Hope Notes 1/19/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I know that I have annoyed/offended/stunned people when I tell them that God is not so much concerned about our happiness as He is about our holiness.  We often make the mistake of thinking that God's ultimate goal for us is to be happy.  But if we take a look at 1Peter 1:15-16, we hear a different truth. "As He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy'".  What's that??!!  God's command is not "Be happy," but "Be holy." True joy comes from a holy, God-honoring life.  The process of holiness is not always pleasant.  God allows certain trials and situations that stretch our faith and make us lean heavily on Him.  We search the scriptures for His words of wisdom and encouragement to see us through.  We pray.  We beg, we plead for the trial to end.  Sometimes they do; sometimes they continue.  But God knows that they are taking us further down His path towards holiness. This is the place where we learn to have peace and joy despite our circumstances.  Our God is a gracious and loving Father; of course He also desires for us to experience happiness.  "Every good and perfect gift is from above…" James 1:17 We experience His blessings every day!  But we need to remember that there is no true happiness apart from holiness and no holiness apart from Christ.  So, although to some it may sound harsh to say that God cares more about our holiness than our happiness, as we grow in our walk with Christ we will begin to value and desire the eternal aspect of holiness more than the temporal feelings of happiness.

 

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

THE WORDS OF JESUS SERIES

(A Study from Luke)

Because we trust and follow Jesus, we thought it would be a great idea to take a walk through the gospel of Luke and dig into the words of Jesus Himself.  We'll find them challenging and full of insight.  And with open hearts, we'll allow the Spirit to instruct us on how we should walk as Christians in this world.

January 22^nd - Sharing Jesus

Our mission for 2017 is to share Jesus.  We are asking God to teach us how to share Him with those who are lost and those who have lost their way.  Today we have the privilege of hearing from someone that God has called to share Jesus for their living!  Josh Hallahan is our missionary to Uganda (as well as the brother of our youth pastor!) and he will give us an update on what God is doing there, and help us think about how we can become more effective witnesses for Jesus.  Then we'll take a look at the ways we're going to try to share Jesus by helping people in need – and you'll have a chance to sign up for any and all opportunities at the end of the service.  This is a great launching point for our mission this year, so make sure you are ready to be challenged and to respond to God's calling!

Please Note:  We will be taking a Love Offering for Josh and his family after the service.  Please prayerfully consider what God would lead you to give in support of this ministry.

 

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!  "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

JANUARY CHALLENGE VERSE

Matthew 28:19-20

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY – 'FIND REST'

7:00 – 8:15 pm

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!  Childcare is provided.

 

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

 

ANNUA CHURCH BOWLING EVENT

January 29^th 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. Please help us out by signing up before 1/25 so that we can reserve lanes, but if you can't………we want you to come so don't let that stop you!   

Please Note: We want everyone to come – if you can't afford it, we've got you covered!  Talk to Pastor Mark beforehand or just let those collecting at the door know.  Pay what you can, if you can, and come have a fun day with us!!

 

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!

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROW GROUPS

7:00 – 8:15

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

SEEDS OF HOPE DONATION BINS

Seeds of Hope Ministry is the umbrella organization for four ministries that have operated in Camden for many years.  Under 'My Father's Hands', they provide a hot breakfast every Saturday to those on the streets in Camden (anywhere between 150-300 people). They not only provide transportation to the breakfast but when men and women arrive they are given clothing, toiletries, blankets, etc. 

We here at Hope would like to help and are going to be collecting blankets, jackets and gloves for men.  We will have bins at each entrance for you to drop your items in.  The collection will run from Sunday, January 15^th thru Sunday, January 29^th.  Winter is brutal for those on the streets – let's do all we can to help them keep warm!    seedsofhopeministries.org  

 

LEADERSHIP MORNING – THIS SATURDAY

Saturday, January 21^st

Pastor Mark is asking anyone who is leading at Hope in any capacity to join us from 9:00 to Noon so that he can talk through our approach to leadership.  He will be sharing tips and ideas, as well as some foundational truths about leadership.  There will be light fare provided so that we can enjoy breakfast together.

 

EVENTS TEAM MEETING

Monday, January 30^th at 7:00  

If you are a member of the Events Team or would like to be, then come join our meeting!  We will be discussing the events that will be taking place at Hope over the next couple of months.  Please bring your calendars so you'll know when you are available to help.  Should be fun to visit and plan together!  If you have any questions, please contact Bunny Dougherty at 856-845-8149, or bunny.dougherty@gmail.com.

 

HOPE HAS A PHONE NUMBER!        

Many of you have been asking about this, and now we are happy to announce that we have a phone number connected directly with our church!  It will be displayed on our website, Google Maps, etc. and will make it easier for people to connect with us.  Our number is 856-537-1165.  Run and write it down in your directory, add it to your phone, and spread the news!

 

NEW INFO ON KIMMI BIGLIN

Kim has moved to Magee Rehab and is doing well.  She thanks you for all the birthday wishes and prayers. Please continue praying for her recovery. God is working. 

Magee Rehab

1513 Race St.

Philadelphia PA  19102

Room #546

Visiting hours are 8:30am to 8:30 pm.

 

MARRIAGE CONFERENCE – "WEEKEND TO REMEMBER"

February 17^th – 19^th

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.

 

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!

 

CARD MINISTRY

Super easy way to serve and show the love of Jesus to our fellow congregation!  We have a team that sends out greeting cards (we provide the cards & postage) for birthdays, etc. Contact Lorraine Otis (otislorraine20@gmail.com) if you are interested.

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEEDS

We have some big time needs for January and February in our children's programs.

          SUNDAY MORNINGS:       Teachers and helpers for 1^st – 2^nd grade Sunday School.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS:  Helpers for Nursery, a helper for 3 - 5 year olds, and

                                                volunteers to help with Theme Nights for our 1^st – 5^th

                                                graders.

If you can help with any of this, please see Matt Russell.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Amy Fleck, Lynn Shute, Ryan Winstel

Nursery 11:00      Lorraine Koch, Bethany Pineda

Toddler 9:00        Kim Haines, Leah Aureli, Katherine DellaRova

Toddler 11:00      Jason & Kristy Straub, Natalie Mariani

Pre-K/K 9:00       Linda Landis, Libby LeBeau

Pre-K /K 11:00    Karen & Amanda Merriell

1^st & 2^nd 9:00        Lisa Fiorile, Charlotte Zediker

1^st & 2^nd 11:00      Katie Newshel

3^rd – 5^th 9:00         Mary LeBeau / Need Helper

3^rd – 5^th 11:00       Nance Reeves, Adisa Lewis   

Ushers 9:00          Bruce Clark

Ushers 11:00        Dan Rozinski

Wed. Nursery       TBA

Counters              TBA

Greeters               Greg Corrado

                             Sharon Sambucci

                             Jane Hanuszczyk

                             Pat Keith

 

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 Pursuit of Holiness,

Lois

 

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