Hope Notes 3/30/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Now that we've had some warmer weather, I've noticed all my little birdie friends returning.  I hear their chirps and cheeps coming through open windows, or as I walk through the yard.  One call in particular takes me straight back to my childhood, which is not necessarily a journey I care to take. I don't know why that particular bird is so strongly associated with my childhood; I heard many bird sounds in my yard.  But its mournful cry reflected my feelings as I listened.  Perhaps you've heard the distinctive 'cooooOOOOO-woo-woo-woo', which sounds almost like an owl.  It comes from the male mourning dove, and there is nothing sad about it other than its sound.  It is simply his – wait for it – wooing call to a female.  Now, for my entire life I thought this bird was called a morning dove, and wondered why I was hearing it in the evening!  I finally looked it up and, sure enough, I had the words confused. Somehow knowing it was a 'mourning' dove made the connection to my past more understandable.

But you know what you can count on with any kind of mourning?  God promises to turn our mourning into joy and we all know that He always keeps His promises!   "For I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them and give them joy for their sorrow". (Jeremiah 31:13) I can testify that He definitely turned MY mourning into joy when I received Him as Lord and Savior. He gave me a new heart, a new beginning, a new family-in-Christ, a peace that passes understanding, and the promise of an eternal place in heaven with Him. 

There are many Scripture verses attesting to the fact that God does indeed turn our mourning into joy.  There are no wasted tears or sorrow; certainly none that He can't redeem. My little girl heart may not have known the Lord and may have identified with that woeful cry of the dove, but my big girl heart DOES know Him and can smile knowing that Mr. Mourning Dove is putting out his invitation to the lady birds to come a-courting!

 

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.

April 2 - The Surprising Kingdom (Luke 13:18-28)

Who doesn't like a surprise?  Maybe that's an unfair question.  Surprises come in all shapes and sizes.  The perfectly executed surprise party filled with laughter and fun is a great experience.  But surprise car repairs or illness or unemployment wind up on the other end of the spectrum. Jesus makes the point to His disciples that the Kingdom of God is a huge surprise.  It doesn't always look like what it is or what it will be.  And many will be surprised when they finally realize it is the only kingdom they want, because they refused to enter it again and again while there was still time.  What can we learn about God's Kingdom today?

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Remember With Us

March 14^th @ 7:00 pm

We set Good Friday aside to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.  Join us for a memorable service 'in the round' as we read Scripture that tells of the journey of Christ to the cross and His sacrifice for us.  We also enjoy special music and celebrate communion together as a church family.

 

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)  Bob Baumiester leads this prayer time – feel free to contact him with any questions at rbaumiester@gmail.com.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

APRIL CHALLENGE VERSE

Romans 12:18, 21

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

A Study on 1Corinthians

7:00 – 8:15 pm

Make sure to carve out time in the middle of the week for Bible study.  It keeps us grounded in God's Word and connected to each other.  It's a good spiritual boost to help get us through the week!  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

 

HOPE'S CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM

It's that time of year again!  Softball season runs from April to June on weeknights.  You must be 15 before the end of the season to play.  Signup sheet is in the lobby.  See Lenny Little with any questions (littlemanlenny@yahoo.com).

 

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 (www.hopechristianfellowship. org) under 'Small Groups" 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. 

We are on hiatus and will return April 5^th.  We will be going through The Gospel According to Pixar.

 

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! CONNECTION EVENT – A JOURNEY TO THE CROSS – THIS FRIDAY

Friday, March 31^st from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

All 1st-5th grade students and parents are invited to join us here at Hope for "A Journey To The Cross."  This event will kick off with an EGGcellent Family Easter egg hunt and Chick-fil-A dinner.  Following dinner, we will have a special time of worship and reflection, as we take a hands on journey through the crucifixion, using different interactive examples.  

 

This Sunday is your last chance to sign up for this event!  You can sign-up in the GoZone! Make sure you reserve your spot.  This is a great opportunity to invest in some quality time with your kids and show them the importance of Easter!  

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HAPPY TOGETHER

Married & Loving It!

