 Hope Free Church
Our vision is to be a church whose passion for God gives rise to a heart for the lost and is
demonstrated by our love for one another.
|
|
Helpful Links Click on our wesite links at
|
|
Let's try that again!!
Our Fall Kick-Off will be combined with a mini-retreat AGAIN this year since we had SO much fun last year.
On Friday night, August 21 at 6 pm we will meet in the Fellowship Hall for the first of three sessions of this year's
mini-retreat, "Measureless Love" a DVD series by Beth Moore.
Through video we will hear from best-selling author and teacher, Beth Moore, enjoy fun and fellowship with other women, laugh our heads off, shed a few tears, eat, make new friends and enjoy old friends. Friday night you will go home to your own comfy bed and return to Fellowship Hall Saturday morning when we will finish the DVD series and jump right into our Kick-Off for Fall Bible Studies and activities for Women of Hope for the remainder of 2009 and on into 2010.
Mark your calendars NOW!!
Registration will begin Sunday, August 2. The cost of this mini-retreat is $25.
"...and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. " Ephesians 3:16-19 click here for a video introduction to "Measureless Love"
|
|
Love the Lord & play a brass or woodwind instrument? Contact Pat Noble (623-6545) or Jerry Disney (389-4380) for information about playing in our CELEBRATION BAND. We would love to have you join us! We welcome & encourage all qualified, interested participants, but would especially be grateful for additions in the clarinet & French horn sections.
Calendar Celebration Band rehearses on Thurs, July 9 at 6:30pm.
|
|
|
A Note of Thanks
Dear Hope Church Family, Thank you for the beautiful Peace Lily - we have it on the deck and it will be moved inside during the cold weather. The service was so beautiful and so comforting to listen to now. Thank you for your many prayers during these last several years. Joan Hanson
Dear Hope Family, You're the best! Thanks a lot for the stuff. I am so blessed to have you. Thank you. From, Cole Skadeland |
|
|
This announcement
is to let you know that Pastor Ken and Sherie are trying to recruit
a tour of the
Holy Land for the Fall of next year. We are contemplating extending the typical tour of ten days to fourteen. This would result in a 50% increase in the actual number of days you spend touring the sites, while only adding a few hundred dollars to the over all total for the trip. If you are interested in seeing Israel, we would love to have you join us. The approximate cost will be $4,000 including air fare, hotel rooms (double occupancy), breakfast and dinner every day, all entrance fees and tips, and some money for personal purchases (lunches and things to bring home). The date is not set yet, but you would need to begin making payments on your total trip early in 2010. We hope at least 25 of you will sign up and invite a friend to go with you. Forty would put us on a nice big touring bus over there. You will never read your Bible the same again. Just ask someone who has been there!
|
Men of Hope
Softball League
Come cheer on our teams
Recreational Teams @ Telfer Park, Beloit
Thur 7/2
6:30 Hope Black
7:20 Hope Blue
8:10 Hope Green
Thur 7/9
6:30 Hope Blue
7:20 Hope Black
8:10 Hope Green Thur 7/16
6:30 Hope Green
8:10 Hope Black
9 Hope Blue
Thur 7/23
6:30 Hope Green
8:10 Hope Black vs Hope Blue
Thur 7/30
8:10 Hope Black
9 Hope Blue vs Hope Green
Competitive League @ Krueger Field, Beloit
7/9 @ 8:10
7/16 @ 6:30
7/23 @ 7:20
7/30 @ 8:10
| |
|
|
 Summer Sermon Series
"Postcards from God"
The series began June 21 and goes through August 9. This is a series in the Psalms.
|
|
Library News
 Thank you to everyone who has been donating resources during the budget freeze (you know who you are!) It's so nice to have new materials to share when we can't buy any. Do you have some recently published books that you'd like to donate? Please mark them "donations" when you drop them off at the library.
Please remember that we are re-registering all families with the new software. If you registered several years ago, it's time to register again. Pick up a registration form on the library desk.
We are still looking for a few volunteers to train as Library Aides (or substitutes). Library Aides help patrons check out materials on Sunday mornings - and each shift lasts only a few minutes each month. Training is provided. Please contact Shannon at hefclibrary@gmail.com or (815) 494-9470 if you're interested. Thanks! |
 |
White Cross Update
Sharon Vinson & Connie Ruden, Coordinators
Someone will soon be blessed by the items shipped to TouchGlobal Ministries in June. The boxes weighed 213 pounds and were filled with many kimonos, quilts, knit stocking hats, receiving blankets, and other donated items. Thanks for any part you played in this gift to the needy throughout the world.
