If you’ve ever gotten an email from me you may have noticed this verse across the bottom: “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.” (Job 37:5-6) I fell in love with it a number of years ago and decided it belonged there as a testimony to how God works in our lives. After hearing so many people give glory to Him this past Sunday at our Praise Service, wouldn’t you agree it fits perfectly? Our Praise Service is when we take turns giving testimony to the ‘great things’ God has done in our lives over the past year. Not only are they great, but yes, they are often ‘beyond our understanding’. In fact, they usually ARE beyond what we can understand or imagine. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine….” (Ephesians 3:20) That’s what makes Him so amazing. I love how the verse says His voice thunders in ‘marvelous ways’. And yet, His voice is often the quietest of whispers. Sometimes the great things He does in our lives are merely the softest breath across our souls that speaks calm to us in our anxiety and worry. And yes, sometimes the great things can be thunderous and awesome and larger than life. Those things are usually easy to spot, to remember, and to boldly proclaim. The trick is not to miss those quieter moments and to recognize them for what they are – His holy and hushed version of the great and wondrous things ‘beyond our understanding’.
Grateful for everything God has done, both the thunderous and the whispered ~ Lois
SPIRITUAL CARE
Choosing Obedience – A word from Jim Jefferson
(Matthew 4:1-11, Hebrews 4:15)
Did you ever have big dreams for your life? I know I have!! While we make so many plans for our family, career, and wealth, we often end up in situations that we didn’t plan for or never saw coming. Do we allow our faith to look past our challenges and still pursue the Lord? In this text, we see Jesus in a tough place facing tough decisions. No better time than now to look to the example of Jesus for how to walk through the wilderness, face temptation, and still choose obedience to our Heavenly Father.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: On Hiatus
Our Wednesday evening programs are on break for the month of December. Stay tuned for details on our January study!
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
Did you know we have a private Facebook group for Hopers only to share gently used items and free services? Hope Share is a place to serve each other by offering furniture, toys, clothes, etc. to our church family before tossing it or giving it away elsewhere. To join, simply click here!
NEW TO HOPE RECEPTION: This Sunday!
If you are new to Hope within the past six months, our staff and leadership would love to get to know you better. Stop by the kitchen in between services this Sunday, November 30th for a sweet treat and hot beverage! Bring your family and we’ll see you then!
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING: This Sunday!
Our proposed 2026 budget is now available at the Connection Center. Voting for the budget will take place at our Annual Business Meeting this Sunday, November 30th following the second service. All Hopers are welcome to attend, but only partners will be able to vote. Please join us as we discuss the proposed budget as well as our vision for 2026. (We have a ballot box out for those who are unable to stay for the meeting.) For questions about the budget, please contact our Leadership Team.
WOMEN OF HOPE: Christmas Party
Our last meeting of the year is coming up on December 1st at 6:30pm and we’re excited to kick off the month with a Christmas gathering. We’ll have a devotional to get us in the holiday spirit, some fellowship, and party snacks too. Coffee and other hot & cold drinks will be provided, but if you’d like to bring a snack or dessert to share with the group, that would be great! We’ll also have some fun with a “white elephant” gift exchange, so jump in by bringing a wrapped gift under $10. Invite a friend to come along and if you have any questions, reach out to Mary LeBeau. Open to all ladies post high school and up.
ANNUAL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY: Sign-Up Now!
Christmas is just around the corner, so mark your calendars now and save the date for Friday, December 12th at 6:30pm. All ladies (post high-school and up) are invited to our “Winter Wonderland” Party & Ornament Exchange! We’re so excited for this opportunity for our ladies to get together for some holiday games, fun, food, and an encouraging word for every season, even the winter blues! Please sign up at Connection Center and indicate if you’re able to bring a snack or dessert to share. Also, bring a wrapped Christmas tree ornament ($10 or less) for a fun exchange! This year we are collecting donations of winter scarves, hats, and gloves/mittens to take to Jeannette’s Closet (which is part of the GWCM) giving out clothes to those in need. If you want to donate, please bring any of the above for women, men, and children! Dana Ott with any questions. Feel free to invite friends or family – the more the merrier!
