Truly, is there anything prettier than a freshly fallen blanket of snow glistening with dropped diamonds of sunlight? It covers all the dirty, dingy things and transforms all the sharp angles into softened mounds of pristine white. In Job 38:22 (CSB) God asks Job, “Have you entered the place where the snow is stored?” I like to think of God opening up the storehouse of snow and allowing it to fall to earth, giving us that gift of beauty. Listen to the description Psalm 147:16 (CEV) offers: “He covers the ground with snow like a blanket of wool, and he scatters frost like ashes on the ground.” I know that the meteorologists have all kinds of scientific explanations for snowfall, but I’m going to stick with my little analogy. Not only is God able to cover the ground with snow, making all things white and clean, He offers to do the same for us with our sins. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NLT) There is one big difference – when the snow melts away from the earth, the dirty and dingy things are once again revealed. But when God makes our sins ‘white as snow’, He sees us as pure and spotless eternally. It’s hard for me to comprehend, but it’s something I like to ponder while I’m gazing out the window at my wonderfully white and sparkly backyard.
Washed white as snow… Lois
SPIRITUAL CARE
“My Grace Is Enough” (2 Cor. 12:7-10)
The Marines have a saying: “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” Of course, in context, that is a powerful way for those protecting our nation to train and push their bodies beyond what they thought was possible. But behind that idea is also a truth that most people believe about their own normal lives: weakness needs to leave my life. In fact, it is so unwanted that I would be ready to suffer so that I don’t need to be weak any longer. But believers have an entirely different viewpoint on weakness. Paul describes here famously his own learning experience that everything is different when we live trusting Jesus. Paul did what we all would do when pain overtook his life. He asked Jesus to take the pain away. But Jesus said that Paul had something more valuable and powerful than the absence of pain. He had the grace of God poured out in his life for everything that would seemingly go wrong. And Paul decided that he would believe that God’s grace would be enough for him.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: Returns TONIGHT!
Putting Wisdom to the Test led by Pastor Mark
For seven weeks, we are going to look at two Old Testament books in the “Wisdom” genre. Some people think that life is all about making right choices so that you don’t face the fallout of bad choices. Reading Proverbs can make it seem that this is Biblically true. But Job and Ecclesiastes examine what we should learn when the foundational ideas of wisdom don’t seem to work. Job is a pretty familiar character to many people, but we’re going to try to sort out the details and dialogue so that we can see the message and purpose of the book as it connects to the teachings of Proverbs. Ecclesiastes is not as long of a book but it has similar connections to the wisdom found in Proverbs. Let’s take a journey together through “real life” and the confusion that derails many people when good people suffer unfairly, or when you seemingly have it all but feel so empty inside. Join us Wednesday evenings at 6:30 for coffee & donuts followed by our study at 7:00. We’ll have HopeKids! and Hope Youth programs for kids 0-12th grades!
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER:
Anyone can join us Sunday mornings at 8:30 in Pastor Mark’s office to pray for that morning’s services. Contact Bob Baumiester for more information (rbaumiester@gmail.com).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
For the month of December, we averaged $12,205 per week bringing our annual average up to $9710. We ended the year below our target of $9950, but at our budget number for the New Year. Our building fund averaged $634 each week adding to our financial savings toward the future home of Hope. We are amazed at God’s provision for each need and are looking toward 2025 as a year where our giving grows to catch up to our attendance. More people is a great blessing, but it takes increased financial support to meet the needs of a growing church.
SPECIAL PROJECTS GIVING:
As we look ahead at the upcoming year, we have several needed projects for equipment and building needs (estimated to be around $20k) that we weren’t able to budget in 2025. If you’d like to give towards those projects, please use the category “special projects” through online giving. Or note “special projects” on your check or offering envelope.
HOPE SHARE:
Packing away your Christmas items and find yourself purging old toys and decor? Before you toss it, share it! Did you know we have a private Facebook group for Hopers to share items or services for FREE? You can also request items that you need and see if a fellow Hoper is able to help! To join our group, click here.
2025 BIBLE READING PLANS: Out now!
The new year is a great time to dive into God’s word and make bible reading a part of your daily life! We have several resources to help you engage with scripture, including 2 bookmarks available in the lobby, and a “Five Day Bible Reading Program.” Pick up a physical copy in the lobby, or download the 2025 PDF here.
JANUARY COLLECTION: GWCM Food Drive
Join us this January as we support the Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries in their mission to serve our community. We’re collecting non-perishable food items to help stock their pantry and provide for families in need. Donations such as canned goods, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and other staples are greatly appreciated. Drop off your contributions in the designated collection bins located at the front and back doors. Let’s come together to make a difference and bring hope to our neighbors this new year! For more information, please contact Jodi Jacoby.
WONDERMOMS: This Thursday!
After a hiatus, we are so excited to be restarting the next season of WonderMoms, our group for moms of preschoolers (0-5)! Beginning January 9th, we’ll be meeting on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 10:30-noon for a time of fellowship, study, and prayer. Childcare is provided by our HopeKids! volunteers and there’s always a hot cup of coffee and treat ready for you! Join our Facebook Group for all the details, or contact Emily DiLorenzo with questions.
MEN’S BREAKFAST: This Saturday!
All men 18 years of age and older are invited to our monthly Men’s Breakfast. We meet on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 8:00-9:30am. We feature prayer, full participation study—all enjoyed with a great FREE hot breakfast and terrific fellowship.
