Hope Notes 4/27/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

Waiting for the sun to appear when you've had a string of cloudy days can seem like an endless exercise in patience.  But you know what we often forget?  The sun isn't really gone, it's just hidden behind those clouds.  The other day I was gazing at the dismal sky when all of a sudden, a tiny patch of beautiful blue appeared!  It was only for a moment, but it was enough to remind me that the sun was still there.  If you've ever flown through a rainstorm, you know that when the plane breaks through the clouds you are met with brilliant, breathtaking sunshine.  So……..what we SEE is not always what the reality IS.  This is what happens in our daily walk with the Lord.  We see a situation and our limited minds can only conceive of it as hard and fast.  Concrete.  Absolute.  But the Lord is constantly working behind the scenes to bring the best results to our lives.  He is the constant 'Sonshine'; ever present behind the clouds.  Even without knowing the details of what He is doing, our faith in Him should give us profound reason to be hopeful. "Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)  We need to believe God is always at work in our lives, no matter how things appear.  We must trust that He not only holds our future in His hands, but our present as well.  This is what will bring us peace and encouragement as we go through our lives. "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (2Corinthians 4:18) 

 

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 30 – Lost Sheep / Coin (Luke 15:1-10)

Why does it seem that keys are always lost just when you're about to leave?  Whether you're already running late or have given yourself extra time, it is a deflating and frustrating experience to be ready to go but find yourself unable. TV remotes seem to have a similar talent for hiding. So what do we do when we lose something we need or really want?  We go looking for it.  Jesus uses this natural reaction to explain a truth about the Father.  Many listening were surprised at this concept of God. Perhaps Jesus' words are for you today.

 

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 

Our final Small Group study sheet will be out this week.  After that, please feel free to continue your group on your own, or maybe you'll want to get together for some outings and just plain fellowship!  We will resume out study sheets again in September.

 

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!

 

SPECIAL OFFERING

May 7^th

We will be taking a special offering to help fund the summer mission trip to Boston for our youth group! Not all will be called to give, but ask God if this is how He is leading you to support our teens!

 

PAINT PARTY

May 19^th

We will be having a paint party hosted by McArt A La Carte. This event will be held at the church, is open to 50 people, and will cost $35!  This is a fun way to have a night out AND support our youth mission trip!

To register for this event visit: http://www.hopechristianfellowship.org/where-do-i-fit/rooted-youth 

 

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

SHORT TERM MISSIONARY OPPORTUNITY

Do you love kids? Do you have the gift of teaching? Do you have a servant's heart?  There's a possibility that God may be calling you to short terms missions project helping one of our very own supported missionary couples, Jackie and Josh Frankeas from Welkom, South Africa.  Their two assistants are on leave from August 15, 2017 to November 15, 2017 and so they are in need of two assistants to help children (from Pre-K to High School) with their homework and with various activities.   Education in South Africa is crucial to a productive life in a country with high employment and an 11% inflation rate.   

You will have two areas of financial responsibility which are your plane ticket and your food. 

If you have further questions regarding any aspect of this 3 month commitment, please don't hesitate to write to them directly at jnjfrankeas@gmail.com.  

 

HAPPY TOGETHER – THIS WEEKEND

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: If you missed the deadline to register, you can certainly still come; you just won't be eligible for giveaways or have your own personalized info packet, and you won't have been included in the head count for food.

 

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.

 

CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEEDS

WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM
HopeKids Hangout for this spring includes nursery, 3-5 year olds, and 1st-5th grade. We want Wednesday nights to be a place where the whole family can enjoy and participate. We are still in need of volunteers for the 2-3 and 4-5 year olds programs.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Matt Russell.

 

NEW REGISTRATION TEAM

HopeKids! is looking for some volunteers to help our families register and feel welcomed on Sunday mornings.  We'd love to get a team together to serve on a rotating schedule; it's an easy way to serve the kingdom!  If you are interested, please see Matt Russell.

 

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          Bruce Clark

Ushers 11:00        Ryan Winstel

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.

Trusting in Our God,

Lois

 

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