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES:
It might be hard to believe, but Christmas Eve is only 5 weeks away! This year we will be offering two identical services at 3:30P & 5:00P. We’ll have scripture reading, special music, and candle lighting. There will be HopeKids! Programs for our WonderZone (ages 0-5.) We’ll also have hot coffee ready! This year’s Christmas Eve offering will be designated to go to Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries in support of the increasing need in our community. Invite your family and friends and join us for one of these special services!
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!
DECEMBER 2nd: Christmas Party
Come out for our “Dip-fest” Christmas Party! We’ll be meeting for a fun night to kick off the holiday season with some Christmas games, snacks, and hanging out with friends. You’re invited to bring a yummy ‘dip’ to share with the group – think chips & salsa, apples & caramel, pretzels & cheese dip, veggies & ranch, or a favorite of yours. Extra points if you wear a Christmas sweater, sweatshirt, or jammies! Feel free to invite your friends and join us at our last YA meeting of 2025 – see you there!
Follow us on Instagram here!
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 games, bible study, worship, and more!
NEW CHRISTMAS SERIES & FRIENDSGIVING: This Sunday!
With so many distractions during the Christmas season it can be easy to lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. While classic Christmas movies may promote the family, giving generously, or forgiveness, Scripture presents a different story and we’ll be turning to its pages to see what it says and how that story should impact us not just on Christmas, but 365 days a year. Join us for this series starting Sunday, November 30th as we investigate The True Meaning of Christmas. Plus, we’ll be kicking off the Christmas season right with our very own Friendsgiving! Join this Sunday from 6-8pm for a special thanksgiving themed night with fun games and a thanksgiving dinner! Bring a friend and be a part of the festivities!
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY:
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and Hope Youth is celebrating with our annual Christmas party! We’ll be gathering together on Sunday Night, December 14th from 6-8pm, for a festive night full of fun holiday themed games and Christ centered fellowship! Come dressed in your favorite Christmas PJs as we sip and snack on holiday favorites, compete for Christmas prizes, and conclude our Christmas series! We will even be doing a white elephant gift exchange ($10 maximum) so grab a friend and join the fun before we take our winter break!
WINTER RETREAT:
Hope Youth is going on another retreat and we are inviting ALL STUDENTS! If you or someone you know is in 6th-12th grade they are invited to join us for our 2026 Winter Retreat at America’s Keswick happening January 23rd-25th! Their “Beyond the Weekend” retreat is a powerful weekend of worship, fellowship, and spiritual formation. With moving sessions, an environment of praise, tons of fun activities (like a volleyball tournament, an indoor swimming pool, video game competitions and so much MORE) it’s no wonder Beyond the Weekend is packed every year with youth groups from all over the tri-state area. Hope Youth is PUMPED to be a part of this awesome event and we want you to join us, so complete the permission slip and turn it in to Pastor Dan no later than December 14th! You can pay the $100 fee by cash, check, or PayPal. Spaces are filling up fast so don’t wait!
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!
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICES: Happening Now!
This year, our WonderZone will celebrate TWO separate Christmas programs with our Toddlers program for all 2-3 year olds on December 7th and our Preschool program for all 4-5 year olds on December 14th! Our GoZone program for all K-6th graders will be on December 21st. Practices are taking place in each of these classrooms during regular Sunday morning services, so be sure to have your kids in class and on time each week! For more information, click here for the Toddler Parent Letter, Pre-K Parent Letter, and GoZone Parent Letter. Additionally, your children can practice at home with all songs and motion videos here! If you have any questions, please contact Kara May.
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:
Our WonderZone teams 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 on Wednesday nights! 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 booming on Wednesday nights with our K-5th graders! Each week, we 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!
Check out our social media (and more) here!
For any questions about HopeKids! Ministry contact us at: kids@hopechristianfellowship.org
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