‘Pray to God but row the boat’ is a phrase I’ve frequently said to anyone who is struggling to take that often scary first step towards something. It’s a similar sentiment to another phrase I like – ‘Don’t ask God to direct your steps (Proverbs 16:9) if you’re afraid to move your feet!’ I’ve seen people become almost paralyzed waiting for the Lord or the Holy Spirit to make it clear what they should do. That’s when I lay it on them! God wants us to learn to trust Him. He wants us to have enough faith to step out even when we feel we aren’t prepared or aren’t quite sure what’s next. We must remember it’s not about us. God is the one going to make things happen, not us. While we as believers should always asking the Lord to guide us and direct our paths, we need to remember that He is fully aware of our and hearts and intentions. If we are seeking His will, there is no reason to stay stuck in a holding pattern forever. Many times He is waiting for us to make a move in faith. Think about how the Israelites were not able to cross the Jordan River until their feet touched the water. “…….as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the flowing water stood still.” (Joshua 3: 15-16) When you don’t know your destination take the first step. Then God will reveal the next step. God wants us to depend on Him daily so He doesn’t give out a 25-year plan or even a daily plan. “He doesn’t want us to rely on the revelation; He wants us to rely on Him.” (Mark Batterson) Don’t be so afraid of doing the wrong thing that it keeps you from doing the right thing, or the thing that God has planned for you!
Just over here rowing and praying…Lois
SPIRITUAL CARE
John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-6)
Everyone has someone they need to forgive. And everyone needs to be forgiven. That is not new; in fact, it has always been this way. Some people think they don’t need forgiveness, and others don’t want it. But with God, forgiveness is necessary for any hope of a future that we want. John the Baptist bursts on the scene in Luke’s Gospel and he is baptizing people and calling them to the pathway that brings forgiveness and reconciliation with God. His words and mission are still for us today. What John preached is always a part of the work of God to bring salvation to anyone who puts their trust in Him. Where does it start? Let’s see what John was doing and whether or not we’ve taken these steps with the Lord.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: New Study in Colossians!
Have you ever had a person or group of people who desperately needed your help and guidance, even while you were yourself going through an incredibly difficult time? It can be tough to stand with the people who need you during times of intense personal struggle, and, with the world always trying to distract us, it can be even harder to keep our focus on Jesus. In Colossians, Paul is writing to a young, energetic, enthusiastic church full of brand new believers. He knows they have passion, but he also knows the dangers that will come as they begin their walk of faith. So, despite his own imprisonment, Paul writes a letter to the church in Colossae—and we see a man facing hardship who comes through with a beautiful, articulate faith, communicating the good news of Jesus and God’s plan for the world in an inspiring way that teaches the Colossians how to spot Christ at work in their own ordinary lives. Join Pastor Ryan for these next four Wednesday nights as we study the book of Colossians and see how we can be filled with faith and hope, as Paul was, and as he taught the Colossians to be. Come out 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
We love the work Seeds of Hope Ministries is doing, and so for the month of May, we’re collecting items to support them! Please bring women and men’s t-shirts and shorts and place them in the donation bins near each entrance at church. Items will be used to help those in need in Camden. To learn more about Seeds of Hope, you can visit their website here.
PARTNER CLASS: Starts May 28th
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 May 28th, June 4th, and June 11th 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! Please sign-up in the lobby. To read more about what it means to become a partner at Hope, click here.
SANDY COVE WOMEN’S RETREAT: First Payment due May 31st
Hey Ladies! It’s time to mark your calendars for our “Fear Not” Fall Women’s Retreat! This year we’re headed to Sandy Cove Retreat Center in North End, Maryland on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. Save the dates for November 14-16th (Friday evening – Sunday morning) for an awesome weekend. Your room and meals are included in the registration fee of $270. This cost is for 3 (or 4) in a private room with 1 bathroom and each guest will have her own bed. Aside from the benefits of a getaway with friends, we’ll spend time learning how to face anxiety and worry and sense God’s peace in the chaos and pain of this life. Registration and first payment of $135 are required by May 31st (2nd payment is due August 15th) so start planning to attend NOW – you don’t want to miss this opportunity! For complete details, a bio on our guest speaker, and registration information just click here. As always, this event is open to all ladies who are post-high school and up. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dana Ott.
