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 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.
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Helpful Links
click on our website links at
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To our Hope Family, We thank you for your love, support, and prayers during this difficult time. We would also like to thank you for caring and providing for Mom's physical and spiritual needs during her illness these past years. Love, Bill, Genese; Derrick, Anna, Ashley, Nick, Zach, Andrew, Thomas (The families of Sharon Rose)
P.S. Thank you to the Bible Study group, knitting group, and to the church for sending the flower arrangements.
Hope Church Family, Thank you so much for the lovely flowers welcoming Sarah Lynn to the world. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful church family. Blessings to all, Eric, Vicki, Charlie and Sarah Willis
Dear Friends, Many, many thanks for the flowers, food, hugs, cards, emails and love extended to us after Mom's Homegoing. Thank you for your continuing prayer for Dad and our family. We are quite blessed to be part of the Hope Family! In His Love, Chuck & Vicki Jones
I just wanted to thank you for sending me a box for Christmas. I know all of us service members greatly appreciate it when
we have people thinking about us especially during the holiday season. I thank you for the time spent assembling the contents of the box including the gum, the movie, and especially the crossword puzzle.
On deployment there are countless times when I am literally bored out of my mind so I am quite blessed to finally have something to keep me busy. I thank the people who have continually been putting these boxes together over the years and just know I'll be praying for everyone back at Hope. You folks have been so good to me and all service members.
Thank you for praying for us and please keep it up. I just hope by this time next year I'll be able to join all of you in praise and worship under the same roof. Thanks again for keeping our spirits high. With much love, Jacob Branch
I just got the package yesterday! Thank you, guys. It is always good to get mail! Tell the people at your church I said thank you, and I do appreciate all of the prayers! Blake Reynolds (Ken & Sherie Bergstedt's nephew) |
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 SENIOR SAINTS, JANUARY 12, AT NOON.
In January each year, we meet at Hawk's View Restaurant and order off the menu. Pastor Ken will share a devotional. Ask a friend to come with you.
Please call Betty Alexander, 815-623-2336, to make your reservation, and PLEASE include your phone number when you call so if there is a cancellation, we can call to let you know. See you there! |
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Women of Hope Breakaway Retreat
February 26 & 27 at Lakelawn Lodge Delavan, WI
Our Guest Speaker:
Elizabeth Murphy
Will speak on: Depending on an Overwhelming God when Life is Overwhelming
from John 4
Won't you join us for our Winter Retreat??
Registration is $79 which will cover overnight stay at LakeLawn Lodge, and Elegant Eats Friday night as well as a Continental Breakfast and lunch on Saturday.
Registration will begin January 17 with the last day to register January 31.
This is a great opportunity to get away for great fun and fellowship with other women!!Not considered registered until you have paid the $79 registration fee. The registration fee is non-refundable.
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HELP NEEDED:
Music Ministry is looking for an ADULT childcare worker Thursday nights 6:40 to 8:20 once-a-month from February to May.
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The Staff would like to thank you, the family and friends of Hope, for your most generous and thoughtful Christmas gift. It is a blessing to serve our Lord here at Hope!! Pastor Bob, Pastor Brad, Pastor Ken, Pastor Andy, Pat Carolyn, Dana, and Vera
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Early Discount Pricing for Hope Family
On Friday, March 5th, 2010
We are hosting a community preventive health screening offered by
Life Line Screening
to determine risk for Stroke and vascular disease.
Our Health Services Representative is offering
Special Pricing for our Congregation.
Sign up for the Stroke/Vascular/Heart Rhythm Package
For Just $129 (Reg. $139)
Includes: ultrasound scan of carotid arteries, abdominal aortic aneurysm,
peripheral arterial disease and atrial fibrillation screening.
Please refer to pink flyers in the bulletin for more information
about these important preventive screenings.
~~Other Screenings also available~~
~~Registration forms are available in the church office.~~
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SPECIAL Congregational Meeting
January 10, 2010 at 12 NOON.
PLEASE make sure to attend if you are a member. We need a quorum to vote on a member at large for the Nominating Committee.
