Hope Notes 11/17/16

 

 

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Last week in one of my devotions I came across this verse:  "God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding." (Job 37:5-6)  I immediately fell in love with it and copied it into the draft of Hope Notes for this week.  I wasn't paying attention to the upcoming service for the week; I just wanted to copy it so I didn't forget it.  You can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was to see how perfectly it fit with this week's service.  Of course, God knew that all along! Our Praise Service is when we take turns giving testimony to the 'great things' God has done in our lives over the past year.  Not only are they great, but yes, they are often 'beyond our understanding'.  In fact, they usually ARE beyond what we can understand or imagine.  That's what makes Him so amazing.  I love how the verse says His voice thunders in 'marvelous ways'.  And yet, His voice is often the quietest of whispers.  Sometimes the great things He does in our lives are merely the softest breath across our souls that speaks calm to us in our anxiety and worry.  Sometimes the great things can be thunderous and awesome and larger than life.  Those things are usually easy to spot, to remember, and to boldly proclaim. The trick is not to miss the quieter moments and to recognize them for what they are – His holy and hushed version of those great and wondrous things 'beyond our understanding'.

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

11/20 – Praise Service

Psalm 20

Each year when Thanksgiving comes around, we take it as a moment to fully embrace the opportunity to give thanks to our wonderful Lord.  We set aside this Sunday each year to kick off the week and fill it with songs of praise.  We also give people a chance to share briefly in our service their word of thanks to the Lord.  So come ready to praise, and if you want to, to share your thanks.  God has been good to us this year (and every year); let's make it a point to express our hearts of gratitude!

 

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

 

NOVEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

7:00 – 8:15 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:  Bible Study is on hiatus for the rest of 2016 while we have choir rehearsals, children's rehearsals, and our business meeting on 12/7.  Bible Study will resume 1-11-17.

 

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

 

TURKEY BOWL III

Friday, November 25^th @ 9:30

Black Friday used to be for digesting turkey and shopping. Now it's for showing off your athleticism and gaining personal pride by destroying your competition! In order to better utilize your lateral quickness, or at least to take advantage of your lack of lateral quickness, we will be playing at Woodbury High School. We will split into two teams the morning of and enjoy some friendly(ish) competition.

Join us for the third annual Hope Christian Fellowship Turkey Bowl Championship! Men of all ages are welcome!  See Dave Hallahan for any questions.

 

SMALL GROUPS

We want everyone to be a part of a small group! If you have a small group together, use a REGISTRATION FORM to list the when and where of your group as well as the people who are included.  Give that form to an elder or the pastor, or drop it in the offering slot. If your group needs some more members, post your partially filled group registration form on our 'Small Group" bulletin board so others can sign up for your group. If you don't have a group, you can sign up on one of the groups posted on our Small Group Bulletin Board or start your own! Study sheets are available online at our website under 'Small Groups" (www.hopechristianfellowship. org) and in the Resource Room.

 

GOD'S GIRLS WOMEN'S GROUP

1^st & 3^rd Mondays at 7:00

Contact Mary Lebeau for more information

856-316-6301 or marylebeau@verizon.net

 

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.

 

                                                                           YOUTH NEWS

 

SUNDAY NIGHT ROOTED YOUTH GROUP

6:30 – 8:30

Our middle school and high school groups meet right here at church! Come out for another amazing year as we grow closer together and closer to God!

Please Note:  Youth Group will NOT be meeting on November 27^th

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROW GROUPS

7:00 – 8:15

Our middle school and high school groups meet here at church. We are doing a series called, 'Can I Really Ask That?' where we'll be looking at questions regarding doubt, hell, forgiveness, evil, sex, and more.

Please Note:  Grow Groups will NOT be meeting November 23^rd 

 

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

 

NEW PARKING FOR SUNDAYS

Beginning this coming Sunday (11/13), we are asking those who park on Warner to park on only ONE SIDE on Sunday mornings.  We will be putting out safety cones on our side of Warner in front of the church.  Parking on both sides causes a safety issue by creating such a narrow passageway for people as they leave the 9:00 service and others arrive for the 11:00 service.  Don't worry, there are almost always parking spaces available in the rear lot, even after the service begins, so you can just drive around back!

