My grandson recently uttered words that should strike fear into the hearts of parents. He said, “I copy what my daddy does.” Catch that? Not so much what he says, but what he does! Our children (and grandchildren) are always listening, always watching us. We are their main source of practical experience and wisdom. How many times do we see a child immediately mimic what someone else does, even another child? ‘Monkey see monkey do’ isn’t a catchphrase for nothing! With all that in mind, what are some things we can do to insure our little ones start early ‘doing what we do’, most especially in the light of having a heart that yearns for Jesus? Proverbs 22:6 offers one fairly obvious answer. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it“. This verse highlights the long-term impact of a parent’s guidance and example in a child’s life. We bring them to church. We make sure they are able to participate in all the children’s’ programs and activities. Since we know that children mimic what we do, it makes sense to let them see us reading our Bibles, praying, and serving the Kingdom. We lead them by example. “Don’t lord it over the people (children) assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” (1 Peter 5:3 NLT) This verse encourages all leaders, including parents, to lead by precedence rather than by force. These are just two of a number of verses on this subject. To keep this opening from running too long, here’s a few more if you’re so inclined to look them up: Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ephesians 6:4, and Proverbs 20:7 Happy reading!
At the foot of the cross ~ Lois
SPIRITUAL CARE
CONNECT: We Are a Body
(1 Cor 12:4-7, 12-14, 21-27)
As we continue looking at Holy Habits, there is one that we have been emphasizing for well over a year. Isolation and loneliness are our enemies. Whether you feel alone or not, our calling is to make sure no one who is a part of Hope is vulnerable to being disconnected from our church family. Paul uses a picture of a body to teach us how we are supposed to function together. We cannot follow Jesus and be disconnected from one another. What will we do to choose community and connection?
FAMILY NIGHTS:
Doors will open at 6:15 for FREE dinner for the whole family before we head into our classes at 7:00. We know weekdays can be hectic with school and work – so consider your Wednesdays taken care of! Come feed your stomach and your soul! We’ll have HopeKids! Programs for all our our little ones, starting from nursery up through 5th grade. Hope Youth will also have a class for our teens. Even if you can’t make it to dinner, join us for programs at 7:00.
BIBLE STUDY:
Forgiveness: Finding Freedom From Hurt
As Christians, we are forgiven. It is a fundamental truth that defines our relationship with God. But we also are called to forgive. When faced with the unforgivable, this can feel like a duty that we aren’t sure we want to fulfill. In fact, it can feel like it minimizes the damage done to us and makes us vulnerable again to the same kind of pain we faced before. But what if it isn’t really any of those things? What if forgiveness is freedom? We’re going to take four weeks and look at some of the main passages on forgiveness to see what we can learn. If you are struggling with knowing how to let go of wounds and the fear it brings (or if you just want to learn more about this vital truth), join us as we learn together what it means to forgive and how we can do it.
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 August, we averaged $9848 per week bringing our annual average down to $9926. This remains above our target of $9700 but puts us a bit behind in what we need heading into the fall and the new year as we look for a permanent home and an assistant pastor. Our building fund, thanks to a special gift this month, averaged $2434 per week. We are thankful for God’s faithful provision in every way. Please pray with us as we all join together to fund the Lord’s work here at Hope!
SEPTEMBER COLLECTION:
This September, we’re collecting toiletries for the Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries to bless our neighbors in need this Christmas. Items needed include: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, disposable razors, deodorant, and dental floss. Please make sure donations can fit into a gallon-size ziplock bag (no travel-size items). Last year, Hope packed and distributed 102 hygiene bags, and with your help, we’d love to meet – or even exceed – that number this year! Donations can be placed in the bins at either entrance at church.
