I saw a video on how the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” can be representative of our Christian faith. I’ll share it with you in written form. Yes, there was a lot of pausing and replaying in order to get it all! You’re welcome.
1) The partridge will sacrifice his life to protect his young, like Jesus in John 10:11.
2) Two turtle doves are the Old and New Testament.
3) Three French Hens are Faith, Hope and Love in 1 Corinthians 13:13.
4) Four Calling Birds are the four voices calling out the four gospels.
5) Five Golden Rings are the Torah, the first five books of the gospel.
6) Six Geese a Laying represents how God spoke life into the world in six days Genesis 1.
7) Seven Swans a Swimming are the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit found in Isaiah 11:2.
8) Eight Maids a Milking are the eight beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-12.
9) Nine Ladies Dancing are the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.
10)Ten Lords a Leaping are the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20.
11)Eleven Pipers Piping are the eleven disciples who remained devoted to following Jesus.
12)Twelve Drummers Drumming are the twelve points in the Apostles’ Creed doctrine.
Now I’m singing this song… and you will be too! ~ Lois
SPIRITUAL CARE
The Good Shepherd | Elementary Program
(Jeremiah 23:1-6; John 10)
Most of us know the pain of following someone that proved to be untrustworthy. Humans struggle with power because it seems to always grab the part of us that is self-centered and ready to use whatever power we have for our own purposes. Whether you agreed to follow that person or not, the feeling of injustice is unbearable. Those in power can take our money, our freedoms, and bring unwanted change to our lives without our consent. What does our Creator think of this? As we celebrate Christmas, we should know that our God sees and that He has an answer for those who use power to do evil. In fact, a prophet hundreds of years before Jesus was born had something to say on this very topic. It turns out that Jesus’ birth was the start of God’s answer to those in charge who use their power to do what is wrong. One reason we celebrate Christmas is because God Himself will address wicked leaders and step into their place as the Good Shepherd.
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).
PRAYER HUDDLE:
Please note there will we will not have our volunteer Prayer Huddle this Sunday due to the GoZone Christmas Program.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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
We are currently on hiatus for the month of December. Stay tuned for details on our January kickoff!
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!
Follow us on Instagram here!
For any questions about Hope’s Young Adults contact Mark & Dana Ott.
HOPE YOUTH
We are currently on hiatus for the month of December. Stay tuned for details on our January kickoff!
All 6th through 12th graders are invited to join us on Sundays from 6-8pm for games, bible study, worship, and more!
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!
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!
MOVE-UP SUNDAY:
Our 6th graders will officially move up into the main auditorium for Sunday morning services on January 4th! It has been our joy to serve these incredible kids. We’re excited for all the fun they’ll have as they get connected in Hope Youth, and grow deeper in their faith in the main service!
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
Note: If you do not wish to continue receiving Hope Notes, simply reply to this email and I will remove your name from the list. Any correspondence for Hope Notes goes to Hopenotes Email.