Our July workday is Tuesday, July 7, from 8-12 in Drake Hall so do plan to join us. We'll be tying quilts, cutting out dresses for the dress kits, cutting materials for receiving blankets and quilt tops, etc. Just bring your scissors and come enjoy some fellowship with other willing workers for Jesus.
Our needs this month include:
*Blankets & mattress pads for inside of quilts (watch the garage sales)
*Lightweight flannel for receiving blankets
*Rickrack, bias tape, thread, small scissors, pins & needles to include in the dress kits
*Gallon storage bags (ziploc style)
*Sheets, sheets, & more sheets for quilt backs (flat, any color)
We look forward to seeing many workers make a difference in God's kingdom as we try to supply for the needs of those in Congo, Tanzania, Bosnia, Romania, Mongolia, and more. We continue to deliver items to local ministries as the need arises.
|
Mission Report
PREFACE
A few specific details about the following young woman have been omitted because of the country in which she works. If you are interested in full information or want to be added to her prayer letter list, please contact Sandra Mathews at 815-624-2045.
REPORT
A., a relative of several Hope EFC members, is a young woman who felt the Lord call her to go to Asia after she received her teaching degree in 2003. She taught English there to kindergarten and 1st grade students for one year and then to college students for four years. She went under the sponsorship of an agency that sends missionaries to Asia. A. has spent the past year with her parents here in the states, praying about her next step. She is excited the Lord has led her to return to Asia in August. For two years, A. will be in language school so that she will be able to talk to her students in their native language. After that, she will again be given a teaching assignment, probably in a University.
Last term, A. was able to host over 350 of her students for many baking, craft and movie times. She opened her apartment for friends wanting to study "The Good Book" and also to encourage native believers. Besides teaching, A. also led a team for the mission agency of recent college grads new to the mission field. She supervised their teaching, led team Bible studies and discipled them on an individual basis.
A. is grateful that Hope EFC has become part of her support team. Please pray for her as she leaves her family and friends here and starts language school, preparing for an even more effective ministry. |
Music Ministry Needs:
The Celebration Choir is currently seeking persons to do childcare during their Thursday rehearsals. It would involve a once or twice per month commitment (we try to have enough volunteers so it is once a month) September thru Mid-December and Mid-January thru Mid-May. Time frame is generally 6:50-8:20. See Pat Noble if interested in helping meet the need.
 Love the Lord? Love to Sing?
Consider being a part of our Celebration Choir! Our choir is a worship leading choir that meets on Thursday evenings 6:50-8:20 beginning August 27. We would love to welcome you into our group which serves the Lord by providing vocal music leadership for worship as well as presenting the message of Jesus Christ using music as the tool (concerts & musical dramas).
Both men and women are welcome and encouraged to serve - all parts are needed!! Whether you are an experienced choir vocalist or someone who has never done it before, if you can carry a tune & have the desire, we will help you learn. Church membership is not required. Contact Pat Noble or any of our Celebration Choir members for more information. Sign up is in the lobby beginning July 26 for both new & returning members - or you can email Pat at pnoble@charterinternet.com to sign up! Childcare is offered during rehearsal.
We'll be ready to rock'n roll Thursday, August 27.
Looking Ahead
The weekend of December 11-13 we will be presenting a major Christmas musical called "Canticle of Christmas". This is a beautiful retelling of the Christmas story in song. The music features a variety of styles and will be anchored by the Celebration Choir and Orchestra Ensemble. If you love the Lord and love to sing, you will not want to miss the opportunity to be a part of this ministry project! |
|
Seniors of Hope
SENIOR SAINTS There is no July meeting, but we wanted to announce in advance the special meeting in August.
Saturday, August 8th, the Kids Music Kamp will be serving us a lunch at noon, and after the meal, we will become the audience for the dress rehearsal performance. Please plan to come and support the children as they develop their music and drama skills.
Our regular Tuesday noon luncheon will return in September. |
|
|
Youth News
July
01 - TV die in July
4th - End of 40 Days
4th - Beloit Fireworks Picnic - Pending availability
5th - ALL STUDENT MINISTRIES MEET AT THE HOPE CHURCH BUILDING FOR THEIR GATHERINGS!
8th - 10th - Jr High Camping Trip (Lake Geneva)
12th - Sr High on the Rock River
13th - 16th - Serving at VBS
18th - 27th - BUMP 2009
August
1st - Student ministries on the Rock River
2nd - ALL STUDENT MINISTRIES MEET @ HOPE CHURCH BUILDING FOR THEIR GATHERINGS!