ANNUAL CHURCH PICNIC: June 22nd
We’re having our annual church picnic earlier this year, so be sure to mark your calendars! Join us at 3:00 for yard games, an epic waterslide, bounce house, and more fun outdoor activities! Then we’ll have delicious FREE dinner at 5:00. But we need your help to make this tremendous event possible! Make sure to sign-up in the lobby to bring a dish to share, or to help with the activities by signing up to staff the inflatables or serve dinner. You don’t want to miss out on participating in this amazing tradition at Hope!
TENT SET-UP: June 21st
Many hands make light work, and we’d love your help setting up our big tents the church picnic! Join us on Saturday, June 21st at 9:00 for a quick set-up that will make a BIG impact on the guests and volunteers coming through Hope event on Sunday! Sign-up in the lobby or contact Drew DiLorenzo to help.
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! And starting in May, all high school seniors are invited to join us!
JUNE 3rd: Is Everyone Lonely?
About one third of Americans report feeling lonely all the time. More than that feel lonely on a weekly basis. Is that just personality or is there something in loneliness that is harmful? Are some people just doomed to feel like they don’t belong in any group of people? Let’s talk about our experiences with loneliness and what we’ve tried or seen in response. And then let’s ask if there’s anything that the church should be doing in this area. The Bible pictures believers as brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul talks about us being a connected body. How does that impact our tolerance for loneliness as a norm within our church family? Maybe most importantly, what can we do to make a difference in people who feel isolated but wish they were not?
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.
CURRENT SERIES: Don’t Panic!
Papers for school due tomorrow, you’ve got a new song to learn for band, and you’re already late for your shift at work. Between 40 hours a week at school, homework, extra curricular activities and part time jobs, teens might be living some of the busiest lives in our culture. Maybe that’s why 1/3 teens are being diagnosed with anxiety disorders while roughly 70% of teens are reporting stress and depression as major issues among them and their peers. While we can blame social media, the contentious state of our world, or Tik Tok all we want, the reality is the blame game won’t help our teens handle anything. That’s why Hope Youth is inviting all students from 6th-12th grade to join us for our new series called Don’t Panic where we explore what Jesus has to say about worry and anxiety and how we can apply His teachings in ways that will really change our lives for the better.
HOPE YOUTH ON WEDNESDAYS:
The book of Daniel follows a young man who was kidnapped from his home land and exiled to a foreign country. Far from home and surrounded by ungodly influences, Daniel had to find a way to remain true to his faith. Join Hope Youth on Wednesday nights as we study the book of Daniel and see how this young man not only held fast to his faith, but stood out and stood up for what he believed. Most teens struggle with that familiar desire to fit in, but in a world growing further away from God, He seems to be asking us “Are you willing to stand out?” Come find out how at Wednesday Night Bible Study from 6:30-8 and enjoy some complimentary coffee and donuts while you’re at it.
GIRLS & GUYS NIGHT: May 23rd at 7:00P
The long awaited Guys’/Girls’ Night is here! If you’re a lad, join us for a night of tacos and serious competition in our annual Bounce tournament! Haven’t played before? Then you’re a contender to win Rookie of the Year along with plenty of other prizes throughout this fun filled night! If you’re a lady then you can be a part of a night of ice cream sundaes with your spiritual sisters! You’ll be making custom charm bracelets, enjoying some fun fellowship, and of course devouring some ice cream! Both events are happening on Friday, May 23rd from 6-8pm. Our guys will be meeting here at Hope, while our girls will be meeting at one of our female leader’s houses (833 Hardingville Road, Monroeville)! Click here to sign-up!
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
HOPEKIDS!
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.
5th GRADE DINNER:
Pastor Ryan and Pastor Dan are passionate about helping students and families seamlessly make the transition between Go Zone and Hope Kids Hangout to “Big Church” and Hope Youth. That’s why they’re hosting a 5th grade dinner for students and their parents to help shed some light on the process, deliver vital info on making the transition, and encourage the powerful partnership that can make students’ lives at Hope so enriching. We hope you’ll consider joining us from 6-8pm on Friday, June 6th for a Chik-Fil-A dinner and to learn about the next steps in your student’s journey. Please register here so we can get a headcount and be sure to save you a seat!
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:
Our Nursery 1 team is excited to care for your infants (0-18m) while our Nursery 2 team loves on your toddlers (18m-2yr). Our Preschoolers (3-5yrs) are doing a “Growing with God” study designed to help them 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:
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