Hope Notes 2/2/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Anybody out there ever watch 'Kids Baking Championship' on the Food Network?  I love that show and, without fail, cry at every single episode.  I'm not just talking about the end where one of the sweet little bakers gets sent home; the waterworks go on at various times throughout the show.  I know you're all wondering 'why on earth?!' – so let me explain.  It's because the children themselves are so authentic and unsullied.  They behave so differently than adults during the competition.  They encourage each other, they offer to help each other, they rejoice in other's victories and cry (literally) when someone else has a failure.  There is no backstabbing, no cut throat behavior, no strategies or mind games.  They are simply doing their best to try and win yet without doing anything to drag their competitors down.  When the judges review their work and ask questions, the honest answers that come from the children's mouths are so refreshing to hear.  They speak the truth and say exactly what they're thinking. OH if adults could behave like this!

I think this is exactly what Jesus was talking about when he said in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  A slightly scarier version of that is found in Matthew 18:3. Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."  Did you catch that?  Pretty strong warning. 

We would all do well to take some lessons from the children around us.  They can be examples of sincerity, honesty, humility, purity, trust, forgiveness, and faith.  Children usually have no problem putting their trust and faith in Jesus.  They have receptive spirits. They are not bogged down with the pride that often keeps adults from coming to the Lord. The world has not yet given them any reason or excuse to harden their hearts.

So, if you'd like a little refresher course on the kind of behavior that Jesus desires in us, take a look at 'Kids Baking Championship'. You may not cry like I do (what's wrong with me?!), but you will see a slice of humanity that's all too rarely observed.

         

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE

February 5^th – Teen Service

As a church, we want to share Jesus.  Sometimes we think of that as sharing Him with people "out there." But our greatest privilege is to share Him with the next generation of Hopers!  Today, we get to have our teens take over our service and to receive ministry from them.  It reminds us of what is at stake in our efforts to reach our own kids.  And it encourages us to think about how we're influencing them.  So let's make sure we take full advantage of this chance to support what God is doing in our youth group!

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

John 1:35-38; Mark 10:46-52

We are one month into the New Year. How many of you have broken your New Year's Resolution? Yeah, me too. Why is it that the thing we thought we wanted to pursue just one month ago, seems so unappealing now? There often appears to be a disconnect between the things we think we want and the things we end up pursuing. Jesus asks us today the same question he asked many of his would-be-followers, "What do you want?" It seems like a simple question, but do we even know what we want? If take a step back and look at the patterns of our life, we may learn that the answer to that question is more difficult than we first thought.

 

MESSAGES AVAILABLE 

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 in the Youth Room 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

 

FEBRUARY CHALLENGE VERSE

Acts 2:42

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer"

 

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 and February 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

 

COMING WEDNESDAY NIGHTS IN MARCH

BAPTISM SERVICE

March 8^th

WORSHIP NIGHT

March 15^th

MOVIE NIGHT

March 22^nd

Risen for the adults and Trolls for the kids!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW AND WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION!

 

SPRING CAFÉ

Wednesday, March 1^st @ 7:00

Café Night is an evening when we get to showcase our talent here at Hope, have dessert and snacks and visit with one another.  So much fun!  Sign up if you can attend and bring a dessert or salty snack, your choice.  We'll provide soft drinks.  Do you have a talent you are willing to share?  Not sure?  Contact Melissa McGinness, our 'talent coordinator', at melissamcginness007@comcast.net.

 

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

Grow Groups is an opportunity for our middle and high school students to dig deeper into Gods word and the issues that are relevant to their lives. 

Currently going through Not A Fan by Kyle Idleman. 

 

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

 

HopeKids! CHILDREN'S CONFERENCE

Saturday, March 4th

God is growing HopeKids ministry by leaps and bounds! We are working on ways to make things easier for parents, kids, and teachers by introducing a new registration/check-in system and group management software (including scheduling and contact lists)!  We will holding a conference for all of our children's ministry volunteers to go over these new and exciting changes on March 4th from 9:00 – 12:00. Let's take some time to fellowship and talk about what God is doing in this ministry!  Don't miss this important training session and reflection time as we follow God's lead into an exciting new year!

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CHOICES OF THE HEART BABY BOTTLES

Kick-Off week for Hope's Annual Choices of the Heart Baby Bottle Fundraiser.  Pick up as many bottles as you, your family and friends can fill in one month. All donations will go to help women and men who are facing an unplanned pregnancy. Choices of The Heart is a Christian non-profit in Turnersville who provide free ultrasound testing, counseling, cribs, car seats, and layettes, abstinence programs, and community awareness information. Bottles are due back to Hope by February 26t^h.  See Wendy Devereaux with questions

 

BAPTISM SERVICE

Wednesday, March 8^th @ 7:00pm

We will be doing a baptism service at church for anyone who has put their trust in Christ as their Savior and is ready to take this step of faith!  We will have two classes at church (participants need to be at BOTH classes) on Tuesday nights, February 21 and 28, at 7:00 pm.  Sign up if you are interested and get an info sheet and book from any of our pastors.

 

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.

 

'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.  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!

 

THANK YOU

Do you notice the difference in this section?  We had so many people sign up to serve on various ministries during our Job Fair that, although there are always 'opportunities' to serve, there are not any pressing needs right now!  This just shows the faithfulness of our people in listening to and following God's call on their hearts to connect with a ministry at Hope.  For all those who signed up – a huge thank you and a promise that you will never regret becoming part of a working ministry!

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Don & Alicia Heverly

Nursery 11:00      Mark & Brenda Hallahan

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

Toddler 11:00      Tara, Shelley Udinski, Crystal Verhoorn

Pre-K/K 9:00       Bill & Griffin McGinness

Pre-K /K 11:00    Lauren DellaRova, Prisca Ogunkanmi

1^st & 2^nd 9:00        Nina & Joe Mattera

1^st & 2^nd 11:00      Kelly Louis, Debbie Davis

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

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

Ushers 9:00          Bob Kerr

Ushers 11:00        Tom Albright

Wed. Nursery       TBA

Counters              LaTosha Briggs, Barb Frazeur

Greeters               Ken Blythe

                             Dolores Baade

                             Ellen Boales

                             Karl Miller

 

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 Hap Cunningham at hapcunn01@gmail.com.

 

 

Desiring a Childlike Faith,

Lois

 

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