9th - Hello/Goodbye Swim Party @ Ledges Pool
11th - 16th - Boone County Fair Experiment
30th Semi-Annual Student Ministries Luncheon (for parents, students, and interested leaders)
Service projects, special events and meetings are TBA so please check our BLOG, ask your student for hand-outs/info they've received from Hope, watch for those e-mails and postcards and mark your calendars immediately!
Looking ahead to school year 09-10:
September & Beyond!!
04-06 SEPT: Roscoe Fall Festival
23 SEPT, W: SYATP
30/31 OCT (FRI & SAT): Halloween alternative
Code Blue Rally (WVW) NOV options - 07 Carbondale, 20 Peoria, 21 Moline, 22 Rockford
22 NOV: Thanksgiving Special?
06 DEC: Possible youth Christmas special (for teens)
15-18 JAN 2010: possible high school week-end of "Holiness"
Looking ahead to summer 2010 - a possible Creation Museum trip, BUMP (again) and/or something with other EFCA youth (we'll see - keep praying for us!!) |
Kids Music & Drama Kamp
 Know a young person entering 3rd thru 7th grade that likes to sing? a neighbor- a relative- your own kids? Now is the time to get invites out there for our annual Kids Music & Drama Kamp!
"O Me, O My, O Nehemiah"
This year's feature: "O Me, O My, O Nehemiah"
Kamp dates: August 3-9
Mon thru Fri 6-8 p.m.
Sat 1 pm Dress Rehearsal Performance for Senior Citizens
Sun 7 pm Main Performance at Hope Free Church
Kamp is open to students entering 3rd thru 7th grade! We will have lots of FUN together as we prepare the musical drama. In addition to rehearsal which includes singing & choreography as well as drama parts, we will have a time for Bible Lesson & snack.
The cost of the kamp is $15 if registered by July 5th- $20 after that date with a final deadline of July 29 (July 26 if interested in drama auditions). There is a discount for multiple registrants from the same family. Students receive a t-shirt & rehearsal CD.
Early registration helps us to better plan! You can pick up more information and a registration form in the church lobby. Turn registrations in to the office or place them in the slot outside the Music Room door. SIGN UP SOON! And tell someone else about the kamp!
Questions regarding Kids Kamp can be directed to Pat Noble; 623-6545 x5, or pnoble@charterinternet.com.
Areas where you can help Kids Kamp:
*Prayer over all aspects of the ministry (this would be a "now" thing)
*Providing snacks or beverages for a given night *Someone to contact the area senior citizen groups & retirement homes about the Senior Citizen Performance & Luncheon. (Needs to be done in June)
*People to help with the Senior Citizen's Luncheon on Saturday, Aug 8 at noon.
|
Kids of Hope 
Vacation Bible School is almost here!
Registration numbers are higher than usual, and we are really excited about sharing God's love with all the kids!
Please pray for the following:
* Effective Gospel presentations by the teachers, Marshall & Julie Newhouse, and Laurie Yost.
* That the camp counselors would be able to relate well with the kids and be spiritual models for them
* Health and safety of the children and workers
* Vicky Steege as she directs the preschool program with over 40 children
* Trisha Knaul and Sarah Haggerty as they direct the elementary program with over 85 children
Who is God prompting YOU to invite?
 On the last day of VBS we will be holding our first ever Family Camp-out right here at church. The whole church family is invited to a simple supper (at a minimal cost), and the closing rally in the sanctuary. Those who choose to stay overnight have the option of sleeping in their own camper/tent outside or in sleeping bags in the church classrooms. Saturday morning there will be a pancake breakfast for the campers. Everyone will be expected to break camp by 10:00 am. We will be rather strict about enforcing a few "rules":
* Children will not be allowed to stay the night unless they are accompanied by a responsible adult. Children should be with their own families at night time.
* There will be Camp Hosts on duty the entire time to help with questions and problems.
* There will be a 10:30 quiet time enforced
* Any person found with alcohol, cigarettes, or other inappropriate behavior will be asked to leave the premises immediately Workers needed
 Camp Hosts - list time slot available Marshmallow roasters Hot dog & Hamburger cookers Supper servers Breakfast chef Breakfast servers
Prayerfully remember our Kids at Timber-Lee the month of July:
Rebekah Beaumont Kelsey Buchanan Caleb Chastain
Abbie Mayer Lexie Mayer
Liz Mayer Kaitlyn Schwenk
Emma Wallman Heather Wallman | |
|
