Hope Notes 8/10/17

Dear Friends of Hope ~

No, your eyes and your inbox are not playing tricks on you!  I had to resort to this method of sending you our Hope Notes due to one of the servers being down for the site we now use for our mailing.  (Whatever that means!)  All I know is that I have been unable to access the Hope Notes all week; they are having major issues out there in cyber space.  So this is the best I could do!

It's always a bit unsettling when things don't go as planned.  I try not to get upset or frustrated.  After all, it won't change what's happening and my reaction to the situation is what will determine if I have a good or bad experience with it.  When things unexpectedly go awry I always think of this verse:  "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9)  We get all happy with our own little plan for the day (or our lives), but in reality it is the Lord who is in control.  Now, did God know that those blasted servers would be down?  I'm sure He did, but He also made sure I had a way to still get the newsletter out.  I must say I had a moment of panic this morning when I saw things still weren't up and running, but then God orchestrated my day (established my steps) so that I was with my daughter who was able to tell me how to do this!  So what if this week we don't have our usual 'pretty' set of Notes……….right?!  Gotta keep perspective on these things!  Just glad you are all able to once again keep up with the things of Hope.

SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE – A Call to Action (Matthew 25:31-46)
Taking a look at how we are called to minister, who we are called to minister, and what happens if we don't answer the call. 

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
AUGUST CHALLENGE VERSE - Psalm 119:11
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY - ON HIATUS FOR THE SUMMER
Workshop Wednesdays coming in September - Bible study resumes in October.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP – THIS SUNDAY!
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. 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.
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/HCFHopeKid

HOPE ANNOUNCEMENTS
BAPTISM SERVICE - Wednesday, Oct 4th @ 7:00 pm
We will be having a baptism service at the church for anyone who has put their trust in Jesus 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 class) on Wednesday Sept 20th & 27th at 7:00 pm. Please sign up if you are interested; you can get an info sheet and book from any of our pastors.

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.

THIS WEEK'S WORKERS
For all Kids Ministry scheduling, please refer to the Planning Center or contact your team leader.
Ushers 9:00 -------Joe Sambucci
Ushers 11:00 -----Bill Berry
Wed. Nursery ----- N/A
Counters ------------LaTosha Briggs, Lois Hartwell
Greeters ----------- Debbie Davis, Sharon Sambucci, Katrina Mariani, Greg Corrado
 
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.

Saved by a Mighty God,
Lois