April 28^th & 29^th

Friday Night 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Saturday Morning 9:00 am - 12:30 pm (Hot Breakfast included)

Cost: FREE 

Your marriage can be MORE - no matter how it is today. The power of Almighty God is available for any couple who turns to Him in faith and is willing to let Him lead their home.  We want to unleash that power and that hope in your marriage, so join us for this weekend as we start the journey to "Happy Together: Married and Loving It".  Pastor Mark and Dana will be sharing from their relationship as well as from the things they've learned through marriage training and study.  Join us for this event and build your marriage the way God designed it to work!

Doors open Friday at 6:45 pm, Saturday at 9:00 am.  Register online to be eligible for giveaways and prizes at the event (must be present to receive).  Please register by 4/23.

 

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!

 

HOPE SHARE

DON'T THROW IT OUT – SHARE IT!

Make sure to check out Hope Share on our website – it's a place to share things we no longer use and to look for things we need!  It's easy to upload photos of items 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.

 

TEXT TO GIVE

Given the sheer amount of cell phones users and text messages sent, we decided that offering text giving as another digital channel for giving made a lot of sense.  All you need to do is text an amount to Hope's designated number (609-251-4223).  For more details on how to give, simply go to our website (hopechristianfellowship.org), click on 'About' and then 'Online Giving'.  You'll find instructions at the bottom of that page.  Contact Damon Briggs with any questions at damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com.

 

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. There truly IS 'something for everyone' and we want to make it easy for you to know all the different options!  You can check out our Ministry and Service Opportunities brochure (on the glass tables and in the Resource Room) and also keep your eye on this section as we post any pressing needs.

 

BABYSITTERS NEEDED

April 28^th & 29th 

We are looking for any baby sitters who are available Friday evening (4-28) and/or Saturday morning (4-29). Couples with kids may be looking for childcare in order to attend the Happy Together: Married & Loving It Conference. We'd like to supply a list of names and numbers to assist them in their search. All payments are between the parents and the baby sitters. If you are available for either of these times, please let one of our staff members know!

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Sara Cartella, Anki Hill

Nursery 11:00      Mark & Brenda Hallahan

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

Toddler 11:00      Rebecca & John Jacob, 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        TBA

1^st & 2^nd 11:00      TBA

3^rd – 5^th 9:00         TBA

3^rd – 5^th 11:00       TBA

Ushers 9:00          Bill Berry

Ushers 11:00        Dan Rozinski

Wed. Nursery       N/A

Counters              LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness

Greeters               Lorraine Koch

                             Jacki DeCrosta

                             Lisa Minner

                             Patty Tomasetti

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.

He Hears My Cry,

Lois

 

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.

Hope Notes 3/23/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

I'd like to take a little incident that happened last Sunday at church to illustrate a much bigger point.  I innocently walked into the Ladies Room and came across some women cleaning up a mess of broken glass.  Large pieces had also fallen into the toilet.  To make a long story short, we needed to get those pieces out!  It was a rather comical sight – three ladies staring into the depths of the toilet bowl, trying to think of ways to fish the glass out.  I finally decided to take the plunge (literally), rolled up my sleeve, reached in and pulled out the biggest pieces.  Success!  Victory!  We had a flushable loo and a camaraderie born out of working on this problem together. Not to mention the good laugh we all shared!  Now, do you think that when I walked in that bathroom the thought of thrusting my hand into a toilet bowl even entered my mind?  Of course not!  But sometimes (and here comes the actual bigger point) God asks you to do things that are unexpected.  Or out of your comfort zone.  Of seemingly impossible.

The glass excavating experience just is a tiny little example.  I'm sure you've all had times where you felt God calling you to move outside the safe zone and do something scary.  Crazy, even.  If you're like me, then your first instinct is probably to pretend like you couldn't possibly have heard Him correctly.  But our God is a relentless God.  When He wants your attention, He will continue to pursue you until there is no way you can ignore Him.   So you may as well listen up the first time!  God will never call you to do something where He won't give you what you need to do it.  He has to stretch us in order to grow us.  And it's really cool when we obey and do something that we know is purely through His strength because then HE gets the glory.  We read in 2 Corinthians 12 that God's 'power is made perfect in weakness' (12:9); so we need not fear when we feel weak or unqualified.  If God is the one asking you to step out in faith for something, be assured that His strength will be at work within you.

