If you’re anything like me, you might tend to think that the words we write are the ones that are out there forever, but the words we say just dissipate once spoken. But I’ve come to believe that’s not so. The words we speak don’t just float out into the air and disappear. They land. They settle. They make themselves at home in our minds and in the minds of everyone within earshot. It’s a little sobering when you stop long enough to think about it. Once you’ve said them, you can never unsay them. You can apologize or issue an explanation, but the original words remain. “What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.”(Proverbs 18:21 GNT) That doesn’t mince words, does it? Preserve life or destroy. Hope or hurt. Healing or harm. All sitting right on the edge of our tongues. Here’s a verse that makes me sit up straight and take notice: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” (Matthew 12:36) Oh dear! Every. Empty. Word. How much of what we say would God deem as empty? I think of things like gossip, unnecessary derogatory remarks, flippant dismissals. Matthew 15:11 says, “A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” Yikes! What is coming out of our mouths? I pray that we would have gentle spirits and guarded tongues, so that what we speak brings life instead of hurt. That we would learn to use our words to encourage, to forgive quickly, and to pause before responding. Lord, help us to use our words the way You have used Yours – to bring healing, hope, and truth to those around us.
Pursued by our relentless God ~ Lois
SPIRITUAL CARE
A Child Is Born | Preschool Program
(Isaiah 9:6-7: John 1)
When a child is born, there is a sense of all the possibilities that their life can hold. All of their days lay before them unwritten and full of potential. Many know this feeling from their own experience even though they would struggle to put it into words that fully express it. Can you imagine how much harder it is to put into words what it would mean for God Himself to come to earth as a baby? Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, a prophet gave it a shot. He used some terms packed with meaning to describe this birth and the person who would come. We see a glimpse of that truth in the Gospels and in the life that Jesus lived. We see it more fully in the death that He died and in His resurrection. But there’s more to the story than even that. Jesus even said as much when He left. He told His followers that He would come back. What does all of this mean? Let’s look at the words of the prophet and try to get our heads and hearts around what they mean as we celebrate Jesus this season.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY: On Hiatus
Our Wednesday evening programs are on break for the month of December.
Starting January 7th, Pastor Mark will be leading a new series, “Find Rest.” We all know the frustration of misplacing something and not being able to find it. We try to remember the last time we saw it, but it seems like every time we look somewhere new, it just isn’t there. Most of us live our lives chasing a thing that our soul needs, but that seems impossibly lost. We all need rest. In fact, Jesus tells us that we are called to it and that He gives it to us when we come to Him. So why do so many of us struggle to find it? Let’s see what may be stopping us from the kind of renewing rest that Jesus gives.
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
Welcome to the Hope Family our newest partners: Gena Andrews, Lauren Chaine, and Alejandra & Caleb Humeniuk. 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 become a partner! 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 (Philippians 1:3-6). We share the burdens and work of the ministry together, and we serve our Lord as a team. For more information about the partnership process, click here.
MEN’S BREAKFAST:
All men post high school and up are invited to join us on the second Saturday of each month for a FREE hot breakfast. We gather together as brothers in Christ for a morning of fellowship, study, and prayer. Join us this Saturday, December 13th from 8:00-9:30am in the GoZone.
HOPE CHRISTMAS CARDS:
The church is decorated, December is here, and Hope is officially ready for Christmas! We have many special programs coming up over the next month that are excellent opportunities to invite friends & family out to church. Our prayer is that one of these services will make an eternal difference in the hearts of our visitors! So be sure to pick up a stack of our “Christmas Cards” from Connection Center. They list all of our program dates & times and make the perfect card to hand out at school, work, or around the neighborhood!
BIBLE READING PLANS:
A daily essential in any believer’s walk with God is time in His word. That’s why Hope has curated two special bible reading plans for you to choose from to start in the new year! You can grab our “Bible In A Year” plan or pick up one of our bookmarks that will give you a sampling of the entire bible over the course of 2 years. All options are available at the Connection Center!
LOST & FOUND:
Our lost and found bin is overflowing! Swing by the back of the auditorium next to the Production Booth to pick up any missing items. At the end of the month any unclaimed belongings will be donated. Thanks!
CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES:
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!
NEW TO HOPE RECEPTION:
If you are new to Hope within the past six months, our leadership and staff would love to get to know you more! Stop by our kitchen in-between services on Sunday, January 11th for a sweet treat and a hot cup of coffee. Bring your family, we can’t wait to meet them!
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! We are currently on hiatus for the month of December. Stay tuned for details on our January kickoff!
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!
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY: This Sunday!
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:
We have two more HopeKids! Christmas Programs to look forward to! Rehearsals are currently happening during Sunday morning services, in addition to these special practices for each age group:
- Pre-K (4-5 yr olds) only on-stage practice is Sat, Dec. 13th from 10am-11am
- GoZone (K-6th graders) first on-stage practice is Wed, Dec. 17th from 6:30-8:00pm
- GoZone (K-6th graders) second on-stage practice is Sat, Dec. 20th from 10am-12pm
For more information, click here for the 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.
PAJAMA DAY: December 28th
All of our HopeKids! children and volunteers are invited to join us for Pajama Day on Sunday, December 28th. Wear your favorite jammies and let’s celebrate the end of the year together!
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.
Check out our social media (and more) here!
For any questions about HopeKids! Ministry contact us at: kids@hopechristianfellowship.org
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