Hope Notes: Hope Notes 8/17/17

Dear Friends of Hope,
I've been having so much trouble seeing out of my glasses lately that my daughter has threatened to do a 'glasses intervention' and get me back to the eye doctor for some kind of adjustment! I'm constantly squinting, looking over the top or out of the bottom of my glasses. Most of the time I just wind up taking them off! They are supposed to transition smoothly from reading to far away but that for sure isn't happening! I remember the first time I put my glasses on (years ago); suddenly everything was clear and I could see every leaf and every blade of grass! I had no idea how 'blind' I had been.
Did you know we have all been spiritually blind as well? I'm sure you're all familiar with the line in Amazing Grace - "I once was blind but now I see". See what? God's Truth. Our sin. Jesus' love. His redemption. "They know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand." (Isaiah 44:18) Trying to know and understand the things of God are impossible until we accept the gift of salvation and the Holy Spirit dwells within us. In my ignorance and arrogance before I was saved, I thought that first I would read and understand Scripture and then make an 'informed decision' as to whether or not I would Christ. How backwards! How crazy! But that's what I thought. Fortunately, God got hold of me and pulled me to Him without waiting for me to complete my ridiculous and impossible task.
I know there will always be things we can't see or understand. But one day, when we stand before our Savior, we will. "Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." (1Corinthians 13:12 NLT) What a blessing that will be! Now if I could just get my vision to cooperate TODAY so that I don't have to go through all these contortions just to look at what's in front of me!

SUNDAY MORNINGS
SUNDAY MORNING MESSAGE - DAVE HALLAHAN
Working Together - Hebrews 10:24-25
Last week Jim Jefferson gave us a call to action. We each have an individual responsibility to answer that call, but Jesus ultimately wants us to work together. Over the last few years in youth group we've put an emphasis on coming together as the body of Christ. Today several of our youth will share their experiences in forming relationships, serving others, and serving together.

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.
See below.....

WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS ARE COMING BACK! - September 6th
We will be running three classes for four weeks beginning September 6th at 7:00. Below are the descriptions for each workshop. Be sure to sign-up in the lobby so your class leader can order enough materials!
"Knowing God's Will" by Ryan Winstel
This class will be a biblical study to help us understand how to recognize God's will in our lives, but also in the lives of others. We'll dig into God's word and equip ourselves to better know God's direction for us!
"Prayer in Practice" by Chick and Bunny Dougherty
Would you like a more connected prayer life? Pick-up with us as we continue working through "Prayer in Practice" by J.L. Gerhardt. Those who attended this workshop in May will be completing the book during this series, but ALL are welcome to attend and start where we left off! We'll read the material and pray using the prayer prompts, scriptures, and ideas in the workbook. The purpose is to make prayer a habit, a joy, and a time when you connect with your maker and Savior.
"Understanding Personality - God's Point of View" by Rob Devereaux
This class will help us understand who we are, what we should be doing, and why we do the things we do by taking a look at common core personality traits through God's perspective. We'll explore how God's creation of our unique personality can best be understood and used for the Kingdom. This psychology-meets-bible-study workshop will serve to answer the questions "Who and why am I this way?"

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP
'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 - Sundays from 6:00 - 8:00
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!
PLEASE NOTE: New start time for Rooted is now 6:00 pm!!

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

HOPEKIDS HANGOUT
Change is coming to HopeKids Hangout for the fall!! We are excited to announce that it is moving to Sunday nights from 6:oo - 8:00 pm!! Starting September 10th we will be meeting in the same place, with even more time to hangout! Make sure you don't miss out on another exciting semester of HopeKids Hangout!

HOPE ANNOUNCEMENTS
SOUND TEAM TRAINING DAY - Saturday, September 23rd
If you are currently involved or are interested in getting involved, please join us this date for a morning of training. We're looking forward to Josh Bonano being here to follow up and dig in a little deeper with the Sound Team. We'll get started with a light breakfast at 9:00 am and finish up the day by 1:00 pm - lunch will also be included! Please mark your calendars now and plan to be here!"

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 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 -------Rick Ayusa
Ushers 11:00 ------Dan Ryan Winstel
Wed. Nursery ----- N/A
Counters ------------LaTosha Briggs, Barb Frazeur
Greeters ----------- Ken Blythe, Karl Miller

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.

The Veil is Lifted,
Lois

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