WOMEN OF HOPE:
Our group for post high school ladies is back with a Souper September Kick-off Meeting! Please come out for our first meeting of the fall and enjoy a bowl of soup, salad, and something sweet while catching up with old friends or maybe making some new ones! We’ll gather on Monday, September 15th at 6:30pm in the GoZone and whether you’ve joined us before or not, we hope to see you there. No need to bring anything but yourself and your Bible! Women of Hope meets every 1st & 3rd Monday at 6:30pm and we’ll be starting a brand new study series on October 6th, so mark your Mondays and plan to be a part! If you have any questions or need more information, please reach out to Mary LeBeau or Dana Ott!
DIRECTORY DAY:
Now is your chance to be a part of one of the most valuable resources for community here at Hope! We have an online directory that is private to Hopers only. Register for the directory, and we’ll send you instructions to download the app and customize your profile. You’ll be able to see other Hoper’s contact info and even reach out to them directly! Swing by the kitchen after either service on September 21st and we’ll take your photo and get you set-up! You can make the process even easier by PRE-REGISTERING HERE! If you have any questions, contact Emily DiLorenzo.
SMALL GROUP INFO & TRAINING MEETING: Sign-up by 9/14!
Community is an essential part of our spiritual walk with Christ. Small Groups are an important way we fight the battle isolation and build an everlasting community here at Hope! In order to have Small Groups we need Small Group Coordinators, (formerly known as Leaders/Hosts), who are open to coordinating a group for the next season (Fall through Spring). Coordinators must be believers in Christ, attending Hope on a regular basis, and be willing to be the point of contact for a single Group. If you meet the above criteria and you want to plug-in to the church in a simple, but impactful way, the Small Group Leadership Team will be holding a Coordinator Information & Training Session lunch on Sunday, September 21st following the second service. The goal of this session will be to answer questions about Small Group Coordination and to equip those qualified to kick off their first group. Lunch is free, we just need you to register so we know you are coming! Sign-up here no later than September 14th.
NEW TO HOPE CLASS:
If you’re new to Hope within the past year, you’ll want to join us for a special evening just for you on September 24th at 7:00! Come learn how we do things (and why we do them!) here at Hope. This class will be taught by one of our Elders. Sign-up at the Connection Center to attend!
CHURCH WORK DAY:
We need all hands on deck for our huge church workday on Saturday, October 18th at 9:00am, rain or shine. We will be working on cleaning projects, organizing projects, light maintenance work, and outside landscaping / cleanup. We could use every person who can come for an hour or two and stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of our church family. Sign up today at Connection Center and let us know if you prefer to work inside, outside, or either. When you arrive on that morning, we will have a list of projects and help you get to one that fits what you can do!
MISSIONS FELLOWSHIP EVENT:
You’re invited to join us on Sunday, October 19th following the second service for a special time of food, fellowship, and service! We’ll enjoy lunch together before rolling up our sleeves to bless others in our community. We’ll be packing Christmas toiletry bags for Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries, and kids will have the chance to make Christmas cards to tuck inside. We’ll also be creating warm, “no-sew” blankets for Seeds of Hope. This is a wonderful opportunity for the whole family to serve side by side and share God’s love in practical ways. Please sign-up at Connection Center — we’d love for you to be part of it! If you have any questions, please reach out to Jodi Jacoby at 856-371-7227.
BABY | CHILD DEDICATIONS:
We believe that children are some of the most incredible gifts that God gives to families and to our church. Many parents want to dedicate themselves and their children to the Lord. Our next Child Dedication Service will be on October 19th. There will be a class after the 2nd service on October 12th for all parents participating. Please sign-up at Connection Center and grab a book to participate! If you cannot make that class, please contact Pastor Mark to set up a time to go over the information before that class. We are excited to pray over these families and children and to witness the declaration of parents committed to raising their children as God directs.
YOUNG ADULTS
If you are post high school through your 20s, our Young Adult group provides a place to connect, 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. We meet the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00P in the GoZone!
