Good afternoon Hopers,
Hello again from Emily, still filling in for my mom! Last night I went to sleep, expecting to wake up this morning and head to work – my usual Thursday routine. But instead I awoke to a frantic phone call from my husband, who needed my help for a medical emergency. In a single moment, my whole day had changed. Can you recall a time when you were doing your normal routine and suddenly your day was turned upside-down? Sometimes these moments are negative, but I couldn't help but also think of the times when my normal day changed into an incredible one… Like the day I got engaged, or when my husband had a surprise birthday party! I try and imagine the emotional experience Mary must have had the day she found out she would give birth to the Savior of the world. Her ordinary life changed in an instant! This Christmas, let's remember that in a single moment the world was changed! No matter how regular, normal, or even bad our lives might feel – God has the ability to change our circumstances in an instant. He can bring unspeakable peace, joy, hope and love into our lives, just like he did for Mary, and just like he did for the whole world!
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE
Christmas Series
12/25 - Your Christmas Gift (John 1:9-12)
This Christmas day we have the privilege of worshipping the Savior who was born to rescue us. All of the lights, gifts, and celebration are founded on the amazing gift that God gave to the world on Christmas morning. We're going to take an hour and read through the Biblical story of Christmas as well as singing some carols and hearing some music. Then, we'll open together the best Christmas gift – one that is offered to every single person – even you!
UPCOMING MESSAGE SERIES – "THE WORDS OF JESUS"
Join us each Sunday as we kick of 2017 by exploring the Gospel of Luke. Because we trust and follow Jesus, we're going to take a walk through this gospel and dig into the words of Jesus Himself. What did Jesus actually say about marriage, forgiveness, revenge, and so many other topics? With open hearts, we'll allow the Spirit to instruct us on how we should walk as Christians in this world.
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
DECEMBER CHALLENGE VERSE
John 1:14
"The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
UPCOMING WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY – "FIND REST"
7:00 – 8:15 pm
PLEASE NOTE: Bible Study will resume 1-11-17.
Are you constantly worn out and racing from one thing to the next? Maybe this has more to do with the condition of your soul than the overload of your schedule. Join us on Wednesday nights in January as we look at what brings rest to our hearts and souls. It may change your choices in scheduling stuff, but it will probably go much deeper than that and invite you to a completely different life!
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
YOUNG ADULTS NEW YEARS PARTY
January 2nd
Young Adults is taking the month of December off, but join us January 2nd to kick off the New Year in style! We'll be enjoying a night of games and snacks! See Dave Hallahan for more details.
ANNUAL CHURCH BOWLING EVENT
January 29th 3:00-5:00pm
Mark your calendar for our annual church outing at the Deptford Brunswick Zone! Cost is $5 per bowler and includes 2 hours of bowling & shoes. Bring the whole family! Be sure to reserve your spot by signing up in the front lobby at church.
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
1st & 3rd 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!
WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROW GROUPS
7:00 – 8:15
Please Note: Grow Groups are taking a break through the month of December and will resume January 11, 2017.
ASCENT RETREAT
January 6th – 8th
Last years' Ascent retreat was an awesome weekend for our youth group! Don't miss this years! All middle and high schoolers are welcome! The cost is $75 (payment assistance available). See Dave Hallahan for more details!
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWS
GO ZONE
Go Zone is our Sunday Morning kid's service, planned especially for 1st - 5th 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
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST
Just wanted to give an update on our dear sister, Kimmi Biglin, and ask you to continue to pray for her full recovery! Kimmi is currently recovering from her bout with severe pneumonia at a rehab center in Philly where they are working to wean her off of the ventilator. They are keeping her nourished through a tube in her nose and because of the trach she is unable to speak, but we are so thankful that she is alert and awake!
Information on visitation or sending cards is listed below. I know she deeply appreciates her Hope family's prayers!
Good Shepherd Penn Care Rehab
1800 Lombard Street
Philadelphia, PA 19146
Room #5054
Visiting hours are 9am - 9pm
(There is a parking garage within a block at: 1740 South Street)
MARRIAGE CONFERENCE – "WEEKEND TO REMEMBER"
February 17th – 19th
The annual opportunity to invest in your marriage is coming again! And between January 2nd and 23rd, Family Life is offering a 'buy one, get one' on registrations, taking the price from around $250/couple down to $175. Hotel reservations (at Hershey Lodge) are separate, and if you are planning to go, you should reserve your room there now (800-437-7439). Ask for the Family Life Weekend to Remember rate of $122 per night. If you have any questions, you can check their website (www.familylife.com/weekendtoremember) and use our church code to register (HopeWoodbury). Or you can see Pastor Mark.
'HOPE SHARE' LAUNCH
DON'T THROW IT OUT – SHARE IT!
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!
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 DAY SERVICES
December 25th
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!
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 NEEDS
Our pantry is pretty well stocked with food items, however there are some things that we don't have! We are looking for those personal hygiene items such as toilet paper, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, etc. These donations would be greatly appreciated by those families in need! Thank you.
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
No Child Care – Christmas Services (Family Friendly!)
Ushers 9:00 Bob Baumiester
Ushers 11:00 Joe Sambucci
Wed. Nursery None
Counters Bill & Kathy Berry
Greeters Jon Pinero
Mary LeBeau
Janice Simpson
Michelle Schmidt
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.
Expectant for His change,
Emily
Note: If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list. Any correspondence for Hope Notes goes to Hopenotes Email.
