortable climate of continual conversations.

How to Be Rich (by Andy Stanley)

Led by Damon Briggs

You probably don't feel rich. Rich is the other guy. Rich is having more than you currently have. But you can be rich and not feel it. And that's the problem. Andy Stanley is convinced that most of us are richer than we think. We just aren't very good at it. It's one thing to BE rich, but it is another thing to be GOOD at it!

I'm New to Hope

Led by Steve Jones

Have you recently started attending Hope?  We'd love the opportunity to introduce our church to you and fill you in on what God has been doing over the past 12 years.  We'll take your questions and get you up to speed on all the important info like core values and what we believe.  And we'll get to know one another as well.  If God is going to take us forward together as a family, it makes sense that we spend some time in conversations like this.  Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover what you should know about our church family. 

High Anxiety

Led by Pastor Mark

Does panic stalk you every day?  Are you under siege by anxiety?  Does life seem overwhelming with danger and expectation?  We'll take a look at what the Bible ha to say on this topic and discover some very practical help for facing this battle.     Some of these steps may surprise you, and others you many already know, but let's spend a few weeks really digging God's prescription for anxiety.

 

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.

Please Note:  We are taking a break from our regular Bible Study during the month of August.

 

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

 

MEN'S BOWLING LEAGUE

Hope's first church bowling league!  Begins in September on Monday nights.  Open to men ages 16 and up.  Signup sheet is on the table in the lobby.  See Bruce Clark for more info.

 

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

 

ROOTED ON THE BOARDWALK – THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, August 21st

It's been a long summer with no youth group! But we're gonna get together for a night on the OC Boardwalk! If you're interested, meet at the Hallahan's at 3:45 on Aug 21st. You can be picked back up at the Hallahan's at 10:30. Bring money for dinner and any rides or games you may want!

 

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

We are taking a break over the summer but will resume again in September.  See you then!

 

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 

 

UGANDA TRIP FOLLOW UP

If you are feeling led to support Josh and Kelly Hallahan or UDM and wanted to follow up with Dave Hallahan on how to best do that, there will be a short meeting in Pastor Mark's office in between services on Aug 21st. 

 

PRISON MINISTRY SUPPORT

Once again, we have two of our very own (Jim Jefferson & Bill McGinness) participating in this unique prison ministry that reaches inmates with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through athletics. Statistics show that the vast majority of prisoners will not attend a traditional religious program such as a chapel service or Bible study. However, inmates will gladly attend sporting events at which a gospel message is shared.

The commitment to serve in this ministry requires many sacrifices on their part, not just the personal time spent away from their families, but a financial sacrifice as well.  We can help them through prayer and through giving donations as we feel the Lord's leading.  If you would like to contribute, please see Bill or Jim and they will give you the details on how best to give.

 

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 TO SUPPORT HOPE

It's easy and convenient!  Simply go to our website at www.hopechristianfellowship.org  and click Online Giving.  Text to Give is coming soon!  More information will follow.  Contact Damon (damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com) or LaTosha (usafinancial2000@hotmail.com) Briggs with 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!

 

FIRST RESPONDERS SECURITY TEAM

We are in the beginning stages of establishing a Security Team here at Hope in the (unlikely) event of an emergency situation taking place during the service.  We want to be proactive and have people and a system set in place so that we are prepared to handle whatever circumstance may arise.  If you are a 'First Responder' (police, security, EMT, doctor, nurse, etc.) and are interested in being a part of this team, please sign up on the sheet in the lobby.  You may also contact Mike Hartwell @ mhredeemed@gmail.com for more information.  Informational meeting coming in September.

 

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.

                                             

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Paige Thomson, Lesley Russell

Nursery 11:00      Melissa McGinness, Bethany Pineda

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

Toddlers 11:00     Jeanne Wurst, Shelley Udinski, Leah Riddell
Pre K – K 9:00      Bill & Griffin McGinness

Pre K – K 11:00    Kim Lawlor, Prisca Ogunkanmi
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      TBA

3^rd – 5^th   11:00     TBA

Ushers 9:00          Mike Hartwell

Ushers 11:00        Joe Sambucci

Wed. Nursery       N/A

Counters              Mike & Lois Hartwell

Greeters               Ken Blythe

                             Dolores, Baade

                             Irene Riddell

                             Lorraine Koch

                                    

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.

 

 

Maranatha,

Lois

 

 

 

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