THIS SEEMS FISHY: September 16th
There’s a story in the Bible that often brings big questions. It is a story about a prophet named Jonah who initially refused to go where God told him to go. Instead, he winds up inside of a “great fish” until he repents and decides to go. It actually goes downhill from there. The idea of a man living inside a fish stirs up debate about whether or not this is even a real story. Are there clues in Scripture that help us answer this? And, more importantly, what is the story about? You may have heard the tale, but have you ever been challenged with the truth of the whole episode? In a time when evil seems to be flourishing and God’s people seem to be losing, Jonah’s story resonates more than ever! If you can, read the four short chapters of this book before you come out!
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For any questions about Hope’s Young Adults contact Mark & Dana Ott.
HOPE YOUTH
HOPE YOUTH:
All 6th through 12th graders are invited to join us on Sundays from 6-8pm for a brand new year full of adventure and the unexpected! We’ll be starting off the school year with a new series called Into the Unknown. Maybe you’ve just moved to a new town, are looking ahead to life after school, or are joining youth group for the first time! Or maybe you’re going through a tough transition in life and you just don’t know what the future holds. Whatever the case, growing up is about stepping out into the unknown. New relationships, responsibilities, and risks. Thankfully you don’t have to alone. In this series we’ll be exploring how we can step into the unknown with confidence, and how Jesus walks right beside us as we do. So whether it’s your first year at youth group or your last, we hope you’ll join us!
HOPE YOUTH ON WEDNESDAYS:
Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:15-8:00P! We’ll have food for your body and your soul as we enjoy a meal together and dive into God’s Word as a Youth Group. Our teens will be exploring the narrative of Joseph in the Old Testament and seeing how his journey of slavery, imprisonment, and rejection is a reflection of Jesus Christ and how we can reflect Jesus in our own lives! You won’t want to miss one or morsel or one moment! See you then!
OCEAN CITY RETREAT:
Join us for one of the biggest events of the year as we spend the weekend at Ocean City for our Senior High retreat! If you or a friend are in 9th-12th grade, you’re invited to be a part of this fun and uplifting retreat being held from September 26-28th! Aside from plenty of games and fun on the boards we will be worshipping together, diving into God’s Word, and growing closer as a group. Fill out our OC Retreat Permission Slip and turn it in to Pastor Dan NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 12TH. The cost for the trip is $100 and can be paid via cash, a check made out to “Hope Christian Fellowship”, or through our Paypal link. If you have questions about payment or are in need of a retreat sponsorship, please contact Pastor Dan ASAP.
HOPE YOUTH DONATIONS NEEDED:
Ocean City Weekend is one of Hope Youth’s biggest and most time honored traditions. Every year our students 9th-12th grade bond together for a weekend over fun games, powerful lessons, and good food! While we have some excellent chefs ready and willing to serve, we need your help in supplying the ingredients to make it happen! If you are interested in supporting God’s mission on the Ocean City Weekend retreat then consider donating one of the available items! If you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Dan. Thanks again for partnering with us!
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.
WONDERZONE ON WEDNESDAYS:
Wednesday nights at Hope are BACK, and we are so excited to have our WonderZone programs up and running again! We can’t wait to snuggle and care for your infants (0-18m) in our Nursery 1 class, while our Nursery 2 team builds connections with your toddlers (18m-2yr) through lots of playtime! As we jump back into our normal midweek programs, our Preschoolers (3-5yrs) will continue our “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!
GOZONE ON WEDNESDAYS:
The GoZone team is excited and ready to launch into Wednesday nights with your 1st-5th graders! We’ll have a chance to review Sunday morning’s Bible lesson in a new way — new lesson videos, new games, and new small group activities will help to reinforce these important Bible truths! You don’t want your elementary kiddos to miss out on this opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the Bible and fellowship with other HopeKids!
HOPEKIDS HANGOUT:
Our Sunday evening program for elementary aged children is taking a hiatus in for fall, with updates to come in January. However, our GoZone kiddos will still GO for God, GO for growth and GO forever during our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening programs made just for them! See you there!
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For any questions about HopeKids! Ministry contact us at: kids@hopechristianfellowship.org
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