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 Life on the Rock
 by: Pastor Bob
In January, we're beginning a new series called "Life on the Rock".I decided to do this series for two reasons: First, we are living in difficult times and it's easy to let circumstance move us around more than we'd like. Secondly, it's going to serve as a call to Biblical righteousness that is not based in works, but in a relationship to Jesus Christ. Does this mean it doesn't matter how we live? No...just the opposite. There are two major points that Jesus makes to the people who stood or sat on that mountainside as He delivered this message:
1: Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. This was absolutely groundbreaking to those first hearers because not only had they been taught works righteousness, they had very high regard for the people who sought to follow the letter of the Law...in fact, they aspired to one day be just like them. In the process, they learned about the letter of the Law, but not about the kind of person they needed to be.
2. Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.
At the end of his message of a culture that was based on going beyond the letter of the Law to the heart of it (we'll have 15 messages) Jesus closed with the above statement. The challenge before us is are we going to build our lives on something that will withstand the pressures life will bring...or are we building our spiritual houses on something that trial and difficulty will wash away? Please begin praying for me now that God will give me the ability to clearly teach His Word in a way that moves us to be the kind of people who live on the Rock.
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Winter 2010 Bible Studies
Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed:
A Study in the Life of David
By Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur
FOR WOMEN
Offered: Wed. morning 9:00-11am
Wed. evenings 6:45 -8:30 pm
Both offered for 7 weeks - Feb. 3 - Mar. 17
Cost:$14.00
Homework: 30 minutes, 5 days/week
At the 2007 Deeper Still event, three women explored their lives and the life of David. Anointed, Transformed, Redeemed: A Study of David contains the video portions of the Deeper Still conference featuring Beth Moore, Priscilla Shirer, and Kay Arthur.
You'll laugh with them, cry with them, and learn to love God with them. These authors' messages are divided into three segments, two lessons each. Each segment focuses on the life of David at a different stage of his life: as a young man (by Pricilla Shirer), as a middle-aged man (by Beth Moore), and as a man facing the final third of his life (by Kay Arthur).
5 Conversations You Must Have With  Your Daughter by Vicky Courtney
FOR WOMEN
Offered: Wednesday Mornings 9: 00 - 11 AM
6 weeks Feb. 3 - Mar. 10
Cost: $12.00
Time to talk to your daughter about some tough topics? Looking for Scripture to help guide those conversations? Let's talk about the culture's lies - and God's take on issues girls face every day. Let's talk about what you need to be saying to your daughter and how to keep those conversations going.
This Bible study is for moms of daughters from the cradle to college. This six-session group experience will help you discover God's take on critical issues. Learn from Vicki Courtney and other moms who've been there. From growing up too fast to online chat rooms, Vicki covers the hot-button issues you're sure to face and gives you tools to navigate the land mines with confidence.
Mom to Mom - Heart Talk FOR WOMEN
Offered: Wed 9 - 11 AM
7 sessions Feb. 3 to March 17
Cost: $16.00 for book
Have you ever been overwhelmed with the isolation of being home with your young children? Do you feel sometimes that you really don't know how to be a good wife and mom?
Beginning in February 2010, Hope will be launching a new ministry to Moms! Mom to Mom is a ministry rooted in God's directive found in Titus 2:3-4: "Teach the older women to...teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children." Mom to Mom will provide quality instruction in parenting, small group discussion and the opportunity to interact with "mentor moms." It will be a safe place for committed Christians, new believers and seekers to learn what God's Word has to say to them as moms.
We'll learn a lot but there won't be a lot of homework for our busy moms other than things to think about and put into practice in our families. We'll meet on Wednesday mornings and childcare for infant and preschool children will be available.
 Nursery Care provided Wednesday morning for infants up to Kindergarten.
***Visit the registration table Sun. mornings, Jan 3 & 10 to sign-up. Not considered registered until your Bible study book is paid for*** |
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Mission's Update
It's not too early to start making plans if you're interested in participating in a short term mission's trip this coming March 1st that will take you to the JAARS Center at Waxhaw, North Carolina just outside of Charlotte.