I promise you – when you follow God's call in obedience and submission to Him, your spirit will soar because you know firsthand that He is faithful and true in supplying whatever you need to do whatever it is you must do.  Even if it's just conquering the mighty toilet bowl's murky waters.

 

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.

March 26 - Do Not Worry About Your Life (Luke 12:22-31)

COMMUNION
Do you have anything to worry about? It seems that there is no shortage in any person's life of opportunities to stress out over what could be coming. From sickness, to potential financial crisis, to world events, to family pressures…. there is a constant stream of potential dangers and pains that could be coming our way.  What is the healthy and life-giving way to face these worries? Jesus simply says, "Don't".  While all of us may agree that living without worry is better than living overcome with worry, many of us struggle to let go of worry.  So what does Jesus have to say on the subject that could set us free from worry?

 

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Remember With Us

March 14^th @ 7:00 pm

We set Good Friday aside to remember what Jesus did for us on the cross.  Join us for a memorable service 'in the round' as we read from Scripture, enjoy special music, and celebrate communion together as a church family.

 

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)  Bob Baumiester leads this prayer time – feel free to contact him with any questions at rbaumiester@gmail.com.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

MARCH CHALLENGE VERSE

Psalm 16:8

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

A Study on 1Corinthians

7:00 – 8:15 pm

Just a Reminder – There are NO ACTIVITIES this week; 0ur regular Bible Study and all Children's Programs will resume next Wednesday, April 5^th.

 

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

 

HOPE'S CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM

It's that time of year again!  Softball season runs from April to June on weeknights.  You must be 15 before the end of the season to play.  Signup sheet is in the lobby.  See Lenny Little with any questions (littlemanlenny@yahoo.com).

 

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 (www.hopechristianfellowship. org) under 'Small Groups" 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. 

We are on hiatus and will return April 5^th.  We will be going through The Gospel According to Pixar.

 

CHICK-fil-A SPIRIT NIGHT – THIS MONDAY

Monday, March 27^th

4:30 – 7:00 pm

Join Rooted Youth Group at the Chick-fil-A on Clements Bridge Road - be sure to bring a flier with you (available in lobby) and a portion of your order will go to support this summer's Boston Mission Trip! For further questions contact Dave Hallahan.

 

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! CONNECTION EVENT – A JOURNEY TO THE CROSS

Friday, March 31^st from 6:00 – 8:00 pm

All 1st-5th grade students and parents are invited to join us here at Hope for "A Journey To The Cross."  This event will kick off with an EGGcellent Family Easter egg hunt and Chick-fil-A dinner.  Following dinner, we will have a special time of worship and reflection, as we take a hands on journey through the crucifixion, using different interactive examples.  

 

This Sunday is your last chance to sign up for this event!  You can sign-up in the GoZone! Make sure you reserve your spot.  This is a great opportunity to invest in some quality time with your kids and show them the importance of Easter!  

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS – TEACHERS WANTED

From time to time, Hope changes gears on Wednesday nights and breaks into smaller groups.  The focus of these groups are different topics of interest that can help us take real steps forward in our walk with God. We're going to be holding these workshops for the month of June (and September) this year.  The elders are inviting anyone with teaching gifts who would like to lead a 4 week workshop to contact Pastor Mark and get an outline and topic to him by the end of April. That way, our Leadership Team can review and approve the teachers and topics and have a signup list available through May for participants in each workshop. For more info or questions, see Pastor Mark.

 

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!

 

HOPE SHARE

DON'T THROW IT OUT – SHARE IT!

Make sure to check out Hope Share on our website – it's place to share things we no longer use and to look for things we need!  It's easy to upload photos of items 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.

