Dear Friends of Hope,
Following a day gone awry, with plans completely upended, my daughter Emily made this statement: "This was just a good reminder and conviction that I need to be more diligent in committing my day to the Lord and not to the calendar". How true! We run around thinking we are in control of our days; after all, we carefully recorded our various plans and appointments on our calendars! We made sure to get our ducks all in a row before moving forward in our day. And then when things don't go as planned, we often get all upset or annoyed. In reality, we have absolutely no control over these things. Our God holds each day in His hand. He alone knows what the day actually has in store for us. So why not commit each day to Him to begin with? Psalm 16:3 tells us to 'Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.' I've always made it a point to ask God to be in charge of my day (Direct my footsteps according to your word......Psalm 119:133), but then I don't always LIVE like that each day! I sometimes find myself viewing the unexpected change of plans as a problem, rather than seeing it as a God directed change. It's much better when I stop and remember "Oh yea, I DID ask God to be in charge of my day, so let's see where this takes me". (Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.) God will drop all kinds of opportunities in front of us every single day. It's up to us to see them, to take hold of them with confidence and without complaint, to follow where He's leading. The times when I'm able to do this always bring peace and a joy that comes from knowing I am under His guidance, doing what He has planned rather than following my own agenda. From now on I think I will remind myself throughout the day to "Commit my day to the Lord and not the calendar"!
SUNDAY MORNINGS
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.
Special Message from the book of Matthew:
What We Were Made For (Matt 28:18-20)
VBS Kickoff
Each year, we give it everything we have. We want this week of Vacation Bible School to be the most fun, the best experience, and some of the greatest memories our kids every have. But all of that is because of our purpose – as believers, as a church, and certainly as we pour out our energy this week. We want our kids (and everyone else) to know Jesus. We want homes to be changed by His power. We want the lost to be found and the hopeless to find hope in Jesus' name. We didn't just make this up. Jesus Himself gave us these marching orders. We're going to kick off our VBS week by talking about 'The Great Commission.' Have you been busy doing what you were made to do?
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.
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: rbaumiester@gmail.com.
PRAYER HUDDLE - 8:40 to 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!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
JULY CHALLENGE VERSE - 1st John 5:11-12
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - ON HIATUS FOR THE SUMMER
If you're in the habit of coming each week to Bible Study, why not keep on coming in July and help us decorate for VBS?! We'll be decorating from 7:00 - 8:15 pm Wednesday evenings.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP
ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC - Sunday, July 30th @ 5:00 pm
Gather together with your church family (bring your friends too!) for this 'don't miss' event! We'll have water slides, a bouncy house, and lots of games. Kids, wear your bathing suits and bring a towel. Let's not forget the food! We'll be serving hot dogs straight off the grill! There is a signup sheet in the lobby for whatever side dish or dessert you'd like to bring. There is also a signup sheet for ways to help out for a portion of the picnic. PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE ESPECIALLY IN NEED OF PEOPLE TO TAKE TURNS OVERSEEING THE INFLATABLES! Don't worry, you'll still have time to eat and visit! The picnic only happens once each year; make sure you're a part of it! SUMMER CAFE NIGHT - Sunday August 13th @ 7:00.
You'll definitely want to join us for a fun night of ice cream sundaes (with all of the toppings) and entertainment provided by our very own church family! We will supply all the goodies. There is a signup sheet in the lobby; please sign up if you are willing to share your talent. We're so happy that Kimmi Biglin is able be the MC and coordinate the talent for the evening. Bring your kids, friends & families, so that no one misses out on this fun evening!
'YOUNG & MARRIED' BACKYARD BBQ - SEPT. 3rd
Pastor Mark and Dana are hosting a get together for Hope's 'Young & Married' adults! We're looking for couples in their 20's and 30's who are in their first 10 years of marriage (give or take 😊) to spend some time eating, hanging out, and having fun together. Whether you've been at Hope for years or are brand new, we'd love for you to join us! We'll need a head count for food and set up so be sure to contact us and let us know if you can make it!
Here's the info you need to mark your calendar now:
When: Sunday, Sept. 3rd at 4:00 - 8:30pm
Where: The Ott's house (6 East Avenue, Clayton 08312)
RSVP: by 8/26 - danaott@hopechristianfellowship.org
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. GOD'S GIRLS WOMEN'S GROUP - 1st & 3rd Mondays at 7:00
Contact Mary Lebeau for more information at 856-316-6301 or marylebeau@verizon.net
MEN'S BREAKFAST - 8:00 – 9:30 am - Second Saturday of Every Month
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
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!
YOUTH GROUP SUMMER SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO Youth Group on Sunday nights until September.
Jul 16-22 - Jr High Camp @ Delanco
Jul 30 - Aug 5 - Boston Trip
Aug 18 - Movie Night @ Hallahans'
WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROW GROUPS
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Grow Groups are on hiatus for the summer.
CHILDREN'S MINISTRY
GO ZONE
Go Zone is our Sunday Morning kid's service, planned especially for 1st - 5th 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
MAKER FUN FACTORY VBS - July 24th - 28th
Hope Christian Fellowship's Vacation Bible School, IS BACK from July 24th - 28th! Are you ready for a wildly creative, inventive, and interactive adventure with God? If you are, than you'll love attending this year's Maker Fun Factory VBS! Where you'll learn that you were created by God and built for a purpose! Come join us for a fun filled week! Register today at http://www. hopechristianfellowship.org/ vbs-registration/
HOPE ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR KIDS ALLEY
During the month of July we will have collection bins at both entrances for donations of school supplies for the children of Kids Alley. A list of supplies needed is on each bin. Help equip these children for the upcoming school year; no child should have to go to school without the materials they need!
NEW CARD COLLECTION BOX
They're here! We have a new system to collect our various communication cards in just one spot instead of at different locations around the church. If you have a prayer request, you can fill out the orange Prayer Request card and our Prayer Team will lift it up in prayer. If anyone has a need or knows of someone in need, one way to let us know is to drop a yellow Needs Request card into the box. Our guests can fill out the blue Visitor Card and drop it in the box. To make it even easier, you will find all three cards right there on the box! Boxes are located at the front of the auditorium.
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.
FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
Our Food Pantry is in need of breakfast items like cereal, oatmeal, pancake / waffle mix, etc. We also need frozen meats for dinner such as ground beef, chicken, hot dogs, etc. Many are fed because of your donations - thank you!
SEPTEMBER 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 once again in September. 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 August. That way, our Leadership Team can review and approve the teachers and topics and have a signup list available through August for participants in each workshop. For more info or questions, see Pastor Mark.
THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
For all Kids Ministry scheduling, please refer to the Planning Center or contact your team leader.
Ushers 9:00 -------Bob Baumiester
Ushers 11:00 ------Damon Briggs
Wed. Nursery ----- N/A
Counters ------------Damon Briggs, Bill Berry
Greeters ----------- Debbie Davis, Sharon Sambucci, Katrina Mariani, Greg Corroado
HOPES PRAYER TEAM
If you have a prayer request, please fill out a prayer request card and drop it in one of the Card Boxes located at the front of the auditorium (you can find the prayer request cards there) 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: hapcunn01@gmail.com.
PLEASE NOTE: We would greatly appreciate it if you could keep the team updated on your request. Situations can resolve or change for the better/worse. Praises are always welcome! This will help our team know best how to pray for you.
Led by the Good Shepherd,
Lois
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