The project involves re-roofing 3 retirement apartment buildings so that retired Bible translators will have a great place to live. They are one story buildings and are not steep. They have a system in place for doing the work because they have completed the work already on several buildings.
The shingles are made from steel but are not heavy and are nailed with air guns just like asphalt shingles. The only tools needed for the project are a hammer, utility knife, tin snips, and a willingness to serve. If you don't have tools they will be provided. Roofing experience is not necessary.
The project lasts for 5 weeks and lots of help is needed. It is recommended that the manpower needs will be the greatest between weeks 2 and 5 because the focus for the first week will be organization. Come for one week or all five. All help is welcomed and appreciated.
Housing is available on site at a cost of $16 a day per person. They have apartments for singles and couples as well as an RV park with full hookups at a rate of $15 a day. If a group is planning to come Ken Ruge can help with coordinating the housing. Grocery stores are located in the vicinity for meal planning.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact:
Ken Ruge 815-988-7788 ruge.ken@gmail.com or
Steve Scherrer 815-623-7212 (Mission's Board Chairman) .
WHITE CROSS UPDATE 
Sharon Vinson & Connie Ruden, Coordinators
How about starting out 2010 by committing to be one of God's servants at Hope? We'd love to have your helping hands at our monthly White Cross workdays or even at home.
As our workers prepare more items to be shipped to TouchGlobal Ministries in March, we thank you for any donations of time, talent, and treasures. Recently we were able to donate 6 yarn-tied quilts to Rockford Rescue Mission.
Our January workdays are Tuesday, January 5, and Saturday, January 16, from 8-12 in Drake Hall. When you join us, our projects will include tying quilts, packaging layettes, 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
- Knit hats and mittens for local school children
- Lightweight flannel for receiving blankets
- Rickrack, bias tape, thread, small scissors, pins & needles to include in the dress kits
- Gallon storage bags (ziploc style) for dress kits and layettes
- Sheets, sheets, & more sheets for quilt backs (flat, any color)
- Campbell's labels for education (for local schools)
- Funds for shipping (make checks payable to Hope Free with White Cross listed on the Memo line)
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 will continue to deliver items to local ministries as the opportunity arises and the need is made known.
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Biblical Virtue to Pray for our Kids - This month as we start the new "Life on the Rock" sermon series let us pray that our children will have a passion for God. "Lord, please instill in my children a soul that 'followeth hard after thee' (Ps 63:8, KJV), one that clings passionately to you."
We are in need of dedicated substitute teachers for the preschool area. If you can help in this area, contact Chris Fosler at 815-636-9428.
Worship for Kids is looking for two people who are willing to shepherd a group of kids each Sunday. You will be assigned a consistent group of children to be with. Call Candy Tichgelaar at 815-540-9238 for more information.
Awana correction to Dec newsletter: There is a Jan 4 leaders meeting at 6:15 and Awana starts up on Monday, Jan 11.
It's time to start thinking about sending our kids to Camp Timber-lee next summer. Early Bird discounts are available to anyone who registers on or before February 19th. Scholarships from Hope Church are available to those who regularly attend Kids of Hope ministries and to friends that they invite. Watch for the Timber-lee table in the main lobby between services .
AWANA
At the start of this new year I want to take a moment to thank all of the AWANA volunteers for their service to our Lord in 2009. Throughout the fall we saw several new families exposed to the gospel message through their children attending AWANA. God is moving in our community and it is exciting to be part of His work through this church and the AWANA ministry. We had many young people accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior this fall, and several of the AWANA leaders and LITs had a chance to be a part of this joyous event. For some of our leaders this was the first time they have ever had the privilege of praying with someone to accept Christ.
Our adversary is not idle and continually attempts to discourage and distract us from following God's plan. Our defense is prayer, so we ask you to pray for AWANA. There are some ministry opportunities available if you feel God calling you to serve on Monday evenings. AWANA is a great place to serve whether you are a new Christian, or a mature Christian looking for a growth opportunity.
