hope notes 4/20/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. Spring flowers are in blossom all over…." (Song of Solomon 2:11-13)

Spring is a season filled with hope, don't you think?  Ground that was hard and cold in the winter is now moist and supple, allowing the tender buds and blooms to push their way to the surface.  The dreary browns and charcoal colors of winter have given way to brilliant bursts of greens, yellows, pinks, and purples.  God's beautiful rainbow right here on earth!  Even the air smells different.  Is it possible for a smell to have a feel?  Because when I stand outside at dusk and take in a deep breath of the evening air, the smell 'feels' like velvet. Go ahead – try it and see! And let's not forget the delicious springtime fruits and veggies!  I love how God engages all our senses in order for us to fully experience the different nuances of every season. 

Springtime is the perfect season to reflect on new life and renewal, both in nature and in what God has done for us. ^"God loves us deeply. He is full of mercy. So he gave us new life because of what Christ has done. He gave us life even when we were dead in sin. God's grace has saved you." (Ephesians 2:4-5)  He makes all things (including us) new!  Jesus' death and resurrection are proof of the Father's love for us and of the fact that we serve a living God who has indeed given us new and eternal life.  Take some time this season to contemplate the examples of new beginnings all around us, and make sure our hearts are renewed and filled with His Spirit.

 

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 23 - Count the Cost (Luke 14:25-33)

In a world of credit, how do you not allow yourself to be drowning in debt? One offer after another winds up in your 'inbox' or your mailbox.  Each invites you to buy now and pay later.  Of course, you have years to pay without any interest, so how could you not take advantage of this moment?  Besides, you REALLY want what they are selling. It's very easy to understand how so many of us find ourselves deeply in debt. But Jesus uses this concept to discuss discipleship.  If we want to follow Him, we need to be willing and able to pay the price. While this wisdom could certainly help us make better purchasing decisions, it is central to Jesus' call to follow Him.

 

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 also a much needed 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

 

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 currently going through a great study - 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

 

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!

PLEASE NOTE:  In order to attend the conference, you need to register online via our website (hopechristianfellowship.org).  Just click on the red arrow on the left that says 'Marriage Conference Register Here'. This also makes you eligible for giveaways and prizes at the event (must be present to receive)!  Doors open Friday at 6:45 pm, Saturday at 9:00 am.  Please register by 4/23 – this Sunday!

 

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!

 

GIVING AT HOPE

We make it easy to give as the Lord leads.  There are envelopes and a drop box in the back of the auditorium.  If you prefer to give electronically, we have online and texting options.  Just go to our website and check them out!  www.hopechristianfellowship.org

 

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.

 

SALT & LIGHT PREPARATION

The team that puts out our Sunday morning bulletin is looking for some help.  Volunteers are scheduled on a monthly rotating basis.  Don't worry if you aren't sure how it all works; before you start you'll get all the training you need!  Contact Lauren Miller for more information at lmlauren.miller@gmail.com.

 

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.

 

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS

Nursery 9:00        Paige Thomson, Lesley Russell

Nursery 11:00      Leah Hallahan, Lauren Czyzewski

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

Ushers 9:00          Bob Baumiester

Ushers 11:00        Damon Briggs

Wed. Nursery       TBA

Counters              Mike & Lois Hartwell

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.

 

 

Undone by His Mercy,

Lois

 

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