 

TEXT TO GIVE

Given the sheer amount of cell phones users and text messages sent, we decided that offering text giving as another digital channel for giving made a lot of sense.  All you need to do is text an amount to Hope's designated number (609-251-4223).  For more details on how to give, simply go to our website (hopechristianfellowship.org), click on 'About' and then 'Online Giving'.  You'll find instructions at the bottom of that page.  Contact Damon Briggs with any questions at damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com.

 

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. There truly IS 'something for everyone' and we want to make it easy for you to know all the different options!  You can check out our Ministry and Service Opportunities brochure (on the glass tables and in the Resource Room) and also keep your eye on this section as we post any pressing needs.

 

IMMEDIATE HOUSING NEED

We have a need for a single man here at Hope looking for a room to rent.  If anyone has information on a possible solution, please contact Barb Frazeur at dwfrazfam@verizon.net.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Sara Cartella, Anki Hill

Nursery 11:00      Mark & Brenda Hallahan

Toddler 9:00        Karen Blythe, Jackie DeCrosta, Eva Owens

Toddler 11:00      Briana Abate, Madison Winstel, Julia Neff

Pre-K/K 9:00       Pat & Elisabeth DellaRova

Pre-K /K 11:00    Jennifer, Samantha, and Ryan Edwards

1^st & 2^nd 9:00        TBA

1^st & 2^nd 11:00      TBA

3^rd – 5^th 9:00         Deb Caranci, Dana Farrell

3^rd – 5^th 11:00       Lauren Serebra, Need Helper

Ushers 9:00          Bruce Clark

Ushers 11:00        Ryan Winstel

Wed. Nursery       N/A

Counters              LaTosha Briggs, Melissa McGinness

Greeters               Irene Riddell

                             Pat Keith

                             Charlotte Zediker

                             Jeanne Wurst

 

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.

Conquering thru Christ,

Lois

 

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.

Hope Notes 3/16/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

A year ago this time we had just returned from a 'mission of mercy' journey to Nevada where we helped my brother get his affairs in order. Enough time has passed so that the difficulties of the trip have receded from my memory, and I'm left with the bittersweet recollections of my brother and the region where he spent the last years of his life.  The landscape out there was like nothing I'd ever seen.  It was just desert surrounded by mountains; wide sweeping horizons the likes of which you'd never see out here.  It made me feel so small, standing there with nothing to break the view as far as my eyes could see.  The vastness of this earth that God created was more evident there than it is here in our urban setting.  Sometimes now, when the clouds hang low in the distance, I'm able to imagine them as the mountains.  It gives me a pang in my heart and I wonder – how can I be homesick for a place I've only been to one time?  Perhaps the true source of my ache is the fact that my brother is no longer here on earth.  His being is so tied to those mountains and desert terrain that it is difficult to separate the two.

So……..if I can be homesick for a place I've only been to once, how about a place I've never been?  Like heaven.  Paul tells us how we long to be in heaven. "……….Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling." (2 Cor. 5:2)  And guess what?!  It was God Himself who created us with that longing/homesickness for heaven!  "Now the one who fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (2 Cor. 5:5)  Isn't that cool?!  God put that desire for heaven into our hearts in part perhaps to remind us that this earth is not our home.  And if we are not IN our home, then it makes perfect sense that we would be homesick!  Makes me feel not so crazy about being homesick for that desolate yet majestic landscape of Nevada.

 

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.

March 19 - The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21)

Have you ever been called a 'fool'?  If you haven't, many of us can report that it does not feel good. Sometimes you know you're acting foolish, so you're not overly surprised when you get that feedback. But when you're making decisions and choices that you think are good and that anyone else would make, getting called a 'fool' can be hard to take.  In this passage, we have this exact scenario.  And what makes it even more shocking is that God Himself calls this person a 'fool'. What would someone do or think that would be so extreme as to have this feedback from God?  Let's dive into a topic on which many people today are completely blind and then let's ask ourselves where this kind of foolishness has taken hold in our lives.