Our Christmas giving project this year was bigger than we expected (God's plans often are) and through our club, with some help from the ABFs, God filled all 150 needs with a gift. The recession has not shortened God's arm as He continues to bless His people and the world through His church.
As we begin 2010 I can hardly wait to see where God will lead or what He will accomplish, but I praise Him that He allows me to be a part of this great work.
**There is an all workers meeting on Jan 4th and Awana will resume on Jan 11, 2010.**
Humbly in Christ, Roger Glenn Director of TNT
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 Adult Ministries
Financial Peace University
The results are in!
We justcompleted our second class of Financial Peace University during 2009. In just 90 days, the class paid off over $102,000 of debt and set aside into savings an additional $39,000. (This does note even include several respondents who missed the last class and did not turn in their final numbers) That is a $141,000 change in financial position in just 90 days! Although we don't have another class planned in the immediate future, please put this on your to do list for the next time we offer it, if you haven't already. Numerous families reported how it has helped their marriage communication tremendously, gotten them on a plan and they now have hope in an area where at the beginning of the class, many did not.
The cumulative totals of two classes we held in 2009 total over $292,000 in debt paid off and over $83,000 in savings set aside. Congratulations to the families who participated.
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Music Ministry Update
Thanks to all who supported "Canticle of Christmas" by either being direct participants or by attending & inviting co-workers, neighbors, family members and friends to attend. My prayer is that follow up conversation will be continued with the guests you invited who came and that those who attended that are unchurched will feel welcome to attend worship or other events as they are held, and seeds will continue to be sown. To God be the Glory!
Kudos to the Teen Choir who spent a good deal of time not just rehearsing for things they were involved with - but going the extra mile by helping with much of the setup and teardown that has needed to take place during the month of December to accommodate the various ministry opportunities God has given Hope Church. It got to where they didn't even wait to be asked what they could do - they actually came to me and asked what needed to be done! Is that an awesome God thing or what?
The Teens did an outstanding job of ministering to the men at the Salvation Army Drug Rehab Center on December 21st. They not only prepared and presented a music and drama presentation, but also spent time dining and talking with the men they served. I continue to be amazed at how God grows our young people, uses them, and blesses their ministry.
An outreach like this does not come with out a lot of extra details to prepare - and God provided just the right number of vans, drivers, vehicle to haul equipment, and adults with the necessary skills to handle each aspect of the outreach to have it seem almost "easy". To Him be the glory!
As we head into 2010, we look to God for opportunities to use the arts in support of worship, evangelism & discipleship in the church & our community. Please continue to pray for us & let us know of any outreach opportunities you may become aware of.
Thanks for all! In Him, Pat Noble
If you are someone who loves to sing, January is a good time to join the
Celebration Choir! Our choir is a worship leading choir that meets on Thursday evenings 6:45-8:20. The Spring 2010 session begins January 14th and ends towards the end of May (we break for the summer). 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...).
~~~Coming this Spring~~~
Easter Outreach Service at the Hononegah PAC is on April 4.
Celebration Choir Spring Concert will be shared April 24-25
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Student Ministries
Please remember to keep our student ministry teams in prayer this month, our leaders and our leaders in training. Here's what's up and coming:
JAN-FEB: we are beginning our 2 months of holiness which will include: study questions and discussion from the book Worldliness, some guest speakers (interested adults should contact pastorandy@hefc.net), a "holiness" retreat, a media fast (yay!), a food fast (even better!), a special emphasis on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday (that week), and lots of prayer. Much time will be given during these two months focusing our hearts and minds on applying Biblical worship, purity, our holy priesthood and immersing ourselves in prayer and in the Word.
22-24 JAN: is beginning to look good for our winter high school student retreat at Cascades. The cost is going to be right around $120.00 a head and includes everything.
FEB: we are already discussing plans for BUMP 2010 and some discussion has been given to fun-filled night Sunday 14 FEB. That's right - Valentine's Day is on a Sunday night this year and we may want to take advantage of it as a student ministries to plan something special for our parents (and others who may want to contribute to each student participating in BUMP in 2010). If you could help and/or would like to participate we need everything from talent to food organizers. Please consider it.
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