I am a sunset stalker. Nothing brings me peace and joy like watching the sun slip beneath the horizon at the end of the day. Even better if all that splendor is mirrored on a body of water! My family is all too familiar with my sunset stalking ways. I’m not joking when I tell you that, when we’re on vacation, I make them plan the evening around what time the sun is setting, whether or not there are clouds, and where the nearest body of water is! Poor Michael has literally had to chase the sunset – flying down the road in order to get to the designated spot as just the right moment. He has gotten used to me suddenly racing out the back door here at home if I’ve gotten a glimpse of something spectacular happening in the sky above our trees! Psalm 65:8 expresses some of how I feel when observing this bit of beauty from our Lord. “They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.” I really AM in awe; God didn’t need to produce such an array of colors. He could have simply let the sun sink below the horizon with no fanfare. As for shouting with joy, have you ever been in a group of people watching a sunset? They will often break into spontaneous applause at the sight! Who but the Lord could paint such a masterpiece night after night? And then repeat Himself every morning with a sunrise! I will never grow tired of looking at the sky and searching for a glimpse of God’s glory. Try it; I think you’ll find it to be the perfect place to fill your soul with joy and remind your heart of the majesty of our Creator.
I love to see God’s glory on display … Lois
SPIRITUAL CARE
Listening Is Better (Luke 10:38-42)
In our lives, we consume information and surround ourselves with noise and stimulation. We know that we can’t possibly take in everything available, but we join the chase anyway. Many times, becoming a part of a church just changes the list of the things we’re trying to know and do. But there is a really important truth that Luke shows us in an episode around a couple of Jesus’ close friends. One of them thinks that getting stuff done is most important. But the other is just listening to Jesus. Jesus uses this moment to speak to us across the centuries.
FAMILY NIGHTS:
Join us at 6:15pm on Wednesdays for FREE dinner for the whole family before we head into our classes at 7:00pm. 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.
BIBLE STUDY: And When You Pray
Does prayer ever feel like a burden or an unfulfilling duty? Join us for a 4-week Bible study beginning September 9th at 7:00pm as Pastor Gregg digs into scripture and helps us rethink what it means to talk with God and discover the purpose, benefit, and joy behind our prayers.
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
Beginning Sunday, October 4th we will move to three new service times: 8:30, 10:00, 11:30
SEPTEMBER COLLECTION: Due back this Sunday!
This month, we are collecting toiletries for Greater Woodbury Cooperative Ministries. Donations may include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and other personal-care items. Donations can be placed in the bins located at the front and back of the church.
SPECIAL PRAYER REQUEST:
As our church continues to grow, we have started the process purchasing a trailer to increase our classroom space. We are asking Hopers to please partner with us in prayer as we navigate this aquisition and all that comes with this expansion!
SMALL GROUPS: Join Now!
At Hope, we believe that relationships with other believers is essential to growing in our faith. One important way we pursue these relationships is through our Small Groups. We offer both church & home based groups for women, men, young adults, married couples and more! To join an existing group, or to host, visit our Small Group page!
GRIEFSHARE GROUP:
Starts Saturday, September 26th at 10:00A
Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, you are warmly invited to come find comfort, encouragement, and hope in a caring community. For more information or if you have any questions, please reach out to Pastor Gregg.
MISSION TRIP Q&A:
Sunday, September 27th following the 2nd service in GoZone
If you have questions for our Mission Team who recently visited South Africa, this meeting is for you! They are eager to share their experience with you. For questions, contact Jodi Jacoby.
COFFEE & CANDLES:
Friday, October 2nd at 7:00P for all Ladies Post High School
Our very own Lesley Russell (owner of Simply Nestled) will be walking us through the steps and teaching us to make a candle of our own. We’ll have a latte & coffee bar to enjoy too. The cost for this evening of fun is $25 and you’ll need to PAY HERE by September 27th (no exceptions!) to save your seat. We’ll have a latte & coffee bar to enjoy too.
CHRISTMAS CHOIR:
The performance date will be December 13th for all three Sunday services. Choir rehearsal will be on THURSDAY nights starting October 8th at 7:00-8:30pm and will run weekly for about 10 weeks. There is a sign-up sheet at Connection Center and we need you to start signing up NOW! We are hoping to provide childcare for little ones, so please indicate your need on the sign-up sheet as well. Contact Dana Ott with any questions!
FALL WORK DAY:
Saturday, October 17th at 9:00A
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 at Connection Center and let us know if you can work inside, outside, or either.
MARRIAGE CONFERENCE:
Saturday, October 24th from 9:30A-2:30P
All married & engaged couples are invited to this FREE one-day marriage conference led by Pastor Gregg & Denise Buzzelli designed to encourage, strengthen, and prepare relationships for a hope-filled future. We will provide a continental breakfast and lunch. Register here to secure your spot. Please note: there will not be HopeKids! programs or childcare for this event.
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 each month at 7:00P!
OCTOBER 6TH: When God Doesn’t Answer
As a Christian, one of our great privileges is prayer. We get to talk to the Creator of the universe. And He actually listens. But sometimes, it feels like maybe He’s not listening. Have you ever prayed for something really intensely and over a long period of time, but nothing happens? What’s up with that? Does God listen to some people and not others? Does He tune you out if He’s mad at you? Let’s talk about what we’ve done when it felt like God wasn’t answering our prayers. And let’s see if there’s anything we can learn from Scripture on this.
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For any questions about Hope’s Young Adults contact Mark & Dana Ott.
HOPE YOUTH
Youth Group meets weekly on Sundays from 6:00-8:00P. Open to all 6th-12th graders!
MIDDLE SCHOOLER MADNESS:
Friday, Sept 25th from 7-8:30pm
A party made specifically for 6th-8th graders full of crazy competitions, wacky activities, and fun foods! Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity to connect with old friends and make new ones.
OCEAN CITY RETREAT:
October 9-11th for 8th-12th Graders
We’ll be heading down to Kull Youth retreat center for a weekend of boardwalk fun, rest, and connection as the new school year gets underway. We’ll be playing games together, enjoying the boardwalk, and learning what it means to rest like Jesus. The cost is $100 – food and transportation included! Payment and permission slip is due October 3rd.
OCWKD: Donations Needed
Hope Youth is attending the Ocean City Weekend retreat in just a few weeks and needs your help! We’ll be serving students food all throughout the weekend so we’re asking our Hopers if they’d be willing to donate breakfast foods to help make the it possible. Click here to select items to donate. We appreciate your support!
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!
GOZONE WORSHIP NIGHT:
Friday, Sept 25th at 7:00P for all K-5th Graders & Their Parents
We’ll have an awesome time of worship, focusing our hearts on our amazing God, and even participate in a special prayer activity as we kick off the new school year! Sign up here to let us know you’ll be there! (Please note: There will be no WonderZone (0-5) programs during this event.)
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.
WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAMS:
We are so excited to have HopeKids! programs up & running again for infants through 5th graders during Family Nights this fall. We can’t wait to snuggle and care for your infants, build connections and set the foundation of faith with your preschoolers, and engage your elementary schoolers in activities to build their Biblical literacy. As we jump back into our midweek programs, all K-5th graders are encouraged to bring their Bibles each week to earn prizes and learn how to read from Scripture themselves! Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity in the middle of your week to teach your kids to prioritize their faith!
Check out our social media (and more) here!
For any questions about HopeKids! Ministry contact us at: kids@hopechristianfellowship.org
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