 

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)  Bob Baumiester leads this prayer time – feel free to contact him with any questions at rbaumiester@gmail.com.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

MARCH CHALLENGE VERSE

Psalm 16:8

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.  With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY

A Study on 1Corinthians

7:00 – 8:15 pm

Please Note:  Our regular Bible Study is on hiatus until April 5^th

 

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

 

MOVIE NIGHT – THIS COMING WEDNESDAY

March 22^nd

Movie Night is always such a fun time!  What's not to love about free movies, popcorn, candy, drinks, and snacks?! We've even got the Red Carpet!!  The adults will be watching Risen in the auditorium and the kids will be watching Trolls in the Youth Room. Don't miss out on this entertaining family night!

 

HOPE'S CO-ED SOFTBALL TEAM

It's that time of year again!  Softball season runs from April to June on weeknights.  You must be 15 before the end of the season to play.  Signup sheet is in the lobby.  See Lenny Little with any questions (littlemanlenny@yahoo.com).

 

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 (www.hopechristianfellowship. org) under 'Small Groups" 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. 

We are on hiatus and will return April 5^th.  We will be going through The Gospel According to Pixar.

 

CHICK-fil-A SPIRIT NIGHT

Monday, March 27^th

4:30 – 7:00 pm

Join Rooted Youth Group at the Chick-fil-A on Clements Bridge Road - be sure to bring a flier with you (available in lobby) and a portion of your order will go to support this summer's Boston Mission Trip! For further questions contact Dave Hallahan.

 

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

 

DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONALS

For those of you who have been watching and waiting…………..the new Our Daily Bread devotionals are now in the Resource Room!  Thank you Connie for your faithfulness in supplying these for us!

 

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS – TEACHERS WANTED

From time to time, Hope changes gears on Wednesday nights and breaks into smaller groups.  The focus of these groups are different topics of interest that can help us take real steps forward in our walk with God. We're going to be holding these workshops for the month of June (and September) this year.  The elders are inviting anyone with teaching gifts who would like to lead a 4 week workshop to contact Pastor Mark and get an outline and topic to him by the end of April. That way, our Leadership Team can review and approve the teachers and topics and have a signup list available through May for participants in each workshop. For more info or questions, see Pastor Mark.

 

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!

 

HOPE SHARE

DON'T THROW IT OUT – SHARE IT!

Make sure to check out Hope Share on our website – it's place to share things we no longer use and to look for things we need!  It's easy to upload photos of items 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.

 

TEXT TO GIVE

Given the sheer amount of cell phones users and text messages sent, we decided that offering text giving as another digital channel for giving made a lot of sense.  All you need to do is text an amount to Hope's designated number (609-251-4223).  For more details on how to give, simply go to our website (hopechristianfellowship.org),click on 'About' and then 'Online Giving'.  You'll find instructions at the bottom of that page.  Contact Damon Briggs with any questions at damon.briggs@mitchellandness.com.

 

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. There truly IS 'something for everyone' and we want to make it easy for you to know all the different options!  You can check out our Ministry and Service Opportunities brochure (on the glass tables and in the Resource Room) and also keep your eye on this section as we post any pressing needs.

 

IMMEDIATE HOUSING NEED

We have a need for a single man here at Hope looking for a room to rent.  If anyone has information on a possible solution, please contact Barb Frazeur at dwfrazfam@verizon.net.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

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

Nursery 11:00      Lorraine Koch, Bethany Pineda

Toddler 9:00        Karen Blythe, Jackie DeCrosta, Eva Owens

Toddler 11:00      Briana Abate, Madison Winstel, Julia Neff

Pre-K/K 9:00       Pat & Elisabeth DellaRova

Pre-K /K 11:00    Jennifer, Samantha, and Ryan Edwards

1^st & 2^nd 9:00        TBA

1^st & 2^nd 11:00      TBA

3^rd – 5^th 9:00         Deb Caranci, Dana Farrell

3^rd – 5^th 11:00       Lauren Serebra, Need Helper

Ushers 9:00          Rick Ayusa

Ushers 11:00        Damon Briggs

Wed. Nursery       N/A

Counters              Lois & Mike Hartwell

Greeters               Irene Riddell

                             Pat Keith

                             Charlotte Zediker

                             Jeanne Wurst

 

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.

Longing for my Home,

Lois

 

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