IRON MEN: Rescheduled Meeting
Our group was postponed due to the inclement weather and will now be meeting on Monday, January 13th at 7:00P. Iron Men is a group open to fathers of kids ages 0-18. We will be navigating through the book and study guide of “The Jesus Style”. We will challenge each other in biblical principles to become better leaders in our homes, here at Hope, at our work, and throughout all other aspects of our daily lives all while perusing growth in relationship with God. No need to sign-up, just show up! If you have questions, please contact Bob Esser (856-889-7939) or Chris James (856) 693-9061).
PARTNER UPDATES:
Join us in welcoming our two newest partners to the Hope Family, Tori & Ben Jones! You can become a Hope partner, too! If God has brought you to Hope and convinced you over time that this is the church for you, we’d love for you to officially join us. This is our way of doing ‘membership’, but we use the word ‘partner’ instead because it connects us to the Biblical idea that we are called to partner together in ministry. We are now offering our partner class on February 12th, 19th, and 26th at 7:00P. The classes will cover the way our church functions as well as what we believe. Current partners are also encouraged to attend! To read more about what it means to become a partner at Hope, click here.
YOUNG ADULTS
Meets the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 7:00P
Here at Hope, our Young Adult group provides a place to connect, serve, apply God’s Word to real life, and live in relationships with others. Hope’s Young Adults is a great way to grow your faith and find help to navigate the big decisions on the horizon. Open to anyone post high school through their 20s!
JANUARY 21st: Why Can’t We Be Friends?
Have you noticed that you’re not supposed to talk to people who look different than you, or who vote differently, or who believe differently? It seems like we live in a world that is always ready to talk AT people instead of talking with them. Are we all doomed to just keep living in that cycle? Or can we do something about it? Let’s talk about how to have conversations that the generations before us seem to struggle with.
For any questions about Hope’s Young Adults contact Mark & Dana Ott.
HOPE YOUTH
Sundays from 6:00-8:00P
Through varied lessons, small group, worship, and fellowship we teach students 6th-12th to see how much God loves them, how valuable they are, and the peace that a relationship with Jesus can lead them to.
FRESH START: New series!
Welcome to the New Year and welcome back to Hope Youth! It’s resolution season and there’s no better time to start something new. Whether you want to start working out, try a new hobby, or kick a bad habit it can be hard to stay committed after that first week. In this new series we will take a look at what a fresh start really means and how to make it stick by exploring the mercy the God gave us through His son and the tips and tricks the Apostle Paul provides to hold firm to this transformation.
HOPE YOUTH ON WEDNESDAYS: Creation Series starts tonight!
We talk about diving deep into God’s Word on Wednesday and this year we plan to go even deeper. Before we start our Biblical survey series (coming February 2nd) we are going to immerse ourselves in the Word of God, specifically the theology of creation, on Wednesday nights! Together we will explore creation, hear some competing theories, and see what all of Scripture has to say concerning the subject. Join us starting Wednesday, January 8th at 7:00P for this powerful and enlightening series.
WINTER RETREAT: Beyond the Weekend
Hope Youth is embarking on a weekend retreat for all students from 6th-12th grade from January 24th-26th! Join us for a weekend of powerful worship, impactful sermons, intense sport tournaments, and the delights of an indoor swimming pool! Last year was a smash hit and we can’t wait to jump back into Keswick’s Beyond the Weekend! We want to make sure that everyone can come out so invite a friend and don’t forget to fill out and hand in the permission slip linked HERE. Let’s make this another awesome retreat to remember!
HOPE YOUTH CALENDAR:
Parents, stay up to date with everything happening on our calendar here!
JOIN OUR TEXT THREAD:
Stay in the loop for all of the most important notifications! Text “”hopeyouth” to (856) 420-6078 to start receiving updates this week!
For any questions about Hope Youth contact Pastor Dan at: danlein@hopechristianfellowship.org
HOPE KIDS
SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAMS:
We offer childcare and classes from our littlest Hopers to our 5th graders every Sunday morning at both services. Each classroom is staffed with friendly, enthusiastic, background-checked team members to ensure your child’s safety. Our WonderZone! serves our youngest children from infants through Pre-K, who are full of wonder about who God is! K-5th graders gather in the GoZone! where we GO for God, GO for growth and GO forever.
HOPEKIDS! HANGOUT: Sundays from 6:00-8:00P
All K-5th graders are invited to join us for special snacks, games and activities that expand upon what we’re learning on Sunday mornings. We’ll continue studying “The Heart of God” to see how we can reflect God in our everyday lives, this year and every year!
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS IN WONDERZONE: Begins tonight!
Our Nursery 1 team is excited to care for your infants (0-18m) while our Nursery 2 team loves on your toddlers (18m-2yr). As we start a new year, our Preschoolers (3-5yrs) will dive into a brand new “Growing with God” study designed to help preschoolers learn about the reality of God’s love through play and apply it in their daily lives! You won’t want to miss out on this awesome opportunity to prioritize and pour into the foundation of faith for your little ones — we hope to see you there!
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS IN GOZONE: Begins tonight!
GoZone Remix is back for 2025! K-5th graders will love our fun and exciting midweek program, where we review Sunday morning’s Bible story with new video, new games, and new small group activities to remix the experience. Plus, a WEEKLY Scripture Memory Verse Challenge with prizes to reinforce the Bible story of the week! You don’t want your elementary kiddo to miss out on this opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the Bible and fellowship with other HopeKids!
For any questions about HopeKids! Ministry contact us at: kids@hopechristianfellowship.org