 

IMMEDIATE CLOTHING NEED

It has come to our attention that there is a 19 year old Nigerian girl who is in immediate need of some winter clothing, specifically a winter coat.  She is a size small, pants size zero, and shoe size nine.  Anything donated can be given directly to Jess St.Petery.  You many also contact Jess with any questions at j.st.petery@gmail.com.

 

'HOPE SHARE' LAUNCH

There's a new feature on our website!  It's called Hope Share.  Simply put, it's a place to share things we no longer use and look for things we need.  In a culture that feels like we're always trying to 'catch up' financially, Hope Share will allow us to be wise in both asking if someone has what we need and is ready to give it away - and also to share the stuff we're ready to get rid of without having to throw it away. It's a place where we can maximize our ability to help one another and also to avoid wasting things that others could use.  Go on and check it out to see how you can upload photos of things you'd like to give away and to search for that special item you just might need!

 

ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING

Wednesday, December 7^th @ 7:00 pm

We will be voting on our 2017 budget which is posted on the bulletin board by the Sound Booth, and reviewing this past year's story.  It won't be a long meeting (30 minutes or less).  All are welcome to attend but we especially need our partners there to conduct business and to be ready for the upcoming year.

 

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 coming in January. 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.

 

*******CHRISTMAS ANNOUNCEMENTS*******

 

CHRISTMAS AT HOPE

Here's what the Christmas season looks like at Hope!

 

CHRISTMAS DECORATING ELVES NEEDED

Saturday, November 26^th

Want to get in the holiday spirit?  Come and help us decorate Hope for Christmas! You know we all love how festive our auditorium looks once the elves have worked their magic – now we just need some elves!  Meet us at 10:00 and stay for however long you can.  We're usually done in a couple hours.  Contact Barb Frazeur (dwfrazfam@verizon.net) or Deb Caranci (debcaranci@gmail.com) if you have any questions.  Thank you!

 

CHRISTMAS CANTATA

December 11th

Our cantata this year is entitled 'Almost There'.  Invite your friends and family to come and hear what our choir has put together for us.  It's sure to get you in the Christmas spirit!

 

HOPEKIDS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

December 18^th

'All About that Baby' is the program our elementary children will be presenting to us this year.  Nothing says Christmas more than a bunch of sweet kids singing about Jesus and His birth!  This is a great Sunday to invite lots of friends and family members out to Hope.  Who could resist an invitation for something as endearing as this?!

 

CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICES

December 25^th

We will have services at our usual times – 9:00 and 11:00.  Each service will only be an hour long.  We'll have lots of special music, sing some Christmas carols (of course!), and have readings from Scripture that remind us what this day is really all about.  These services are designed for the whole family to be together; no nursery or separate kids' programs.  Come and celebrate the birth of our Savior with us!

 

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD – SHOEBOXES

DEADLINE TO RETURN TO CHURCH THIS SUNDAY

Thanks to all who took home our 200 shoeboxes! By now you should all have your shoeboxes filled with gifts and ready to go.  Please remember that the $7 goes inside the box unless you paid online.

www.smaritanspurse.org/operation-chirstmas-child/follow-your-box

 

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!

 

HOPEKIDS NEED YOUR HELP

If you have a heart to serve the 3-5 year olds, we are in need of a teacher for Wednesday nights.

We are also looking for volunteers to help with the 1st-5th graders, for HopeKids Hangout! We are looking forward to having a fantastic HopeKids fall semester! Come out and volunteer, so we can invest in our children's ministry and plant the seeds of Jesus' love in each child's heart! 

Please contact Matt Russell for information at matthewrussell@hopechristianfellowship.org.

         

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Amy Fleck, Gail Birney, Ryan Winstel

Nursery 11:00      Mark & Brenda Hallahan

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    Lauren DellaRova, Prisca Ogunkanmi
1^st & 2^nd – 9:00     Christmas Program Practice

1^st & 2^nd – 11:00   Christmas Program Practice

3rd - 5^th   9:00      Christmas Program Practice

3^rd – 5^th   11:00     Christmas Program Practice

Ushers 9:00          Bob Kerr

Ushers 11:00        Joe Sambucci

Wed. Nursery       None

Counters              Michael & Lois Hartwell

Greeters               Rick Ayusa

                             Patty Bunnell

                             Paul Rochet

                             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.

 

 

Listening for His Whispers,

Lois

 

 

 

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